THANKS to a dedicated group of volunteers neglected parts of Badshot Lea have been given a face-lift.

The day was organised by the Badshot Lea Bloomers, a volunteer group recently set up with the backing of The Farnham in Bloom Community Committee, and the Badshot Lea Community Association.

The group’s aim is to improve the community well-being of the village. It has litter pickers working throughout the year, and has recently planted 1,500 bulbs at the Hop Kiln and around the village. Volunteers have now started to work with Waverley to improve the area surrounding the pond.

The Badshot Lea Bloomers are planning to enter Britain in Bloom this year in the ‘It’s our Neighbourhood’ section. This will not only get the group help and advice from RHS but raise Badshot Lea’s profile.

Group member John Winter wanted to say a huge thank you to all those who turned out to help at the pond: “I must thank Robin Crowther, our Waverley Ranger, who organised the skip, tools, coffee and kept us all under control.

“May I also say thank you to the Tice’s Meadow Nature Reserve lads who put up our seven bird boxes around the pond. Also my gratitude to the Farnham in Bloom community group who worked so hard clearing the shrubs and undergrowth.

“My biggest thank you however goes to the residents of Badshot Lea and their children, who came to help. Over the three hours we spent at the pond we saw not less than 30 adults and some six or eight children.

“The highlight for me of the morning was the residents that brought along the freshly baked cake and the hot homemade mince pies. A big thank you to one and all.”

Members plan to make the first Saturday of the month a regular event, with the next big litter pick, taking place on Saturday, March 4, at the Hop Kiln from 10am.

And on Saturday, April 1, members will continue their work to liven up the pond from 10am.