FOUNDER THE LATE GEORGE BENHAM
THE PERSON WHOM WITHOUT
BAFFINS POND ASSOCIATION
MAY NEVER HAVE BEEN FORMED
The Baffins Pond Association was formed through one local residents determination and love for his community pond, which had suffered years of neglect and vandalism.
This person became well known in the community as he strived to archive the impossible and to improve the surroundings and the environment of his community.
George Beham, who lived, overlooking the pond one day felt that he had had enough of the run down state of the largest natural pond inPortsmouth. George initially gathered a group of teenage boys who undertook the huge task of cleaning up this wonderful inner city site.
As this exciting project progressed more and more people of all ages began to become involved.
Part of the work included improving the islands for the wildlife, stocking of oxygenating plants to improve the water quality and finally, the planting of new trees and shrubs and landscaping of the site.
This work of the group changed the future of the pond and with it a guarantee from Portsmouth City Council that the pond will no longer be left to rot.
During this period the group used the site of the former sewage pump house located at Baffins Pond as their base. At the end of the project, George had got the conservation bug. The council allowed the group to formally use the pump house facility with the condition that it continues to meet its aims and now work in partnership with the council .
Through various grants from English Nature, Shell, Whitbread, Barclays,Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council, through the winter of 1994/1995 George and his team set about on another project transforming the pump house site into a stunning community focal point incorporating a Community garden and Nature Study Centre with the Motto "an oasis in an urban jungle". Its from here that the group continues to bring environment awareness to the community.
As well as our award winning nature garden the Baffins Pond Association has a tea room and toilet facilities and with the recent refurbishment of the pump house we can now offer indoor facilities for refreshments or just learning about the association. The Baffins Pond Association is disabled friendly and includes wheelchair access and a disabled friendly toilet.
For the group to continue to survive the Association has to rely on grants and the fund raising efforts of its members.
The main fundraising event of the group is its free annual Community Fun Day. This event is well supported by local groups, traders and residents
In January 2004 our founder 'George Benham' sadly lost his long battle against illness. Although terminally ill George continued working through his pain and now on reflection we can all see what his leadership and commitment had really achieved.
