Seaford Mayor’s Award

SeaFOrD mayOr’S awarD 2019/2020

Last Autumn, Seaford’s Mayor, Cllr Nazish Adil, was looking for a worthy recipient for the Mayor’s Award for Unsung Hero. That honour was given to Cedric Trenfield, who has recently been handed the award in recognition of his work at Blatchington Pond over many years.

Blatchington Pond has been around for centuries and started life as a dewpond to refresh livestock being taken down Sutton Drove. It has had other uses since then, but as the town grew and land use changed, it fell into disrepair and became something of an eyesore. In the late 1970s interest in the pond grew when East Blatchington was designated a Conservation Area. The Council owned the pond but could not afford its upkeep. A group of local folk decided to do something about it and formed the East Blatchington Pond Conservation Society. They raised enough money to begin the huge task of restoration in 1980.

Cedric was involved in this work from the very beginning, and eventually became the Society’s Pond Manager, a post he holds to this day. His tireless efforts, coupled with his skill and ingenuity, have helped maintain the pond as a valuable asset for the people of Seaford. As well as carrying out general maintenance, Cedric has had to deal with such issues as fixing a leak and removing prodigious quantities of silt, the latter

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contraption! He also acquired a boat for use in accessing the island and deeper parts of the pond, and arranged the building of a boathouse and toolshed.

In more recent years a small group of volunteers have met each Saturday morning to give Cedric some much needed help. Together they maintain the pond and carry out other activities such as rubbish clearance, silt removal, bulb planting, and tree and shrub management. Seaford Town Council takes responsibility for grass cutting and major tree work, which the team greatly appreciates. A number of benches and trees have been placed near the pond for people to enjoy. Some are dedicated in memory of folk who spent time enjoying the pond and its surroundings. At 86, Cedric is no longer able to don waders and start digging out silt, but he still keeps a supervisory eye on proceedings!

Cedric’s work is largely behind the scenes, but there is no doubt that the pond would not be the delightful amenity it is today without Cedric’s tireless involvement. It is in recognition of those years of quiet dedication that he has received the Mayor’s Award.

Well done, Cedric, and thank you for all you have done to enhance this beautiful and historic part of our landscape!

Vaughan Reynolds East Blatchington Pond Conservation Society http://www.seaford-sussex.co.uk/pond

Photos: Cedric with his Mayors Award for Unsung Hero and in his boat on Blatchington Pond.