Wissett Way Pond Latest  

New Wissett Pond Event
is planned for Sat 1st November, by which time all the scrub and deadwood should have been cleaned from around the pond.  

Photos needed: Click here for the story of the filming that didn't happen

Wissett Pond Day

On the 13^th of September a gazebo appeared on the grass by Wissett Way Pond. The surrounding area had previously been leafleted, so residents would not be surprised. Over the three hours quite a few people stopped and chatted with John Ellerby about the pond, what it had been like, and what could be done. Then they chatted with each other. Many of them signed up as being very interested in doing something.

There was a ceremonial unveiling of the notice board, which was almost captured on camera. There were residents, a councillor, a local historian, and local Police Community Support Officers (CPSOs). The photograph doesn’t show everyone who took an interest that day – they were there when the unveiling took place. Or the unveiling took place because they were there. Like the source of the water for the pond, it’s a bit of a mystery.

Dredging
There was much discussion about when the actual dredging would take place. That depends, but SCC are waiting for quotes. What is intended to happen is this: some of the scrub and saplings will be cleared, to make access easier. Then the water is sucked out and pumped into the foul water system. Anglian Water have put a limit on the number of litres per second that can be removed, so this will determine the speed of emptying. Gradually, the awesome evidence of some years of fly-tipping will be revealed, and maybe some more illuminating material as well – there are rumours of a lamppost once being removed from the depths. Ian Robb (Lowestoft Together Board member and local historian) is pretty sure the pond is an old claypit, originally dug out for a nearby brick kiln or even Lowestoft Porcelain Company. I imagine there’s the possibility of old artefacts being in the silt. Maybe a metal detector could be used? Is this the sort of place an archaeology group would investigate?

Spring
Once the water is removed, we’ll be able to see where the spring – if that is the source – is located. A sump will be placed there to extract incoming water. Then what is now a hole in the ground will be left to dry out as much as possible. This makes removal much easier and manageable. At the moment, no-one knows how deep the pond is, or how much silt there is. If it’s a clay pit, as is thought, the clay will be acting as a lining, which may be a few inches or a few feet below the top of the mud. How much is removed will have to be decided at the time.

Fishy Terrapin
What about the fish? Some small fry (as in small or young fish – not small children) have been spotted, and of course there’s probably a terrapin (possibly of the 'red-eared' variety). However, the water quality is low, as is the amount of plant life. If fish are to be in the pond, it would be better to let the pond rejuvenate so there’s healthy growth, and then add some suitable small and moderate feeding fish. Should the terrapin be found (it’s probably a ‘red eared terrapin’ though there are other types that seem to survive) we will have to find him or her another home. They are reputed to be voracious eaters. There is at least one ‘terrapin rescue’ organisation.

Once the pond bed has dried out and the treasure trove counted, the actual dredging will take place. It’s hoped the silt will be immediately carted away. During the drying and dredging process there’s likely to be a bit of a pong, but it shouldn’t last long. Suffolk Wildlife Trust have also suggested that a shallow part be created from one of the more inaccessible banks. This will help eventually produce a wider range of plant life.

Sweet flowers
Then, over the next months, some other shrubs and plants can be put in round the edges, wild flower seeds scattered about, perhaps in particular areas. Perhaps an area could be set aside for growing meadow flowers and plants. The pond will gradually fill up, and stuff will grow. Of course, mallards like young succulent plants, so it may be hard to nurture the plants’ growth.

That’s the plan...If you have any comments email me

JE September 2008