by Hayley Robinson

Ten trailers worth of overgrown reeds and foliage was removed from a village pond during a clean-up.

The event, which was organised by the Environment Agency in conjunction with Iwade Parish Council, saw volunteers of all ages lending a hand to help clear the overgrown area off Ferry Road.

Their hard work was rewarded with a free lunch provided courtesy of Ward Homes - the developer behind the Kingsferry Place development.

But the highlight of the day for many was when parish councillor James Hunt was tasked with placing the new duck house, built and donated by the Environment Agency, in the centre of the pond.

He chose the unconventional, yet effective, method of using his paddleboard to act as a raft to get the structure to the centre of the 300sq m pond.

It proved an amusing site for onlookers.

Now the area is clear, it will provide the location for a new pond dipping platform, that will be donated by Ward

Homes later this year, for the public to enjoy.

Debbie McNamara, Environment Agency field team leader, said: “It was a great day all round and I think everyone involved should be very proud of their efforts.

“There is a bit more to do which we hope to finish over the coming months and I know once compete the pond will look fantastic.”

Parish council clerk Lynda Fisher said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone that attended and helped, especially the Environment Agency for using their volunteer day for our cause and Ward Homes for offering their support with food and refreshments.

“There is still more to be done, but we’ve made a great start and I could see from everyone’s faces at the end of the day, that although they were exhausted, they had enjoyed the experience.”