The Parish Council has been working hard to resolve the future of the pond and has come up with an imaginative scheme to transform it from a lifeless splodge of mud into a living pond of which we can all be proud.
The problem with the present regime is that the pond silts up, and has to be cleared every 7 years or so. It is no longer permissible to simply cart it away and spread it on fields and lawns – it has to be tested and analysed and taken away by licensed operators, and that means expense. Furthermore, once it has been cleared, it is lifeless, and plant and animal life has to start all over again.
You may be wondering why Horsington Pond has remained empty and choked with silt for the past few months. During the planning process, led by Charles James and Ian Snowden, they found that the roadside wall has been undermined by the water. So SSDC has agreed to repair the wall and complete the stone facing, which was never done when the concrete was installed some years ago.
The pond has remained empty, in order to arrange quotes and for inspections, and it will remain empty until the roadside wall has been repaired. Then, subject to successful funding, until the project is completed.
The Proposal: A living sustainable habitat
Charles James (who installed the new sluice gates supplied by Kev Wigley) did some research and took and advice from DEFRA, The Pond Conservation Trust (now the Freshwater Habitats Trust), the Environment agency, and various other specialists in the field of pond life and aquatic plants and wildlife. He has formulated a plan that entails creating three specific areas to create and maintain the freshwater habitat.
At the lodge end, where the water enters, a silt trap will be built. The natural level of the pond will allow the silt to be removed while still maintaining sufficient depth to allow the pond life to survive.
At the other end there will be a still water frog and newt pond. This will attract a host of aquatic creatures, and provide a fantastic educational resource for the school, and for visitors to the village.
The main body of the pond will be relatively silt free and provide a home for native fish such as minnows, sticklebacks, and all associated pond life naturally found in a freshwater pond with natural floating aquatic plants.
The Parish Council’s aim is to educate people, and at the same time enhance Horsington’s most precious asset.
There is a cost involved, and help is being sought from the National Lottery and Viridor. The funding is being co-ordinated by Ian Snowden.
There will be an exhibition at the Village Fete on 11th June, where all questions will be answered. And no doubt you will be able to contribute to the cost.
The Blog has sometimes criticised the Council, but this time we say “well done”.
Pond update.
We are nearing the time when we will hear if our bid to the lottery for funding has been successful, we have presented a strong case and I am confident that we will succeed.
If this fails we have a bid submitted to Viridor, thank you all for your emails of support that were needed to support this application.
There has been a slight delay in the proposed repairs to the wall to be carried out by highways as I understand the budget for the work had shrunk and the planed repairs were put on hold for a while.
I am told all is now back on track and I am in the process of liaising with the contractors on the start date for that.
As soon as I have further news I will update.
Dear Editor, a Huge, VERY WELL DONE to all concerned it’s been a great effort !
Thanks for your comments Ted.
We are nearing completion of the first stage, the installation of the silt trap and the low water pond, next on the list is for the wall foundations to be underpinned which will be happening early next week, we then will have a new team in to rebuild the roadside wall. Once that is complete will be ready to purchase and install the coir rolls etc.
My thanks go to Dean and his team from Crestmoor construction who have been very patient with me and the exacting standards that I have been requesting!