generous donation by two longtime residents of the Pembroke neighbourhood.

Mr. Roddy A. Ferguson, now retired, used to fish in the pond as a boy.

He recalled the days when he used to catch lobsters and fish nearly three-feet long from the large saltwater pond on Point Shares Road.

Today, a variety of marine life, including grey snappers, yellow grunts, cow pollies and crabs, can still be found.

Fishing was made easy by a rocky walkway leading into the pond, which also kept youngsters out of the road.

But the walkway has deteriorated over the years to the point of being mostly submerged at high tide.

Mr. Ferguson, who lives on Overock Hill, said he has noticed the erosion and sliding away of rocks for some time.

So has the resident cat, who sleeps on the same rock by the pond every night.

Concerned that the more than 50-year-old walkway would disappear completely and children would be forced to fish from the roadway, Mr. Ferguson decided to take action.

He and an anonymous friend contributed $30,000 to restore, deepen (to 15 feet) and rid the pond of debris. The roadside wall will also be made higher.

"We want to rebuild it so it is safe and attractive again,'' Mr. Ferguson said.

Afterwards, they plan to re-tarmac the road to get rid of potholes and smooth it over.

Architect Mr. Geoff Parker drew up the plans free of charge and Island Construction starts the project at 10 a.m. this morning.

The two men said any neighbourhood resident who wanted to show their support for the restoration project could make a contribution to a joint charity fund started to aid Westmeath home for the elderly and the Bermuda Society for the Blind.

BETTER FISHING -- Fairylands residents Mr. Roddy A. Ferguson (left) and Capt.

Sir David Tibbits, chairman of the Bermuda Society for the Blind, look over plans to restore a rocky walkway leading into the fish pond in their neighbourhood.