news release 17 November 2008
Young explorers and ecologists from a South Derbyshire primary school have been out helping to improve an open space in their area and finding out about the plants and animals that live there.
Pupils from Years 5 and 6 at Eureka Primary, in Dunsmore Way, Midway, have spent a day at Midway Fishponds, touring the site and then pond dipping, minibeast hunting, collecting and identifying fallen leaves and decorating twigs to play "Pooh Sticks".
Midway Fishponds is an urban green space located off Midway Road in Swadlincote. Just over two acres of the 5-acre site are covered with two ponds that are linked by a sluice gate and cascade and fed by a small stream.
The site was first developed in the late 19th century to serve an adjacent mill. Later the ponds became used as sludge lagoons, used as part of the coal production process by open cast mines. They now form an important wetland habitat and are a valuable local facility that is used for leisure activities such as walking and fishing.
Eureka Primary is the first school to get involved on the site, for which a grant of £10,000 was awarded to South Derbyshire District Council from the Lottery’s Breathing Places scheme to carry out conservation management work, improve access and get the community involved.
Five environmental action days to which local residents were invited have taken place. During these, habitat management work involving selective clearing of invasive species, thinning of shrubs to encourage a wider range of plants, planting of aquatic and marginal plants and creation of a discrete wildlife area were completed with British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.
The visit to the site by Eureka Primary sees the start of school involvement, organised and run by Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire.
Nine-year-old Claudia Elkins who took part in the visit on Monday (Nov 17) said: "It was brilliant. I really loved finding the minibeasts and exploring the Fishponds. What a nice way to celebrate my birthday!"
South Derbyshire District Council's Open Space Development Officer Zoe Sewter said: "The day went very well. The pupils joined in and worked very hard. Everyone involved was delighted.
"Links were made with Eureka Primary for this event, and we will also be looking to work with other schools close to the site for events in March and May next year."
The Breathing Places grant is also being used to improve access around the site and to better the site's ecology through planting and management. All of the work will be completed by June 2009.