10 August 2020 - Exciting pond rescue
Hello everyone,
I mentioned the dramatic rescue at the pond in both of my last two Newsbites, so I hope that by now you are at fever pitch to learn what transpired. If you are sitting comfortably I’ll begin. You will remember (but not if your memory is like mine) that the village pond clear up had to be delayed because Wilhelmina the moorhen and Eric the proud dad had produced a late collection of chicks. Well, after some days of relative calm, unbothered by villagers up to their boondocks in water, disaster struck. After clinging on to the side for as long as they could, two of the chicks, were swept over the waterfall. Luckily Dean and his fellow workers from Spetisbury builders witnessed this potentially tragic event and decided, with no thought for their own safety, to mount a rescue attempt. Erica, to whom thanks for this graphic account, rushed to Maureen the Mill who with that great aplomb for which she is renowned, immediately produced a large net (previously used for catching alligators. Sorry, an in joke) Then at great personal risk, pausing only to remove his shoes and one sock, Dean strode into the raging torrent and scooped up the errant chicks in the nick of time. On their return Wilhelmina ushered them back to the safety of the nest, and has since asked me to thank Dean for his rescue, and to Erica and Maureen for their assistance. This is a heart-warming story of concern for our local wildlife. Well done to all concerned.
Best regards
Chris