I’ve received a formal response from the Council regarding the future of Shakerley Mere, and it confirms our worst fears.

The Council's Position:

They are pushing ahead with the plan to remove our carp and bream and enforce a "hook bait only" rule. Their justification? They claim the fish are "disturbing the lakebed" and that your bait is the primary cause of pollution.

Here is the reality they aren't telling you:

1. They are hiding behind the Club: The Council says the Club is "leading" the removal. We know the truth—the Council is using the license agreement to force these changes.

2. The "Scorched Earth" Policy: A "hook bait only" rule isn't "management"—it’s a backdoor ban. It makes the water unfishable, which will lead to the club losing revenue and eventually being forced to give up the lease.

3. Science vs. Destruction: They admit the water is stagnant but refuse to discuss Aeration. Instead of installing solar-powered pumps to move the water (which costs nothing to run), they’ve decided it’s easier to just remove the fish.

4. The Wingerworth Precedent: Just like at Wingerworth Lido, they are using a single report to justify a massive loss of community heritage. At Wingerworth, anglers proved the "science" was flawed and the ban was overturned. We are going to do the same here.

Our Next Move:

I am not accepting this response. I am challenging their "Trophic Cascade" logic—removing top predators will actually make the algae blooms worse.

Where your money goes:

Remember, the Council doesn't pay for the fish or the bank maintenance—WE DO. Every day ticket and membership fee goes back into the biodiversity and upkeep of the Mere. If we are pushed out, the taxpayer picks up the bill for a stagnant, neglected pond.

WE NEED MORE SIGNATURES. Please share this update. We have until April 1st to show them that "Restoration, Not Destruction" is the only path forward.

#SaveShakerleyMere #RestorationNotDestruction #AnglersAreGuardians