Pond plans aplenty for 2018

Keptie Friends will have a weekend gathering at the Arbroath pond to take stock of all that has to be attempted in the coming year.

After tree felling operations by Angus Council, the tidying of plantation areas will be undertaken by the volunteer group.

And the dedicated band is also getting ready for a count of the local bumblebee population to feed into an important national “audit” of the insects.

“We want to ensure that the buff tails and red tails are still visiting us and pollinating the pond plants,” said a spokesperson.

“We also appear to have a healthy flock of birds wintering with us this year and think Arbroath folk have been looking after them well.”

The group is also heading towards what it hopes will be a crucial stage in the effort to rid the pond of the algae which has blighted it for years.

Angus Council officials are to review the findings of a recent borehole investigation into the possible reopening of the Nolt Loan well.

“The soil sampling has been done and we are reaching the climax of the well being opened up and fresh water going into the pond very soon.

“We will be stepping up fundraising to make sure finances are in order and the Keptie Pond will be the beauty spot that has Red Lichties home and away proud of their town,” the spokesman added.

Helping hands are welcome at the pond at 11am on Sunday.