Help restore and maintain Whitburn pond

Whitburn pond is a historic feature of the village and habitat to wildlife. Due to lack of maintenance silt and algae has built up leading to the pond water being shallow therefore is becoming uninhabitable to wildlife and starting to smell and look unpleasant. Please read more below. The money raised will be used towards funding the equipment to dredge the pond and restore its purpose to Whitburn village.

We have donated duck houses, wildlife facilities and many hours of our spare time to improving the streams and pond, which has contributed to an increase in wildlife in the area. This is something which is appreciated by the whole Whitburn community, as many people frequently stop to let us know when passing and take photos of the improvements we have made.

As life-long Whitburn residents, we have a full understanding of its history throughout the years and are aware it is drainage for Cleadon Hills. The Council used to come and dredge the pond and clean all drains for the pond to function properly. This has not happened for many years. There was an inspection during the last floods of all drains in the area and were found to be working well, but our major concern is that the farmers fields were causing the floods.

The problem we have at the pond now is that all the soil and silt from the fields has accumulated in the main pond. Myself and Belinda have tried to keep the back 'gulley' free of silt but the main pond (which is deeper) is currently about 2.5 foot deep in silt/mud etc. This is a major concern now as the algi/moss and stagnant water is starting to smell and the image of the pond has declined drastically.

The pond is very close to Whitburn Village Primary School which attracts families to look at the pond wildlife. Our health & safety concern is that if a child fell into the pond, they could potentially become stuck. We know this all too well as we (adults) sometimes become stuck when we go in with our waders on!

Thanks 
Gary and Belinda