Volunteer Tasks
Activities we regularly carry out at work sessions include:
- Litter picking – We usually bring along our litter pickers to our work sessions for those who want a gentler but still extremely valuable activity. Regularly visit Spa Ponds? We can lend you a litter picker and give you bags so that you can help us keep the site tidy!
- Himalayan Balsam pulling – This invasive non-native species can overrun a site and harm soil quality. It is easy to remove by hand – just don’t take any risks if near the water or a steep bank! We focus our efforts in May/June as that is when the Balsam is mature enough to identify but has yet to go to seed. Members of our group also take part part in organised Balsam pulls across Nottinghamshire as part of a coordinated effort to keep it under control.
- Dead Hedging – As the RSPB put it: “It might sound like an oxymoron, but a dead hedge is a wonderful habitat that’s full of life. Dead hedges provide hiding places and nesting habitats for all sorts of creatures, as well as food for insects. As it rots down, the nutrients are recycled back into the earth…Creating a dead hedge is an ongoing activity, which can be added to every time you prune a tree or cut back a shrub.”
- Raking – At the end of the winter, as we have learnt through experience, if the grasses and wildflowers in the Chestnut Wood are to thrive, then we need to rake the leaves that have fallen the previous autumn.
Health and Safety
FTNCG standard generic risk assessment for work at Spa Ponds:
Additional documents for specific risks and activities:
Events and Volunteering Opportunities
Weather permitting, forthcoming Spa Ponds Volunteer Work Sessions (starting at 10 am) and other events include:
- Wednesday 16th September – Training in the collection of seeds from wildflowers with Isabelle (Izzy) Pass from the Sherwood Forest Trust.
- Saturday 3rd October – Training in the use of small drones for aerial photography. Booking is required.
- Wednesday 7th October – Spa Ponds Work Session with Andy Hollis to include clearing the stream that runs into Pond 2
- Saturday 17th October – Spa Ponds Work Session with Samantha to include clearing the stream that runs into Pond 2
- Wednesday 11th November – Spa Ponds Work Session with Andy Hollis to include weeding round the site entrance and the hedgerow near the Chestnut Walk
- Saturday 21st November – Spa Ponds Work Session with Andy Hollis to include weeding round the site entrance and the hedgerow near the Chestnut Walk
- Wednesday 2nd December – Spa Ponds Work Session with Andy Hollis to include tidying the glade area and dead hedges near the Chestnut Walk
- Saturday 12th December – Spa Ponds Work Session with Andy Hollis to include tidying the glade area and dead hedges near the Chestnut Walk
- Corporate volunteer organisers can contact us if they want us to arrange volunteering at Spa Ponds
- Anyone interested in receiving training in the use of drones for aerial photography should contact FTNCG via: Spa.Ponds@gmail.com
For work sessions we meet at the Clipstone Drive entrance to the Spa Ponds site.
Note: Unfortunately the car park at the Whitegates Hotel pub is currently unavailable. Please be considerate of residents and pedestrians when parking along Clipstone Drive, and be careful when entering/exiting your vehicle.
Who is responsible for what at Spa Ponds?
- (Site) FTNCG: The Forest Town Nature Conservation Group (FTNCG) owns and manages Spa Ponds Nature Reserve, including its woodland, ponds, wildlife habitats and permissive paths. Our woodland management is carried out under a Forestry Commission licence. As riparian owner, FTNCG is responsible for its stretch of the River Maun and must allow the water to flow naturally, dealing with obstructions where necessary. As landowner, we must also prevent vegetation from our land obstructing public rights of way, with sufficient clearance for the people entitled to use them, including horse riders on the bridleway. If you are aware of an issue then please get in touch with FTNCG.
- (River) Environment Agency: The River Maun is a Main River. The Environment Agency regulates certain works in and around it and has powers to carry out work for flood risk management. To report flooding, a blocked Main River, pollution or other urgent environmental incidents, call the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60. Report an environmental problem to the Environment Agency
- (Public rights of way / Bridge) Nottinghamshire County Council / Via East Midlands: The County Council is responsible for protecting the public’s right to use the public footpaths and bridleway, and for maintaining the routes and the bridge over the River Maun. FTNCG is responsible for vegetation encroaching onto public rights of way from its land. Via East Midlands carries out much of the County Council’s rights of way work on its behalf. Report a problem with a public right of way.
- (Bins) Mansfield District Council: Mansfield District Council collects the Council-provided waste and recycling bins outside the Nature Reserve. If you see fly-tipping on the site, you can report this to Mansfield District Council.
- (Police) Motorbikes and vehicle nuisance: Please report illegal or antisocial use of motorbikes at Spa Ponds to Nottinghamshire Police, either online or by calling 101. Call 999 where there is an immediate danger or a serious offence is in progress. Report antisocial behaviour to Nottinghamshire Police
- (People / Dogs) Site users: Site users should take reasonable care for their own safety and supervise children, animals and others in their care. Please respect wildlife and other visitors, keep dogs under control and on leads near the ponds, clean up after dogs, and comply with the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) and site rules. In addition to not going into the water, people should wash their hands thoroughly after contact with river or pond water, and dogs should not be allowed into the water.