POND-DWELLING beasties briefly emerged from the depths to be identified by junior detectives at National Trust Witley Centre.

A group of 14 children and their families joined staff and volunteers Sally Bray, Clive Bray, Martin Taylor and Sue Brewell, for a morning of pond dipping, bug hunting and chocolate biscuits.

Community and learning officer Alan Taylor said: “Using nets, pots, identification keys and a USB microscope, the children carefully caught and identified a range of pond-dwelling beasties, including newts, dragonfly larvae, pond snails and water boatmen.

“After a quick break for squash and teas, we headed off to explore two very different habitats – the woodland floor and the heath. Among the many interesting species observed were a young toad, a newly emerged dragonfly and the largest centipede I’ve ever seen.

“A good time was had by all and the youngsters left with National Trust ’50 Things to Do’ booklets and a handful of stickers, which they will stick in at home to show which of the 50 things they have done so far.”

The community and learning team organise school and community group activities on Witley Common and at the Devil’s Punch Bowl, at Hindhead, and Frensham Little Pond. Anyone interested in volunteering or in organising an activity can email [email protected]. uk

Last week’s volunteers included Sally Bray, Clive Bray, Martin Taylor and Sue Brewell.