Environment Agency Day – 18 June

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Blog Editor: many apologies for the late posting of this article – we’ll get back on schedule very shortly!

Colin Gray writes:

Here are some photos from the Environment Day on Friday 18 June when 12 Environment Agency (EA) volunteers (and later 13) turned out to do some stream bank repairs and install a set of dog steps along the Gelvert Stream.

All were very proud of what they had achieved in one full days work.  Mutual thanks were exchanged from the EA team for the chance to work at Fleet Pond, in the open air and with a project which showed a good end result and from FPS for the hard work dedicated to Fleet Pond by the EA team with a very good result.

I’m not quite sure what’s going on here!

Please also see a previous post connected to the EA day here.

Hotspots and Hidden Gems – The Stew Ponds

History
The large pond in December 2009
The large pond in December 2009

Michelle Salter writes:

This year we’re planning to run a series of posts highlighting some of the much loved and well used areas around the pond – the hotspots – such at Sandy Bay and the Picnic Area.

We’ll also feature some hidden gems,  including The Stew Ponds.

In 1491, the Prior at Winchester leased Fleet Pond and its pastures to a tenant at Fleet Farm for an annual rent of 23 shillings and 4 pence, plus “a hundred of the fishes, pike, tenches, perches, bream and roaches, to be delivered to Winchester in a good and fresh state”.

The stewing, or holding ponds, are thought to date back to this time and can be reached by following the colour coded posts on the blue walk, which detours away from the pond to circle Brookly Wood. The series of four, possibly five, small interlinking ponds are located in a glade alongside a footpath running off the Brookly Stream. It’s thought these ponds were built in order to store fish taken from the main pond and would have been used by the monks of St Swithins, and then by their tenants. Fresh fish could be taken from the stew ponds and housed in barrels, ready to be transported by cart to the Priory at Winchester.

The large stew pond in March 2007
The large stew pond in March 2007

The regular conservation volunteers undertook the task of uncovering the ponds on their work parties in September and October 2006. Initially, we looked in vain for any water as the ponds blended into the woodland floor, covered by layers of leaves and plant debris. Our first task was to clear the holly and bramble from the surrounding area and fell some of the smaller trees, allowing more light to fall on the ponds. Tackling the larger pond was back-breaking work as years of accumulated muck and plant debris had to be shovelled upwards and over the bank into buckets and wheelbarrows. The deeper we dug the smellier it got as the waft of sulphur rose up from the murky depths.

The three smaller ponds were much shallower than the larger one, and we were able to use large, wide-toothed rakes to haul the debris from these. I remember we were all secretly hoping to uncover a rare medieval artifact, but all we found were an assortment of mobile phones, a video recorder plus videos, and a variety of clothing. Sadly nothing of any historical interest was unearthed, but it was satisfying to see the ponds restored, not to their former glory, but into an interesting reminder of what they once used to be.

The smaller ponds in December 2009
The smaller ponds in December 2009

Photo credits: Michelle Salter

Related blog post: Have You Seen The Stew Ponds?

Nick’s Triumphant Return – nearly 500 miles in under two weeks!!!

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Nick cycles into Chestnut Grove today

Nick Keeley writes:

After excellent hospitality from my sister, Helen, and her husband, Paul, today I set off from Reading in fine weather helped by Paul, who cycled with me through the centre of Reading to get me to the cycle path going south.

From then on it was quite an easy ride of 25 miles, making the total journey 487 miles.

I arrived home just before one o’clock to be greeted by Margaret and some wellwishers from FPS.

In general the journey to Liverpool was easier as I benefited from good weather and did not face too many head winds.

Coming back was harder, especially on Wednesday, when head winds, driving rain and nasty Shropshire hills left me feeling a bit washed out. Far too many hills cluttered up the countryside. Someone should have tidied them away and moved them up north, where such hills belong.

I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored me and those who have sent me messages of support either by text or through Facebook. This support has been very helpful, especially after a hard day.

If you haven’t yet sponsored me, it’s not too late! www.charitygiving.co.uk/nickkeeley

or send a cheque to Colin Gray, 14 Kenilworth Road, Fleet, GU51 3DA, payable to Fleet Pond Society.

The dog welcomes Nick home

Nick’s Bike Ride – Day 12 – On the home straight!

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Nick in Burford on Friday 16th July 2010

 Nick Keeley writes:

Friday, and 46 miles from Burford to Reading, making a total to date of 462 miles.

After a lovely stay at the Wyck House Hotel, Margaret took me back to Burford so that I could resume the ride.

After a bit of a climb out of Burford, the countryside for the first half of the ride was quite gentle, although the blustery winds were not.

The highest point of the ride was near Harwell and after that I followed the main roads all the way to Reading. The views were quite spectacular although the intermittent hills were not welcome.

I arrived at my sister’s at about 4 pm with only 22 miles left to go tomorrow.

The purple line shows the huge distance Nick has travelled since the start of his journey. The red line is today’s miles, and the green is the home straight! To help Nick reach his target of £2000 (he is very nearly there) please donate online at:

http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/nickkeeley 

or by sending a cheque to Colin Gray, 14 Kenilworth Road, Fleet, GU51 3DA, payable to Fleet Pond Society. Your cheque will not be cashed until after the ride has been completed.

 

Nick's Route Day 12

Nick’s Bike Ride – Day 11 – Burford and back!

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Nick in Burford on 15th July 2010

(Unfortunately, all hotels in Burford, Nick’s planned stop for tonight, are full due to the local Air Show. Nick’s wife, Margaret, is going to meet him in Burford and drive them to Stow for the night, then drop Nick and bike back in Burford on Friday morning).

Nick Keeley writes:

Sharyn requires proof of no cheating, so today’s photo is of me & bike in Burford this afternoon. Photo to come from same place on Friday!

Evesham to Burford 28 miles – started with steepest and highest hill of the trip. Rain and very blustery winds, but not as hard as yesterday, as not always head-on.

After climb, took the main road, where trees protected me from strong side winds. Long descent to Stow-on-the-Wold. Very wet, so pushed on up long hill past Wick Hill Hotel where Margaret and I will be staying tonight, then 9 miles to Burford.

After nice pub lunch and a look around Burford Market, Margaret took me and bike to Wick Hill Hotel, Stow. She will drop me in Burford tomorrow, so no cheating!

To sponsor Nick, click on the link below:

http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/nickkeeley

Nick's Route Day 11