Arlesey Conservation fOR Nature – ACORN
Caring for the Local Countryside since 1992
ACORN’ S Achievements Much of what ACORN has been involved with over the years has its roots in the early partnerships mentioned in April’ s“ on the button”. That combination of enthusiastic volunteers and organisers, advised and supported by experts, with funding from local authorities and national grant schemes, has produced impressive results over the years. This article describes some of the highlights.
Footpath Improvements and Walks Leaflets Encouraged by Central Beds’ Rights of Way team and the new Parish Paths Partnership, the local footpath network was steadily improved through the 1990’ s. Overgrown sections were cleared and old fashioned styles replaced by“ kissing gates”. The footpath that runs past Green Farm east towards Fairfield had almost disappeared, and its re-opening in 1996( after much hard work) was celebrated by a sponsored walk raising £ 1,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital.
The next major project was creating an easy access footpath from Mill Lane to the Mill Pit Meadows. The group also raised enough money, via grants, to be able to replace the narrow concrete bridges over the river and the ditch.
With a footpath network to be proud of, the group was keen to encourage local residents and visitors to explore the countryside around the village, and so a series of 8 circular walks were identified. Funds were raised, maps designed, directions checked out, and illustrations drawn by local artist Chris White and ACORN supporter Lilian Billows( sadly no longer with us). Large maps have been installed at Pix Green, the town centre and West Drive. Many thousands of the walks leaflets have been distributed over the years, and we now urgently need to update, fund and reprint once again.
Etonbury Wood We have the EU to thank for Etonbury Wood – now well established to the south of Etonbury School, running down to the A507 within the parish boundary of Arlesey. It was recognised that traditional farming that relied on a small variety of crops was vulnerable to weather, and could suffer a string of poor years. The EU Woodland Diversification Scheme suggested timber could provide an additional and steadier income stream, and offered funding to encourage trials of the concept. Bedfordshire County Council( as it was then) took this up and set up the Bedfordshire Farm Woodland Demonstration Project, working with local farmers Steve and Meg Bumstead, experts from Cranfield University( Graham Goodall), and ACORN. The project included provision of public access, and ACORN volunteers worked to clear and maintain footpaths through the maturing woodland, and installed several rustic benches. The Wood was officially opened in July 1999.
From open fields, Etonbury Wood has now become a wonderfully diverse environment for wildlife, despite its origins as simply a cash crop. The original project has now run its course, and there will be more about the current plans in the next article.
Arlesey Glebe Meadows The Meadows lie in a narrow strip between the main East Coast railway and the River Hiz, just to the West of the railway station.
Origins of the meadows can be traced back to the 11th century when they were part of an endowment from Waltham Abbey to the manor of Arlesey Bury. The land was later passed to St Peter’ s Church, which was built by the monks of the Abbey around 1180. The name Glebe means“ land held by the parish priest as part of his benefice”( to provide a source of income). In recent times The land was used for grazing horses. The level of the drier northern meadow is slightly higher as a result of land-fill, whilst the southern meadow retains its damper character.
Members of ACORN had recognised the potential of the land as a valuable green space for the benefit of wildlife and the community. The Old Moat nature reserve to the south of the meadows was purchased by the Wildlife Trust back in the 1970s, and the two areas would complement each other. Then in 1999 there was an opportunity to purchase the land, and urgent fundraising got underway. Contributions included £ 500 for a team of ACORN volunteers to carry out hedge laying for a new footpath in Northill. Whilst the bulk of the money came from a landfill tax credit grant and a Mid Beds Council Community Fund grant, this wouldn’ t have happened without demonstrating strong local and Council support.
The Meadows are now held by the Wildlife Trust, and managed jointly by WT, Arlesey Town Council, and ACORN. A legal document ensures that they will be kept safe for future generations.
The Hicca Way Another long-held aspiration for the group was to establish a walk to follow the River Hiz, all the way from its spring source south of Charlton village, through Hitchin, Ickleford and Arlesey until it joins the River Ivel to the east of Henlow Grange. The Hiz is one of a small number of chalk-bed streams in the country, and provides an important wildlife corridor. There are also historical records showing how it linked the Saxon lands to the south with Viking outposts to the north – the name Hicca comes from the tribe settled in Hitchin.
The idea was to use existing footpaths as far as possible, accepting that it wouldn’ t always be possible to walk alongside the river. At the Arlesey end, the acquisition of Glebe Meadows meant that the river could be followed all the way down to Arlesey Common – with the exception of one short link between the Old Moat and the Mill Pits. The farmer at the time would not allow any form of public access, but when the farm was sold, the new owner agreed a permissive path and even provided fencing to keep it secure. As a result the project could start to move forward.
A team was put in place to include representatives from the four communities and two counties. A route was agreed, and some upgrades to footbridges etc got underway. Text drafted and photos selected for a leaflet, and a special circular“ Way Mark” disc designed to point the way along the route. Maps were also installed in lecterns at five points along the route. The construction of the Hitchin railway“ flyover” caused some last minute problems, requiring a diversion to be added to the Ickleford to Hitchin section. But eventually everything was in place, and the official opening marked by a ceremony at Hitchin and Henlow Bridge Lakes, featuring local dignitaries, sword-wielding Vikings, and local runners following the path.
In Conclusion
None of the above could have been achieved without the support and involvement of many organisations and groups, but most of all the membership of ACORN past and present.
With special thanks to Geoff Page for his inspiration on making sure we get our facts right. Next time we bring the ACORN story up to date, featuring some of the current projects underway, and looking to the future.
ACORN would like to invite you to show your support by joining our Group and helping to protect our wild life, biodiversity and green pastures, get involved and receive our newsletters. Annual membership fee is £ 4 for individuals or £ 6 for families Email acorn. arlesey @ ntlworld. com or visit the ACORN Facebook page: Arlesey Conservation for Nature https:// www. facebook. com / groups / 361501306689 /
10 on the button issue 46 June 2016 | 01462 834265 | steve @ onthebuttonarlesey. co. uk | www. on-the-button. co. uk