Hatfield in Bloom

2019 Portfolio FOREWORD CONTENTS in Bloom 2019 Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 02 03

We were absolutely delighted to achieve a silver award for our borough last year. It was a fantastic 20 14 FOREWORD 02 way to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our council officers, contractors and volunteers. INTRODUCTION 04 BEST TOWN CENTRE This year, we have taken on board the feedback from the judges last year  08 and we have entered into a number of different categories, which we are excited to share with you. BEST VILLAGE Lemsford 14 We have made improvements to our street furniture and open spaces in Essendon 16 Welwyn Garden City, whilst developing stronger links with our BID team. BEST TOWN We are continuing to prepare Welwyn Garden City for the centenary Welwyn 20 year in 2020 which will be an opportunity to further showcase our horticultural achievements. BEST CEMETERY  Foreword by Cllr Stephen Boulton The Lawn Cemetery 24 Executive Member for Environment We have also focused on highlighting more work that our fantastic and Planning volunteers and community groups do throughout the year, particularly BEST WOODLANDS in our woodlands. 26

We hope you enjoy reading our portfolio and CALENDAR OF EVENTS 30 we look forward to seeing you on judging day. 08 24 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 04 05 OurOUR Plan VISION on a ANDPage PRIORITIES 2018-21 Working better, together

OUR LOCATION Our To work together to keep Welwyn Hatfield a great place Vision to live, work and study in a vibrant and growing economy The borough is located in central covering an area of approximately 130 square Our Community Our Environment Our Housing Our Economy Our Council kilometres. Around 79 percent of the borough is currently designated as part of the Metropolitan Our Green Belt. Priorities

The borough is made up of two new towns; Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City and a number of large and small villages providing a mix of urban, Safe Communities Clean Streets Quality Landlord Sustainable Growth Value for Money suburban and rural areas, each with its own identity and character. Our Public Health Waste & Recycling Housing Need Investment & Equality & Regeneration Fairness Sport & Leisure Green Spaces Affordable Homes The area boasts a number of conservation areas, listed Objectives Neighbourhood & Customer First Art & Culture Parking Housing Quality Town Centres buildings, areas of archaeological significance and currently, Employer of four registered historic parks and gardens. Integral to this built Business Friendly Choice environment are the trees, verges and urban woodlands. www.welhat.gov.uk/businessplan Our Fairness Integrity Respect Values Innovative Responsive Transparent INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 06 07

Many thanks for seeing through the tree work for me in my garden, your oversight was very much appreciated. Compliment from resident, 2018/19

OUR WORKLOAD Congratulations on your Anglia in Bloom We are responsible for cutting nearly 3 million m2 triumph. What a Garden City Star you are! Compliment from resident, Autumn 2018. of grass and also care for conservation grasslands, wildflower grasslands and ecotones. Many thanks for all the tree planting around my area. I have lived in WGC for over 80 years We manage nearly 100 km of hedges and conservation hedges – this is and like to see the place kept as a garden city, the equivalent of travelling from our borough to Cambridge and back! as it should be. We maintain more than 40,000 individual trees, 207 tree-belts and 43 Compliment from resident, January 2019. primary and secondary woodlands, in both urban and rural areas across the borough. I would like to thank you for clearing the leaves. It was very much appreciated and thank you. We also plant in excess of 80,000 bulbs, plants and bedding each year for our residents and visitors to enjoy. Compliment from resident, December 2018.

The hedges were cut and I would like to place on record my thanks for such a great job. Compliment from resident, September 2018. BEST TOWN CENTRE BEST TOWN CENTRE Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 They look amazing - adds a little bit more Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 08 09 to this already outstanding town centre. Compliment from visitor, Summer 2018

They are beautiful. Perfect for a garden city. Thank you BID. Compliment from visitor Summer 2018

BEST BID/TOWN CENTRE They are gorgeous. Well done. Compliment from visitor, Summer 2018 WELWYN GARDEN CITY They are amazing! And make the town Welwyn Garden City was founded by Sir Ebenezer more enticing! Howard in 1920, who aimed to combine the Compliment from visitor, Summer 2018 Horticultural Achievement benefits of a city and the countryside. Looking even nicer than usual Welwyn

