We understand that a 3 acre lake was formed as a result of gravel extraction in the 19th century, hence the name ‘Soake Sandpits’, as the site borders the historic hamlet of Soake (in which the nearby Soake Road is situated).

The lake is actually formed of two adjacent bodies of water separated by a causeway that runs roughly east-west. The 2 acre fishing lake to the north of the causeway is known as Soake Pond and has been in the ownership of the Portsmouth & District Angling Society since the 1990s. The 1 acre fishing lake to the south of the causeway is known as Billy’s Lake and is owned by Jewson Property Holdings Ltd, whose local Denmead Branch is immediately adjacent to the site.

Gravel extraction ceased in the early 1900s when the pits began to fill with water from an underground spring. Since then, the area has evolved into a natural habitat for a variety of local wildlife and is now accessed by local dog walkers, anglers and increasingly, other members of the local community. It is understood from local residents that the lake was named after a local lad called Billy who played there as a child in the 1960’s.

The Acorn Community Centre in Wecock Farm has a group of young volunteers who meet regularly to plan and brainstorm ways in which they can help to enhance their community through events and activities. At a meeting in November 2010 they started talking about Billy’s Lake and the surrounding area. They talked about how it was a place they played and spent time but that it was very neglected, which led to further discussions about creating a plan to clean up and develop the green space and footpaths so that the area would be more accessible and enjoyable to all. This began the dialogue that turned into a community initiative known as the Billy’s Lake Project.

A Steering Group of community members and local officials was duly established and the land is now leased to the Wecock Community Association.

Funding was obtained from The Tudor Trust (a national charitable trust) and some of this funding has been used to employ a Community Conservation Officer to lead the Project. This in turn enabled work to begin on getting the community involved in enhancing the area as a habitat for the existing wildlife and as a public amenity space to be enjoyed by everyone.

A Volunteer Working Party was then established to perform regular maintenance and upkeep of the land.

Ongoing help from Volunteers, funding and grants has enabled huge amounts of work to be carried out to improve the area and make it a safe and accessible place for all.

In addition, the Acorn Community Centre engages with the local community, local organisations and businesses to hold events, workshops and activity groups at the lake.

“To provide people in our community access to new opportunities, improved physical and mental health and well-being, and to provide an environment where both nature and people can thrive together”.

Overarching outcomes

Key objectives

1. Continue to grow the volunteer working party to enable regular maintenance, upkeep and improvements to the area
2. To help re-establish the local fishing club, and to develop a volunteer warden scheme to ensure good fishing practices and tackle antisocial behaviour
3. To develop a Forest School for children, young adults and adults
4. To develop regular provision of activities for all ages
5. To improve biodiversity and habitat management techniques
6. Improve access around the site

Evidence of Need – why are we doing this?

The Acorn Centre serves residents of the Wecock Farm Estate, which is in the top 5% of areas of deprivation in England. As a result, there is a huge need for community development and engagement to try and combat the social, environmental and economic Issues inherent to deprived communities.

Through our work we are aiming to tackle the most pressing issues we come across daily in our community – loneliness, isolation, barriers to opportunities, high unemployment rates, low income, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, vulnerable children and adults, poor mental health, low educational attainment and much more.

The Billy’s Lake Project provides opportunities to be a part of a community and to feel a sense of belonging to something that’s bigger than yourself, to meet new people, learn new skills, get outdoors and be active, build resilience within yourself, and ultimately improve mental health and well-being.