LAKE SOCIETY

The Society maintains Digswell Lake and the surrounding wooded parkland (17½ acres in all ) as a nature reserve and place of tranquil beauty.

Newsletter Early Summer 2010

Diary Dates 2010 

MONDAY 21ST JUNE 2010 All evening 200TH BIRTHDAY OF THE OPENING OF THE LAKE OPEN EVENING FOR THE PUBLIC BETWEEN 6PM AND 8PM meetings commence at FRIDAY 25 JUNE 2010 7.30 pm AGM + UNDERSTANDING SCENERY Speaker Mike Howgate. and are held Mike has made a particular study of the underlying geological at the effects on the countryside.

FRIDAY 8 OCTOBER 2010 Digswell Village Hall BIRDS IN HERTFORDSHIRE Harmer Green Lane Speaker Brian Sawford. Digswell Brian is a retired Countryside Officer having worked with the North Herts District Council and author of several books on the Refreshments are country side. provided FRIDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2010 VIDEO PRESENTATION WITH A NATURE THEME Admission charge Speaker John Astin. only £2.00 John is a long standing member of the Potters Bar Cine and Video Club. Your friends are most welcome to come along

New display Ring Don Fisher board situated at 0n 01707 321089 the Digswell Park for information Rd entrance. 

YOUR CHAIRMAN YOUR SECRETARY YOUR TREASURER & YOUR NEWSLETTER & SAFETY OFFICER MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY COMPILER PETER NEVILLE. 26 Harmer Green Lane, Piers D Treacher Carole Dale. Bob Leys. Digswell, , Mobile telephone no. 135 Oakdale, 401 Knightsfield, Herts. AL6 0AT 07834953616 , Welwyn Garden City, Tel.No. 01438 714394 E-mail Herts. AL8 7QS Herts. AL8 7LY peter.neville@stcatz. [email protected] Tel. No. 01707 895854 Tel. No. 01707 321157 [email protected] oxon.org [email protected]

The Society is a Registered Charity (No.296918) and a Company Limited by Guarantee incorporated in England (No. 2125155). Registered Office: 401 Knightsfield, Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL8 7LY 2

CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN

The 200th birthday of the Lake on 21 June details are enclosed with this newsletter, in- 2010 will be celebrated by opening it to the cluding how you can put yourself forward for public that evening (6pm-8pm). election to the Committee, if you feel you have something you would like to contribute. Why was it ever created in the first place? This is no empty political rhetoric - we do The obvious answer is, to be an ornament to have a couple of vacancies, and you would Digswell House, which (back in 1810) had stand a good chance of being elected. itself only recently been completed. This leads to the next question, why do so many Our hedge along Bessemer Road could do great houses have lakes? Even locally, there with being “laid”, about which the Borough are lakes at House (where the Council’s ecology staff have been very help- lake has outlasted the house), , ful in the past. We had hoped this work Luton Hoo, St Pauls Walden Bury.., might have started this spring, in a number of annual stages along the length of the Certainly, a lake must have been a status hedge. However, with our hedge being on symbol, showing off the wealth of the owner the north side of the road verge, the trees who could afford to have the work done. (mainly ash) growing on the verge (and thus belonging not to us but to the Council) are However, I think it goes deeper. Our aes- depriving our hedge of sunlight. In normal thetic sense responds to water and grass- circumstances, these ash trees would be re- land and trees because, over millennia, hu- duced as a matter of routine if only to main- mans have come to learn that they need tain clearance for road traffic, but following these things - grassland for agriculture and the Council’s bruising experience over the grazing, water for drinking, and trees for fuel Stanborough poplars, it is adopting a much and building material. And now that life is, more cautious approach to radical work on thankfully, no longer an elemental daily bat- any tree. For us, this means that the ash tle for survival, we can enjoy places such trees will continue to overshadow our hedge as Digswell Lake through our higher senses, for the moment, effectively delaying the grateful that the landowner 200 years ago hedge-laying until at least Spring 2011. shared our concept of landscaped beauty and that it has survived all this time, regard- Because the Lake grassland is purely orna- less of the changes around it. mental, it has never been treated with fertil- iser or weedkiller (at least never in the 53 Visitors to our Open Evening will find their years of the Society having managed it). way round more easily, thanks to the new This makes it of some considerable scientific map which I’m glad to say is at last in place interest, and the results of a survey con- near the entrance. ducted at the Lake in 2009 are summarised elsewhere in this Newsletter. The surveyors Visitors who come in through the gap in the confirmed that we comfortably exceed the fence in Bessemer Road are now confronted criteria for retaining our important designa- by another map, which explains that the tion as a County Widlife Site, and Lake belongs to this Society. In the past, even suggested that the Lake might qualify many such visitors, when politely asked as a Site of Special Scientific Inter- whether they are Members, have claimed est. However, we are unsure about applying not to know about the Society; they don't for SSSI status as it might unacceptably have this excuse now. constrain even our normal management and maintenance. Shortly after the 200th birthday, we have our Annual General Meeting on 25 June 2010 (7.30pm). I hope I shall see you there. Fuller Peter Neville 3 MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S ROMANIA REPORT I have just returned from a wonderful wildlife watching trip in Romania which was organ- Membership levels have remained buoyant ised by the SE Herts. RSPB Group. during the past year; a steady trickle of new After flying to Bucharest (narrowly missing members has counterbalanced the losses the volcanic ash from Iceland) we spent the and we have had some sad losses; John first few days in the Carpathian Mountains Akers, a well known local painter who and Transylvania – Dracula country! Our painted many views of the Lake and had only contact with Dracula was to drive past been a member for some years, died sud- Bram Castle where the real Dracula – Vlad denly before Christmas. Mr George Sale the Impaler - may have spent the night in also died earlier this year and kindly left the the 15th century. Much more exciting was Society a legacy of £100.00. We are very watching brown bears from a hide deep in fortunate in the breadth of interest and sup- the forest with the moon rising over snow port we derive from our members. covered mountains. We then drove to the Danube Delta, I know that many people aspire to attend the Europe’s greatest and wildest wetland at the work parties, myself included, and just don’t end of the 2840km River Danube. The river have the time or have other commitments. rises in Germany’s Black Forest and flows One of our unsung heroes is Hamish Ritchie into the Black Sea off Romania after passing who has had major heart surgery recently through ten countries and four capital cities. but has always tried to contribute to the Our accommodation was a very comfortable maintenance of the Lake environs. He can- hotel boat pulled by a tug. We had a small not make the weekends but does a ’litter boat to take us up the narrow channels. We pick’ walk most weeks. Many thanks to him spent each night moored in a different spot and to all the other members who remove miles from anywhere and waking up to the the odd vodka bottle and sandwich package call of bullfrogs and booming bitterns. on their visits to the Lake. As we come up to The first morning was magical as we drifted, the start of the summer holidays these ef- with no engine, listening to thrush nightin- forts will become even more valuable. gales and watching dozens of kingfishers cross our path. I saw an amazing number of We hope that existing members will also visit birds including glossy ibis, herons, white us at the Lake on our Open Evening. If you tailed eagles, pygmy cormorants and rollers. haven’t been for a while use this as an op- Huge flocks of white pelicans glided over- portunity to renew your aquaintance and we head while whiskered terns, black terns and would love to see you. white winged black terns gave wonderful dis- plays of their flying skills. Best wishes for the Summer The last couple of days were spent in the Macin Mountains and the marshes of the Carole Dale Black Sea coast where we saw more spe- cies of birds and also lovely wild flowers like lady orchids, monkey orchids and wild peo- nies. We saw red squirrels, hares, tortoises and some ground squirrels called susliks. Travelling in the Romania countryside was like going back to medieval times with strip farming and shepherds herding sheep and cattle. A fascinating trip.

