We’re delighted that Colchester City Council have confirmed that the historic Victorian Boating Lake in Castle Park is to be restored and reopened.
The announcement from the City Council came after our high profile campaign generated a public outcry that the council seemed to be sitting on their hands and continuing to let the lake stand empty and to deteriorate to the point where there were rumours the council wanted to fill it in.
Using it as a hard standing backstage area for portaloos and portacabins during the recent Summer Series of Concerts was, at best, insensitive.
Jo Edwards, Chair of Colchester Civic Society said:
‘The lake has been a much loved feature of the Grade ll listed park since it first opened back in 1892. We’re thrilled that future generations will be able to enjoy the lake as much as previous generations have done’
‘Many people were saddened that the lake was allowed to fall into such a sorry state of disrepair and the length of time it has been standing empty. We’re grateful to everyone who supported our campaign for its restoration, to those who contacted their councillors, and MPs, wrote letters to the press, posted to social media, asked searching questions and made clear that the lake was an important and much loved part of Colchester’s heritage and history.