WORK has finished repairing a leak at Lightmoor Ponds that threatened the future of the fish.

Fisheries management officer of the Forest of Dean Angling Club, John Beddis hoped there would be enough money to also re-clay the banks and reinstate new, safer, disabled pegs but unforeseen circumstances mean this work will be delayed.

He said: “Unfortunately the cost to repair the leak has wiped out the pot so we are now appealing for further funds to carry out the second phase.

“The club’s priority was to repair the leak and protect the fish after last summer saw the pond’s water levels drop approximately four and a half feet.

“The leak wasn’t straightforward to fix and involved filling in a trench to create a dam, it wasn’t until we reached peg six that we found a good flow of water and had one of two choices: either drain and repair the pond or do a ‘shuttering’ method using interlocking steel piles to drive into the ground. We chose the latter.

“It acts as a barrier to pack clay behind which makes it watertight, so far it has been successful.

“We’ve now discovered the shale bank is severely eroded and expect it will cost around £25,000 to fix and we obviously have to reinstate new, safer disabled pegs.

“Any donations would be sincerely appreciated.”

The club needed £14,000 to fund phase one but a shortfall meant they had to appeal for public donations.

Cinderford Town Council, Ruspidge Parish Council and Drybrook and Ruardean Parish Council were among those who helped the cause.

Mr Beddis added: “We also had the extra expense of employing a contractor to do the work due to insurance purposes. The thing is – like every project – it never runs to time or to budget and this is a classic example.

“We didn’t choose to drain as this would leave Lightmoor out of action for three years. We’d have to move thousands of pounds of fish to Steam Mills Lake and then there would be little chance of us getting them back so we’d have to pay to restock the pond. You also have to appreciate the natural environment takes time to settle.

“In the meantime I’m still keen to build a junior match team as I don’t currently have anybody.”

If anybody wishes to help the club or join the junior team call John on 07714956395.