IT HAS taken nearly two and half years for work to be carried out but the Friends are finally able to pay Merton for restoring the Water Garden (above right) and the Azalea Dell (below left) as well as installing a vital pump to oxygenate the pond (above left) in Cannizaro Park.

Talks started in 2003 but March 2006 sees final settlement of the Friends’ £6000 contribution towards the three projects.

The Water Garden restoration is ongoing but the Azalea Dell has been restored to its condition after the last major improvement funded by the Friends in autumn 2000.

In January too Merton’s contracted electricians finally installed the pond pump needed to rescue carp and other aquatic life from suffocation. Housing for the pump was put in place last autumn but the pump itself was not prioritised for months.

Kevin Hawkes, the flagship parks gardening chief said: "We are using two large air stones to oxygenate the water. Minimum maintenance and very effective. The pumps are on a time switch."