A complete makeover of the pond at Cheddar First School is complete and was marked by an opening ceremony on Thursday 14th September.
The pond was originally created around 20 years ago by Cheddar Valley Lions with support from local businesses. It has provided a great resource for learning about nature, as well as a valuable area of habitat for wildlife. However, over the years the pond had become choked with plant growth and rotting of the timber viewing deck made it unsafe for the school to use.
The Wild Cheddar project, a community group that is part of Cheddar Community Partnership CIC, and which aims to improve and increase space for Nature, has therefore stepped in to refurbish and improve the pond, with funding support from Cheddar Parish Council and Cheddar First School Friends, Parents and Teachers Association (FPTA). Cheddar Valley Men’s Shed also provided support, by laser etching a new wooden sign that has been installed to mark the refurbishment and recognise the funding contributions.
Mel Clinton, leading the project for Wild Cheddar, explained that “The rotting timber deck has been removed and replaced with a new terrace laid with re-used stone paving and a recycled plastic post and rail safety barrier, to help minimise maintenance and ensure longevity. The pond itself has been cleared out and re-stocked with native and wildlife friendly pond and bog plants, a hibernaculum for reptiles and amphibians has been created and the little shed that provides storage for nets and other equipment has been painted to help keep the rain out. The pond is home to a wide variety of creatures, including newts, frogs, water snails, water beetles and a range of insects. We hope the children and teachers of Cheddar First School enjoy being able to use the pond once again.”
Headteacher Suzi Smith said “It’s wonderful to have our school pond back in action. It will be a great resource for our science curriculum and I’m sure the children will really enjoy the opportunity to use the pond to learn about nature. We are very thankful to Wild Cheddar for doing such a great job with the makeover and to Cheddar Parish Council and the FPTA for providing funds for the materials and plants.”
In the photo of the launch are:
Laura Latham – Cheddar First School FPTA
Suzi Smith – Cheddar First School Headteacher
Mel Clinton – Wild Cheddar
Councillor Derek Bradley Balmer – Cheddar Parish Council
Mike Belch – Axe Valley Men’s Shed