Model boating enhances Valley Gardens and should stay, says the charity that works to protect the park.

The comments from Friends of Valley Gardens (FOVG) come after a local model boating club told the Stray Ferret that plans for a fountain in the boating pool would end their hobby.

Claro Marine model boating club said water from the fountain would damage the expensive boats and members would have to go elsewhere if the fountain was installed.

The council had said that Friends of Valley Gardens supported the fountain, which is designed to improve water quality.

So the charity has found itself unwittingly in the middle of a watery controversy. In the past 24 hours, a large number of people have posted comments on its social media pages wanting the model boats to stay.

One of its four trustees, Andrew Jordan, told the Stray Ferret no one wants the model boaters to leave:

He said when the council sent the charity a letter a month ago outlining a proposal for a fountain at one end of the pool, they assumed the model boaters would also be contacted and thought it was an early consultation - rather than a done deal.

They gave it approval but with lots of qualifications:

The charity is now urging the council to talk to Claro Marine model boating club and find a solution that works for all involved.

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