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Author: Parish_Admin

DEFRA Consultation – Measures to Reduce Personal Water Consumption

DEFRA have just launched a consultation on measures to reduce personal water usage – open until 11 October 2019.

The consultation can be found here: consult.defra.gov.uk/water/measures-to-reduce-personal-water-use/

It is to understand what potential measures there are to reduce domestic water usage, and what reduction in personal water consumption is technically feasible and achievable. It seeks views on the measures proposed and asks what additional measures could be put in place.

The consultation covers:

  • Personal water cap (building regulations)
  • Water efficiency labelling
  • Metering
  • Smart metering
  • Rainwater harvesting
  • Supply pipe leakage
  • Incentives for customers to use less water.

As a member of the Lea Catchment Partnership we encourage you to respond.

Wide-scale measures to help improve water efficiency and reduce personal water consumption could have direct & positive impacts for helping restore flows in our chalk streams.

Bus timetables & guides available!

Visit the Parish Council offices between 9.30-12.30 Monday to Friday for copies of timetables for local buses, as well as comprehensive guides (including a detailed map) of all bus services around South, East and West Herts.

Some copies may also be found in The Reading Rooms on the High Street.

Vote now – Improvements to the Meads & the River Lea


Vote for ‘Meanders through the Meads’

As part of their Community Engagement Programme, Affinity Water are offering the chance to fund one local project.

In partnership with the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT), the Parish Council would like to enhance and increase the range of habitats for fish, invertebrates, birds and rare plants, protect the river from bank erosion and habitat disturbance, raise awareness of chalk rivers and increase people’s skills and knowledge of river restoration.

We need your votes to win the funding, so get voting! All you need to do is choose ‘Meanders through the Meads’ from the drop down menu at the bottom of the page. No personal information required! Voting closes on 30 August 2019.

Vote now

More information about the HMWT can be found here.

Oak Processionary Moth caterpillars – a problem for oak trees, humans and animals

We have been urged to check for Oak Processionary Moth caterpillars by DEFRA.

The Oak processionary moth is a non-native moth that has become established in parts of London and its surrounds. OPM caterpillars feed on oak leaves and can increase trees’ vulnerability to attack by other pests and diseases, making them less able to withstand weather conditions such as drought and floods.

Whilst this is a serious problem for oak trees, the primary concern is the caterpillars hairs as these can cause severe irritation if in contact with human skin and can also affect dogs. These caterpillars should not be handled or approached. if you suspect you have found OPM caterpillars, please report your sighting to treealert.forestresearch.gov.uk.

For more on how to identify OPM, visit https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/opm. 

Another marvellous Village Weekend!

Once again, Village Weekend was a fantastic success. More photos of the weekend will be shared in due course.

Thank you again to all the volunteers who help to make this weekend of events possible.

Volunteer to help make Village Weekend a success!

Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July 2019

Village Weekend is run by a handful of wonderful volunteers and every year we desperately need more people to help!! Are you able to help lighten the load so that all three events can run smoothly?

Click on the button below to see a list of activities/jobs that need doing

Volunteer job list for Village Weekend 2019

Please note:

  • You can put your name down for any jobs you wish to help with.
  • Everyone who has access to it will see which slots you have put your name down for immediately.
  • Once you have chosen a slot/s, please email Ellie at info@wheathampstead-pc.gov.uk with your contact info. In accordance with data protection, your contact info will only be used for the purpose of volunteering.
  • If you are not comfortable writing your name on this form, please note your initials or just write ‘filled’.

Why are Chalk Rivers special?

Chalk Rivers are very rare. There are only about 200 across the entire world and one of them is the River Lea! Almost all of them, about 85%, are found in South and East England. This makes them extremely special and one of the UK’s most important environments.

For more information, visit our page about the River Lea.