19th October 2011

BRIDPORT: Community pond project wins £350 Watermark Award

THE thriving pond at the Bridport Community Orchard has been awarded the Wessex Watermark to help it grow as an environment project.

The award from Wessex Water provides funds for environmental projects, and the Bridport Community Orchard Group (BCOG) received a donation of £350 from the organisation last week.

The money has helped fund the dipping platform at the pond and will also be spent on a system to harvest rainwater.

The pond itself was dug by hand and initially lined traditionally with clay, until this evaporated during the early summer drought.

It is hoped that by harvesting rainwater the group will be able to keep the pond topped up at all times.

BCOG’s Jill Lloyd said she was “thrilled and delighted” to receive the award.

“We are concerned about saving and using rainwater, both to keep the pond topped up and for the allotments on the orchard site, not to mention for our new trees,” she said.

“What a boost this Watermark Award is for the orchard, we can now buy the rainwater harvest system and the pond dipping equipment for the children who love the pond and the opportunity to play and learn at the same time.”

Now in its 17th year, the Watermark Award has supported over 700 environmental initiatives.

It is organised by The Conservation Foundation and all projects are judged by a panel chaired by its president - David Bellamy.

PICTURE: SPLASH THE CASH - The Bridport Community Orchard Group receive the Wessex Watermark award and a cheque for £350