Raiding the Bank pond

Raiding the Bank and water

From survival to spirituality, water has always been central to the communities in this area. In the Iron Age, the Roulston Scar community used ponds to store precious water on the exposed ridge. These ponds sustained livestock, farming, and daily life, while also holding spiritual meaning. In the medieval period, monastic communities reshaped ponds for fish farming, irrigation, and agriculture. These carefully managed waters reflected both practical needs and religious devotion, sustaining both body and spirit.

Our new pond

Today we’re working to restore and enhance the natural environment. By supporting wildflower grasslands, creating new woodland habitats and wet environments, we’re helping nature thrive. As part of the Raiding the Bank project we're creating a new pond. This is an ongoing process and a path down to the pond as well as a bench beside it, will be unveiled later in 2026.