Topic ID 2767
On the subject of wildlife, has anybody else noticed that the jewel in Hertford's crown (Hartham) has gradually been eroded as a widlife haven? Once a wild and semi-natural area, with a small section of municiple park at this end, it has been increasingly mowed, paths laid, made over to football pitches etc. Only a tiny section is uncut meadow now and I have noticed a distinct reduction in the variety of flora and fauna as a result. With the prospect of a skatepark looming, I'd urge consideration of the effect of these changes. Mowing an area for a football pitch or easier dog walking, is as damaging to wildlife as building a block of flats. A concrete skatepark certainly is. Hartham was distinctly different from the type of municiple park one finds in Stevenage and Harlow. Increasingly, by bowing to pressure from parents, it's becoming the same. Ironically, the loss is to children. We'd spend whole days exploring and playing in Hartham's wilderness as adolescents. In the sterile openess of what Hartham is today, we'd have been bored too! Not every child wants football and skateboards and by bending to one or other group's pressure we narrow all children's experience. Inventing ways to jump a skateboard or bicyle from the existing surroundings, finding a patch to play footy or hang a rope swing are all part of learning invention and practical skills. I quite liked birds, crickets, rabbits, butterflies, voles and all the other activity which used to be abundant too.
Reply ID 39811
Totally agree shunt - its more and more becoming like a city centre 'park' with too many paths and overflowing rubbish bins...
Reply ID 39815
Even as recently as 1999 when I moved to Hertford, the north-eastern part of Hartham was much wilder than it is today. The only truly wild parts are now Jacob's Island (and surrounding area) and then the meads - luckily these parts still appear to be a wildlife haven, as is most of the river. As an alternative, Waterford Heath to the north of Bengeo is superb, and I regularly see kids exploring up there. True, it does suffer from our tendency to "manage" our countryside to death (providing habitats for this, habitats for that, coppicing etc. rather than just letting it get on with it itself) but it certainly provides a wealth of flora and fauna. Interesting that you say "bowing to the pressure of parents" - can you elaborate on what you mean by this?
Reply ID 39816
If I were adolescent my desire to explore and get lost in wilderness would be more than adequately served in and around Hertford. Try the fields and river off West Street, Archers Spring, the woods and fields off the back of Bengeo and down to Waterford, the meads just down from Hartham Common that extend all the way down to Ware. I would say in this respect we are spoilt. I would suiggest the opposite to Shunt is in fact the problem. Hertford does not have parks with amenities. Not everyone wants to spend their time exploring the wilderness. Parents want a safe and secure area where their children, particularly younger children, can play. On a sunny weekend the tiny play area in Hartham is packed. These famililes have the option of exploring the many areas of wilderness in and around Hertford but they need something to compliment that option. Further to that, when a child grows out of the facilities in the small playground there is nothing else for them. Yes, I know I will get replies saying they shouldn't need things provided for them, but go to another park where the elder children are catered for and you can see how Hertford is lacking. Another problem with Hartham as a park is that it is too small. It tries to cater for all needs in such as small amount of space. This is why as a focal point the negative aspects are all too visible. For example, 3 days ago on the bank holiday Monday there was a family with a barbecue. I don't think there is too much wrong with that but they then unleashed the largest kite I have ever seen. Operating this beast of a contraption effectively rendered about a quarter of the field out of bounds to everybody else. Then there was the litter.........everywhere. Then there was the dog mess...........everywhere.
