Sarah Rees reports from the Oakalls and Parklands.
Work to clear foliage from around the estate’s balancing pond revealed a mystery – the disappearance of the floating duck house.
Earlier this year, district councillor Caroline Spencer had campaigned for more regular maintenance of the land immediately surrounding the pond, following requests from a number of residents who wanted the “viewing area” cleared, particularly for the enjoyment of younger children.
Previously the foliage and grass around the pond had been cut back annually, in October. However, the area was cleared in March this year and the task will be undertaken again in October.
From 2020 this will become a regular twice-yearly schedule of maintenance, undertaken by Bromsgrove District Council.
When the work was completed, it was discovered that the duck house was no longer there. It had been constructed in 2015 as part of an extra-curricular design technology project, undertaken by a group of Oakalls students who attended St Bede’s Catholic Middle School in Redditch.
The house was floated on the pond by Bromsgrove District Council’s Leisure and Cultural Services.
While it is highly unlikely that the duck house has been stolen, it may have sunk earlier this year. Coun Spencer is now exploring a number of opportunities for getting a new home built for the many ducks that reside on the pond.
NEW VICAR AT ST GODWALD’S
The Revd David Ford was instituted as the Rector of Bromsgrove and Vicar of Dodford by the Bishop of Worcester at a service in All Saints Church on June 15.
David has day-to-day responsibility for St Godwald’s, Finstall and All Saints, Bromsgrove, as well as overall responsibility for the Bromsgrove Team. St Godwald’s is popular with Oakalls residents as a place of regular worship and for special events such as baptisms.
Ordained in 2009, David has been in ministry in Leeds city centre, in Nottinghamshire and most recently in eight rural parishes in the North Cotswolds.
He said: “The church community continues to be an important part of our villages and towns, a sacred place to which we are drawn to celebrate family, community and national events, and a place of solace and support at times of need, whether personal or communal.
“All are welcome in all of our churches, whether you are a regular worshipper, dipping your toe into faith for the first time or simply curious about our buildings, their heritage and the faith to which they point.”
David may be contacted at revdavidford@googlemail.com or on 01527 873831.
Please contact me with your news, views and concerns about any
aspect of life on the estate. Email: oakalls@villageonline.co.uk