And yet the first laps of their swimming journey were far from happy; rather, they were about survival. Jessica, a creative designer and entrepreneur, was suffering from chronic anxiety in the wake of a seismic family tragedy. Meanwhile Nicola, who’d worked in the corporate world, was beginning to feel the effects of a more sedentary working life and needed some balance – even if she had to be dragged to the pool in the first instance. There, something happened: the immersion reawakened their senses, restored calm to their souls and began to bring joy back into their lives. Soon, they – and their wonderful retro attire – would go on to garner quite the following.
In the course of their lido swims, the duo has captured the imaginations of thousands, with their escapades having featured on BBC Radio, BBC London and in the national papers. They are also impassioned advocates of the 1930s lido – of which 169 were built, and many of which have been restored, not without painstaking effort. As the ladies beautifully put it, ‘The lidos brought la dolce vita to this country in the 1930s. It’s a bygone era which can inspire people to dream.’
Here, they tell us which of those 169 lidos makes the cut as their screensaver; their Olympic ambitions, if only as commentators; and their hopes that one day Mark Spitz will notice their assiduous Instagram love-bombing.
Our favourite website...
BETTER, our go-to site for Lidos. BETTER manages some of our favourite lidos and has some great tips for exercising during lockdown. The website has fantastic resources for staying healthy.
Our favourite app...
Instagram. The Lido Ladies were born on Instagram. It was on Instagram that we created our Lido Ladies Fantasy World during the first lockdown in 2020. It is so visual. We have amused ourselves and many around us through challenging times with our Instagram pictures.
Our favourite blog...
Monty Don – we love how he talks about the seasons and his openness and candour about his struggle with mental health and the peace he finds through gardening. We feel a parallel with our experience of swimming as the climate changes and the calm that it brings to our souls.
Our favourite podcast...
The Hairy Rock Show. We’d love to dare the Hairy Bikers to a dip in a lido and then have a pub lunch with them!
Our favourite YouTuber...
MySwimPro. Excellent for figuring out how to do it properly. Lido Ladies may swim the Channel yet!
Our most recent buy online...
DIY beauty products. A range of items to address routine requirements. The less said the better!
Last book you downloaded or read...
Floyd on France – great old-fashioned cuisine with panache and poetry.
Favourite tweeter...
Bobalina the Robin who tweets sweet notes every day and greets the dawn singing as we swim.
Favourite Instagrammer...
BBC London: Lido Ladies London local news. It’s been part of the rhythm of our life for many years. We’re also thrilled to have been featured as Londoners who made a difference in 2020.
Favourite tech gadget...
Electric Citrus Juicer. We love it. It looks great on the kitchen counter and may have health benefits when used.
The most useful gadget/item on your desk...
A Roberts Vintage Radio. We listen to Vanessa Feltz every morning on the BBC London Radio Breakfast Show and it’s a joy on retro tech.
Most useful digital resource during lockdown...
The Pacer App – it’s kept us moving while the pools have been closed. Nothing more satisfying than getting medals, cups and messages of congratulations from cyber space!
Most inspirational digital resource during lockdown...
An Instagrammer in Hoogeloon, Holland who posts the most wonderful pictures of her two pigs lying in a pond. It has totally inspired us to get out walking now we can’t swim.
First thing/app you look at on your mobile when you wake up/in the morning...
WhatsApp – it’s where the Lido Ladies get each other out of bed for a swim – or currently a walk!
Last thing you binge-watched...
The Olympics. We’d like to represent Great Britain in the over-55s..... even if we’re commentating!
Favourite brands have you discovered online...
Amazon: flowery hats, sunglasses and lipstick; the Amazon man has been the Lido Ladies lifebuoy during lockdown!
Social media allowed me to meet...
Well it hasn’t. But we’d love to meet Mark Spitz! We have ‘love bombed’ him with our Instagram images, but he is still holding out on us!
The best digital advice I've been given...
Get someone to help you!
My screensaver is...
A black and white picture of Saltdean Lido. We can’t wait to visit.
My standout online memory...
The surprise of appearing in the BBC News UK year in pictures 2020.
My pet online hate is...
Phubbing.
Do you have any online rules or resolutions?
No phubbing!
The Internet. On balance, a force for good or ill?
Good. One hundred per cent.
By Nancy Alsop
February 2021
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Felicity Cloake
Paula Sutton of Hill House Vintage
Sarah Raven
