North Mymms News: 2018

Little Heath fireworks display date announced

Tickets now on sale for annual show

The flyer for the 2018 Little Heath fireworks display

This year's community bonfire and fireworks display at Little Heath, North Mymms takes place on Saturday November 10. Family, adult, and child tickets are now on sale.

Tickets on sale now for Al9ddin

There'll be a local twist when the popular panto comes to the North Mymms Memorial Hall as local laundry boy Aladdin, renamed Al9ddin for this postcode-localised remake, searches for his magic lamp in Gobions Wood.

There will be three performances of the show - two on successive evenings and one Saturday matinee - which is being staged to raise funds to support the upkeep of hall. Tickets are on sale now.

Concern for safety of historical milestone

The Swan being demolished - October 17, 2018
Image by Peter Miller

Work is underway to clear the site of Swan Lodge, Bell Bar, and build eight one and two bedroom apartments. The area has been fenced off as workmen demolish the old building that once served as a important coaching inn along the Great North Road. Local historians are keen to ensure that the 18th century milestone that leant against the wall of the building is preserved, as stipulated in the conditions of the planning consent.

Surface water building up along busy road

Blocked grid along Station Road close to Welham Green
Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Five months after Station Road was resurfaced, gravel is still blocking the grids and gullies preventing rain water escaping. This despite Hertfordshire Highways being told to "sort it out" by a local councillor.

Attempt to prevent human fouling of public path fails

The problem confronts walkers as soon as they follow the public path into the field
Image by North Mymms News, released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

A sign appealing to people not to use a North Mymms public footpath as a toilet appears to have been removed. And the problem of human excrement and soiled toilet paper continues to present a health hazard.

Updates on hearing sessions and Green Belt Study

The October edition of Welwyn Hatfield's Local Plan newsletter has just been published. It includes the latest news on the Local Plan examination, the hearing sessions, the Green Belt Study, and sets out the next steps in the process.

More than £1,800 raised for the Isabel Hospice

The Humphrey Lyttleton Jazz Band at the North Mymms Memorial Hall on Saturday 6 October 2018. Image by North Mymms News, released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

All 120 tickets were sold for the Humphrey Lyttleton Jazz Band's performance at the North Mymms Memorial Hall on Saturday night, with £1,822 raised for the Isabel Hospice. The organisers, the North Mymms Support Group for the hospice, said it was a great turn out and that people "gave generously".

Possibly the oldest known images of the house and grounds

The pleasure gardens at North Mymms Park c 1876
Image courtesy of Lindsay Sinclair and released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

The North Mymms History Project has digitised and published a number of historical items, which are now available to view online for the first time.

A collection of five old sepia photographs of North Mymms Park, thought to be the earliest ever taken, has been uploaded to the site. They were found in a folder at a local farm.

And an auctioneer's brochure for the sale of 800 acres of North Mymms Park in 1922, has also been found, digitised and uploaded.

Drivers urged to secure vehicles

Hertfordshire Constabulary is urging drivers to keep their vehicles secure this autumn, following a seven percent increase in thefts from cars and vans in the last six months compared with the same period last year.

But fences around the field are still down

Photograph of The footpath from Moffats Open Space to Leach Fields cordoned off Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

The footpath from Moffats Open Space to Leach Fields cordoned off
Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

The North Mymms Parish Council run Moffats Open Space was cordoned off this morning following another escape of horses from Leach Fields. Just before midday, a thin foal, its mother, and another horse were rounded up and returned to their field.

Community effort to record ancient, veteran and notable trees

Old oak along Mymms Drive, Brookmans Park - September 2018
Image by North Mymms News, released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

North Mymms News and the North Mymms History Project need your help in locating the oldest trees in the parish as part of a national effort to record, protect, and help preserve the country's arboreal history.

Removal work reveals extent of damage

Revealed - the Grade II listed tomb at St Mary's, North Mymms - September 30, 2018
Image by the North Mymms History Project released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Piles of ivy lie alongside the tomb of a former vicar of St Mary’s, the Reverend John Alkin, who served the parish of North Mymms for the entire first half of the eighteenth century. The monument, which is listed by Historic England and described as a 'Chest Tomb', is now visible; in August it was completely covered.

