May - What's the latest?

Thankfully the algae problem seems to have settled at little, at least it's not getting any worse! And the concern about blue/green algae seems to no longer be a worry.

Looking ahead, this month should see us putting in our funding applications. Fingers crossed for this as almost all our plans hinge on us securing these funds.

Volunteers will be asked to work on the bank on the Chapel side of the pond in June, ahead of a Fun Day that we are hoping to hold in conjunction with Hellesveor Chapel at the end of July.

Watch this space for further updates!

Problems with Algae

Two weeks ago the Pond looked absolutely wonderful for Good Friday but look at it now!

The lack of plants in the Pond following the cleanout combined with the lovely weather we have been having, have caused filementous algae to grow. As it photosynthesises, oxygen bubbles get caught within the fine strands and make the algae float to the top. At the surface it looks like a brown frothy scum. Although very unsightly this does not pose any long term threat to the pond or the creatures in it. We are currently looking at environmentally sound ways to control this!

However, following testing that was carried out by the Environment Agency, there is also a small amount of Blue Green Algae in the pond - this is highly toxic - at the moment it is only a very small amount, but as a precaution - it is recommended that people DO NOT allow their children or pets to play in or with the water!

Hope to have better news in the near future!!!!

Good Friday - 2010

Wow! What a turnout! This photo was taken by Tobi Carver of St Ives Times and Echo. It was great to see so many people up at The Pond on Good Friday, "Thank You So Much" to everyone who came along to support the continuation of this long-held tradition.

We will now be pushing ahead with our funding bids in order to further enhance the community value of the pond and to enable you all to use it in a variety of ways.

We also have fund raisers coming up:

The first of these is an Illustrated talk by Vivian Stratton - Birds in Cornwall. This takes place on Wednesday 14th April at 7pm at the St Ives Infants School. Tickets are £3 in advance from the Tourist Information Office, The Guildhall, St Ives or £4 on-the-door.

We are also hoping to have a Duck Racing event which will be the main feature of a fun day to be held jointly between Consols Pond Association and Hellesveor Chapel.

Much more to come - so watch this space!

Once again Thank You for Your Support!!!!

ONE YEAR ON!!!

Is it really a year since the disappointment of Good Friday with no boats on Consols Pond? The time seems to have flown by. Of course, much work has gone on behind the scenes and tons of silt have been removed, in order to ensure that sailing boats can once again skim across the water on Good Friday.

Although the forecast for Friday doesn't look too good, please don't be put off - the Pond is ready and waiting for this important local tradition to continue.

Please remember to keep a close eye on your children and take care yourselves, the banks are quite steep and slippery in places. So come along and enjoy this truly local event. Hope you have a great time!

Get your boats out and dust them off!

With only two weeks to go, if you haven't already got your model boats out and checked them over, now would be a good time!


After all the disappointment of last Easter and all the hard work that's gone into getting the pond cleared and ready for action, it would be great to see plenty of boats on the water on Good Friday.
(Picture taken by Brian Stevens - 1961)


Hope to see you then!

Counting down to Good Friday!

Only three weeks to go to Good Friday!

After the disappointment and frustration of last year, how wonderful it will be to see boats sailing on the pond this Easter!!!

Don't forget, if you have a boat, get it out now and check it over so that it's ready for Good Friday!

The Chapel will be selling refreshments and Hot Cross buns (cold) proceeds to the Chapel fund, and there will also be a cake stall to raise more funds for Consols Pond Association - So don't forget to bring some change.

Hope to see you all there!

Wow! Isn't Mother Nature wonderful!!!

I was up at the pond this afternoon and gazing into the water, I was amazed to see that there is already spawn - in fact, two different kinds of spawn in the pond. Isn't Mother Nature wonderful, it's only been three weeks and with such major disturbance of the pond, it's great to know that wildlife is already finding its way back.

(This image is not of our pond!)

Please, please, can everyone get their boats ready for Good Friday? As we couldn't sail them last year it would be great to have as many as possible on the water this year!