Video: Ellesmere beauty spot boosted by jetties

A grant of up to £12,000 has been used to construct two jetties to improve boating facilities on the Mere in Ellesmere.

The project has involved replacing the old jetty with a new one made of recycled plastic as well as adding a second jetty on the opposite side of the Mere.

Funding for the jetties was received from the Tesco Bags Of Help Project, a community fund administered by Groundwork UK which utilises funds raised from the 5p plastic bag charge.

Votes cast by Ellesmere residents saw Shropshire Council receive £12,000 to pay for the two new jetties, which are located at The Boathouse restaurant and in Penley Woods, near Dead Man's Island.

Shropshire Council is celebrating the construction of the new jetties by offering local residents a free boat ride or free hire of a rowing boat tomorrow.

Visitors can board The Lady Katherine from either jetty from 12noon onwards, or hire a rowing boat for half an hour from The Boathouse jetty throughout the day.

The free boat trips and boat hire have been made possible thanks to a donation from the Friends of The Mere.

The Lady Katherine will be operating throughout the school summer holidays offering a regular service across the Mere.

The rowing boats will also be available throughout the summer.

Stuart West, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: "We were delighted to receive the funding from Tesco that made these two new jetties possible.

"The offer of a free boat ride or free rowing boat hire is to say a big thank you to local residents for their support."

Ann Hartley, Shropshire councillor for Ellesmere Urban, added: "Having these two new jetties has really enhanced what we can offer to visitors to the Mere and to Ellesmere.

"In particular, people can now climb aboard the Lady Katherine at either side of the Mere, sail across and then walk back, or go all the way round."

For further details contact Shaun Burkey on 01691 624448.