Jenny Brewster 4

DIGSWELL LAKE BIRD REPORT MARCH 2009 - MARCH 2010

Compiled and submitted by Colin Hull

Acknowledgments Mallard. The population has increased Thanks for some people who have sent me steadily as a breeding bird in the UK since a few reports during the year and particu- the 1960s, and especially in England, a larly for the information sent by Tom and trend to which ongoing large-scale releases Janet Gladwin. I think they actually do more for shooting may have contributed. However visits to the lake than me. at the lake numbers at the lake have contin- Highlights ued declined. There was a maximum of 5 (3 For the second year running a pair of Mute males, 2 females) on several dates in the Swan nested. Sightings of Common Buz- 2009/10 winter. During the summer I saw zard have increased. One reported flying one brood of 8 young. over the lake and Tom reported one roosted Gadwall. Regular visitor but only rarely at the lake Oct-Feb. Other unusual sight- breeds at the lake. 2 pairs seen on some ings from Tom include a Raven on 20th Oct visits but no evidence of breeding. Small and 11th Nov and a juvenile Hobby on 23rd flocks in winter months with maximum of 18 August. on 17th January, 2010. Full systematic list Tufted Duck. Frequent visitor with occa- For most species I have included some sional breeding. This year no noted breed- notes on the national status and the popula- ing but occa- tion trends from data by the British Trust for sional visits of Ornithology. 2-4. Key. SV summer visitor, WV winter visitor Shoveler. (WV). Birds of national conservation concern. Red Up to 4 regularly list >50% decline, Amber list 25-50% decline throughout the Little Grebe. National population trends are 2009/10 winter. Shoveler uncertain with better breeding success on Canada Goose. ponds rather than rivers. One pair was pre- The species were first introduced to English sent during the summer but I did not ob- parkland around 1665 but have expanded serve any nests or young. At other times hugely in range and numbers following there was one regularly through the 2009/10 translocations in the 1950s and 1960s. Two winter. (possibly a pair) were seen on some visits Grey Heron. The national Heronries Cen- but did not breed on site. sus showed 12,959 nests in 2008. There Pheasant. Have increased in abundance have been moderate increases overmuch of since the 1960s, at a rate that appears to be the UK. One on the river near the viaduct accelerating. 1-2 seen on some visits but no on some dates. proven breeding on site this year. Little Egret. Has shown rapid increase in Common Buzzard. Has shown big eastern numbers and geographical range in the UK. expansion in recent years and returning to There were reports of singles on the river Home Counties as breeding species. One nearby in winter months. reported to me overhead 1st March 2009. Mute Swan. The national population had Tom also reported one rooting at the east of been fairly stable since the 1960s, have in- the lake from October to early February. creased progressively since the mid 1980s, Kestrel. Amber list. The national population perhaps reflecting warmer winter weather has been fluctuating. Although there has and the replacement of anglers' lead been substantial increase in the number of weights. After last year’s return as a breed- fledglings per breeding attempt a subse- ing species this year four eggs were laid but quent decline has resulted in the inclusion of only one hatched. The juvenile was seen on Kestrel in the Nest Records concern list. several occasions later in the year. continued on following page 5

