Community picnic area at Lackford Lake improved as visitors welcomed back

A community picnic area has been made more safe, secure and accessible thanks to volunteer work backed by councillors.

The St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing Association (SESCA) provides inclusive water sports activities at Lackford Lake to school groups, families, individuals, charities and young carers for sailors of all abilities and ages.

Over the past year volunteers have worked to make the picnic area more appealing to community groups and to encourage more families to join the club.

This work includes building a fence to stop geese and other birds fouling where people are eating, and young children can play. They have also installed an additional picnic table which, through its extended top offers better access for wheelchair users, alongside new sunshade parasols.

On Friday West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock, who is also patron of the SESCA, was at Lackford Lakes along with councillors Susan Glossop and Beccy Hopfensperger and SESCA commodore Norman Savigar to see the work that has been carried out.

Councillor Susan Glossop who represents the area on West Suffolk Council backed the project with £967 from her locality budget.

She said: “It is so important to our health and wellbeing that we are able to return to healthy sport and activity in its many forms, including the opportunities offered by the St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing Association.

“This is a well-established community facility and the excellent work, undertaken by volunteers, not only increases their sense of ownership but will also help the association attract new members after what has been a long and tough time for us all.”

Suffolk County councillor Beccy Hopfensperger, who was recently re-elected, also represents the area and supported the project with £814 from her county locality budget.

She said: “The association does a brilliant job working to make water sports accessible and inclusive to all ages and abilities in our local communities. The improvements to the picnic area can only strengthen its appeal and I’m pleased to have been able to support this work.”

SESCA Commodore Norman Savigar added: “We are delighted to have the support from councillor Glossop and councillor Hopfensperger. This work will improve hygiene in this eating and child play area, making it more appealing to existing and new members, and further our work encouraging people to take up and enjoy water sports at Lackford.”

To find out more about the club visit www.westsuffolksailing.org.uk or contact Commodore Savigar, on sesca.admin@googlemail.com or 07912 344899.

Pictured above are Susan Glossop; West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock, who is patron of SESCA; Norman Savigar and Beccy Hopfensperger in the St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing Association picnic area at Lackford Lakes.