April 2008

Welcome …

Spring is a good time on the Nickey Line with fresh leaves on the trees and bushes plus a good mix of flowers. We have seen a lot of tree work along the Line over the Winter, much of it funded by our grant from the Big Lottery Fund, with removal of trees in some places and planting in others.  

Our AGM is at 7.30 on Thursday 15th May at Park Hall, Harpenden. Do come along and hear an update on the Management Plan.  Meet other users of the Line (yes, and your committee too) over a cup of tea or coffee and give us your views and suggestions for future work and events.  

Friends Membership - We now have 168+ households as members.  Our thanks to all of you who have joined.  Please encourage your friends and neighbours to join too and help us make a difference. They can print a form off our website www.nickeyline.org or ring 01582 622771.

What’s Happening on the Nickey Line:

Tree works – We have funded work in both the Dacorum and Harpenden stretches to remove large trees, mainly the ubiquitous sycamore, to let more light in to encourage other species of trees and flowers. We plan to fund further extraction of 3 large sycamores at Thumpers in Dacorum where the local Thumpers residents association want to improve the access and plant wild flowers.

M1 – The work to widen the M1 has taken a lot longer to finish than promised and we are still awaiting the internal tunnel lights in particular.  The section between the M1 and Chequer Lane has been reinstated.

Redbourn flowers  - we propose to seed exposed chalk at Redbourn with a grass/wildflower mix specifically for chalk/limestone soils. Some of the wildflowers in the mix which you might recognise are cowslip, knapweed, kidney vetch, field scabious, birdsfoot trefoil. Not all of these will flower in the first year, but we expect there'll be some poppies anyway.

Eastman Way (Hemel Hempstead) - The Groundwork Herts project created 300m of new surface and improve signage at Eastman Way. We feel the signage remains disappointing and needs further improvements however and we shall be making proposals to Dacorum Council.

Big Lottery Breathing Spaces Grants - We have asked for an amendment to the allocation of the grant we received last year to allow us to fund some of our latest projects.

New Interpretation Board – We have received an attractive quote for the new  board covering wildlife topics and we expect to confirm our order as soon as we receive the anticipated agreement from the Big Lottery Fund. We plan to base the board near Knott Wood.

Tool Purchase – We have ordered over £500 of tools for our stalwart volunteers to use in our volunteer working parties. Over half the funds have come from our Big Lottery grant.

House Owners Cutting  Nickey Line Trees – We have been requested by the local councils to remind everyone that individuals are not allowed to cut trees on the Line without first getting permission. Trees on the Nickey Line may have a preservation order on them or be in a conservation area and therefore will not be allowed to be cut. Also the management plan has areas where tree work is to take place and therefore trees will be taken out but according to the plan and order of the works over the years. NB If trees are considered dangerous when inspected by the council then of course these will be a priority and be taken out quickly.  If you want action on a tree for any reason, please contact the Trees and Woodland Officer at your Council.  Don’t take the law (oops, sorry, saw…) into your own hand!

New Website – Work has started on a new website to replace the present one. It will have lots of extra information, a photo gallery and a picture of the month on the home page amongst other goodies.  So, why not start looking out your Nickey Line photos to see your prized picture appear …..
 
EVENTS PLANNED – Dates for Your Diary – Contact 01582 622771 for details:

AGM 7.30 on Thursday 15th May at Park Hall, Harpenden

Yes, we know we mentioned it on the other side but it’s important! Do come along and hear an update on the Management Plan.  Meet other users of the Line (yes, and your committee too) over a cup to tea or coffee and give us your views and suggestions for future work and events.   

The Natural History and plants of the Nickey Line, Sunday 8 June at 2.00pm
 Join Roger Reynolds, a local naturalist, on a walk of discovery about some of the plants on the Nickey Line, and how they have evolved. We will meet at the Roundwood School crossing, and walk down to the Redbourn by pass and back (about 3 miles). Booking (01582 763560) essential, as places limited.
 
Circular Walk, Sunday 13 July, 2008 starting 2pm near Redbourn
 Meet at the bottom of Redbourn Lane by the Redbourn bypass, grid reference TL 112 128 (small car park, or street parking opposite) for a 4 mile circular walk via Hammonds End and Redbournbury Mill, looking at the wildlife on route. Bring stout footwear. Contact Roger on 01582 763560 for details.
 
Walk the Railroad from Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead, Saturday 2 August, starting at 11am.
 Walk will start at the Holly Bush Lane steps in Harpenden when the 320 Centrebus bus, leaving Bridge Street in Hemel Hempstead at 10.20am, arrives at the top of Sun Lane in Harpenden around 11am. We will walk the length of the Line (7 miles) from Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead, from where those wishing to return to Harpenden will catch the bus. Shorter stretches can be walked, as the bus route crosses the Nickey Line at intermediate points, allowing flexibility. Bring a picnic lunch. Contact Roger on 01582 763560 for further details.
 
Fungal Foray, Wednesday 22 October 2008, at 10.00am
Starting at the bottom of Redbourn Lane at the by pass (grid reference TL 112 128), Alan Oaten, of the Herts Fungal Group, will be leading this walk up the Nickey Line towards Harpenden, possible entering Knott Wood.  Booking is essential for what is likely to be a heavily booked event. Contact Roger on 01582 763560 for further details.

Nickey Line Walk 4   Redbournbury Mill – Short Circuit under 3 miles (Approx 4 Kms)

This walk from Redbourn incorporates little if any of the Nickey Line but, while the surface of the Line west of Chequer Lane remains un-repaired from the drainage installation, it makes a pleasant excursion. Otherwise it can extend other walks to suit your own inclination.Terrain – meadow paths and good tracks on short route. Field crop crossing (ploughed in season) and some contour on the longer Eastern route.Redbournbury Mill (and Bakery) is open for sale of flour or bread from Tuesday - Saturday mornings (approx 9-1pm) and is also open 2.30-5.30 pm. (4.30 in Winter) every Sunday afternoon to view (small charge) and for bread and flour sales. Teas are no longer served on a regular basis.Doolittle Mill is a private residence. All footpaths are signed wherever they join roads.