anea playing field will be a hive of activity this weekend when the village celebrates the official opening of a new pond dipping area at the pit as part of the Ouse Washes project.

MThe parish council secured £9,000 from the Ouse Washes Partnership to create the pond dipping area, which will become a useful resource for the village school, which will also take over the pavilion as an external classroom when the new one is eventually built.

Saturday’s celebration, which runs from noon will also highlight the history of the pit and why it was dug in the first place. Activities will include an opportunity to try fishing, wildlife talks, a photo exhibition and a chance to use the pond dipping platform.

Councillor Steve Emery, parish council chairman, said: “The pond dipping platform will be a useful resource for the school, who will take over the old pavilion when the new one is built. The children will use it regularly throughout the four seasons to see how the pit changes throughout the year.

“We have worked very closely with the Ouse Washes Partnership who provided the £9,000 needed to build the platform area and it is a great addition to the pit, which is a fantastic asset for the village.”