It was while swimming at the Lido on the Heath that this project came about.
I was chatting, in the pool with Catherin Peake about the strip of photos that is on the lido wall, pool side.

Catherin suggested doing something similar at the Kenwood Ladies Pond to celebrate its 100 birthday. We felt that the banner would come to life if swimmers who use the Ladies’ Pond make embroidery badges to embellish the piece. In December we went to the pond and handed out bags with threads, needles ,hoops and material and asked people to go off and create. We also left a case tucked behind the shed so that people could leave their works of art or pick up more threads and bits.

On March 8th people came and showed their embroidery. The response was amazing! It was also lovely to hear about people’s inspirations for the piece.
Over the next couple of months, we held sewing sessions so that people could come and sew on badges and embellish the photos.
It was a lovely moment on June 21st when I was looking for the right colour thread, and I looked round and watched a group of women of all ages sitting around on blankets and benches sewing and chatting.

Thank you so much to everyone for making this banner -it’s so lively, interesting, joyful and full of love and affection.

August 2026