Sunday night, and finally a warm summer evening, found me in Cleethorpes enjoying a stroll in the refreshing sea breeze. (I'm sounding all lyrical here like Sandra.) The tide was in; so far up it was lapping up to the promenade. And there were kids swimming in the brown murky water:: how great is that? I didn't have my cossie so couldn't join them: secret relief. The sea container shipping and P+O ferries in the background just added an edgy north-east Lincolnshire grittiness to the scene. Ah - you don't get that in Brighton.But what you do get up the road from Brighton is the beautiful - and now Grade II listed - Saltdean Lido. I've yet to visit it but it's on my list of must do's.
Of course Cleethorpes at one time (until the 1950s?) had a MASSIVE outdoor bathing pool. The biggest in Europe I've heard. How sad that it's gone. There was no obvious sign of its whereabouts but I have my suspicions about the indoor 'leisure centre' 1980s ugly box of a place on the edge of the sea and could be built on the original bathing pool location. It's just the sort of humid, noisy, chlorine-smelling place that Sister Sandra so loves.
Now if this were the South Coast there would be a campaign to 'Resurrect Our Lido' .
But then if it were the South Coast it wouldn't be Cleethorpes and the cup of tea with my fish and chips would cost more than the 60 pence I paid.
How inviting does this look? What a loss.
Yep it really was big.
The Paddling Pool - but no water? : (
6 comments:
OOH! What a LOVELY blog Sister Nic...I never knew Cleethorpes could sound so glamorous xx
I was aseason ticket holder at the old bathing pool in the 70's - went there every night rain or shine. It was brilliant when it was cold and rainy - I would be the only one there, apart from the man in the captains cap who looked after it (and us). The whole massive lot to myself and the water was warmer when it rained! :)
Hello Anonymous and thank you for your comment. I am jealous of your swims at Cleethorpes - how brilliant to have the whole place to yourself - you must have been gutted when it finally closed. If you have any pics you want to share then do send them through and I'll post up. Progress eh - what a shame all these fantastic lidos have now gone.
Best Wishes
Niocla.
I couldnt agree more! What a loss, how short sighted. Scarborough also had a lido which is now gone.
I'm really worried about Cleethorpes, they are selling off the paddling pool, Meridian Centre and Discovery Centre to a private company to run, they are also closing loads of public toilets. They have already sold off The Fitties (where I recently bought a chalet - number 20 if you ever fancy a brew while you are on the beach) which brought in money for them, to a private company.
GY and Clee are closing about six bowling greens too. Pleasure Island closed its doors.
With the £ low against the Euro more people are holidaying in the UK, for example, caravan sales are unprecedented. Poor old Cleethorpes, what will become of her?
was this pool full of sea water please
No - fresh water - but from what I understand it could be rather murky!
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