Remedial works on the Lower Field

Work started this week to restore the Lower Field. The photo on the left shows how it looked after the Fontmell/Bridle Close sinkhole episode and the photo on the right shows how things are beginning to look now.  Photos: MN Peter Bone, Senior Surveyor – Public Sector Services, Lambert Smith Hampton writes:

I should like to let you know that remediation works to the area of ground that was disturbed by the original temporary access route to Fontmell Close and Bridle Close will be commencing next week. The works will comprise levelling of the rutted areas and cultivating the topsoil ready for grass seeding.

The reinstatement area will need to be temporarily fenced off with cones and tape whilst the works are carried out, and the fencing will be left in place after the area has been seeded to give the new grass a chance to establish itself. The advice we have on that is that it would be best if the reinstated area could be left for the grass to re-establish the root system until May 2017 if possible. It would therefore be helpful if you could help to let users of the field know that a period for the grass cover to regenerate itself will be beneficial in the longer term.

We are also arranging for other works such as grass cutting, weed spraying,  and a tidying-up of branches across the larger field area.

School Crossing Patrol wanted!

We are urgently looking for someone who would be interested in becoming the School Crossing Patrol for

Bernards Heath
Junior School

The pay is £7.20 per hour (plus holiday pay and retainer).  If you are interested or would like further information please contact Heather Hill on 01992 556815

Can we please remind you that it is a parental responsibility to get your child to and from school safely.

Hertfordshire County Council, Transport, Access and Safety,
County Hall, Pegs Lane,
Hertford, SG13 8DN.
Tel: 01992 556815
March 2016

Access to Interpretation Boards

A quick strim of cow parsley has improved access to the interpretation board in Townsend Drive, which provides an excellent succinct history of the Heath. This board and the two others in Harpenden Road and Sandridge Road were installed by the Friends of Bernards Heath.  The boards are now beginning to show signs of weathering and replacements are being considered.

Sinkhole Tours

Last October the country thrilled to the drama of the sinkhole on Bernards Heath – and the story is not finished yet.

Much was written and said in the media, but there is nothing like being on the spot to hear an explanation of the factors which came together to ‘make the earth move’.

Over the summer, Roger Miles, member of FoBH Committee, longtime resident of the Heath, amateur archaeologist and local historian, will be leading small group tours of the Heath on the theme of the sinkhole.

Geology, industrial archaeology, local history and even literature all figure in the story, but there will be nothing ‘difficult’ to understand.

If you would like to join one of the tour groups, which can be on a weekday, weekend or evening – state preference – let us know, plus how many you would be. You will be notified when a tour is planned.