The story of Inkpen Village Pond - what we know...
 

You can’t miss the fact the pond is looking a bit sad at the moment 

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A well meaning villager threw in an Iris bulb years ago and thereafter the problem began… A few irises do provide great protection for the wildlife including a little Moorhen family that are currently there, however. Villager Charlie Hunt of www.wessexwoodland.com has also removed dangerous overhanging tree branches historically  and helped prune and dispose of overgrown vegetation. Thanks to them and others who have helped in the past, however, it is an ongoing labour of love…

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For many years going back as far as current villagers can remember, the pond has been tended by various village volunteers. It is not private land nor does it fall under council jurisdiction so unless volunteers roll up their sleeves and keep our pretty little village asset maintained, it would soon disappear and potentially risk being lost to the wrong hands again.

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It is said that many years ago, the Inkpen WI fought a legal battle to prevent a crafty local land owner claiming our village pond. In fact, the story goes that they had already filled it in and were set to use it for storage of their unsightly salt containers. Thankfully for us, the formidable women of the Inkpen WI won the day.

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Lin Wild’s late father, Tom Stacey (pictured) who lived in Bray Cottage was also particularly active in the 80s and received a Keep Berkshire Tidy award from Newbury Council. You can see a YouTube clip here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELB0xMukg7g

which is fabulous to watch and gives us inspiration to continue in his and other’s footsteps.

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As the video eludes to, at that time, Tom and other neighbours became concerned that children would fall in the pond as the water had worn aware the edges. The children used to wait here for the school bus. So Lin’s husband Chris together with villager Robert Dodson filled up some sandbags and shored up the front edge of the pond. Following this, Tom continued with maintenance and would also take young duck families back to his cottage to help raise them safely away from the dangerous road before returning them to the pond. The day before Tom died he had removed rubbish from the pond and fed the ducks.

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It is important to note that any work has always been done with common sense alongside consideration for the welfare of any wildlife and wild flowers etc. Unfortunately, there are only a few ducks and moorhens that visit nowadays but there are amphibians and wild flowers worthy of our admiration and protection and if we keep the pond intact and maintained, we hope to encourage more. Those that live near the pond perhaps appreciate it’s importance more than most – you see walkers, cyclists, horse riders, holiday makers and children stopping to enjoy this pretty spot. Children collect frog spawn, cyclists and walkers rest and lunch on the bench.

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Speaking of which, there are also plans to for a Parish grant for a new bench. The cold bench was chainsaw carved by Chris Wild from a log which we believe was an 180 year old oak which fell in the storm of 1987. This was given to us by the Astors of Kirby Estate. A refurbishment or replacement bench and plaque are going to be discussed and would certainly be a a very special and fitting tribute to bygone friends of the pond and a permanent reminder of it's provenance and ownership for future generations.

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We have another work party soon, so if you also want to be 'a friend to the pond' and do a bit of pruning, strimming, mowing, clearing of leaves from gutter/drain and planting of a few bulbs, then do drop us a message at Inkpen Village Hall and we will pass it on . Bacon baps (made from local piggies) and hot drinks as reward and of course the satisfaction of helping get our pond back to it's former glory asap!

 

You can read more about the history of the Pond going even further back in the book 'Inkpen Yesterday' by E.A. Martin. It's a lovely read.