Downstream

years, the future seemed
uncertain. ‘The nightmare
scenario is one of stagnant
waters, polluted seas and
public baths in the form of
kidney-shaped leisure
centres,’ noted the club’s
anniversary booklet. It
bemoaned the closure of lidos
and a ‘woeful shortage of
space for club swimming in
central London . . . To be
sure, we exercise caution in
using the river, but there is