[online] Buildings for Sport & Leisure: 1. Pools and Lidos, Alan Powers + C20 Sports book launch
[online] Buildings for Sport & Leisure Lecture Series: 1. Pools and Lidos, Alan Powers + C20 Sports Book Launch
Thursday 23 October 2025 at 6.30pm – 8pm
When C20 Society (still The Thirties Society at the time) issued its report Farewell My Lido in 1991, outdoor swimming was as neglected as the pools made for it that were closing down every week. The campaign that followed attracted press attention and a few key listings, coupled with local campaigns, saved lidos that are well-used all year round today. Alan Powers, who instigated Farewell My Lido, will look back at the campaign and the parallel world of covered public pools that morphed from the 1920s onwards from lane-swimming rectangles, first with Georgian carapaces, then via concrete parabolas to squiggly leisure pools and beyond.
Alan Powers is a former Chairman and current Trustee of the Twentieth Century Society and was Master of the Art Workers’ Guild in 2020-21. He has published widely on art, architecture and design since 1900, with books including Bauhaus Goes West, 2019 and monographs on Serge Chermayeff, Eric Ravilious and Enid Marx. He co-edits the journal Twentieth Century Architecture and the monograph series Twentieth Century Architects, both produced under the aegis of the C20 Society.
The evening will also serve as the book launch of C20's new publication '100 Twentieth Century Sports and Leisure Buildings' (Twentieth Century Society/Batsford, 2025).
This booking is for online Zoom lecture. For in-person event book here.
C20 Society Member £6;
Non-Member £8;
Young C20 member free*;
Student £4 **
*For Young C20 members, please email lukas@c20society.org.uk to secure a place.
**For student pricing please select from the dropdown option next to ‘membership number’ on the booking form below.
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Note: This event is hybrid and is being run both in-person at Cowcross Street Gallery and online via Zoom. The event will be recorded and offered as a catch-up lecture for those who have booked and will be available for two weeks.
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The Twentieth Century Society is an IHBC (Institute of Historic Building conservation) recognised CPD provider.
The Twentieth Century Society is a registered charity, no 1110244
Image above: Northampton Baths © Alan Powers
C20’s Autumn Lecture Series is supported by Hallett Independent - a specialist firm of private client and art insurance brokers. Independent of the big, global insurance firms, we provide a service defined by expert advice and attention to detail. We are a small team of knowledgeable individuals with a shared enthusiasm for art and cultural heritage.
For more information, go to hallettindependent.com