Category: Lower Field

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Water test on Heath ‘bog’

Regular users of the lower field will have noticed that the bog in the south eastern corner continued to grow this summer despite months of record low rainfall. FoBH took it upon themselves to conduct a water test in an attempt to identify the source of the water.

The results have been reassuring. The water is remarkably clean, with good ratings for inland water. This rules out the feared possibility of a burst waste pipe. Affinity were contacted regarding water pipe leaks in the area, but maintained there are none. Another mystery then, what is the source of this water if rainfall and burst pipes can be ruled out?

An old well on the heath?

FoBH member, Mandy, found a map from 1965 which shows an old well in that corner of the heath. This implies the source is a natural spring. Can anyone else assist with this mystery, please?

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Drilling and scrub removal update

As reported in April, there have been on-going investigations into the soil conditions on the old orchard and Ariston site areas on Bernards Heath. We believe these are linked to a long-expected planning application. Do contact us if you have any concerns.

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2025 AGM Minutes

The Friends of Bernards Heath held their 2025 AGM on Saturday the 1st of February at the Jolly Sailor. Many thanks to patron Paul for hosting us, and to all who attended. Please find the minutes below and contact us with any queries.

Topics addressed included:

  • Update on the possible development on the heath
  • possible changes to the Pioneer Club
  • review of FOBH activities: playground developments, picnic celebrations, maintenance…
  • a look ahead to 2025
FoBH 01FEB25 AGM minutesDownload
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Reporting problems to the council

The Friends are happy to take questions about, and report incidents regarding, the heath, dyke and wastes to the council. Residents can now also report incidents directly to the council when logged ino the their account on the SADC website.

FoBH chair, David Pearce, noted that this is a useful tool as “local can check to see whether the incident has already been reported by someone else or to obtain an update”.

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Ground Survey of the Lower Field by GBG Geotechnics

Following the emergence of a depression or ‘hole’ not far from the centre of the Lower Field in late November 2019, Hertfordshire County Council commissioned a geophysical survey of the Field by GBG Geotechnics, Cambridge. A lengthy quite technical report on the survey was made available to FoBH and here we try to summarise its findings.

The hole was promptly surrounded by safety fencing and soon after by more fencing. The appearance of yet more fenced off areas last year led to some concern whether the whole field would be excluded to the public. We have no indication that this might be the case.

Continue reading “Ground Survey of the Lower Field by GBG Geotechnics”
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Second Depression on the Lower field

A second depression or pit, close to the hedge on the northern side of the Lower field has been apparent for some time. The small size of the pit is in contrast with the relatively large area of enclosed by a new fence – perhaps there is more to this than we know. At least this fence is green and blends in with the surroundings.

Installation of new fence

For some reason the inner fence around the other depression has now been damaged in a way that must have needed some force. A JCB perhaps? See below.

Earlier depression – fence damage

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Lower Field gets another Survey

Survey work in the fenced off area on a frosty morning

Following the emergence of a depression in the Lower Field, and its further subsidence, survey work was started on the 20th January. The ground features in this area, once a rubbish tip, were extensively explored some two years ago.

Top (southern) end of Lower field taped off

The field is extremely popular with dog walkers who are now confined by a taped off area to a strip of land on two sides of the field (see notice), well separated from the area where work is going on.

The original area proved very interesting to dogs a few weeks ago – one wonders whether they could smell something that we cannot.

Note 21 Jan: Outer taped area now open again

Photos: MN

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New Depression appears on the Lower Field

The depression in closeup is about 2 m wide and 0.5 m deep.

This small depression has appeared on the Lower Field and has been cordoned off. The Fontmell Close sinkhole was probably only 200 m away, although in this case it may be a consequence of the rubbish that was buried in the area.

Depression getting deeper and exclusion zone much extended
The Lower Field, showing the location of the depression. The diagonal mark across the field is the result of the temporary access route used in the Fontmell Close incident.

The field was surveyed in detail in 2015 since it is in the area covered by old clay pits and was the site of a rubbish tip. The company Carter Jonas was involved in the survey and is now in the process of reviewing the ground condition reports for the site.

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November Action Day 2017

Thank you everybody who helped with our Action Day on November 17th 2019

A lovely sunny but cold November Action day attracted a good number of helpers, who:

1 and 2 Collected litter and other rubbish – including a sleeping bag

3 cleared a section of hedge in Heath Farm Lane

4 cleared a substantial fallen branch close to Luton (Spinney) Lane.