FoAM was able to undertake a project to replace the dipping platform at the Dragonfly Pond thanks to generous grants of £1,200 from our Ward Councillors and £6,000 from INOVYN, supplemented by FoAM’s own funds.
The first phase of the project, to construct the new dipping platform, fencing and a kissing gate for all-ability access, was started in October 2018. Construction involved a lot of hard work. The posts supporting the front of the platform were 3.6m (12 feet) long and had to be knocked vertically through the silt in the pond until they hit firm ground. A kissing gate and fencing was installed around the pond to prevent dogs running into it and damaging the habitat.
Phase 2 of the project was to create a new interpretation panel. Research for the panel was undertaken by Mary Jeeves, Frances Findlay, Graham Walker, Dave James and Alan Redley.
More than 60 people turned out in the sunshine on 27 June 2019 to celebrate completion of the project.
The new facility was declared open by Jon Whieldon of INOVYN, who explained that the funding by INOVYN was through the Landfill Communities Fund.
Jon was particularly impressed by the range of skills of the volunteers who had built the platform and produced the interpretation panel and leaflet. He said, “The funds which INOVYN were able to provide went so much further because of this volunteer input”.
Leader of the Council, Louise Gittins attended and once again showed her support for the work of FoAM and the volunteers in the Northwich Woodlands.
Louise said, “It was a wonderful achievement made possible by grants from INOVYN and Ward Councillors’ Members’ Budgets and the fantastic work of Alan Redley and team of volunteers and Dave James, one of our brilliant Rangers”.
