Spring 2016 cmsnews No 114 • Sping 2016 NEWSLETTER OF THE CMS

Herts Year of Walking Culminates in Events Fiesta!

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The Countryside Management Service (CMS) works with landowners and communities to develop projects that enhance landscape and bio-diversity, as well as encouraging people to Welcome to our Spring edition understand and enjoy the countryside. The service plays an active role in encouraging volunteer and local action Engaging Hertfordshire residents in the The culmination of groups to identify and become involved work of the Countryside Management YoW will be our first in projects. Service has been an essential pillar of our Walking Festival The CMS also provides opportunities activity now for more than 40 years. This with lots on offer for for informal recreation through events, has never been more important than in everyone throughout guided walks, cycle routes linking 2016 when Hertfordshire is launching May. CMS has been towns and the countryside, leaflets and a year-long campaign to promote the busily training interpretation. benefits of volunteering and to celebrate volunteer leaders who the contribution of those who volunteer have been preparing their offerings, all of Contact us: already. The Year of Volunteering aims to which can be found on the CMS Walks and Countryside Management Service boost the number of people taking part More web pages. Office (Car Park H) in volunteering activities; celebrating the Environment Department contribution of existing volunteers towards Walking and cycling are both ideal ways to County Hall making a difference and; demonstrating take short journeys bringing health benefits , Herts, SG13 8DN that Hertfordshire has a strong sense of as well as cutting down on congestion,

community and its residents are proud to pollution and CO2 emissions. We have been T 01992 588433 volunteer. working recently on a number of access E [email protected] projects that provide opportunities for The launch will take place at the Herts people to choose “active travel” as a means For further news about topics in CMS County Show on 28 and 29 May 2016, of getting from A to B. The improvements News and links to activities, see the CMS staff will be there with some of our we have made to signage and surface have CMS web site www.hertslink.org/cms volunteers – come and see us in the Herts gone hand-in-hand with improvements to County Council marquee! CMS is also the nearby natural habitats, ensuring that The Countryside Management Service planning to launch a new volunteering these route ways are a better place for people is sponsored by Hertfordshire County opportunity in 2016 – find out more later and wildlife. Hertfordshire’s redundant Council, East Herts Council, this year. railways and our plentiful green spaces can Borough Council, North Herts District really contribute to the transport mix in the Council, St. Albans City and District Big thanks go out to all of you who have county – read about this work further into Council, Council. contributed so far to the Year of Walking. the newsletter. This campaign has gone from strength to strength with 1000s of residents pledging to Tony Bradford be more active through walking.

2 Spring 2016 In this issue...

Page 7 Page 10 All aboard the Hertfordshire Walking Festival Alban Way

Page 6 Sopwell Nunnery river works

Page 9 Page 8 Bishop’s Wood Page 12 Woods update project update Scene change at Studio Way

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Hello, goodbye, hello, goodbye and hello again...

Above: Matt Watts Land Management Team development of the scheme with a view Centre: Bronwyn Scholes We are delighted to welcome Matthew to ensuring a sustainable programme of Right: Sian Price Watts to the team who joins us from events, catering for a range of abilities, with the far reaches of the Isle of Harris in a strong body of trained volunteer leaders Scotland, where he worked as a Ranger and healthy numbers of regular attendees. for the North Harris Trust. Originally a We are pleased to report that the Welwyn native of south-west Cornwall, Matthew and Hatfield scheme is in very good health! studied Sustainable Forest Management at Inverness and has practical experience Sadly, at the end of March, we also working in a range of environments and saw the departure of Matt Green from landscapes. We look forward to putting his Hertfordshire Health Walks. Matt joined us acquired knowledge and skills to good use. in July 2014 as Assistant Project Officer and made an immediate, positive impression. Hertfordshire Health Walks Matt’s great enthusiasm and competencies Following her very marked success in made him an excellent fit to step into the initiating and establishing our newest role of Health Walks Project Officer when Health Walk scheme in Welwyn and Sian Price went off on maternity leave Hatfield District, Sarita Bansal, Project and he has done sterling work during the lead, has departed CMS for a permanent period that she was away. Matt had taken post within County Council’s Highways a break from the very demanding role as a Communications Team. We thank Sarita paramedic and now returns to this calling. for her valuable contributions and wish her We thank Matt for all his excellent work the very best of luck in her new role. and wish him well for the future.

