« The Abbey Fishponds are the only remnants of the great foundation to survive in their original setting. They were created in 1217, by diverting the road and stream (and incidentally much enlarging the Abbey precinct): lots more here.
The Parish Council is restoring the area with a variety of partners, to protect its past and enhance its biodiversity. Access from Station Road: see MAP.
Background & specialist reports here
Volunteers/ enquiries here
PHASE 3 overview & updates 2007; 2008
In the third phase of the Fishponds regeneration we planned to excavate one of the medieval ponds for both biodiversity and archaeological reasons. However, as the water flow and channel construction turned out to be more complex than anticipated and the ponds quite large, we decided to find another way of achieving open water and leave the medieval ponds for a later date.
We applied to TOE (Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment) for a grant to clear the sedges and
weeds from what is considered to be the old Chilbrook, at the point where it forms the north side of the moat of Harvey’s House mound. This area has a maximum width of 20m by a length of 60m. The profile has a very gradual drop to a depth of no more than half a metre at the centre.
By removing the vegetation a relatively large area of open, shallow water would be exposed. This would be edged with the sedges which would form a barrier between the dry land and the water: see MAP.
The application included funding for Graham Keevill, the archaeologist who has been involved with the Abbey excavations and the Thames Water pipeline across Harvey’s House, to keep a watching brief. This includes preparing a specification for the archaeological work, to be submitted to
Hugh Coddington of Oxfordshire's county archaeological service for approval, taking environmental samples if necessary, and writing a report on the results.
Such an open piece of water will provide a much improved habitat for various invertebrates, amphibians and bird life. It will also be visually pleasing whilst reinstating part of the historical landscape.
The application also included funding for two interpretive panels, one at Station Road entrance and another at the playing fields entrance, and for two log benches for Monk’s Green.
MONK'S GREEN
The green in the centre was formally named Monk's Green at the Parish Council meeting on 6 June 2006. Thanks to all who put forward suggestions.
WINTER WORK PARTIES 2005/6
Phase 2 of the Fishponds Management Plan is now almost complete thanks to the efforts of our volunteers who have worked a total of 140 hours since last November.
Much of the work done has concentrated on the water channels that form the backbone of the fishponds. In some areas they have almost completely silted up and been invaded by willowherb. Action has taken place to re-establish these watercourses so that the topography of the fishponds is not lost and so that the water habitat is improved. The first area that the volunteer group tackled was the Park Ditch that runs between the ponds and the playing fields on the eastern edge. The overhanging blackthorn has been cut back, pallets, ladders, plastic chairs and other debris removed and the flow of the brook improved to create a running water habitat. Along the water’s edge footprints of Heron and Mallard can been found, where already they are checking out the potential of the area for food. The work will also improve the drainage of the playing
fields.
At the centre of the landscape is the spring stream that flows into the ponds from the ‘Holewelle’ in the field to the north. The west side of the stream has long been obscured by encroaching blackthorn which has now been cut back to reveal the stream. The improved light on the area should encourage new growth of flora along the banks. Halfway along this section of waterway is a large crack willow that has now been pollarded on the advice of the Department of the Environment. This was because it had become unstable and, if left to fall, the life of the tree would have shortened – and it might have caused injury to anyone nearby. The resulting work has left a wonderful tree sculpture which will be interesting to watch as it puts on new growth in the spring. The Parish Council financed a felling company to
do the work; this produced a mass of chippings which have been used to provide a surface for large parts of the north path. The steps to the bridge over the old Chilbrook have also been improved. When using the north path, look out for the footprints of Muntjac and Roe Deer that have taken advantage of the path and board walks.
What is said to be the course of the old Chilbrook has been cleared and partially de-silted. This includes a junction to one of the channels that would have been constructed by the monks as part of the water management system for the ponds. We have confirmed that the channel was clay lined and surfaced with small stones which are not local in origin.
Harvey’s House Mound has had its annual cut and the cuttings collected into heaps so that they will not rot down and raise the soil fertility. This is done to encourage native wild flowers which prefer a poor soil. The accumulated piles of dry grass and nettles have been disturbed by badgers that have been turning them over looking for food. They have also taken some of it
away to use as bedding. Clearing the mound area of tall weeds has given the badgers more feeding opportunities and one can see lots of small scrapes in the ground where these animals have been scratching around for worms and grubs. During the cold winter afternoons and evenings a barn owl has been seen using the fishponds as a hunting ground, in particular the area of Harvey’s House. A fantastic sight to see as it moves silently across the landscape in search of prey.
The small elms, which were suckers from earlier trees, have been cleared from the corner adjoining Station Road. This now gives improved visibility from the car park for people driving out into the road. The bramble patch nearby has had its second cut. Once again, a quarter of the brambles has been cleared as recommended by the Cotswold Rare Plants Group. This helps to contain the growth of the bramble, whilst enabling new growth to establish. Because of the varying age of the bramble it will be attractive to a larger range of wildlife and will give other plants an opportunity to establish which would otherwise have been smothered.
It is now time to leave the area for the wild life to multiply and for
the plants to regenerate the cleared areas.
VOLUNTEERS/ENQUIRIES
If you would like to volunteer to help with any further work please phone Verity Hughes on 01865 880243 or email
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