Litter – Page 2 – Friends of Bernards Heath

February 19, 2017October 26, 2021

Local businesses support action on fly tipping at Soothouse Spring

Left to right: William Naylor of Buttle’s Building Supplies, with Peter Cook and Rod Keat, Friends of Bernards Heath

Bernards Heath is a unique, widely used public space in St Albans. Close to the centre of town, it provides attractive open spaces and woodland of historic interest, quite unlike parks in the city.

Unfortunately, its very nature lends itself to to unsightly fly tipping. Recently, it has happened in nearby Soothouse Spring, next to Beech Bottom Dyke, an impressive ancient earthwork, which the Friends of Bernards Heath has opened up and tried to keep litter free. Fortunately, two local businesses, Buttle’s Building Supplies and A1 Tools and Fixings, have jointly supported the installation of a substantial fence alongside the Dyke to deter follow-up incidents. The area is now covered by surveillance cameras.

Litter at the site, encroaching on Beech Bottom Dyke.

Where are Beech Bottom Dyke and Soothouse Spring?

An aerial view of the area. The King William IV junction is just off the view, bottom right.

We thank William Naylor (Buttle’s) and Paul O’Flanaghan (A1 Tools and Fixings) for organising the removal of the fly tipped rubbish and installation of the fence.

Photos: RM

November 30, 2016October 5, 2021

Action Day November 2016

Some of the volunteers who helped to clear out the old WW2 fire fighting water tank on Sunday, 27th November also unearthed a bottle of champagne (inset). We’ve previously found a full bottle of gin during a clear up and there are probably more hidden caches – what next?

March 17, 2016October 27, 2021

Trial Litter Bin on the Heath

A new trial litter bin has been installed by this bench not far from the Green Ring path (top photo). There is often a lot of litter left in this area – we shall soon find out how long it will look like the top photo. **Answer: 1 day**

March 13, 2016October 27, 2021

Spring Action Day 2016

Girls to the rescue! A Tesco trolley was just one of the many items recovered or litter collected on our Action Day.

Just look at all this rubbish in the pictures below – there was so much unsightly litter around the Heath, including Beech Bottom Dyke (close to Beech Road), but we had a really nice sunny day to get to work on it.

Beech Botton Dyke
Beech Botton Dyke
Beech Botton Dyke
Heath Farm Lane
Repairing paths
Townsend Drive

Move through the photos by clicking right or left keys on your keyboard or on the pictures with mouse/trackpad.

There is much more to be done on the muddy paths, but it’s hard work by hand. See where FoBH has funded improvement work.

February 10, 2016October 8, 2021

Objects left on the Lower Field

Friends of Bernards Heath met with representatives of St Albans District Council and councillors Roma Mills and Richard Curthoys to review the current condition of the Lower Field. The new road across the field from the old fire station works well, but many objects have been left, seemingly at random, which make the area look untidy and in some areas, dangerous. It is hoped that contractors will be able to tidy up in the near future.

November 12, 2015October 27, 2021

Fly-tipping on the Heath

Having recently cleared much of the litter from the Heath, we now have two cases of illegal fly-tipping. This irresponsible practice is not only dangerous and unsightly, but has cost the Council £35,000 in the year 2014 – 2015. You can report cases of fly tipping to the council using the hotline on 01727 819598 or email: a.cleanerdistrict@stalbans.gov.uk

Update 14 March 2016

Another example in Spinney Lane – it was very promptly cleared by Council contractor. These finds are searched for evidence of source, but nothing was found in this case.

Photos: PC

October 26, 2015October 27, 2021

Underage drinking in Bernards Heath

FoBH is collaborating with St Albans District Council (SADC) on a project to reduce underage drinking in Bernards Heath and the associated extreme litter problems that have resulted. The Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) is an organisation, funded by the major retailers, which brings together all the interested parties including SADC, Police, local retailers,

Trading Standards and the Community to address the problem in a co-ordinated way. They claim to have had very positive results in other parts of the UK and the Bernards Heath CAP will be a pilot for the whole of St Albans.

Find out more from this CAP presentation document (pdf).

August 20, 2015October 8, 2021

Extreme Litter

There have been some quite disgusting and dangerous incidences of litter being left on the Heath and we provide a taste (ugh!) here of the type of thing that has been encountered. The police have been called on several occasions, but usually arrive too late to catch the culprits

August 7, 2015October 9, 2021

FoBH clears paths and removes hazards

Even at this time of year, small trees do come down on the Heath and block paths. Unfortunately, St Albans Council do not see this as a priority so they are often left for some time. A member of the Friends of Bernards Heath cleared this path as it has been blocked for some time. There may be hazards lurking in the long grass as well.

Photo: RM