In Sarita’s place, to see out the remainder Following a period of maternity leave we of this fixed-term contract until the end are also delighted to be welcoming Sian of March 2016, we welcomed Bronwyn Price back to her post of Hertfordshire Scholes. Bronwyn joined us with recent Health Walks Project Officer. Sian returns experience of positions within the Health to us ever enthusiastic and full of ideas and Social Care Industry and consequently about how we continue to build upon a very good understanding of the benefits the very significant achievements of of exercise on health and wellbeing. Hertfordshire Health Walks to date. Bronwyn was tasked with continued

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Conservation Grazing at Ivel Springs Tree pests and diseases: stop the spread Ivel Springs meadow truly is a wonderful sight in the summer In the last edition we described some of You can also be vigilant for signs of pests months – one that Countryside the issues we are facing around the threat and diseases. More information, including Management Service and site owners to our trees and woodlands from tree pests photographs and a video on signs and District Council and diseases. Some of these are already in symptoms, further advice on preventing the can be proud of. An important Hertfordshire and others are not far away. spread of disease and who to contact if you feature of this Local Nature Reserve come across a suspect tree can be found at (LNR) and Local Wildlife Site, the We’d guess that most readers of CMS News the Forestry Commission website - http:// meadow was created in 1992 by visit the countryside regularly, whether it’s www.forestry.gov.uk/pestsanddiseases. seeding a previously arable field. enjoying your local greenspace, leading a Health Walk, as a conservation volunteer or We also have a new Tree Health page on Without management in the form just walking the dog. Although we believe, the CMS website http://www.hertslink. of cutting or grazing, a meadow and scientific advice remains, that the risk org/cms/treehealth/ with information on like this would soon develop into of diseases such as Chalara Ash Dieback the current situation in Hertfordshire and woodland, resulting in the loss of being spread on boots, clothes, etc. is very further guidance, including the Chalara plants and associated wildlife. Tree low (even where the disease is known to be Action Toolkit for landowners and parish growth would also disturb the site’s present) there are sensible precautions that councils. important underlying archaeology. people can take to minimise this risk. Conservation grazing is the most Firstly, try to ensure that your footwear sympathetic management method and other kit is clean before you go out on for grassland species. Four, docile, a walk, ride, conservation task or other English Longhorn cows are due activity in the countryside. Once out, clean to arrive in July and will be on site any leaves and the worst of mud from your for 3 months. We have designed footwear, pushchairs, dogs, bikes, work infrastructure in such a way that the tools, etc. before you head home. Clean Above left: Ash dieback - public are not excluded from any part footwear and other gear properly at home. healthy and infected leaves of the site and are free to continue If you can dry it, that’s even better, as there’s Right: Horse Chestnut leaf with enjoying Ivel Springs LNR all year some evidence to suggest this might for leaf miner moth larvae damage round. instance help kill Chalara spores, although we do appreciate this may be difficult Both photos http://www.hertslink.org/cms/ during a typical British summer…! Copyright Forestry Commission getactive/placestovisit/ivelsprings/

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Larger trees coppiced in the hedgerow at Sopwell Nunnery and overshading riverside trees removed to allow light in

