Residents protest to save their pool

11:37am Tuesday 7th September 2004

MASKED campaigners fighting the proposed closure of Ladywell Leisure Centre took their campaign to the heart of the borough.

Disguised as Lewisham Mayor Steve Bullock, the protesters drummed up support for their fight outside Lewisham Library on September 2.

Organiser Massimiliano Calo, of Mountpleasant Road, Ladywell, started the campaign after discovering Lewisham Council will close the pool down in 2007 to make way for a new school.

He said: "We wore the masks because Steve Bullock said in October last year that as long as he is mayor there will be a top-class swimming facility in the centre of our borough. The swimming pool must not be demolished until there is a replacement.

"The council has not done any assessment of the consequences of closing the pool. Our own survey shows it will have a very negative impact on the welfare of the residents."

Sean Lock, the writer of the BBC's comedy series Fifteen Storeys High, which was partially shot at Ladywell Leisure Centre, is also backing the protesters' campaign.

Meanwhile, the London Pools Campaign is holding an exhibition of photographs of derelict swimming pools at Masons Cafe and Life Cafe, both in Ladywell Road, from 5pm today.

A public meeting organised by the Save Ladywell Pool Campaign will follow at Ladywell Leisure Centre, Lewisham High Street, at 7pm.

And there will be a march from Ladywell Leisure Centre to Lewisham Town Hall at 6.30pm on September 15.

A petition opposing the pool's closure will then be presented to Mr Bullock.