Shortheath Water News & Events

2007

£273.25 Raised for World's Biggest Coffee Morning
(Posted: Oct 2007)

£273.25 was raised when Shortheath Water took part in The World's Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of the Macmillan Nurses. Coffee, cakes, raffle tickets, Macmillan prize draw and Macmillan Xmas Catalogue all helped in raising the money. Thanks to all who supported the event.

£1220 Raised for Macmillan Cancer Support
(Posted: Oct 2007)

A 5th Anniversary celebration day was held on Sat 28th July. The sun shone and a fishing match, casting competitions, stalls, cream teas and raffles raised a fantastic total of £1220. Thanks to everyone who supported the day

2006

£90 Raised for Macmillan Nurses
(Posted: Dec 2006)

A small Christmas raffle was held to raise £90 for Macmillan Nurses.

A Brief History - 'From Junkyard to Fishing Haven'
(Posted: Feb 2006) Extract from a Burton Mail Editorial

One local spot which is growing in popularity, and deservedly so, is Shortheath Water situated just off Shortheath Road on the outskirts off Moira. This idyllic small lake, with an island populated with ducks, moorhens and coots, whish is seasonally decorated with patches of yellow marsh marigolds and fringed with rushed and mace reeds, provides an exceptional environment for the angler. Indeed, it wouldn’t really matter if the keep net, at the end of a sunny day, was empty. The relaxed friendly atmosphere in which anglers share jokes and discuss their experiences of ‘the one that got away’ would make the trip worthwhile anyway. Not surprisingly, more and more enthusiasts are making the trip, and not only from the local area. Fishing clubs from as far as Nottingham, Birmingham and Rotherham are ringing to book the 24 peg lake for Sunday matches.

Several years ago, the land on which Shortheath Water now stands was a breakers’ yard strewn liberally with scrap metal. On the whim of the then owner, the land was then excavated and was stocked with fish. The single storey premises on the land were leased to be used as a tearoom, but despite the efforts of several would –be proprietors, things never really took off. What was needed was the foresight provided a few years ago by a local family.

The Mallen and the Wright family had seen the potential of the site for some time and waited for an opportunity to buy the property. Gaining business acumen from owning The Hollybush at Oakthorpe (’92 – ’96), the two families pooled their resources and invested in Shortheath Water. Mother (Carol Mallen) and daughter (Joanne Wright), without professional experience in catering but with a wealth of experience of home cooking, took over the practical running of the tearoom, which is now a thriving licensed restaurant.

This is truly a family business. Joanne’s husband Richard, who organizes the angling side of things, also acts as head waiter doing a morning sandwich run around the anglers. Sons, Jake and Josh also act as odd job men helping out at weekends and after school.

The site has been improved tremendously, since 2002 when the family took over. Landscaping has been done and trees planted, the main car park, disabled facilities and parking have all been bought up to an excellent standard. Fishing matches are booked 12 months in advance and the tearoom has an exceptional reputation.

The owners say that they take great pleasure from meeting new people and look forward to welcoming visitors back, which are returning again and again.

In 2006, the family renovated a bungalow on site, which later that year was accredited from ‘Visit Britain’ with a four star grading for self-catering accommodation. Lakeview Lodge offers spacious home from home facilities with the added benefit of the tearoom and angling on site and looks like being another credit to this already successful family business.

2005

£1035 Raised to Help 4 Year Old Girl
(Posted: Sept 2005)

Various events held raised £1035 in seven weeks to help a local 4yr old girl and her family visit Euro Disney after she had just completed two and a half years of chemotherapy. The trip took place in September 2005.

2003 - 2004

£1500 Raised for a Local Disabled Group
(Posted: Feb 2003)

Raffles and charity fishing matches held raised £1500 for A.s.s.e.t. (a local disabled group). Funds provided a wheelchair ramp at Gresley Indoor Bowling Centre, near Swadlincote, Derbyshire.