Sopwell Nunnery River Works

A project aiming to improve the quality remove several trees along a short section of a stretch of the River Ver chalk stream of the river that were blocking light from that runs alongside Sopwell Nunnery, reaching the riverbed. The large trees in is currently well underway. a nearby hedge have also been coppiced, The work is being funded through the leaving the more manageable sized plants Clean for The Queen River and Wetlands Community Days in the hedge to be laid by volunteers. initiative. Enabling more sunlight to reach the Many will be aware of the nation- riverbed will allow a greater diversity of wide campaign that has been Environmental and habitat improvements plants and animals to exist and thrive running in recent weeks and months along the river will allow more wildlife to here. to raise awareness of the massive flourish in this important and threatened problem of litter in our localities. The habitat. Wherever possible, practical Another aspect of this project is to campaign tied in with the lead up to work is being undertaken by community address poor water flow rates. Several the Queen’s 90th birthday on 21st volunteers provided through a woody structures will be built in the river April. Litter-lifting blitzes have been combination of the Ver Valley Society and to improve flows and increase energy organised right across the country the Countryside Management Service’s in the water, so as to shift mud and silt between January and March. mid-week volunteers. that has built up over time and expose a gravelly riverbed habitat that is vital for CMS were involved in the Improvement of the river will be achieved many invertebrates and fish. organisation of a very successful in several different stages. The first stage event on the 10th February of de-shading the river is now complete; Finally, the project also seeks to address which saw County and District the aim of this work was to problems of bank erosion in this area, representatives and a group of our much of which can be attributed to dogs practical volunteers engaged in a entering and exiting the river. We will concerted litter lift along a section designate a number of entry/exit points of the Alban Way greenway, which for dogs by building specially designed runs between Hatfield and St dog steps. By specifying the locations Albans. Lady Verulam addressed at which dogs can access the river we and joined the party as the will hopefully reduce erosion along the Queen’s representative on a hugely remainder of the bank thereby allowing productive morning, resulting in the marginal plants to become better collection and disposal of a very established. significant quantity of litter.

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Left: Before and after on The Alban Way, approaching the Camp Road bridge

More Moo-vellous All Aboard the Alban Way Grazing on

A lot has been happening along the Alban these events were organised by a team of One of ’s former Cow Way over the last 12 months, with plenty dedicated volunteers from the Commons, Oughtonhead has been more to come. The delivery of the second Residents Association. grazed for centuries. After a period phase of woodland management works of absence, cattle were reintroduced was completed during February 2016. During the summer months CMS will to the common in 1995, helping to Coppicing - cutting trees to ground level to carry out access improvements along the keep the encroaching scrub in check promote their growth - and thinning works route, as part of the GAP. Improvements and maintain floral diversity. to allow trees the space to grow to maturity; will include: removal of old barriers, has been carried out between Camp Road resurfacing sections of path, renovations The fencing is due for renewal and Bridge and Ashley Road. to the original platforms and halts, car permission has been granted to park improvements and new signage. An extend the grazed area to include This has been a great success, bringing vast updated leaflet and new logo have already significant portions of important dry improvements for both people and wildlife; been produced for the Alban Way. CMS and wet grassland, that are difficult more light now reaches the path and volunteers will continue to be actively to manage by any other means. ground flora, and a more diverse woodland involved in the delivery of the GAP. structure is developing. The works are part There will be only minor changes to of the five year Alban Way Greenspace Read more about the project and access arrangements. The existing Action Plan (GAP) – covering the St Albans download the leaflet from: path network will remain and two end of the route, produced for St Albans http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/albanway new sections of perimeter path will City & District Council by CMS. be created.

The beginning of February saw a discrete See following link for further detail:- event take place to celebrate 150 years http://www.hertslink.org/cms/ since the opening of Smallford Station. content/features/ohcfencing While back in October 2015, hundreds of This work is part of the Oughtonhead people turned out to celebrate the 150th Greenspace Action Plan 2011-2017, Anniversary of the opening of the Hatfield http://www.north-herts.gov.uk/ to St Albans branch line – now the Alban man_plan_v3.pdf. Way, a popular traffic free multi-user route. Events were held along the whole route Funding for this project has been with plenty to see and do, from stalls and awarded as part of Natural England’s displays, to a miniature railway. Both of Higher Level Stewardship Scheme.

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Bentsley Spinney Update March 2016

Bentsley Spinney is a small area of woodland in north east St. Albans. CMS working in partnership with St. Albans City and District Council (SADC) produced a Greenspace Action Plan (GAP) for the site in 2014 and since June 2015, have carried out a range of site improvements.

