Children from Spring Meadow Infant and Nursery School in Ely will soon be able to enjoy pond dipping, outdoor science lessons and looking after the environment.

While people in Coveney will benefit from enhancement work to the village’s wildlife pond which will see a boardwalk and new planting added.

It’s all thanks to two Pride of Place grants from East Cambridgeshire District Council.

The £3450 grant for Spring Meadow will go towards the cost of renovating an overgrown pond that makes up part of its forest school.

Currently the pond leaks and fencing that secures the area is starting to rot, making it unsafe for the children.

The grant will help the school replace the fencing, build a new decking area and provide new plants.

After school clubs will also be able to access the area.

Laura Fielding, Headteacher, said: “The children love to be able to come out here and explore the wildlife, but sadly it’s become unsafe for them to do so, and we’ve had to shut off the area. The Pride of Place grant supplied by East Cambridgeshire District Council, together with other funds raised by the school, mean we can get a proper maintenance programme underway with a view to have the pond available for use again by next summer. I am certain the children are going to love it.”

In Coveney, £7500 has been made available to the parish council towards the cost of renovating the overgrown village pond. A new boardwalk will be installed to make the pond more accessible, together with seating areas and new planting.

Cllr Anna Bailey, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council and a district councillor for Coveney, said: “Ponds provide very special eco-systems for insects, newts, frogs, birds, plants and other animals. Not to mention the fact every child I know loves to go pond dipping!

“Being able to bring these ponds back to life will create a wonderful resource for both communities to use, while also enhancing the natural environment at the same time. These are both wonderful projects.”

East Cambridgeshire District Council is making up to £15,000 available for environmentally friendly projects that create, tidy up or enhance somewhere special in local communities. Grants have been awarded to parish councils, community groups, a school and a church, and range from bat boxes in Ashley to a new wildlife area in Soham.

Applicants must either be a parish council, or a non-profit group or organisation which is either based in East Cambridgeshire or benefits East Cambridgeshire residents.

For full terms and conditions visit the Pride of Place page on the council’s website.