Category Archives: Volunteering

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.’

Volunteer Event This Sunday, 14 February

Conservation, Volunteering

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

Colin Gray, Chairman of Fleet Pond Society, writes:

“We will be celebrating Valentine’s Day by doing some more crucial work up on the Dry Heath by the reserve car park. Birch to remove and some gorse to coppice.

We have decided to throw caution to the wind – well in a carefully selected site anyway – and have a bonfire near the work site. There is already a pile of cut material to burn as a start. Weather permitting, this means we could have potatoes to bake so why not take one home as a Valentine present?

Waterproof boots advisable after all the rain but wellies probably not needed.”

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.

Ed. I’m not sure the gift of a warm potato is the best way to a loved one’s heart but perhaps it’s the thought that counts 🙂 Either way, we wish everyone a happy Valentine’s Day!

New Bridge At Guildford Road

People, Volunteering

2016-01-15 Team at Bridge s

Some of the volunteers that upgraded the Guildford Road bridge

David Pottinger writes:

A team of Fleet Pond Society (FPS) volunteers, lead by Terry Austin, has recently significantly upgraded the bridge at the end of Guildford Road (see pictures below). This involved demolishing the existing one (that was showing it’s age and had no side rails) and inserting a brand new one. It took about a day and a half of effort, including sawing, digging, placing a heavy metal base and making sure everything was level and firm.

Guildford Rd Bridge 2016

The freshly completed bridge

This refurbishment is a good example of the sort of task that FPS carry out at the Pond for the benefit of the local community.

The photos below show the entrance to the bridge (on the rhs) from the road as well as some early users!

Steetview Guildford Rd Bridge

The bridge is at the bottom of the road on the rhs

2016-01-13 Guildford Rd Bridge 1s

A dog walker about to start a walk around the Pond

2016-01-13 Guildford Rd Bridge 2s

Two local Nordic walkers about to set off

FPS carry out this type of work via donations and membership subscriptions (volunteer time is given for free of course but materials need to be bought).

If you would like to support us in our activities, please see Donations or FPS Membership. Alternatively if you would like to volunteer your time and skills, please contact the FPS Chairman Colin Gray.

Top photo courtesy of Geoff Dee, road view taken from Google Street View.

Volunteer Event This Sunday, 10 January

Conservation, Volunteering

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

Colin Gray, Chairman of Fleet Pond Society, writes:

“Happy New Year to all our intrepid volunteers!

The task for the 10th January will be up on the Dry Heath, near the reserve car park. We will be removing birch saplings and thinning and/or coppicing selected gorse shrubs.

No fire this time. Everything is very wet anyway, but it is never safe to make fires on heathland as the heat can get into the peat layer and spread underground.

The soil will be wet, so wellies or waterproof boots recommended. Gorse is very prickly stuff so ensure you bring, or borrow from us, some protective gloves and wear “prickle-proof” clothing.

Hope to see you all there.”

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.

Details of the programme from September 2015 to March 2016 can be found below.

Fleet Volunteer Poster 201516 FINAL

Volunteer Event This Sunday, 13 December

Conservation, Events, Volunteering

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

Colin Gray, Chairman of Fleet Pond Society, writes:

“The task for next Sunday will be more holly clearance along the boardwalk from Sandy Bay to Coldstream Glade. The cut material will be shipped to the Fugelmere Marsh fire site for burning. Weather permitting, we can have a large fire which means that baked potatoes are on the menu, with butter and cheese to choice.

As this is the last task before Christmas, you will be welcome to bring  along some festive goodies to add to our mid-morning break if you wish.

I recommend strong footwear, preferably waterproof, and tough “holly-resistant” clothing. Protective gloves are available.

If you find holly with berries during your labours, you are welcome to take it home to “deck your halls” as a thank you for your time and effort.”

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.

Details of the programme from September 2015 to March 2016 can be found here.