Major Projects

Each of the following projects is being delivered by member volunteers and where necessary external contractors. The projects are prioritised by the committee primarily based upon need and deliverability.

An initial budget is developed for each project following which funds are developed and set aside over a three year rolling period. The level of funding available varies significantly based upon the award of grants, donations, contingencies and also by diverting funds from other projects and activities to deliver our priotities.

If you would like to help deliver our projects please consider joining our Thursday or Saturday work parties. Contact Barry on 07484 136385 for Thursdays and Dean on 07757 216308 for Saturdays or through the Contact Us page above and we will get back to you. If you are unable to attend work parties but would still like to help please consider donating towards their cost, every little helps.

50th Anniversary

Intro

To celebrate the society's 50th Anniversary a number of projects ranging from a commemorative bench to the complete regeneration of Paisley's Pond Pit 3 were selected for delivery over a three year period.

Provision of a Commemorative Bench to celebrate the Societ'y 50th anniversary and the massive support provided by the Denny family during that time.
- Cost - £816 plus engraving
- Status - Delivered on September 2022

Replacement Otter fencing to Denny Lake Pit 4
- Cost - £19,100
- Delivered on July 2022

Replacement Otter fencing to Pit 3
- Cost - £10,750
- Status - Delivered on November 2024

Regeneration of Paisley's Pond
- Phase 1 - Ground clearance to enable removal of silt and reed growth prior to phase 2.
- Phase 1 cost - £14,700
- Delivered on November 2024

- Phase 2 - Works to reshape bunds, banks and access ways, provide new platforms, areas for fish sanctuary and planting are due to commence autumn 2025. Remaining works estimate - £5,000
- Reshaping works were completed late October 2025. Additional escavation works to provide eight pegs including two recessed double natural platforms and six dugout platforms with inbuilt fish sanctuary cages was agreed by committee. All ground works were carried out by PW Groundworks. Videos of the works can be seen here
- As of November the 19th 2025 works to construct the six dugout platforms with inbuilt fish sanctuary cages is nearing completion. Brush will be added into the six cages to help deter predators before final board fixing and ground levelling arouind them is completed.
- Following completion of the works a period of time for water quality management and plant growth will be allowed before the introduction of Tench and Crucian carp. The pond is due to open on June 1st 2027.

Sherwood Water Pit 1

Intro

A yearly appraisal and programme of platform repair occures at Sherwood Water Pit 1. Following appraisal in 2025 it is clear that the sandy bank beneath several of the platforms is washing away to such an extent that the ends of a number of support piles are now sitting on top of the lake bed as apposed to being sunken into the bed.

In some cases the front support post are moving down into the lake and some areas of bank supporting the beams to the rear of the platforms are almost gone. Additionaly part of the west bank is sliding out into the lake taking the physical bank edging pile/boards and associated platforms with it. Whist continued yearly maintenance is an option development of a longer term platform replacement and bank stabilisation project is probably required.

Provision of physical bank support along the waters edge and to the rear of platforms
- Cost over the last three years circa £2400
- Typical yearly works to level pahways and repair platforms undertaken during the 26/27 closed season. Should the need for a larger project arise it will be considered as part of the rolling programme.
- Further project appraisal and needs assesment is planned early 2027.

Provision of strategic planting to stabilise banks
- Awaiting outcome of Pit 2 test area prior to project development and initial cost estimate.
- Further project appraisal and needs assesment is planned for spring 2027.

Kingfisher Lake Pit 2

Intro

A section of the south bank adjacent the public footpath showed signs of imminent collapse. This lead to appraisal of the whole bank which resulted in a significant priority project to remove the overburden weight on the bank from overgrown gorse hedging and place full length planting along the base of the bank to help stabilise it.

As a result of the above appraisal attension was also given to the condition and stability of the northen bank. Gradual bank erosion is a natural occurance in lakes but due to the depth of water and steep incline of the sandy bank it is showing signes of sideways movement below the water line. Previously it had been considered that the tree/hedgeline along the bank was providing sufficient bank support however it is now clear that this is not the case as the sand in the bank is slipping and washing out between the roots.

Potentially there are several options which could help stabilise the bank and all will require significant work and cost. After lengthy consideration the committee decided to carry out a test section of bank stabilisation.

