Droitwich Lido - Come on in, the water’s lovely

By Worcestershire Life on June 18th 2010

Droitwich Lido
In the three years since Droitwich Lido reopened following a £1.7million redevelopment it has proved very popular with families – but watch out for the water cannon!
Droitwich Lido, Worcester Road, Droitwich. Tel: 01905 799 342.
For opening hours and prices visit www.wychavonleisure.co.uk/Lido

Rob Dufty, Lido manager
Rob joined the Lido as a lifeguard 17 years ago, returning as manager in 2007. “You can’t beat the atmosphere. On a sunny day it’s packed every time and we’ll probably have over 1,000 people through today. The whole design of the pool was to aim at young families. I’ve got a two-year-old daughter who I bring down on my days off but it’s generally a wide range of ages we get coming here, in all weather. I actually prefer swimming when it’s raining.”

Leanne Parrish, lifeguard
The 21-year-old is working her third summer at the Lido.
“I love working here and it’s nice to be out in the sunshine. My friends are quite envious but you do have responsibilities. A lot of people think lifeguards just sit on a chair in the sun but it’s quite challenging to keep an eye on all of the crazy kids running around and check their parents are looking after them. We don’t have to jump in the pool to save someone too often though.”

Jodie Ford and Callum, 9, from Droitwich
Jodie: “I’ve been coming to the Lido since I was about 13. It’s a lot better since it reopened and very child-friendly. It’s very relaxing and you don’t feel like you’re in Droitwich. On a hot day you feel as if you’re abroad.”
Callum: “I enjoy the swimming and water pistol fights with my friends.”

Bella Baird, 5, and her mother Fiona, from Dorset
Fiona: “We are visiting my parents who live here in Droitwich. We try and come to the Lido every summer when we visit as there’s nothing like this in Dorset.  It’s nice for Bella to be outside.”
Bella:  “I like playing in the fountains.”

Stewart Dingley and Joshua, from Stourbridge
“It’s like a day at the seaside really and feels like we’re on holiday. We would definitely come back again. I think our elder daughter would like it as well. She’s nearly 16 and could get the train from Stourbridge with her friends; it’s somewhere all ages can enjoy.”

The McAlinden family, Stephen and Karen with their children Jude, 2, Gabriel, 4, and ‘Nana’, Cynthia Sharkey, from Droitwich
Cynthia: “I come for the early morning swims every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (7-9am). There is a regular group of us and hail or shine we’ll be here!”
Stephen: “We come here a couple of times a month. It’s a great place for the kids and it is good value for money: you can have a whole day out for a family of four for £12. Sometimes it’s better when the weather isn’t as good because it’s not so busy and the kids have the space to run around.”

Upton Warren Outdoor Education Centre
Run by Worcestershire County Council, Upton Warren provides a range of watersports on its 20-acre lake, including; canoeing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and improvised rafting. Popular with school groups the centre also offers private tuition. www.uptonwarren.com Tel: 01527 861426

Philip Ascough, Head of Upton Warren Outdoor Education Centre
“A lot of people don’t realise we are here and you don’t necessarily associate watersports with the Midlands. Canoeing and kayaking are the most popular because they are easy to learn. Water is a natural draw for kids and this time of year it’s difficult trying to keep them out of it. This is a safer environment for learning and the ideal size for introducing youngsters to watersports. I enjoy teaching and seeing the pleasure on their faces such as the first time they manage to roll in a canoe. There is a lot to learn but also a lot of group work and bonding that goes on. If you want to teach team work, put a couple of kids in a canoe.”

Becky Thomas, 19, Sailing Instructor
“I started windsurfing here when I was 11. I did all of the summer schools they run and through that got involved with sailing. I started racing and taking part in national competitions and last year I won the Summer Nationals.
I enjoy sailing because it’s something really different and involves a lot of thinking as well as the physical elements. Once I started I never looked back. It’s given me my career and is a hobby. I’m off to University this year to study Ship Science and will be back here in the summer holidays to teach.”

Woodland View Fisheries
Set in a picturesque spot in Hanbury, just outside Droitwich, Woodland View Fisheries has been run by husband and wife team, Mike and Denise Mason for the last 17 years. Built on land they formally used as a market garden, it has six well-stocked pools used for a range of weekly matches or by pleasure anglers.
Woodland View Fisheries, Hay Lane, Hadley, Droitwich. Tel: 01905 620872; www.woodlandviewfishery.co.uk

Mike Mason
“Over the last few years the Angling Trust has been encouraging young people back into fishing, and we run a scheme for children. You can buy a little rod for £10 or so. It’s only when you get into the big time and competitions that it gets more expensive.”

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The veteran anglers

Albert Pedley, 78
“I’ve been fishing since I was about 14 and started fishing on the rivers with my dad. It’s a nice sport; it’s a lonely sport as you’re on your own but you never know what you’re going to catch next. In these commercial fisheries there’s lots of carp, bream, roach, perch, so a variety of fish. If you don’t catch any it’s a bit deflating. Some here will go back and sit in a dark room all night when they don’t catch anything!”

Ken Hall, 83
“I’ve been fishing all my life, since after the War. I run a pensioners’ club and a youth club and sponsored youth team for fishing. All my life has been wrapped round fishing. My wife’s not interested. I’ll give her some money and send her shopping and I can have a day out! It’s nice to catch fish, but I enjoy everything. It’s nice surroundings, you can have a day out and a laugh and enjoy good banter.”

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The lady anglers

Belinda Williams,
“I’ve been fishing here for about five years, but started when I was about five when my mum and dad used to tie me to a tree to stop me falling in the water! What I enjoy about it is you come out, sit down and no matter what problems you’ve got, they go away. You go home smelling of fish but I love it! It doesn’t bother me one little bit if I don’t catch anything; it’s such a relaxing thing to do when you’ve been at work all week.”

Doreen Putnam, 76
“I run the Ladies Graylings team and started fishing about 40 years ago. I had no option: my husband came home one day and said ‘I’ve put you down to fish on Sunday’ and that’s how it started. I hold my club on a Sunday. My husband calls it the tea party as we get here and have to have a cup of tea and a chat first!”

Irene Adams, 86
“I’ve been fishing for about 50 years. I’ve been coming here since Mike opened, twice a week in the summer, less in the winter. I used to break the ice at one time, but not now! Apart from the fishing, it’s so beautiful here. The water soothes you and there’s also the wildlife and the tranquillity. I’ve taught my children to fish, my grandchildren and now I’ve started on all my great-grandchildren. The nine-year-old phones me up and says, ‘Nanny, when are we going fishing again?’.”

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