We are delighted to announce that the Hertfordshire Guide Centre at Cottered has been successful in securing funding from the Tesco Bags of Help Scheme for a fabulous restoration of our pond.

Tesco has teamed up with Groundwork on its Bags of Help initiative in hundreds of regions across England and Wales. The scheme will see three community groups and projects in each of these regions awarded grants of £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 – all raised from the 5p bag charge.

With our grant we plan to completely transform our pond, which is currently overgrown. The area will be cleared of brambles. Proper access to the pond will be built, along with a nature garden and seating area. If we receive enough votes we hope to build a complete nature reserve and educational space, including information boards and pond dipping equipment so that Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, and other visitors to the centre can make the most of their visit. Scroll through the photos above to see what the pond looks like now, and our plans for the future.

Voting for the three successful projects in our area will be open from 31st October until 13th November (please note voting has been delayed from the original voting dates). You can vote for us at:

• Baldock Tesco Extra
• Royston Tesco Extra
• Hitchin Tesco Express

Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop. Please vote for our project as the more votes we secure the larger our grant, and the more we will be able to achieve.

For more information please visit: http://www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp