DUNMOW S trademark ponds have received high praise from environmentalists, resulting in the town council receiving an award for its contribution to local ecology. Renovating has been the name of the game for the council, but it has also managed to create

DUNMOW'S trademark ponds have received high praise from environmentalists, resulting in the town council receiving an award for its contribution to local ecology.

Renovating has been the name of the game for the council, but it has also managed to create an entirely new pond during the project.

Cricketers Pond has been completely de-silted and greenery cut-back after becoming overgrown, and now an increased water level is expected to further encourage breeding of the rare Great Crested newt.

Parsonage Downs and Talberds Ley ponds have also seen extensive regeneration, providing nesting grounds for birds and ducks as well as picnic spots for the visitors to enjoy.

The new pond, formed out of a shallow part of ground, is just 50 yards from the Cricketers Pond. Wild flowers should soon start appearing nearby after being sown and fish have already been established.

Dunmow town mayor, Gwynn Davies, was on hand to receive a certificate of merit from the Essex environment trust for the council's work.

He said: "The award is largely due to the hard work of deputy town clerk, David Green, so we must thank him for that.

"The work will allow the ponds to further attract wildlife and of course the public can enjoy the ponds as they always have. They have become something for Dunmow to be really proud of."

Funding for the project was mainly provided by the Environment Trust through its scheme of channelling money from landfill sites. The surplus was made from the local taxpayer through the town council coffers.

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