Restored pond spawns new life
PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS HELP RE-STOCK CLEAN FELTHAM POND WITH DOZENS OF FISH
FELTHAM Pond has reopened after six weeks of dredging, cleaning, and refilling with fresh water.
The reopening saw the re-homing of 50 fish, delivered to the pond with the help of a dozen primary school children from nearby Edward Pauling School.
Approximately 50,000 gallons of fresh water was let into the pond from the Longford River via the existing inlet to refill it.
The reintroduction of fish marks the end of 18 months of work around the pond, which included repair of the outlet to prevent flooding in future.
One of the children involved with releasing the fish was nineyear-old Thomas Ratoi, who said the clean water looked like a perfect spot for the carp.
“It felt really good, the fish in your hand, wiggling about, and then throwing them into their new homes - gently throw them,” he said. “I was surprised just how slimy and wet they were.”
Thomas and his classmates were also taught a little about the history of the pond, about how it was constructed around a large tree that blew over in a storm, and how it was very nearly filled in with dirt in the past.
“People saved it,” he said. Kathryn Evans, who runs the school council, said the children loved their day, with much boasting in the school corridors after the release.
Local fish expert Chris Currie helped the children put the fish back into a pond which has been effectively closed for the last two months.
Stefania Horne, head of parks and leisure at Hounslow Council said: “This is a culmination of 18-months work not just with the pond, but with the outlet repair to prevent flooding, the removal of scrub around the margins, planting new shrubs, improving the grass surrounds, tree pruning - just about everything you can see here today which looks absolutely fantastic.
“Removing unsightly hedges, and generally improving the view will help to deter antisocial behaviour and improve access opportunities to this wonderful asset.”
Ms Horne said the council will continue to improve the area with water lilies and some additional aquatic species that will complement the local ecology
She said: “We would like to pay credit to Angela Parton from Friends of Feltham Green who initiated the project and for her continuous support and positive energy which contributed to the improvements.
“We would also like to thank the children from Edward Pauling Primary School who helped us to put the fish back.
“A big thank you to all who contributed to the restoration of this jewel in the crown in the heart of Feltham .”
After the pond was dredged and cleaned, a small layer of silt remains on the bottom of the pond, allowing the new fish to feed themselves as normal and for aquatic plants to establish.
The 50 fish, mainly carp, were brought from a special fish farm in Hampshire.