Ilkley Lido – Yorkshire by Chris Ingham

The Diving Board by Chris Ingham

 

Closest I ever got to heaven,

Above the moors at 14’ 7’’.

Slippery steps, tiny board,

Pool below, friends all roared.

Don’t look down, can’t look up,

Can’t move forward, feet are stuck.

Closest I ever got to heaven,

Above the moors at 14’ 7’’.

Queue behind, getting lairy,

To stay or go – be quite contrary.

Deep breath in, what’s the worst?

Split in two, like a Damien Hirst.

Closest I ever got to heaven,

Above the moors at 14’ 7’’.

Leap of faith, tumble down,

Hit the Water – felt like ground.

Red skin, feel quite ill,

Never again will I climb that hill.

Closest I ever got to heaven,

Above the moors at 14’ 7’’.

The diving board, now long gone,

They say health and safety spoiled everyone’s fun.

Me? I’m glad it’s gone. Don’t care who’s to blame,

A monument to my pride and shame.

Closest I ever got to heaven,

Above the moors at 14’ 7’’.

Fact File:

·       Opened in 1935 as part of King George’s Silver Jubilee;

·       Designed by Frank Skinner, the Borough Surveyor;

·       Entertains 4000 visitors on a hot summers day and 150,000 people a year;

·       Water temperature ranges between 14 and 22 degrees C;

·       Shaped like a half mushroom, with an unscreened fountain and an art-deco coffee shop;

·       Hosts live music and events.

·       Friends of Ilkley Lido:  http://www.ilkleylido.co.uk/index.php