Sunday 24th March.
Litter pick, general tidy, and ivy cull ready for summer.
Meet at Heath House (AL3 5AE) 9.30 am.
Bring gloves and secateurs if you have them.
Litter pickers will be provided.
Accompanied children welcome.
Spring Action Day
Posted in Action Days
First Snow of Winter
About 2 cm of snow fell over the night 22/23 January and rapidly disappeared. The last substantial fall of snow was in December 2017.
The weather was good enough to see the first phase of the ‘blood red moon’ over the Heath late afternoon on the 20th January. If you were up at 5 am on the 21st, you may have seen a more intense blood red colour.
Photo: MN
Posted in Weather
Muntjac Deer Found Dead on the Heath
A Muntjac Deer was found dead by the side of Harpenden Road opposite the entrance to the old Fire Station. Both sides of the road are wooded near this area and probably provide cover for these animals., although one has been spotted running at speed along Waverley Road.
They are 10 – 18 Kg in weight and can do considerable damage in a collision with a car, particularly in this area where speeding is commonplace. Being avid browsers they can also cause a lot of damage in gardens and to trees.
If you spot one we would love to have a photo.
Planned destruction of recently restored fence
A well planned act of wanton destruction took place on the path between Spinney Cottage and Harpenden Road last Thursday or Friday, 23rd/24th August. A fence that was recently repaired was taken apart and sawn up to make a ramp for people on bikes. It is very dangerous.
If you saw any activity in this area, we would like to hear from you (use FoBH Mail in the side bar). Any witness responding will not have their name divulged to anyone other than the police.
The wood and ramp has now been removed (6/9/18)
Posted in Maintenance, Vandalism
Parchmarks on Bernards Heath
Telltale signs
In very dry weather the grass of Verulamium Park shows clear signs of the Roman buildings below the surface. Bernards Heath, not to be outdone, has its own version, but indicating more recent history. The marks in the recent hot spell could not have been clearer (See ground level below and Google aerial photo, the latter taken before the marks had fully developed).
Looking towards Boundary Road, the marks were very prominent
Heritage Open Day Event 9 September 2018, Exploring Beech Bottom Dyke and Bernards Heath
Beech Bottom Dyke is a striking mile long Iron Age earthwork, linked to Shakespeare’s King Cymbeline, and set in an ancient area of commons called “Bernards Heath”. It is unpublicised and lacks interpretation – except for this guided walk.
This walk forms one of St Albans Heritage Open Days events and will take place on Sunday, 9th September 2018. More details can be found here
The local 19th century water colourist Henry Buckingham depicted this scene at Beech Bottom Dyke in 1859 when rifle training was given. At that time there was a threat of a possible invasion from France.
(by kind permission of St Albans Museum).
Posted in Beech Bottom Dyke, History
Stumps Drawn
If you’ve walked along the narrow path between the Lower Field and the Heathlands School gate you’ll be aware of several short stumps which were a trip hazard. No more – we have now removed them.
Posted in Maintenance, Trees
Document archive:
Heritage Open Days brochure
Newsletter Winter 2018
Sandridge Road Wastes
The Friends of Bernards Heath has now benefitted from Peter Butcher's estate to a total of over £1000.
A Guide to Beech Bottom Dyke
by Peter Burley
2018 subscriptions now due
Mugs available from the Heath Bakery (Londis) at £5 each
More Links