Marine Lake was the result of a job creation scheme back in
1927 which provided work for Welsh miners.
In 1928 the Duke and Duchess of York were due to visit Weston to open the
Queen Alexandra Memorial Hospital and it was hoped that they would open the
lake on the same day. However, the
official reply came back that they could not include ceremonies of this nature.
The lake proved a great success and although it has been the
site of some tragic accidents there are also some humorous anecdotes. In 1934 there was the case of the Loch Weston
Monster when a 27lb. salmon bass was captured during the annual cleaning. Apparently it was quite common for watches
and dentures to be found in the lake but never before had there been such a monster in
residence.
A few years before this Wilfred Judd, a 16 year old lad from
Weston, had set out on a night-time adventure from Knightstone Island. He “commandeered” a 16 ft. sailing boat named
Peter Pan and set off to sail to America.
The note that he left for his parents told them not to worry for he
would return when he had made some money.
And so he sailed off into the sunset.
Police were informed, as were Customs Officers on both sides of the
Bristol Channel, and Wilfred was picked up at Barry the following morning. His father was the local School Attendance
Officer and less than pleased with his son’s sense of adventure!
In the 21st. century Knightstone Island is the
home of Dr. Fox’s Tearoom which is well worth a visit for a pot of tea and
slice of delicious cake. The walls of
their accessible toilet are adorned with delightful pictures of cup cakes – so very
much in keeping with the charm of the Tearoom.
A walk to the end of Knightstone Causeway at dusk may be the perfect
place for watching the sunset.
Whatever time of day it may be Weston is Wonderful.
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