David Pottinger writes:

A wide variety of companies and volunteer groups visit Fleet Pond to carry out conservation activities. These tasks take place during the working week or on the weekend, depending on what is most practicable for the groups involved.

Although these activities make an important contribution to the upkeep of the Pond, they are not always well known to the general public. To give a flavour of these volunteer activities, here are some photos taken at events over the last month or so:

Mucky work is no problem for the Hedgehogs! 27-28 September

The volunteer group known as the ‘Hedgehogs’ (who have connections with Southampton University) are regular annual visitors (see photos above and below). See also a previous post from 2013.

Now it’s time to get cleaned up 🙂

In case you’re thinking of getting involved in the future, I hasten to add that volunteer tasks are typically very straightforward and not at all mucky!

Hedgehogs taking a well earned break: 27-28 September

Installing a wooden seat at Boathouse Corner: 12 September

The above photo illustrates the work carried out on Friday mornings by the Last of the Summer Wine team (see here and also here).

The enthusiastic team of volunteers from SSE: 5 September

The photos above and below provide examples of company events.

Dimension Data pay a visit to help clear up one of the islands: 29 August

You can read about volunteer activities carried out by SSE and Dimension Data here and here respectively.

David Pottinger writes:

There will be a volunteer event this Sunday, 14 September at Fleet Pond, the start of a series of events for 2014-15.

Why not come along for some fresh air and exercise, as well as having the nice feeling that you’re doing something really useful for the local community?

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 schedule for the following Sunday volunteer events (up to the end of 2014) is:

• Sunday 12th October
• Sunday 2nd November (so as not to clash with Remembrance Sunday)
• Sunday 14th December

In general terms, and naturally depending on weather conditions, the aim of the first few tasks is to clear N E Marsh from Boathouse Corner through to the Lions’ View (clearance and thinning of trees and scrub).

The tasks are supervised by Rachel Jones of Hart Countryside Rangers together with members of Fleet Pond Society.

If you are new to these activities, here are some pictures from previous events to give you an idea of what they can be like.

As you can see, we have all age groups with both genders and we like to think we’re a very friendly and welcoming bunch! Why not give it a go?

You always get coffee and cakes as part of a mid-morning break and sometimes you get delicious baked potatoes as a special treat at the end!

Following on from the very popular Sunday volunteer event in April, the next one is this coming Sunday, 11 May.

For further information and booking (which is essential as the tools and resources needed have to be planned beforehand), please contact Hart Countryside Services – details here.

A picture from the last event (see here for more details):