On the outskirts of Ampthill in Bedfordshire, Cut-throat Meadow is a species-rich nature reserve and a County Wildlife Site. The site contains a pond that has been a local landmark since before the area was developed for housing – one of a chain of three small ponds that form a valuable resource for wildlife, providing an amenity and community asset for the local residential area.

Thanks to a grant of £9,333 from the Rookery South Community Trust Fund, aswell as £1,500 from the Benindi Fund, fencing has now been installed around the pond (a particularly precious habitat as many ponds have been lost to development and intensive agriculture in recent decades), protecting it from any disturbance by people and dogs, as well as keeping young children safe; rotting fencing has now also been replaced.

The pond provides an important freshwater habitat for a range of plants and animals including dragonflies, frogs and small fish, hunted by a kingfisher that visitors may be fortunate enough to see. It sits within an urban estate and forms a necessary part of the rainwater catchment and storage and was fenced by the developers in the late 80’s - since then the pond has naturalised which has led to a variety of tree and scrubs growing up both within and around the fenced area.

The Trust's Bedfordshire Senior Reserves Manager Aidan Matthews says: “Thanks to the grants received we have now been able to clear back all the encroaching vegetation, remove the previously dilapidated wooden fence and install a new one to serve the local community for the coming years, ensuring the safety of locals and visitors and protecting the valuable pond habitat from disturbance.”