Bird Report continued from previous page until the mid 1980s, since when it seems to One pair nested and two young fledged and have made a complete recovery. Amber list- some alarm calls in July may have indicated ing of this species in the UK results from its that the young were present. 'depleted' status in Europe as a whole, fol- Hobby. (SV). lowing declines between 1970 and 1990. Has shown a The only record for the lake was a one re- large increase in port to me on 15th June. southern counties Green Woodpecker. Populations have in recent years. risen steadily in Britain since 1966. 24,200 At the lake a ju- pairs in 2000. At the lake one calling and venile occurred seen on several dates. 23rd August. This Great Spotted Woodpecker. This spe- was probably one cies increased rapidly in the 1970s and be- of the three that gan a further increase in the early 1990s. Hobby fledged from a Numbers have also risen widely in Europe nest along Tewin- since 1980. At the lake one drumming and water. also heard on some other dates. Moorhen. National population is fluctuating Grey Wagtail. Grey Wagtails occur at high- with no long-term trend. The failure rate of est densities along fast-flowing upland nests over the full 25-day egg period (20 streams. Elsewhere a probable moderate days for incubation and 5 days for laying) decline. At the lake occasional visits but no has increased, earning the species a place proof of breeding on site. on the nest records concern list. 3.pr oc- Pied Wagtail. Britain and Ireland together curedc during the breeding season. A few hold almost the entire population of the dis- nests were found but all the outcomes were tinctive dark-backed race yarrellii, and for uncertain. On the other hand some juvenile this reason population changes in the UK Moorhens were seen so there must have are of global conservation significance. Oc- been a few successes. casional visits but no proof of breeding on Coot. Nationally there has been a rapid in- site. crease on waterways. There were three Wren. Annual numbers are influenced by pairs of Coot on site, two on the lake and mortality rates that may be very high in se- one beyond the dam. The west end pair had vere winters and by the species' high breed- a brood of 4 chicks and middle lake pair had ing potential. Up to 5 singing males noted on a bumper brood of 7 chicks. However on a some visits but Tom noted 11 breeding pairs late date only 5 were seen. The pair beyond plus some alarm calls indicating young birds the dam were seen with one juvenile later in were present. the summer. Dunnock. Amber List. Abundance fell sub- Stock Dove.. There was 3 pairs in the stantially between the mid 1970s and mid breeding season. 1980s, after a period of population stability. Wood Pigeon. One of UKs most abundant Some recovery has occurred throughout the species with 2.7 – 3.1 million territories in UK since the late 1990s. 1-2 singing males 2000. At the lake there 7 pairs and many heard on some visits but no other proof of others all year. There was a maximum of breeding. 200+ on 11th October. Robin. National population has increased Black-headed Gull. (WV). Small numbers markedly since the mid 1980s, having been regularly on the lake in the afternoon set back earlier by a succession of cold win- throughout the winter. ters. Up to 6 singing males on some visits Tawny Owl. Being a nocturnal species it is but Tom noted 14 territories. difficult to monitor but population is probably Blackbird. Various census schemes have stable. No records on site for this year but a show long-term declines in abundance, but pair bred just off-site. recent increases indicate that the population Kingfisher. Amber List. There was a decline has begun to recover taking it off the Amber along linear waterways (its principal habitat) list. continued on following page 6 Bird Report continued from previous page and 8prs but I have no breeding records. On site 3 pairs present with evidence of Large flock of 128+ on 11 Oct with other breeding. Tits. Song Thrush. Red List. A rapid decline in Great Tit. Increased steadily since the abundance that began in the mid 1970s. Re- 1960s, with the exception of two brief peri- cent data has show a general increase, but ods of stability or shallow decline during the population levels remain relatively low com- mid 1970s and late 1980s. Present on all pared to the 1970’s. On site 1-2 singing visit dates and 3prs. 39+ counted on 11th males but no other breeding observations. Oct. Mistle Thrush. Amber list. Declined signifi- Coal Tit. No data for breeding but 3 with cantly since the mid 1970s, especially on other Tits on 11th Oct. farmland. The species was recently moved Nuthatch. from the green to the amber list because of N a t i o n a l Nuthatch population decline. 2 singing males on vari- abundance ous dates. has in- Redwing (WV). Showed up in low numbers c r e a s e d in early March 2009 after previous flocks r a p i d l y seen in February and were seen feeding un- since the der the trees by the river. In this case proba- mid 1970s. bly feeding ready for departure back north D e s p i t e but none observed in later winter season. minor set- Backcap. (SV). Abundance has increased backs dur- consistently since the late 1970s, a trend ing the common to all habitats. Three singing males 1 9 9 0 s , on several dates. there is no indication yet of a halt to the up- Garden Warbler. (SV). Numbers have ward trend. 