Loxley Park Assisted Living and Local Community Unite to Restore Mill Dam

Residents and staff at Loxley Park Assisted Living have joined forces with the local community to restore Mill Dam.

The once overgrown and derelict lake, located just beyond Loxley Park’s grounds, is being transformed into a fishing lake and a natural retreat for all to enjoy.

The project aims to create a welcoming space where community members can take part in fishing, relax in newly installed seating areas, and appreciate the scenic views and local wildlife.

By revitalising the lake, the initiative hopes to attract more visitors to the area while also encouraging biodiversity in the area.

Two years ago, the lake was in a state of neglect, unusable for both people and wildlife.

That was when James Hoyle, a member of the local community who is leading the restoration project, approached Loxley Park Assisted Living, which is based in Sheffield and owned by Avery Healthcare, with a vision to bring it back to life.

James Hoyle commented, "When I first saw the state of the pond, I was shocked at how bad it had become. After speaking with friends and local supporters, we decided to take action and I approached Loxley Park for help.”

Loxley Park immediately embraced the idea, recognising the value of creating a space that both residents and the wider community could enjoy.

Over the past year, significant efforts have gone into restoring Mill Dam. Volunteers, including residents, staff, and local supporters, gather most weekends to help with the work.

So far, they have cleared overgrowth, improved the water quality, and begun introducing new fish species.

James continued, “Clearing the area was a massive job! Volunteers used everything from chainsaws to rowing boats to remove fallen trees, shopping trolleys, and other debris from the lake. It’s been incredible to see people of all ages, some as young as seven, others in their seventies, work together for this project.”

A summer fayre held at Loxley Park Assisted Living last year raised £700, which funded the safe rehoming of pike from the lake to allow other fish to thrive. With the pike now gone, new fish are being introduced, marking a key milestone in the project.

The next phase of the project will see the creation of an island, the installation of seating, and the addition of owl boxes to encourage more wildlife.

Margaret, a resident at Loxley Park, said, “The lake is a beautiful addition to Loxley Park. It has been wonderful watching the progress of the restoration works, but what has been especially nice is the presence of people around the lake, enjoying the area. We have also seen an increase ducks and geese, which are lovely to watch.”

Naomi Roberts, Home Manager at Loxley Park Assisted Living, said, "This project has been a fantastic collaboration. Seeing our residents and the local community working together to bring Mill Dam back to life has been truly inspiring."

With work still underway, the aim is to have Mill Dam completed by October 2025.

James finished with, “There’s still a lot to do but seeing the transformation so far has been truly rewarding."

Loxley Park Assisted Living is committed to enhancing the well-being of its residents while strengthening community ties.

To learn more about Loxley Park Assisted Living, please visit www.averyhealthcare.co.uk or call 01142 321583.

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