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Lights Up 2019: Christmas Market – Stalls needed

We will be once again having our Christmas Lights Up event on Thursday 28 November 2019 along the High Street.

In order to give the event more of a Christmas market feel, we would like to offer a small number of spaces for stalls. There will be no charge for a space. However, as space is limited, priority will be given to small local businesses selling gifts etc and local not-for-profit organisations wishing to promote their services. All stalls must be as Christmas themed as possible so as to not detract from the festive feel!

If you would like a stall, please email Ellie at info@wheathampstead-pc.gov.uk.

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. 

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.