Community-run charity who own and manage Spa Ponds Nature Reserve in Mansfield
Pipes, Paths, and Ponds
In November 2022 FTNCG Members and Supporters celebrated being awarded £45,000 in funding from the Severn Trent Community Fund to pay for improvements to the Spa Ponds Nature Reserve.
The work is making the site better for visitors and wildlife by helping prevent pollution from getting into the ponds and by making the footpaths around the ponds easier to use. The work also involves planting reeds and flowers around the ponds, removing some trees and branches to let more light in, planting new trees, and adding barriers to protect sensitive parts of the site.
The Severn Trent Community Fund awards grant money to support community wellbeing by investing in people, places and the environment. FTNCG’s ‘Pipes, Paths, and Ponds’ project was backed by the Sherwood Water Catchment Partnership, the Sherwood Landscape Partnership, and the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
Seed mixes chosen based on the pH content of the soil, the shaded nature of the area, and the desire to support pollinators. Seed mixes sown comprised of 80% grasses and 20% wildflowers, including cornflower, ox-eye daisy, wild foxglove, sneezewort, sorrel, trefoil, vetch, yellow rattle, cowslip, and ragged robin. For full details see N12 Acid Soils Meadow Mixture (Naturescape) and Acidic Soils Wildflower Meadow Seed BS11M 80/20 (Boston Seeds).
Volunteer work on the project, focusing on the grasses and pollinating wildflowers in the chestnut wood off the bridleway on the south portion of Spa Ponds.
FTNCG volunteers creating a dead hedge to protect the pollinator corridor. Photograph taken by Dennis Platts on the 11th of January 2023.Volunteers from the Co-op helping rake leaves to make space to sow grasses and wildflowers. Photograph taken by Dennis Platts on the 15th of February 2023.Volunteers from FTNCG and the Co-op raking leaves to make space to sow grasses and wildflowers. Photograph taken by Dennis Platts on the 15th of February 2023.Co-op and FTNCG volunteers joining forces to rake and clear around the chestnut wood before seeding. Photograph taken by Dennis Platts on the 15th of February 2023.Some of the 48 volunteers from FTNCG, Galliford Try, Severn Trent Water, O2 and Virgin Media joining forces to rake and clear around the chestnut wood before seeding, and to extend the dead hedgeges. Photograph taken by Dennis Platts on the 1st of March 2023.Chestnut wood area nearly ready for sowing grasses and wild flowers. Photograph taken by Dennis Platts on the 11th of March 2023.FTNCG volunteers raking and clearing before seeding at the chestnut wood. Photograph taken by Dennis Platts on the 15th of March 2023.Seed being sown in the chestnut wood. Photograph taken by Dennis Platts on the 15th of March 2023.Virgin Media volunteers sowing grass and wildflower seeds in the chestnut wood. Photograph taken by Shlomo Dowen on the 29th of March 2023.Area raked, cleared and ready for sowing. Photograph taken by Josh Dowen on the 9th of April 2023.Colin from FTNCG sowing seed in the chestnut wood. Photograph taken by Dennis Platts on the 15th of April 2023.Grasses and wildflowers just starting to grow at the chestnut wood. Photograph taken by Shlomo Dowen on the 12th of May 2023.Grasses and wildflowers starting to grow at the chestnut wood. Photograph taken by Shlomo Dowen on the 24th of May 2023.Grasses and wildflowers starting to grow at the chestnut wood. Photograph taken by Shlomo Dowen on the 24th of May 2023.Grasses and wildflowers starting to grow at the chestnut wood. Photograph taken by Shlomo Dowen on the 24th of May 2023.
EMEC Contract work on pipes, paths, ponds, and more
Trees cleared by EMEC at Pond Hill Wood to the east of Pond 1 to let light reach the forest floor. Wood re-used on site. Photograph taken by EMEC on the 11th of November 2022.An example of veteranisation work carried out by EMEC to create habitat for invertebrates. Photograph taken by EMEC on the 27th of January 2023.An example of veteranisation work carried out by EMEC to create habitat for invertebrates. Photograph taken by EMEC on the 27th of January 2023.Brash installed by EMEC to protect Pond 2 from run-off. Photograph taken by Dennis Platts on the 15th of February 2023.Brash installed by EMEC to protect Pond 2 from run-off. Note the severe slope. Photograph taken by Dennis Platts on the 15th of February 2023.Trees planted by EMEC in the Peel Wood above Pond 3. Photograph taken by X on the 15th of February 2023.Hibernaculum created by EMEC near the stream on the west (bridleway) side of Pond 2 to provide shelter for amphibians and reptiles. Photograph taken by EMEC on the 28th of February EMEC installing a replacement pipe connecting Pond 1 to the stream that feeds into Pond 2. Photograph taken by Dennis Platts on the 1st of March 2023.Hibernaculum created by EMEC near the stream on the west (bridleway) side of Pond 2 to provide shelter for amphibians and reptiles. Photograph taken by EMEC on the 3rd of March 2023.EMEC installing a replacement pipe connecting Pond 1 to the stream that feeds into Pond 2. The pipe was installed before the path was raised. Photograph taken by EMEC on the 3rd of March 2023.Pipe raised by EMEC feeding into the stream that runs along the western (bridleway) side of Pond 2. This was before further work was done to raise the path between Ponds 1 and 2. Photograph taken by Dennis Platts on the 17th of March 2023.EMEC installing a replacement pipe connecting Ponds 2 and 3. Photograph taken by Dennis Platts on the 17th of March 2023.Entrance sign thanking our project sponsors Severn Trent Community Fund. Photograph taken by Josh Dowen on the 9th of April 2023.One of four sets of barriers installed by EMEC to help deter improper use of the site. Photograph taken by Dennis Platts on the 11th of April 2023New signage on the southern side of Pond 1 welcoming visitors to the nature reserve portion of Spa Ponds. Features map, site rules and chronology. Photograph taken by Shlomo Dowen on the 12th May 2023.Himalayan Balsam removal mid-way down Pond 3 conducted by EMEC. Photograph taken by EMEC on the 15th of June 2023. Greater Spearwort planted by EMEC. Photograph taken by EMEC on the 15th of June 2023.Reeds and a mix of other plants planted by EMEC in the backwater of Pond 2. Photograph taken by EMEC on the 15th of June 2023.Small plants in the coir by the Pond 1 culvert planted by EMEC. Photograph taken by EMEC on the 15th of June 2023.
