Friends Of Otley Lido

18/07/2026

Is it a rhetorical question? Of course reopening closed swimming pools will reduce the tragedy of deaths in open water swimming,

Our Otley Lido will teach people how to swim safely in controlled environments with lifeguards on hand so that If people want to swim in open water they can do it safely.

People will always swim in open water in rivers, in lakes, in the sea and what we need is facilities like ours to teach them how to do so safely.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/

The restoration of a lido in Otley could help improve water safety, a campaign group says.

17/07/2026

Here is the lunchtime news and the headline piece on water safety including our vital campaign to restore Otley Lido. Today, on the day that schools break up for the long summer break, the need to really publicise the perils of open water swimming for those who are not proficient is very important - and our Lido will help address this by providing a safe and patrolled swimming location and teaching kids and others to swim so if they do go in open water they can do it safely.

Please share widely and help promote our campaign.👇👇👇🏊🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️🎬🎬🎬

Thanks to our friends at BBC Yorkshire for including us.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002z17r/look-north-yorkshire-lunchtime-news-17072026

The latest news, sport and weather for Yorkshire.

04/07/2026

Dear Nicola Shaw, (CEO Yorkshire Water)

Did you see this article in the paper today? 👀👇📰🗞️

This was an important report published this week by the Fabian Society calling on water companies to help campaigners like us restore our lost lidos.

I’m sure you’ve heard of us? We are the tireless volunteer committee of dedicated folk planning on restoring our beloved derelict lido right on the banks of the heavily polluted River Wharfe in Otley, and right in the heart of Yorkshire.

This idea makes perfect sense to us. Our plans are well developed and viable. We just need that little boost to help us bring this into fruition.

Would you mind getting in touch with us? We would be very very grateful - as would our entire community.

Thank you for your time reading this.

Leonie Sharp
Chair - Friends of Otley Lido

Maybe 🤔 we should write to you direct? ✉️📪📬 Yorkshire Water

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jul/04/labour-campaign-save-britains-lost-lidos-swimming?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Group, whose constituencies have derelict or at-risk pools, are campaigning to make outdoor swimming available for all

29/06/2026

🎥 BBC Look North visited the future home of Otley Lido today

It was a pleasure to welcome Phil Bodmer and the BBC Look North team to hear about why Otley Lido matters – not just as a fantastic community facility, but as part of improving water safety for everyone.

With schools about to break up for the summer, this is an important conversation. During the recent half-term there were 20 drowning incidents across the UK, 14 involving children. Every one is a tragedy, and a reminder that water safety education has never been more important.

Our message is simple:
🌊 We are not saying people shouldn't enjoy swimming outdoors. Open water swimming can be a wonderful activity when it is done safely, with the right knowledge, in appropriate locations, and ideally with others.

🏊 What we do need is more opportunities for children and adults to learn to swim, understand water safety, build confidence, and develop the skills to recognise danger.

Otley Lido will play an important part in that future by providing:
* Swimming lessons for children and adults.
* Water safety education.
* A supervised outdoor swimming environment.
* A place where confidence and lifelong swimming skills can be developed before people venture into rivers, lakes or the sea.

As fellow Director Ian Lawson explained in the interview, the aim isn't to replace outdoor swimming – it's to help people enjoy it more safely by giving them the skills and confidence they need.
Thank you to Phil Bodmer, Jenny and the BBC Look North team for highlighting this important issue.

📺 Look out for the feature on BBC Look North as schools break for the Summer

Let's help create a generation who don't fear water, but understand it, respect it and know how to enjoy it safely.

18/05/2026

💦 What a fabulous day at Otley Show! 💦
A huge thank you to everyone who came to see us in the Buy in Otley marquee on Saturday — it was genuinely lovely to chat with so many people from across our community.
We heard so many memories and stories about Otley Lido — from swimming lessons, sunny afternoons, school trips and family memories, to people sharing just how much bringing outdoor swimming back to Otley would mean to them.
The support for the project was incredibly encouraging. We were especially grateful for the time taken by local councillors, local businesses and community partners, all showing huge enthusiasm and backing for what we’re trying to achieve together for the whole of Otley and beyond.
🏆 Our chutney caused quite a stir…
🎁 The quiz brought plenty of smiles
👕 The t-shirts got lots of attention 😄
If you shared a memory with us at the Show — or want to read some of the fantastic memories and local history people have shared about the Lido — please do head over to our Friends of Otley Lido page.
And finally, a huge thank you to Otley BID / Buy in Otley for hosting us in the marquee and helping create such a brilliant community space.
What a fabulous day. We’re inspired and more determined than ever to make a big splash for Otley 💙

16/05/2026

Julia remembers our lido:
‘on holidays and weekends it was where everybody went - we’d watch ‘Elvis’ doing his daring diving’

16/05/2026

👀📷. Another visitor to our store, Christopher Winpenny of Winpenny photography spotted friends John and Hilda Morgan and family on this picture and remembers these happy days

16/05/2026

Judy has just been to visit us to tell us her first date with her husband 42 years ago was at the Lido and she wishes us well in our campaign

16/05/2026

🐂 No bull… we’re at Otley Show TODAY!
The sun is (hopefully!) shining, the chutney is entered, and the Friends of Otley Lido team are in the Shop Local Otley BID Marquee all day.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s happening with plans for Otley Lido, want an update, have questions, or simply fancy a chat — today’s the day to come and find us.

Things to look out for:
🏆 Our famous Mary Berry Christmas Chutney competing in the Produce Awards (we’re quietly hoping for glory 😄)
🎁 The Shop Local quiz with fantastic local hampers to be won
💡 Need the Otley Lido clue?
Think feet and yards… not metres 👀
Most importantly — please come and say hello. Community support has always mattered hugely to this project and it’s lovely meeting people who care about bringing something special back to Otley.
📍 Find us in the Shop Local Otley BID Marquee
No bull… we’d love to see you 💙

15/05/2026

👕💦 Little and large… Otley Lido style! 💦👕

Meet Fran and Ian, two of our fantastic Friends of Otley Lido committee members, getting ready for Otley Show TOMORROW — proudly modelling our little and large Otley Lido t-shirts 😄

We’ll be in the Buy in Otley tent all day (look out for the big white marquee!) and would genuinely love to see you.

Come by for:
💦 The latest updates on plans for Otley Lido
👋 A friendly chat with the committee
🏆 News from our Mary Berry Christmas Chutney entry in the Produce Awards
🎁 The brilliant Shop Local quiz with some fantastic local hampers up for grabs
Whether you’ve supported us from the start or are simply curious about what’s happening — please pop in and say hello.
📍 Find us in the Buy in Otley (Shop Local Otley BID) tent

Helping make a big splash for Otley 💙