North Mymms News: February 2019

Brown bin collection misses some homes

Council says leave the bins out

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council says it wasn’t aware that the gardening waste recycling collection was missed along Moffats Lane, Brookmans Park on Thursday 28 February, but the local authority advises residents to leave their bins out and they will try to arrange collection tomorrow.

Animals seen running free in surrounding public space

Escaped horse at the gate at the top of Bluebridge Avenue
Image courtesy of Ellen Harrington Johnson via Facebook

There are reports on Facebook that horses have been running free in Gobions Open Space and Moffats Open Space early this morning. The horses are normally grazed in Leach Fields. Local residents have taken photographs of the animals and posted them on social media.

The lodge on a former 15th century estate

Photograph of Potterells Lodge as a private house in July 1966 Image from R. Kingdon

Potterells Lodge as a private house in July 1966
Image from R. Kingdon, from The Images Of North Mymms Collection

If you have ever sat in the reception area at Potterells Medical Centre on Station Road waiting to see a doctor or nurse you may not have realised that you are surrounded by local history. The site was once the lodge for a 15th century manor house called Potterells which fell into ruin almost 50 years ago.

Major North Mymms crossings mapped for first time

Image: montage of photographs of North Mymms bridges taken by Peter Miller

Do you recognise any of the bridges in the picture above? They are just a selection of 17 historical bridges in North Mymms which have been carrying pedestrians, vehicles and trains over waterways, roads and railway lines for more than 100 years.

Old Sunday school picture just released

St Mary's North Mymms Sunday School 1937. Image copyright Cambridge University released under Creative Commons BY-NC 3.0

St Mary's North Mymms Sunday School 1937
Image courtesy of University of Cambridge released under Creative Commons BY-NC 3.0

The picture above was taken in 1937 and shows the Sunday school class at St Mary’s parish church, North Mymms with gifts for African schools.

Do you recognise anyone? Can you fill in any more details? Do you have any pictures of the event you could share? If so, the North Mymms History Project would like to hear from you.

Police say Brookmans Park and Welham Green targeted

Police are asking the public to contact them if they have any CCTV images of theft or attempted theft from vehicles on their properties. The appeal follows a number of incidents in Brookmans Park and Welham Green in recent days.

57 neighbours submit comments

Chancellor's School, Brookmans Park showing area to be developed Image copyright North Mymms News, released under Creative Commons

Chancellor’s School, Brookmans Park showing area proposed for development
Image copyright North Mymms News, released under Creative Commons

A total of 64 comments have been received by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council in response to the resubmitted planning application from Chancellor’s School for new sports facilities and classrooms.

Of those 53 were from residents living in Pine Grove who were mainly concerned about traffic issues.

The local green belt society, parish council, and the Campaign for Rural England have all objected to the school's plans.

Local history archive sheds light on forgotten cottages

Oil Painting 9” x 6”

Label on back reads “Folly Lane” Potters Bar from M.C.A. Dec.25 1909

Image from the Peter Miller Collection

An antique oil painting discovered by an archivist on the North Mymms History Project (NMHP) has helped identify the site of a pair of cottages that once stood along Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms (once known as Folly Lane).

Bottle of wine for each member of winning team

North Mymms Memorial Hall, Station Road, Welham Green

The North Mymms Memorial Hall is staging another of its popular quiz evenings on Saturday 30 March. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. The cost is £12.50 a head which includes light refreshments. Participants are invited to bring their own beer, wine, and glasses.

“Rogue” equine flu “highly contagious”

Image courtesy of Hertfordshire Countryside Management Service

Hertfordshire’s Countryside Management Service is urging the public not to approach horses during the current outbreak of equine influenza. The latest fear is that even vaccinated horses are now contracting the disease. All horses could be at risk, particularly the weak, elderly, and young.

12-mile circular now passes through North Mymms Park

The footbridge over the River Colne Image by Hertfordshire Walker, released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

The footbridge over the River Colne features in the extended North Mymms Way
Image by Hertfordshire Walker, released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

The North Mymms Way, a 12-mile circular route around the historical Hertfordshire parish of North Mymms - which is mentioned in the Domesday Book - has been extended.

The route has been widened to the west thanks to the creation of a short stretch of permissive path by a local landowner following discussions with the Ramblers Association.

The route now goes through St Mary's churchyard and then crosses North Mymms Park, offering sweeping views across the country estate to North Mymms House.

Broken white asbestos at fly-tipping blackspot

Dangerous white asbestos sheeting dumped along Bradmore Lane

Sheets of hazardous white asbestos have been dumped along Bradmore Lane, Brookmans Park, as yet another fly-tipping incident leads to the road's closure.

Walkers, especially those with dogs, should probably keep clear to avoid their animals sniffing around the exposed waste material.