Cllr Vicky Glover-Ward

Excellent opportunities to assist with increasing biodiversity in our parks

Are you interested in your local park?
Would you like to get involved in conservation tasks? You could be just the friend we are after!

Find out more about joining one of parks ‘Friends Group’s: https://www.eastherts.gov.uk/sports-leisure-and-parks/make-friends-your-park

Next Kingsmead Residents' Association - Hertford litter picking event. Make sure you have it in your diary!

This looks like a fantastic event so if you want to see some interesting Victorian circus or other oddities make sure you pencil it into your diaries!

We are extremely excited to announce the BID’s biggest event yet! Showtime on North Street, a family friendly event, on Saturday 14th September from noon-10pm.

Picture vintage circus meets Covent Garden! In the daytime, you can expect circus performers, including jugglers, acrobats and stilt walkers as well as circus skills workshops, face painting and alfresco eating and drinking opportunities.

Live music, from The Jjarrs a well-known and much-celebrated covers band from the area, will keep the crowd entertained through the evening.

North Street will be pedestrianised for the day from the crossroads down to Water Lane so you can wander freely, explore this historic part of town and enjoy the space and entertainment.

Pen it in your diaries. Something to look forward to post-summer! Let's make this a fantastic occasion for our community - residents, businesses and visitors alike.

Odin Events Mum's guide to Bishop's Stortford SaveTheHighStreet.org What's On in Bishop's Stortford?

Delighted to be able to attend the official opening of the BEAM Hertford this morning. Unfortunately I had to dash off halfway through the full tour due to an urgent matter but to hear about all the sustainability initiatives being implemented was brilliant.

Some great ideas. Maybe something to be considered in the joint regeneration project for the Castle grounds by Hertford Town Council and East Herts Council

Extremely important consultation. Have your say!

The Hertfordshire Nature Reserve Partnership, with an objective of identifying where practical action would be most beneficial to create, enhance or recover habitat, has created an online survey – running throughout the summer – and will hold online webinars in August, where feedback will be invited to inform plans for local nature recovery.

The webinars will introduce the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and offer opportunities for people to have their say.

The webinars will be held on:
• Wednesday 21st August – 6pm - 7:30pm
• Wednesday 28th August – 6pm - 7:30pm

Made up of Hertfordshire's councils, environmental public bodies, and organisations from the private and third sectors, the HNRP is delivering the strategy in collaboration with the county’s businesses, charities and local communities.

To take part in the online survey and book on to a webinar, please visit:
https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/about-the-council/how-the-council-works/partnerships/herts-nature-recovery-partnership/hertfordshire-nature-recovery-partnership.aspx

Great to talk about plans for a refurbishment of Pinehurst Recreation Ground with the local constabulary and Hertford Town Council.

Plans should be submitted to committees in Sept and are based on a survey of local people undertaken a couple of years ago. Extra equipment, fencing to stop dog fouling around the play equipment plus some extra seating are amongst the planned improvements. And they will look at Make Space For Girls initiatives along with safer parks rules and more access for the differently abled so the park becomes more inclusive.

The first East Herts Council Development Management Forum was held recently as a result of a petition to consider a planning application for a site to the East of Buntingford.

Presentations from three parties were heard and discussed:

1. Petitioners speaking against led by Cllr Sue Nicholls representing local residents
2. Petitioners speaking for on behalf of the local GPs
3. The applicant for the planning permission

Discussions were wide ranging and covered many points (minutes and the recording of the meeting will be loaded onto the East Herts Planning Portal)

The DMF was attended by councillors on both the Development Management Committee, local councillors and representing the Exec.

Afterwards petitioners, the applicants and councillors all said how helpful the meeting had been to air the issues and discuss solutions

Development Management Forum offers residents a greater voice on local planning processes | East Herts District Council East Herts Council has scheduled monthly meetings of the Development Management Forum (DMF), giving residents the opportunity to present their views (on complex or sensitive major planning applications for the development of 50 or more homes) to councillors, planning officers and the applicant early...

