W FEATURE
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A BEAUTIFUL WIRRAL PARADISE
BY SWASIE TURNER
The natural virtues of the largely unnoticed ‘Meols Pit’
Situated alongside a railway station in a beautiful part
of Wirral at Meols is the mainly unnoticed large lake
known as the Meols ‘Pit’.
At this venue is the exclusive Birkenhead Angling club, a fiercely
protective coarse fishing club where the rules regarding angling
at the well stocked pond are quite rightly rigidly enforced.
Permitted attendance at this venue is strictly for club members
only, even membership itself is restricted.
Meols ‘Pit’ as it has always been known as is a haven for the
coarse fisherman. I would deem it almost a local ‘heritage’ due
to the abundance of varied wildlife that inhabits the beautiful
scene. The whole area is also a treasured venue not only for
the keen ornithologist but is also pedantically protected by
conservationists alike, the area is truly a local jewel in nature’s
crown. Meols Pit dates back to Victorian times as it is said that
the land was owned by railways, who dug the pit and filled it
with water to enable the steam locomotives to take on water.
Eventually the surrounding area of the pit became embroiled
with thick, thorny and impenetrable vegetation and grass. As a
consequence, the large area of water was rented out for a nominal
fee to anglers who promptly set about stocking the pond with
fish and clearing the sides of the thick undergrowth.
The anglers’ established their own exclusive club and the
Birkenhead Angling Club (BAC) was formed. One of the club’s
subsequent stalwarts is now the chairman of the BAC, Mr Harry
Naylor. Harry and his team of keen, enthusiastic fellow members
go out of their way to ensure a high standard is maintained in
and around the whole area of what can now be considered a
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lake. The waters teem with fish of various species. Not least of
these is the fearsome predator and worthy opponent of the keen
coarse angler, the notorious Pike. There are a number of these
who reside in the murky depths, one of whom is reputed to be a
‘giant’ specimen?
The Fearsome Pike
Membership of the club
is kept to around thirty to
protect the banks and their
surrounding areas
from
being trampled by too
many people. Mr Naylor
and his team maintain a constant vigil to keep the lake clear of
pondweed and also to ensure the protection of the wonderful
wildlife that is constantly present. The ‘fishery’ will sometimes
give an additional treat to the keen ornithological observer by
the sight of the beautiful kingfisher seeking the opportunity of
a meal.
The Beautiful Kingfisher
The scene is also regularly
enhanced by the presence of
numerous exotic butterflies as a
further treat. The members of the
Birkenhead Angling Club do a
fantastic job in maintaining such
an enviable Wirral beauty spot to
such an extremely high standard.
Is it any wonder they are so strict
and determined to ensure that
such a beautiful venue stays that
way?