Jubilee pond to open in Richmond Park (From Your Local Guardian)

Jubilee pond to open in Richmond Park

1:40pm Thursday 10th May 2012 in Richmond By Christine Fleming

With all the excitement surrounding the Queen’s visit, the Friends of Richmond Park have decided to mark the occasion by creating a commemorative diamond jubilee pond in the Royal Park in her honour.

The pond will be formally inaugurated by Sir David Attenborough on Tuesday, May 15, and, as well as marking the Royal visit, will also be the start of an appeal for sponsors for the park’s ponds and stream conservation programme.

Charitable group the Friends of Richmond Park (FoRP) said the idea of a new pond located on the road from Sheen Cross to the Royal Ballet School was to create an environment for more wildlife to grow.

A FoRP spokesman said: “The aim of the new pond is to create a freshwater habitat for a range of species including invertebrates, amphibians, birds and bats.

“It also aims to retain water in the park to help to counteract the effects of climate change.”

The pond, which is estimated to be costing between £10,000 and £15,000 to construct, is being part-funded by conservation charity Healthy Planet and part funded by donations to the ponds and streams conservation programme.

The commemorative landmark will join other royal features in the park including two Coronation Plantations, for Edward VII in 1902 and the present Queen in 1953, King George V’s Jubilee Plantation, the Queen Mother’s Copse and Prince Charles’ Spinney.

To find the new pond view the map at tinyurl.com/cosh5d3.

To donate to the public ponds and streams conservation appeal, visit frp.org.uk/ponds-and-streams or healthyplanet.org/jubileepond.