The summer season is coming to an end and the staff at the beautiful Droitwich Lido are about to pull the cover over the pool and close it’s doors for the winter.   These pictures, which I took a few weeks ago, show the pool in the height of summer; both underwater and above.

Droitwich Lido was built in the 1930’s and was filled with brine water pumped from streams below ground and decorated in an art deco style. Chlorine was not needed as the salt was sufficient to kill off bugs.

During the Second World War the pool was closed and it’s buildings were used as army offices. It remained an empty, derelict shell until locals formed a campaign group and fought for the lido to be re-opened. In the summer of 2007 it’s doors were once again open to the public. Droitwich is a spar town and the lido is the only amenity that currently utilises the spa water. It is heated and the water is always very clear. A group called “The Friends of Droitwich Lido” are constantly fundraising to support the pool and campaign to raise awareness during the summer months. I was in the area over much of the summer and often went for an early morning swim in the mornings, before meeting up with my swimming friends in the poolside cafe. Whatever the weather swimming is always wonderful in this pool. When sunny, light streams through the surrounding trees to create a dappled chiaroscuro pattern in the pool, if it rains then it’s lovely to swim underwater and look up at the raindrops landing on the surface. The regular swimmers care passionately about their pool, which is surrounded with flowers, hanging baskets and trees and has a play area for children.  Each year that the Lido closes, its swimmers never know whether it will re-open the following year or whether the local council will decide to pull the plug due to it often running at a financial loss.

These pictures were taken to help “The Friends of Droitwich Lido” raise awareness of Droitwich’s only spa water amenity.

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