est.
1990's
The Full Story
How and why
Manvers Lake was created in the 1990's as part of the remediation works following the closure of the Wath Main & Manvers Main colliery complex and associated railway yards.
One of the largest collieries was Manvers Main which incorporated what was at one time the biggest coking plant in Western Europe. From 1950 to 1956, Manvers became the centre of coal output from the collieries known as the South Manvers complex that were linked below ground, including Wath Main, Barnburgh Colliery and Kilnhurst.
The colliery complex was closed on 25th March 1988 and the regeneration that has taken place since those smog filled days is astounding. After closure, the site remained derelict until the mid-1990s, when Rotherham Council initiated an ambitious regeneration programme. Manvers, Wath Main Colliery and the Wath railway marshalling yard were demolished, cleared of contamination and landscaped. The site was given a new lease of life with the development of business parks, a nature reserve and the creation of Manvers Lake.
In addition to its amenity and recreational value, the lake also serves a functional purpose as a balancing lake forming part of a sustainable urban drainage scheme for the surrounding residential and industrial developments.
Our Philosophy
Manvers Waterfront Boat Club was formed in 2009. The club has the use of a purpose built boathouse which is owned and operated by Manvers Lake & Dearne Valley Trust Ltd, the charitable company (Registered Charity No. 1150159) formed in 2011 to look after the lake and surrounding area.
The core activities of the Trust are:
-
Maintaining and developing the Boathouse and Manvers Lake
-
Delivery of a comprehensive weekly programme of activities
-
Providing an Outreach Programme to schools and other group users of our facilities
-
Offering support and advice to the public on matters related to water sports and other associated sports.
Our philosophy is to offer access to all regardless of personal circumstances, race, gender, ability, or faith. The Trust operates mainly in Rotherham, Doncaster, and Barnsley, however visitors do come from further afield. The weekly programme is open to all members and some of the weekly program is open to all, this includes non-members and disabled athletes who regularly take part in our programmes.
The Trust
The Lake and the Boathouse provides a focus for our activities and it is estimated that the lake attracts tens of thousands of visitors per year, most taking part in some form of active recreation. Club member’s account for about 21,000 of these visits to use the facilities for canoeing, cycling, running, sailing, swimming, triathlon and windsurfing. Fees are charged for membership but these are kept at a low level.
The Trust wishes to be a example of best practice and to this end it is affiliated to and is signed up to the policies of: British Canoeing, British Triathlon, The Angling Trust, Royal Yachting Association, British Athletics and the British Quadrathon Association.
The Trust and Club are supported by and have close links with Sport England, South Yorkshire County Sports Partnership, The Environment Agency, The Canal and River Trust, Rotherham and Barnsley Councils, John Healey MP, The South Yorkshire Police, Ambulance and Fire & Rescue Services.
Our Partners
