Thanks to the successful restoration of Forty Hall’s pond island, the new feature will soon offer the many wild-fowl who visit shelter and a place to nest in coming months.

The Friends of Forty Hall Park have worked with Enfield Council to create a safe and sustainable pond island moving the unsightly original, created in the 1970s, to a more appropriate position that does not disrupt the view to and from the manor house.

The new island is supported by rock rolls that are resilient and will offer protection from erosion, while the main body of the island has been planted with all manner of shrubs to support the lake’s eco-system and to provide safe areas for waterfowl and wading birds.

Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Guney Dogan, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has worked hard on this fantastic project – the Council officers, volunteers and in particular the Friends of Forty Hall Park . Come the spring, the pond island will look absolutely beautiful but will also serve an important ecological function for birds, pollinators, insects and other wildlife.

“It should also be noted that the restoration of the pond was made possible largely due to the huge amount of fundraising by the Friends group. Their hugely popular Music on the Lawn events have helped to support the ongoing conservation of the Forty Hall parkland, and for that, they should be congratulated.”

The next Music on the Lawn at Forty Hall will be held on Sunday, 30 June 2019. To keep abreast of events in Enfield, volunteering opportunities and other information about Council services in the borough sign up to our newsletters here [[https://bit.ly/2kjGUW1]].

Anyone who’d like to join the gardening and conservation volunteer team for the Forty Hall Estate should contact the Friends group on [email protected] / 020 8292 8325.