The Heath ponds have now reopened for swimmers once more to enjoy, that is true, and they have always been a happy place where everyone could turn up casually and enjoy a day of pleasure.
They were formally established by parliament, an elected body, as a free facility for everyone’s benefit but Margaret Thatcher removed this and gave them instead to the City of London Corporation, a big money concern that has no such credential and which does not serve the interests of users.
Entry had always in the past traditionally been free but it now has imposed a £4 entry fee for a limited time-slot visit that must be pre-booked online and paid for in advance.
Meanwhile government could stop posturing over climate change and start legislating and funding for protection of our mature trees, woods and all our natural heritage. Many thousands of people enjoy the Wood. If all say “no”, this senseless project may be stopped, and the council’s time and effort put into the desperately needed conservation work instead.
Streatery
Belsize Village s streatery where customers are being served alfresco. Picture: Belsize Village Business Association
- Credit: Archant
Robert Stephenson-Padron and Aya Khazaal, co-coordinators, Belsize Village Business Association (BVBA), write:
The beauty we have achieved in Belsize Village is something that should be universally celebrated.