Farnham’s new Mayor, Councillor Mike Hodge, led the celebrations at Badshot Lea Infant School on Thursday 25 May when the school’s new pond was officially opened.

As well as cutting the ribbon, Councillor Hodge handed over a cheque for £275, a community grant from Farnham Town Council, which helped pay for the materials for the new pond.

“It’s not every day that I get to open a new facility for frogs and fish so I was particularly pleased to be invited to cut the ribbon for the school’s new pond,” said the Mayor. “This project is a great example of how people in the community come together to help each other. The Badshot Lea Bloomers have built the pond and Farnham Town Council’s grant has helped the school buy the materials, resulting in an excellent new learning resource for the children which will benefit wildlife too.”

The school took the opportunity of the Mayor’s visit to hold an open morning for members of the community to thank them for their support throughout the year.

Headteacher Gemma Ball said: “Like many schools, we couldn’t provide extra resources such as our new school pond, without the support of our local community. I’m pleased that so many people, including the Mayor of Farnham, were able to come today to see how the children will benefit and the great things we do at Badshot Lea Infant School.”

The Mayor and the headteacher were joined by Barbara Wright, President of the Farnham Lions, Andrew Lodge, school governors and some younger ‘councillors’: the 10 members of the School Council who are pupils elected from each class to represent their classmates.

This year Farnham Town Council will provide over £65,000 to community projects. Leisure, sport and young people’s activities are among those supported as well as community transport projects, arts and heritage schemes. Visit Farnham Town Council’s website to find out how to apply.