A bit about the Nature Reserve
Miller's Pond is one of Southampton's oldest and most diverse Local Nature Reserves. It covers just under 20 acres. Sholing Valleys Study Centre has been working as a charity since Since 1988. We have two main objectives. We conserve Miller's Pond Local Nature Reserve, and educate the public about the wildlife found here.
Sholing Valleys Study Centre
& Miller's Pond Nature Reserve
Upcoming Events
You're invited to come with us on our Apple Day and celebrate one of the most underrated fruits; the humble apple! Click here for updates on facebook.
Apple day: what is it?
Southampton has its fair share of apple trees: gardens, allotments, parks and green spaces, dotted all over the city. There's so many varieties, sweet crispy, dry, floral, and juicy. Sadly many of these go to waste each year, a recent study said apples are one of the most commonly wasted food items. Such a shame. Especially when there's so many different ways to enjoy apples. Apple butter, apple rings, apple sauce, and the big winner, apple juice. We have even started a collection of apple cookbooks if you are looking for some inspiration.
It's always a joy to watch people drink the freshest apple juice there is. There's nothing quite like like it in the shops, this stuff is delicious. It tastes even better when you've helped make it! We provide the space, the equipment and we even spend a month collecting apples (and some pears) so you have them to press.
If you have any spare apples, please them along!
For the first year we will have The Hampshire Apple press with us. To help reduce apples going to waste in Hampshire and local areas by turning your lovely apples into 100% pure apple juice. If you have a productive tree, and want to take away pasturised bottles of single varieties, this is for you!
Apple expert Chris Bird from Sparsholt College and his team will be joining us again. They'll bring samples from the College Fruit collection with them, that are available to purchase. Including their National Plant Collection of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Apples.
If you have an apple tree in your garden, and would like to know what type of apple it is, they can help you ID it! Just bring your apples with you and find out! This will help ensure they survive for future generations.
​
We will be selling hot and cold refreshments (including mulled apple juice), cakes, and pork or vegan sausages in a bun - with your choice of chutney or apple sauce!
​
TIMETABLE:
12:00-13:00 Guided foraging walk
We will take in the nature reserve, talking about the richness and diversity of landscape, ecology and culture too. We will collect as many apples as we can. And make sure everyone understands the law and foraging code.
​
15:45-16:00 15 minutes of calm gentle exercise
This year we are going to bring the event to a close with some mindfulness. Come join AnnaBYoga for some nature inspired stretches, meditation and breathing exercises. No equipment necessary.
Monthly volunteer conservation sessions in Southampton
10:00am - 3:00pm
​
(check details for August and December)
Come along on the last Friday or Sunday of the month and learn about how we can help support nature.
Tasks include a range of activities that all help improve the site. From litter picking, and tree planting, to hedge laying training.
We want our volunteers to learn something new, and enjoy themselves.
​
More info can be found here
​
All tasks are added to our facebook page.
Naturewatch
​​
Last Sunday of the month (excluding August and December)
​Naturewatch encourages children’s interest in nature through fun craft activities and learning.
​
Each session starts with indoor art and craft activities before we head outside to look around the nature reserve.
​For accompanied children aged 4-11.​
Session start at 10:30am and finishes 12noon.
Session costs £1.50 per child - pay by cash or bank transfer.
First session is free and all sessions are included in SVSC membership.​
We are limited to 15 participants, so sessions are on a first come first served basis.
No pre-booking is required, but you can help us to monitor potential numbers by selecting 'going' on the facebook event page. If on the rare occasion the session is full you are welcome to take a scavenger hunt sheet and enjoy a walk around the nature reserve instead.
Drink and a snack is provided. Please let us know in advance if you have any allergies.
All children must be accompanied by a parent or carer.​
All the details are kept up to date on our facebook events page
Christmas Fayre
We have limited stall spaces but if interested please email eventsvsc@btinternet.com, we will only be interested in handmade products, public liability insurance will be required along with UKCA markings and certificates for anything that can be deemed a toy
The event will be held at the Woolston Masonic Hall.
