Village Ponds
There are two ponds in Oakley today - the main one which can be seen at the top of the website and in most literature about the village, is at the junction of Rectory Road, Hill Road and Oakley Lane. We have photos of it going back more than 100 years showing the Army in the First World War watering their horses in it. It was completely rebuilt by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council some twenty years ago. Today it is still a very popular place to sit and watch the world go by.
In 2021 the main pond was given a whole new lease of life and beautifully restored thanks to local efforts.
We would ask that you do not feed bread to the ducks - the bread fouls the water, encourages rats, and is not good for the ducks. Wild ducks and waterfowl will live longer, healthier lives eating natural food such as aquatic plants, grasses and insects. If you want to feed the ducks there are many alternatives that are much more suitable and safer than bread. Some of these include:
- Grapes that have been de-seeded and cut in half - please ensure that grapes are not left on the ground, as they are dangerous to dogs.
- Cracked corn, oats and other grains.
- Frozen peas or sweetcorn that have been defrosted.
The second pond, situated in Rectory Road has always been a repository for surface water coming from further up Rectory Road and is liable to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. Because the water is initially coming off the land parts of the pond have become silted up. The Parish Council with the help of Hampshire Wildlife Trust have formulated a plan for revitalising the pond by removing some of the overhanging vegetation. Once this process is complete a bog garden will be planted at one end to take advantage of the build-up of silt. Being planted with spring bulbs and small trees and being sheltered by hedges at the other end end it is also a pleasant spot to sit and relax.
There were however, three further ponds in the village before it was developed - one in the area of what is now the junction of Hill Road, Upper Farm Road and The Drive, the second near the shops in Oakley Lane - on what is now the junction of Oakley Lane and The Vale - and the third at Park Farm.