Our VISION is of Clevedon Marine Lake & the adjoining Salthouse Fields as a water & waterside playground for Clevedon & North Somerset - a continuously and safely available resource for schools, youth groups, clubs, families, residents & visitors. Supported by YANSEC, Palm Equipment, local sponsors, MARLENS & North Somerset Council it is now equipped with a mixed training fleet, operational equipment, & safety systems. Secure storage facilities are provided by the Community Boat Store, added in 2007. The Lake provides opportunities for a variety of physical experiences & related mental development. As a unique water-sport & field study Centre it attracts schools and clubs from near and far. Its aesthetic appeal motivates & inspires!
OUR AIMS: - To ensure that Clevedon Marine Lake is properly maintained.
- To enlist the support of Clevedon Town Council & North Somerset Council for developments & improvements to Clevedon’s seafront.
- To promote an annual Marine Lake Festival as a showcase for the lake activities and a fun weekend for North Somerset, enlisting the support of community groups in the planning e.g. :- Clevedon Sailing Club, Clevedon Canoe Club, Clevedon Model Boat Club, The Middle Yeo Surf Lifesaving Club, The Swimming Club, The Pier Trust, The Athletics Club, The Cycling Club, Clevedon & Portishead Triathlon Club, The Women’s Institute, The Lions, Rotary, The Round Table, The Bowling Clubs, The Tennis Club, The Cricket Club, The Civic Society, The Tourism Group, The Chamber of Trade, The Brunel Committee, Seafront Restaurants, Pubs & Concessionaires, The Vintage Motor Cycle Group, The Vintage Car Society, North Somerset Schools & Support Groups etc.
THE MARLENS’ VISION 2008 Stage 1 DONE The lake is watertight, spring tides fill it and from now on for the next 25 years the lake should always be reliably full of water and, if we take action, the surroundings will be pristine & properly resourced, attracting growing and regular use of the lake by schools and clubs, residents & visitors.
Stage 2 DONE A new, secure community boat-store has been built in partnership with Clevedon Sailing Club. Funding was secured from YANSEC (Yanley And North Somerset Environmental Company) who also sponsored our new Community Fleet Sailing Boats, with additional funding provided by North Somerset, Clevedon Town Council and MARLENS.
Stage 3 GROW THE ACTIVITY – SUCCEEDING - The Community Fleet of kayaks and Oppi sailing dinghies has been expanded to include two open canadian-style canoes and two more-advanced Pico sailing dinghies, to extend the range of skills which can be learned.
- Clevedon Model Boat Club are keen users of the Marine Lake and their fine models can often be seen sailing around. They also bring in fellow boat modellers from far and wide for regional events.
- Clevedon Canoe Club makes regular use of the Marine Lake for enjoyment and training, and has started to explore the Bristol Channel and other waters, joining the sailors, swimmers, fishermen & jet-skiers. School activities, the training of volunteer instructors & Have a Go sessions, will continue.
- Clevedon Sailing Club has established an RYA-approved sail training centre based at the Marine Lake which runs regular training sessions for local schools, giving youngsters nationally-recognised proficiency certificates.
- Clevedon will enjoy increasing activity on the lake as we build on both Frederick Nutting’s Vision of 1920 and the skill and enthusiasm demonstrated on the lake and on the sea by Clevedon Sailing Club & The Middle Yeo Surf Life-Saving Club over the last 60 years.
Stage 4 IMPROVEMENTS – WATCH THIS SPACE To continue the regeneration of the seafront we will support the construction of a new, wide slipway beside the lake to provide safe and easy access to the channel waters for would-be paddlers, crabbers splashers, boaters, channel swimmers and windsurfers. This will also make the children's paddling pool more parent-friendly by giving easy access all the way round.
- When space permits, plans to construct 3 sea-going Edwardian rowing skiffs for use first on the lake, and then on the Channel will be pursued.
- A proposal to extend the public toilets, at the Elton Road entrance, by the addition of changing rooms and showers for public use was put forward by a Town Councillor & discussed with other proposed seafront improvements by The Town Council Amenity Committee.
- Funding for these & for others, put forward in the MARLENS/Mercury Design Competition at Clevedon Community School in 2005, will be pursued.
|
Vision and Aims
