Hi All

In this message I’ll be explaining how you can get involved with helping to save Kings Pond. If you want to save the pond, we really need to hear from you! More details within…

THE CURRENT SITUATION 

Kings Pond is AGAIN under threat, and AGAIN those who want to retain the pond are largely being ignored. In last week’s Alton Herald, Councillor Hammond said “we are looking forward to discussion rather than simple repetition of entrenched opinions” - there is not and has never been any “discussion” and the “entrenched opinions” are in fact the views of local people who care very much about the pond and base their opposition on fact. This is an appalling statement and dismissal of views - but exemplifies the sort of predetermination we are up against!

Having sat through two of the recent council briefings - I found them to be biased and devoid of information which would have supported the retention of the pond. The council if nothing else are determined to force this through!

We should not stand for this - as residents we should be heard and our opinions treated fairly. 

WHAT CAN WE DO?

A residents group was formed last year. We as a community are stronger in numbers and can put up a better fight if we are all on the same page. I would therefore encourage as many people as possible to get in touch with the group and join their meetings! 

The meetings occur monthly in a local venue and are informal. The key aim is to discuss concerns and address how we can make a difference!  It’s very friendly and laid back - so all pond supporters are welcome! 

The group has a website at: www.kpps.co.uk and can be emailed at: kingspondpreservationsociety@gmail.com - if you’d like to join the group please do drop them an email and one of the members will share all the details with you! 

Habing more people at these meetings will show as an act of solidarity- and that’s what we need more than ever right now! A united front!

A TIME TO REFLECT

I would like to take a moment in closing to also reflect on the passing of two of Kings Pond’s most vocal supporters in the last year - Mr Andrew Kuttner and Mr David Dodd. Tenacious, passionate and incredibly committed - they are sorely missed and I know they have left an irreplaceable hole in our campaign.

This said, I am determined to keep up the fight not only for us as a community but also in their memory! I know how much they cared about the pond and I know they’d want to see the fight continue. 

SO… IN CLOSING…

Please do consider contacting the Kings Pond Preservation Society! The pond and the wildlife need you! The council WILL get rid of the pond if we don’t actively work together to save it. The wildlife will suffer, part of Alton’s industrial history will be lost, and a space referred to as ‘the jewel in the crown’ will be wiped from our town’s geography forever! We can’t leave it for someone else - so I call on you to be part of the difference!

All the best 

Anthony