An area of the woodland dominated by sycamore trees was thinned Broxbourne Woods round-up in February, with resulting wood contributing to the local firewood market. Following felling operations The past winter has been somewhat of to firewood and biomass chip to horse the area has been planted by CMS a moist affair, whilst experts tell us that bedding. This year we’ve taken a leaf out of volunteers with a mix of native rainfall in this part of the UK has been our own book and recycled some Douglas trees and shrubs, with seed of local below the seasonal average, it certainly Fir trees into attractive new signage. Work provenance and grown in the UK. hasn’t felt that way. It may be that the has been carried out by local craftsmen This work will improve the structure pattern of rainfall, after several wet years within a stone’s throw of the woods, saving of the woodland for wildlife. with resultant saturated ground and high on unnecessary transport and associated water table have together created some of environmental impact. Several old Hornbeam pollards which the worst forestry conditions of the past sit on an ancient wood bank have two decades. Despite the rain and seemingly never been re-pollarded to perpetuate ending gloom, our insatiable volunteers them to a veteran stage. Our ongoing SSSI restoration programme continue to get stuck-in with good humour. has continued despite these diabolical Without their dedication and undoubted An interpretation panel has been meteorological challenges. We have skills many of our aspirations for the installed to enable visitors to learn worked hard with our contractors to ensure woodlands would simply not be achievable about the wildlife and management that this programme stays on schedule, and we thank them wholeheartedly. of the Spinney. Entrance signs have however damage to woodland tracks has been installed to welcome visitors forced us to beat a retreat. We have been to the site. Site access has been careful to ensure that the work area has improved with some additional been left in such a way that we can return surfacing and the construction of a later in the year to complete this 3rd phase of flight of steps. the project without affecting the important resident species. We appreciate that for our The project has been made possible visitors this has been a trying time and we through a grant from Tarmac Landfill will be putting in place measures to try and Communities Fund, along with avoid any future reoccurrence. contributions from Sandridge Parish Council and County Councillor Geoff We’ve written much in recent years about Churchard. how woodland produce is sold to help http://ow.ly/4mOaxy support the management of such popular sites. We have previously produced and marketed everything from saw logs

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Left: Thinning carried out at Bishop’s Wood Inset: Ancient woodland boundary banks

Bishop’s Wood project update

Restoration work at Bishop’s Wood Country Park continues to move forwards, as CMS work in partnership with its owners, Three Rivers District Council (TRDC), on the long term management plan.

At the heart of the plan is the progressive thinning of large areas of the woodland, focusing on the conifers planted during the Other panels, which you will find along the Weston Hills 20th century but also including some of the newly surfaced paths, will help you learn native hardwood trees. This work helps the more about the woodland. They cover a A new management plan is in place stronger trees which remain, giving them diverse range of topics, including history for Weston Hills, . This lovely space to grow, and allows light to reach the and archaeology, woodland management, wildlife site on the east side of the woodland floor, helping to reinvigorate wildlife and heathland. town is home to an array of wildlife. what was once a rich and varied ground Especially worth a visit is an area of flora. Through these panels, Bishop’s Wood has chalk downland where orchids and plenty to reveal. Woodbanks and ditches specialist plants thrive on the slopes. During the winter, thinning was carried out mark ancient woodland boundaries, while June is usually the best time to see in the northern part of the woodland. If you surviving patches of heathland are evidence the orchids but the grassland is in take the opportunity to visit Bishop’s Wood of the cattle that once grazed here. Newly flower right through the summer and this spring you will see what a big difference restored rides support plants like common also attracts many different types it has made, as the woodland floor comes spotted orchid and devil’s-bit scabious and of butterfly. In autumn the beech to life. you can see special woodland butterflies like trees cast a golden glow through silver-washed fritillary and white admiral. the woods and the colourful fruits of Making your visit easier and more the spindle bush and wayfaring tree rewarding are a new leaflet and set of The work is being jointly funded by TRDC punctuate the scrub. interpretation panels, designed as part of and the Forestry Commission, through the same project. A map shows walking an English Woodland Grant Scheme The new plan continues restoration routes around the wood, including an easy agreement. Visit the CMS website to find of the various habitats at Weston access trail for those less mobile and a picnic out more, or to download a copy of the Hills and also looks at ways to area close to the car park, as well as links to new leaflet: http://www.hertslink.org/cms/ mitigate the impact of Ash dieback the London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP). getactive/placestovisit/bishopswood/ which is likely to have significant effects on the woodland.

