FPS and Fleet Half-Marathon

Events, Fund Raising, People

2014-03-16_half-marathon_03

A photo from last year’s Fleet Half-Marathon

David Pottinger writes:

In a previous post I mentioned that Roxanne Lewington and Tara Skinner, from the Fleet-based marketing team at Mackenzie Smith, are busily training for the very popular Fleet Half-Marathon. We’re very grateful that all the monies raised for this event will go to Fleet Pond Society’s Clearwater Campaign.

If you’d like to support Roxanne and Tara, and in so doing help fund improvements at Fleet Pond Nature Reserve, please donate on their Virgin Money Giving page here.

You can read more about this on a recent post on the Mackenzie Smith blog, which includes the following comment from Roxanne:

“I haven’t entered into anything like this for a while, years in fact. The last big physical challenge I can remember is climbing Mt Toubkal in Morocco back in 2009 which was a completely different experience. It’s been tricky to stick to a training regimen but I’m making progress. On the day the energy is going to feel very different to running on my own, with the streets lined at start and finish and with those running around me as examples to spur me on I’m determined to finish the 12 miles.”

Everyone at FPS wishes them both the very best on the day!

Full details of the Fleet Half-Marathon on Sunday 22 March can be found here. Why not come along and cheer the participants on – it’s a really good event!

FPS Photographic Competition 2014 Results

Events, People, Photography

FPS Photo Comp Winners 2014

David Pottinger writes:

The results of Fleet Pond Society’s popular Photographic Competition were announced at the FPS AGM on Saturday 21st February. The theme for the competition for 2014 was ‘Fleeting Moments’ and the poster above gives snapshots of the winning and highly commended entries.

The Competition and Rosebowl Winner for 2014 was Terry Austin. Terry is the Deputy Chairman of FPS and is well-known for his many contributions to the conservation of Fleet Pond (see for example here).

Below is a photo from the award ceremony at the AGM.

Regarding the winning photo, please note the following important information:

“Following concerns raised by a number of people, Fleet Pond Society must emphasise that taking photographs of birds on the nest can only be done under license from BTO (British Trust for Ornithology). The photographer must hold a license or be supervised by a license holder. The latter was the case for the photo of the Black-backed gull chick which was photographed as part of the bird ringing exercise on the island set aside for nesting gulls and terns. The chick shown was ringed and returned safely to the nest for the photograph.”

FPS Photo Comp 2014 Winners and Judges

From left to right: David Styler (Secretary of Fleet Lions), Terry Austin (Competition and Rosebowl Winner), Tim Seed (Highly Commended) and Richard Keeley (who was on the panel of judges for the competition and is a member of Farnborough Lions)

The photos below are high resolution versions of the entries by Terry Austin and Liza Toth (please note that these are both rather large files).

FPS Photo Comp 2014 Terry Austin

The Competition Winner for 2014 was Terry Austin who captured this marvellous moment

FPS Photo Comp 2014 Liza Toth

A spectacular moment captured by Liza Toth (People’s Choice Winner)

The competition for 2015 will be announced later this year.

You can see the winning entries for the competition from previous years here.

Volunteer Event This Sunday, 8 March

Conservation, Volunteering

David Pottinger writes:

There will be a volunteer event this Sunday, 8 March at Fleet Pond.

Why not come along for some fresh air and exercise, as well as having the nice feeling that you’re doing something really useful for the local community?

Colin Gray, Chairman of FPS, writes:

“Ranger Rachel has designated stream bank repairs along the Gelvert Stream as the task for 8th March. Those of you with wellies, please wear them as some splashing about in the stream will be required. There will be drier on-bank tasks as well if you do not have wellies.”

For further information and booking (which is essential as tools and resources have to be planned beforehand), please contact Hart Countryside Services:

Phone: 01252 623443
Email: countryside@hart.gov.uk

The tasks are supervised by a Hart Countryside Ranger together with members of Fleet Pond Society (FPS).

To get a flavour of our activities, here are some photos from the previous Sunday volunteer event, held on 8 February. As you can see, these events are good fun and quite popular!

2015-02-08 Sunday Vols 1s

2015-02-08 Sunday Vols 2s

2015-02-08 Sunday Vols 4s

2015-02-08 Sunday Vols 3s

Picture credits: Carol Dunford

 

Volunteer Of The Year Award 2014: Rachel Jones

Events, People

Volunteer of the Year Award 2015

Rachel Jones with Councillor Myra Billings

Cathy Holden writes:

Rachel Jones has been named as recipient of the Chairman of Hart District Council’s Award for Fleet Pond Society’s ‘Volunteer of the Year 2014’. Rachel is a Hart Countryside Ranger with special responsibility for Fleet Pond and it was the unanimous vote of the Society Committee that Rachel should receive this award for frequently going beyond her regulated duties.

Rachel said: “I was really surprised and shocked! I feel very privileged. It is wonderful that the Society and the Ranger Service work together so well completing valuable work to enhance and protect the Fleet Pond Nature Reserve. I look forward to a long future of this wonderful relationship.”

The award was presented by Councillor Myra Billings, Chairman of Hart District Council, at the Society’s recent AGM. The citation stated:

“The Committee considered a number of names but one stood out above the others. This person is one who makes the monthly volunteer tasks always enjoyable and takes extra care that volunteers are made welcome and that they know how to work safely and effectively. This volunteer can also often be found joining the ad hoc, but often weekly, Last of the Summer Wine volunteer tasks which contribute voluntary labour to specific tasks. These tend to be tasks that could not be done by the wider range of age groups we host at the monthly tasks, as they can take volunteers into more hazardous conditions or involve use of mechanical equipment.

Members might think that this volunteer is an unusual choice as she is on the payroll of Hart Countryside Service and has a particular responsibility for Fleet Pond. Her dedication to Fleet Pond, her support for our volunteers and the numerous occasions on which she gives extra voluntary hours to any activity at Fleet Pond we believe qualifies her to receive this award. Her dedication and her infectious sense of humour and fun have made her a much valued member of our team.”

Colin Gray, Chairman of the Fleet Pond Society added: “I am very pleased that Rachel received the unanimous support of the FPS Committee as the chosen nominee for this award. It underlines the very positive, friendly and effective relationship that exists between the Society volunteers and the Hart Countryside Service.”

Picture credit: Michelle Salter.