Ponds

Angel Pond takes its name from the adjacent and now demolished centuries old public house and is situated on the old village green in the original hamlet of Mill Hill.

Maintenance is required to ensure that vegetation does not overwhelm the pond. Both MHPS and the High Street Residents Group have, over the years, organised volunteer working parties. However, the pond has suffered due to an invasive ‘alien’ pond weed (Crassula helmsii) which has had a detrimental affect on native species.

To control the Crassula, it has been necessary for MHPS to employ specialist contractors each year. This work for 2023 has been completed and a review of future maintenance measures is currently underway.

A team of MHPS helpers cleared 89 rubble bags of invasive Crassula from the pond. The weed was hand collected and then left on the bank overnight to allow any critters to crawl back into the pond. The following day, it was bagged up and removed by a specialist environmental contractor, registered for the removal of Crassula, and disposed of in a responsible manner. All equipment and boots were disinfected to avoid the spread of Crassula.

Seepwash Pond is situated alongside what was the centuries old major road between Hendon and Barnet. As well as providing water for animals driven along this route, it supported local farming practice as indicated by its name. It was also considered ‘recreational water’ for local inhabitants.

It is now a valued wildlife area, although control of vegetation is necessary. For many years this was undertaken by local Scout groups, but silt deposition has become a major problem. In the late 1980s following a local campaign, MHPS was able to have much of this silt removed leading to improvements in the flora and fauna.

However, fencing and the strong growth of self-sown trees has led to excessive shading and encroachment. Together with oil and particle pollution of the water caused by the increased traffic on The Ridgeway this has meant that once again, there has been a marked reduction in wildlife. MHPS has drawn up proposals to combat these problems and hopes that work will be carried out in 2023/4.