Page Two of Three The County also helped with materials and labour to fashion some steps to the upper level leading to the nature trail which would prove to be attractive to the younger element.  A seat was constructed and installed beside the 'garden' which was intended to contain cultivated rather than wild plants and which allowed the attendant parent to take a breather after the climb.

It was felt important that a pond be provided for the wild life including toads, and the Parish Meeting provided the labour and the lining to this end.  It was important in view of the flints, which are brothers to chalk, that the excavation should be treated to avoid the puncture of the lining when the weight of water forced a conjunction.  This was achieved by the laying of sand plus newspapers and even an old carpet thrown out by a new resident!

Another problem was the filling of the pond, which is a long way from any obvious supply, but again the farmer proved helpful.  Luckily there was a water bowser available and it was possible temporarily to fix up piping and guttering from the road for the purpose.  Obviously this answer would not serve on each occasion the pond dried up although straight rainfall would help.  It was, therefore, necessary to employ a little ingenuity.

It had been noted that on the occasion of a 'flash flood' water collected in the corner of the field above the pit, so it was fairly simple to encourage it over the edge of the chalk face.   From there a couple of sumps and a pipe led the water down into the pond.  it has worked successfully on several occasions. The chalk face with the reed filled pond can be seen in this photo.