Two incidents of concern occurred during the past week.

The first is a dog attacked and seriously injured a swan. Could anyone visiting the area please take note and adhere to the dog on lead notices. Whether a visitor for the first time or a regular we all have a responsibility to protect these fabulous birds. The regulations are that you MUST have your dog on a lead between Willow Lawn and the dog beach, which is the far side of the fenced off beach. However if your dog is likely to attack the birds please keep them on the lead all of the way round, especially at this time of the year.

The second I find unbelievable! Two people were seen walking away from the Lido having stolen two swan eggs from a nest near the edge of the water and it was confirmed later that the nest is now empty. If you see anything suspicious please phone Parks Patrol on 01895 239241 or the police. We have to work together and put a stop to this so if you have any information about either of these incidents and do not want to go through official channels you could always leave a message on our mobile 07804 626007 and we will pass the information on.

I hope to see on 11th June at 7pm in the Green Boat House at the Lido. If you are not a member you could always join on the night; £5 a year to help protect the Lido and you get a glass of wine!

Vicky Brownlee Chair FORL

Dear Friends,

It is that time of year again already, we would like to invite you to the AGM on Thursday 11th June 2009 at 7pm in the Green Boat House. There will be refreshments provided and it will give us all the opportunity to meet each other, catch up on past and future events at the Lido and most importantly gather your views on current events and proposals.

The current Committee have been in place for three years. I hope you would agree that we have made a significant contributon, not only to the Friends but also to the Lido and have been instrumental in the improvements the group have instigated. The Committee, however, feel that this would be a good time for a change and for other members to bring in fresh ideas, views and objectives for the coming year.

As always all positions on the committee will be open to a vote of the membership and we would welcome nominations for the following positions:

• Chair Person
• Membership Secretary
• Treasurer
• 3 Executive Members.

The current Chair Vicky Brownlee, Membership Secretary Roger Yates and Executive Members David Seaman, Gordon Dallas and Lindsey Hannigan will be seeking re-election. We would also like to propose a new position of deputy chair but this will require agreement from the members as a it is a new post. If you are interested in becoming a Committee member or have nominations please notify me either by phoning FORL or by our website. We will be accepting nominations on the night and would invite anyone putting themselves forward to give a brief synopsis of their skills and experience this would assist the members when voting.

In addition if you have any items you would like placed on the agenda for the AGM please let me know.

Thank you for your continued support and i look forward to seeing you on the 11th June.

Vicky Brownlee

Chair: Friends of Ruislip Lido
Telephone: 07804 626007

Dear Friends of Ruislip Lido

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who litter-pick at the Lido. It is a great help in keeping the place tidy.

Just a quick update on recent events :-

The splash pad was opened but due to an electrical fault only ran for a short time. This has now been sorted and is working perfectly well.

We have made our feelings felt about the water level in the Lido. The level was dropped just when the frogs were spawning, leaving frog spawn and millions of tadpoles to die. This is the second time it has happened in three years. This has a disastrous effect on the food chain for all of the creatures who rely on them for food. The frog stock will take some years to recover.

The additional benches on the beach in the splash pad area have been a great success.

Work has started on the bridge at the far end of the Lido. It will take some time to finish but with the Woodland volunteers and ourselves helping Sean, Derek and John we will get there.

Sean, the Lido Ranger, has received an award after rescuing a dog that had fallen through the ice and would certainly have died trapped under the ice but for Sean’s intervention.

The Friends Volunteers are building two more bird nesting islands.

Your help would be appreciated if you could lend a hand on a Monday morning at the Boat House Yard from 9am – 12.30pm, Tel: 01895 676812 or ring Sean on 01895 677074.

So if you are retired, unemployed or between jobs it is only just over three hours a week and will get you out of the house and into the fresh air.

Roger

The bridge widening on the circular walk at Ruislip Lido continues. The sleepers are down and the safety rails in place.