Regarding the stinking weed in Poole Park, this is becoming a perennial problem. It has survived the coldest winter in years. The floating filter beds obviously don’t work. Digging it out on a yearly basis is very helpful, I understand it’s recycled as compost, but it’s not the answer.

Having used this beautiful Poole Park all my three score and twelve years, I am as upset as are all users, locals and visitors. We always have a moan that litter and flower beds are not as nice as they used to be. But in reality the park has never been better. The children’s play areas have been upgraded and improved. The outdoor gyms are a great success. There are first class bowling greens and state of the art tennis courts. A very good restaurant and casual dinning facilities. The good old children’s railway, with a proper steam engine, but it’s the stinking weed problem that must be dealt with.

From my own very amateur analysis, I can never remember this scum on the lake. The park had minimum maintenance in the forties, and later a small zoo. The steam train arrived in 1949. Most of us took to the water for the first time on the lake. The model boats were always a joy to watch, but we didn’t have stinking scum.

I can conclude that the only major changes are to the lake itself. For some reason it was thought a good idea to build some islands. This has encouraged swans to build nests and breed in the lake. To feed and breed in the same mostly still shallow waters must have a detrimental effect to these poor creatures and the resulting damage is creating the ideal condition to grow the stinking weed. It is a cesspool. I notice also that the geese have voted with their webbed feet and have taken to the land in large family groups. They can at least get a living from the grass and greenery in the park.

I suggest the silly islands are removed. The stinking scum will then go.

JIM O’BRIEN, Cynthia Road, Poole