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What is a Parhelion?

Parhelion, photographed on Bernards Heath, 29 December 2016.
This was the site of the Second Battle of St Albans 1461.

A parhelion or sun dog is an optical phenomenon that consists of a bright spot to one or both sides of the Sun caused by the refraction of sunlight by ice crystals in the atmosphere.  There is often a halo as well.  In this case there is just one sun dog and no halo.

Peter Burley, local historian, writes: Its historical interest is that a parhelion appeared on another Wars of the Roses battlefield in January 1461 at Mortimer’s Cross in Herefordshire. The Earl of March – the Yorkist commander and future Edward IV – seized the initiative and told his troops that it was a sign from heaven that they would win the battle. They did and the Yorkists adopted a symbol of three suns in splendour for their banners – and this won them a second battle at Barnet (1471) when the Lancastrian Earl of Oxford’s banner of stars was mistaken for the Yorkist suns and the Lancastrian army started fighting itself.

Photo: PB

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Digging at Beech Bottom Dyke

The result of digging in 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.

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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

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Can you spot these Plants on the Heath?

1 Red Dead-nettle – crimson-purple flowers, square stem and pungent smell. Thanks to MB for pointing out that this is not Field Woundwort.

2 Green Alkanet – a member of the forget-me-not family with blue flowers. It is common in damp shady areas.

3 White Dead-nettle – has leaves that look like a common nettle with white flowers, but they do not sting.

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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.

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First Snow of Winter 2019

About 2 cm of snow fell over the night 22/23 January and rapidly disappeared. The last substantial fall of snow (for St Albans) was in December 2017.

blood red moon

The weather was good enough to see the first phase of the ‘blood red moon’ over the Heath late afternoon on the 20th January. If you were up at 5 am on the 21st, you may have seen a more intense blood red colour.

Photo: MN

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Muntjac Deer Found Dead on the Heath

A Muntjac Deer was found dead by the side of Harpenden Road opposite the entrance to the old Fire Station.  Both sides of the road are wooded near this area and probably provide cover for these animals., although one has been spotted running at speed along Waverley Road.

They are 10 – 18 Kg in weight and can do considerable damage in a collision with a car, particularly in this area where speeding is commonplace. Being avid browsers they can also cause a lot of damage in gardens and to trees. If you spot one we would love to have a photo.

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Planned destruction of recently restored fence

A well planned act of wanton destruction took place on the path between Spinney Cottage and Harpenden Road last Thursday or Friday, 23rd/24th August. A fence that was recently repaired was taken apart and sawn up to make a ramp for people on bikes. It is very dangerous.

If you saw any activity in this area, we would like to hear from you (use FoBH Mail in the side bar). Any witness responding will not have their name divulged to anyone other than the police.

The wood and ramp has now been removed (6/9/18)