Reply ID 39821
quote:Oh no...here we go again... I used to feel the same way, but unfortunately I believe it's the impact of the minority. If you look at the volume of people that use the common in the course of a weekend, the litter seems to be generated by just a few ignorant groups. However, I also don't think that the litter bins are big enough or 'easy' enough to use, which means that a lot of bags are left against them. During the night, foxes, cats and the odd scavenging Herbert Lemons rip the bags apart and scatter everything to the winds. Dog Poo. Hate it. For every twenty people that clean up fastidiously after their dog, it just takes one not to bother and we're all tarred with the same brush (urghh). But finally, some of my own observations: Why is it that the football teams don't seem to clear up their rubbish after a match? I thought once upon a time the team managers went round with bin bags to collect the sliced oranges and plastic bottles. Now they seem to just wander off and leave them (normally about the half-way mark on the sidelines). Disposable barbeques - whoever invented these needs shooting. Responsible for the spread of dalmation-like scorched holes across upper reaches of the common, and very frequently ending up in the river (presumably out of a sense of duty when it comes to extinguishing the BBQ afterwards). Shopping trolleys: isn't there a way to make the wheels explode if they're wheeled further than 50 metres away from the supermarket? Also serve a double function as a makeshift barbeque, and again frequently found in the river. Pyromaniacs. I think everthing that can be destroyed by arson has been - the bowling green hut, the changing rooms in the far fields, a couple of trees that once stood next to the river and several litter bins (see above). Hello? Police? ...
Originally posted by Ewoowar Then there was the litter.........everywhere. Then there was the dog mess...........everywhere.
Reply ID 39823
quote:Said family with barbecue and ridiculous kite also used a shopping trolley to transport all of their 'equipment'.
Originally posted by Ted Badgerquote:Oh no...here we go again... I used to feel the same way, but unfortunately I believe it's the impact of the minority. If you look at the volume of people that use the common in the course of a weekend, the litter seems to be generated by just a few ignorant groups. However, I also don't think that the litter bins are big enough or 'easy' enough to use, which means that a lot of bags are left against them. During the night, foxes, cats and the odd scavenging Herbert Lemons rip the bags apart and scatter everything to the winds. Dog Poo. Hate it. For every twenty people that clean up fastidiously after their dog, it just takes one not to bother and we're all tarred with the same brush (urghh). But finally, some of my own observations: Why is it that the football teams don't seem to clear up their rubbish after a match? I thought once upon a time the team managers went round with bin bags to collect the sliced oranges and plastic bottles. Now they seem to just wander off and leave them (normally about the half-way mark on the sidelines). Disposable barbeques - whoever invented these needs shooting. Responsible for the spread of dalmation-like scorched holes across upper reaches of the common, and very frequently ending up in the river (presumably out of a sense of duty when it comes to extinguishing the BBQ afterwards). Shopping trolleys: isn't there a way to make the wheels explode if they're wheeled further than 50 metres away from the supermarket? Also serve a double function as a makeshift barbeque, and again frequently found in the river. Pyromaniacs. I think everthing that can be destroyed by arson has been - the bowling green hut, the changing rooms in the far fields, a couple of trees that once stood next to the river and several litter bins (see above). Hello? Police? ...
Originally posted by Ewoowar Then there was the litter.........everywhere. Then there was the dog mess...........everywhere.
Reply ID 39826
I wish they could be served with an ASBO and dyed bright orange so everyone knows they are trouble. By the time the dye faded they might have learnt their lesson.
Reply ID 39828
quote:Having effectively brought up two families (I'm currently still the main carer for two of the four) and remembering my own childhood, there has been a change of attitude from about 1980 onward, evident even in my own, younger, partner. It was considered a task of parents to ensure their children integrated with society, rather than expecting it to bend to accommodate their children. Now, even though people without children at home are in the majority, those with seem to assume some extra rights by that choice. As a result, I believe many enter teenage with a high "entitlement" expectation and express their resentment of shortfalls accordingly, even into parenthood themselves. Furthermore, whereas a child's possessions and ready-provided play facilities would limited to what was considered appropriate to their developement. Now it seems to be only limited only by the parent's disposable income. It was always accepted that there should be an element of challenge and invention to play. Many who have grown up without any skill, other than that needed for a single career, would have benefitted from building their own make-shift skateboard ramp/BMX/go-kart/den/swing, or discovering that burrs stick to jumpers, nettles sting etc. Ultimately though my original point was that Hartham was unusual in that it was relatively natural AND right in the town. Few places can boast that.
Originally posted by Joby Interesting that you say "bowing to the pressure of parents" - can you elaborate on what you mean by this?
