Category Archives: People

‘Patsy’s Path’ at Fleet Pond Nature Reserve

Patsy Welford (pictured below) was a very keen Fleet Pond Society member and volunteer.

She not only supported the Society through conservation work around the Pond, but also by joining in on their entries to Fleet Carnival over several years (Patsy pictured with yellow bucket).

Jim Storey, Chairman of Fleet Pond Society said: ‘We were extremely saddened to learn of Patsy’s death and stunned to find that she had very kindly left the Society a generous bequest in her will. This money has enabled us to realise a long-held wish to build an accessible zig-zag path leading from the upper track near the picnic area, down to the Lions’ View lookout.’

It has been a long process from first ideas, to gaining the permissions, to having the plans created, through tendering to finally see the path built  by our contractor, Green Leaves CC Ltd and the project successfully completed.  The Society would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Steve Lyons of Hart District Council, whose help was invaluable throughout.

We were extremely pleased with the work of the Contractor who carried out all the work on the path, Green Leaves CC Ltd.

It was a pleasure to welcome Jane Reap, long-time friend of Patsy and an Executor of her estate, to cut the ribbon and officially open the path in Patsy’s honour (pictured below).

         

She was joined by FPS Chairman Jim Storey, Hart Countryside Ranger Sam Kerr and committee members and volunteers from the Society to witness the opening.

Jane commented: ‘Patsy had walked around Fleet Pond for 30 years, it was one of her favourite places. She would have been delighted to see how her money has been put to such good use.’

This fully accessible zig-zag path is named ‘Patsy’s Path’, in honour of a lady to whom the Fleet Pond Reserve meant a lot and who worked extremely hard to keep it the vital community asset that it is.

 

If you would like to learn more about Fleet Pond Society and the work they do visit www.fleetpond.org.uk

Web Designer for Fleet Pond Society

Fleet Pond Society are looking for a volunteer web designer to take our site to the next level (the current site can be found here).

Fleet Pond Society is a high profile charity that has won a number of regional and local awards for their contributions to conserving Fleet Pond Nature Reserve and also for raising awareness of it’s fauna and flora and fascinating history.

The volunteering position has been advertised on Volunteer North Hampshire and you can see the advert here (and it is also given below).

Opportunity:

In 2015 the Fleet Pond Society created a new website to promote Fleet Pond, share its history, publicise key events, provide updates on environmental activities and encourage visitors to appreciate this unique local amenity. See: https://fleetpond.org.uk/

We are now looking for someone to help us make improvements to the website which will include incorporation of our blog and ecommerce functionality.

Skills:

We are hoping to find a volunteer happy to further develop our website. You will need to be adept at WordPress, web-design and hopefully have some experience in e-commerce.

The volunteer will be able to work remotely and in your own time; however it will be advantageous for the successful candidate to meet with the committee in order to plan and discuss the developments of the website face to face.

Ed. If you know a friend or colleague who may be interested, we’d appreciate it if you could pass on the opportunity.

Fleet Pond Society Needs You!

We’re starting the search for a new Chairman for our Society. Are you interested?

The job would probably suit someone recently retired or even partially retired. Essentially you would chair our small, but dynamic executive committee. You would represent us at meetings with Hart Countryside Service and any other meetings with other stakeholders. You would be the face of the Pond Society and you’d have lots of experience from the committee, the Rangers and others to call upon.

You can find out all you need to know about the Pond here.

If you’re interested then contact Colin, our current Chairman, at: chairman@fleetpond.org.uk

Sunday Volunteer Events 2017-18

Now that autumn is approaching, you may be thinking of starting some new activities and getting some fresh air and exercise at the same time? If so, why not consider joining us on our Sunday volunteering events at Fleet Pond?

We’re a very friendly bunch and there’s even free coffee/tea/chocolate and munchies at a mid-morning break 🙂 Sometimes there are even hot potatoes as a special treat!

Typically events start at c 9:30 and last to c 12:30. No skills or prior knowledge is required and you’ll also be making a great contribution to the local environment. If interested, please contact the Hart Rangers as described in the poster above.

Here are the details of the tasks up to the end of the year (see map below for locations):

  • September 10th: Fugelmere Marsh – digging out Alder saplings/scrub. No bonfire.
  • October 8th: Coldstream Marsh – scrub bash willow/alder scrub with a bonfire.
  • November 5th: Dry Heath – scrub clearance with a bonfire
  • December 10th: Wood Lane Heath – expand wildlife corridor between the heath and Bog Myrtle Glade with a bonfire

Map of Fleet Pond

Here are some photos from previous events:

The mid-morning break and time for a chat and catchup

Hot potatoes are sometimes a special treat

 

‘Volunteer of the Year’ Award for Colin Gray

Paul Todd of Green Flag with Colin Gray of FPS

There was a big surprise for Colin Gray, Chairman of Fleet Pond Society (FPS), at the recent Elvetham Heath Countryside Day. He was presented with the Green Flag Volunteer of the Year Award by Paul Todd, Scheme Manager of the Green Flag Award (see above).

This award recognises the dedication shown by volunteers working alongside professionals in improving parks and green spaces across the UK. Apparently he won it by a mile! His leadership of the project to create the new Avondale Pond system in Brookly Wood (at Fleet Pond) was cited by Hart Countryside Services as being typical of the dedication Colin has shown. This is to balance out any unexpected overflows from the Thames Water pumping station.

Group photo featuring Green Flag, FPS and Hart Countryside Services

Colin was for once speechless when he was called forward to accept the award. However Paul Todd said “Colin is a shining example to all volunteers who are involved with creating and maintaining green spaces for the public, particularly those that qualify for a Green Flag Award.”

Fleet Pond nature reserve has yet again been awarded the Green Flag Award for 2017 along with the one at Elvetham Heath and Hartley Wintney Central Commons which has also has achieved green heritage accreditation for the first time. Colin did have something to say about this! “Hart Countryside Services deserve major congratulations on gaining Green Flags for these wonderful sites.”

You can read about Green Flag Awards here.

“The Green Flag Award® scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.”