Park down Green Lane, off Booton Road. What3Words location: averages.lessening.clues

Health and Safety Requirements

Due to the presence of machinery and water hazards around the pond, it is essential that all health and safety protocols are strictly followed. Attendees must maintain a safe distance from the pond and any equipment. Appropriate clothing and footwear must be worn to suit the weather and terrain.

Tuesday, September 2

Working with Water - Ghost Pond Resurrection (Cawston)

Join Norfolk FWAG, Carl Sayer and Helen Greaves from the Norfolk Ponds Project during the resurrection of two ghost ponds in Cawston.

By Norfolk FWAG

Date and time

Location

NR10 4AH

Green Lane, Booton Road Cawston NR10 4AH United Kingdom

Agenda

9:30 AM

Event Start + Introductions

Join Norfolk FWAG, Carl Sayer and Helen Greaves from the Norfolk Ponds Project during the resurrection of two ghost ponds in Cawston, and explore fully funded pond restoration options. Parking What3...

9:45 AM

Site Presentation

Carl Sayer - NPP

Join us in the field for an informative talk on ghost pond resurrections and pond restoration efforts across Norfolk. Observe ghost pond resurrections in action.

11:00 AM

Ghost Pond Presentation

Helen Greaves - NPP

Head to a local venue for an engaging discussion on how to identify ghost ponds and explore best practices for their restoration and management. Venue TBC.

12:30 PM

Lunch

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements.

1:30 PM

Site Progress

Return to the site to review ongoing progress. Participants are welcome to remain for as long as they find it of interest.

About this event

Event lasts 4 hours

Parking What3Words: averages.lessening.clues

Beneath the Plough: Rediscovering Norfolk's Ponds

Ghost ponds are historic waterbodies that have been deliberately filled in or gradually lost to natural succession. During the 19th and 20th centuries, many farmland ponds were filled in to maximise agricultural land and accommodate larger machinery. Norfolk FWAG and our partners in the Norfolk Ponds Project (NPP) are working to resurrect these lost habitats.

Join Norfolk FWAG and NPP for an engaging event exploring the science and practice of ghost pond restoration at a farm in Cawston, kindly hosted by Charlie Barratt and Tony Bambridge. Hear from Professor Carl Sayer and Helen Greaves, co-founders of NPP, as they share their expert knowledge on the ecological importance of restoring ghost ponds. Learn how Norfolk FWAG and other Habitat Delivery Bodies can cover 100% of the costs for eligible Pond Restorations through the District Level Licensing Scheme, and watch a practical demonstration by our specialist contractor, who will be restoring two ghost ponds during the event.

The restorations will be taking place in the heart of the Nature North of Norwich (NNoN) farming cluster, facilitated by Norfolk FWAG. The group has been established on the farmed land north of the city of Norwich around the Holt Road, to facilitate discussion on important farming and wildlife topics. This landscape area is important as a site of heathland, woodlands, grasslands, and headwaters of both the Wensum and Bure catchments. The farming cluster group aims to help and support farmers learn from experts and from peers, through targeted workshops, farm walks and meetings. Funding for the group has been agreed for a year from April 2025 through Broadland District Council. We hope that these will be the first ghost pond restorations of many within the group.

We encourage and welcome farmers from outside of the NNoN group to join us for this session.

This event is free, and has kindly been funded by the Royal Countryside Fund. Please limit attendance to one person per NGO. Other Norfolk Habitat Delivery Bodies are Norfolk Wildlife Trust and Norfolk County Council.