Reply ID 39832
No you're right, most have parks, so that people of all shape, size, age and ability can use them, which is exactly what Hartham and the surrounding areas are. We have enough open untouched space around the town for wildlife. Hartham is for the community.
Reply ID 39836
quote:What? So you can give a child a skateboard but you can't give them a ramp? Surely, from your point, the child shouldn't have the skateboard either. After all, it cannot be deemed appropriate for their development. Throughout history people with disposable income have been able to indulge themselves and their families. We currently live in an age where we have a large amount of the popoulation with degrees of disposable income and happy to dispose it on products that are relatively cheap, most having been manufactured in the far east. If every penny we earned as parents was earmarked for simply keeping the family alive then we wouldn't indulge our children.
Originally posted by shunt
Furthermore, whereas a child's possessions and ready-provided play facilities would limited to what was considered appropriate to their developement.
Reply ID 39837
quote:It's a matter of degree, of course. I assume that most would agree that to base what is supplied to a child entirely on what can be afforded, is neither good for the child or the balance of society?Hartham is indeed a facility. My point was it was a unique one which is rapidly becoming less so. There is an assumption that without a skatepark, we will be overrun with bored delinquents. The evidence of towns with skateparks, as compared to Hertford, does not support this assumption.
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:What? So you can give a child a skateboard but you can't give them a ramp? Surely, from your point, the child shouldn't have the skateboard either. After all, it cannot be deemed appropriate for their development. Throughout history people with disposable income have been able to indulge themselves and their families. We currently live in an age where we have a large amount of the popoulation with degrees of disposable income and happy to dispose it on products that are relatively cheap, most having been manufactured in the far east. If every penny we earned as parents was earmarked for simply keeping the family alive then we wouldn't indulge our children.
Originally posted by shunt
Furthermore, whereas a child's possessions and ready-provided play facilities would limited to what was considered appropriate to their developement.
Reply ID 39839
I have to agree with Shunt, nowadays we seem to live in an increasing "gimme,gimme society" in that people seem to concentrate more on what they want and what they think they are entitled to rather that appreciating what they have. It would seem to me that this is in part down to each generation having so much more being laid on/spoon fed to them when growing up rather than going out and finding/discovering things for themselves. In my opinion it can stifle awareness, appreciation and resourcefulness. Seeing the world in which subsequent generations are growing up makes me realise I am glad I grew up when I did and I can appreciate why previous generations feel the same way. We are very lucky to live where we do and I feel that if more people took time out to appreciate our area they would be less willing to change it. After all we are only custodians of our landscape not owners of it.
Reply ID 39842
quote:I see what you're saying, although I don't fully agree with it. I still don't see what it has to do with mowing the grass on Hartham Common, though.
Originally posted by shuntquote:Having effectively brought up two families (I'm currently still the main carer for two of the four) and remembering my own childhood, there has been a change of attitude from about 1980 onward, evident even in my own, younger, partner. It was considered a task of parents to ensure their children integrated with society, rather than expecting it to bend to accommodate their children. Now, even though people without children at home are in the majority, those with seem to assume some extra rights by that choice. As a result, I believe many enter teenage with a high "entitlement" expectation and express their resentment of shortfalls accordingly, even into parenthood themselves. Furthermore, whereas a child's possessions and ready-provided play facilities would limited to what was considered appropriate to their developement. Now it seems to be only limited only by the parent's disposable income. It was always accepted that there should be an element of challenge and invention to play. Many who have grown up without any skill, other than that needed for a single career, would have benefitted from building their own make-shift skateboard ramp/BMX/go-kart/den/swing, or discovering that burrs stick to jumpers, nettles sting etc. Ultimately though my original point was that Hartham was unusual in that it was relatively natural AND right in the town. Few places can boast that.
Originally posted by Joby Interesting that you say "bowing to the pressure of parents" - can you elaborate on what you mean by this?
