STANHOE PONDS RENOVATION PROJECT

We were delighted to see so many of our neighbours at the extraordinary PC meeting on Wednesday 26th August. We called the meeting to discuss and agree the action needed to bring our village ponds back to life following the recent extended drought which we know is very important to many Stanhoe residents and visitors. The plan, agreed and given the go ahead, is to dredge the three ponds which are the responsibility of the Parish Council. These are the main pond, or The Pit, the small pond opposite the Duck and the Cross Lane pond. Removing the silt while the ponds are dry should help more water to accumulate and remain longer in warm weather. Alongside restoring the beauty of these iconic landmarks, keeping water in the ponds will bring valuable benefits to the wildlife they support.

Work is expected to start on Wednesday, 2nd September and may continue for up to five days. A digger will remove the silt and dumper trucks will take it away - it will be taken to nearby fields by arrangement with the local farmer. We know this may be a little disruptive for those near to the ponds, and we will do everything we can to minimise the inconvenience to residents and visitors.The work will be funded in the first instance by the Parish Council, with additional funds from the Borough Council. Grants are also being appliedfor and we are setting up a GoFundMe account for those who wish todonate.We are hoping to raise enough money to cover the costs of de-silting together with further planting and landscaping to benefit the biodiversity and appearance of the ponds and their surroundings.

Thank you again for all your enthusiastic support.

MIKE WILSON - CHAIR STANHOE PARISH COUNCIL