The pond on the Common

 

History

The pond on Rushmere Common is a natural pond which is fed by drainage water from other parts of the common. The Rushmere landscape is thought to be formed from the edge or end of a glacier during the Ice Age. This has brought a mixture of soils with sand, and layers of flint and clay. The pond formed in the valley that runs across the common and continues through to Foxhall, with the water forming the Mill Stream.

Decades ago, the pond was very much a big puddle surrounded by grass and mud. With natural evolution and continued management, it has become a very important wildlife habitat. The last 10-15 years have seen the management of hedgerows and a fence to help preserve the habitat. Wildlife continues to thrive and the Rushmere Commoners Committee is keen to continue to manage the area in future years.