Sometimes a nugget of a story is right under your nose but sorely missed.

For pond and lido swimmers, Tony May has been an important and permanent fixture since 1990. And although my article wanted to focus on Tony’s story - he has recently retired from his duties as a lifeguard - a bigger narrative revealed itself during our interview.

For Tony and his two brothers, the lido was a family fixture growing up and the fountain at the lido (still present behind a plexiglass monument) was the backdrop for many a family holiday sojourn.

As Tony tells it, it was “our second home”.

Those who have watched the documentary The Ponds on Netflix will remember the story of how Tony heroically saved a muscleman from drowning. The panicked swimmer had grabbed Tony around the waist, nearly crushing him with his imposing biceps and torso, but Tony’s skilled background as a county swimmer and his lifeguard training allowed him to think quickly.

In a Houdini flash and a scene right out of a Bond film, Tony managed to claw out of the muscleman's grasp, drop down under the water and reappear behind the bodybuilder's head and bring him safely to shore.

Tony was one of the original Camden Dolphins, a legend in what is now Camden Swiss Cottage swimming club, of which I am also a former member.

Ham & High: Russell Bentley enjoyed speaking to Tony MayRussell Bentley enjoyed speaking to Tony May (Image: Archant)

But Tony’s tale only begins there. He presented documents and dossiers during our chat together about his grandfather, who it turns out was a huge figure, (figuratively, not literally as he was 5ft 1in tall) in the world of the boxing glitterati.

Wally Henry May, a boxing trainer and former music hall strongman, would barely be described as an imposing figure, nicknamed ‘The pocket Atlas.’ But his record speaks for itself, coaching many boxing legends including the great Len Harvey (a documentary was made about this boxing great) described as one of the finest of the 20th Century.

Sadly, Tony did not see the prowess of his grandfather’s career as he died when Tony was two, but his legend lives on.

Wally Henry May’s pamphlet on physical health, My Story and The Road To Wellbeing, Health And Fitness, feels very prescient and fitting in 2024 when a strong emphasis is placed on the relationship between exercise and mental health.

But now back to Tony May. Though he’s retired he’s still a firm favourite to the many regulars who frequent these Hampstead fixtures and Tony is always happy to share the many photos and articles he has documented of the legacy of his family as well as those of a childhood spent at the lido.

Thanks, Tony, for bringing the wonderful memories to life.

  • Russell Bentley is an actor and writer from Belsize Park.