Reply ID 39844
Oh I see. So we return Hartham common to it's natural state. That would mean getting rid of the gym and swimming pool, the tennis courts, the playground, the football pitches and changing rooms, the exercise track and exercise stations, the toilets..........oh sod it let's get rid of those pesky bridges over the river (there's nowt like finding your own way across the river loik we did in the good old days)...........and we won't be needing those car parks either 'cos none of us have any of those darn combustion engine propelled contraptions...........weez juz need a tree ta toi uz donkeez to. Society has changed. Hertford has changed. We can't just hark back to some idyllic view of the world we had as we spent our long summer holidays as child building dens in the woods. It's 2007. I'm sure you drive a car and I bet you have expectations regarding the roads. These expectations are greater than we would have had 40 years ago. That's because things have moved on. Hertford has to adapt to modern requirements. If Hartham common is not the best place meet the needs of the residents with regards to a park then it should be sought elsewhere in Hertford. Bujt what better place than the central location. A couple of years ago I went back to where I grew up and visited my local park. I was surprised by some of the changes. Wouldn't it be great for it to have been exactly how I remembered it so i could walk along by the trees and fondly reminisce about hiding in the trees and bushes, about having crab apple fights, etc, etc. But the park had changed adapted to fit the needs of the people who use it 25 years on from when I stopped going there. And that is not a bad thing.
Reply ID 39845
quote:People V Nature
Originally posted by Joby
I still don't see what it has to do with mowing the grass on Hartham Common, though.
Reply ID 39847
quote:All I was trying to say is that there is a limit to what should be done to Hartham. Yes things have changed but not ALL changes are for the better, perhaps that is where we disagree.
Originally posted by Ewoowar
Oh I see. So we return Hartham common to it's natural state. That would mean getting rid of the gym and swimming pool, the tennis courts, the playground, the football pitches and changing rooms, the exercise track and exercise stations, the toilets..........oh sod it let's get rid of those pesky bridges over the river (there's nowt like finding your own way across the river loik we did in the good old days)...........and we won't be needing those car parks either 'cos none of us have any of those darn combustion engine propelled contraptions...........weez juz need a tree ta toi uz donkeez to. Society has changed. Hertford has changed. We can't just hark back to some idyllic view of the world we had as we spent our long summer holidays as child building dens in the woods. It's 2007. I'm sure you drive a car and I bet you have expectations regarding the roads. These expectations are greater than we would have had 40 years ago. That's because things have moved on. Hertford has to adapt to modern requirements. If Hartham common is not the best place meet the needs of the residents with regards to a park then it should be sought elsewhere in Hertford. Bujt what better place than the central location. A couple of years ago I went back to where I grew up and visited my local park. I was surprised by some of the changes. Wouldn't it be great for it to have been exactly how I remembered it so i could walk along by the trees and fondly reminisce about hiding in the trees and bushes, about having crab apple fights, etc, etc. But the park had changed adapted to fit the needs of the people who use it 25 years on from when I stopped going there. And that is not a bad thing.
Reply ID 39851
Because Hartham is so central, it has no need to pander to the car. Yes I drive, but not to Hartham and find it rediculous that so much parking is provided. Because it's there, it will, of course be used. The ease of motoring has a direct effect on car use. As for the various "exercise" facilities, it's frankly rediculous to drive to a place to exercise. I am the last to resist progress, but change and progress are not always the same thing. Diversity also has it's value. For example, though the residents of Stevenage might choose Hertford for an meal out and the residents of Hertford might choose Stevenage for some shopping activities, I would not wish for the standardisation of either town to match the other, each having it's own merit. The same goes for pubic parkland. The facilities which have been added to Hartham, are not new fangled inventions, or progressive, and have existed in many city parks, including one which I played in as a toddler. Hartham was different from the other parks. It was that difference which made it special. How long before we have all car parking, a Burger King, a mutiplex cinema, a nightclub, TGI Fridays, slot machines, a bowling alley?
Reply ID 39852
Pubic parkland? Interesting concept!
Reply ID 39853
quote:Fast becoming HOL's most popular typo[:D]
Originally posted by Bengeobabe
Pubic parkland? Interesting concept!
Reply ID 39854
I thought it was Hartham Common, and not a park at all?
