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The Pond – FAQs -
Q1
When did the idea of renovating the pond first occur?
Answer
There are several references to the need to renovate the pond in Parish Council minutes going back to 1990, when an application was approved for a grant from Norfolk County Council – but plans were aborted at the last minute. In the Village Appraisal of 1996, many people commented on the need for work to be done and further investigations were made with Norfolk County Council. The pond was also one of the projects considered to mark the Millennium.
Q2
Why do it now?
Answer
The problem isn’t going to go away and when water level was correct (at the level of the outlet into Tanns Lane) it was clear that the pond was practically full of silt and waste.
Q3
Why didn’t you dump all the waste on farmland or waste ground?
Answer
Under Waste Management regulations brought in by the Environment Agency since July 2005, any proposal to do this would involve obtaining a licence (£543), laboratory testing about half a dozen samples of mud and water (about £100 each), having the land onto which the waste was going tested by an agronomist (£?) and, then, of course, finding someone prepared to take the waste and arranging transport to that site.
Q4
Where has the money come from?
Answer
40% of the cost of clearing the trees and dredging the pond was obtained by grant from Norfolk County Council. So far total of just over £600 has been donated by local companies and individuals. Your Parish Council has agreed to contribute up to £600 from its reserves. The Fun Day will hopefully raise more … and then we have plans to apply for further grants – see later.
Q5
Who has done the work?
Answer
The tree clearance was completed by Bridge Farm Tree Services from South Lopham and
the dredging by G. S. Hunt of Pulham. The extensions to the inlet pipes and sandbagging
were done by a working party of a dozen villagers on a ‘self-
Q6
What is happening at the moment?
Answer
Having dredged the mud and silt from the pond it must now ‘sit’ and dry out before we can sow grass seed on the ‘level’ parts and planting can begin in and around the pond. The orange netting is to deter the public from venturing into the area around the pond – some parts are still very soft and it would very easy to become trapped in the mud.
Q7
What next?
Answer
Plans are being drawn up to improve the whole area around the pond after the grass has become established – seating, a large notice board to display notices about village events (hopefully with a map of the village etc), a litter bin, some low ‘post and rail’ fencing round the edge of the pond, and a lifebuoy. When estimates are complete we will then apply for a grant from ‘Awards For All’ – a national lottery grant which supports community groups.
Q8
What about the ducks?
Answer
Very few would deny that a few ducks paddling on the pond are a welcome and interesting feature. Our problem is that we have many more than ‘a few’. Already there is evidence that some of the plants which have been put in the pond as a trial have been eaten by the ducks. Norfolk County Council Ecologists, The Ponds Trust, The Wildlife Trusts and even the RSPB say that too many ducks destroy the natural balance of a pond. We need the cooperation of everyone to ensure that our ducks do not take over and kill off everything else in and around the pond (as has happened over the last few years).
Q9
Can I help with project?
Answer
Of course! Clearly there is a need for financial support to add to the funding we hope we will get from ‘Awards For All’, but there will be plenty of opportunities to help in other ways.
- Soon we will need to level the site and seed it. Maybe you have access to some machinery or tools that could help us make that job easier.
- If and when we get the money for seats, notice board, litter bin etc, we will need to put down solid pads so that the areas around them do not get muddy.
- Then there will be the need to maintain the area, by managing the plants and keeping the area clear and clean.
Watch out for notices in ‘The Lophams News’ or on the Notice Boards to see what is needed and when …. and then volunteer! You’ll be very welcome!