All posts by David Pottinger

Sunday Volunteer Task – 9 June

Conservation

Colin Gray writes:

“The task for Sunday is a mobile one. Some work is needed at Boathouse Corner – fitting retaining timbers in preparation for a levelling off of the area by the History Board.

There is a pile of hoggin up in the car park which we will use to fill potholes and sunken stretches of the footpath network. The footpath repairs will involve shovelling hoggin, levelling it off and tamping it down.

The forecast is good so remember to bring your sun cream!”

Please meet at the Countryside Workshop to leave at 9.15 a.m. or follow the signposted directions from there if you come a little later.

For more information, please contact the Task Co-ordinator, Colin Gray, as follows:

Colin Gray, 14 Kenilworth Road, Fleet, Hampshire GU51 3DA

Tel: 01252 616183
E-mail: colin.gray@talktalk.net

Further details of the Sunday volunteer events can be found here.

All new volunteers are very welcome!

More Photos From The Wildlife Day In May

Education

The Wildlife Day at Fleet Pond, organised by Louise Greenwood and her colleagues at Hart Countryside Services, was a big success.

Here are some more photos from the day, showing the wide range of organisations that were involved. A really good community event!

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Hampshire Conservation Volunteers

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Rowhill Nature Reserve Society

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The Fantastic Art Of Chainsaw Carving

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The Fire Brigade Were Also On Hand

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As Well As The Local Police

Picture credits: Louise Greenwood

Have You Seen The Stew Ponds?

History

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A Stew Pond

Whilst going for walks round the pond, you may have easily missed the stew ponds! These are small ponds that were historically used to hold fish caught at Fleet Pond prior to being transported to the monks at Winchester.

For a good history of the Pond, please see here and a previous post explains how these holding ponds were renewed by conservation volunteers in 2006 as well as more on their interesting history.

The stew ponds can be found by following the crossing point near Brookly Bridge (see photos below). The path is straightforward and the walk will only take 5 minutes, so it’s worth giving it a try!

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The bridge over Brookly Stream

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The crossing point (near the bridge above) that leads to the Stew Ponds

Sunday Volunteer Task – 10 February 2013

Conservation, Volunteering

Colin Gray writes:

“We will be joined by the 29th Odiham Scouts and the 7th Fleet Guides this Sunday, so it could be a busy morning!  There are two tasks in need of attention and we might decide to break the session into two teams.

On Coldstream Marsh there remains a block of scrub to clear on the bank along the new diversion channel. Up on the Dry Heath there is more birch to clear. Both will probably need waterproof boots in view of recent rains and high water table and on Coldstream it might be best to  wear wellies.

We will assemble as usual at the Countryside Workshop at 9.15 a.m. and head off for Coldstream Marsh. Once at the gate we can  decide who wishes to tackle the Coldstream Marsh task and who would prefer to walk on to the Dry Heath.”

Further details of meeting arrangements and related information can be found here, including the Sunday programme schedule up to June 2013.