AN illustrated talk followed by a village ponds walk takes place in Dunster later this month.

Carhampton-based wildlife trust volunteer Elizabeth Atkinson, the local co-ordinator of the Ponds Alive! Project, will be running the free event from Dunster’s National Park Information Centre.

It will start with a talk by Ms Atkinson from 2 pm to 3 pm on Sunday, September 21, followed by the walk between 3 pm and 5 pm.

Ms Atkinson will explore some of the watery wonders which might live beneath the surface of people’s ponds, illustrating her talk with enlarged photos for close-up viewing.

The optional walk will visit two of the ponds in Dunster village, incorporating pond-life investigations and an opportunity to discuss pond management.

Ms Atkinson said: “Come for as much or as little as you like.”

Ponds Alive! is funded by the National Trust’s ‘Freshwater Community Grant’ in partnership with the Species Survival Fund, which was developed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and its arm’s-length organisations.

It is being delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.

A Somerset Wildlife Trust team has recently been working in Porlock to encourage villagers to become involved in a whole range of exciting nature activities, including the creation of a barrel pond in the Old School Centre community garden.

A trust spokesperson said: “Mini ponds like this are an easy but extremely effective way of helping wildlife in your garden or local community.

“Ponds are vital freshwater habitats for a diverse range of species including amphibians like frogs and toads, mammals such as bats, hedgehogs, and water voles, and a long list of exciting plants and insects.

“Unfortunately, across the UK, we are losing our ponds with half-a-million thought to have been lost over the last 100 years.”