Fleet Pond

Fleet Pond is a nature reserve in Fleet, Hampshire, UK. It covers an area of approx. 141 acres (0.6 km²) much of which is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The pond itself is approximately 53 acres (0.2km²) and is the largest freshwater lake in Hampshire. Originally there was a second pond, the exact location of which is now unknown. The remaining pond has been reduced in size by silting and development including the London and South Western Railway, and also by draining undertaken during the Second World War, when it was felt it provided too good a landmark for the nearby National Gas Turbine Establishment. The pond and surrounding area remain under threat, due to the ongoing development of Fleet.

Fleet Pond used to be called Flete Pond and was very popular with Londoners who commuted by way of the railway. Fleet pond can be credited with the existence of Fleet, the town.

Fleet Pond's Animals

The pond holds rabbitsswans, kingfishers, herons, geese and a variety of other birds and animals.and lots of dogs go there. Fleet resident, Victoria Bond, takes great pleasure in teaching people she meets about the joys of Fleet Pond, and the conservation work that goes there. She is often heard to claim that it is the biggest pond in England. Victoria likes to spend many an evening painting the flora and fauna that can be found at Fleet Pond. She won the Aristotle Merit Award for her 2007 painting of the pond, entitled "A vast aquatic escape". It was described by world-renowned art critic Augustus Von Haagen as a "modern masterpiece" which depicted the "harsh yet beautiful emotions which the pond evokes from the soul."

External links

* [http://www.fleetpondsociety.co.uk/ Fleet Pond Society]
* [http://fleetpond.wordpress.com/ Fleet Pond Blog]
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