Police and environmental health officers investigating

Photograph of The hedgerow to the left of the path as it enters the field by the Esso garage Image by North Mymms News, released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

The hedgerow to the left of the path as it enters the field by the Esso garage
Image by North Mymms News, released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Those walking along the footpath from the Esso garage on the A1000 to Grubbs Lane, are forced to pass by what has become an unofficial public toilet, with human faeces and soiled tissue spread along the hedgerow either side of the public right of way.

Local organisations invited to submit ideas

The speed warning sign on Bluebridge Road, Brookmans Park
Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Grants have been set aside to pay for ideas submitted by the public designed to improve road safety and change road-users' behaviour. It's the third year running that the money has been made available by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire. So far almost three quarters of a million pounds has been allocated for new safety initiatives.

A 38% increase in items left at police stations

Some of the swords handed in at Hatfield police station
Image courtesy of Hertfordshire Constabulary

Police say that swords, cleavers, combat knives, and knuckle dusters were part of the haul of unwanted knives and other potential weapons handed in at Hatfield, Stevenage, and Watford police stations during amnesty week - 56 more than were surrendered last year.

Information packs to understand modern crime

Loneliness and vulnerability are two of the new focus areas of Neighbourhood Watch
Image courtesy of the Home Office, released under the Open Government Licence

There was a time when Neighbourhood Watch groups issued crime alerts, encouraged local resident to look out for anything suspicious, and circulated local crime figures. Now a new approach to crime prevention is being adopted with the publication of a series of online information packs and campaign toolkits.

Two samurai swords and a cleaver handed in

Appeal lasts until Monday September 24

Swords surrendered during the 2017 amnesty

Image courtesy of Hertfordshire Constabulary

Hertfordshire Constabulary is reporting a positive start to this year's knife amnesty with almost half last year's total of items having been surrendered in the designated police station bins in the first two days.

At Hatfield, 29 bladed weapons, including two samurai swords and a cleaver, have been handed in, while in Watford, around 20 mainly kitchen knives have been deposited. In Stevenage, 15 knives have been handed in so far.

Chance to hand in unwanted knives anonymously

Image of knives by Jim Case, released under Creative Commons BY- 2.0

A knife amnesty will run from between Tuesday September 17 and Monday September 24 so that members of the public can hand in any unwanted knives to the police anonymously and without fear of prosecution for possession.

The Humphrey Lyttleton Band

The Humphrey Lyttleton Band
Back row left-right: Ray Wordsworth, Mick Foster, Jimmy Hastings, Adrian Macintosh, John Rees-Jones
Front row left-right Ted Beament and Tony Fisher - image courtesy of Jimmy Hastings

In support of Isabel Hospice

Some of the original members of the Humphrey Lyttelton Band will be performing at the North Mymms Memorial Hall on Saturday 6 October. The event is to raise money for the Isabel Hospice. Tickets are on sale now for £22, which includes 'light refreshments'.

Visit the Memorial Hall in 360 degree 3D

Image courtesy of the North Mymms Memorial Hall

A North Mymms company has produced a 3D, 360 degree tour of the North Mymms Memorial Hall. It's one of a series of interactive videos which also include a virtual tour of St Mary's Church.

Work parties every Friday and first Sunday in month

Volunteers are needed to help maintain the trails through Northaw Great Wood
Image by Hertfordshire Walker released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Do you use the Great Wood at Northaw? Would you like to help maintain its 300 acres? If so, the group of volunteers that cares for the site would like to hear from you. Help is needed with a number of tasks, and those who want to volunteer can do as much or as little as they feel able. There is no obligation to turn up if you can't make it, and no experience is required.

Grade II listed monument no longer visible

Photograph of The overgrown Grade II listed tomb at St Mary's Church, North Mymms - August 2018 Image by the North Mymms History Project released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

The overgrown Grade II listed tomb at St Mary's Church, North Mymms - August 2018
Image by the North Mymms History Project released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

A tomb in the churchyard at St Mary's, North Mymms, which was listed as a Grade II historical monument in 1983, is now completely covered in ivy. It's not known whether any damage has been caused, but church representatives are to meet to consider how best to tackle the problem. Earlier this month the restoration of another listed tomb in the churchyard was completed. That repair cost several thousand pounds and took two years. That, too, had been covered in ivy in the 1900s.

