£20,000 upgrade of Barmston pond features information boards and wheelchair access

Following almost two years of planning and over £20,000 worth of funding, proud parish council members and residents of Barmston celebrated the reopening of the village pond.

The ribbon was cut on Friday 13th May which unveiled the hard work and effort put in over recent months.

Led by Barmston and Fraisthorpe Parish Councillor Ian Lawson, regeneration work has seen the installation of two information boards and three seats on the patio which surrounds the water and has also been widened.

This is to allow for wheelchair access, whilst a new brick wall and railings have been put in place and some of the surrounding greenery has been removed.

Funding for the work has come via grants from both the Lissett and Fraisthorpe Wind Farm Funds, as well as the Two Ridings Community Foundation.

Residents of the parish were invited down to the grand reopening and enjoyed wine and cheese to mark the occasion.

Ian, who has lived in Barmston since 2007, told the Wolds Weekly that the work has created a true ‘centre of the village’.

He said: “The pond is a long-standing feature of Barmston which was given to the village by the landowner.

“It had an old gate and an old seat, as well as no wheelchair access.

“Just prior to COVID, I had the idea to spruce it up and helped to source grants and funding, as well as liaise with designers and planners.

“With support from a handful of residents from Barmston, we have been able to continue this work since the restrictions were lifted and we are delighted to be able to showcase the improvements to residents last week.

“We have added two information boards, including one on Barmston’s history, in addition to three seats – one for the war memorial, one to commemorate the regeneration by the council and one in support of the NHS.

“I think the improvements are something which the whole village can be proud of and it has created a real centre of Barmston.”