Author Archives: John Roper

Sherrardspark Wood – Summer Activities

Posted on by

The Sherrardspark Wood Wardens Society organise a number of interesting walks which are detailed in their website.

The following walks are being organised over the next few months:

  • Saturday 8th August 2015 “Do you know your woodland trees?”
  • Saturday 22nd August 2015 “Bat Watching at Stanborough Lakes”
  • Saturday 19th September 2015 “Fungal Foray”

Please note that some of these walks allow only limited numbers and it is important to go to the Sherrardspark Wood Wardens website to get full details and, where needed, pre-book.

The Panshanger Oak seen again

Posted on by

Lafarge Tarmac has opened up an Oak Trail which will allow people to see the magnificent Panshanger Oak once again. The Oak Trail starts close to Riverside Cottage in the heart of the park, and allows the public to walk close to The Broadwater, which is a lake fed by River Mimram and designed by Humphry Repton 200 years ago. On the Broadwater is a 19th century waterwheel.

Access to the Oak Trail is by foot from the Thieves Lane car park

On top of the hill are the remains of the Orangery and Conservatory, as well as the site of the former Panshanger House, demolished in 1953. From the site of the old house there is an impressive view across the valley towards Cole Green.

For more details of the impressive work of the Friends of Panshanger Park, and to see  how you might help, go to the Friends of Panshanger Park.

 

Two New Committee members appointed

Posted on by

Two new Committee members were appointed at the Committee meeting of 5th May 2015: Valerie and Alan Plumley.

Valerie Plumley has been appointed our new Secretary, to replace Eleanor Lewis, and Alan Plumley holds a new appointment to focus on, and promote, the values of the amenities available within our community.

It is intended that Alan will support John Roper, who remains our webmaster, but with the special task of developing website links and communications with other community groups in and around Welwyn.

 

Open for Bowls at Welwyn Bowls – Open Days 2015

Posted on by

Welwyn & District Bowls Club have been going since 1965 (50 years ago) but are still very much young at heart, and they welcome newcomers and experienced bowlers of all ages..

They have a series of Open Days and evening sessions, to which you are invited to try your hand.

Afternoon Open Days or Evenings 2015
Friday 24th April – evening
Saturday 25th April – all day
Friday 1st May – evening
Saturday 2nd May – all day
Friday 8th May – evening
Saturday 16th May – all day

Welwyn & District Bowls Club offer a social life which continues throughout the year.

Go to Welwyn & District Bowls Club for more details. Tell them we sent you.

Panshanger Park – Heritage Walks 2015

Posted on by

The Friends of Panshanger Park hold monthly accompanied Walks led by members of the Friends, who will talk about the features of the delightful Humphry Repton landscape and the history of the site, and point out all the many wildlife features.

Walks start at 2 p.m. from Thieves Lane Car Park on the following dates:

Saturday 28th March

Sunday 26th April

Sunday 31st May

Sunday 28th June

If you would like to join one of their Walks, you are asked to let the Friends know in advance by email to:

For more information about the varied activities go to the Friends of Panshanger Park website.

 

Panshanger Park – a Country Park right on our doorstep

Posted on by

The Friends of Panshanger Park (the FPP) was formed to ensure that Panshanger Park is restored to its original, historically significant, landscape once the owners (Lafarge Tarmac) have finished their gravel extraction. Privately owned by Lafarge Tarmac, the 1000 acre Panshanger Park estate has been extensively mined for minerals for over 30 years.

Since being formed, the WPAG has been represented on the FPP Committee by WPAG Committee Member Don Street. Don has been working tirelessly with the FPP team, determined to enable open public access to this wonderful Country Park, which is right on our doorstep.

Lets be honest. Most of us have yet to visit Panshanger Country Park.

It is therefore recommended that initially you visit the Friends of Panshanger Park website:

  • to gain an appreciation of just how protracted, difficult, and stressful this undertaking has been for the FPP,
  • to learn just how much success the Friends have already achieved
  • to learn where the public now have access, and
  • to make a date in your diary and visit.

You will be certain to be impressed by what you find. The Friends of Panshanger Park deserve all the support and encouragement that we can give them.

 

Pick up Litter – Sunday 8th March

Posted on by

The Welwyn Village Pick Up  Group will be picking up litter on Sunday March 8th.

Please come along and help us keep Welwyn clear of litter.

Meet at the Car Park in Welwyn Village High Street, opposite the Doctors’ Surgery at 11.am.

Bags and litter picking tools will be available.

 

 

 

 

Meet at 11am in the car park

The Local Plan – how it relates to Welwyn Parish.

Posted on by

Introduction

This analysis is for members of the Welwyn Planning & Amenity Group and is intended to provide a focus on the main issues contained within the Consultation Document, as far as they impact the Village of Welwyn, and the surrounding settlements of Oaklands & Mardley Heath, and Digswell.

For full details of the Local Plan it is recommended that you go to the borough website and access the Local Plan Consultation Document after following simple registration instructions.

Most of the content of the following analysis concerns housing site selection, and is derived from Sections 13, 14 and 15 of the Consultation Document, relating respectively to Oaklands & Mardley Heath, Welwyn Village, and Digswell.

  • To understand better the impact that Woolmer Green proposals might have on Welwyn, go to Section 12.
  • To understand better what is planned for Codicote, and developments along the B656 Welwyn-Codicote Road which will most likely impact life in Welwyn due to their major impact on B656 Highways issues, go to the North Herts Local PLan.

Continue reading →

The Local Plan – a Precis

Posted on by

The following Precis is for the benefit of members of the Welwyn Planning & Amenity Group, and readers generally, who do not perhaps have a detailed understanding of the planning process which led to the production of the Welwyn Hatfield Consultation Document.

Of necessity, this precis omits technical details and evidence which support the broader statements that have been made, and we apologise if errors have crept in, or if there are major omissions.

We therefore strongly recommend that for a full understanding of the Consultation Document, readers should go to the Borough website and, once Registered, access all sections online.

Continue reading →