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Therfield Heath Visitor UPDATE – 29th May 2020

With the Heath slowly making its way back to full use, we would ask all our visitors to take note of the following advice/restrictions. Let’s all think of each other as we enjoy the Heath.

Thank you for your co-operation,

The Conservators

BBQs – are not permitted anywhere on the Heath.

Bins – if bins are full, please take your rubbish or dog-waste home for disposal.  Our staff are stretched beyond capacity and are currently having to empty bins every other day – this compares to once a week prior to the pandemic.  Please help us keep the Heath clean and tidy. 

Cycling – Cycling is not permitted on the Heath at any time.

Social distancing – Please remember the requirements on individuals to socially distance and not gather in groups. We ask that you remain up to date with Government guidance about remaining safe while outside your home https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-safe-outside-your-home/staying-safe-outside-your-home it is your responsibility to adopt these principles wherever possible.

Car Parks – For those who wish to travel some distance to visit the Heath, the car parks remain open.  If one car park is full please use an alternative.  Please do park with consideration giving space to other visitors, and be patient.  We would ask you to not block any entrances or prevent access for emergency vehicles.  Please do not park outside the car park, or on any grass areas.

Café – The Heath Café remains closed and there are no public toilets nearby.

Sports – It is important for those who have enjoyed exercising on the fairways to be aware of golfers and the resumption of golf.  Please do what you can to help the Golf Club successfully operate in a ‘covid-19 secure’ way and especially socially distance from the marshals and greenkeeping staff.

Dogs – We remind dog owners that if you think your dog will not recall such that you may have to break social distancing to control your dog then it should be on lead.

Byelaws – Please remember there are a set of bylaws in place to protect the site and to keep visitors safe. Do please check these before you visit.  http://www.therfieldheath.org.uk/the-bye-laws/

Please be kind and respectful to fellow visitors – everyone needs to be able to enjoy the Heath safely.

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Therfield Heath COVID-19 UPDATE – 13th May 2020

The Government has amended the law concerning public open spaces and therefore the Heath is not only open for exercise but additionally for the vast array of recreational activities to promote physical or mental health or emotional wellbeing. 

Please remember the requirements on individuals to socially distance and not gather in groups larger than two unless all people are from the same household. We ask that you remain up to date with Government guidance about remaining safe while outside your home – it is your responsibility to adopt these principles wherever possible.

Let’s all think of each other as we enjoy the Heath, and responsibly take full advantage of the updated regulations.

Thank you for your co-operation,

The Conservators

Car Parks – For those who wish to travel some distance to visit the Heath, the car parks remain open.  If one car park is full please use an alternative.  Please do park with consideration giving space to other visitors, and be patient.  We would ask you to not block any entrances or prevent access for emergency vehicles.  Please do not park outside the car park, or on any grass areas.

Café – The Heath Café remains closed.

Toilets – There are no public toilets on site.

Sports – We anticipate Golf will restart on Friday 15th May and Tennis later.  It is important for those who have enjoyed exercising on the fairways to be aware of golfers and the resumption of golf.  Please do what you can to help the Golf Club successfully operate in a ‘covid-19 secure’ way and especially socially distance from the marshals and greenkeeping staff.

Dogs – We remind dog owners that if you think your dog will not recall such that you may have to break social distancing to control your dog then it should be on lead. Please also read the advice under ‘Birds’.

Bins – With the warmer weather and increase in visitors numbers the bins will fill quicker than usual.  We will continue to empty them but it would help if all visitors could take all their waste home.  Please do not leave your litter on or at the side of the bins; it not only presents a risk to wildlife on the Heath but it also gets spread about.

Birds – Where we have signs up alerting you to ground nesting birds please keep to the paths, (as social distancing permits), and keep any dogs with you on a lead so they do not disturb these birds.

Cycling – Cycling is not permitted on the Heath at any time.

Byelaws – Please remember there are a set of byelaws in place to protect the site and to keep visitors safe. Do please check these before you visit.

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COVID-19 update

1) The Heath remains open for local people and their dogs to exercise on foot respecting social distancing and the ground nesting birds. Do not exercise on bikes, bike riding is prohibited on the Heath.

