Residents wade in to rescue fish from dried out pond
CONCERNED residents have waded in to save desperate fish that had become trapped in a dried out pond.
Lauren Beard, 34, contacted the Express after becoming distressed at the sight of Mayfield Pond, in Macclesfield.
According to Ms Beard more than a dozen carp were left struggling for room due to the dangerously low water levels.
She said she contacted a friend who went into the pond and rescued 10 fish, but believes there are more that need help.
Ms Beard, who lives on Mayfield Avenue, said: “It’s fallen into disrepair and terribly neglected, with this recent hot weather it’s drying up rapidly resulting in the death of huge carp fish. I’ve put it on Facebook and got some local people together and today we’ve rescued 10 Carp fish but we need to rescue a lot more.
“There’s a family of Canada geese that are struggling through the rubbish and debris in the pond.”
Lauren says 17 carp have been removed in total from the pond, with some being released to other waters.
The Environment Agency told the Express they received reports of issues with the pond on Friday, July 13.
They said they advised Cheshire East to find a fish dealer to take the carp, as once they are removed they cannot be returned due to cross contamination.
A Cheshire East Council spokesperson said: “The water levels were very low last week and council staff liaised with the Environment Agency for support and guidance.
“The pond was inspected by council staff and a handful of fish were spotted. At that time water levels were sufficient for the fish to survive. Fortunately, there has since been some rain with more forecast this week.
“Moving fish from one pond to another has to be undertaken in a controlled manner, under licenced conditions, in order to avoid cross contamination. We would ask for members of the public not to remove the fish from the pond as they would be acting illegally and could be putting the biodiversity of another watercourse in jeopardy.”
This comes just a few days after firefighters from Macclesfield and Bolling- ton stations were called to rescue a bird trapped in dried mud in the same pond.
Officers spent more than an hour trying to free the wood pigeon, on Thursday, July 12.
A FITTING memorial was held in honour of villagers who died in the two world wars, with a vintage plane fly-by adding a special touch on the day.
More than a hundred people attended the Kerridge War Memorial Parade and Service, with the Air Cadets, Bollington Brass Band, Bollington British Legion, veterans and residents paying their respects. Macclesfield MP David Rutley, the Mayor of Bollington Jon Weston and Bollington Town Councillors were also in attendance, with Molly and Maizie Farrer reading out stories of Charles and William Bagulay, who were brothers both killed in the First World War.
Susan Poynton, secretary of the Kerridge War Memorial Committee said: “It was very well attended as always. Eight wreaths were laid in memory of the men from Kerridge who lost their lives in the two world wars.
“It was a wonderful occasion and during the two minutes silence there was a very unexpected flypast by a vintage plane taking part in the Woodford Air show, it really added to the atmosphere.”
The service was led by Steve Thomas, assisted by Father John and Revd Veronica Hydon.