Category Archives: Volunteering

Fleet Pond And The Quality Of Life

Volunteering

From the BBC News (December 2012):

Hart in Hampshire has been named the UK’s most desirable place to live for quality of life for the second year running.

The study by the Halifax bank took into account factors such as jobs, housing, health, life expectancy, crime, weather, traffic and house prices.

Hart district, centred on the town of Fleet, beat previous four-time winner Elmbridge in Surrey into second place….

Hart, in the north-east corner of Hampshire, has been dubbed “a step back in time”, with 84 sq miles of green wooded landscape and the county’s largest freshwater lake, Fleet Pond.

In a related article in Get Hampshire, the role of strong local volunteer groups was brought out:

Hart District Council leader, Ken Crookes, said: “The results will come as no surprise to our residents who have long appreciated our beautiful environment, our strong economy, our high educational standards, our good health facilities and all the other things that make Hart a great place to live and work.

“The council would like to thank everyone, our excellent public sector partners, our very strong voluntary groups, our socially conscious and active businesses, and last, but not least, our residents, for bringing this about.”

Background information on Fleet Pond Society can be found here. If you appreciate Fleet Pond and are interested in supporting our voluntary efforts, please consider joining – it’s just £10 a year!

Sunday Volunteer Task – 13 January 2013

Volunteering

Colin Gray writes:

“We will have a change of site this Sunday. The work will be some birch scrub cutting and/or digging out on the Dry Heath not far from the nature reserve car park. Weather permitting we will have a good bonfire and I have a few potatoes to bake.”

The weather forecast is a bit chilly for this Sunday so please come warmly dressed.

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

FPS Conservation Sundays – Why Not Come Along?

Conservation, Volunteering

Cathy Holden writes:

Volunteers are always welcome to join our monthly Sunday working parties at the Pond.

We assemble at the Countryside Workshop, Old Pump House Close, (off Kenilworth Road) Fleet, around 9.00am to start work at 9.15 am

Tasks usually stop around 1.30pm but we can continue after lunch if enough volunteers decide to stay.

Please ensure you wear warm, old clothing which is likely to become wet and muddy. Take care when walking over the soils as there can be hidden stumps and deep holes in the marsh.

Our tools are very sharp so use great care when carrying and using them. Please do not hang bowsaws on stumps or trees where a passing volunteer can walk into them. Training and correct use of tools is always given before a task is started. It is important that when using tools youngsters under twelve are supervised by an adult. We ask parents to accompany the under 12s to all working sessions please.

We supply a warm drink and the famous delicious homebaked energy-cakes mid-morning. All tools are supplied and we have a stock of wellington boots and protective gloves if you do not have your own.

For more information please contact 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

Here is the schedule for January – June 2013 (click to enlarge).

Volunteering 2013Click To Enlarge

A Pictorial Review Of 2012

People, Volunteering

David Pottinger writes:

Here’s a selection of photos from the blog that were published in 2012. There were many good ones, the choice wasn’t easy!

It gives an overview of some of the the many activities, carried out in close collaboration with Hart Countryside Services, that Fleet Pond Society are active in. As you can see, it’s not all hard work, there’s fun too!

If you’d like to support our voluntary activities, please consider becoming a member – we’re always keen on new ones. Joining information is here.

The lighthearted title of each picture links to the original post. Enjoy 🙂

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Making History (January)

Councillor John Kennett names Mandy Saxby Volunteer of the Year
Councillor John Kennett names Mandy Saxby Volunteer of the Year

A Winning Smile (February)

Kevin North 2011

How To Surprise A Squirrel (February)

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Something Strange in The Pond (March)

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Jubilant Scouts And Guides (March)

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The Boat And Her Crew (June)

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A Close Shave For The Pond (June)

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Look What I’ve Found (July)

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Cycling To Work Via The Scenic Route (July)

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It’s All Gone Up In Smoke! (November)

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Tern For The Good (December)

Sunday Volunteer Task – 9 December 2012

Conservation, Volunteering

Colin Gray writes:

“The task for Sunday 9h December will be dependent on water levels but if there is no heavy rain before Sunday we will be working in the Northern (or Hemelite) Reedbed. There are more alder and sallow saplings around the edges of the reedbed to remove and a lot of cut reed to burn. Again the weather will dictate if a fire is possible.

We need a northerly, westerly or north westerly wind to carry the smoke across the pond. A southerly or south-easterly wind would carry smoke over the railway line which would be a danger to trains and very unpleasant to passengers on Fleet Station. If all the weather signs are in our favour a good fire will give us the opportunity to bake a few potatoes.

So please keep fingers and toes crossed for favourable weather!”

Meeting arrangements:

We meet at the Countryside Workshop, Old Pump House Close (next to 65 Kenilworth Road) at 9.00 a.m. for a 9.15 start. Signposted directions to the site are available if anyone comes late.

Volunteers will need old clothing, waterproof if rain is expected, protective gloves and wellington boots (we have a supply of gloves and boots if you do not own these).

Current volunteers comprise a wide range of ages of both genders. We’re a very friendly bunch and we’re always keen to receive new volunteers, including students on the Duke of Edinburgh and Trident schemes.

Further details are available from:

Task Co-ordinator:
Colin Gray at 01252 616183 or colin@fleetpondsociety.co.uk
or
Task Leader:
David Buckler at 01252 521282 or david.buckler@talktalk.net