DEFRA provides hook for Suffolk family business

A Harleston based farmer is creating two fishing lakes on former agricultural land, with help from Defra's Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES), administered by the Rural Development Service (RDS).

Jack Walpole from Old Hall Farm, at St Nicholas South Elmham, is currently excavating three acres of land to create two fishing lakes with a variety of depths, from boggy margins through to deeper open water. Old Farm Fishery will offer fishing of a standard not found locally, using a mix of large native course fish such as bream, roach and tench, instead of the smaller specimens.

Jack Walpole said:

"In recent years there has been an increasing trend towards anglers visiting managed fisheries and away from natural waters such as rivers. The advantages of a managed fishery include more reliable fishing, convenient access, and the chance of catching particular types and sizes of fish.

"The variety of water depth and the habitat we are creating around the lakes will be beneficial for wildlife and biodiversity. By diversifying into a non-agricultural activity I hope to reduce our dependency on farming as our primary source of income. Without the funding from RDS it would not be possible to set up this new venture.

Pat Williams an advisor for the Rural Development Service in the East of England, said;

"The proposed project will be environmentally sustainable, and will improve the landscape and create an excellent wildlife habitat, particularly for great crested newts and water voles in the vicinity of the two lakes. The popularity of water-based recreation has increased significantly over the past few years with more and more anglers visiting managed fisheries. This project, which will offer a good variety of specimen sized fish, has been supported by local angling clubs as well as Suffolk Wildlife Trust."