By Victoria Plum 
By Victoria Plum
The February meeting of the Reepham & District Gardening Club enjoyed a hugely entertaining talk by Dr Carl Sayer, starting with his childhood fishing experiences at Bodham, near Holt, which inspired his lifetime “affaire” with the Crucian carp and its environment.
This (possibly) indigenous fish is yet another species threatened by mankind’s thoughtless dominion over the land, here and in Europe, and so Dr Sayer has spearheaded the Norfolk Ponds Project.
Field ponds and pits used to give a good home to Crucian carp, but water degradation has resulted in a much diminished number of fish.
In a world of gloom, the ray of energy and sunshine engendered by Dr Sayer (my new hero – I gave him an extra cup of tea) described many typical Norfolk field ponds (often originally marl pits) like those I have often seen: dark, overhung with willow and alder scrub with black water and no signs of life – nothing vital at all.
Since the 1970s and 1980s these pits and ponds have not been maintained; they have been filled with hedge debris, rubbish and often ploughed in and over for convenience of cultivation, sometimes leaving “ghost ponds”, just an indent to hint at what lies below.
However, graphs, charts and before-and-after photographs soon proved the point that by removing the trees, from the south side in particular, and digging out the accumulated mud, light is allowed on the scene and then nature can soon take charge.
Seeds and organisms perhaps a hundred and fifty years old regenerate and very quickly invertebrates, amphibians, varied flora and fauna will fill the area.
For a small footprint area this type of environment has vast potential to offer a vibrant capsule of wildlife and build an invaluable mosaic to aid the recovery of many species in the countryside.
There is plenty of information online: search for Norfolk Ponds Project if you have a pond you think could be rescued or if you have time and energy to help.
I would like to thank the keen kitchen helpers, too; many hands do make light work of the washing up.
Note the new date for annual plant sale in Reepham Market Place: Saturday 16 May from 8.30 am until sold out. Please propagate and pot up plants now if you can, as last year there were some disappointed customers because the stall sold out early.
Reepham & District Gardening Club meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 7.45 pm in Reepham Town Hall, Church Street, Reepham. Visitors and guests welcome.
Above: A recently restored pond near Baconsthorpe. Photo: Norfolk Ponds Project
Geoff Fisher