Fisherman John Vincent donates 1000 fish in memory of his mother to Croydon fishing lake

BY TOBY PORTER
toby@slpmedia.co.uk

A lifelong fisherman has donated more than 1,000 fish in memory of his mother, to help give a lasting boost to the fish population in a popular fishing lake.

John Vincent, 68, is the secretary of the Croydon Postal Angling Club and has been fishing in the South Norwood lake all his life.

Now he has decided to give back to the lake in memory of his mother, who used to take him there to go fishing as a young boy.

“South Norwood Lake used to be the premier bream waters in southern England,” said John. “But we lost 25,000 fish from the lake in 1989 due to algae pollution.

“We’re introducing these new fish to help repopulate the lake and stop the algae growing and harming fish and other wildlife there.”

John worked with Croydon council staff to bring about 500 tench and 500 bream to the lake in memory of his mother, Betty Vincent, who died in September 2018, aged 90.

John has fished in competitive matches, breaking records and catching a roach weighing more than 176lbs in a five-hour match.

On December 3, the tench and bream, both native to the UK, joined the carp, roach and perch already in the lake and a small plaque is set to be installed near the lake commemorating the donation.

The 68-year-old said: “Fishing wasn’t really something my mum enjoyed, but she supported me
and my brothers. She always supported us.

“If we got a park bench it would maybe have lasted for 10 or 15 years before the wood started to rot, but the fish are a bit more permanent.

“They’ll last for generations and hopefully the fish can set up a breeding population.”

In October, the council paid for and installed 15 platforms made from recycled plastic around
the lake, including three that are fully accessible.

The platforms give anglers, artists and visitors a better position and view over the water.

Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: “I’m very grateful to
Mr Vincent for his help bringing these fish to our lake.

“His very thoughtful donation will last for generations, and I hope these bream and tench help many more people enjoy the facilities on offer at South Norwood Lake.”