School children gathered outside at a Titchfield school to mark the official opening of a new wildlife pond.
The mayoress, mayor, Councillor Sean Woodward and pupils Sofia Fiorentino and Max Smith net frog spawn
The Mayor of Fareham, Councillor Dennis Steadman, and his wife Carole, the mayoress, unveiled the new pond and wildlife area at West Hill Park School.
Mrs Steadman cut the ribbon while pupils from the school and its nursery, aged from two to 13 years, watched on in delight.
Pupils read a poem about mini-beasts, while the nursery children sat on the grass mound in the shape of a caterpillar. Celebratory cakes decorated with frogs were displayed to mark the opening.
The children were all involved in the planning of the project, with their pond designs being shown in an exhibition.
The art department at the school in St Margaret’s Lane created sculptures and tiles to complete the environmental area, which will be used by other schools, nurseries and community groups too.
“It’s a wonderful idea for the children,” said Cllr Steadman. “As this pond grows the children will grow with it.”
It has been two years in the making – and was delayed by six months because of the cold weather – but the wildlife area has now been revealed so the school pupils can use it to study outdoor habitats.
Head teacher Alastair Ramsay said: “A pond is the best way we wanted to introduce a woodland part to our grounds to get to see the different types of habitats that exist.
“We have a frog and a heron in it but we’re not going to put anything else in it and just let it evolve to see what arrives.
“We’re very lucky to have these outdoor areas and we wanted to have the whole school and the council, which has been very supportive, to see it.”
The project, received £1,500 from Fareham Borough Council’s Community Funding Program, Hampshire County Councillor Geoff Hockley gave £1,500, the school raised £500 themselves at spring and summer fairs and parents also donated £500.
