SEVERAL lorry loads of rubbish have been cleared from Lodge Pool after teams of volunteers waded in to the stricken Redditch beauty spot.
And a Redditch company has also offered nearly £1,800 to help restock the water and replace vital equipment after the popular fishing pool was partially drained as reported by the Standard two weeks ago.
A group of between 20 and 30 fishermen managed to lift some of the half-submerged rubbish from the lake before a group of volunteers from Park Farm company Alcoa Fastening Systems boosted the clear-up in addition to making the cash donation.
Shopping trollies, prams, bikes and a double bed were among the items dragged out of the water along with a large amount of wood.
Mike Padgett, secretary of Lodge Park Angling Association, said three skips had already been filled including a huge industrial one.
“We had a group of fishermen who got stuck in during the week and then we had the group down from Alcoa.” he said.
“A lot of rubbish has been cleared away.
“All we need now is for the levels to get back to normal. The rain at the weekend certainly helped and we are now probably about 17 or 18 inches lower than we should be.
“We know we have lost a lot of fish but won’t know exactly how many until we start fishing again at the end of September. We will have to see what the catches are then.”
Mr Padgett added that some of the cash from Alcoa Fastening Systems will go towards replacing the aeriation units dotted around the pool.
Volunteers from the company included apprentices, office staff and senior management.
Managing director Paul Brown said: “Within the culture and values of the Alcoa Corporation is a drive to give something back to areas of the community where it’s business operations are located.
“As a local business we are happy to help wherever we can.”
