19th August 2022
Taking advantage of today’s fresher air, I took a stroll past the Kingfisher Pond. As usual I leaned over the railing to see what remained of our favourite local water feature. I’m sure you can guess – the hot weather had finished off the last of the remaining water, leaving only reeds and mud – and not much of that.
So what do you call a kingfisher pond where there are no kingfishers and no pond? It’s clearly shown on the map – “Kingfisher Pond”. I thought of the confusion of wandering tourists and birders, come from afar to enjoy our wildlife spectacle. There’s nothing for it, I decided, we’ll have to rename the kingfi thing. For the remainder of my stroll I was lost in thought. What to call it?
Eventually I settled on “Swann Hollow”. Why Swann Hollow? Well, it’s nothing to do with swans, who have long since moved to the Northstowe Lakes. The clue’s in the spelling of Swann, and here:
Seems pretty suitable to me, but I suspect there will be other ideas. What would you rename the thing, now that shameful neglect has reduced this once splendid natural feature and wildlife habitat to a muddy, overgrown hole in the ground? Feel free to add a comment with your ideas. No prizes, other than widespread acclaim for the best suggestion. (Good grief, I sound like Brain of Britain).