JUST RECIEVED CONFIRMATION FOR FUNDING from National Gardens Scheme’s Community Garden Fund.

9x7m pond with native planting. Ultimately we’d love to develop a wetland zone around this pond that can offer a range of seasonal and permanent fresh water environments for nature to embrace. We’d like to create something that is climate resilient and big enough to make a significant difference to biodiversity in the 7 acre field and beyond. We are aware that ponds area one of the best ways to enhance biodiversity. We are also aware that there are NO nearby sources of surface fresh water. And yet we are only a stones through from where the River Lyn once flowed (post ice age, now just a dry valley).

We envisage a really wonderful area for the friends of the community garden and wider local community to enjoy and also a space that provides an interesting and educative space. (local schools are regular visitors).

Even though our whole garden is ‘No Dig’, slightly ironically we are going to need a small mechanical digger along with shovels and spades to help us to dig a pond. We will, after much investigation, be investing in the very best liner money can buy - everyone we asked said this is a must. The project will include, pond landscaping to suit a wide of indigenous plant/animal species to support the pond life habitat, as well as aspects to benefit the community with seating, attractive planting and information about the pond and wildlife.

Safety around the pond will also need to be considered but must not exclude animals.

For ideas we used information from the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust. Interesting ideas for gardens of any size about the positive impact of ponds and how to go about adding one.