In The News
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Stay connected with the latest news and updates from Friends of Coy Pond. Explore our recent features and stories that highlight the impact we have on the Poole community.
Mar 4, 2025
Mayor of Poole Plants Rare Black Poplar Trees
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The native Black Poplar is now very rare, with only a few dozen across Dorset. BBC South featured the work of Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) at Bere Marsh Farm, helping to save the tree.
John Preston, Friend of Coy Pond, and keen gardener, got in touch, offering to host young saplings.
Coy Pond gardens are part of the Bourne valley, the meadow on either side being water meadow, and thus ideally suited.
To welcome a pair of trees(male & female) to their new home The Friends wanted due ceremony. So the Mayor of Poole, Peter Miles came in full regalia, gold chain and all, to do the ceremonial planting. With a spade dating from use by Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1966 (and thus nearly as old as many of our active gardeners).
Also in attendance were ward councillors Karen Rampton and Matthew Gillett. Representing CRT, was Hannah Bosence, who was able to give us all some background. The Head Gardener, Robert Stanley was there, having ‘prepared the ground’ for the ceremony. The Mayor not only shovelled but also heeled each tree in well: clearly a gardener as well as a Mayor.
More than two dozen garden volunteers downed tools to attend the ceremony. Afterward the whole group withdrew to the gravel area in front of the pond itself. There, chairs and tables set out with light refreshments. A good start to the Friends new gardening season.
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** New ** Bug Pub
Feb 19, 2025
Along the banks of Coy Pond, and midst the 'mountains' of its 550 foot rockery, there is now a small chain hotels. Or, to be more strictly accurate, a chain of small 'hotels'.
‘Bournemouth is bourne free, but everywhere is in chines’ Karl Marx misquoted: or it may be his brother, Groucho. The latest addition to the Bug Hotels is now open for business.
This one takes the form of a country pub, a thatched whitewashed cottage. Bearing the name of ‘The Royal Oak Apple’. However, despite the name, it is not exclusive to regal Gall Wasps. All insects are welcome: no discrimination, from ladybirds to black-beetles. Ants too, if they promise not to be to hyperactive, (“Would you be calm and placid/If you were full of formic acid?”.) It is fully furnished, with teazels and miscanthus seed-heads and conveniently situated near the trees by the stone steps leading to Branksome Wood Road.
‘Thrip Adviser’ has awarded it five stars, and more than one comment has said “Lovely Grub”. But, of course, no immature insects are served alcohol. The ale is rather strong and if a young insect should ask, the pub landlord will say, “Ale?...and farewell!”. However, the small beer is small enough to be non-alcoholic.
For those interested in the construction details, it is made largely from wood, an eight foot plank cut in two, each an inch thick. The rumour that the architect is as thick as two short planks is entirely unfounded. The traditional thatching of Norfolk reed would be out of scale here. So the zebra grass from the Tropical Garden has been harvested this winter for the purpose. Aluminium girders have been built in for security rather than strength, so it can claim, like the old Irun Bru slogan, ‘made from girders’.
The bug hotels are amidst flowering plants, a delight to passers-by as well as pollinating insects. Both pond and rockery are maintained and improved by a workforce of a couple of dozen volunteer gardeners, ‘Friends of Coy Pond’. We work most Tuesday mornings in the season.
Come and join us: we are a friendly bunch. Gardening skills welcome but by no means essential: we work as a team in tranquil surroundings.
National Tree Week
Nov 23, 2024
National Tree Week starts on 23rd of November. ‘The Friends of Coy Pond’ have done their bit by planting no less than three trees. Two willow (salix daphnoides ‘Violet Willow’ and s. alba ‘Britzensis’) by the Japanese bridge opposite the rockery, and an Indian Bean tree (catalpa bignonioides aurea) further along. John Hallett, ‘Friend’ and gardener, and a retired RHS trained professional, organised this. But the planting itself was done with great enthusiasm by the students of Longspee Academy, under his guidance. The students come with their own supervisors to help the volunteer gardeners, and enjoy their community contribution.
‘Planting’ has been an important part of the Friends gardening, since they cleared the neglected and concealing shrubs covering the 550 foot rockery, some seven years ago. Planting it with suitable flowers, pleasing people and pollinators alike. In addition, they have created half a dozen separate gardens around the pond itself.
The Royal Horticultural Society has judged the Coy Pond area ‘Outstanding’ for a number of years. And for several years, the Friends have also received the ‘Green Flag’ award for their efforts. This year, for the first time, the Friends entered the ‘Poole in Bloom’ competition. And walked off with a Gold Medal at the presentation ceremony held in Compton Acres at the end of October
Garden Success Story
Jul 16, 2024
The Green Flag Award is a prestigious accolade that recognizes and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces. It is to show visitors that the park is well-maintained and well-managed, with excellent facilities. Winning a Green Flag Award is a great achievement and a testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers.
