Octopus takes a dip at Brightlingsea Lido
It comes as Tendring's Octopus Ahoy! trail hits the streets today (25 June)
Last updated 25th Jun 2021
An octopus has been taking a dip at Brightlingsea Lido, making a splash of the outdoor pool's reopening.
‘Betty the Bathing Octo-Belle’ went underwater ahead of the public art trail Octopus Ahoy! hitting the streets today (25 June).
She will now sit in residence at poolside over the course of the trail.
The ’water-ful’ event marks the refurbishment and re-opening of the lido.
‘Betty the Bathing Octo-Belle’ was created by Brightlingsea multimedia and conceptual artist Jane Stewart.
The design is said to pay homage to the "golden days of tourism" to the Essex coast back in the 1930s.
The bottom has a painted scene of beach huts which have lined the promenade for generations.
‘Betty the Bathing Octo-Belle’ will stay at the lido through to the end of the public art trail on 5 September.
The sculpture will then go up for auction for charity.
Jane Stewart said:
"Brightlingsea is one of the few places in the country to have an original 1930’s open air and fresh-water lido.
"It’s always very popular during summer and being community run makes it extra special and something all residents are hugely proud of.
"It was this lido and a residency I undertook at the Brightlingsea Museum a couple of years ago that inspired ‘Betty’.
"I wanted my octopus design to pay homage to those golden years of tourism and be evocative of the cartoons of the period."
Meanwhile Nicky Martin, manager for Brightlingsea Lido, said:
"It’s been a long road back to getting the lido back open so that families can enjoy the outdoors and our fantastic community facilities.
"We’re so grateful for all of the incredible volunteers who have made this reopening possible.
"It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to host an Octopus Ahoy! sculpture to give everyone another reason to visit us here and enjoy the lido which we are all lucky to have."
Katie Skingle, director of KAT Marketing, added:
"We’ve enjoyed touring round Tendring with all our octopus friends! Betty has been a superstar today, a natural in the water!
"I remember coming here as a child and so I’m thrilled to see the lido open to the public again.
"Come along and see Betty ‘in situ’ outside the Brightlingsea Museum from 25 June for the Octopus Ahoy! trail and pop along for a swim at the lido – make a day of it out here in lovely Brightlingsea, this stay-cation summertime of fun."
To join in the family trail this summer in Tendring, download the free Octopus Ahoy! app from Apple and Android stores.