The Horsepond Restoration Project

The Horsepond, one of the main historical features of Castle Cary is in need of restoration to return it to its former glory. As a small group of volunteers, over the past two years, we have been trying to control the highly invasive blanket weed in the pond through safe chemical treatments and hard work (raking out the blanket weed whilst retaining the “healthy”/oxygenating weed).

Our ambition is to restore The Horsepond to a self-sustaining eco-system through the introduction of oxygenating plants that can give life back to the pond. Through discrete planting (lilies, marginals and reeds) we can bring colour and beauty to the town centre and more importantly life to the pond. It will be a place to stop and ponder (no pun intended) as well as a fitting backdrop to remember those who lost their lives in two world wars

Dream to Reality

In order to turn the dream into reality we need to raise £4,500 for a three-phase planting scheme. We have approached local aquatic plant providers who have supplied us with costings for the entire project (plants, containers, staging, anchoring points, and planting compost) to create a natural, tasteful and self-sustainable pond whilst restricting the growth of blanket weed. We also aim to restore the railing around the pond.

The planting would take place over the course of three years from the launch of the project. The ideal time to start planting is in the spring and our first target is to raise enough funds for phase one by April 2019.

For More information and ways to support the project please visit:

www.horsepondrestorationproject.uk

www.facebook.com/HorsepondRestorationProject