Friends of Jesus Green Lido Committee
Venue: 25 George Street, Cambridge
Present: Richard Folley, Nicky Spoor, Nicky Blanning, Ben Pridgeon, Anie Morgan James, Anne Campbell, Becky Allen
Apologies: Mary Latham, Francis Jeans, Geoff Jones, Alex Buxton, Will Hudson
1) Welcome and thanks to Nicky Spoor for hosting the meeting.
2) Review of minutes from committee meeting on 4th December 2017.
3) Matters arising – Kevan’s legacy is still pending. Nicky Blanning has contacted his wife several times but has had no response from her.
4) Chair’s update –
Nicky Blanning highlighted the importance of keeping communications open with the City Council and GLL. She has also been made aware of Community funding that could be used to improve the lido. Nicky has had no response from GLL to her query about a breakdown of the costs required to have the pool opening hours extended.
Ian Ross is to be contacted about several key issues (Action: Nicky Blanning)
Opening times – are these set or can they be changed? Possibility of restricted opening hours during the winter.
Details of the contract with GLL/Better
Staff numbers
Improving cleanliness
5) Treasurer’s report – This is unchanged since the last meeting. There is approximately £2 000 in the account including donations from Kevan’s memorial.
6) Membership update – This is unchanged since the last meeting.There are currently 178 names on the email list.
7) A draft of the constitution had previously been circulated to the committee and several amendments were suggested. The constitution should also include membership details. It was agreed by the committee that a joining fee of £1, with the option of an extra voluntary donation, would be appropriate to cover administration costs of the Friends of Jesus Green Lido. Membership should be open to everyone. A committee quorum should be 1/3 of the total number of committee members.
Action: Becky Allen will update the draft constitution and circulate to the committee for final approval.
8) Ben Pridgeon outlined the process involved in applying for a ‘section 106’ funding grant from the city council. This funding has previously been used for art projects and to improve open spaces and play areas in the city. The criteria would need to be confirmed and a proposal put forward to GLL for a joint application from Friends of Jesus Green Lido and GLL. The committee agreed that a hot tub, new benches and deck chairs would be a valid and worthwhile suggestion. Anie will research costs of hot tubs. Urgent action is needed as the closing date for the application is 3rd April 2018. Action: Ben Pridgeon, Nicky Blanning, Anie Morgan
9) The committee felt it was vital to improve the publicity of the lido. GLL/Better usually contact the Cambridge News at the start of the season. It would also be beneficial to raise the profile of the “Friends of Jesus Green Lido’ by producing posters and cards that could be distributed around the city and included in the tourist board’s publicity leaflets and online information. It was also suggested that a simple ‘Friends’ logo could be designed and printed onto t-shirts, sweatshirts and mugs. Action: Nicky Spoor, Richard Folley ( to contact Francis)
10) Nicky is to arrange a meeting in March with Daryl Emes and Ian Ross. Action: Nicky Blanning
11) The opening date for the lido is 12th May 2018. The Friends propose having a membership stall. On Friday 11th May there will be a ‘Friends’ special evening pool session with refreshments.
13) Any other business –
Committee members have visited other open air pools and lidos and been impressed by the cleanliness and staffing of these. Some have extended opening seasons for members with minimal staffing requirements. Ideally these ideas could be discussed with GLL and the city council.
The plastic hoarding has been removed from the pool plant room but the scaffolding is still up. The committee would like an update on the work being carried out. Action: Nicky Blanning
As the 100 years of the pool is coming up, there was some discussion about it being a listed building. Ben suggested that it is unlikely to obtain this status but might be eligible to be listed as an ‘Asset of Community Value’ ACV. Action: Ben Pridgeon
The winter party at Hobbs Pavillion was very successful. Thanks to Francis, Richard and Geoff for organising it. Nicky and Alex are compiling the results of the questionnaire that was carried out at the event.
14) The next meeting will be held in March with representative from the city council and GLL.
