Volunteers are helping to make Midway Fishponds an even better place for people and wildlife to enjoy.

On Tuesday 8 July volunteers from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) will be working at the Fishponds to get rid of some of the weeds which are encroaching on one of the two ponds. The environmental work has been funded by a £10,000 grant from the Lottery’s Breathing Places scheme.

The Fishponds are formed from two ponds, which are fed by a small stream which flows into the north eastern corner of the site. The site was first developed in the late nineteenth century to provide water power for the adjacent mill. Later they became used as sludge lagoons, as part of the coal production process by local open cast mines. They now form an important wetland habitat and a valuable educational and leisure time resource.

Says Cllr John Lemmon, Chairman of South Derbyshire’s Housing and Community Services Committee, “We would like to invite local people to take part in the Environmental Action Days which have been organised by BTCV at Midway Fishponds. In our Corporate Plan we are committed to encourage more people to volunteer to work for their community. This scheme at Midway Fishponds is an ideal opportunity for people to join in to add to their local area.

“We are grateful to Groundwork Derby and Derbyshire who have worked with the Council to get Lottery funding. Working with BTCV volunteers, we would like to encourage local people to join in the work of improving the footpaths for people of all abilities, providing four fishing pegs for anglers who are disabled as well as conserving and managing the habitat at the Fishponds. The environmental work being carried out at Midway Fishponds will include adding to the wild flowers and plants to provided secluded areas for birds to nest.”

Anyone interested in joining the team to ‘get their hands dirty’ can contact Zoë Sewter, Open Space Development Officer at South Derbyshire District Council on 01283 595753. There will be more Environmental Action Days on Tuesday 12 August, Tuesday 9 September and Tuesday 23 September, starting on site at 10.30 am and working through until 3.30 pm. Volunteers are asked to wear outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear and they will need to bring their own packed lunch.

The project will be completed by June 2009.