Repair works in Devizes hits brick wall (From This Is Wiltshire)

Repair works in Devizes hits brick wall

2:00pm Friday 24th June 2011 in News By Lewis Cowen

A nesting moorhen is delaying repairs to the Crammer

Work to repair the wall of the Crammer pond in Devizes has been interrupted by young cyclists and a nesting moorhen.

The authorities at St James Church have been trying to get the wall repaired since it collapsed in February 2008 and they finally secured £50,000 finance for the work earlier this year.

Although work began on the repairs last week, the contractors have already come across some snags. First among them is that a moorhen has nested halfway along the wall, at its weakest point, where bricks are loose and will need replacing.

Churchwarden Noel Woolrych, who has been leading the project, said: “We initially planned to do this work in March before the nesting season began. At first we didn’t know the moorhen was there as she is very well hidden.

“But these birds are protected by law. We have spoken to the RSPB and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and there is no way we can work in that area until she has hatched her chicks.”

Work can continue on other parts of the wall and in laying down a roadway for vehicles to deliver bricks.

There is also concern with children playing at the site. Youngsters have been seen lifting their bikes over the fence protecting the area and cycling across the top of the coffer dam.

Mr Woolrych said: “This is terribly dangerous. There is mud at the bottom and lots of sharp objects. We would appeal to parents to keep their children away from this area while the work is being done.

“The police and I were called out six times on Sunday to reports of this going on.”

The Crammer pond is owned by Devizes Town Council but the wall is the property and responsibility of St James Church. It collapsed in 2008 just as the church was committed to a £300,000 renovation of the interior.

It was at first feared that graves had been disturbed by the collapse when wooden panels were seen protruding from the soil but it was found to be a hoax.