Lake restoration begins

The Friends of Crow Nest Park are working with Kirklees Council to turn the lake into centrepiece for the park.

Using £53,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund they are carrying out repairs and running an arts and heritage programme for local schools.

Parks development officer Naomi Goddard said: “The project came about because the Friends and the visitors were unhappy with the state of the lake.”

The lake has been drained and teams are clearing silt from the base so it can be inspected and repaired.

Work will also be carried out to the walls, which are leaking in some places.

Meanwhile, park staff led by charge hand Clare Berry have cleared vegetation on the island,revealing paths laid more than a century ago.

Duck houses, wood piles and an owl box will go onto the island to encourage wildlife.

And pupils from St Paulinus, Boothroyd, Ravensthorpe and St John’s primary schools have visited to learn about the lake’s heritage and create artwork artist Lesley Fallais.

Friends deputy chairwoman Gill Young said: “We’re pleased to see some action and have more people are asking about what’s happening.

“That’s our aim – to get more members and increase regular visitors.”

As part of the Love Our Lake project, the Friends have been collecting people’s old photos and memories to help chart the lake’s history.

Many of the pictures will be on show at Dewsbury Museum on December 7 during its A Crow Nest Christmas event.

Father Christmas will arrive in a vintage car to open festivities at noon.

Attractions will include war time crafts, a tombola, homemade soup and mince pies, and a plant stall.

A carol concert will also take place in the walled garden at 2pm.