Reply ID 39855
I believe it no longer holds common land status. Certainly no-one seems to graze livestock on it. Perhaps someone will refresh my memory.
Reply ID 39884
Hartham Common, presumably once was a common, it's now municipal parkland, one of the many misleading names in and around Hertford, many of thenm now misleading because of historical changes e.g. no church in Church Road, no tower in Tower Street, St Jospeh's church in St John's Street, Waterford heath is not a heath, New Road is no longer New, Sacombe Road ends well before Sacombe, there is no market in Market Street. Its this sort of thing that adds to the delight of living in a town like Hertford
Reply ID 39887
Church Road is so called beacuse it was the main route to the church. Tower street is so called beacuse it had a water tower on the corner where it met Duncombe Road [IMG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e50/JanTB/bengeo-dunscombe-road-1913.jpg[/IMG] Sorry.....off topic I know, but still interesting
Reply ID 39889
St.John's Street is named after the church that stood there in the 12th Century
Reply ID 39890
quote:Oh I see. So we shouldn't have so much car parking at Hartham Common but we should drive to the municipal parks in Stevenage. Oh, hang on. Now I don't see the logic at all.
Originally posted by shunt
Because Hartham is so central, it has no need to pander to the car. Yes I drive, but not to Hartham and find it rediculous that so much parking is provided. Because it's there, it will, of course be used. The ease of motoring has a direct effect on car use. As for the various "exercise" facilities, it's frankly rediculous to drive to a place to exercise. I am the last to resist progress, but change and progress are not always the same thing. Diversity also has it's value. For example, though the residents of Stevenage might choose Hertford for an meal out and the residents of Hertford might choose Stevenage for some shopping activities, I would not wish for the standardisation of either town to match the other, each having it's own merit. The same goes for pubic parkland. The facilities which have been added to Hartham, are not new fangled inventions, or progressive, and have existed in many city parks, including one which I played in as a toddler. Hartham was different from the other parks. It was that difference which made it special. How long before we have all car parking, a Burger King, a mutiplex cinema, a nightclub, TGI Fridays, slot machines, a bowling alley?
Reply ID 39892
Stevenage demographics, history and attributes are and always have been, different from Hertford's. Let's put it another way. The lads I look after would really like trials motorbikes. I have no problem providing such items, but have not. The reason is simple....there's nowhere suitable to use them. Now then, should I buy the bikes anyway and then lobby for an area of Hartham to be put aside for my boys and the hundreds of others who own, or would like to own these affordable little bikes, quads, grass karts,etc.? What about model aeroplanes? Should the parents who foolishly bought their offspring those be provided with a bit of Hartham too?
Reply ID 39902
quote:It's up to you. I would consider such a purchase without thought for where they could be used locally as rather foolish. But that's not the point. You mentioned football pitches as part of the problem not trials bikes, quads, grass karts,etc.
Originally posted by shunt
Stevenage demographics, history and attributes are and always have been, different from Hertford's. Let's put it another way. The lads I look after would really like trials motorbikes. I have no problem providing such items, but have not. The reason is simple....there's nowhere suitable to use them. Now then, should I buy the bikes anyway and then lobby for an area of Hartham to be put aside for my boys and the hundreds of others who own, or would like to own these affordable little bikes, quads, grass karts,etc.? What about model aeroplanes? Should the parents who foolishly bought their offspring those be provided with a bit of Hartham too?
Reply ID 39906
quote:Best post in ages Gempicorn! [:)]
Originally posted by gemipicorn
I have to agree with Shunt, nowadays we seem to live in an increasing "gimme,gimme society" in that people seem to concentrate more on what they want and what they think they are entitled to rather that appreciating what they have. It would seem to me that this is in part down to each generation having so much more being laid on/spoon fed to them when growing up rather than going out and finding/discovering things for themselves. In my opinion it can stifle awareness, appreciation and resourcefulness. Seeing the world in which subsequent generations are growing up makes me realise I am glad I grew up when I did and I can appreciate why previous generations feel the same way. We are very lucky to live where we do and I feel that if more people took time out to appreciate our area they would be less willing to change it. After all we are only custodians of our landscape not owners of it.
