In January we returned to the pond area which we had begun to clear a year ago. Our intention was to remove a large fallen willow but heavy rainfall had left the water too deep to reach all of it.

We managed to cut back the outer branches and also cleared some smaller willow, elder & alder around the south side of the pond. The intention in both cases is to permit more light onto the pond to the benefit of insects & amphibians.

We now have a regular attendance of 10-12 people on our work parties but would welcome more! Besides the management work we complete it is a good opportunity to talk to passers-by, whether local dog-walkers or those out for a longer hike along the RM Canal Path or Saxon Shore Way which run through the PLPT land, to explain what we’re doing and answer their questions.

We are usually aided by Hastings Conservation Volunteers who are here thinning out the roadside scrub. We retain a “hedge” of blackthorn to provide nesting habitat for birds, screen the land from the road and strain out litter.