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| A sketch from The Hinckley Times (03-May-1935) |
The Lido was once described to have ‘the noted spring water with a Rayzone treatment along with a magnificent lawn, sun-bathing facilities and pool. The proprietor (and designer) of the Lido was Harry Simmonds who was a director of a Hinckley Hosiery Company. Charges were: 7am - 9am six pence, and 9am to 1pm one shilling. Also one shilling 2pm to 10pm.
The Hinckley Lido was opened to the public on Thursday 30th May 1935 by Lt. Col. Sir Frederick Oliver, who was also the President of the Leicestershire County Cricket Club. In Sir Fredericks opening speech he offered congratulation to Mr Harry Simmonds on his new enterprise and also said that Hinckley had stolen a march on Leicester, being that Leicester did not have a Lido at the time. Also at the opening was Mr AJ Pickering who at the time was the chairman of the Hinckley District Council, he said that the water that was being used at the Lido was similar to the water that gave the name to The Holywell and Spa Lane, he continued to say that Dr Robert Chessher once used similar water in his treatments.
The Lido was 150ft long and 100ft wide along, the water depth ranged from the swallow part at 1.5ft to the deepest part that had a depth of 7ft. The water was constantly supplied two deep wells, one of the wells was 70ft deep. The water was then conveyed to the Lido by pipes and then underwent ultra-violet ray treatment, which was said to provide the water with the maximum of health giving properties. A thermostat process also heated it. The Lido was fitted with the most modern and hygienic filtration and sterilisation system of its day, the only other swimming facilities to use this process was the first provincial swimming pool in Brighton.
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| An advert for Hinckely Lido |
The entrance was located along Netherley Road (just off Ashby Road), once entering the Lido you were greeted with a real beauty spot. Along the side of the pool was a lawn, which was for a putting green, just next to the green was ample of room for bathing. There were changing rooms provided for ladies and gentlemen, which were equipped with hot and cold showers.
Within the pool area there were two islands with a diving board at the extreme edge. A grandstand was constructed for spectators, and there was also a booth selling refreshments, the facilities also had a large car park.
The Lido had a loudspeaker system for playing music. It has been known for people to hear the music from nearly five miles away when the music had been played loudly. When the music was playing at only a third volume it could be heard from Stoke Golding.
A well-known cricketer called George Geary visited on an occasion, he dived in to the shallow end and cut his head badly.
During 1942 the Lido was used by the Royal Artillery and American Troops of the 82nd Airborne Division. They would continue to occupied the site until 1944 when they left Britain to take part in D-Day.
The Lido was demolished to make way for the Flude's hosiery Factory, which in turn would be demolished in 2000.
Today this area is now a housing estate called Netherley Court.
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| Part of the Pool (Top/Left), The Magnificent Lawn (Bottom/Right) | |
| Hinckley Lido in 1936 |