Reply ID 39912
quote:Why, thank you James [:I]
Originally posted by James007quote:Best post in ages Gempicorn! [:)]
Originally posted by gemipicorn
I have to agree with Shunt, nowadays we seem to live in an increasing "gimme,gimme society" in that people seem to concentrate more on what they want and what they think they are entitled to rather that appreciating what they have. It would seem to me that this is in part down to each generation having so much more being laid on/spoon fed to them when growing up rather than going out and finding/discovering things for themselves. In my opinion it can stifle awareness, appreciation and resourcefulness. Seeing the world in which subsequent generations are growing up makes me realise I am glad I grew up when I did and I can appreciate why previous generations feel the same way. We are very lucky to live where we do and I feel that if more people took time out to appreciate our area they would be less willing to change it. After all we are only custodians of our landscape not owners of it.
Reply ID 39914
Let me re-phrase: Best post this year bar-none on Hertford.net in my humble opinion. Everyone should read Gem's post and take something, or maybe everything from it. It totally spells out what this generation of Hertford people should be about. Nice One.
Reply ID 39983
I second that!
Reply ID 39996
quote:Was it knocked down to make Tower Street, and if so, when?
Originally posted by gemipicorn
Church Road is so called beacuse it was the main route to the church. Tower street is so called beacuse it had a water tower on the corner where it met Duncombe Road [IMG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e50/JanTB/bengeo-dunscombe-road-1913.jpg[/IMG] Sorry.....off topic I know, but still interesting
Reply ID 39997
Back on topic.............perhaps my views re. Hartham are shaped by did not grow up in Hertford and therefore did not see Hartham Common in it's wilderness years.
Reply ID 40000
quote:Sorry still off topic. No it was built at the end of Tower Street around 1900, I think at the same time they were naming the streets probably, it was knocked down after they built the "new" Tower in the Drive and was replaced by the air raid siren and shelter. Not sure of the exact date
Originally posted by Artyquote:Was it knocked down to make Tower Street, and if so, when?
Originally posted by gemipicorn
Church Road is so called beacuse it was the main route to the church. Tower street is so called beacuse it had a water tower on the corner where it met Duncombe Road [IMG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e50/JanTB/bengeo-dunscombe-road-1913.jpg[/IMG] Sorry.....off topic I know, but still interesting
Reply ID 40437
Yeah, lets return to the topic of Hartham Common. I have to say in all my years that Hartham Common is the biggest load of toilet going in Hertford. It is like some sort of pustulent wart on the rear of the town. Its full of idiots, the river stinks and is full of rubbish, the grass is full of dogs doodys, it adjoins some cruddy industrial estate and basically a Manchester council estate has more aesthetic value. Its crap. Perhaps if we dropped a nuclear bomb on it it would look better. There's no saving it. Even if it were cleaned up it would still look crap. There's not really a lot of character in an open field with immature scrub and car parks around is there.
Reply ID 40438
Carlos, you obviously don't like Hartham! you certainly have a way with words about it! I think Hartham is a good family place, always has been, well, as they say goes ......... if you don't like it, don't go there! Lots of families get lots of fun using Hartham, still you are only 27 you will grown into it! hopefully.
Reply ID 40439
Are we talking about the same Hartham?? As I walked down today from behind St. Leonard's Church and across the new bridge, I watched a heron sweeping low over the Meads. Then, walking from Hertford Lock towards the town, saw a bird, which I couldn't identify, soaring above the river and then diving to presumably catch small fish. I thought then, how fortunate to live so close to beautiful surroundings with such diverse wildlife. Perhaps if you deride Hartham so much you would be happier living nearer Finsbury Park
Reply ID 40441
quote:What are you on?