The town is laid out along tree-lined boulevards and every road has Garden City. We plant Spring and Summer bedding a wide grass verge and some fantastic open spaces for residents and Compliment from visitor, Summer 2018 annually in our town centre, as well as visitors to enjoy. Lovely! We commented on them as we maintaining grass, shrubs and rose beds. The Welwyn Garden City BID is a not-for-profit company set up by walked round the town today. businesses in Welwyn Garden City town centre and is supported by For the second year in a row, the BID team has installed a Compliment from visitor, Summer 2018 government legislation to improve the area. number of planters for residents and visitors to enjoy. This year, the Council have worked closely with the BID team Their vision is to create a town centre which is innovative and modern, I was thinking the other day to ensure that all flower displays will complement each other. built on the unique garden city principles and characteristics, making it I wanted to thank someone for a great place to visit, work and live. them. They’re lovely. Thank you! Compliment from visitor, Summer 2018 BEST TOWN CENTRE BEST TOWN CENTRE Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 10 11 Environmental Responsibility Community We work closely with the BID team to keep Participation the town clean and tidy, providing advice to businesses on responsible waste management. Throughout the year, the BID team host a number of events: This year, we have introduced a programme of street washing in the two town centres and our shopping parades. • The BID team have recently organised a To mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, a fountain was erected community clean up in the town centre. in Parkway in 1953. We clean the fountain on a weekly basis and dye the • Other events have also been arranged, such as water during some months to support charities. For example, we support World Environment Day. breast cancer awareness month in July and this summer we have • 2020 will be a very special year for the decorated the fountain and surrounding hedges to promote and support borough as we will be celebrating its Alzheimer’s Society. 100th year.

We provide and look after street furniture, A fantastic year of such as benches, bus shelters and street celebrations lies ahead name plates. We always ensure that any for Welwyn Garden City street furniture is appropriately placed for our in 2020, planned by the residents and visitors, and is in keeping with the Welwyn Garden City surrounding environment and its heritage. Centenary Foundation, to celebrate the town’s rich This year we have refurbished or replaced 25 and diverse history. benches and 20 litter bins. We have also refurbished and introduced new posts and rails to protect grassed areas and shrubs. BEST TOWN CENTRE BEST TOWN CENTRE Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 12 13

The ‘All Aboarders’

WGC Station was opened in 1926 and in keeping with the ethos of the town, the station included several flower beds and shrubberies.

The station adoption group was formed in March 2018, with the aim of restoring and replanting the existing flower beds and maintaining the trees and shrubs that had not been maintained for some time. In addition to this, the group has installed wooden planters and have transformed the station environment. The group now have 16 gardening volunteers and last year volunteered over 300 gardening hours over 9 months.

The group has received help and support from Govia Thameslink Railway, a number of local businesses and charitable organisations and other local The aims and activities of the group are: organisations, including the BID. In addition to this, residents have given £250 in donations, plus plants. • To improve the environment of Welwyn Garden City train station and surrounding area. In May, the group made arrangements to rescue bulbs and plants destined • To promote volunteering opportunities. for composting by the Council, as part of the town centre’s rejuvenation • To contribute to the social and economic regeneration of the town. of beds and borders. The bulbs and plants – hyacinths, tulips, narcissi • To improve knowledge of horticulture and the environment. and primulas – have also been shared with Digswell Community and • To improve the bio-diversity of the area. Gardening Project. • To promote the heritage of the station and rail travel. • To promote a sustainable environment. It is a great example of how we can all work together to increase our sustainability of planting and has also brought community groups together. BEST VILLAGE BEST VILLAGE Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 14 15

Lemsford Springs contains an BEST VILLAGE old watercress bed which is a valuable habitat – particularly for water birds, as it does not freeze LEMSFORD in cold winter weather. It provides a fascinating array of habitats: Lemsford is a historic and pretty village near shallow spring-fed lagoons, marsh, willow woodland, hedgerow and Welwyn Garden City. Queen Elizabeth I meadow – fantastic for winter was once quoted as saying “Lemsford is the bird watching. prettiest village in ” when she The village has a thriving sense of community and enjoys came through the village. a lively social life organised by the social committee of the Lemsford Residents’ Association.

The village is widely known for its large mill on the River Lea The Social Committee have introduced planters at each which is now the headquarters of Ramblers Worldwide entrance to the village and in the centre, engaging the Holidays (RWH). The church was erected in 1858 as a services of the St John Hospitaller Nursery, who are memorial to the sixth Earl Cowper. a local charity dedicated to training young people with learning disabilities in horticulture.

