Raves & Rants . . from Penzance

Two magnificent pieces of architecture for the price of one

The open air 'solar heated' Jubilee Pool is the jewel in the crown of Penzance promenade.  Originally built to fulfill the town's need to clear some slums and help make Penzance a bona fide seaside resort, it recently opened its doors for the 2010 season.  As the largest Lido in the country, it is marked out by the sweeping white lines of its design, and the serried ranks of changing cubicles along the terraces above the waterline. This year being the 75th anniversary of the first opening ceremony in 1935, it was celebrated with Art75, where local schoolchildren and artists turned over 90 cubicles into mini art galleries, each one with something new for the viewer to experience. With painting, animation, sculptures or film and archive installations as well as live music to choose from, there was a lot to please the crowds.  The stand out part of the show was the Synchronised swimming display from St Austell Synch...

When you can't get to the surf, it helps if you can stay fit by doing something else, in this case, a few lengths at the local pool. Still fiinding something to learn about breathing, timing and technique, despite having swum for years. Not the prettiest of architectural inventions, the local pool does have the added bonus of warm water in mid winter. The open air Jubilee Pool on Penzance promenade, however, operates on the reverse basis - cold enough to attract only hardened fanatics in winter, it is one of the most spectacular pieces of architecture, with many many lines to please the eye, whether on a swim or having a coffee in the cafe above. Always good to photograph, this pic was the cover of Cornwall Today last summer. Remember summer?