AN abandoned lake in St Lawrence is being brought back to life through a community fishing project.
Sitting in the old Tamba Park site, Islanders of all ages and abilities are now being encourage to enjoy the great outdoors while learning new skills and socialising with one another.
Schools including Grainville, La Passerelle, Mont à l’Abbé and St George’s attend regularly, alongside scout groups and residents from Jersey Cheshire Homes, many of who visit weekly.
Cheshire Homes resident Trevor de la Motte, a lifelong angler who enjoys both freshwater and sea fishing, said that the sessions have enabled him to continue a lifelong hobby while reconnecting with members of the Jersey Freshwater Angling Association that he knew prior to moving into the residential facility.
“It’s so quiet and peaceful there to tell you the truth, it’s about being outside in the fresh air and having a chat,” he said. “If I catch a fish, it’s a bonus.”
Mr de la Motte added that the trips play an important role in his wellbeing, giving him the chance to reminisce, meet people outside of home life and maintain a sense of independence.
A spokesperson for Jersey Cheshire Homes added: “The residents really look forward to being out in the fresh air and relaxed atmosphere and have become quite competitive in how many fish have been caught – the friendly competition is lovely to see.”
A spokesperson from La Passerelle, which supports students who struggle to attend mainstream school, added: “The students have really engaged with the fishing sessions and it’s the part of the week that they all really look forward to.
“In class we have been able to link their outdoor learning to their English by using the lake as the setting and developing stories that the students can read and answer comprehension questions.
“The students engage more with this as it relates to an activity experience that they enjoy.”
Jersey Freshwater Angling Association president Bob McGinnigle said the collaboration began after Tamba Park closed its doors as a dinosaur attraction in 2019.
“We realised that when Tamba Park closed, the fish population was at risk because they’d lost their food source,” he said. “We offered to help, and from that grew a partnership that’s turned an unused lake into something valuable for the Island.”
The owners of the area, medicinal cannabis cultivator Northern Leaf, have provided access to the community groups, schools and charities and assisted the JFAA in developing the project.
Mr McGinnigle described Northern Leaf as “extremely helpful” and noted that the JFAA were “very appreciative of all the ongoing support.”
A Northern Leaf spokesperson added: “We’re pleased to be able to support the Jersey Freshwater Angling Association by making the site available for community use. It’s good to see the lake being used in a way that benefits local schools, charities and the island community.”
The site has been further supported by accessibility improvements provided by Ogier, Jersey Sport, the government’s Connect Me scheme, Standard Bank and the Channel Islands Co-op.
