All posts by David Pottinger

Can You Figure It Out? Updated!

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Terry Austin writes:

“The 2008 Photography Competition winners were announced at the Fleet Pond Society AGM on 21st February and prizes were awarded. Please see the FPS website for the winning photos plus the competition results for 2005 -2007.

Below is one of the winning pictures which baffled the judges for some time. It is printed twice – the right way up and inverted. See if you can guess which is the right one and then leave a comment below!”

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The same photo as above but rotated:

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Photo credit: Celia Brook

Historic Fleet Pond Facts

Education, History

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Michelle Salter writes:

Why is the pond a pond and not a lake?

The current definition of a pond is ‘an area of water smaller than a lake, often artificially made’. In mediaeval times, the term pond always referred to an artificially created body of water and a lake to a natural one. Although Fleet Pond may be larger than some lakes it is believed to be originally man-made, formed by damming an existing watercourse to build up a head of water.

Was there a second pond?

“The great fishery (of) Fleet Ponds” is referred to in the Rolls of Account of Crondall Manor in 1324, when there appears to have been a thriving fishery of considerable importance and two ponds. It has been conjectured that the combined surface area of the two ponds exceeded 200 acres.

Where was the second pond located?

There are two theories as to where the second pond was located. One places it to the north of the surviving pond, on what is now Ancells Park. The other suggests it was to the south in Pondtail, citing the name as evidence. However, this is unlikely as the Pondtail area does lie at the tail of the present Fleet Pond, which extended to Westover Road into the late 1930s.

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Picture: Map of Area From 1791

What happened to the second pond?

A document dated 1567 records: “the head of which said pond is now by a great storm and fall of water, utterly broken and carried away”. A great deluge had apparently carried away the dam and necessary repairs would require “great expenses of money, waste of timber and other charges, to make a new head to maintain the said pond as it has been theretofore”. A licence was issued “to ditch and fence in, enclose and convert the said pond into meadow, pasture or otherwise”. Damage to the other pond is not recorded.

Who owned the ponds at this time?

All the land in which Fleet Pond now lies was once owned by the Bishopric of Winchester. It formed part of the Crondall Hundred gifted to the Bishopric by King Edgar in 973 AD. In 1491, the Prior at Winchester leased Fleet Ponds and pastures to a tenant at Fleet Farm, for an annual rent of “a hundred of the fishes, pike, tenches, perches, bream and roaches, to be carried and delivered (to Winchester) in a good and fresh state”. This was later amended to 23 shillings and 4 pence, no doubt due to the difficulty of carrying fresh fish in barrels on ox wagons all the way to Winchester. The leasing arrangement for Fleet Farm, pasture, fishery and ponds (the plural was never amended) continued for some 350 years.

If you have any questions regarding the history of Fleet Pond, please leave a comment below.

Cartoon credit: Colin Gray

February Volunteer Event – Snowy But Bright!

Volunteering

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Picture: Just About To Set Off

There was a very good turnout for the event on the 8th February, including a contingent from Fleet Lions. There was still some snow around but it was nevertheless a bright and relatively warm day (believe it or not!). As you can see, a wide variety of interesting hats were on display…

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Picture: Signing In!

When we arrive at event sites we all sign in (see above). This gives us a record of who attended plus contact numbers, addresses etc. For those who leave an email address, a message is sent out prior to each event giving further information on it’s purpose as well as it’s detailed location. This gives volunteers an insight into the bigger picture and also allows feedback to the team leader.

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Picture: The Fire At The End Of The Event

The picture below was taken at the event. We’d be interested to hear what you think it is – please send us a comment (see below) if you have an idea!

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Picture: Spotted On A Tree – What Do You Think It Is?

Fleet Pond Society AGM – Saturday 21st February

People, Volunteering

Michelle Salter, Secretary of Fleet Pond Society, writes:

Fleet Pond Society looks forward to seeing members at the Annual General Meeting.

Saturday 21st February 2009
7.15 to 7.30 pm start
SS Philip’s & James’ Chuch Hall, Kings Road, Fleet

This is an opportunity to meet the Committee and other society members to find out what’s been happening at the pond in the past year and what may be in store for the future.

First up is the presentation of prizes to the Under 16 category of the Photographic Competition (so our younger members don’t have to sit through the official business of the evening).

This is followed by a review of the minutes from the last AGM and any matters arising from these minutes. This is a very informal event and members are welcome to put questions to the Committee and join in the discussions.

Colin Gray, Chairman of Fleet Pond Society, will update the society on the events and developments that have taken place at the pond over the last year, and report on any ongoing plans. Colin is always happy to answer questions and receive comments from those attending. The future of the pond depends on our members support.

The Treasurer’s Report, the Election of Officers and other Committee Members, and Any Other Business follows – then that’s the official society business over for the night.

After a short break for refreshments, we announce the Winners of the 2008 Photographic Competition. It’s always inspiring to see the diverse and imaginative interpretations of the category titles; I’m sure the 2008 themes of Shoots and Leaves, Reflections and Shadows, and Quiet Corners will be no exception.

All entries received for the 2008 Photographic Competition will be on display throughout the evening, and I can assure you that there is always a wonderful selection of scenes taken from every conceivable corner of Fleet Pond Nature Reserve.

I look forward to seeing you there.

The Pond Needs You

Fleet Pond Society is made up of people from all walks of life. Some of our members donate their time as well as their money. Conserving the pond involves a great many tasks including dipwell measuring, gauge reading, party planning, walk organising, letter delivering, litter-picking, account auditing, minute taking, newsletter editing, blog posting… and of course our merry band of conservation volunteers, who regularly chop, saw, burn, dig, erect and demolish.

If you feel you could contribute in any way, we’d love to hear from you.

We are currently looking for volunteers to help with funding research.

Funding Researchers

The Restoration of Fleet Pond

A report into the restoration of Fleet Pond gave a figure of £3Million in order to remove the silt from the pond and improve the condition of the reserve as a whole. Whilst raising this figure may be way out of our reach, the report has listed smaller, more achievable projects. There are many avenues of funding available. We need help in researching these areas, and in consultation with the Committee, drawing up applications and bids. This is a challenging task that could be shared by two or more individuals.

If you have any spare time and would like to help the pond, please contact Colin or myself.