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News

Children in Need are coming to Wheathampstead

BBC Children in Need and The One Show’s Rickshaw is well under way after setting off on Friday from Holyhead, as six young riders have embarked on a challenging 400 mile route making their way to London as they raise money for Children in Need along the way. 

On Friday 15 November – the final day of the challenge – they be passing through Wheathampstead, as Team Rickshaw pedals its way to the final destination of Elstree, for the live BBC Children in Need Appeal Show that evening.

They will be coming along the High Street at around 2.25pm, and they would love for the village to cheer the team on as they ride through. It really does make all of the difference! 

You can also see the exact route here, and the team can also be tracked live at this link: http://live.opentracking.co.uk/cin2019/.

Make sure you are there to cheer them on! 

Parish Councillor vacancy

Would you like to become a voice for your community and affect real change?

Wheathampstead Parish Council currently has a vacancy for a Parish Councillor. If you wish to apply for this role, click here for more information.

Updating The Memorial Hall – have your say!

The Parish Council wants feedback from residents with regards to their next big project – the development of The Memorial Hall.

Click here to find out more information about this project, as well as have your chance to give your feedback/opinions/ideas in the form of a short survey.

The ‘Meander through the Meads’ project is a winner

As you may have seen from a previous news post, Affinity Water were offering the chance to fund a local project as part of their Community Engagement Programme.

Thanks to your votes, our project ‘Meander through the Meads’ won! This project, in partnership with the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT) was created 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.

Keep an eye on our website for more information – we will update everyone as and when we know more.

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.