For many years the Friends of the Nickey Line have run this butterfly walk.The Nickey Line is important as a greenway connecting various wildlife sites, and the Friends work parties have created fantastic habitat for butterflies, creating one of the bast places to see butterflies in the district.
Meet the car park at 10.30 prompt., or if walking from Harpenden go to the nature interpretation board alongside Knott Wood at 10,45am
Wear stout footwear, and appropriate clothing for the weather conditions. Bring a pair of short focus binoculars if you have them.
Contact Roger on rogerjan76@gmail.com to book a place, as numbers will be limited
Friends of the Nickey Line want to thank everyone who unselfishly collect litter from the Line, sometimes on a regular basis.
Like the Dad with his very young son near Fletcher Way bridge this morning (Sunday 21st January), or the group of teenage gentlemen collecting last week along the Holly Bush Lane curve in Harpenden, and whoever left these litter bags by Keens Field steps.
We love you all!
As you may have noticed, we have launched our new website.
It was developed for us at a concessionary rate by local Dunstable based web company Fortem Digital, supported by a generous £500 grant from the Railway Ramblers. We want to publically thank both organisations for their contributions.
Do check out our new site. It is mobile friendly with much new or revised content including:
– Month by month nature notes of things to look out for, with stunning new photographs
– What to see on the Nickey Line – interesting features on the different sections of the Line with historic and other relevant notes – worth checking out before you walk or cycle a new section of the Line
– Improved walks and cycle routes with easily downloaded maps and guidance notes
– New Galleries featuring Historic, Wildlife, Nickey Line and Friends photographs. If you have a great photograph you think would add to our Galleries, do email us with it!
Obviously, as with any new site, there may be the odd typo or other issue that has escaped our ‘eagle eyes’ – if you spot anything or want to make any comment on the site, do email us at friends@nickeyline.org.
Friends have received a bequest of £2000 from Mr Mark Urwin who died in 2022. We wish to place on public record our thanks to Mr Urwin and his family for his thoughtfulness and generosity.
A number of changes to local bus services have occurred:
- A new midweek local bus route, the 721, was introduced 19 November. There are now two midweek No 721 buses an hour linking Luton, Harpenden and Hemel Hempstead (via St Albans)
- These alternate with the two 321 buses (reduced from three) an hour, which go from Luton, through Harpenden to St Albans and continue as before to Watford
- Overall, this means there are now buses every 15 minutes running from Luton through Harpenden to St Albans.The bus journey from Harpenden to Hemel takes about 50 minutes
Harpenden residents can now get to Hemel Hempstead to access the hospital there by bus without having to change.
It also makes it easier for those based in Hemel Hempstead or Harpenden wishing to walk the 7 mile length of the Nickey Line to do so, and get back by bus without changing. It is a fantastic walk, much of it through lovely countryside, and we encourage you to walk it if you are able. Refreshments are available too at Redbourn mid way along the route.
Forgotten buildings have been found on the Nickey Line.
Friends of the Nickey Line volunteers led by Alan Gahagan have been unearthing (literally) lost Platelayers Huts along the Line.
Want to know more? Read our PDF update here.
Our Facebook Group “The Nickey Line” is available for all Nickey Line users to publish pictures, comments and stories about the Line.
Why not join the group today and add your favourite photos and stories?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/363326034099616
