THIS WEEK IN 1974: Scouts prepare to rejuvenate pond

He was making a preliminary survey of the pond for the 1st Lovedean Scout Group, which planned to restore it as a conservation and community service project.

The Scouts and Cubs present were undismayed when Mr Tyler dredged up a bucket, an oil drum, and an iron bedstead, and recorded only 12in of water and up to five feet of foul-smelling mud.

Once a local beauty spot, where villagers used to fish, the pond had become overgrown and neglected.

The Scout group planned to drag the bottom of the pond for rubbish, drain and turf the banks, install seats and stock the pond with various life forms.