IN reply to the letter concerning the Orpington Ponds (News Shopper, January 18), yes the lack of water may be down to local roadworks etc, but it is more likely to be due to the severe lack of rain that we have experienced over the past six months at least.

You only have to look at the top pond at Chislehurst or even further afield at the reservoir at Bough Beeches, Ide Hill, pictured in the national press recently.

I'm afraid only a very decent amount of rainfall would affect the springs which feed the ponds and are the source of the River Cray.

Historically the River Cray was of some importance at Market Meadow in St Mary Cray the river supported some very good watercress beds and provided a source of good quality water for the papermills further downstream.

Paper making in St Mary Cray has a history spanning 210 years.

The record in neighbouring St Paul's Cray is slightly longer.

In 1914 the Bank of England asked Joynsons Mill to produce the paper on which to print the first currency notes, the £1 and 10 shilling, known as Bradburys.

There was also a brewery in St Mary Cray utilising the River Cray's excellent water.

What a shame it is in this state today, with rubbish such as prams, roadwork debris and the usual bottles and shopping trolleys dumped in many places along its route. But at least the river does support some surprising wildlife kingfishers and little egrets to name but two.

L Harding
Orpington