A seasonal ice rink on the cards for Victoria Park's boating pond

The chairman of the Victoria Park working group at Newbury Town Council, David Allen (Lib Dem, Victoria), said the council was considering refurbishing the pond to install a fresh water supply in a bid to prevent blanket weed from growing.
Currently, water is pumped directly from the Kennet and Avon Canal, which runs alongside the park.
Mr Allen said a fresh water system would allow the water to better circulate and be more effectively treated.
He added it could present the option of turning the pond into an ice rink in the winter months when it is not used for pedal boats and kayaks.
The idea was put to the council’s community services committee on Monday night in which other projects to enhance the park, and which could merit a bid for Heritage Lottery funding, were put forward.
Also suggested was moving the statue of Queen Victoria and the accompanying stone lions to the main entrance of the park to create a focal point on entry, the installation of a sensory garden and the refurbishment of the park’s bandstand.
Meanwhile, the council has confirmed it is considering installing outdoor gym equipment for adults, similar to that installed in recent years at The Diamond field, Greenham, in the park close to the Park Way entrance.
Council officers are currently in the process of researching different types of equipment available and plans to discuss it popularity with councils who had already installed such equipment.