Our New Pond Dipping Platform

On Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th February we had our first volunteer weekend of 2016. Our intrepid volunteers braved gale force winds and lashing rain to build a pond dipping platform. The platform will eventually be used by school parties and other groups of visitors. Pond dipping is a fun and simple way for children to explore an aquatic habitat. Children are able to observe a diversity of different creatures from leeches to dragonfly nymphs.Saturday Sunday pond dipping platform 6th 7th February 2016 010

We had great fun measuring, sawing and knocking in posts. The inclement weather only added to the occasion. There is nothing like standing in the middle of a pond while the torrential rain drifts horizontally, and the wind howls mournfully around us on a cold Saturday (and equally cold and damp Sunday with added hail stone showers) in February. We were very happy to be out and about doing something which benefits others. Our volunteers are always very friendly and good humoured. Anybody who comes to help always feels very welcome and has a super time and a good laugh.Saturday Sunday pond dipping platform 6th 7th February 2016 017

Recycled plastic lumber is used so the platform will last and not rot, and it is very strong. We were very careful to collect all the plastic shavings and little bits of plastic from the drill as we didn’t want to pollute our pond which is fed from a natural spring on the farm.20160206_121816

We were treated to a glorious lunch of home-made leek, apple and pork pie with mustard mash made by our own chef Nicola from ‘Arthur’s Farm Kitchen’ and locally produced green vegetables from the farm shop cooked by our very own Charlotte. I was treated to delicious home-made vegetarian quiche. On Sunday the meal was made extra delicious with one of Nicola’s super soups. The volunteers also like to add to the occasion by bringing in their own home-baked cakes.20160206_125613

There is still some work to do on our pond dipping platform, but when it is finished children and adults alike will have a good, strong, safe place to observe a diversity of different aquatic creatures at Fordhall Organic Farm.20160206_125557

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