Brighton council takes back full control of Saltdean Lido (From The Argus)

As Brighton & Hove CC decided to send a bus load of traffic wardens to this fund raising event to ticket everyone who hadn't been able to park anywhere other than on the yellow lines perhpas they would like to contribute the additional money they raised to the Saltdean Lido campaign... or will they just keep it all for themselves?

Shame the Black Rock Lido was never saved. It was such a nicer one than saltdean's. I still can't undersatnd how they got away with demolishing it in the first place and still nothing stands in its place but a boarded up eyesore mess.

Undisclosed sum? Of taxpayers money?
I'm all for the saving of Saltdean Lido, but if public moeny has been spent, surely the Argus can put in a FOI request and find out exactly how much it has cost us.
Mr Audley says he has lost £500,000. I fail to see how, as he has cynically let the building and pool deteriorate year on year.

John60 says...
11:50am Wed 30 May 12

Shame the Black Rock Lido was never saved. It was such a nicer one than saltdean's. I still can't undersatnd how they got away with demolishing it in the first place and still nothing stands in its place but a boarded up eyesore mess. SPOT ON my friend

An iconic local landmark, and one which deserves to be preserved.

To be properly viable, the lido needs to be useful year round, so when it's too cold to swim, i.e at least 1/2 of the year. What's to stop conversion to an ice rink for the colder months? Even if the Black Rock scheme gets off the ground (and how many years have we been waiting for something to happen on that site?) there should be a market, and if there are ever two rinks, there's scope for an ice hockey league.

Ground source heat pumps should help the economics stack up (as they can chill as well as heat), and a year-round facility would be vastly more succesful than something only popular when the sun's out. It certainly wouldn't hurt the economy in Saltdean to get more business.

undisclosed sum huh, with the pay offs for the director who is off too this is an expensive year already for my council tax so I expect a rise next year.

This with anyother crack pot idea the greens have make me really excited about the future.

All credit to the Save Saltdean Lido Campaign, they have been persistent, well organised and effective campaigners on this.

Agree re Black Rock - I think the council has given the Ice Arena team until July to get back on track. That site is key to the regeneration of Madeira Drive.

Rolivan

The windows at Embassy Court ARE steel. Approved by conservation officer. Perhaps you could withdraw your comments

As a business man (my self), i am sure their are parts of the lease with restriction's to both the lessor and lessee. It would be prudent to allow the whole process to be completed before passing an opinion. This is a nice listed building, that the heritage fund should help with.
NOW -look at the 2 VERY ugly buildings by Newhaven Swing Bridge. They are listed! When the regeneration work starts, they will still be a very big ugly eyesore... So point of the day, don't always trust the council!

John60 wrote:
Shame the Black Rock Lido was never saved. It was such a nicer one than saltdean's. I still can't undersatnd how they got away with demolishing it in the first place and still nothing stands in its place but a boarded up eyesore mess.

could not agree more, had great times at black rock, lets hope saltdean can be made as popular.

Brilliant News. Well done to the council for getting rid of the property speculator who never had any intention of running the site properly. Congrats to the Save Saltdean Lido campaign who campaigned tirelessly. Their plans for the site can be viewed at www.saltdeanlidocamp
aign.org

Go Saltdean!

Hurrah. Go back to Buckinghamshire Mr Audley and don't come back.

BrightonArchitect wrote:
Rolivan

The windows at Embassy Court ARE steel. Approved by conservation officer. Perhaps you could withdraw your comments

I worked at Embassy Court in the 60s and the windows were all replaced. Why were they painted white when they were black before and also why are they all flat casements and not curved like before with curved glass?
The effectt achieved is that of something newish not Deco!

After the Special Policy & Resources meeting today to agree taking back the lease on the Saltdean Lido, a Strategic Director was asked if the Council were paying to take it back. Answer was "yes". How much? "Commercially sensitive information which cannot be divulged". So no FOI is going to get the figure.

The warrior campaigners have achieved the hill. The enemy is in retreat.

Having a single target to campaign for and win is just the start, however, and the bit that attracts lots of enthusiastic support most easily

This article does not say that the campaigners expect to get the Lido to run as a community enterprise run by them. This will turn it into work of another kind and steady commitment over many years. They have made a fine start, and done good research. They have the measure of it.

Wish them patience and good fortune if BHCC does let them run it.

Well done to all at the Save Saltdean Lido campaign. A great day in the park last Saturday attended by hundreds of local residents - and now this. Saltdean really has grown into a very special and community minded place. Very proud. Great result - well done.

