The relining was combined with recontouring the profile so that, while keeping two-thirds for dipping, a third was made shallower to grow a greater variety of plants to attract a mixture of insects and amphibians. When the roots of the grasses develop they should act as a filter for incoming silty water to keep clear the dipping area which will have mainly floating leaves.

The construction work of paving the dipping access area and restocking with native plants was completed in Spring 2021, and we await with anticipation the development of a habitat that attracts dragonflies and butterflies, frogs and newts and the water specialists that will give successful pond dipping for our school visitors.

Volunteers decided that they could not let this wonderful facility deteriorate and, individually, have been turning up to carry out essential work. Their purpose was that the Reserve would be ready, immediately, for the resumption of FOBEC’s educational services and organised opportunities for the community to enjoy the delights of the 7.5 acre site. The One Acre Meadow has been scythed and raked, paths and fencing maintained, mowing carried out, ditches cleared, fallen tree boughs sawn up and moved to log piles, and machinery serviced. The dry weather experienced for long periods of this year has also required the watering of the plants in the Environment Centre garden, and topping up of the ‘dipping’ ponds. Oh, and the inevitable weeding and control of brambles.