Anchor Pond.
Way back in 1989 some of you may remember the birth of the Scaynes Hill conservation group.The village dew pond had not looked at its best for many years and villagers Tony Watson, Geoff Bennet Viv Jeremiah, and John Townsend along with a willing band of helpers set about returning it to its former glory.The village turned out in force and after some serious excavation work by Roger Wheatland and a sumptuous hog roast in the middle of the pond, work began in ernest.
With help from The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers the pond was lined with natural bentonite and a new hedge of native Hawthorn,Blackthorn and Dog Rose planted along the road edge.
During the digging of the trench for the hedge, coal deposits were found.One of the more senior members of the village informed us that these were from the traction engines that used to take on water before continuing their journey down to The Sloop with their cargo of stone from Scaynes Hill quarry.
The pond was duly finished and was considered such a success that celebrity Michaela Strachan came along to launch Southern Water’s Pond Week from it.
The group then went on to a number of other projects around the village.There is of course a “however” bit. Peoples lives changed ,Mr Bennet went off to fight crime in the local area, Tony and Jane Watson moved away and the group disbanded. Many of you will have noticed that the pond whilst not back to its original state is now in need of some serious attention. Mike Funnell a West Sussex C C Countryside Ranger has agreed to meet up with myself and as many volunteers as possible to see what we can do and tap into his knowledge to find out what we have growing in and around our village pond.
The date will be 20th April at 10.00 A.M. Any of you who are interested contact Jerry Jeremiah on 831437
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