The official unveiling of a new interpretive board, which highlights the heritage and wildlife of a historic wildlife pond, has taken place in Binstead today (Thursday).
We like to think of old ponds as being natural features. However, most of the 340,000 or so ponds in England and Wales are artificial. The same is true of the historic Treefields Pond situated on the north side of Binstead Road on the outskirts of Ryde.
This pond, hidden behind trees and shrubs on the edge of Southern Housing Groups’ Treefields Estate, is one of the few of Ryde’s ponds to survive into the modern age. The town’s old ponds have long since disappeared under the rapid pace of development, which engulfed the area in Victorian times and has continued ever since.
The nearby golf course and Puckpool Park are 2 the few other places that old ponds can be found. The 1863 Ordnance Survey map shows 3 ponds in the vicinity; 1 where the existing pond still is, but it was twice the size it is now, plus 1 to the north which is now the site of a residential care home. A third was listed as being located 200 yards East of Ryde House. On the 1840 Map of the Parish of Newchurch, which included Ryde, this area – measuring 1 acre, 1 rod and 9 perches – was part of Lodge Copse, on the Ryde House Estate, owned by George Player.
The pond at Treefields is at the junction of the picturesque Spencer Road and the ancient Binstead Road. From earliest times tracks were routed to take advantage of natural watering places. Springs or damp hollows developed into ponds caused by trampling by livestock or by human endeavour. Research carried out across the Island in 2005 revealed a total of around 1,000 ponds in that year compared to around 1,600 in 1900.
In the Ryde town area there are around 26 ponds whilst in rural Binstead there is about 56, which is what one might expect. Ryde has a below average number of ponds whilst Binstead has above average. The average being 33 according to the Every Pond Counts report.
Today Treefields pond is owned by the Southern Housing Group and thanks to the partnership with The Footprint Trust and its pond wardens, it supports a wide range of wildlife including dragonflies, newts and frogs. It is a small remnant of Ryde’s rural past. Recent surveys have revealed that the pond in doing very well – with a good diversity of wildlife.
Winter is the time to care for and manage ponds, as action during the breeding season and summer can harm creatures. Those wishing to help care for this pond can take part in its annual make-over on Tuesday 24th October 2016 from 11:00. Local Pond Wardens and experts from The Footprint Trust’ ecology management team will be on hand and looking to recruit local people who wish to help care for the historic pond.
For more details please contact Ray at The Footprint Trust on 01983 822282.