Looking forward to our first visit to the BEAM Hertford for one of the preview showings (Little Shop of Horrors)

What's better than Steve Martin on a motorbike snarling his lyrics like a gritty biker?

Make sure you have your say!

Time is running out for you offer feedback on the East Herts Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan draft route network map! 🚴‍♀️⁠
⁠
We want to hear from you, especially if you live in one of the following areas:⁠
• Hertford and Ware ⁠
• Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth ⁠
• Buntingford ⁠
• Villages including Braughing, Hertford Heath, Hunsdon, Much Hadham, Standon & Puckeridge, Stanstead Abbotts & St Margarets, Walkern and Watton-at-Stone ⁠

Help us make it easier and safer to walk, wheel and cycle in our district before the deadline on Monday, 19 August:⁠
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/EasthertsLCWIP

If you are worried, concerned or want to ask for help during these uncertain times due to the riots and unlawful protest please contact as per the article if East Herts Council can assist.

A message from Ben Crystall, Leader of East Herts Council, on riots and unlawful protests | East Herts District Council Riots and unlawful protests – A message to residents and businesses from Ben Crystall, Leader of East Herts Council

What a great project. If you have any old devices that could be reused please donate

We are delighted to announce that we have secured a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to support our Hertfordshire-wide digital inclusion project, “Staying Connected,” for the next three years. This vital project, which began in 2020, is dedicated to supporting the 10% of people in Hertfordshire who are unable to access the digital world.

Have any unwanted tech lying around? Please donate them to us. The equipment will be securely wiped and given to someone who needs it. You can drop them into our office at Nigel Copping Community Building, 88 Sanville Gardens, Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire, SG12 8GA. Don’t forget to leave your details so that we know who has kindly donated the equipment.

Click the link below to read the full press release and to find out more information about the project.

https://communityalliancebeh.org.uk/projects/staying-connected/

Good to know particularly as we are losing insects which are the start of the food chain so particularly important

A great official opening event at the Pinehurst Community Gardens. Good to see everyone turn out, eat cake and chat about the brilliant work done by Mudlarks Community Garden and Kingsmead Residents' Association - Hertford in association with local Kingsmead councillors.

Remember KRA are looking to recruit additional people to help maintain the gardens so email [email protected] if you would like to pop along for a gentle w**d and a cuppa afterwards

CROMWELL ROAD DRAIN UPDATE!

Extremely pleased to announce that after several years of a team effort between Kingsmead Residents' Association - Hertford, Cllr Ben Crystall and I; Thames Water have been able to clear the main blockage on the drain from Cromwell Road, road drains to Little Mead.

The very helpful Thames Water team on site have confirmed that the ditch near the permissive path from the east end of Cromwell Road Allotments to Little Mead may become flooded/muddy in winter and I will ask Hertford Town Council to monitor this and take remedial action if necessary.

They were still working on other minor blockages in the pipe when I left as they have been hampered due to lack of access to a man hole cover in a garden at the back of Ware Road but they have said that water will flow through the pipe just not as quickly as if they had been able to clear the full run.

There is also an issue with the wider drainage onto Little Mead and I will chase this through with Thames Water as I believe it is their land.

Finally; interesting fact: the drains on Cromwell Road run in two different directions with the west half emptying into the brook that runs alongside Rowleys Road and the east half emptying onto the meads via the unnamed road next to the allotments then through the allotments!

A very positive meeting with McDonalds with public consultation planned over the next few months on their plans.

This is going to take some time but should provide a solution that is much more comprehensive than just the slip road. Part of the solution should have always been getting the food to drivers more quickly.

There is a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel and I don't think it is an incoming train.....

