22/05/2026
IN 2025, PRICKEND POND DRIED OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN LIVING MEMORY
And, with the current spell of hot weather, following a very dry April, it is nearly dry again. We know that this has caused a lot of concern, and raised lots of questions, so we have put together some FAQs to try to answer some of these.
* The pond is an old gravel working that collects water when it rains. It has no feeder stream.
* The situation is the same for all similar local ponds.
IS THERE ANY WAY TO PREVENT IT DRYING OUT AGAIN?
Could water be added? When there is no rain, water is precious and has to be conserved for essential use.
* Would it help if the pond was dredged? Dredging is costly and could increase leakage through the pond base. It has not been successful in the past.
* Could water be pumped from a borehole?
Even if an underground source could be found, extraction would exceed Environment Agency limits.
Could it be lined? The pond would still be subject to evaporative water loss.
SO, WHAT CAN WE DO?
The main focus for Trustees and volunteers is getting as much water as possible into the pond when it does rain by:
● monitoring water level responses to rainfall and weather patterns.
● collecting as much rainfall as possible from higher areas of the common and surrounding roads.
● Surveying local drains to find out which need clearing out, working in conjunction with the London Borough of Bromley.
● keeping feeder ditches clear, including the main inlet ditch that traps sediments and pollutants.
However, we recognise that ultimately, with climate change, the fate of the pond will depend on the weather!
Visit Chislehurst Chislehurst Society Chislehurst Rotary Club Chislehurst Matters Friends of Chislehurst Recreation Ground Chislehurst Creates Churches Together in Chislehurst and Bickley
