The problems with Shanklin’s Big Mead Pond look set to be over after the permanent, natural water supply was re-instated yesterday (Tuesday) – and a date has now been set for the fish to be re-housed.
The flow of water to the main pond was restored shortly after 10:00 yesterday morning and over 7,000 litres of water is now slowly flowing back into the pond at the popular Shanklin park, with the fish set to be transferred back in 2 months’ time.
As previously reported by Island Echo back in June, the pond was at risk of extinction after problems with its nearly 200-year-old pipework meant that water levels were dwindling leaving the nearly 100-or-so fish gasping for air.
Later that week the fish were moved to a holding tank in the adjacent Coach House whilst works to reinstate the water supply were undertaken up on Shanklin Down.
DARES (Dial-a-Rod Engineering Services) had to send a camera through the line to see exactly how far along the issue was, with the help of local volunteers.
Once the pipework had been repaired, diggers were brought in last week to clear out the pond ahead of it being re-filled. Workers dug down and removed large mounds of dirt and mud as well as trimming the surrounding bushes and hedges at the same time.
A lot of the work on the site and the pipework was carried out by volunteers including local Councillor Adrian Whittaker, who oversaw the discovery of the broken pipes uphill.
He has confirmed to Island Echo that the fish – which are still in the holding tank – will not be put back into the pond until the 1st Saturday in October, giving the pond time to regenerate and surrounding plants, flowers and shrubs to grow.
Pond dye has been added to the water to reduce the spread of algae and aquatic weeds, a problem that plagued the pond before its closure in early June.
By digging out all the mud at the bottom of the pond, won’t they have removed most of the insects and other aquatic life that the fish feed on?
and all the rats will back soon
I saw a duck on it’s way back yesterday! People involved should be proud of themselves, fingers crossed for smooth times ahead.
Who cares if it never opens again its full of rats. I saw a little kid when I was there touching the floor around the edge of the pond, where the rats had been, then he put his hands in his mouth. Its also full of Blue and Green Algae. Its not worth telling you islanders to not go near it as you will probably drink it and swim in it
Another ill informed totally ignorant comment from the notorious ‘Island critic’. Instead of persistently highlighting the negative, why don’t you stop hiding behind your luminescent screen and actually get out in the real world and make a positive contribution to your local community.
I would never go to that park again its full of druggies and weirdos
Well done and huge thanks to the team of volunteers who all helped in the restoration of the pond. Let’s now hope the wildfowl return in numbers and a thriving vegetation for the insect population.
Please remember not to feed the ducks bread, even breadcrumbs as they can’t digest it like us. P.s…. Sorry RATS you’re NOT welcome.
The main picture kind of reminds me of the island. The isle of wight is the middle island part and the water is the Solent. They both actually look like that.
Absolutely Wonderful !
That place is rat infested
There are rats in every town!
There are probably rats living around every litter bin on the island.. If I was a rat I’d live at big mead!
So good this has been sorted out by so many people all pulling together and some for free.
Thank you all.
SO WHERE’S MY COMMENT GONE AGAIN IE ???????
I normally would not care, but the amount of drival that you are letting through is laughable.
I’d class the lack of publishing as a badge of honour if I were you.