Originally posted by carlos
Yeah, lets return to the topic of Hartham Common. I have to say in all my years that Hartham Common is the biggest load of toilet going in Hertford. It is like some sort of pustulent wart on the rear of the town. Its full of idiots, the river stinks and is full of rubbish, the grass is full of dogs doodys, it adjoins some cruddy industrial estate and basically a Manchester council estate has more aesthetic value. Its crap. Perhaps if we dropped a nuclear bomb on it it would look better. There's no saving it. Even if it were cleaned up it would still look crap. There's not really a lot of character in an open field with immature scrub and car parks around is there.
Reply ID 40445
"As I walked down today from behind St. Leonard's Church and across the new bridge, I watched a heron sweeping low over the Meads." I cycled down there from St Leonard's Church and yes - noticed there's a shiny new bridge! I saw the same heron flying low as I cycled back up - we must have passed each other, unless the heron was doing circuits :-) It was beautiful. I saw a similar heron a couple of weeks ago also as I walked around the Ware Park area. I didn't think I'd see it again so was pleased to see one today. Hartham I noticed was clean today with respectable people sitting around having picnics, I didn't see any litter or dog poo. OK the river wasn't exactly clear but I didn't notice it was smelly, even when I sat down and dangled my legs over the side for a bit.
Reply ID 40453
Carlos - did someone rattle you cage this morning? Is there anything you like about the Town? We have covered the Estate Agent thread should it be so alien to you.
Reply ID 40463
quote:That is so what Hartham has always been about. So glad that, like me, you appreciate that there are herons, as well as many other attractions which do not frequent most urban/town center parks. Go early and you might even be lucky enough to spot red kites flying low enough to recognise them as such.
Originally posted by SallyB
"As I walked down today from behind St. Leonard's Church and across the new bridge, I watched a heron sweeping low over the Meads." I cycled down there from St Leonard's Church and yes - noticed there's a shiny new bridge! I saw the same heron flying low as I cycled back up - we must have passed each other, unless the heron was doing circuits :-) It was beautiful. I saw a similar heron a couple of weeks ago also as I walked around the Ware Park area. I didn't think I'd see it again so was pleased to see one today. Hartham I noticed was clean today with respectable people sitting around having picnics, I didn't see any litter or dog poo. OK the river wasn't exactly clear but I didn't notice it was smelly, even when I sat down and dangled my legs over the side for a bit.
Reply ID 40715
shunt, I have yet to venture down there through the dawn cobwebs and, to date, I admit that the only red kites I have seen flying at Hartham are of the Flexifoil variety. Thanks for the recommendation though - I will certainly try to get down there one morning. I often take my camera with me when I go for a walk through Hartham in case I see the (a?) heron again, but I think it is camera-shy...
Reply ID 40736
Hartham gets too busy now and nobody respects the open spaces we have any more. Tbey should try and live in London for a bit and see nothing but concrete... I prefer to sit in the Castle Grounds myself, but again, its about respect. We should be grateful that due to Henry VIII, Hartham is "Common Land" ie ours and as such they cannot and should never be able to build on it. We can graze our own pigs, sheep and I believe cows on the land! THat might be fun! But seriously, imagine if it all looked like.. well a cross between the Rivere development and a supermarket depot.. horrid!
Reply ID 40884
The Hartham Heron [IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x223/buzz_049/Heronbynewbridge-1.jpg[/IMG]
Reply ID 40886
Sorry about the size, it's my first attempt at posting a photo
Reply ID 40887
quote:Well done you did it! Lovely photo as well.
Originally posted by buzz
Sorry about the size, it's my first attempt at posting a photo
Reply ID 40892
Thank you!
Reply ID 40898
I saw that heron today! (is there only 1?)
Reply ID 40918
quote:I've only ever seen the one on its own. There's another heron over towards Waterford. Gorgeous birds.
Originally posted by Jo S
I saw that heron today! (is there only 1?)
![http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e50/JanTB/bengeo-dunscombe-road-1913.jpg[/IMG]](http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e50/JanTB/bengeo-dunscombe-road-1913.jpg[/IMG]){kind=link}
![http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x223/buzz_049/Heronbynewbridge-1.jpg[/IMG]](http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x223/buzz_049/Heronbynewbridge-1.jpg[/IMG]){kind=link}