Stalybridge Fox AC Project:

Stalybridge's Fox Angling Club was formed in 1922 and is the longest established angling club in Tameside. The clubs water is the Cheethams Mill reservoir and is surrounded with 27 stations plus an onsite stone building which was previously used for the clubs purposes. All this is set within 1 acre of wooded surrounds at the lower end of Cheethams Park and receives its water feed from Acres Brook which has cut a valley throughout. Our neighbours are the Cheshire Wildlife Trust who manage and maintain the higher part of the valley. The primary use of this section is for bird watching with a hide in place for this purpose.

Over time the lake has been a natural victim of silt and sediment deposits. Unfortunately club memberships have fallen inversely to natures build up. Measurements taken as of today show an average depth to vary from 1ft to 4ft. previously two decades ago the lake had an average depth of around 6ft.

With a wish to recover the lodge back to its former days of glory it was agreed by Stalybridge Fox's Committee to affiliate with Tamesides' growing club namely Friends of Catch Nature.
Friends of Catch Nature have a positive portfolio that shows how over the past 12 years they have been working to promote angling across Tameside with the provision of better angling facilities intended for all ages and abilities. And with how the name suggests a strong incline to as best as possible in keeping a natural setting.

Friends of Catch Nature have now formed a subcommittee to pioneer this exciting project at Cheethams Mill Lodge. Besides our own knowledge and experience of developing areas inside Tameside, further consultations with our neighbours, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, and an input from the Environment Agency we have been able to draft plans that will suit all needs.

Achieving this project, costs have been estimated and add up to a huge amount necessary. Therefore to meet this end and keeping in line with the wishes of Mr J F Cheetham (1835: 1916), Friends of Catch Nature have to apply for development funds primary from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

When secured a good part of the work will be undertaken by the members and with additional help from other bodies who have an interest in the project Cheethams Mill Lodge.