Tracy Allen from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust introduced the Augustinians to the mystical world of dew ponds, and told of the research carried out and repairs instigated and encouraged by the trust. 20 ponds have been restored so far.
Tracy explained that the term Dew Ponds is a misnomer as the ponds are mostly replenished by run-off, and all are manmade. Most were constructed from the 18th to the early 20th centuries, ending when piped water supplies reached the countryside. Hundreds of ponds on the Wolds have since been lost.
They were constructed, often in the corner of recently enclosed fields, to provide water for livestock in the otherwise dry Wolds landscape,. Tracy said a typical dew pond of say 10 metres diameter could service 300 sheep or 20 cattle.
Tracy showed typical cross sections of dew ponds with a protective layer of crushed chalk over straw, puddled clay, and lime plaster on a bed of flint and chalk. The ponds were often constructed overnight or at dusk or dawn to ensure the clay did not dry out. One local maker was “Pondy” Welburn.
Sometimes a fence line crossed a pond. To avoid penetration of the pond, fence posts would be socketed into a concrete-like base which sat on the pond floor. Tracy would love to know who made these.
Tracy said the restored dew ponds provide a water source in a dry landscape, and attract and support a lot of wildlife. They supplement the 100 or so nature reserves that the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust maintain to bring people closer to nature.
Tracy encouraged us all to take the “Wolds Dew Pond Walk” centred on the delightful village of Thixendale. Details are on the trust’s website.
In a vote of thanks, Bro John Gatenby congratulated the speaker on an interesting talk undertaken at short notice.