Pond restoration becomes a calendar pin-up
Dramatic recovery of a pond is celebrated in new calendar highlighting the region’s waterways. Tony Henderson reports
Supporters of a project to create a ponds nature attraction went into battle two years ago against around half a million soldiers.
The Soldier plants – a highly invasive non-native vegetation – had formed a solid green blanket over a pond which is a key part of a project to improve the value for people and wildlife of three ponds in the upper Ouseburn corridor area.
The plants were cleared in what was the first phase of a biodiversity plan drawn up by Woolsington Parish Council in Newcastle.
Work is now continuing on the project, which will help develop publicly accessible areas including a woodland walk around the water bodies with the long-term aim of creating a nature reserve around the Main Pond, Lilac Pond and Duke’s Pond.
And the recovery and transformation of the once-clogged Main Pond is reflected in its picture by parish councillor John Littleton being included in the 2026 calendar from the Tyne Rivers Trust.
The ponds were created in the early 1990s following open-cast mining operations.
A nature trail will also be created in memory of seven-year-old Archie York who was tragically killed in an explosion in Benwell in Newcastle in October 2024.
The Ouseburn also features on the cover of the calendar with a picture of the listed 19th-century bridge over the waterway in Jesmond Dene, taken by Adrian White.
He said: “I’ve been interested in photography from a very young age. I enjoy capturing scenes and looking at how they can change depending on time of day, seasons and conditions.
“I hope that providing a photograph for the calendar helps to support the Trust’s fundraising.
“My wife and I have been volunteering with Tyne Rivers Trust since we retired. After spending too long in meetings during my working life, it’s a great way to spend time outdoors doing positive work for the environment.”
Two sunrise images over the Tyne at Hexham also feature. A drone image was captured by Malcolm Reah with the other image by Nick Thornton focusing on Hexham Bridge.
A duckling is also pictured at Tyne Green in Hexham by Angus Rieid while Jane Eastwell pictures a scenic spot upstream of Watersmeet.
Other images include an oystercatcher on the River Rede by Kay Nixon, a heron at Bradley Gardens in Crawcrook by Jenny Dowden and a swan landing on the River Don by Jim Shorten.
All proceeds from the calendar – whose production costs are covered by Egger Ltd, which operates a chipboard site at Hexham – will support the conservation work of Tyne Rivers Trust.
Sophia Stovall, chief executive officer of Tyne Rivers Trust, said: “The calendar brings together images that reflect the many facets of the river - from its tranquil, wooded valleys and wildlife to the architecture of some of the North East’s most recognisable bridges.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have so many talented photographers who share our passion for the river and its environment. Our heartfelt thanks also go to Egger for funding the production of the calendar and for their continued commitment to supporting our work.”
The calendar is £10 from www.tyneriverstrust.org/online-shop/gifts/calendars/
This is such a smart approach to celebrating restoration work—using the calendar format to showcase recovery is brilliant public engagement. The part about clearing half a million Soldier plants really puts the scale of invasive species managment into perspective. I've seen similar projects struggle to maintain momentum, but linking it to community identity (the memorial trail, the local photography) seems like itd create more lasting stewardship. That shift from meetings to hands-on conservation the volunteer mentions rings so true.