.The Lido was near the boathouse west end of the Thames. The river was cordoned off with pieces of wood about about 30 feet long and 1 foot square. They were chained together for the length out into the river and again to the posts which were about 30 feet from the bank. There was a diving board covered by jute to prevent slipping. They kept the weeds down within the confines but depths were very uneven. Swimmers jumped or dived off the wooden blocks and swam acrossto the north bank. There was about half a dozen favourite swimming places between there and the Reading bridge where the kiddies paddling pool was. The Lido changing rooms were about 40 to 50 feet beyond the towpath with a path running between the lawns. Bathers sat, laid or picnicked. The end of the path were the cubicles, women’s to the right, men’s to the left. There were about four with wooden doors and one long one without, with forms around to sit on (you could also leave your clothes.)
There was the usual tap and mangle near the entrance. Just to the east between the Lido and the boathouse, was “Alf’s Cafe”, a wooden one storey building, selling crisps, biscuits, sweets, teas, cold drinks and lovely bacon or sausage sandwiches. Alf Macdonagh lived in the original mobile house next to the cafe. He was always friendly and talkative. He did a good trade and even in the cold weather, teenagers spent a lot of time there. It was always warm and cosy inside, and to see a storm brewing over the river from the inside was something to see.... Thank you for your lovely recollections Mrs Colleen Thatcher of Reading.
...The Lido had a marked off safe area for children to bathe and would have happy memories for many children from the Norcot Estates during the 40’s and 50’s... writes Mr S.Gold of Reading.
