The presentation is to be made at a meeting of East Hampshire District Council.

Robin Hunter, the club's fisheries management officer, has provided a fascinating insight into the pond's history and the conservation work which has been undertaken over the past 20 years.

He explained that the first major conservation work undertaken by the Oakhanger Angling Club on the pond was during one hot summer, two decades ago, when the pond dried up, meaning that all the fish had to be taken out.

The club then spent £8,000 dredging the pond deeper into the natural water table, hoping that it would safeguard the pond's future.

The second major conservation work on the pond was started in the autumn of 2008, when, as Robin described it: "The club had come to realise that the pond was becoming very 'grown in' – a pond in a wood."

Robin said: "As I had taken over the position of fisheries management officer for the club in that spring, this was to be my first real challenge. Having my first walk around the pond, doing a survey, my first impression was that it was dark and gloomy."

He added: "I needed to open it up and let the natural light in, bringing the pond back to life; a lake in the park!"

With encouragement and physical help from club members, Robin organised work parties at regular intervals, starting at the back of the largest island, removing fallen trees on the bank and cutting down other dangerous, leaning and dead trees, as well as cutting back the encroaching undergrowth; allowing a natural grass barrier to grow between wood and pond for people to walk around safely.

Robin and his team's next job was to tackle the largest island, thinning out the over-population of trees, mainly silver birch.

He explained: "When the pond was dredged years ago, most of the silt was placed away from the pond, between the large oak trees across from Ockham Hall.

"A year ago, this silt was on the move, collapsing the bank in three places.

"I hired a machine with a driver to move this silt away from the bank, tiering it in three levels with two pathways and a seat on each pathway for the public to view the pond."

Robin stressed: "With the death of village ponds all over the country, youngsters have nowhere to first start fishing with their mates.

"The Oakhanger club has always encouraged youngsters to join us, holding an annual open day for tuition, with the day finishing with a barbecue.