Today myself , Councillor Glover - Ward and Councillor Crystal met with Claude and his McDonald's team to discuss their plans for the site and the results of their traffic survey.
The current site configuration can only accommodate 14 cars before cars start to cause an obstruction on the roundabout. The new plan would accommodate 28 cars before an obstruction occurred. Under the plans the site would have two order points and two collection points. Also the kitchen will expand it's preparation areas to 4 which will significantly increase throughput. The target for ordering to receiving food is 90 seconds.
We highlighted pedestrian safety at the site and this was acknowledged as important by McDonalds. The site may also incorporate a delivery option in the future but in the short term Claude wants to concentrate on the changes to the site configuration and reorganization.

Claude also indicated that they are keen to consult with residents on their plans and are looking to hold an event in the next few months (potentially in Pinehurst Community Centre) to share their plans and listen to concerns and ideas.
I believe the meeting was a positive step forward.

This may be of interest to some community projects or centres.....

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: £10,000 - £25,000 grants to fix, repair or develop a community building or space. Tag a friend who this might help!

If your charity wants to improve or develop its infrastructure, this grant from Asda Foundation could be perfect for you.

Find out more and apply: https://asdafoundation.org/our-grants/investing-in-spaces-and-places-grant/

The need for Citizens Advice East Herts is greater now than it ever has been. If you can help to keep them open please do

Thank you to Hertford Shires Rotary for your generous donation to our crowdfunder! We are so grateful for your support. ❤️🙏

To find out more 👇

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-citizens-advice-east-herts/

Excellent work by East Herts Council and East Herts Police

Happy birthday to Mudlarks Cafe! And well done for being the 🧁destination for Hertford

Today's the day! Mudlarks Garden Cafe now open - 12 Railway Street, Hertford. A wide selection of teas, coffee, cakes and from 12 o'clock there'll be a range of delicious veggie and vegan lunches. Beautifully designed interior and lovely sunny courtyard to sit in the sun. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Sounds like an excellent day although be aware the A10 is closed between Rush Green and Great Amwell

Remember that The Hertford Pantry is open today with lots of free fresh food. No referral is needed, just turn up and it's a great initiative to reduce food waste.

Unfortunately, one of our crews have experienced a significant vehicle fire in Burns Green this morning.

The fire brigade had to be called and the fire had to be extinguished inside the vehicle.

Everyone is safe, but we'd like to strongly encourage residents to ensure they are not putting batteries, vapes, BBQ products or ashes in their bins.

The crew have been given a replacement vehicle, but they might be a bit behind today. We will endeavour to update residents if any rounds are affected further.

To find out more about what can go in each of your bins for collection, please visit our website:
https://www.eastherts.gov.uk/bins-waste-and-recycling/what-goes-my-bins

Join us as we bring together the best local artists and crafters. With handmade jewellery, ceramics, glass, and textiles you can browse and enjoy a Mudlarks coffee and cake!

Himalayan balsam - do not pop the seeds!

The flowers might look pretty but Himalayan balsam is in fact a highly invasive, non-native w**d!

Very vigorous, it spreads quickly on river banks and out-competes our native plants. Across East Herts, we're trying to eradicate it.

If you fancy getting your wellies out and doing your bit, join Friends of Castle Park in Bishop's Stortford on Tues 25 June or Tues 23 July from 10am to midday to pull up Himalayan balsam from the banks of the River Stort.

For more info on this and other conservation activities at Castle Park, email: [email protected]

Pleased to be making progress with this long term issue. I think everyone has been aware that the slip road wouldn't solve the problem although it will help; looking forward to a more comprehensive solution

Rushgreen Update
Today Cllr Vicky Glover-Ward , Cllr Ben Crystall and myself met with Claude and Tim from McDonald's to get an update on the new plans for traffic management at the site.

Plans are progressing well with a planning application likely to be submitted to HCC by the end of the summer and the building work likely to commence by March 2025. The plans as mentioned previously should take approximately 21 cars out of the queue which is around 17 more than the original plan.

We agreed to meet again in about 2 months time to review the detailed plans.

The registration page for consultation on the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan ( ) for is now open. Please register as we need to get as much information and feedback as possible

Local cycling and walking infrastructure plans (LCWIPs) Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) are a 10 year strategic approach to cycling and walking improvements. They form part of the Government