Hill Farm Pond

The Story Unfolds....................

Since 2006 a hard working group of volunteers from the village led by Peter Hopwood have been involved with the restoration of Hill Farm Pond. The following is a summary of the activities that have taken place since the summer of 2006.

Backround & Calendar of Events

The earliest recorded evidence of the pond is on the Tithe map of 1841, it is believed to be a dewpond,probably originally used by watering animals, cleaning farm equipment and by passing travellers.

Summer of 2006

The pond had been neglected for many years Ellisfield Parish Council approached Lord Portsmouth for permission to take steps to renovate and rejuvenate the pond that was not only unsightly but appeared to be deteriorating to such an extent that wildlife had deserted the place. At the time, the pond was thought to belong to Portsmouth Estates,

December 2006

By the end of the year a working party had been set up led by Councillors Cazenove and Hopwood. Their first steps had been to invite professionals to survey the area and establish the extent and limitations involved in any restoration works.  Reports were received from John Bramley, who had been recommended by Julia Frazer of BCTV and from Amanda Bassett of Hampshire Wildlife Trust. The outcome of the reports was that 4 surveys would be required before any major works, including dredging; these would investigate flora, bat, and great crested newt/full invertebrate survey.

It was recommended not to install a path all round the pond, but to clear the area to the south of the pond, directly in front of Hill Farm Cottage.

Cllr Hopwood spoke to BDBC Environmental Health Department and they had agreed to provide a quotation for filling in the grip leading from the road and installing pipes/gullies and a settlement tank to address any toxicity issues associated with water running off from road.

Cllr Hopwood undertook to prepare a Management Plan as suggested in reports and complete application forms for grants.

March 2007 

By this time, it had been established that Portsmouth Estates do not appear to own the pond investigations had shown that the pond and surrounding land do not appear on the Land Registry. The County archive in Winchester was checked and contact made with the Church of England to see if they had any claim on the land. The parish council began to investigate how it might be possible to formally register the property to Ellisfield Parish Council.

April 2007

An application was made to the Breathing Places Lottery Fund; this included obtaining an aerial photograph showing the position and condition of the pond.

Sadly this application was not successful as successful projects were to be included in a BBC series and Ellisfield did not meet their diverse criteria.

January – June 2008

A survey of all villagers was conducted and overall there seemed to be support for the judicious removal of some of the fallen trees, leaves, brambles and a few young saplings together with lifting the crown/thinning some of the larger trees to allow in more light. A team of volunteers were identified who were prepared to assist with renovation and future maintenance. 

Cllr Hopwood approached Hampshire Wildlife and arranged for appropriate surveys to be completed, the results of which did not identify any protected species, so we were given the all clear to proceed with caution; it was recommended that tree works and pond clearing should not start until autumn and that the pond should be cleared over a period of 3 years, clearing one third of the pond each year, to minimise disruption to wildlife

During this time Councillors Cazenove and Hopwood contacted a number of contractors to obtain quotations for the work to remove dead and dying trees and remove silt from the pond. The initial requirement to clear the pond of trees which have fallen into the pond, and to get more light to the pond by removing one or two more trees, and thinning and lifting the crowns.  This will require the work of specialists in tree surgery.

August 2008

Cllr Hopwood formulated a costed plan, for the project and then an application was made to Veolia and The Awards for All, Heritage Lottery Fund to request financial support for this project. Unfortunately the application to Veolia was not successful.

September 2008

We were awarded £10,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Awards for All

October 2008

Villagers who had expressed an interest were asked to assist with a clear-up of the ground surrounding the pond.  On a bright October day, 18 volunteers did a magnificent job of clearing and burning 20 years of brushwood and brambles. It was amazing just how much was achieved in one day. Caroline Cazenove provided refreshments to revive the many perspiring brows. A picture gallery showing some of the many volunteers that took part can be viewed at the bottom of this page.

To reduce the amount of silt running from Green Lane via grips into the pond the Highways Department have built silt traps at the roadside to replace the grips.

Silt traps installed by Hampshire County Council Highways Department’s contractor, AMEY.

January 2009

A spell of very cold weather firmed the ground and allowed phase two to commence using heavy machinery to remove the fallen trees.  The timber was promptly cut and logged to manageable sizes for villagers to collect for firewood. Tree works carried out by Warwick Hawes and Chris Allen and his team; fallen trees removed from pond and dead/dying trees cut down. Crown lifted on large oak tree nearest Green Lane.

February 2009

The next phase of the work is to shift the large accumulation of silt below the pond surface. Cllr Hopwood contacted a number of contractors to obtain quotations for removal of silt.

Overall, we see this project as an enhancement to the community and the environment, and hope that residents and visitors alike will enjoy this amenity for years to come.

Working Party October 2008 Gallery

Some of the many volunteers..............

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Page last edited on 26 Jul 2011     © 2002-2008 Ellisfield Parish Council