Restoring the Horfield COmmon WIldlife Pond

The Horfield Common wildlife pond was in dire need of restoration!
Over the years, the vegetation had become overgrown and the pond was little more than a swamp. From November 2023 to December 2024, brave volunteers got stuck in and helped us to bring the pond back to life!

What did we do?
First of all, we cleared brambles/overhanging parts of the hedge from the banks and the overgrown vegetation from the pond itself. Nothing was removed from the site, so the vegetation will regrow over Spring and naturally die back over Winter.
We then took any rubbish out of the pond, and began sifting the excess silt out.
This was then placed on the banks, to build these up.

What happens next?
More light can now get into the pond and there is space for wildlife to actually live!
We expect frogs and newts will begin moving in in Spring - keep your eyes peeled, but please stick to the bridge and path, to allow the banks to recover.
The vegetation will grow back over Spring, but will naturally die back over Winter. November 2024, we plan to do a tidy up of the pond to improve it even more!
We will also be doing some hedge-laying on the bushes outside the pond.

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers - especially Dylan Peters who guided the project, Freeways Trust for their help, and Sam Shaw for donating 3 sets of waders!