Around 50 people, Blackbird the pony and Jin the dog turned out to help clear the Mill Street Pond on Saturday, January 29, as part of a renovation day run by Brightlingsea Nature Network (BNN) and Cobnuts Co-operative.

Following RSPB recommendations, volunteers – including local councillor Mick Barry – donned waders to pull reeds and roots out of the deeper water to let more light in while leaving the surrounding vegetation as habitat and shelter.

Naturalists Roger Tabor and Tony Thorn carried out a survey of the pond creatures found so that changes and improvements to the habitat can be monitored.  Other helpers cleared back the invasive green alkanet and an energetic bunch of litter pickers did a great job of clearing rubbish from the pond and its surroundings – including a black handbag.

BNN and Cobnuts Co-op were grateful to all who came to help and say they will be running more conservation and nature-based craft activities throughout the year.