Lido celebrates 90 years of bathing
A summer of water-centred celebration is being lined up to mark 90 years since the opening of the much-loved Droitwich Spa Lido.
Friends of Droitwich Spa Lido, Rivers Fitness and Wychavon have joined forces to put on a series of events marking nine decades since crowds flocked to watch then film star Ralph Lynn open the ‘Seaside of the Midlands’ on 10 June 1935.
The curtain-raiser will be on Wednesday, 11 June, with a Music Evening from 6pm at Little Al’s café where former lifeguard turned musician Dan Greenaway promises to bring relaxation to the party with his acoustic sounds. Extra sessions will be available in the pool from 7-8pm and 8-9pm. The music is free and it’s £7.20 for a swimming session.
This is followed by a poolside celebration from 6pm on Saturday 14 June at the Lido’s birthday party, complete with family-friendly fun, barbecue from Little Al’s café and pizza, finishing at 7.30pm.
The entertainment is water-borne again from 6pm on Saturday, 19 July with a Synchronised Swimming Display starting at 6pm, followed by an open swim session. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children.
A memory book, containing photographs and written memories of Lido users past and present, will be launched on the same day.
On Saturday, 16 August there will be a unique swim and open-air cinema night at the venue in Worcester Road with a special screening of the Hollywood blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Visitors can enjoy a swim from 6pm and the film will be shown on the big screen in the car park from 7.30pm. Refreshments will be available from Little Al’s café at the lido.
Throughout the summer season there will also be a Swim 90 Challenge, enabling swimmers of all ages and abilities to sign up for personal or group activities. Entry cards for this will be available from the kiosk.
Suzi Wood, Chair of FODSL, said: “The 90th anniversary of the opening of the Droitwich Spa Lido is a momentous milestone and a story of survival throughout nine decades. We’re looking forward to a spectacular summer and hope for a good turnout of revellers to join in with our celebrations.”
Cllr Dan Birch, Wychavon’s Executive Board Member for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing, said: “I’m delighted we’re supporting Droitwich Spa Lido’s 90th birthday celebrations. It’s an opportunity to reflect on how much the Lido means to the people of the town while also looking to the future with confidence. Our investment plans for the site will safeguard the Lido for people to enjoy for generations to come.”
Nigel Grundy, Managing Director of Rivers Fitness, which manages the Lido, said: “The Lido holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Droitwich Spa and beyond and we are thrilled to have an excellent line-up of entertainment both inside and outside the pool to make it a summer to remember.”
More information on the Lido’s website at Droitwich Spa Lido | Worcestershire's Outdoor Brine Pool | Rivers Fitness.