'I'm absolutely devastated': Anglers slam fishing ban at lake in Derbyshire

The move by the local Labour-controlled authority has sparked outrage among residents and anglers who can now face a fine of up to £2,500 if they use the lake for their sport.

The lido was originally known as Smithy Pond and opened in 1934 as a recreational area for swimming, boating, and sunbathing.

During World War Two, it returned into council hands and became a popular fishing spot and walking area.

James Duffy has fished at the lido for the past 13 years and is the founder of Big Duffs Fishing on social media, which has more than 40,000 followers across different platforms.

He's started a petition to reverse the fishing ban at Wingerworth Lido and told GB News: "There's plenty of birdlife and it's enriched with fish [in the lake] and all the plant life that grows here, so I don't understand how this isn't already a biodiversity hub.

"This has been a fishing lake for a long, long time and I'm devastated, absolutely devastated [about the fishing ban].

"I know people two generations older than me that have fished this lake and I really want to get it back.

"These clubs offer reasonably cheap tickets and in a world now where everything is so expensive, to start removing cheap access to things, like the Wingerworth Lido where we're stood now, is a huge disappointment.

"I would like to see fishing here reinstated - there needs to be a meeting with key people from the club and those who have opposed it getting together in a room and thrashing it out."

With the ever-increasing cost of fishing and declining participation among juniors, James Duffy believes venues such as Wingerworth Lido are vital for championing angling and encouraging new generations of anglers into the sport.

He told GB News: "I've got two children and I know there are so many children that are addicted to phones and PlayStations and to me, we need to get kids outside, and fishing is a relatively easy way of doing that, which I'm really trying to push.

"For children being able to concentrate on something, whether that's watching a float go under, a tip wrap round, or some people use bite alarms, it's far better for them being outside than indoors.

"Fishing is just incredible - there are so many benefits of being outdoors and you've got the NHS recommending people to try fishing for mental health problems too."

The Countryside Alliance has also hit out at the "ridiculous" fishing ban and say it is an attack on the sport. The pressure group is encouraging opponents of the ban to sign the petition against it.

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, Director of External Affairs at The Countryside Alliance said: "The Countryside Alliance passionately believes in defending the right to be able to fish.

"Angling has a raft of benefits, not only for the individual and for the local community, but also for the environment - angling and the environment nature go hand in hand.

"Eliminating angling and the presence of people around the lake has knock on negatives and that includes environmental ones, but also anti-social related issues. Anglers are on the front line often of reporting illegal poaching.

"Also, taking away the ability for people to sit quietly, calmly, reflecting, helping their mental health, helping to tackle anxiety, removing that ability for so many people is just so wrong.

"This ban at Wingerworth Lido is an attack on the sport [angling], it's a fundamentally terrible decision which we don't want to see other councils copying because doing so would be a disaster for the local community but also for local nature recovery."

North East Derbyshire District Council responded to the criticism of its plans.

A spokesman for the authority said: "The Council’s plans for Wingerworth Lido reflect our broader commitment to enhancing local green spaces for the benefit of both wildlife and residents, as outlined in the Council Plan.

"We have always maintained the site and will continue to do so, ensuring it remains a special and unique place of natural beauty for the local community to enjoy.

"The Council engaged with the fishing club early in this process, ahead of any decision. In line with the terms of their agreement, six months’ notice was served to allow for a managed exit and to support the identification of alternative locations, if required.

"While fishing will no longer take place at the Lido, there are other locations across the local area where anglers can continue to enjoy their sport.

"We’ve received a great deal of support for this approach and are now establishing a ‘Friends of Wingerworth Lido’ group to help shape the future of the site. We welcome input from all who care about its long-term wellbeing.

"We’re excited about the opportunities ahead and remain committed to working with local residents to ensure the Lido continues to be a cherished space for generations to come."

The Save the Wingerworth Lido petition now has more than 3,900 signatures and can be found here.