Lynsted with Kingsdown Parish Council Parish Plan

Environment Working Group

Pond at Lynsted and Norton School restored.

As part of its work to help refurbish some of the ponds in the parish, the Environment Working Group is pleased to report the restoration and enhancement of the wildlife pond at Lynsted with Kingsdown School. Sally Evans, of the Mid Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit, suggested that the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership could possibly help with pond matters. Following a visit to the school by Mark Pritchard of MVCP, a plan was drawn up. On October 25th a professionally-led team of trained volunteers descended on the pond area. The outcome is described elsewhere, but the Group was most pleased to have helped with this initiative. Members are looking forward to an intended Open Day in the spring, so as to view the new arrangements!

At about the same time, the Group learnt that the presence of a colony of slow-worms posed a potential hindrance to the creation of the much needed affordable houses at Vigo Farm, Lynsted Lane. In a very pleasing ‘link’ between two areas of Parish Council interest, we were able to suggest that the creatures could be transferred to the school pond area. The experts tell us that the two colonies were probably part of what was a single community. So it would be a case reuniting some distant relatives!

Bob Baxter.