Search for the Grade II listed item resumes

Photograph of the missing coal post which can be seen middle left of this picture taken in the early 1900s Image from G. Knott and part of the Peter Miller Collection

The missing coal post can be seen middle left of this picture taken in the early 1900s
Image from G. Knott, part of the Peter Miller Collection

For more than 120 years a coal post stood at the junction of Warrengate Road and Hawkshead Lane in the Hertfordshire parish of North Mymms. In the early 1980s it disappeared. Since then, mystery has surrounded what happened to the historical listed landmark. Now the North Mymms History Project (NMHP) is keen to resume the search.

Feasibility study set for September

Picture of Brookmans Park's Bradmore Green and Bluebridge Road. Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Crossing Bluebridge Road in Brookmans Park village can be a bit of a challenge at times, especially for the elderly and those with small children. Rush hour and the school run are particularly busy times. For years people have been talking about the need for a pedestrian crossing, but, so far, nothing has been done. Now it seems the situation might be about to change.

"Temporary solution" proposed by parish council

Photograph of Jonas Way. Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

The potholes along Jonas Way, Brookmans Park, which runs between Moffats Lane and Gobions Open Space car park, are to be filled in as a "temporary solution", according to North Mymms Parish Council (NMPC). The local authority says it will provide the material for infill, and the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT) has, the council says, agreed to provide the labour.

Doors open for 'master plan' viewing

The RVC Hawkshead Campus Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

The Royal Veterinary College is opening its doors to local residents next month as it
sets out its 'master plan' for the years ahead. The site has been continually expanding over the years and now says it's about to remodel some of its research, learning, teaching, and office space.

Your chance to be a hyperlocal journalist

Photograph of person typing on a computer keyboard Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Is there a local issue that you want to raise? Perhaps you have stumbled upon a local news story that you want to follow up. Or there might be something going on in the neighbourhood that you feel deserves wider attention.

New look with enhanced content

The Brookmans Park Newsletter is now a portal, offering an entry point for three new sites where all the history, walks, and archived news features have been updated, enhanced, and extended.

Highways officer told to 'sort it out'

A blocked grid on Station Road, close to an area known to be susceptible to flooding Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

A month after road resurfacing work left the grids and gullies along Station Road, between Brookmans Park and Welham Green completely blocked with excess gravel, weeds and plants have taken root.

New tactics being used in Hertfordshire

Photograph of Herts police crime alert image

Police and Trading Standards officers in Hertfordshire are warning residents to be vigilant after rogue traders in the county adopt new tactics for conning people on the doorstep.

All walks are free to access, download, and print

All 74 local rambles on the Hertfordshire Walker site are now available to locate and access on a single map. The new feature also includes KML and GPX information for those who want to navigate the walks with a smartphone or any other mapping device. Both additions were suggested by users of the free walks site.

The Brookmans Park Newsletter discussion forum has closed

After more than 15 years featuring debates about local issues, the Brookmans Park Newsletter's discussion forum has closed following dwindling interest and activity.

Recent resurfacing work clogs waterways

Photograph of Station Road, Brookmans Park Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Many of the drains along Station Road, between Brookmans Park and Welham Green, are completely blocked with excess gravel. In one stretch, known locally as Watersplash because it's prone to flooding, all the grids have been filled with stones, leaving nowhere for rainwater to escape.

Parish council hires specialist company

Japanese knotweed in the Gobions Open Space woods
Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

North Mymms Parish Council has agreed to a treatment plan for dealing with Japanese knotweed in Gobions Open Space. Work will begin in the summer. A second thicket of the invasive shrub at the North Mymms war memorial has been reported to Hertfordshire Highways.

Suspected thickets of invasive plant being investigated

A suspected thicket of Japanese knotweed close to the North Mymms war memorial on Tollgate Road

North Mymms Parish Council (NMPC) is obtaining quotes for the eradication of Japanese knotweed after the discovery of what is thought to be thickets of the invasive plant in Gobions Open Space and close to the war memorial. One of the patches is close to the rear gardens on the south side of The Grove in Brookmans Park. The other is on the bank to the north of the North Mymms war memorial close to Tollgate Road.

Four-week consultation ends June 6

Aerial photograph of Chancellor's taken by Paul Large of Falcon Media in September 2002

Aerial photograph of Chancellor's School taken in September 2002
Image by Paul Large of Falcon Media

The public has been given four weeks to respond to expansion plans drawn up for Chancellor's School, Brookmans Park, that aim to cater for a rise in school numbers from 180 to 210. The school says the "improved facilities" should be available from the autumn term of 2019.

