I REFER to the article "Village Green campaign tops meeting agenda" (October 17), which I feel was misleading.
The lodges referred to as "Walshaw lodges" are actually the Lowercroft reservoirs which are part of a series of reservoirs which include two down-stream at Elton Vale. There are five reservoirs in total, commencing at Cockey Moor and ending at Elton.
In July, I bought all five reservoirs from Sproston Green of Charles Street, Manchester. My sole purpose was to restore them to their former glory and to establish them as prime fisheries in the area.
During the past few weeks I have organised a programme of work to clear the reservoir banks of overgrown shrubs in order to access the banks and make safe walkways around the lower reservoir at Lowercroft (Whitehead's). Twenty-two extra fishing pegs are now available on this water. In August, I wrote to Bury Council explaining my aspirations for the reservoirs. Their reply was both encouraging and welcoming as they were keen to retain the reservoirs.
"Save the Lodges", one campaign objective of the local pressure group, is exactly what I am trying to do and must not be confused with their efforts to obtain village green status for a 15-acre field opposite to Waddington Close and Mitton Close, in the Lowercroft area.
These reservoirs were formerly owned by the Elton Cop Dyeworks which closed three years ago. Many people have had the opportunity to purchase the reservoirs, including Radcliffe Angling Society and Bury Angling Society, but declined, probably because of the high cost of maintaining them. The on-going structural work is extensive and demanding, being covered by the Reservoirs Act of 1975 and therefore a legal obligation placed on any owner.
When I purchased the reservoirs, I knew the difficulties and onerous tasks ahead of me. The areas of Elton and Lowercroft are blessed with these magnificent waters and it is essential that adequate parking and safe access are available in order to attract many anglers to these waters. At present I am trying to gain proper entrances to the middle reservoir at Lowercroft and at Diggle Lane in Elton. We must always be mindful that to lose these waters would be catastrophic for the area.
The reservoirs at Elton Vale (Parker's) are used solely by Bury Angling Society who have recently signed a new lease securing angling for their members. The reservoirs at Lowercroft have been used by Radcliffe Angling society for more than 80 years but, due to commitments on other club-owned waters, they were unable to take up my offer of a five-year lease, and vacated the waters. Today the waters are fished on a day-ticket basis with the daily attendance of a bailiff.
I feel sure that the publication of this letter will ensure that people are now less confused about two entirely different issues in the Lowercroft area.
Applying to Bury Council for common land status (now village green status), using the slogan "Save the Lodges" is, by definition, misleading to the public in general and to anglers in particular.
Leisure activities on the west side of Lowercroft lower reservoir would be an undoubted asset to the area and infinitely preferable to an "urban sprawl". Specialist fisheries are a growing leisure activity in many counties of the UK. At Lowercroft and Elton Vale the fundamentals are already in place.
K. E. TALBOT
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article