The famed ladies’ pond in Hampstead Heath is once again engulfed in a bitter row over men who identify as women being allowed to swim there.
A feminist activist, Venice Allan, has become the first woman to be banned from an historic association representing users of the North London pond after she objected to biological males being permitted entry.
The 48-year-old was told in an email last week from the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond Association (KLPA) that her membership has been revoked because of her views.
She was told that she had ‘deliberately acted against the interests’ of the KLPA by giving a speech at its Annual General Meeting in March in which she criticised the decision to reject a motion which would only allow biological females to use the ladies’ pond.
Speaking at the AGM, Ms Allan warned members: ‘When the inevitable happens as a result of your trans inclusive policy that the majority of women, and, so I am told, two men, have voted for today, and a man that you’re so inclusive of attacks or rapes a girl, I want you to remember you voted for that.
‘I hope that you wake up in the middle of the night and remember that you made that act of male violence in a sacred woman’s space possible.’
The KLPA is a voluntary organisation of women who ‘care’ about Hampstead ladies’ pond and represent the view of its users to the City of London Corporation, who are in charge of administering the beauty spot.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Ms Allan, who has been swimming in the pond for more than two decades, said: ‘I’m not banned from the pond, but the ban means I can no longer vote on any of the rules.
‘More importantly banning me sends a message – just a year before we celebrate a 100 years of this iconic women’s space – that women who object to men using the pool are not welcome.’
Ms Allan said she was given seven days to appeal or her annual membership fee would be donated to the Royal National Lifeguard Institution.
The row over the ladies’ pond dates back to 2017 when the Mail on Sunday revealed the City of London Corporation had agreed to allow trans women to use the pool and female changing rooms.
In 2019, the local authority adopted an official policy allowing transgender swimmers to use the pond – used by famous names such as actress Helena Bonham Carter, comedian Rhona Cameron and novelist Esther Freud – despite objections from women who said they felt ‘unsafe’ as a result.
The KLPA was approached for comment.