Welwyn Hatfield told to review housing strategy

The latest edition of the Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan newsletter has just been circulated. In it the planning inspector's requirements of the council are set out in a list of 'key tasks'. That list, and the newsletter, are included below.

All departures and arrivals will be changing

Scan of the Great Northern Timetable May 20, 2018 to December 8, 2018

Great Northern has published a new train timetable affecting trains to and from Brookmans Park and Welham Green. It runs from May 20 to December 8, 2018. But local commuters have reported that they've found it difficult to make sense of what's been published online - particularly regarding arrivals and departures. So we've picked up the local timetable, scanned it, and it's now available below to download and print.

Photograph of a Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan event poster - image courtesy of the Welwyn Hatfield Times

The dates for Stage 4 of the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Local Plan examination have now been announced. They will be on Thursday and Friday June 28/29. Stage 4 will be looking at the individual allocated sites in Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City only; it's unlikely North Mymms sites will be discussed until later this year.

They're at it again, this time it's household waste

Photograph of Bradmore Lane closed at the Station Road end. Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Bradmore Lane, Brookmans Park closed at the Station Road end because of fly-tipping
Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

A large dump of household rubbish, fly-tipped in the middle of Bradmore Lane, led to it being closed to traffic on Bank Holiday Monday. It's the third such incident in a little more than a week. Clearly, the current strategy for dealing with fly-tipping isn't working.

Photograph of a polling station sign. Image by secretlondon123 released under Creative Commons

The Conservative Party held Welwyn Hatfield but lost two seats. Labour lost one seat, the Liberal Democrats gained three seats. A third of the council seats were up for election this year. There was a 34.8% turnout.

Groundsman's complaint leads to council action

Fresh grass cuttings in the woods adjoining Gobions Open Space, May 2018 Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Fresh grass cuttings in the woods within Gobions Open Space, May 2018
Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

The parish council has written to residents whose gardens back on to Gobions Open Space asking them not to dump garden waste on council-owned property. The letters have been sent to residents in The Grove, Brookmans Park.

Brings to 20 the number dumped in the last week

13 fridge freezers dumped at the western end of Bradmore Lane
Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Last week seven fridge freezers were dumped on the bend halfway down Bradmore Lane, this week another 13 have been tipped, leaving a trail of glass and metal along the road. The local council has been notified.

Already spotted in Hertfordshire

A caterpillar of the oak processionary moth.
Image by Wim Rubers released under Creative Commons BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Forestry Commission is warning that the oak processionary moth has been spotted in the South-East. They say the larvae, or caterpillars, of the moth can affect the health of oak trees, people and animals.

Local police are alerting residents of a banking scam currently doing the rounds in Hertfordshire. It seems the callers are persistent and using increasingly convincing methods to try to con would-be victims out of their savings.

What's changing between now and July 2018

Screen grab of the Brookmans Park Newsletter front page taken on 26 April 2018

It was announced at the start of the year that the Brookmans Park Newsletter is changing. This is an update on how those changes are progressing, and what can be expected in the two months leading up to the introduction of a new arrangement with our hosting company.

Photograph of Potters Bar household waste recycling centre Cranborne Industrial Estate Image courtesy of the Welwyn Hatfield Times

Potters Bar household waste recycling centre Cranborne Estate before the current closure
Image courtesy of Hertfordshire County Council

According to the Welwyn Hatfield Times, improved weather leading to a high demand, coupled with the charging for garden waste collection by some local authorities in Hertfordshire are being blamed for tips being "full to overflowing".

Did you lose a set of keys in Brookmans Park today, Wednesday 25 April, 2018? If so, Hertfordshire police might have them. Anyone claiming them will have to describe them.

Fridge freezers are classed as hazardous waste

Seven fridge freezers dumped down Bradmore Lane April 2018
Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Could these be yours? Have you had a restaurant refurbished recently? These seven fridge freezers have been left along the northern side of Bradmore Lane, just before the first bend. One is blocking a public footpath. The fly-tipping has been reported to the local authority.

We've added a new big, bold, green button to our three sites to enable you to print the pages you are reading. It allows you to edit out any content you don't want, leaving in only the elements you require. It's called Print Friendly, and is the green button in the line of buttons below.

Photograph of police car for the Herts police crime alert

A few months ago I was in my front garden when a white van pulled up. A bloke --- he must have been in his mid 50s --- rolled down the window and shouted "do you live here?" Caught off guard I said yes. "Well you need your trees done, mate", he said. "I can do them now for you now if you want."

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