Michelle Salter writes:

As promised in our earlier post, here is the video of wildlife presenter and Fleet Pond Society Patron, Chris Packham, exploring the history of the pond and describing why a major restoration programme has now become necessary. 

Chris Packham on Fleet Pond’s Clearwater Campaign

Chris takes a look at Fleet Pond and explains why the Fleet Pond Society has launched the Clearwater Campaign to raise funds and awareness of the serious issues that put the future of the pond in jeopardy.

To make a donation to the Clearwater Campaign, please click on the link below, and sponsor Nick on his fund-raising journey:

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

Further details on the making of the video can be found here.

The blog has now had over 30,000 visits since it started in July 2008.

Here at Fleet Pond Society, we’d like to say many grateful thanks to all our readers and contributors for keeping a sustained interest in the many activities that take place at Fleet Pond and for helping make the blog the success it’s become.

We have some new and exciting ideas for the future, so please keep tuned!

The red line shows the gruelling 47 miles Nick covered today – he still has another 3 days to go on this unsupported and self-funded journey!

Please help Nick reach his target of £2000 by sponsoring him online at: 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 Keeley writes:

Today I cycled 47 miles from Bridgnorth to Evesham, making 388 miles in total so far. As I feared this was the worst day so far.

I started with 11 miles of hills, rain and headwinds along a busy road. When I did escape on to side roads for a few miles the hills were even higher, but there were fine views from the ridge. By noon the hills were easier, the rain had stopped and the last 25 miles were on quiet roads.

My legs were like lead and I struggled, with lots of stops and pushing. I’m staying at the The Northwick Hotel, a nice riverside hotel in Evesham.

Many thanks to the committee members who have been out doing more leafleting today.

Nick Keeley writes:

Tuesday, Whitchurch to Bridgnorth, 40 miles. Felt a bit washed out overnight, but that might have been the result of the good living in Liverpool..!

I set off early and the cycling was reasonably easy for the first half of the ride. The first serious hills before Ironbridge turned out to be not as bad as I had expected.

Tea and a bacon sandwich for lunch in Ironbridge went down very well. Although I only had 8 miles to go I knew the hardest part was to come.

After a long drag up out of Ironbridge the heavy, driving rain started, and didn’t stop. Then there was a series of hills until I was within a mile of Bridgnorth.

I found a bistro/restaurant called Bassa Villa, and was shown to a lovely big room with views over the Severn. It should be big enough for me to dry all my wet clothes.

I was very pleased to hear that the online donations are up to £985, which with the cheques Colin and I have totalling £487, makes a total so far of £1472. Thanks to all sponsors.

The green line on the map below shows how far Nick still has to go. To speed him on his way and help him reach his target of £2000 (he is so close!) please sponsor online at:

www.charitygiving.co.uk/nickkeeley

Alternatively, you can send 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 Keeley writes:  

Monday, and many thanks to Angela and Ralph, Francine and Brian, and Christine and Ian for saving me from four nights in hotels. I enjoyed the good food after mediocre to horrible hotel food.  

I left Birkenhead in cooler, damper weather and had an easy ride into Chester, where I stopped for a picnic in the park.  

I faced some horrible hills towards the end of the ride, which wore me out. I then had problems finding a hotel, but eventually reached the Dodington Lodge Hotel in Whitchurch, after riding 45 miles.  

Bath, sleep, then pub meal and an early night.  

Please support Nick as he starts the journey back to Fleet, and help him to reach his target of £2000 by sponsoring him online at:  

www.charitygiving.co.uk/nickkeeley  

Alternatively, you can send a cheque to Colin Gray, 14 Kenilworth Road, Fleet, GU51 3DA, payable to Fleet Pond Society together with your address and email address. Your cheque will not be cashed until after the ride and will be returned if the ride is not completed. Your email address will enable Nick to let you know how the ride goes.