Don’t throw away 20 years of hard work at the lake
Last updated 09:53, Friday, 26 September 2008
I was fortunate, no privileged, to have been involved with the development of Crofton Lake some 19 years ago.
With the support of the Crofton Trust and the local community, the members of the Carlisle and District Coarse Angling Club set about developing the lake into a coarse fishery and nature reserve.
In the early years the club needed to develop the lake in order to support fish and aquatic life and, with the assistance of the Environment Agency, we excavated the pond removing thousands of tons of gravel which resulted with a pond that would support varied species of fish and wildlife.
The banks were planted with hundreds of trees and the margins with lilies and reeds.
Who would have believed the outcome nearly 20 years on?
The club has managed to maintain the same enthusiasm as we did in the early years.
They tirelessly promote education and tuition for the young and disabled anglers; each year they promote their angling ‘teach ins’ which are open to all kids and dads and mums.
The local angling shops provide fishing tackle and bait for the day for free and club members assist all those that need a help in hand on the day.
Crofton Pond is a success story!
How many projects can boast this 20 years on?
As Chris Bowman says in his angling column (‘Club’s the reel deal for Crofton Lake’, The Cumberland News, September 19): “Fishing is a very cost-effective way of contributing to Government’s social policy objectives.”
My own fishing tackle is locked away for now as I have not managed to get out fishing in recent years but I do still manage to have a walk around Crofton Lake now and then and take in this little patch of paradise and admire all the work the club has done.
I can only hope that Cumbria County Council can find a way for the lake to remain in the safe hands of the club so we can enjoy Crofton Lake for years to come.
MIKE ENGLISH
Cumwhinton Road
Carlisle
