Refurbishment prodject 2007/2008 During 2007 Toftholders were advised by Thoresby Colliery  Angling Club (TCAC) of the difficulties being experienced by  some anglers with disabilities. The two existing disabled fishing  platforms were on the opposite side of the Dam to the entrance,  and a barrier – erected because of vandalism and litter dumping  – had created additional problems. It was agreed that this  situation must be addressed.  After some discussion it was decided, subject to funding being  available, the TCAC would carry out the work of converting two  conveniently situated platforms to make them suitable for  wheelchair use; additionally the footpath around the dam,  historically uneven and muddy, would be widened, levelled and  surfaced with a suitable non-permanent material. New and  appropriate signage would complete the project.   Toftholders agreed to seek funding, do  all the relevant paperwork, and monitor  progress; an approach was, therefore,  made to ‘Awards for All’ the Big Lottery  Fund, and in August 2007 we were  notified that we had been awarded a  grant of £2690.00 to carry out the work.  This was the whole sum estimated to be  required for materials and machine hire.  The Fishing Club and Toftholders, for  their part, agreed to carry out the work  stipulated to the Dam, to complete  reports as required, and to make a  record of the project on the village  website.  At the time of writing (March 2008), the new platforms are in  place and the path finished. Because the cost of materials  and machine hire exceeded the estimate the new signage is  not yet completed, and more fund-raising may be required.  This does not, however prevent anglers with disabilities from  enjoying the new, easier, access to fishing platforms, nor  does it detract from the ability of people with pushchairs or  with difficulty walking from circumnavigating the dam in a  way which has not been possible before; both this website  and the Fishing Club have received very positive feedback  about the changes from wheelchair users.  We are very grateful to Awards for All for their prompt  response to our request for help, and hope that more  people can now enjoy the environment of Wellow dam,  whether they are angling or walking.  Webmaster