'Save our lake' - plea for £10,000 to save Bold Venture Park's Grade II listed centrepiece

The Friends Of Bold Venture Park are aiming to raise £10,000 to help protect the lake and restore the ponds.

Chair of the group, Warren Chapman said: "We had an event in the park on September 20 to highlight the start of the funding project and already have a Go Fund Me page set up."

Mr Chapman said the Bold Venture Brook cascades down from Darwen Moor via a series of waterfalls and pools.

During heavy rainfall it brings with it large amounts of silt and sediment which fill up the feeder ponds.

"This is rapidly silting up our beautiful lake," he added, "we need to raise £10,000 to de-silt our four feeder ponds and help preserve the main lake."

The ornamental lake is the centrepiece of Bold Venture Park, is Grade II listed and houses a colony of ducks and other birds and wildfowl.

Mr Chapman continued: "Bold Venture Park has been an oasis in the heart of Darwen since 1889; we need to preserve and protect the lake for future generations of Darreners."

By donating to help save the lake, the Friends of Bold Venture Park will be able to restore it to its original appearance, improve the habitat for ducks and wildfowl, improve holding capacity for storm water, improve the pond’s water quality and wildlife potential and protect local heritage for future generations.

Mr Chapman added: "The restrictions of lockdown have made us all appreciate our local parks more than ever.

"They are vital for our health and well being and the Friends of Bold Venture Park are determined to protect the lake and ducks for future generations.

"We are asking everyone that has used the park over the past few months to invest in its future by making a donation to the Save Our Lake campaign - if everyone in Darwen could spare just 50 pence we would smash our target."

To donate and help save the lake, visit: gofundme.com/f/hf8wa-save-our-lake.