Those of you spending time on the Heath or in Beech Bottom Dyke will have seen the Bluebells popping up as a lovely reminder of the season. Below are a few photos to enjoy, courtesy of Mary North.
Bluebell season again
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”.
Bluebells on Beech Bottom Dyke
No need to go to Heartwood to see a magnificent display of bluebells. Being of the native variety, they are not only a feast for the eyes, but also for the nose. Find them from the Valley Road entrance to the Dyke on the side towards the railway.
Photo: AK
A Fresh Spin on Bernards Heath, Sandridge Road Wastes and Beech Bottom Dyke
Many people will have noticed that new boards have appeared describing the Heath and Sandridge Road Wastes. The old Bernards Heath boards have been updated and smart new metal frames used instead of wood frames which rotted out. These are formally described as interpretation boards, and they provide a concise account of historical events and industries which once existed on the Heath. Click here for a larger version of the Bernards Heath interpretation boards.
Three boards describe Bernards Heath and three Sandridge Road Wastes (the latter being green areas alongside Sandridge Road). Beech Bottom Dyke is a huge ditch 1 mile long partially hidden behind trees alongside Beech Road and Firbank Road 7 – 10. The map below shows where boards are located.
Click here for a larger version of Sandridge Road Wastes. There is a small notice board alongside board 6 which is dated 1955 pointing out that parking is not allowed on the Wastes.
Beech Bottom Dyke has four interpretation boards (7-10). The Friends of Bernards Heath have done much (see here , here and here) to make paths alongside and at the bottom of the ditch more accessible.
Click here for a bigger version of the board.
Many thanks to members of the Friends of Bernards Heath, especially RM and PB for their work on the preparation of artwork and content. The Friends of Bernards Heath paid for the artwork and the St Albans City Council the metal boards and their installation.
Digging at Beech Bottom Dyke
Not the work of badgers, but holes clearly showing spade marks have appeared in the bank about half way along Beech Bottom Dyke. This earthwork was made to form a rifle butt, or safe bank behind shooting targets, about 160 years ago. The digging may well be the work of someone with a metal detector looking for old bullets or other metal objects.
Since the Dyke is a scheduled is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM), where digging or other modifications without authorisation are against the law, anyone caught doing this would face prosecution. Any suspicious activity in this area should be reported to SADC.
Theft and Vandalism
Theft
Friends of Bernards Heath tries to protect, preserve and enhance the Heath for the benefit of the neighbourhood as a whole, but sometimes it seems that thoughtlessness and downright theft are conspiring against us.
Anyone who has walked along the bottom of Beech Bottom Dyke will be aware that it can be difficult to get over the bank that blocks the Dyke about half way along its length. This is doubly so when conditions are wet.
To try to make this easier, one of our members has designed a system of hand holds attached to a stainless steel wire (see photo). It was securely attached to a tree at the top and provided an easy way to get up the bank. It was however, not long before the wire was stolen. The wire could not be removed without tools and it is clear that someone must have come fully prepared to take it away.
This is very annoying, considering that much time and effort was put into this to help public access. A rope for the same purpose was also stolen.If you have any information about this theft, please contact the chairman via FoBH mail (right sidebar).
Concept and manufacture: RM
Vandalism
Not content with burning any of the wood lying on the Heath, someone has attempted to burn the wooden cover of an otherwise unsightly metal bin.
Thoughtless vandalism like this detracts from what was otherwise an attractive glade for recreational use.
The result of burning the wooden bin cover
Spring Action Day 2019
More than 20 people, including these young helpers, turned up for our Action Day on 24th March – maybe it had something to do with the weather which was great. Lots of other bags were placed around the Heath for collection too. Thank you everyone who took part.
We didn’t forget Beech Bottom Dyke either, where sticks and other wood was blocking this section of the path. Rampant ivy is a also a problem when it results in trees being toppled – we worked on this too.
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).
The Dyke is St Albans’ least known heritage asset. It is a huge Scheduled Ancient Monument running round the north of the city. Rendezvous at St Saviour’s Church Hall (Sandpit Lane, St Albans, AL1 4DF) at 2.00pm for a short talk followed by a guided circular walk across Bernards Heath, along the Dyke and back to the church hall for refreshments (to be paid for).
We will interpret the setting of the Dyke and explain what is known about it, including its roles in the Wars of the Roses and defending us against the French in the 19th century. Literature and local experts will be on hand on the walk and in the church hall. Free parking is available at or near the church hall. Stout footwear is recommended. Dogs on leads welcome. The Dyke itself is not wheel-chair or buggy accessible. A reasonable level of fitness is needed to walk along the Dyke. The event will end by 5.00pm.
Please note that the the joining instructions below are the right ones and supersede those in the Friends of Bernards Heath newsletter.
Whole event up to three hours, walk approx. one hour.
Numbers are being requested to help the caterers and to ensure we do not exceed the capacity of the hall. Booking will be first come, first served.
Find out more by emailing admin@bernardsheath.org or call 07811 393694
There are no access restrictions for the Church Hall, but the Dyke itself can be rough under foot, especially after wet weather. The barriers there against motor cycles effectively prevent wheelchairs or buggies gaining access to the Dyke.
This sort of event is the only opportunity to enjoy interpretation of this Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Peter Burley
Beech Bottom Dyke tidy up
Sunny weather on Sunday 23 April may have helped us, for about a dozen people turned out to remove litter (see inset) and clear growth around the top of the Dyke. The bluebells made it a picture and their smell was wonderful, especially at the eastern end of the Dyke, near the railway. Only native bluebells smell so strongly. Well done everyone who helped.
Native and Spanish bluebells
Bluebells have appeared on the Heath early this year and there are two general types – native and Spanish, but can you tell the difference? The picture (above left} shows the Spanish type which is more prolific with upright stems, no scent and bell-shaped flowers with open tips.
The native type on the right have a droop at the top, a sweet perfume and narrow bell-shaped flowers with rolled back tips.
Photos: MN