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. The driving inspiration was Neil Verlander who has lived in the village since 1988 with his wife Gigi Verlander. 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 free and showed how ‘the value of giving back to a community can really work – it has been a huge success and very rewarding for everyone.
Neil and Gigi have continued to work since 2009 and in 2017 Nick and Alison Harper, who had recently moved into the village offered their help and joined the ‘Pond Possie‘.
In 2017 the Parish Council provided the Pond Posie with some funding to replace and renew some fencing which was completed in April 2017.
The Cafe Market, which is held once a month in the Hanley Swan Village Hall donated £150 for trees and shrubs around the pond, and these were planted ready for spring and will create a nice focal point as the trees especially begin to flourish.
The ‘Pond Posie’ give their time for free to ensure that work continues on a monthly basis to keep the pond in good order and as the main attraction for this beautiful village.
Work carried out during 2017
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