Posts

Posted on

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?

Posted on

FoBH cleans up graffiti

A great example of how your membership looks after our green spaces.

The WWII water tank near the old fire station was vandalised over the summer. Sadly, two fine oaks in a heath clearing nearby were also graffitied with lightening bolts over the summer.

Both of these have now been cleaned by FoBH volunteers. Huge thanks to our local members looking out for their local space. As you can see from the pictures below, the work took extensive scrubbing!

Posted on

Storm Amy brings down branches

FoBH members report a large branch has fallen across National Cycle Route 6 – the path running between the school sports grounds and Harpenden road (pictured top).

There was also a branch across one of the paths near the old WWII water tank. The FoBH chair managed to shift it! (Pictured below.)

Please be alert for any other fallen trees or branches and do let us know so we can report them. chairman @ bernardsheath.org

Posted on

A local voice for Bernards Heath

Friends of Bernards Heath (FoBH) urge you to act today to protect our local representation.

In 2028, under central Government reforms, St Albans District Council (SADC) will cease to exist.

Bernards Heath – your local green space – could be managed by people many miles away, with no knowledge of the area.

Central St Albans doesn’t currently have local representation in the form of a parish council and soon we will lose our councillors.This means:

– no-one to speak up for local residents and businesses.

– nobody based locally to look after our parks, community spaces and markets.

The FoBH believe that establishing a Parish Council for central St Albans is the best way to keep our local voice and to protect our Heath.

We urge you to get involved with the consultation scheme which runs until Monday 6th October.

What can you do?

We risk losing the chance to have any future influence on our community.

To support a parish council for central St Albans, email CGR@stalbans.gov.uk

Include your name and address (your details will be kept confidential).

The wording can be short and simple –“ I/We support the creation of a parish council for central St Albans to ensure that the city has local representation.”

Further information is available at: www.stalbans.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation

FAQ: provided by the CWARA

Q1. We’re already in the parish of St Peter’s. Why would we need anything else?

A1. Strangely, parish councils have nothing to do with churches. The word ‘parish’ has two meanings. The non-ecclesiastical version just refers to the smallest or lowest level of local government.

Q2. Why doesn’t central St Albans have this ‘smallest or lowest’ level of local government, given everywhere else in the district (Harpenden, Sandridge, London Colney etc) does.

A2. Because St Albans City and District Council (SADC) was allowed to direct-govern the centre through the City Neighbourhoods Committee. This will disappear when SADC and our local councillors go, leaving a gap.

Q3. Hertfordshire councils are merging. Won’t the city of St Albans be the new HQ for the unitary authority governing its area?

A3. Very unlikely. Land is expensive and space and roads tight. That’s why we need a local body to speak up for us.

Q4. Why a parish council and not a town or city council?

A4. Parish council is a general term for the smallest or lowest level of local government. Our ‘parish council’ would no doubt be called a town or city council. Harpenden Town Council is a parish council.

Q5. The process for creating a parish council (town council/city council) is a Community Governance Review (CGR). A consultation on this is running till 6 October. There’s a later consultation stage with more detail. Can I just ignore this first stage?

A5. Not if you want there to be a second stage. We understand that SADC needs a show of interest to move things forward effectively.

The deadline for CGR consultation responses is Monday 6 October. If you have a view on whether we should be progressing to the next stage on creating a parish council (aka town council/city council) for central St Albans please send your consultation response to CGR@stalbans.gov.uk.

Civic society leaflet Sept 2025Download
Posted on

Tree blocking path in Beech Bottom Dyke

Friends of the Heath report that the path along the bottom of Beech Bottom Dyke (BBD) is blocked by a large tree. The Friends do work hard to keep the paths in BBD, and across the heath, open. However, this job is too large for the Friends to manage and has been reported to the council.

Posted on

Drought claims young cherry tree

The prolonged period of low rainfall has been obvious is the grass, which has been dying on the heath since the end of May. However, the parched conditions have now claimed a more substantial victim, a young cherry next to the cycle path on the upper heath.

Image shows bright yellow parch marks of the old shelter in the dying grass, with a dead cherry tree planted on top.

The tree was planted several years ago, on top of the old air raid shelter. Despite the FOBH tree warden making the council workers aware of the problem, planting continued. The tree has exceeded expectations, until now. The attached photo clearly shows the parch marks of the old shelter in the ground, with the poor tree planted on top.

Posted on

Large branch blocks path

Image shows large branch fallen from substantial tree, causing damage to surrounding scrub

A substantial brach has fallen from an Ash tree and is blocking one of the paths off Spinney Lane. The branch fell during the weekend of the 12th & 13th July and has been reported to the council.

Please let the FOBH know of any ongoing access issues.

Posted on

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.