It follows a long closure of the park’s boating pond caused by a broken pump and blocked pipes, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Broomfield Park's model boats back on the water after six years (credit David Williamson) — Broomfield Park’s model boats back on the water after six years (credit David Williamson)

A group of model boaters have set sail in Broomfield Park for the first time in six years.

The modellers returned to the Palmers Green park’s famous boating pond following the completion of long-awaited restoration work funded by Enfield Council.

The pond’s closure started when issues were found with its pump, while blocked pipes also meant the pond could not refill with water, leaving it in a dried-out state from 2020 onwards.

A new pump was eventually installed around 250 metres underground, with members of the former Broomfield Park Model Boating Club finally returning to launch their miniature vessels last month.

Model boater Paul Chilcott said: “Sadly during Covid our chair and some club members passed away and the boat pond was empty, so we never actually thought we’d get it back.

“We’re attached to Friends of Broomfield Park, who have been instrumental in getting the pond back.

Paul Chilcott with his model cruise ship
(credit Friends of Broomfield Park) — Paul Chilcott with his model cruise ship (credit Friends of Broomfield Park)

“We don’t have a club [anymore], we’re just a group, but it’s been great, I don’t think we ever thought the day would come. Then, all of a sudden, the pond was filled and we’ve been there every week.”

The group gathers on Sundays with further details advertised via the Friends of Broomfield Park’s Facebook page.

Paul said that, currently, there was no interest in reinstating the club, but if residents had a model boat they could come and sail it on the pond.

He added: “In the last year-and-a-half Enfield Council have had to do some quite extensive works to the pond and pump and things went very slowly and then all of a sudden a couple of weeks ago staff appeared and started testing the pond and we were away!”

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