Wildlife enthusiasts in the Essex village of Berden, near Bishop’s Stortford, have won the backing of a ‘high powered’ ally in their efforts to revitalise two local ponds.
Thanks to a £468 donation from National Grid, Berden Nature Group volunteers will be carrying out their autumn clean-up of Easingwell pond on Saturday 1 December clad in brand new waterproof kit. Villagers will be snug and dry in chest high waders and extra-long gloves as they brave mud and water to clear out overgrown pond plants, while fellow volunteers will be donning hard hats, goggles and high visibility jackets to tackle overhanging branches.
The clean-up is essential to help the pond’s inhabitants to continue to thrive and is part of a wide range of activities organised by the group to promote nature conservation in the village. These include planting bulbs, building log pile homes for creepy crawlies, encouraging local youngsters to try their hands at bird box building, and there are even plans to create a wildflower meadow. Volunteers will be donning their kit for the second time when they continue work to revive nearby Crump pond.
Berden Nature Group member Sue Bates said: “This donation will make a huge difference to us. The new waders, gloves and protective clothing will mean we can do a really good job of clearing out the ponds and making them ready for the spring.”
National Grid project manager Ian Price said: “As an environmentally-conscious company we were delighted to support Berden Nature Group in their efforts to promote nature conservation in the local area. It is a nice way to say ‘thank you’ to local people for bearing with us as we complete works on our overhead lines.”
National Grid is currently in the final stages of a major project to refurbish 94kms of overhead line between Walpole substation, near Wisbech, in Cambridgshire, and Pelham substation, near Bishop’s Stortford. This work is part of National Grid’s investment programme to renew its assets and ensure safe, reliable and secure power supplies in the region for decades to come.
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For further media information only, please contact Sara Wilcox, National Grid Communications, on 01926 655271.