Press release March 2017
Ingatestone and Fryerning Parish Council (IFPC) is pleased to announce key developments to Fairfield Pond, which will be completed this spring.
Fairfield is an area of recreational green space, located in the heart of Ingatestone village, which is leased and maintained by IFPC. It is a hub of local activity, enjoyed by children of all ages, families and dog walkers and has been home to Ingatestone and Fryerning Cricket Club for over 150 years.
Fairfield is an important part of the village’s heritage. The area dates back to the 16th century when it was owned by Barking Abbey and used for grazing livestock. The land was sold to the Petre family during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and remains in their ownership today. The developments to Fairfield Pond are led by the IFPC’s Churchyards and Environment Committee and have been made possible with funding from Essex County Council’s Community Initiatives Fund (CIF). Work includes flattening the pond’s silt, removing fencing, seeding and introducing native pond plants to encourage wildlife. Finishing touches to the area includes three new benches, bins, a colourful new picnic table built from recycled plastic and an illustrated information board charting Fairfield’s natural history. These are funded with grants from Essex Heritage Trust.
IFPC chairperson, Cllr Paul Jeater comments: “In 2016 Fairfield Pond was in poor shape. It was silted up, prone to flooding in winter and there was a nettle bed which was growing out of control. The parish council sought grant aid from the Essex County Council CIF and set about the major task of restoring it. “By this summer, the pond will once again be an enjoyable feature of village life. An information board, new benches and bins will be in place courtesy of the Essex Heritage Fund and, for the first time in many years, it will be possible to walk right around the pond.”
For more information, please contact clerk@ingatestone-fryerningpc.gov.uk/01277 353315.
