Ross-On-Wye Swimming Pond
Following the success of our first-ever full-build swimming pond in Failand, Bristol, we were engaged by these clients whilst undertaking domestic pond work, following a visit from a competitor of our who couldn’t build what our clients wanted.
Working on their garden pond, a competitor visited and told them they ‘couldn’t do that’. We listened, measured, quoted, said ‘you can’ and won, with the work undertaken the first half of 2023.
Their initial requirements were the need for a 25m long swim lane, tumble-turn walls, and a summerhouse deck, all butting onto a deck near the house. The swimming pond therefore measures 30 x 20m. “No problem” is Turtle’s stock reply.
No hidden complications with this project this time, or ‘almost’ so, we thought! Herefordshire soil is beautifully crumbly … when dry! We dug this out as the farmers got their wish for rain, turning the site into a re-enactment of the battle of the Somme.
Once dug, shaped and timbers attached, we lined the project using Gordon Low Products’ supplied EPDM PondGard membrane. Once lined, we filled the regeneration zone, which then permitted filling.
Whilst filling, the weather dried out allowing us to return and make good the land. Lawn and wildflower seed mixes are to be added. Three low-voltage pumps take care of circulation, drawing their power from a new feed to the summerhouse.
Our special selection of swimming pond plants, as always, were supplied by Anglo Aquatics and, from the off, they got some good growth on as combinations of pond water, sunlight and warm weather aligned.
Unique to this project were the stepping stones. Located near Welshpool, we visited Mid-Wales Stone, hand-selected and had shipped the stunning pieces that form a stepping stone path to the large dive stone perched on the edge of the circular deep zone, allowing people to safely dive into the swimming pond.
A swerve in design changed the house deck to a patio, which was then wrapped around the house to re-clad the courtyard – some 110m2 of Indian sandstone expertly laid. Drainage from the building has been incorporated beneath, along with the electrician’s power supply.
We look forward to return visits and helping the clients as they learn how to live with their new investment. A wonderful project with amazing clients – we hope this project matures and blooms beautifully over the coming years.
