Water way to help new pond
An environmentally-friendly water company has, quite literally, splashed some cash to help out a group of keen conservationists in Newhaven.
South East Water has helped fund the creation of a new pond at the Castle Hill Nature Reserve, west of the town’s Fort, following an appeal by the Castle Hill Conservation Group.
The £250 given by the water company enabled the group to hire a digger and create a dew pond which will benefit a wide range of birds and native species found on the site.
Graham Amy, Castle Hill Conservation Group Chairman, said: “We are very grateful to South East Water for their generosity.
“The pond will safeguard wildlife on the reserve during times of extreme weather such as the record drought we experienced two years ago. There is a small spring on the clifftop but this dries up during hot summers so the pond will help protect our valuable wildlife for generations to come.”
The pond will be planted shortly by the group and it is hoped that once established it can be used in the future for pond dipping trips for groups and schools.
Emma Goddard, Environment Manager at South East Water, said: “We are delighted to play a part in helping out with this valuable community initiative. The volunteers have created a pond that will enhance and safeguard local flora and fauna and make future school visits more hands on and interesting.”
Castle Hill Conservation Group say in the last 50 years the UK has lost more than half its ponds and wetlands, but by working in partnership the problem could be redressed and the country’s wildlife restored. Newhaven is also fortunate in having a number of wetland sites including the Ouse Estuary Nature Reserve, Valley Ponds and the Drove Nature Reserve.