The planters within the village are managed from group funds and a bulb planting day is planned for September this year. BEST VILLAGE BEST VILLAGE Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 16 17

LEMSFORD (continued) Community Participation

Over time, the village has taken on the maintenance of the riverbank The community is thriving as a result of the active in the centre of the village. Every year a riverbank clear up is undertaken, including litter picking as well as cutting back the shrubs and other work by a range of groups in the area. vegetation growing on the riverbank. The Lemsford History Group encourage and actively develop the Members of the village with more specialised knowledge also clear the river knowledge of the local area with regular meetings and this contributes to to encourage wildlife and fish in the river. a sense of place for the village.

This last year this was supported by the Ramblers Worldwide The Social Committee works hard to include people in all village events Holidays company who provided volunteers and with mail outs and word of mouth. The proof is the growing numbers who refreshments for the team of workers. attend the monthly Meet and Greet sessions in the Sun pub.

The Lemsford Springs Reserve is supported by the The village church, led by the Rev P Seymour, has Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust of a lively congregation who contribute to the village which 2 of the villagers are wardens. through events. The Friends of the Church Garden are introducing This reserve is renowned for its birds and mammals a wild flower meadow in the church garden. as well as its natural springs that provide respite for wildlife in the winter. It has been featured on the The social committee hopes to continue to build BBC Countryfile programme as well as being visited a sense of community in the village and develop by luminaries such as Sir David Attenborough. an inclusive approach to all events, taking into account age groups and diversity of our This year it is hoped to fund the training for one of residents. A village noticeboard is planned for our villagers to undergo training to become a river the village green. warden to educate anglers and oversee our stretch of the river in conjunction with the police. BEST VILLAGE BEST VILLAGE Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 18 19 BEST VILLAGE Camfield Place is just outside of the village ESSENDON and is the historic home of Barbara Cartland, it was also visited by Beatrix Potter.

Essendon is a charming village overlooking the Volunteers undertake seasonal planting around the war memorial and in the planter River Lea, comprising of a church, a number under the village sign throughout the year. of historic houses and a good pub called the Each year many local Rose and Crown. residents participate in the village Gardens It is believed that the now grade II listed church of St Mary’s Open Day. This the Virgin, has been in the village since the 12th century with it incorporates around 20 having been restored in 1883. The church yard includes a cedar of private village gardens Lebanon tree and there are also many spring bulbs planted across and is held in aid of St the churchyard. Mary’s Church.

Many houses have plant stalls with music being held at the church and demonstrations at the local forge. The local primary school also participates opening their allotment, gardens and outside classroom. BEST TOWN BEST TOWN Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 20 21 Horticultural Achievement

BEST TOWN Welwyn Florist in the High Street complete planting on the island opposite their shop throughout the year. WELWYN Environmental Welwyn is a village and which lies a few miles Responsibility north of Welwyn Garden City. The parish also includes The River Mimram flows through the the villages of Digswell and Oaklands. middle of Welwyn village. , a wet meadow, lies adjacent to the Welwyn is the site of both Iron Age and Roman settlements River Mimram. Singlers Marsh comprises and is believed to have been occupied continuously for over a section of regionally important chalk river and lowland flood meadows. The mosaic 2,000 years. Throughout the last 900 years, St Mary’s of grassland, willow scrub and more mature trees attract a wide range of wildlife Church has stood at the centre of the village. The grade II especially plants of wet meadows, insects and birds including summer visitors. listed church is situated within the Welwyn Conservation Area, which comprises the historic core of the village. In 1850, a 40-arch viaduct was constructed just outside the village to accommodate the railway line north from London over the River Mimram. A prominent local Welwyn Parish Council provides 89 allotment sites of various landmark, the viaduct is around 1,560ft long and around 100ft high. sizes for use by local residents and they also run an allotment competition every year. There are also two play areas, located Community Participation close to the parish playing fields. The playing fields include a county standard football pitch and an all-weather cricket square, as well as a The Welwyn Festival has been held annually since mini and youth football pitch. 1974. It now covers a period of 10 days, towards the end of June each year. Events include a street market, Welwyn Roman Baths comprises of a museum and exhibition costume street parade, family fun day, dog show, displaying remains and archaeological finds from Roman times. The site was classic car parade and open gardens. uncovered during the 1960s and 70s by the Welwyn Archaeological Society. BEST TOWN Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 23 The Fernery at Welwyn Project

The Friends of Danesbury Local Nature Reserve (FOD) is a volunteer group which has been organising monthly Work Parties throughout the year for some 20 years.