This lido never made a profit even at the height of the lido's popularity it was closed for many years in the 50's and 60's,The council lost money hand over fist when they last run it,i remember when mr Audley came in saving the council tax payer hundred's of thousands of pounds ,i can understand why he has always been after the inital years unwilling or unable to sink more and more money into this wonderful building.The only way for the lido as a building to continue is to fill in for once and for all the pool it cant and wont work it was always under used and always will be,the thing is when the weather is nice between paying to go to the lido or 100 yds to the beach most people will chose the FREE beach anyday,as much as i love the thought of swimming in the lido i have only ever swam in it once over 30 yrs ago why? because its to bloody cold.Good luck to the save saltdean lido campaign in turning water into wine now where can i buy some rose coloured glasses..

Nice to hear some good news, well done the Council. I learned to swim there in 1969, and remember it as it was the same week man landed on the moon. It always was cold though and heating would attract more swimmers. Back in the sixties if the weather was hot it was always packed. It was far preferable to the sea as every time I swam in the sea I was surrounded by sewage. I remember coming out covered in tea leaves once, these were the days before tea bags, and teapots were emptied down the sink. I always managed to swim around the less savoury items floating in the water. Happy days.

Rolivan

Paint analysis showed the windows were originally painted red. English Heritage agreed they could be white, as they were in the 60s. And any window that was originally curved was put back as curved.

CharlotteP wrote:
As Brighton & Hove CC decided to send a bus load of traffic wardens to this fund raising event to ticket everyone who hadn't been able to park anywhere other than on the yellow lines perhpas they would like to contribute the additional money they raised to the Saltdean Lido campaign... or will they just keep it all for themselves?

Staggering! Not being able to find a parking place does not allow you to park where you want. If you park on yellow lines you get a ticket - its the same for everyone. There are so many inconsiderate drivers today who think they can just park where they like so they are not inconvenienced.

Telscombe Cliffy wrote:
Nice to hear some good news, well done the Council. I learned to swim there in 1969, and remember it as it was the same week man landed on the moon. It always was cold though and heating would attract more swimmers. Back in the sixties if the weather was hot it was always packed. It was far preferable to the sea as every time I swam in the sea I was surrounded by sewage. I remember coming out covered in tea leaves once, these were the days before tea bags, and teapots were emptied down the sink. I always managed to swim around the less savoury items floating in the water. Happy days.

Sound insight.
Heating would enable year round use.
I also hope the council see this as an opportunity to increase access for local children to learn to swim proficiently and safely. Where I came from all three schools I went to had pools, I learnt to swim early and swimming was a core part of the curriculum (perhaps thats why obesity was unheard of)
Sadly these facilities seem to be on the wane. Would be a good investement to bring the pool up to standards that enabled year round use and took some of the burden off health services dealing with the obese generation that underinvestment in sports facilities for schools has created.

Telscombe Cliffy wrote:
Nice to hear some good news, well done the Council. I learned to swim there in 1969, and remember it as it was the same week man landed on the moon. It always was cold though and heating would attract more swimmers. Back in the sixties if the weather was hot it was always packed. It was far preferable to the sea as every time I swam in the sea I was surrounded by sewage. I remember coming out covered in tea leaves once, these were the days before tea bags, and teapots were emptied down the sink. I always managed to swim around the less savoury items floating in the water. Happy days.

you cant run a swimming pool on the few weeks of a year when its sunny and will be busy how much will cost to have warm water all year round? who will pay for it?,mind you i to remember coming out of the sea as a youngster covered in tea..

BrightonArchitect wrote:
Rolivan

Paint analysis showed the windows were originally painted red. English Heritage agreed they could be white, as they were in the 60s. And any window that was originally curved was put back as curved.

They were painted black in the 60's My Stepfather used to work for a Contractor to paint the whole building every couple of years.I also worked there as a Maintenance worker during this time new central Heating was installed. Could the red have been oxide.My Opinion for what it is worth is that the building would look better with contrasting black window frames.Next time I am in Hove I will take a closer look and see if they have been replaced like for like especially those on the top two floors that had large curved windows to give an uninterupted view.I have been looking at the other Buildings that the Architect built and do they not have Black Casements?

rolivan wrote:

BrightonArchitect wrote:
Rolivan

Paint analysis showed the windows were originally painted red. English Heritage agreed they could be white, as they were in the 60s. And any window that was originally curved was put back as curved.

They were painted black in the 60's My Stepfather used to work for a Contractor to paint the whole building every couple of years.I also worked there as a Maintenance worker during this time new central Heating was installed. Could the red have been oxide.My Opinion for what it is worth is that the building would look better with contrasting black window frames.Next time I am in Hove I will take a closer look and see if they have been replaced like for like especially those on the top two floors that had large curved windows to give an uninterupted view.I have been looking at the other Buildings that the Architect built and do they not have Black Casements?

