PLANS to resurrect Otley Lido have certainly caused a stir in the town.

The Friends of Otley Lido's scheme may only be at an embryonic stage, but appears to be attracting a lot of goodwill.

The proposal is to have the old lido site at Wharfemeadows Park registered as an Asset of Community Value and then revamped by a Community Interest Company, supported by grants.

Whether or not landowner Leeds City Council, which is currently seeking a long-term leaseholder for the plot, will consider the project a viable one, remains to be seen.

But in the meantime, the town's former outdoor pool has become a talking point again – and, for those old enough to have enjoyed the facility before it closed in 1993, a chance to reminisce.

The photographs pictured here are reproduced thanks to the kind permission of John Morgan and Otley Museum.

Mr Morgan, who kindly shared these photographs taken of Otley Swimming Club's fun gala to celebrate 75 years (it started in 1903), said: "I was chairman of the sports council when Leeds decided to close it, and the reality then was it was not a viable cost to keep going."

Ken Carter, Otley resident and supporter of Friends of the Otley Lido, said: “I used to spend almost the whole of the summer holidays at the Lido, as a boy, into mid-teens. 7/6d (37.5p) for a season ticket in mid/late-60s was incredible value for money for the endless hours of enjoyment that was had there, regardless of the weather conditions.

"I met my wife, Carol, at the pool in 1969 – it will be our ruby anniversary next year.

"Otley deserves to have the Lido re-instated. It would provide a boost to the town and would provide much-needed leisure facilities, which are sadly lacking in Otley thanks to the neglect of Leeds City Council.”

Other photos of the lido on the Otley Museum and the Friends of Otley Lido website, provide some fascinating glimpses into how the park, and its water features, used to look.

As well as shots of bathers enjoying the lido, they include earlier images of park visitors taking advantage of the old paddling pool, which used to stand where the current play park is.

Visit its Facebook page or log-on to otleylido.worpress.com for more details on the group's lido plan.

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