In September 2015 the FOD started a new Project to ‘reclaim’ the abandoned and very overgrown Victorian Fernery. Apart from the renowned collection of rare ferns it once contained, of principal interest was the Pulhamite artificial rockwork which was completely hidden from view under nettles, alder, scrub and soil.

In November 2016, the volunteers started the careful task of Volunteers undertook extensive research in local record offices and excavating the original pathways, during the course of which we in the RHS’s Linley Library over the years and whilst there are began to uncover hidden rockwork. In the autumn of 2016, 2000 historic references to both the gardens at Danesbury and the career English daffodils and snowdrops were planted, and in February of Anthony Parsons himself, unfortunately there are no papers in This Community led Project is attracting much interest from 2017, 50 hawthorn, field maple and hazel were planted. existence which show exactly where all of the Pulhamite features were County focus groups and is encouraging visits from Welwyn’s positioned on the site, nor where the species of ferns were planted, nor residents and local organisations, many of whom just three During 2017, volunteers continued to remove more spoil from how water was brought to the site and circulated. years ago did not know that the Fernery existed. The group the site and more rockwork was uncovered, including a cistern have received donations of plants from the District Gardening which holds hundreds of gallons of water; a basin at the foot of In September 2015, when the FOD started work Club, and donations from the Welwyn Festival group and the dropping well; and a ‘lost’ path which undoubtedly would in the Fernery, the site had not been maintained other local charitable groups, and private benefactors too. have led to the gorge over which a rustic bridge had been thrown. as a garden for well over 100 years and it was Gradually over a period of another two to three years, the virtually impenetrable. But by June 2016 all The volunteers are recovering a heritage gem from volunteers will endeavour to restore or replace these features so the invasive nettles, elder and scrub had been extinction, so that it will once again become an attractive and that visitors might enjoy them once again. cleared, invasive tree roots poisoned, and grass permanent local feature of Welwyn’s long heritage that seeded to make the site look less derelict. future generations might respect and enjoy. BEST CEMETERY BEST CEMETERY Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 24 25

BEST CEMETERY Horticultural Achievement

We maintain the grass and provide bedding and hanging The Lawn Cemetery, Hatfield baskets to provide a peaceful setting. For the last three years, the Lawn Cemetery has achieved Green Flag status. Environmental Responsibility

This year, we have reused seating cubes to include in the new dedicated area for reflection for grieving families who have lost their babies and children. Community Participation

The Lawn Cemetery was opened in 1984 Each December, we place a tree of remembrance on which families can write names of family members on stars. All by the Lord Bishop of Hertford with the donations received go to a local charity. landscape permitting only upright headstones, Twice a year, the Friends of the Cemetery organise placed on predetermined concrete plinths at communal bulb planting days. the head of the grave. The size and shape of the memorials are constrained to ensure a unified design in an effort to encourage well maintained grass. BEST WOODLANDS BEST WOODLANDS Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 26 27

BEST WOODLANDS Sherrardspark Wood

Woodlands in Welwyn Hatfield offer excellent access for peaceful enjoyment of trees, foliage, autumn and spring colours, running water and sunny glades, not forgetting the joy of seeing woodland wildlife, enjoying birdsong and even perhaps gathering fungi. The larger woodlands have extensive networks of both public and permissive paths and trails which are well way-marked to help visitors.

The boroughs largest woodlands, and Sherradspark Wood are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Sherrardspark Wood is one of Hertfordshire’s largest and most important oak and hornbeam woodlands. BEST WOODLANDS BEST WOODLANDS Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 28 29

Horticultural Achievement

Sherrardspark Wood extends to approximately 80 hectares (200 acres) and has some of the county’s finest oak and hornbeam trees, as well as a wide range of wildlife including birds, plants, mammals and fungi.