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Join the Mass Health Walk on 16 May Hertfordshire Walking Festival Want to be part of something BIG? We’re attempting to set a record for the greatest number of Health If it isn’t already in your diary for May, then get Walkers out walking on the morning it in there – Hertfordshire Walking Festival on Monday May 16th - what better 1st to 31st May 2016! time to set this challenge than during Hertfordshire’s Walking Festival. Hertfordshire is taking on walking in They will provide opportunities for a big way this May in a festival, the residents to explore their county whilst Between 9am and midday there will exciting culmination to our Year of walk leaders share their knowledge. be over 15 Health Walks taking place, Walking campaign. You can take your Walkers might discover how to so if you’re a seasoned Health Walker pick from more than 74 events that recognise certain bird song, identify or fancy trying something new there will take place across the county. trees or make the most of natural are plenty of opportunities to get light with their camera-phone. involved. Introduce a friend, bring a All the Festival events are FREE and cater neighbour or rally the family to help for all audiences; there will be day long The festival coincides with the make this our biggest Health Walk rambles, to family friendly bug hunts National Month of Walking and the ever! and everything in between. Most walks long standing Walking finish near some wonderful local cafes Festival (7th-15th May 2016). All regular Monday Health Walks will and pubs where walkers can refresh go ahead, plus some of our fabulous themselves and support local businesses. The Walking Festival booklet is leaders have organised additional Many of the walks start near local train now available online at: www. one-off Health Walks to help get stations or bus stop so that walkers can hertsdirect.org/walkingfestival more feet pounding the ground on use public transport when they attend. this day. This booklet lists all the events taking place. Festivals walks will provide a great Some of the events are ‘bookable’ as they We’ll post the walks schedule on our introduction to Hertfordshire’s outdoors; have limited capacity – so don’t miss out! website the walks all follow routes that are open all www.hertsdirect.org/walkingfestival year round and will give participants the on our Facebook page – confidence to come back and do their own facebook.com/ walk. hertfordshirehealthwalks -and Twitter @hertshealthwalk.

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Welwyn Hatfield Health Walks update

Since CMS received funding from Borough Council and NHS East & North Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Health Walks Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in April 2015, Welwyn & Hatfield Since the addition of the Welwyn Hatfield Hertford. Nominations for the awards came Health Walks have gone from scheme, Herefordshire Health Walks from residents, partners and colleagues. strength to strength. Welwyn & attendances have exploded! We still have There were five winners announced at the Hatfield now boast an impressive 7 registers being added by our volunteers, county’s annual Public Heath Conference weekly walks, 1 fortnightly walk and but at the time of going to print the total and delegates named Hertfordshire Health 1 monthly walk! number of attendances on Health Walks Walks as the overall winner on the day. between April 2015 and March 2016, Matthew Green and Tony Bradford were We have walks in a wide selection stands at nearly 48,000! This inflation on presented with the award by Dr Joan of different locations ranging from the previous year’s total (41,111) can also Crawley’s daughter, Jane. leafy to wheelchair- be accredited to the Year of Walking and friendly Hatfield Town Centre. the hard work Rukia and the team has been We continue to work closely with our Health Walks provide something doing to promote walking in all its guises Public Health colleagues here at the County for everyone from gently paced, 20 across the county. Council and intend to support the new minute ‘First Step’ Walks to brisk ‘One You’ health campaign launched by hour-long walks on more challenging The HHW team and volunteers’ efforts Public Health England throughout the terrain. With a good choice of walks were recognised when the CMS received summer. Take the One You healthy lifestyle on offer, Welwyn & Hatfield have The Dr Joan Crawley Award for Excellence assessment online at nhs.uk/oneyou, and attracted over 1600 attendances in in Public Health in December 2015 start making small changes to improve less than one year. An incredible feat (pictured right). The Public Health your health today. Perhaps you could go for such a new scheme! Excellence Awards aim to identify and on a short Health Walk! Our May-August publically recognise those who have Summer programmes are available online Of course, this success is largely due made an outstanding contribution to now at www.hertfordshirehealthwalks.org. to our wonderful Volunteer Walk improving the health of Hertfordshire Leaders, of which we have over 25 residents, through leadership, achievement, regularly and selflessly dedicating innovation, and the example of their their time to enable others to reap own lives. The premier award is given the benefits of walking. in memory of Dr Joan Crawley, the first female Medical Officer of Health in the For more information on Welwyn UK and who worked in public health in & Hatfield Health Walks please visit http://www.hertslink.org/cms/ healthwalks/wh