2prs and singles noted on a few shown widespread moderate decline across dates. Europe since 1980. 2 pairs Tree creeper. Chiffchaff. (SV). Chiffchaff abundance The UK popula- crashed in the late 1960s/early 1970s in tion peaked in common with that of other trans-Saharan the mid 1970s, warblers. After remaining stable for a dec- but has been ade, the population recovered strongly, and roughly stable has continued to increase. Four pairs noted since about on site. 1 9 8 0 w i t h Goldcrest. Fluctuating populations depend- 214,000 territo- ing on winter survival. 1-2 heard singing but ries in 2000. no further breeding records. A few with Tit One seen on a flocks in winter months. few dates possi- Firecrest. Migrant. bly indicates 1 A male was seen on breeding pair. Tree Creeper 11th October. Jay. 160,000 Long-tailed Tit. territories in 2000 and some increase in the Progressive in- recent ten-year period. One or two families creases in abun- on site. dance beginning in Firecrest Magpie. National population increased the early 1980s. 3 steadily until the late 1980s causing some prs occurred on site. Some flocks of young concern about their predation of song bird families noted on site. 31 counted on 11th nests. 650,000 territories in 2000. But abun- Oct. dance stabilised and a minor decrease has Blue Tit. Populations have increased in been recorded in the UK during the last five abundance, with brief pauses in the long- years. Present on most visits. 1 nest on site term upward trend. Present on all visit dates failed. continued on following page 7 Bird Report continued from previous page few visits Jan-Mar this year including the Jackdaw. Nationally increase in abundance very cold snowy period showed only small since the 1960s. This has been associated flocks with max 30. with improvements in breeding performance Redpoll (WV) Sometimes occurs with and probably reflects the species' generalist Siskin. A max of 9 present irregularly until feeding habits. 9 pairs observed near the 5th April at least. entrance and nesting in the trees. Outside the breeding season small flocks up to 20. Raven. New to the lake list. National popula- tion estimated to have increased by 118% across Europe during 1980–2006: One overhead on 20th October and 11th November. Tom re- ports they are now regularly seen over his bungalow. Carrion Crow. National population has in- creased steadily since the 1960s and only now are there any signs of the UK popula- tion size stabilising. This trend has been as- Redpoll sociated with increases in nesting success and with earlier laying (perhaps an effect of climate change). A few present on most vis- In addition to the birds it is good to report its with 1 breeding pair. that a Water Vole was seen several times Chaffinch. National abundance has in- along the river. creased rapidly since the early 1970s but numbers seemed to stabilise for a period Thanks to all those who take an interest in during the 1990s. 3 pr. present on some vis- the bird life of the lake. We will ask again its. kindly that those people who walk dogs to Goldfinch. Abundance fell sharply from the please keep to the main grassy areas of the mid 1970s until the mid 1980s, but the de- reserve from Mar-August so as to avoid dis- cline was both preceded and followed by turbing nesting birds. significant population increases. The recent upturn has lifted the species from the amber If you have any interesting sightings or infor- list of conservation concern into the green mation in connection with birds at the lake category, and has been accompanied by an please contact me. With regard to sending increase in its use of gardens for winter me sightings of birds you cannot identify, I feeding. Present on a few visits 2pr in the recognise that fleeting glimpses may be diffi- breeding season. cult to be certain about. If you get a good Bullfinch. Red data species. The national look at the bird then try and make some population entered a long period of decline mental notes (or even write them down at in the mid 1970s, the site). following a pe- How big is it? (Sparrow size, Blackbird, riod of relative Crow size etc) stability. The de- Main colours on back, head, tail, underneath cline was initially Is it perched or walking /swimming? very steep, and If it is flying does it fly it in straight line or up more so in farm- and down? land than in Are the wings rounded or pointed? wooded habitats, Bullfinch but has been shallower since the early 1980s. Not re- Colin Hull. corded this year. Siskin (WV) A flock report to me on the 1st Tel 01438 813074 March 2009 was of a flock of over 100. A Email: [email protected] 8 Digswell Lake Wildlife site survey: 25.06.09 Site No: 57/007 Grid Ref: TL243148 Area: 5.74ha District: Welwyn Hatfield Surveyors: John Moss, Jean Williamson, Donald Scott Location/Aspect. Flat, open aspect, west of Digswell. Geology/Soils. Lea gravels.