Environmental Responsibility

All work in the woods follow a plan agreed with the Forestry Commission and Natural England, and aims to maintain and enhance the wood's biodiversity while simultaneously encouraging informal recreation and enjoyment. This year we are undertaking the following works: Community Participation • Coppicing; the Wood Wardens will fell mostly hornbeam trees, leaving stumps that will produce new bushy growth within 2-3 years. Good Hundreds of hours of spare time is enthusiastically given by the oak, ash, cherry and rowan trees will be retained as sources of seed for volunteer group, Sherrardspark Wood Wardens Society, who work new trees. After a few years the areas will turn into a dense thicket of two mornings each week to help care for the woods. The Society was vegetation ideal for birds and small mammals. formally launched in 1966 and their activities include tree planting • Any large gaps in the new coppice area will be planted with mainly and aftercare, selective tree felling, keeping paths and entrances hornbeam and hazel. In recent winters, the Wood Wardens have planted accessible, clearing out ditches and ponds, litter clearance and over 1,500 young trees and shrubs in various parts of the wood. management of the heather area. • Contractors will carefully thin some oak trees. This will open up the canopies to allow new oak seedlings to germinate. Thinning of the canopy They also provide specialist guided walks through the woods, elsewhere in the wood has already allowed hundreds of small oak trees to Before (2006) After (2017) providing the community an opportunity to learn about the geology germinate. of the area, to identifying trees, flowers and insects. CALENDAR OF EVENTS Welwyn Hatfield in Bloom 2019 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 31

Volunteer days APRIL JULY OCTOBER • Wood warden volunteer days • Wood warden volunteer days • Wood warden volunteer days Health walks • Hatfield Clean-Up Week (week of litter picks, • Blooming Good Garden Competition • Environment Awareness Day at University arranged by volunteers) • Weekly Healthwalks in Sherrardspark Wood of Hertfordshire Wardens guided walk • Sherrardspark Wood Wardens Society Guided (Flowers and Butterflies of the Meadow) • Sherrardspark Wood Wardens Society Guided Walks (Spring Bird Walk, Cowslips and Bluebells) • Garden Fair (Organised by the BID team) Walks (Fungal Foray) Local cleanups • Weekly Healthwalks in Sherrardspark Wood • Lemsford summer family event • Weekly Healthwalks in Sherrardspark Wood • Spring bedding planting JANUARY MAY AUGUST • Wood warden volunteer days • Wood warden volunteer days • Wood warden volunteer days NOVEMBER • Weekly Healthwalks in Sherrardspark Wood • Compost Giveaway Day • Sherrardspark Wood Wardens Society Guided • Wood warden volunteer days • Sherrardspark Wood Wardens Society Guided Walks (Moth Evening and Do you Know your • Weekly Healthwalks in Sherrardspark Wood Walks (Woodland Photography) Woodland Trees?) • Remembrance Day FEBRUARY • Weekly Healthwalks in Sherrardspark Wood • Weekly Healthwalks in Sherrardspark Wood • Council regeneration schemes commence • Wood warden volunteer days • Lemsford Village Fete • Cinema on the Green (Organised by the • Lemsford river clean up • Weekly Healthwalks in Sherrardspark Wood BID team) JUNE DECEMBER MARCH • Summer bedding planting SEPTEMBER • Wood warden volunteer days • Grass cutting commences • BID Welwyn Garden City Clean Up • Wood warden volunteer days • Tree of Remembrance (The Lawn • Wood warden volunteer days • Wood warden volunteer days • Introduce students to the borough in week of Cemetery, Hatfield) • Keep Britain Tidy Communiuty Litter picks • Sherrardspark Wood Wardens Society Guided door knocking. • Weekly Healthwalks in Sherrardspark Wood • Sherrardspark Wood Wardens Society Walks (Foraging in the Wood for Food and • Weekly Healthwalks in Sherrardspark Wood • Christmas lights switch on (Organised by the Guided Walks (Introduction to Geology) Medicine and Summer Bug Walk) • Bulb planting in Lemsford BID team) • Weekly Healthwalks in Sherrardspark Wood • Weekly Healthwalks in Sherrardspark Wood • Lemsford Christmas Event • Essendon Open Gardens Day • Lemsford Church afternoon tea at the mill • Lemsford senior residents coach trip Welwyn Hatfield Members of The Anglia in Bloom in Bloom 2019 Team

Community and Environment Services Team Landscape and Ecology Team Communications Team WGC BID Team

Our Partners: Serco, Maydencroft, John O’Conner, Amethyst Horticulture, Branson Leisure and Glassons Metalwork Ltd.

Particular thanks go to our Wood Wardens, the Danesbury Fernery volunteers and the ‘All Aboarders’. All photographs taken within the last 18 months, unless stated. taken All photographs Plus, Adopt-A-Road volunteers, other volunteers and community Welwyn Hatfield groups who have supported us. Borough Council The Campus Welwyn Garden City Herts AL8 6AE

Tel: 01707 357000 www.welhat.gov.uk

2019 Portfolio