WITH the recent spell of stunning weather, again and again my mind has wandered to the idea of a dip in Stratford Park outdoor pool.

But whether or not you or I can face the prospect of a chilly swim, maintenance to make sure Stroud’s lido is fit for the British summer ahead is still underway.

While we wait for it to open again on May 26, I thought it a good opportunity to look back on those who braved its cold water before us.

Stratford Park outdoor pool had its 80th birthday just last year, having opened its doors to the public back in 1937.

And actually, back then, the pool opened with heating - the boiler house still stands to this day - making it a state-of-the-art leisure facility for Stroud’s residents.

The luxury did not last, however - as World War Two grew closer and materials grew scarcer, the pool’s boiler was salvaged and melted down for the Allied effort against the Axis forces.

But what is still with us is, of course, the pool’s art-deco aesthetic, courtesy of its designer FS Cutler.

He was the engineer and surveyor for what was then called Stroud Urban District Council.

His legacy can be seen in the pool’s changing rooms, fountain, and parabolic diving board, which all possess a fantastically retro feel that stands as a testament to the pool’s history and character.

And adding to the pool’s charm is the fact its fed by spring water.

Today, the pool is owned by Stroud District Council and managed by SLM leisure.

Efforts are underway to see how both the history of the pool can be preserved whilst improvements are made elsewhere.

These efforts have so far entailed a public consultation last year in which over 2,000 people took part.

This was part of a feasibility study by the district council to gauge public interest in, for instance, replacing the heating system.

Such fixes are off the table for now but, in the meantime, I hope the good weather continues - temperature concerns are surely trumped by the fact we can use a uniquely charming piece of Stroud history still in the way it was intended.