Neil Verlander took on the role as Pond Warden for Hanley Swan pond back in August 2009. This great project has transformed this local and iconic duck pond and beauty spot. 'Pond Warden makes me smile and although you won't see me wearing a hard hat or fluorescent jacket, you will often see me wearing my trusted pair of waders!' When I took on this role I had no idea what was expected of me so decided the best thing was meet with John Travener from the Hanley Swan Parish Council at the … [Read More...]
October 2009 The Village Pond Project Gains Momentum
In October 2009 the Village Pond project is well under way and gaining momentum. When Francis Harcombe said ‘Shall I bring my Tonka toy and blitz it?’ - well how could I refuse! 8am on a sunny Saturday morning in October Francis arrived with his lovely big yellow JCB to blitz Coverfield Wood. Within an hour the bracken and brambles had been removed and as our willing volunteers arrived at 10am - well things were well and truly under way and by 1pm the job was done – AMAZING! Everyone … [Read More...]
November 2009 Community Project Is Well Under Way
November 2009 and 4 days FREE labour from Will Hall's team gets this community project well under way, but it's back breaking work! Will Hall supplied a van, trailer, wheelbarrows and 8 guys over the weekend of 7th November 2009. Remember these guys were doing Community Service, so they were not exactly willing, but they were strong! Neil organised the collection of the stone from around Malvern, which was really back breaking work but exciting to see tons of stone arriving at Hanley Swan … [Read More...]
December 2009 Hanley Swan Village Pond Freezes
December 2009 through to February 2010 are VERY cold month but work at Hanley Swan Village Pond carries on! Not to look a gift horse in the mouth Neil jumps at chance to get Will Hall and his team back to Hanley Swan Village Pond for a couple of days for a final push before the end of the year. The ground was rock hard so Neil had no fear of tractors loaded with soil sinking in the mud as they did in November. Everyone put their backs behind this last push to finish the back fill so Neil … [Read More...]
March 2010 At Hanley Swan Pond And Spring Has Arrived
March 2010 and there is lots to be done at the Village Pond After a cold start to the year, work begins again at Hanley Swan village pond. Neil puts out a final call in the Malvern Gazette (original article) early February for more Malvern stone and once again the response is great from the kind folk of Malvern, which is nestled below The Malvern Hills. Neil managed to organise another 3 days with Will Hall and the Community Payback team at the end of February and nearly all the Malvern … [Read More...]
May 2010 Hanley Swan Springs Into Action
Hanley Swan May 2010 and things around the village have certainly started to take shape. Neil manages to organise another day with Will Hall and the Community Pay Back Team who concentrated on bringing a good amount of top soil across from St Gabriel’s churchyard. Moving the soil was a win-win situation for all, as St Gabriel's needed to it moved and this community project needed some good top soil – so everyone was happy! This was back breaking work transporting the soil and raking it … [Read More...]
The Hanley Swan Community Project in action 2017
The Hanley Swan Pond Community Project was an inspiration and a huge success. The village of Hanley Swan came together in 2009 and kick-started the Hanley Swan Community Project. The driving inspiration was Neil Verlander who has lived in the village since 1988 with his partner Gigi Field. They worked tirelessly with help from other volunteers to complete the clearing of the surrounding area and the rebuilding of the pond bank, all within 6 months. With no funding, everyone gave their time for … [Read More...]
Village Green and Pond History
The focal point of Hanley Swan has always been without question the Village Pond and Village Green. The village pond for many, many years was an open pool where cows and sheep would roam and take refreshment. In 1900 the pond was so polluted the Parish Council disconnected the overflow from the cesspit at St Gabriel’s Terrace, which was running into the Hanley Swan village Pool. In 1911 the village pond was cleaned and ongoing maintenance continued until in 1954 when it was stocked with … [Read More...]
Pond Warden at Hanley Swan
Hanley Swan Pond Warden - A very satisfying job My name is Neil Verlander and I was very happy to take on the role of Pond Warden at Hanley Swan which is a voluntary position. I've lived in the village since 1989, with my partner Gigi and although we worked from home for many years we didn't seem to find much time to get involved in village life due to our business taking us all over the world, so it took some time to get fully integrated into village life. It was when my Father came to … [Read More...]