CROW (Conserve Reading on Wednesdays)
Wednesday, 19th September 2018
Ruscombe's Ponds, Stanlake Lake Pond ~ Willow and bramble clearance

Battle orders! Hi-viz was much in evidence as the group received instruction on the work to be done, the pond being located by the busy junction of Stanlake Lane and Ruscombe Lane.

On arrival the pond was largely hidden from view by a wall of willow and bramble.

However once we started to gain access it became clear that as a result of the dry summer so little water remained in the pond that the need for roadside working could be kept to a minimum.

It's not all hard graft!

Cutting back overhanging branches.

Despite the lack of water there was a considerable depth of mud around the pond edge which at times made the work treacherous.

By the end of task both willow and bramble had been cleared from the pond's edge, and whilst there had not been time to cleared the bramble from the bank .....

..... it had been cut back along the roadside.

Updated: Monday, 18th March 2019
Photographs: Alan Stevens