Bid to turn Telford lake into a leisure site

But a new group is now hoping to transform Stirchley's Holmer Lake into a major centre for recreation.

The Friends of Holmer Lake has been set up by Councillor Connor Furnival, who represents the Nedge ward on Telford & Wrekin Council and Greg Sinclair, who sits on Stirchley and Brookside Parish Council.

The group, which is dedicated to developing the lake as a leisure attraction, will hold its first meeting in the middle of September.

Councillor Furnival said the reservoir has great potential as somewhere for people living across the area to enjoy.

"The group wants to see more use made of it, we want it to be seen as more than something that people drive past on the main road," he said.

"The group is being set up for the preservation and improvement of Holmer Lake for the enjoyment of all people, including those with disabilities."

He said the success of a similar group in Hollinswood and Randlay Valley had shown how the local community could make a big difference when it worked together.

Councillor Furnival said the lake had great potential as a site for community events.

"They already have a bonfire every year and we would like to see that become a huge event," he said.

"We would like to see activities organised around the pool," he said.

"We would like to get an ornithologist down to work with Holmer Primary School, and maybe ecologists organising bug days for children."

Councillor Furnival said that in years gone by the site had been somewhat neglected, but much had been done to make it a more attractive place in recent years.

Work recently begun to remove damaged, leaning or inappropriate trees.

In addition, scrub land along the track between the top and lower car parks is currently being tidied up by volunteers.

Anybody interested in getting involved is invited to get in touch through the group's Facebook page, which can be found at www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Holmer-Lake/1803251989899840