Swindon angling club gives update after fish mysteriously killed

Peatmoor Angling Club have been using Peatmoor Lagoon to fish for decades but last August there was a sudden drop in oxygen levels.

Thousands of fish died as a result and a £100,000 GoFundMe page was set up to help the lagoon and club recover from the devastation.

Now half a year on and the club is on the mend with members and volunteers working around the clock to rectify the disaster.

Thousands of fish were killed as a result of the pollution. (Image: Peatmoor Angling Club)

“The future is looking great for Peatmoor Angling Club,” said club member Ted Rowe.

“The club has been working hard, tidying up in and around the lake because of recent storms and the disaster back last year.

“Removing fallen trees, branches, litter picking, vandalised platforms as well as clearing the trees and bushes around the pagoda and put wood chippings around it, keeping it tidy.”

The Environment Agency, which found the cause of the deaths to be a natural rise in temperatures, donated two aerators and generators to the club while the restocking of fish has also commenced.

The fish restocking has commenced at Peatmoor Lagoon. (Image: Peatmoor Angling Club)

“In October, a restock of 10 carp weighing 185.5 lbs was issued due to otter predation as we lost them before the recent disaster,” said Ted.

“We agreed with Swindon Borough Council that we could replace them.

“Back in November, we had a delivery of Bream from Priory Fishery 431 fish plus a further 50 fish donated by them free of charge.

“We also had a restocking in December from The Environment Agency with 1,500 Roach, 1,500 Bream, 300 Tench and 500 Rudd.”

This latest restocking will be the first of a three-year stocking programme from 2023 to 2025 with the next instalment expected in March.

Peatmoor Angling Club was rocked by the disaster. (Image: Dave Cox)

Ted and the whole team at Peatmoor Angling Club were also very quick to thank the town for rallying behind them during the disaster last year.

“I just want to thank every member for supporting the club and everyone who helped when we needed it,” he said.

“All of those who donated to the GoFundMe as well as all of the kind comments and messages from the public and finally, the bailiffs/committee who are all volunteers.

“We are planning a 48-hour charity event for the first ever time to raise awareness of mental health and what the lake means to anglers and the surrounding communities.

“This is for IPSUM Swindon and will hopefully be the first of many.”