2) The Heath is closed for leisure, tourism and sport. You should not travel to the site just to look at flowers, butterflies, or birds; or to play sport; or to picnic or hang-out. We are only open for exercise. The Police are out and about on the Heath to enforce the coronavirus restrictions.

3) Help our contractors keep the Heath waste free by taking all litter and dog waste home. Be understanding that maintaining the Heath at this time will only happen when we are able. 

4) Help the golf club staff to keep the golf course in condition by staying off tees, greens and bunkers.

Thank you for your continued co-operation

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Easter & COVID-19

Since the Government’s lockdown announcements on 23 March we have seen an increase in usage of bikes on Therfield Heath and would remind everyone that cycling on the Heath is against the byelaws. Over the Easter weekend the police will be incorporating the Heath in their patrols. It has been suggested that we close the car parks but after consulting with the police, feel this would be detrimental to everyone’s enjoyment and at the moment will keep them open. It is our duty as the current caretakers to protect the Heath and whilst the vast majority of people are following the social distancing advice staying at least 2m apart, we urge everyone to abide by the government’s latest advice of one form of exercise a day, alone or with household members only. Please be considerate of others and the Heath’s wildlife and ecology.

Following the Government guidelines will reduce the spread of COVID-19 and reduce pressure on the NHS.

Thank you for your co-operation

The Conservators

Operational Matters:

Cycling – cycling is not permitted on the Heath at any time.

Car Parks – Please do park with consideration to other visitors. We would ask you to not block any entrances or prevent access for emergency vehicles. Please do not park outside the car park, or on any grass areas which can so easily be churned up.

Golf Course – The golf course is closed at present yet green keeping staff will still be maintaining the course. We would therefore ask all visitors to respect their space and please ensure dogs are kept under proper control and kept off the greens and tees and out of the bunkers.

Bins – With the increase in visitors and the potential reduction in our contractor numbers, we ask visitors to please take their litter and any dog-waste home with them for disposal. Please do not leave your litter at the side of the bins; it not only presents a risk to wildlife that lives on the Heath but it also presents a health risk.

What can you do:

Social Distancing – Social distancing measures will reduce the risk of transmitting the virus between people. For your own safety and well-being, please follow government advice in respect of social distancing and keep at least two metres between you and other visitors. For the safety and well being of others, please do not visit Therfield Heath if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are displaying symptoms of the virus (new dry cough and/or temperature).

Birds – Please remember the site is home to many ground-nesting birds who are currently trying to nest. Please try to keep to the paths near the nest sites where social distancing allows and keep your dogs with you so they do not disturb these birds.

Flowers – It is now the prime time for the pasqueflowers. If you are visiting these spectacular flowers, please try as much as possible to stick to the paths where social distancing allows. Please do not pick these precious wild flowers.

Please remember there are a set of byelaws in place to protect the site and to keep visitors safe. Do please check these before you visit.

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Message from the Conservators – COVID-19

Over the weekend many enjoyed the sunshine by visiting the Heath. John King, Conservator said, “due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are asking all those who choose to visit the Heath to respect the current government advice on social distancing especially at the entrances and car parks, which can get extremely busy. Whilst the vast majority of people followed the social distancing advice staying at least 2m apart, we urge everyone to abide by the government’s latest advice of one form of exercise a day, alone or with household members only”.

Please be considerate of others. Following the guidelines will reduce the spread of COVID-19 and reduce pressure on the NHS.

We are living in the most extraordinary circumstances and we wish to advise you of the measures that we are putting in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We recognise the importance of precious open spaces to the community during these critical times and the latest government guidance explicitly recognises the importance of outdoor exercise for even those who remain in self-isolation for the protection of others.
At the same time, our highest priority must be the health and safety of our tenants, contractors and the public

Operational Matters:
Car Parks – Please do park with consideration to other visitors.  We would ask you to not block any entrances or prevent access for emergency vehicles.  Please do not park outside the car park, or on any grass areas which can so easily be churned up.  

