February 2007

Welcome …

Lots has happened since our first newsletter in October so do read on…. Let us know what you think or suggest items for the next newsletter – you can ring on 01582 622771 or email friends@nickeyline.org.

Friends Membership
We now have 146+ households as members across Hemel Hempstead, Redbourn and Harpenden.  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:

Redbourn High Street Steps Refurbished  - We have smart looking black steps thanks to a Balfour Beatty 'Building Better Communities Grant'
M1 Bridge, New Drainage Pipe – Work is starting on the M1 bridge with a large sleeve to be inserted which will act as an underpass for the Nickey Line – it will be lit inside when finished. New drainage is to be put in the ground alongside the line for about 500m to connect with an existing pipeline.
The line will be open or with a bypass during the work period of several months so don’t stop using it!
Tree Thinning at Harpenden – Tree thinning will take place between the 5th and 9th March from the Hollybush Lane steps to the Luton Road bridge. This work will remove poor tree specimens and open up the canopy to allow increased light levels. Sections of the Line will be closed temporarily. Please contact Sarah Norwood at Harpenden Town Council on 01582 768278 for more information.
Work parties – We have had several work parties – major litter clearance from Hemel Hempstead, coppicing by Knott Wood, hedge laying at Redbourn. Balfour Beatty staff volunteers organised their own work party too on the Line near the M1 in conjunction with the Countryside Management Service (CMS). 
New Dog Bins – two new bins - At Redbourn and at the junction of paths on the Redbourn-Harpenden stretch. Please use them ! Two more have been requested from St Albans District Council.
11th February Guided Walk - over 40 people took part in the very enjoyable walk led by Peter Cooke.

Nickey Line Management Plan – Along with this newsletter is an overview of the Nickey Line Management Plan, produced by St Albans District Council and CMS  (some of you received it last time.) Please see the aims and objectives section for what the plan will achieve.

Big Lottery Breathing Spaces Grants 
We received the Big Lottery Phase 1 funds of £1,250 for a new information board and running costs. We have applied for a further £7500 Phase 2 Breathing Spaces grant to fund specialist tree contractors, 2 additional notice boards plus tools for future work parties. We hope local councils will match fund the contractors work if we are successful so we can achieve more.

New Nickey Line Leaflet
You should receive a copy of the new leaflet with this newsletter. Copies are available free from a variety of places – council information offices and of course us! Contact us if you want another one for a friend.

Horses Policy
An application has been made by the British Horse Society to allow horse riding along all of the Nickey Line.  We have submitted a policy statement to the local councils requesting them to resist this as potentially dangerous and against the interests of most users.
 
Events Planned – Dates for Your Diary – Contact 01582 622771 for details

Hemel Hempstead Walk, March 18,  – Learn more about the Nickey Line with Peter Cooke of CMS. 2 pm departing Midland Pub, Adeyfield Rd, Hemel Hempstead  (max 1.5 hours).
Bird Watching Walk, Sunday 29 April - Bird identification walk along the Nickey Line, starting 9.00 am from the crossing by Roundwood School, as far as the Redbourn by-pass and back, led by Geoff Horn, leader of the local Harpenden RSPB Group, and a Friend. About 2 ½ miles, duration up to 3 hours. Option for return earlier for those who wish. Bring stout footwear, as the Nickey Line can be wet at this time of year.
Bird Watching Walk at Redbourn, Wednesday, 2 May 2007 - Another chance to  see the birds of the Nickey Line with Geoff Horn, starting from Redbourn at the bottom of Harpenden Lane at 9.15 am. Will walk up the Nickey Line as far 5 ways (where the path from Townsend Lane comes in) and back. 2 ¼ miles, with the option of 1/2 mile extension via Harpendenbury Farm and Porridge Pot. Footwear, and option for earlier return, as above.
Annual General Meeting, 17 May 2007 - see details below
Flowers and Trees of the Nickey Line, Saturday 9 June 2007 - Discover the flowers and trees of the Nickey Line in the company of  Neale Holmes-Smith, leader of the Welwyn and Hatfield branch of the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust. Start at the Roundwood School Crossing at 2pm, likely to last at least 2 hours. Bring stout footwear. Maximum of 25 persons, so book your place now by phoning Roger Thornhill on 01582 763560 or on email at roger.thornhill76@ntlworld.com
Hunters Oak Walk, Sunday June 24th. Learn more about the Nickey Line with Peter Cooke of CMS. 10 am departing from Hunters Oak (max 1.5 hours).
Historical Remains of the Nickey Line Walk, Sunday in October 2007 (to be confirmed)

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Our first AGM will be Thursday 17th May, 7.30–9.30 pm Park Hall, Harpenden.  Peter Cooke of CMS will give an update on the management plan.
Please come along and support us, ask questions, make suggestions!

CALL FOR HEMEL HEMPSTEAD MEMBERS AND MEETING SECRETARY
Hemel Hempstead members wanted to help us be more active there. Specifically, we are looking for:
- A second Hemel Hempstead based committee member
- Users who want to help on local delivering, litter collection and other work parties.
Our secretary Gill Shaw has had to resign because of pressure of other commitments. Our thanks go to Gill for her time with us but can you help us now? The main role is producing minutes of our monthly meetings. 
If you can help on any of these, please ring us on 01582 622771 or email friends@nickeyline.org. 

Nickey Line Walks
Friends committee member Doug Nevell has been drawing up walks based on stretches of the Nickey Line and other footpaths.  We shall be publishing these in our newsletters as space allows and on our website. Give them a try!