All posts by David Pottinger

FPS Wins First Place At The Carnival

Events, People

Carnival Certificate 2015

First Place 🙂

David Pottinger writes:

Here are some pictures of the Fleet Pond Society (FPS) team and float from this year’s Carnival. We’re happy to say that FPS was awarded first place in the Walking category. Many congratulations to Terry Austin (who master minded the project) and the rest of the crew!

The theme for 2015 was ‘Through The Decades’ and there was a lot of competition, see here for the list of over 25 entrants.

In case you’re wondering, in total there were 2 monks, 3 swans and 3 pirates in the FPS walking team.

Fleet Pond Carnival Team 2015

The FPS Carnival Team for 2015

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Closeup of the FPS float

Terry and Colin Leaders 2015

A swan and a pirate with a common cause

Carnival Drinks 2015

Relaxing with a celebratory drink!

There are some impressive general photos of Fleet Carnival 2015 here. Can you spot the one that features FPS?

The above pictures were kindly provided by Michelle Salter.

The Building Of Grays Bridge

Events, People, Photography

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The bridge building team, half-way through the task

David Pottinger writes:

Here are some photos and a short video of the (secretive) building of Grays Bridge – you can read about it’s interesting background here.

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Putting a bridge together is trickier than you might think!

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Some of the wildlife spotted along the way

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Making sure the temporary bridge was up to the job!

Phill Gower, who was a member of the team, has produced an interesting time-lapsed video of the bridge building activity, where the three days of work are compressed into just over a minute!

[flickr video=http://www.flickr.com/photos/38794168@N05/18707281963 w=450 h=300]

Please click on the arrow to play

This video can also be seen on the Fleet Pond Society Photo Group on Flickr, see here.

The above photos were kindly provided by Geoff Dee.

Fleet Pond Wildlife Day 2015

Uncategorized

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Having a go at identifying the fish typically found in Fleet Pond!

To give a flavour of the event, here is a selection of photos that I took at the Wildlife Day held at Fleet Pond on Saturday 30 May this year.

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Members of Fleet Pond Society explaining the wide variety of tasks that we carry out at the Pond

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Tasty refreshments provided by the Chieftain Explorer Scouts

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Fun and games for the children

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An  overview of some of the attractions – it was a really nice day too!

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Traditional ice cream was on hand…

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An interesting day out for the family

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The stall of Blackwater Valley Countryside

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An open air demonstration of some basic First Aid

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Advertising a forthcoming event…

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The fish tank attracted a lot of attention (see also picture at top above)

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Making sure everything is under control

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Bird watching and info on one of the jetties (RSPB)

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Pond dipping at the platform

The original poster for the event can be found here.

Photo credits: David Pottinger.

Beavers Pay A Visit To The Pond

Education, Events, Volunteering

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Above and below are a selection of photos taken when the Hawk Moth Beavers, of the 100th Elvetham Heath Scout Group, visited Fleet Pond last month.

Information on Scouting and the different sections of the above Scout Group can be found on their website here, including:

Scouting is run by volunteers, and all of those involved in the 100th Elvetham Heath Scout Group give their time and skills to make Scouting happen. We always need leaders, assistants and parent helpers to make the evenings possible for the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, but other volunteers are also necessary.

If you have a skill, trade or hobby and could spare some time, please let us know.

Many thanks to the Beavers for supplying the photos.

This event provides a good example of one of the many ways that Fleet Pond Society (FPS) helps in raising awareness and appreciation of Fleet Pond Nature Reserve.

If you would like to join FPS, and in so doing help support us in our numerous voluntary activities, please see here.

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Volunteer Event This Sunday, 14 June

Conservation, Volunteering

There will be a volunteer event at Fleet Pond this coming Sunday and all are welcome (see below for registering).

Colin Gray, Chairman of Fleet Pond Society, writes:

“Ranger Rachel has set the task for Sunday as a Bamboo Bash along the Brookly Stream. Some of you will need wellington boots but access via dry land is available for the less adventurous volunteers.”

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 Sunday volunteer tasks are supervised by a Hart Countryside Ranger together with members of Fleet Pond Society.