Sorry to butt in on a private argument but looks like they were white in the 1930s - see:
http://www.regencyso
ciety-jamesgray.com/
volume1/source/jg_01
_070.htm

saveHOVE wrote:
After the Special Policy & Resources meeting today to agree taking back the lease on the Saltdean Lido, a Strategic Director was asked if the Council were paying to take it back. Answer was "yes". How much? "Commercially sensitive information which cannot be divulged". So no FOI is going to get the figure.

The warrior campaigners have achieved the hill. The enemy is in retreat.

Having a single target to campaign for and win is just the start, however, and the bit that attracts lots of enthusiastic support most easily

This article does not say that the campaigners expect to get the Lido to run as a community enterprise run by them. This will turn it into work of another kind and steady commitment over many years. They have made a fine start, and done good research. They have the measure of it.

Wish them patience and good fortune if BHCC does let them run it.

If you really want to know, wait for the audit period next year, when you are allowed to inspect any contract or payment. Councils are not allowed to use the excuse of "commercially sensitive information" and if they refuse, get in touch with the district auditor, who will order them to release the documents. You may also take copies at a nominal charge.

Falstaff wrote:

rolivan wrote:

BrightonArchitect wrote:
Rolivan

Paint analysis showed the windows were originally painted red. English Heritage agreed they could be white, as they were in the 60s. And any window that was originally curved was put back as curved.

They were painted black in the 60's My Stepfather used to work for a Contractor to paint the whole building every couple of years.I also worked there as a Maintenance worker during this time new central Heating was installed. Could the red have been oxide.My Opinion for what it is worth is that the building would look better with contrasting black window frames.Next time I am in Hove I will take a closer look and see if they have been replaced like for like especially those on the top two floors that had large curved windows to give an uninterupted view.I have been looking at the other Buildings that the Architect built and do they not have Black Casements?

Sorry to butt in on a private argument but looks like they were white in the 1930s - see:
http://www.regencyso

ciety-jamesgray.com/

volume1/source/jg_01

_070.htm

Thank You for that, I am glad somebody else knows of the Collection left to the Regency Society by John Gray.
They were definitely painted black in 60s.The contrast in Black and white was stunning to look at from the Promenade.

Why have we lost a whole tranche of comments here?

Goldenwight wrote:
Why have we lost a whole tranche of comments here?

A number of comments were removed for legal reasons.

rolivan wrote:

Falstaff wrote:

rolivan wrote:

BrightonArchitect wrote:
Rolivan

Paint analysis showed the windows were originally painted red. English Heritage agreed they could be white, as they were in the 60s. And any window that was originally curved was put back as curved.

They were painted black in the 60's My Stepfather used to work for a Contractor to paint the whole building every couple of years.I also worked there as a Maintenance worker during this time new central Heating was installed. Could the red have been oxide.My Opinion for what it is worth is that the building would look better with contrasting black window frames.Next time I am in Hove I will take a closer look and see if they have been replaced like for like especially those on the top two floors that had large curved windows to give an uninterupted view.I have been looking at the other Buildings that the Architect built and do they not have Black Casements?

Sorry to butt in on a private argument but looks like they were white in the 1930s - see:
http://www.regencyso


ciety-jamesgray.com/


volume1/source/jg_01


_070.htm

Thank You for that, I am glad somebody else knows of the Collection left to the Regency Society by John Gray.
They were definitely painted black in 60s.The contrast in Black and white was stunning to look at from the Promenade.

Pleasure. I can see that black would have been stunning but buildings do move on. They could well have been red at one time as well, to match the lettering.

BTW, I'm told that the James Gray collection (which is amazing) was actually bought by the Regency Society, not left to it.

In addition to previous comments, why not make the Lido the centre for swimming for all Brighton schools. That would make good use of it all year round if it is heated. I would like to see it virtually compulsory for all children to learn to swim and for that matter lifesaving, First Aid and cycling proficiency as well,- all as part of the curriculum. Lifeskills. While I'm on about it, how about financial awareness, the Highway code and basic etiquette/manners all with exams. Older children should also have to spend a day with the Police, ambulance, fire service, a day at a prison and a drug rehab centre.

Congratulations to Brighton & Hove City Council in taking control of Saltdean Lido from the previous owner. It is about time this historic building was given some tender loving care. The Lido is part of our heritage and as such we should strive to preserve it for future generations. Perhaps, in the future, it could be modified by the fitment of an overall roof which could be closed during inclement weather making the Lido an all year round attraction. Until that happens I fear we will still have problems with it's viability.

Delusional People this building will now face the same fate as every other Lido in the UK, high running costs and no funding from the council. Black Rock, Roittingdean and Worthing all followed the same fate! You are backward to think that Dennis Audley did not lose money, £5k a month water bill £2k a month heating and plant running costs. Save Saltdean Lido Campain, I say "Good Luck with running The Lido, you will be bankrupt within 6 months, Your pathetic campain to save the lido has just banged the final nail in the coffin"
Ex employee who witnessed the high cost of running this place.