Dear Sir,
I have to report my shock and dismay upon receiving a letter from Great Aycliffe Town Council on 13th August demanding, under the advice of our environment officer,  we immediately desist and refrain from continuing the cleaning of our Boating Lakes. Seemingly we are depleting stocks of weeds!
Volunteers have worked extremely hard over the last few months removing stinking algae, pond weed and sludge from the Boating Lakes, believing we were rejuvenating the lakes and the whole area under the authority and guidance of our town council officers for the benefit of the public of Newton Aycliffe.
The rubbish we removed from the Boating Lake included mobile phones, golf clubs, push along scooters, articles of clothing, beer and vodka bottles, cider and soft drinks cans, bricks and pieces of metal such as electrical conduit, old pipes and a sign; which had at sometime been erected by our killjoy council saying “No Paddling”.
Of course when children were paddling the water was clear and you could see the bottom of the lake. It should be a matter of some embarrassment for our council that the lakes have been allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair as they have not made any serious attempt over many years to remedy the situation or indeed have failed
I remain convinced that should the people of Newton Aycliffe have been informed of the intention of the council to change the use of our lakes to a loosely defined pond with all the smell and ugly weed incurred they (the public) would have complained bitterly.
Could someone tell me when this change of use took place and was it within the council chamber or in a more secluded secret Labour Party meeting? Minutes of this would not, presumably, be released to the public for fear of condemnation.
Just what is so unique about this stretch of water that is not present in any of the other numerous ponds scattered about our lovely town? Why has the water control system been allowed to choke up and fall into a poor state of repair?
Why was the boathouse allowed to be destroyed when all it needed was a few pounds spending on a new wooden roof? I would suggest that if the boat house had been for the use of the golf course or the Oak Leaf Centre it would have been repaired under general maintenance.
Members of the public and the Friends group ARE interested in restoring the lakes to their former glory with families and model boat enthusiasts being able to use the lakes again. Also leisure boats being used by happy children; whilst still encouraging Swans, Ducks and, yes, Sticklebacks which we all love.
The very location of this lovely park on the verges of our estates and within easy reach of our town centre must be used for the good of the many and not just our environmentally, fascist ruling council elite.
I would like to send a strong message to those who would ride roughshod over public opinion by inviting members of the public to join our facebook page or come along to our meetings on the second Tuesday of each month, at 7pm, at the Royal British Legion.
Alternatively please register your complaint with your local Councillor or Great Aycliffe Town Council on 300700 and ask to speak to an officer of the council.
For your benefit, and as is your right, you may wish to contact the Deputy Leader of the Council John Clare on 318333 or Councillor Brian Hall Chairman of the Recreation Committee on 314105. I do however urge people to be respectful when telephoning and please don’t ring after 9pm.
On a slightly different note the members of Friends of West Park listen politely to guest speakers, but many were upset and annoyed to be lectured and hectored by our August guest the Deputy Leader of the town council who appeared to talk down to members at the last meeting; unfortunately many people in the audience found his talk to be rude and offensive and for that I apologise. However, I believe in free speech and although I disagree with his point of view, I rigorously respect his right to speak.
Ken Robson, Chairman
Friends Of West Park
Resident of Newton Aycliffe