Our wildlife pond is a haven for a host of amphibians and mini-beasts and the children love pond-dipping to see what plants and animals they can find.

Unfortunately, over the years, leaves have fallen in and decayed making pond-dipping a very smelly activity. And, it has failed to fill, even in the rainiest of months, making us suspect a tear in the lining. Drastic action was needed!

After appealing for help, Matilda Green’s Auntie Keira offered her expertise and assistance as she is a gardener and pond expert. The pond was measured, materials were ordered, the date was set - it needed to be done as soon as possible in order to be ready for the frogs and newts to return in early spring.

On the last day of January, in freezing temperatures and with the help of Mrs Ventriglia, Matilda’s aunt and grandparents, Mr Allen and Miss Draper, the pond was emptied, hoovered, relined and refilled, and plants were split and repotted – all in one day!

The plants and mini-beasts will take a while to repopulate, however we are crossing our fingers that the frogs find the pond welcoming and lay lots of frogs spawn for us to watch in the next month or so.

Before: low levels of water over the summer term and clogged full of decaying leaves in the winter.

Emptying the pond and hoovering up debris and dead plants:

New pond liner:

 After: all ready for frogspawn and newts!