What an amazing week we have had! The previous week we had received the brilliant news that following the intervention of Cllr. Debbie Curnow-Ford, Hampshire County Council Highways have granted us a Licence To Cultivate. This means we finally have permission to maintain the pond margins. As a result, on Monday we were able to hold our “Re-launch” of Fullers Vale Wildlife Pond Association (see our History page for the original story).
We had a great turnout from local supporters, including some of the founding members of FVWPA. Jo Smith gave a fascinating talk on the history of the pond and Neville Merritt brought everyone up to date with the latest news, the visit from Hampshire & IoW Wildlife Trust and our plans for work parties. We were able to sign up more Friends and Volunteers, and we had some very generous donations which has enabled us to organise insurance for the work parties. Our heron Happy Hugo was joined for the occasion by a mallard hand-carved by Jo’s father.
On Thursday, we were invited to the Headley Society for the “Tell Us In Ten” where Hugo and Neville gave short talk on the work of FVWPA. We were able to sign up more Friends and received more generous donations, so we really feel we have properly started again!
Finally, on Saturday we met at the pond itself with Cllr. Debbie Curnow-Ford and Cllr. Anthony Williams to celebrate the breakthrough that allows us access to the pond. We took photos, introduced Hugo to Cllr. Curnow-Ford and had a tour of the planned work. On reflection, that represented all the tiers of Local Government: County, District, Parish and Community!
Cllr. Debbie Curnow-Ford said “I am so pleased, that following my intervention, Hampshire County Council have reviewed their decision and have now granted a Cultivation License to Headley Parish Council allowing FVWPA to manage the vegetation and banks of the pond. This is a great example of residents’ action getting the right outcome. The County Council have confirmed that they will be helping FVWPA with excavation work next year. I will be monitoring this!”
