Furious anglers in UK town are fighting their local council's heartbreaking decision to ban fishing
SWNS
2023-02-21
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Furious anglers in a medieval market town are fighting their local council's heartbreaking decision to ban fishing in a popular and historic moat.
They say they were given no reason for the impending closure which will end their pastime which they say eases the stresses of life.
Baffled fishermen and women say their local council suddenly ordered them to stop fishing in the 'beautiful' moat - which once surrounded a manor house - without fully explaining why.
The popular fishing spot at Park Farm in Ashford, Kent, has served as a place of quiet refuge for generations of anglers for more than 26 years.
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) suddenly announced that fishing at the moat would cease next month, without offering a suitable explanation to those who have spent countless happy days there.
Angry anglers who frequent the spot are now demanding answers as to why they must leave their favourite fishing spot behind.
Along with Kingsnorth Parish Council (KPC), the local fishing community is now banding together to fight the ban by launching a petition to save the moat, which has been fished in since 1996.
Members of the Stanhope Angling Club believe the moat needs to be de-silted in order to remove sediment, due to the moat becoming more shallow in recent years.
However, they understand ABC cannot afford to pay for this.
Robert Heath, a decade-long member of Stanhope Angling Club, spends a large amount of his time fishing the moat and explained that the ban would be incredibly sad for the local community.
Jemma Coales, who has been fishing in the moat for around 18 years, most of her life, says the activity has helped her cope with her mental health struggles.
The 23-year-old said: "It's a really great nature spot and a beautiful nature spot.
Miss Coales, who fishes at the moat with her family every evening during the summer, says she cannot understand why hundreds of thousands of pounds were recently invested in a nearby playpark instead of the moat.
In a bid to save the beloved site, KPC has launched an online petition to preserve the moat, which once surrounded a medieval manor house.
It is hoped the petition will reach 1,500 signatures, which would ensure it was discussed in council chambers.
KPC chairman James Ransley said members of the Stanhope Angling Club contacted him a few months back over concerns the moat was becoming shallower.
The council is reportedly planning to carry out works relating to drainage and safety of the water, and says fish will be relocated to a 'more suitable location of the club's choosing'.
The Park Farm moat is thought to have been used for defensive purposes and for drainage of the clay ground on which the manor was constructed.
All that remains of the structure are some small areas of walling and terracing, which are thought to date back to medieval times.
They say they were given no reason for the impending closure which will end their pastime which they say eases the stresses of life.
Baffled fishermen and women say their local council suddenly ordered them to stop fishing in the 'beautiful' moat - which once surrounded a manor house - without fully explaining why.
The popular fishing spot at Park Farm in Ashford, Kent, has served as a place of quiet refuge for generations of anglers for more than 26 years.
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) suddenly announced that fishing at the moat would cease next month, without offering a suitable explanation to those who have spent countless happy days there.
Angry anglers who frequent the spot are now demanding answers as to why they must leave their favourite fishing spot behind.
Along with Kingsnorth Parish Council (KPC), the local fishing community is now banding together to fight the ban by launching a petition to save the moat, which has been fished in since 1996.
Members of the Stanhope Angling Club believe the moat needs to be de-silted in order to remove sediment, due to the moat becoming more shallow in recent years.
However, they understand ABC cannot afford to pay for this.
Robert Heath, a decade-long member of Stanhope Angling Club, spends a large amount of his time fishing the moat and explained that the ban would be incredibly sad for the local community.
Jemma Coales, who has been fishing in the moat for around 18 years, most of her life, says the activity has helped her cope with her mental health struggles.
The 23-year-old said: "It's a really great nature spot and a beautiful nature spot.
Miss Coales, who fishes at the moat with her family every evening during the summer, says she cannot understand why hundreds of thousands of pounds were recently invested in a nearby playpark instead of the moat.
In a bid to save the beloved site, KPC has launched an online petition to preserve the moat, which once surrounded a medieval manor house.
It is hoped the petition will reach 1,500 signatures, which would ensure it was discussed in council chambers.
KPC chairman James Ransley said members of the Stanhope Angling Club contacted him a few months back over concerns the moat was becoming shallower.
The council is reportedly planning to carry out works relating to drainage and safety of the water, and says fish will be relocated to a 'more suitable location of the club's choosing'.
The Park Farm moat is thought to have been used for defensive purposes and for drainage of the clay ground on which the manor was constructed.
All that remains of the structure are some small areas of walling and terracing, which are thought to date back to medieval times.
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