Sunday Volunteer Task – 4 November 2012

Colin Gray writes:

“I did a preview walk yesterday to check conditions for this Sunday’s conservation task. We will work up on the Dry Heath, close to the footpath that runs parallel to the railway line.  There are a lot of birch seedlings and saplings to be removed. We will be joined by a team from the Guides and also a team from Wildlife Explorers. Wellingtons should not be necessary but I recommend strong shoes!

On the other side of the car park is a very large stack of cut birch from a wet day task when we could not have a fire. Some volunteers can follow the tractor and trailer over there and bring back the cut material to add to the fire.”

You can read about previous events involving the Guides here and Wildlife Explorers here.

Meeting arrangements:
We meet at the Countryside Workshop, Old Pump House Close (next to 65 Kenilworth Road) at 9.00 a.m. for a 9.15 start. Signposted directions to the site are available if anyone comes late.

Volunteers will need old clothing, waterproof if rain is expected, protective gloves and wellington boots (we have a supply of gloves and boots if you do not own these).

Current volunteers comprise a wide range of ages of both genders. We’re a very friendly bunch and we’re always keen to receive new volunteers, including students on the Duke of Edinburgh and Trident schemes.

Further details are available from:

Task Co-ordinator:
Colin Gray at 01252 616183 or colin@fleetpondsociety.co.uk
or
Task Leader:
David Buckler at 01252 521282 or david.buckler@talktalk.net


Halloween Walk Around Fleet Pond This Tuesday

From Hart Countryside Services:

Tuesday 30th October, 6pm – 8pm – Halloween Walk around Fleet Pond

Join us for a scary evening at Fleet Pond. Venture for a walk full of surprises around the eerie Fleet Pond at night. Wear your scariest costume and win a prize.

Suitable for children aged 7+ and they must be accompanied by an adult.

Booking Essential. You can book online or phone 01252 623443 or email us on countryside@hart.gov.uk.  £4 per adult and £2 per child. Payable on the day.


SSE Help Improve The Nature Reserve

On Friday 21 September, we were lucky to have SSE visit the pond to help out with our conservation activities. There was a large turnout (see above) and they were joined by Rachel Jones, our Seasonal Ranger, and three stalwarts of Fleet Pond Society (Terry Austin, Geoff Dee and Nick Keeley).

It was a full days activity and a considerable amount of scrub was removed from Coldstream Marsh, which was then burnt in an impressive fire (see below). This is important work as it changes the diversity of the area which in turn helps support rare species and their habitat.

The conservation day came through SSE’s commitment to community support via their Community At Heart programme:

Thanks to our community volunteering project, Community at Heart, each of our 20,000 employees has the opportunity to take a day out of their typical working life to support local community projects.

The SSE staff all appreciated the challenge and thought it very worthwhile. They hope to come back with another team in the future 🙂


Dimension Data Help Out At The Pond

Final Result – Everything Neat And Tidy!

Rachel Jones, our Seasonal Pond Ranger, joined a team of volunteers from Dimension Data on Friday 14th September to clear thick bramble from Coldstream Glade,  to replace a board near Fuglemere and to carry out some erosion protection on the Gelvert Stream.

As Seen From A Walk Round The Pond

An excellent and satisfying job for a Friday afternoon and one that visitors will appreciate!

The Dimension Data Team

Back-Breaking Work – But It’s Got To Be Done!

More photos can be found on the Dimension Data Facebook page.

Dimension Data also had a volunteer event at the pond last year when the team did a really good job in renovating the footpath at the end of Westover Road that leads to Gelvert Glade. They are also very active supporters of the FPS Clearwater Campaign; as an example, see here.

PS Please see this map if you are unfamiliar with any of the locations named above.


Sunday Volunteer Task – 14 October 2012

The next event for the 2012/13 season is this coming Sunday where we will either be tackling scrub at Coldstream Marsh or else cutting reed at the Northern (or Hemelite) Reedbed (the task will be decided nearer the time).

Meeting arrangements:
We meet at the Countryside Workshop, Old Pump House Close (next to 65 Kenilworth Road) at 9.00 a.m. for a 9.15 start. Signposted directions to the site are available if anyone comes late.

Volunteers will need old clothing, waterproof if rain is expected, protective gloves and wellington boots (we have a supply of gloves and boots if you do not own these).

Current volunteers comprise a wide range of ages of both genders. We’re a very friendly bunch and we’re always keen to receive new volunteers, including students on the Duke of Edinburgh and Trident schemes.

Examples of previous volunteer events (including many photos) can be found by using the search facility on the rhs column of this blog.

Further details are available from:

Task Co-ordinator:
Colin Gray at 01252 616183 or colin@fleetpondsociety.co.uk
or
Task Leader:
David Buckler at 01252 521282 or david.buckler@talktalk.net