Golf Course – The golf course is now shut, in line with latest guidance. The greens and tees still need to be maintained, so we therefore ask all visitors to respect the greenkeepers’ space and please ensure dogs are kept under proper control and kept off the greens and tees and out of the bunkers.

Bins – With the increase in visitors and the potential reduction in our contractor numbers, we may in the future need to ask visitors to please take their litter and any dog-waste home with them for disposal.  If this does become necessary, please do not leave your litter at the side of the bins; it not only presents a risk to wildlife that lives on the Heath but it also presents a health risk.

Cycling – cycling is not permitted on the Heath at any time

What can you do:
Social Distancing – Social distancing measures will reduce the risk of transmitting the virus between people.  For your own safety and well-being, please follow government advice in respect of social distancing and keep at least two metres between you and other visitors.  For the safety and well being of others, please do not visit Therfield Heath if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are displaying symptoms of the virus (new dry cough and/or temperature).

Birds – Please remember the site is home to many ground-nesting birds who are currently trying to nest. Please try to keep to the paths near the nest sites where social distancing allows and keep your dogs with you so they do not disturb these birds.

Flowers – We are just coming into the prime time for the pasqueflowers. If you are visiting these spectacular flowers, please be mindful that there are thousands of buds still waiting to open and they are not easy to spot, so you may inadvertently trample them and stop them flowering.

Please remember there are a set of byelaws in place to protect the site and to keep visitors safe. Do please check these before you visit.

Pasqueflower
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Ground-nesting birds

It is that time of year again when the Skylarks and Meadow Pipits are singing and nesting all across Therfield Heath. These ground-nesting birds are already threatened and through surveying last year, we found that the highest density were nesting in the long grass, in particular in the red zone on the map shown.

We understand Therfield Heath is a great place to walk and to exercise your dogs but ask that you consider these birds until the end of July/beginning of August, keeping to the obvious pathways and keeping your dog(s) with you. Reminder signs have gone up near the red zone.

Thank you so much for your consideration and cooperation in the protection of these threatened species.

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Chairman’s Election statement and AGM Report 2020

As chairman of the Conservators of Therfield Heath and Greens, I wish to confirm that the Election of a Conservators to represent the Special Drainage District of Royston will take place on 19th February 2020, at 7.05 pm at King James Academy (Junior Site), Garden Walk, Royston.
Two nominations have been received for the Special Drainage District of Royston Representative, so there will be an election. The Conservators remain neutral and wish both candidates the best.
The two candidates are John Davison and Clare Swarbrick, candidate statements can be found in the links below.
http://www.therfieldheath.org.uk/conservator-elections/
Regards
John King Chairman of The Conservators of Therfield Heath and Greens

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BYELAWS – update

We have been considering updating our byelaws to help clarify the rules and make them easier to understand for all site users. They haven’t been updated in many years and use of the site has changed considerably.

Thus far, we have only got as far as requesting and receiving approval from DEFRA for the consultation process that we would follow in order to change the byelaws.

The next stage is to propose a new set of byelaws and a set of justifications for them. Once that is done, we will be able to put that proposal out to consultation following the process agreed by DEFRA – as set out below.

BYELAW CONSULTATION PROCESS

  1. Conservators to prepare the consultation package, to consist of:
    • Proposed byelaws
    • Justification for changing byelaws
  2. Announce at a public Conservators meeting inviting responses
  3. Publish on Conservators’ web site inviting responses
  4. Email stakeholders inviting responses and offering meetings if requested
  5. Collate responses
  6. Revise byelaws as necessary
  7. Request Secretary of State approval
  8. Publish on web site and at public Conservators’ meeting
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Conservator Elections

The election takes place at the AGM at 7.05 pm Wed 19th Feb, King James school hall, junior site (old Greneway school)

Ben Harrop has been nominated as the Stintholder representative and there have been no other nominations, so there will be no election for this post.

Two nominations have been received for the Special Drainage District of Royston representative, so there will be an election for this post.

To be eligible to vote, you must a registered voter for Local Government elections and live in the “Special Drainage District of Royston”.

The two candidates are John Davison and Clare Swarbrick. Some information about each candidate is below.

