You are here:

News

New wildlife habitat in Derbyshire

20th Sep 2006

A 19th century pond hole, which was the by-product of the railways, has been dramatically transformed into a beautiful wildlife habitat thanks to British Waterways, Findern Footpaths Group and funding from Biffaward.

Ballast Hole Pond was, up until recently, just a large grass covered mound and a shadow of its former self. British Waterways, who own the pond next to the Trent and Mersey Canal, have cleared the undergrowth and dredged the pond to reinstate the water space.

Increasing wildlife diversity

Findern Footpaths Group then funded the removal of several willow trees from around the pond and replaced them with wild, fruiting trees such as crab apple, rowan, hazel and oak. These will provide a valuable food source for wildlife and increase diversity around the pond. Wildflower bulbs have been planted under the new trees and the group has also created a small heathland area adjacent to the pond by planting heathers, gorse, bilberry and birch trees. Bat and bird boxes have been erected, a pond dipping platform installed and large stones, which were originally part of the canal wall, have been transformed into a seating feature.

New community resource

This valuable wildlife habitat also acts as a new community resource which can be enjoyed all year round. Adjacent to the canal towpath, the pond has easy public access with a flat-surfaced path suitable for the less mobile and wheelchair users. It will also provide a study area for the local primary school, nursery school and interest groups such as bird watchers.

Findern Footpaths Group member, Neville Froggatt said: "I am delighted to have been involved in this wonderful project and we have some happy memories of restoring this historic pond, which will be enjoyed for years to come. The older villagers still talk about picnics and Sunday School outings that were enjoyed beside this pond and the old railway carriage that was used as a fishing hut. This restoration was a real team effort with so many villagers and local groups helping in so many ways."

The pond is one of many holes that were common in the area. Many of them filled up with water and developed into ponds. It is believed they appeared when the railway was built in the 19th Century, and ballast was required for its construction. When the local power station was built in the 1950’s, the company required somewhere to deposit the ash from the burnt coal. The landowners were paid to allow ash to be deposited in these holes - most of which have consequently disappeared without a trace.

Last updated: 22/10/2008