Let's stop this 'lidocide' now (From Barry And District News)

Let's stop this 'lidocide' now

A BARRY man is throwing his voice behind the hundreds of others who have condemned the abandonment of The Knap pool.

Philip Clarke, of Deg-Erw, Cwm Ciddi has attacked the Vale of Glamorgan for allowing The Knap lido to crumble.

He said: "All over the UK there has been huge support for lidos. Writer and author Julie Burchill accused councils of 'lidocide', when she supported the work of an organisation called 'The Twentieth Century Society', whose aim is to preserve the parts of our national heritage being destroyed.

"London's Brockwell Park lido even had sponsorship from Evian Water to save it.

"Why is it that our council cannot see how important the Knap is, not just to the whole of Barry, but the country?"

According to Philip, many lidos in Britain have been regenerated, and are providing excellent facilities to many people.

He added: "Most of us developed our social skills in places like The Knap pool. Younger and older children still have to learn how to deal with each other, and that's not to ignore the benefits of exercise. With fewer leisure amenities in the area, it is hardly surprising children are hiding behind computer screens these days."

The 54-year-old pilot is convinced that not re-opening the pool will have hidden costs and implications.

He added: "With so few places for youths to go, vandalism is always a possibility. We were all angry teenagers once. Must we make them more angry than they have to be, by denying them past-times and recreational pleasures?

"So many members of the public have spoken out in support of the re-opening of The Knap lido that councillors cannot ignore us.

"What we need now is an independent and proper analysis carried out before any irreversible decisions are made affecting this jewel in Barry's crown."