Locals wade in to help pondlife!
Residents from Falcon Way and Hawks Way joined the
Ashford Green Corridor Officer and local councillor Alan Allcock to clear
litter and vegetation from their local pond.
The pond is an attractive feature of the area and many
of the residents have taken a long-term interest in it. It is a vital
habitat for a large population of frogs and may be suitable for newts. The
pond was becoming choked with floating vegetation and contained some
litter. Rosemary Hoare, the Ashford Green Corridor Officer said ‘ the
aim of the exercise was not to remove all the vegetation from the pond as
frogs, newts and dragonflies need plants in order to breed and lay their
eggs. However the removal of litter was vitally important to improve the
appearance of the pond and to protect its inhabitants.’ In recognising
the enthusiasm of local volunteers, Singleton Councillor Alan Allcock
praised David Sadler and the residents. ‘They have been maintaining the
life of a very healthy pond over the years, it’s a valuable feature and
an asset to the area’. Residents are determined to watch over the pond
as developers are planning to carry out building work on land adjacent to
the pond. Cllr Allcock said the council couldn’t do this itself as it
needs partnership such as this to build up a ‘pride of place’.
The Ashford Green Corridor Project will be running more
conservation tasks and events and welcomes your ideas about improving the
Green Corridor (primarily land by the River Great Stour through Ashford)
if you would like to be involved please contact: Rosemary Hoare (Kentish
Stour Countryside Project 01233 813 307). The Ashford Green Corridor
Project is sponsored by Wildspace! an initiative administered by English
Nature and Funded through the New Opportunities Fund, Ashford Borough
Council, Brett Environment Trust and Kent County Council and managed by
the Kentish Stour Countryside Project.
