Opinion: Guildford Holds Another Great Event. Long Live The Lido!

Published on: 22 Jun, 2013
Updated on: 22 Jun, 2013

By David Rose

Friday evening’s Picnic At The Lido, to celebrate its 80th birthday, was yet another fantastic event here in Guildford.

Following on from last year’s Olympic Torch Relay Event and the final stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race, we’ve had yet another superbly organised party, this time at our special lido.

Marketing manager Rob Price gives his speech.

Actually, Guildford has been organising great events like these for many years. As a local historian this is clear to me every time I look at old photos and read about past celebrations. Those for the opening of the lido in 1933, at a time of great hardship, were no exception.

For this event, Rob Price, the marketing manager of Freedom Leisure, (that operates Spectrum and the lido on behalf of the borough council) and his team worked hard to create a lovely celebration.

Earlier on Friday the skies were grey and rain threatened, but come the evening the sun came out to shine on this party. What more could you want? A recreation of the opening events of 80 years ago, a chance for a dip in the pool and then to enjoy a picnic listening to a jazz band as the sun went down on the longest day of the year.

Rob visited me earlier this year to look at some of my archive photos of the lido. At the same time I showed him the Pathe newsreel clip on You Tube of the opening of the lido in 1933. I could see his face light up when he saw (for the first time I believe) that black and white footage of the then Mayor of Guildford, William Harvey, dive in to the water to declare the lido open.

Town crier David Peters and Alderman Bernard Parke – both have historic family links with Guildford.

We talked about the possibility of recreating that event this year. With some genuinely nice links to the past, such as our current town crier David Peters’ great grandfather being the town crier in 1933 and Alderman Bernard Parke’s grandfather being one of the dignitaries at the opening, it was fitting they took part this year, along with current councillors, alderman and freemen.

The Mayor of Guildford, Diana Lockyear-Nibbs, makes her speech.

People came to enjoy themselves, some in period costume. The atmosphere was fantastic and with the sunny weather we could not have had a better evening to celebrate Guildford Lido and all that it offers.

The celebrations continue on Saturday, June 22, as it hosts its Lido Village Fair with stalls and games for families to take part in. Long live the lido!

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