The following is an email reminiscing about Ruislip Lido:

I am emailing from California USA where I now live. Originally I am from North Harrow and also lived at Harrow, Harrow Weald and Stanmore.

In the late 1950’s, between the ages of 8-14 my brother (Bob) and I would spend EVERY Sunday of the fishing season at the Lido. Our elder brothers (John and Peter) also had fished the Lido but had migrated on to fishing the River Lee at Cheshunt.

I have nothing but happy memories of Ruislip Lido. I remember we would arrive early (before the Lido was officially open), climb over the entrance gate and go to our “swim”, which was in front of the cafateria, maybe 400 yards to the left (looking out of the cafeteria). A small concrete wall then existed by the water bank and before the natural bank resumed. We fished for Tench and Bream but would also catch Roach and Perch. Bob was the Pike fisherman.

I remember the occasional trip on the scout boat between the piers. Occasionally we we would fish off the pier adjacent to the beach, sometimes on the bank by the boathouse; but our favourite place was the bank by the catateria.

I remember swimming in the somewhat coloured water and all kinds of things being felt underfoot (yes there was some glass and cut my foot one day).

When fishing, in the cold winter, we would go to the cafateria who would fill up our vacuum flasks (for probably - a shilling?) with tea.

The other side of the Lido (railway side) always had a different feel about it - trees dippng into the wate, water seemed shallower and clearer. It could also be a dangerous place and I think every year we went somebody drowned by getting caught up in the weeds. I also remember the sail boats, the scout boat running between the piers, the water skiing and jumping over the ramp, the little pool between entrance and boats with the peddle boats in.

A great asset with lots of potential. Thank you for caring and working for the Lido and the community, I wish you good luck.

Steve