Site description. This ornamental lake was edge of the lake to the Mimran and beyond. created in 1810 as part of the Digswell Access to the marshy north side of the Mim- House Park. It is fed by underground springs ran is not permitted and the vegetation is and discharges over a weir into the River dense and un-disturbed here. Ground flora in Mimram. In 1957 the Digswell Lake Society open areas includes Mint, Water Forget-me- was formed to manage 17 acres of woodland not and Brooklime, with Dog’s Mercury and with the lake, for conservation and recrea- Ferns in heavily shaded areas. tion, acquiring the freehold in 1985. The site Relics of C19th parkland planting include includes a mosaic of habitats; the lake with large Beeches on the south east boundary, good aquatic flora, tall swamp, wet semi- veteran Horse Chestnuts along the south natural mainly Alder woodland straddling the bank of the lake, Weeping Willow on the Mimram, semi-improved neutral grassland, north bank and Rhododendron, Black Bam- ancient parkland trees and young mixed boo and Philadelphus north of the river, broad-leafed plantation woodland. 133 plants Japanese Knotweed and a colossal non- were recorded, including 16 ancient wood- native Beech at the east end of the lake. land, 6 fen, 8 neutral grassland and 5 wet Dense, tall, old Hollies dominate an area be- grassland species and a number of non- tween the lake and site entrance. native species. Surrounding land. Un-improved wet grass- The south side of the lake is mainly mown land, grazed to north (including WS 43/039). amenity grassland, with rougher margins and Railway Viaduct to the east, roads and urban a relatively high proportion of herbs, includ- to the south and rough grassland to the ing Selfheal, Germander Speedwell, Creep- west. ing and Meadow Buttercup, Daisy, Knap- Management. Mainly regular mowing of the weed, Cowslip, Lady’s Bedstraw and Lesser grassland and access paths round the lake, Stitchwort. Grasses are mainly Red Fescue, pumping out spreading of silt from the lake Meadow Foxtail, Meadow-grass and possibly bed, pruning or felling of damaged/fallen Bents, with Yorkshire Fog, Cocksfoot and trees, leaving ecologically valuable dead False Oat in the un-mown margins. There is wood and litter-picking. Overall the site use- a belt of young planted mixed trees, mainly fully complements the well-grazed wet grass- native, between the grassland and site land and marsh across the road in Digswell boundary. Meadows South. The area at the east end up to the railway Fauna. Rabbits, Moles, Speckled Wood, viaduct on the boundary is mainly young re- Comma, Small White butterflies, Common generating Alder over dense nettle beds and Blue Demoiselle, Muntjac damage to young marsh along the river. This apparently fol- trees, 2 Swan with cygnet, 2 pr Coot with 8 lows much ground disturbance some years chicks, pr Mallard with 6 chicks, Chiffchaff, ago to install a main sewer. 20 Cricket Bat Robin, Tits, Woodpecker, Woodpigeons, Willows were also recently planted by a con- Blackbird. A Bat Group survey the previous tractor here. week recorded 45 Pipistrelle, 55 Serotine & The lake is relatively shallow and apparently Noctule (?), Daubenton & Leisler’s bats. silts up steadily. It is mostly surrounded by dense emergent vegetation including Pond JM 15.08.09 Sedges, Reed Sweet-grass, Iris, Figwort, Angelica, Hemp Agrimony, Willowherb and Editor’s note. Thistle with dense shrubs. High canopy, wet, There is available a long and detailed list of marshy semi-natural woodland, dominated the species recorded which, upon request, I by Alder and Ash extends from the north can send to you by e-mail or post. 9 Work party report to May 2010.

