It has been a constant struggle to keep the pond at a reasonable water level. As anyone can see the pond is alive with plants and animals but only because the water level has been kept high. Unfortunately, for many years now, there has been less rainfall than it needs; coupled with the increasing flora and fauna, means we have to continually refill the pond by pumping water from a nearby brook.

Over the last nine years, the frequency of filling has increased, and in 2010 we refilled the pond seven times.

We have been very fortunate, that all of the equipment needed to carry out the pumping operation i.e. pump & hoses etc., has been donated to us by generous supporters. However, the work involved in setting up, refuelling and packing the equipment away is quite substantial over the four day period that it takes to refill the pond (it isn't getting any easier as we're all getting older!).

During recent years, the Trustees have investigated various alternative ways of keeping the pond full, but the only method that seems to be a realistic long-term solution, is a borehole.

We had a geological survey of the land carried out, and from that, we received a detailed borehole feasibility report. As a result of that report, we invited three specialist borehole drilling companies to submit a quotation.

The most practical method and competitive price, was submitted to us at just under £15,000.00. The Trustees then researched various grant funding organisations, and duly applied. We have just been notified that we have obtained a grant that will cover 75% of our project costs. The trustees will need to find the remaining 25%. Should we spend all of our reserve we will be hand to mouth for the next year trying to fund the day to day expenses.

This project is important for the long term health of the pond; we hope that people will support us in upgrading and maintaining what is a superb facility for the village. If you would like to help with a donation, please fill in the form on the reverse side of this news sheet and together with your monies, forward to our treasurer or any of our Trustees.

 

Progress and future tasks

 

Millennium Green - It's been a strange last 12 months. The really cold spell last year seems to have made the fruit trees really vigorous with a mass of blossom. Together with the early warm spell and the abundance of insects to pollinate the trees it could be a bumper fruit crop. On the subject of fruit trees, all damaged plaques have now been replaced and all trees are guarded from the rabbits. The pond has seen another explosion of life, the coots and moorhens have had chicks and there is the usual mass of frog, toad and newt spawn. Somebody's goldfish can still be seen swimming around; the heron hasn't caught them yet. Some new seats were placed at suitable locations around the green; work will continue this year with seat repairs and replacements.

DOG WASTE - Please clean up after your pet. No one likes to step into dog mess and this is especially true of our wheel chair users. For those that do - thank you!

 

Woodland - It's amazing how high the trees have grown. The wood goes from strength to strength. There was a big visit from redwings and fieldfare over Christmas because of the cold (We have some good photo's for the calendar), you may have seen them raiding your bird table as well. If you are lucky you can hear the woodpecker in the wood (no it's not Woody!). If you get time it's well worth a walk around at this time of year.

 

 

DMGT-AGM 11th July 7:30pm on the Millennium Green

 

Derrington Millennium Green and Woodland News Update

Borehole for the Green