Hampstead ponds

[Ariana12]

https://hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds.commonplace.is

Here's a link to the consultation. By way of recap: there are 3 ponds run by the City of London: in theory male, female and mixed. Although in practice they are male, mixed and mixed as the Kenwood Ladies pond is in fact open to TiMs. The City, instead of applying the Supreme Court ruling is having a consultation..doesn't seem to be limited to people living in the vicinity.

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I have just filled this in - thank you.

It says this at the start of the survey. My emphasis.

On 16th April 2025, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC. The Court clarified that the terms 'man', 'woman', and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological man, a biological woman, and biological sex. The Court also emphasised that trans people with the separate protected characteristic of gender reassignment under the Equality Act 2010 are also protected from unlawful discrimination and harassment.

I will fill in the survey when I’ve considered the consequences/ implications of the words from the survey in my post above, in this specific case.

btw there is an earlier thread somewhere about this consultation, so if you don't get a lot of replies here it might be that many have already done the survey and messaged on the previous thread. I can't remember what the previous thread was called, sorry.
And someone (sorry can't remember their username!) posted an excellent response to all the questions. Not suggesting a copy & paste job (mass submissions of same comment will be binned I expect) but well worth a read for ideas :-)
Hopefully someone else can find the original thread and post a link

Found it: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5419767-consultation-on-future-access-to-the-hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds-closes-25-november-2025

Example response to questions I mentioned is by MissScarletInTheBallroom on page 2 - thank you Miss Scarlet!

I just filled this in.

I just filled it in, I ended with

"Taking the women's pool off women and hand it over to men was wrong, selfish and disgraceful, I look forward to the Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds righting the wrong they have done to all women, for no better reason than to pander to the selfish demands of men."

I hope they take the criticism to heart, or it could shoot my survey straight into the bin.

Bump

Bump

Swimming with your sex class is neither discrimination nor harassment.

Bonkers that the City of London are consulting the public on several options, most of which aren't legal and which would leave them open to a legal challenge on the grounds of discrimination.

Saying their survey respondents told them to do it is no defence!

The Supreme Court ruling was pretty clear. But if they don't understand it, they should be consulting their lawyers, not the public!

Just completed this

I agree, and have filled in the survey accordingly.

I've filled the survey in. Lots of very similar questions

Thank so much for telling me. I thought that was possibly the case - given how on the ball people are - but I couldn't find it.

Completed. I wrote "as above" for every question after the first where I gave my fullest explanation.

It's shameful that money is being spent on this survey - given the pools are sex segregated by law. They are essentially asking the people for permission to ignore the supreme court ruling.

Tossers.

Completed.
The survey really read as if they wanted to give every chance of keeping things in current state - so much emphasis on trans.

I live in the other side of London but meet a friend for swim and catch up about twice each summer.

We had a horrible incident with a trans woman who was making faux-friendly but highly intrusive conversation about my friends (v generous) breasts. When we politely said we would prefer not to chat we were told we were selfish unfriendly bigots.

So after that we went to the Mixed pond and have not been bothered by anyone of any sex or gender. (Though are aware all have been present)

I did put the intrusive behaviour in the survey, though of course it was only one individual.

But that’s the problem isn’t it? We observe cautionary measures walking home at night because of the one individual,

That's horrible @StewkeyBlue I'm sorry that happened to you. They sound like a total, bog standard male creep.

It's disgraceful that this has been allowed and it's so unfair on women. I don't live in London, am I allowed to fill in the survey? I can and say my piece but it's more for the principal of it rather than due to personal experience like you.

Surely it’s mixed, mixed and mixed. Can’t TIFs enter the men’s pond?
Either way it’s disgraceful.

Anyone can complete the survey but they ask for the first part of your postcode.

It is the principle… and also the history. The Men’s, Ladies and Mixed ponds have such history, it’s what adds to the quaintness and quirkiness, and makes them the Hampstead Heath Ponds.

Anyone can complete the survey but they ask for the first part of your postcode.

They ask, but you can proceed through the survey without giving it.

Agreed, I did, I didn't answer any of the questions at the end and it still accepted my response.

Thank you OP for the link and I will complete it.

Well of course “she” did. Because what woman here hasn’t made conversation with strangers about breasts? I do it all the time! 🙄