Brian Pittendrigh

Member since June 12, 2021

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Brian Pittendrigh3 years ago We have to act! OUR POND IS DYING! For decades there has been inadequate maintenance with pond muck now up to 1meter+ thick, filling to within 9” of the surface. The pond stinks, bubbling evil smelling hydrogen sulphide gas and methane on anything approaching a warm day, and whenever disturbed by passing/diving waterfowl.The once plentiful NEWTS are NO LONGER SEEN ………..FROGS ARE GONE too……… DRAGONFLIES/DAMSELFLIES ALMOST NEVER SEEN ANY MORE. NO MORE DAPHNIA( a major aquatic animal food source). NO WATER PLANTS grow FROM THE BOTTOM UP any more. Bulrushes, Irises and willow that once grew in the water all dead. Most pond life has been seriously affected by the thick layer of anaerobic muck on the bottom. Plants that feed on excess organics will only grow on our small islands in the top clear water layer.Without maintenance the pond will turn into a marsh that will not sustain the remaining life formsThat’s why we have set up this group to obtain funding to work with the Green Spaces department and an ecologist, to dredge and clean the pond floor, and add oxygenating water plants, to restore health and an ecological balance. Please help us to do this. IT’S YOUR POND TOO.

Brian Pittendrigh5 years ago December 2021 UpdateIt has been a long journey from initial application to where we are today. The vote for our project was amazingly well supported, and we were elated to hear way back in September that our project was voted 2nd from top and the grant would be made. The elation did not last long as were then informed that The Parks and Green Spaces department were annexing the grant and would do the work themselves. Then all went quiet for more than 2 months, until Suzannah at the Globe informed us there was to be a meeting with a Parks representative and the contractor they were getting in to evaluate and quote on the work we had proposed. Good sign, and a fantastic meeting with the contractor who is an obvious expert on pond ecology, and who validated our plan. Again a 3 week period of silence, while in the background the contractor and Green Spaces were involved in quotation and consideration, since a business was clearly going to quote more than our volunteer driven budget for the grant. Finally last week, contacted by Suzannah again, and informed that Parks department had accepted the quote for the project, agreed to fund the difference and that work would start in January or February next year. Absolute result! We could not be happier now that our concept of improving access for all is to become a reality. Once more, thank you all who have supported us in this endeavour - the Beckton public, the myriad of people volunteering to help with the work and also to Suzannah and Lisa at the Globe for their encouragement, liaison and support.Hopefully next report here says JOB DONE!May 2021For the last 2 years we have restored this 20 year abandoned park/pond and have been re-establishing basic infrastructure, creating gardens and improving the water quality for natural life. Our project to repair and enlarge the derelict and sinking observation platform will make it safer for the many visitors, especially young children and wheelchair users. The pathways we have established are covered in wood chippings as protection from mud/clay after rain, but are impassable for wheelchairs. Providing a permanent hard surface pathway to the platform will enable wheelchair users to enter and enjoy this popular area in the same way other local residents do, as well as providing sufficient motility space. This is a big project, and will ensure a much improved and safer outdoor space with equal access for all.