17 March 2008 16:55 Shropshire village converts pond to learning resource thanks to Central Networks

Volunteers from a Shropshire community group are celebrating after winning a grant from Central Networks to transform an overgrown pond into an environmental study centre for local children.

The company, part of E.ON, has donated £2,500 to the Wyldwoods Community and Trust project in Broseley to develop the pond and the surrounding area into an environmental habitat where children can study local wildlife and pondlife in safety.

The project is one of the winning applicants for Central Network's Safer Environment Fund, which makes money available for projects that demonstrate they will have a lasting and positive effect on the local environment.

Phil Wilson, Customer Operations Manager for Central Networks, said: "Many of the children visiting the pond have special needs and the barrier and jetty will make it a far safer area for everyone.

"The works will also make it more difficult for people to disturb the wildlife attracted to the pond, while allowing children to learn about nature and how things grow.

"Locals said there was very little in the way of community facilities in Broseley. We're delighted to be involved in this project as it'll not only help educate local children and provide a focus for community activity, but it will also significantly improve the appearance of the area and provide habitat for local wildlife."

Work is planned to start in April or May so as not to disturb hibernating wildlife.

Steph Brett, Director of Wyldwoods, said: "The parents of a group of children from Bridgnorth who have special needs have said the pond could be an enormous asset to the experiences of their children but, in its present state, posed something of a safety concern.

 "By creating safe areas around the pond, the community will improve their understanding of how mankind and mother nature can live harmoniously and even improve the environment for all concerned.

"The Broseley community will benefit greatly from this beautiful and accessible community site, especially now the pond will be made into a usable and environmentally valuable asset."

The Safer Environment Fund is open to all local community groups and not-for-profit organisations with their own bank account located in the Central Networks distribution region, which covers central England. Groups can apply for grants of up to £2,500. For more information and to download an application form visit www.central-networks.co.uk/sef.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Central Networks brings power to 4.9 million customers across central England through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
• Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For more information contact:

Andrew Barrow on 02476 183 677

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