Hammond's Pond information boards | Case study

What did they want to achieve?

The interpretation boards at Hammond's Pond are well-known to users of the park but during recent years, they have become tired and defaced by vandalism. Volunteers at The Friends of Hammond's Pond had been discussing the possibility of installing new boards and were keen to see the involvement of local young people at the heart of the project, knowing that a sense of pride, ownership and belonging is essential. 

How did they do it? 

Communities in Carlisle worked together to produce three new information boards.

Ruth Alcroft, Volunteer Coordinator at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, got in touch with St Margaret Mary's School who suggested their Year 6 pupils could help research the nature and wildlife that lived in and around Hammonds Pond. This resulted in a class visit to the site followed by an array of fact files and illustrations that would help to shape the boards visually.

Sophie Feinhols, a local artist at Little Stringers Design Studio, took inspiration from the children's work in her design of the new boards.

What help did our Community Team provide?

Conversations over two years ago with Colin Glover, the then leader of Carlisle City Council and Currock and Upperby Councillor, led to Cumbria Wildlife Trust getting involved. Ruth Alcroft, Volunteer Coordinator at the Trust, was working at the time on Nextdoor Nature, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which aimed to support communities to engage with nature on their doorstep.

Ruth said, "It all came together very quickly. The students had finished their SATs and could do the research we needed. With their teachers, they visited the park and made detailed sketches of the insects, plants and animals they observed.

From there, they created a beautiful range of work covering a variety of wildlife, from bees and bullfinches to spiders and swans. Their work was stunning, so good that the managers of the park café offered to display it for us during the last summer break.

It's wonderful that Sophie Feinhols, a local artist at Little Stringers Design Studio, was inspired by the children's work and has now brought it into her work so beautifully in her design of these new information boards. I'm delighted that all of this work will be on display, showcasing the local wildlife and history here at Hammonds Pond."

What was the outcome?

Three new information boards are now displayed at Hammond's Pond helping to inform visitors. A former brickworks, it's now a popular recreational area for the local community and a great place to see wildlife, including swans, mallards, moorhens and coots. 

Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said: “Communities in Carlisle worked together to produce three new information boards and we are delighted with the outcome. The boards have three themes - wildlife in the wooded area, wildlife in the pond and history of Hammond’s Pond. We hope they will be enjoyed for many years to come by visitors to the park.”