the very overgrown pond in Hesket Newmarket

starting work on clearing the pond and its surrounding undergrowth

the tiny stream flowing into the pond is completely choked ..

.. here looking down it into the pond

with the inflow to the pond cleared we concentrate on clearing the debris from the pond itself ..

.. which involves those with waders going deep into the water

lunch break

Ranger Graham wading out to trim vegetation on the island

the banks now well clear, here looking towards Hesket Newmarket village

a big branch felled from the island

fishing out a large floating island of weeds

looking up the cleared stream flowing into the pond with very little water after recent dry weather

looking down the stream, now with a clear flow to the pond

the pond almost clear of weed and its dam now visible

the far bank has also been partly cleared and opened up to some sunlight

all we need now is some heavy rain to refresh the stagnant water!