A summary of the past 12 months to May 2010

Having missed a number of work parties The river has been cleared of tree growth in over recent months I must open this report a number of locations this provides for natu- with a big thank you to my fellow directors ral regeneration and prevents the build up of Shirley Henderson and Piers Treacher for debris which would otherwise become en- their attendance and organisation in my ab- tangled in the often low branches over hang- sence. ing the river.

Can I also thank dog owners who have A round a dozen large trees received atten- abided with the signs around the reserve ad- tion from an approved Tree surgeon over the vising on the revised policy of refraining from winter months. This work was undertaken taking dogs onto the island during the nest following a review of all trees and approval season. The Directors have made this obtained from the local council. A number of change following receipt of increased world- trees have been left as standing trunks to wide studies that show that nesting birds are provide a long term habitat base for many disturbed by dogs and dog scent. birds and insects. A further number of small Sycamore saplings were removed before Work parties as ever have included remov- obtaining any height. You may have noticed ing a large amount of litter, often up to 4 some serious damage (ring barking) to some large black bin liners worth per month, a oak trees; these are a result of wildlife activ- number of visitors to the site do take their ity, most likely a combination of deer, squir- litter away with them, others however see fit rel and rabbit. Hopefully these trees will sur- to leave it lying around the site or deposit it vive but an eye will be kept on them for con- by the garage. Thankfully since the erection tinued health. by the local council of a Dog bin just outside the site we have seen a marked reduction of The boundary hedging is still in need of dog waste, thank you. maintenance but to do the job correctly we need the council to carry out some remedial Items disposed of include an exhaust sys- work on a number of their trees, mainly Ash tem, an old gear box, tyre, road signs and which are shading sections of hedge. Holly cones and numerous cans, bottles and ten- has grown up along the boundary in many nis balls etc and various items that just float places and this has been encouraged as a down stream from Welwyn and beyond. boundary where possible.

Some emergency repairs were necessary to The main gate lock looks to be standing the the Garage following some mindless vandal- test of time following recent repairs, but if ism, this was promptly repaired by a local anybody does experience difficulty with their contractor and the finishing touches applied key then do please contact us either on at the following work party. 0845-003-5253, by email info@digswell- lake.org.uk or write to The Hon Membership Every month the weir is cleared of leaves Secretary Digswell Lake Society C/o etc and over recent months a small island 135 Oakdale, Welwyn Garden City, Herts. has formed down river, this has built up over AL8 7QS. time from silt and reed growth and now pro- vides a useful area to add further debris.

The recently planted Cricket Bat Willows James Godbold have been regularly maintained and we have invested in an extension to our current pruning tool for use as the trees grow. 10

This six page leaflet has been produced Have a look at with a view to at- your web site. tracting volunteers for the regular monthly work par- DIGSWELL-LAKE.ORG.UK ties. A number of the leaflets have been Find distributed to local libraries and the like Contact details and there has al- ready been some Calendar of events response. (e.g. work parties & talks ) If you can think of somewhere the leaf- Picture gallery lets could usefully And more be displayed - doc- tor’s/ dentist’s wait- ing rooms, churches, Please send in articles, anecdotes club rooms, colleges and photographs which you feel and so on please get in touch with me to may be of interest to other arrange for a small supply which I will Society members. happily deliver.

[email protected] Carole Dale: 01707 895854

SUBSCRIPTIONS 2010/2011

The Society’s subscription year runs from 1st April to 31st March

For those members making direct payment please, if you have not already done so, make your cheque payable to Digswell Lake Society and send it, with this completed slip, to the Treasurer Carole Dale, the address of whom is shown at the foot of page 1. Many thanks. Name Address

tel. /e-mail . Date

Please tick: £ 5.00 (individual membership)

£10.00 (family membership)

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