Anglers have done so much to preserve dam
“Boris Johnson enjoys giving flamboyant speeches but has no strategic vision; the turmoil he created the day after Brexit proves it. Nigel Farage and Mr Johnson are responsible for this crime: they sailed the ship into battle and jumped overboard at the moment of crisis” IT is not often (probably never) that I have agreed with a letter from Mike Madden, of Honley.
However, I can’t fault his latest comments on the dispute between Honley Village Trust and the Holme Valley Anglers (Feedback, March 21).
The anglers, (formerly Piscatorials), under the guidance of Peter Budd, have, over the years, put in an enormous amount of voluntary labour to preserve Upper Steps Mill dam at Magdale. They have dredged the goit, built a silt trap and reinforced the dam bank – all measures vital to maintain this important archaeological monument and wildlife habitat. Without their custodianship there would have not been a dam for the Village Trust to take over.
They resource which has given great pleasure, not only to fishermen, but to Honley residents, ramblers, dog walkers and tourists. The positive impact on the ecology is shown by the number of species which live on the dam, including birds we never used to see like Goosanders, Canada Geese and even the occasional Cormorant.
Personally, I don’t like fishing and consider it a blood-sport, but I appreciate that it is enjoyed by people from all walks of life and provides a healthy outdoor pursuit that many find therapeutic. The anglers have also done a great deal to make the dam accessible to disabled people and encouraged their involvement. The contribution to public health and wellbeing is incalculable.
The Village Trust, of which my father was a founder member, has also done a lot to enhance the quality of the environment. However, the committee has sometimes shown itself reluctant to listen to local people and I let my membership lapse in protest at the too early cutting of the grass and other vegetation on Magdale fields, causing the degradation of the diversity of the meadow that is supposed to be established there.
I have also had disputes with Peter Budd in the past, but have always found him reasonable