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We’ve picked out some highlights from the Hertfordshire Walking Festival throughout May to give you a taste of what’s on offer. Scene Change at Studio Way Shenleybury Trail, Hertsmere Borough Council has • Restoring wildlife habitats by Monday 9th May, 11am. received £62,600 from the Heritage carrying out: woodland management, Take a bus ride and a leisurely walk back, Lottery Fund (HLF) for an exciting restoration of old hedgerows, planting whilst learning about 6 centuries of local new enhancement project at Studio of native Oak trees and removal of history. Way, in Borehamwood. Thanks to invasive species, most to be carried National Lottery players, plans to out by CMS practical volunteers. Southern Country Park, Bishop bring the fascinating history of Studio • Creating welcoming and accessible Stortford Tuesday 17th May, 10am. Way back to life have been drawn up, entrances to the park with welcome A short walk to discover the Country Park, Northern Parkland and Thorley Wedge. in consultation with local residents. signs and a main entrance feature. • Installing interpretative information Photography Walk around Hemel Work is already underway, with CMS around the site highlighting Old Town and Gadebridge Park – delivering the project in partnership its wildlife and heritage. Wednesday 18th May, 6.30pm. with park owners Hertsmere • Engaging the local community on Gain expert guidance on framing and Borough Council (HBC), who are practical tasks and guided walks. focusing your shots beautifully. contributing an additional £32,000 to the project. Scene Change at Studio We will be busy throughout 2016 Panshanger Estate Ramble – Way aims to improve access, restore and beyond, delivering this wide Monday 30th May, 10am. An 8 mile ramble on the disused railway wildlife habitats and interpret the range of activity. Keep an eye out and line towards looping area’s long history of film making. if you’re local, why not get involved around the estate on public rights of and play a part in improving the way through woodland, countryside and Improvements due to take place over standard and amenity value of this parkland. the coming 18 months include: important local greenspace. • Improving access by opening up Don’t miss out, some of the events have and resurfacing footpaths and Read more about the Heritage Lottery limited availability so: linking routes around the site. Fund at www.hlf.org.uk or follow visit www.hertsdirect.org/walkingfestival @ heritagelottery and @HLFEoE email: [email protected] or call 01992 588433 to find out more. Explore Southern Country Park and Beyond Come and explore the south west Bishop’s Park and The Firs. The walks corner of Bishop’s Stortford this take you through a range of habitats summer by following the ‘Parks and including woodland, grassland, Beyond’ circular walks. The waymarked wetland and residential areas. (green and orange) traffic free routes take you along grassy footpaths, A new leaflet showing the circular walks bridleways and tarmaced paths, as has been created to help you explore they link together five East Herts the area and each site has its own Council managed open spaces. interpretation panel with information about what you might see on your visit. From the green award winning If you would like to learn more Southern Country Park, you can visit please visit:- www.hertslink.org/ Northern Parkland, Thorley Wedge, cms/getactive/placestovisit/scp/ Layout: Peter White, CMS volunteer.