This project is an ambitious, long-term pond creation scheme to ensure there are once again a million ponds in the UK countryside. It is being led by Pond Conservation,(View Website) a part of Natural England (which used to be called English Countryside) and some useful funding will be available, especially for new ponds.

Havering village has about 20 ponds roughly in a ring around its centre, where the natural springs occur at the point where the boundary between the gravel beds at the top of the hill and the clay below comes to the surface. There are a few further down the small streams.

At least the majority of the ponds were originally dug to provide water for farm animals but they are also havens for wildlife. Pond Conservation has requested parties potentially interested in this project provide initial details, which Habcos will do.

Michael Heap will co-ordinate the collection of information for the society and has asked that anyone with knowledge of a pond (whether or not on their own land) let him have some details. The ponds are both in the parks and on private land and there are also some that have been filled in. If you can, let him know:

1. Location (identified on a map, send a sketch or give a clear description)
2. Ownership (if known)
3. Size of pond (length x breadth)
4. General description - is it wet all the year round, are there trees or bushes around it? fish? amphibians? plants of interest? nesting birds?