All posts by David Pottinger

Volunteer of the Year Award 2015: Pat and Bill McKenzie

Events, People, Volunteering

Pat McKenzie 2016 s

Pat McKenzie with Cllr Steve Forster

Hart District Council Chairman’s Award for Fleet Pond Society’s Volunteer of the Year 2015

Cathy Holden writes:

For the first time since its inception, this award was given to two people, in recognition of their years of work behind the scenes for the Society; sister and brother, Pat and Bill McKenzie. Pat consistently volunteers at various events supporting the Society. Bill is a very keen gardener and, with Pat, has raised funds for the Society through selling the excess produce from his vegetable garden.

Pat accepted the award on behalf of both of them from Councillor Steve Forster at the Society’s recent AGM. Cllr Forster is Portfolio holder on Hart Cabinet for Environment and Technical Services.

On hearing their names announced Pat said she was: ‘Completely overwhelmed; it was such a surprise. After receiving the award, I rang Bill on my mobile and he was absolutely delighted – although he couldn’t believe it at first.’

The Chairman’s Award was set up by Councillor Sharyn Wheale during her time as Hart Council Chairman in 2009. The aim is to recognise the voluntary contribution made over the preceding year to Fleet Pond or to the Society. The Fleet Pond Society Executive Committee is set the task of choosing a deserving volunteer.

Chairman of the Society, Colin Gray said: ‘The Society always tries to select someone whose work behind the scenes is not clearly visible or has not been fully recognised. This year the Committee felt that Pat and Bill were the perfect recipients.’

Video on FPS Achievements for 2015

Education, People, Photography

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYDfLr72Q3Q&w=560&h=315]

Click to play

John Sutton has kindly produced an interesting video that highlights some of the major projects that Fleet Pond Society (FPS) has carried out in 2015. This video was first shown at the FPS AGM last Saturday. A full write up of the AGM will be published shortly.

More information on the important Clearwater Campaign can be found here.

A Walk Around Fleet Pond – Hampshire Life

Education, History, Walks

In the February 2016 issue of Hampshire Life magazine there’s a two page spread entitled ‘Things to do in Fleet“.

The article starts by recommending a stroll around Fleet Pond:

Take a walk around Fleet Pond (accessed from the station, Pondtail residential area and an alarmingly pot holed lane off Cove Road). This is the largest freshwater lake in Hampshire and is thought to have been created as a fishery as early as the 12th century. Certainly by the 15th century there are records of fish being delivered to the Bishopric of Winchester. Centuries later, following the building of the London to Southampton railway, a new station, Fleet Pond Halt, enabled Fleet Pond to become a popular spot for day trippers with picnicking and swimming in summer and ice skating in winter. Latterly Fleet Pond has become valued as a nature reserve. It was one of the first sites in Hampshire to be designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, back in 1951, and recognised as a Local Nature Reserve in 1977. Its 141 acres include heathland, woodland, reedbed and marsh, as well as the Pond itself, and it is home to various birds, butterflies, dragonflies and wildflowers. Last year the Fleet Pond Society, working in partnership with Hart District Council, Natural England and the Environment Agency, achieved Green Flag status for the Pond, and this year the Society celebrates its 40th anniversary.

It then goes on to give recommendations under the categories: Take a Break, Explore, Lunch, Learn a New Skill and finally Eat & Sleep.

 

Fleet Pond Society AGM This Saturday

Events

Fleet Pond Society (FPS) will be having it’s AGM this Saturday, 20th February 2016.

It will be held in St. Philip & St James Church Hall, Kings Rd, Fleet and will start at 7:15 pm. There is free car parking to the rear of the church hall (accessed down the drive to the right of the church accessed from Kings Road).

All members of the public are welcome to attend, not just members of FPS.

Why attend? Items of interest include:

  • An overview of the impact that FPS makes to the upkeep of the Pond and it’s contribution to the local community
  • An opportunity to question the Committee on any matters that may concern you
  • Volunteer of the Year Award
  • The results of the popular FPS Photographic Competition
  • A raffle (in case you’re feeling lucky!)

There will also be an opportunity for refreshments.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Details of the meeting can be found below.

FPS AGM 2016