Works undertaken

Extensive hedge trimming to remove destabilising weight from banks
- Costs significantly reduced thanks to the substantial works undertaken by the volunteer Saturday works teams, Expenditure limited to circa £500 for purchase of a seconhand transport boat and additional tools and another £500 for volunteer membership contributions.
- Status - Delivered during April and May 2024
Provision of large scale planting to stabilise banks undertaken in two phases
- Cost - £4680
- Status - Delivered in June 2024
A test area part way along the north bank of Pit 2 has been created to test the effectiveness of replacing bankside trees/hedging with faggots and planting to help stabilise the bank.
- Cost - £830
- Status - Test area almost complete subject to limited top up of bank material to the rear of the faggots/planting and surface planting. - Awaiting appraisal of test area performance before undertaking similar works to the remaining sections along the same bank. An initial sum of £5000 has been allocated to the remaining works.
Provision of recessess opposite two swims to support the steep bund at the rear of the access path to enable anglers to sit away from thier rods and allow clear access past the rear of the adjoining platforms.
- Cost - £1250
- Status - Delivered in May 2024

Rolling Maintenance Programme

Intro

General maintenance at Reydon is undertaken throughout the year by the volunteer Thursday work parties in conjunction with a hedge and grass cutting contract and Saturday work parties during the closed season. General maintenance at Kessingland is carried out throughout the year by a small group of dedicated local volunteers

Reydon Complex

During each closed season a rolling programme of larger scale project delivery and maintenance is undertaken.

Replacement or major repair of platforms
- Cost over the last three years was circa £4500 for materials with labour provided by the volunteer Thursday work parties.
- Partially delivered - Awaiting yearly project appraisal undertaken each spring prior to the closed season, however a yearly allowance of £1500 appears to be reasonable.
Provision of physical bank support between and to the rear of platforms
- Cost over the last three years was circa £3500 for materials with labour provided by the volunteer Thursday work parties.
- Partially delivered - Awaiting yearly project appraisal undertaken each spring prior to the closed season. Costs are expected to rise with the increasing level of bank slipage along the western side of Pit 1 and erosion beneath platforms in pits 1 and 2 which has built up over a number of years.

50th Anniversary Project - Reydon
- This is the current major project being delivered, see seperate project sheet.
Regeneration of Buss Creek.
- This a longer term major project requiring significant project appraisal and deliverability assessment above and beyond the society's present human, technical and financial resources.
- Initial project appraisal including engagement with statutory agencies, expert advisors, potential contractors and sources of funding was ear marked for June 2026.
- Significant appraisal work was completed in February 2026. It is clear that some basic matters need to be considered prior to commencing any project development. Until such time as the Society's land ownership is formalised, other major projects have been completed, ability to manage the creek and a reasonable funding pot has been developed, no further appraisal is to be undertaken

Kessingland

Intro

Five year programme of phased works to remove, replace or repair failing stuctures serving the society's lake at Kessingland and improve the general condition of the lake together with its surrounding environment.

Following a condition survey of the Kessingland site in November 2025 the committee has agreed the allocation of funding for a five year phased programme of works. Delivery of the works is dependent upon prior agreement of a new renewable lease from the sites riparian owner.

The key elements of the programme are split into two categories :-

One off actions

Remove obsolete platforms and their associated substructures
Replace existing platforms to be retained
Replace or repair failing access steps
Raise the level of perimeter access paths above typical winter water level
Stabilise sections of failing banks
Remove trees overhang the lower pathway which are causing the bank to fail
Remove silt, roots, reeds, lilies and weeds as required to reform swims associated with platforms

Repetitive actions

Undertake spraying or removal of excessive growth of reeds, lilies and weeds.
Undertake water treatment to help reduce weed growth
Cut back tree branches and bushes obstructing pathways and casting from platforms
Cut back tree roots adjacent platforms which are likely to cause unsafe retrieval of fish or excessive loss of tackle

The works will be phased so as to limit the interruption of fishing, allow for increased use during peak periods including the closed season at Reydon, not interfere with breeding/nesting seasons and target ideal application periods for reed/weed growth treatments. Where possible all new structures will be constructed from economically viable sustainable materials and exclude all toxic treatments.

Equipment

Intro

The growing adverse affects of climate change have impacted the water quality at most waters in the UK which, in several cases, has resulted in large scale fish losses. To help combat this the society's committee proposed and approved the purchase of the equipment necessary to monitor and treat the society's waters.

High volumn dirty water pump including piping and transport trolly
- Cost - £1240
- Status - Delivered in November 2022

Airiator
- Donated through an EA equipment recycling programme
- Status - Delivered early 2023

Water quality meter
- Donated by the EA as part of a national water quality management programme
- Status - Delivered early 2023

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Major Projects

50th Anniversary

Sherwood Water Pit 1

Kingfisher Lake Pit 2

Rolling Maintenance Programme

Kessingland

Intro

Equipment

Tel: 01502 518198

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Freshwater Angling Preservation Society