John Davison:

I’m standing for re-election as a Conservator of Therfield Heath and Greens and I will be honoured if you would vote for me so that I can continue my work.
In the 3 years I have served as Conservator, I’ve done my very best to protect and develop the Heath, with all its sports and facilities, for the benefit of everyone that uses it.
These are some of my responsibilities and projects I’ve delivered:
  • Car park charging – I investigated what systems could be used and, in discussion with NHDC, what the effects would be. My recommendation that charging should not be introduced was accepted and avoided the cost to users and the potential chaos that would result on surrounding local roads.
  • Entrance widening – I sourced funding, tenders, approvals and oversaw construction to provide a safer, more welcoming arrival for visitors
  • I drafted new professional standard operating policies and procedures for the Conservators to adopt including Standing Orders, Code of Conduct, HR policies and Financial Reporting – making the organisation more effective.
  • I represent the Conservators in meetings with NHDC to establish a Mitigation Strategy which will form part of NHDC’s Local Plan. This might take the form of greenspaces in new developments as an alternative to the heath or developers paying money towards the upkeep of the heath.
  • I have responsibility for all leases and have re-negotiated leases for the Heath Sports Club and Royston Cricket Club and ensure that, going forward, all tenants pay equitable rents.
  • Conservator Colin Smith and I share responsibility for the Conservators’ communications and interactions with all sports and other groups that use the Heath.
The skills and experience I bring from my professional experience as a Civil Engineer, Town Councillor and Conservator have been, and will continue to be, valuable to the Heath and all that use it. I also have close contacts and working relationships with elected members and Officers at both the District and County Council, which will also be brought to bear for the benefit of the Heath.

I’m retired and able to give my time willingly. Over the last 3 years there have been long periods where I have worked more than 10 hours a week on Conservator business.

Conservators’ workload will increase in the coming years. Pressures on the Heath are growing with the increase in the population in and around Royston and more and more people using the Heath. Working with Natural England, we are commissioning external consultants to develop a Management Plan for Therfield Heath for the coming decades. To implement the plan the Conservators will need to be innovative and work closely with all stakeholders, including all the groups of people that use the Heath, to maintain the unique chalk grasslands and ecosystems, the playing fields and open spaces for the enjoyment of everyone.

Because of the contribution I have made in the last three years and that I pledge to make in the next three years, the Conservators want me to be re-elected.
If you elect me, I commit to continue to work with energy and passion to benefit of the Royston and everyone that uses and enjoys the Heath.
Thank you for your support.
John Davison

Clare Swarbrick

I believe it is essential for the future of this precious space that we develop a long-term sustainable strategy so that generations of people from Therfield, Royston and the surrounding area can enjoy this common land and special place.
Having lived in Royston for 16 years the Heath is one of the reasons I love living here, along with its people. As a working parent, with children who use the heath both for sports and general recreational purposes, I am confident I have lots to offer as a Conservator; particularly looking at a skills gap that seems to be missing at the moment. In this rapidly changing society, where openness and collaboration are increasingly important, I believe my 20 years of experience working in the charity sector will bring a different and new perspective.
Being at the heart of finding ways of encouraging activities on and involvement with the Heath excites me. Whether that’s through playing sport, preserving and ensuring its ecology and wildlife, or making sure the Heath is accessible to the whole community, including the four-legged ones.
Governance is something I enjoy; I have plenty of experience of working with government and others to change by-laws of royal charities and articles of association. I want to build on the commitment made by the conservators to be more open and transparent to work with the community to explore how best to fund and safeguard this precious jewel in Royston and Therfield’s crown, and ensure it is protected for all current and future users of the Heath.
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AGM – Wed 19th Feb

Election result: Votes cast – 229. Clare Swarbrick – 177; John Davison – 51; Spoiled – 1.
Congratulations Clare.

The Annual General Meeting of the Conservators will take place on Wednesday February 19th at the junior site of King James Academy, Garden Walk, Royston.

There are two meetings, the purpose of each meeting is the election of representative Conservators.

For the election of the one Conservator to represent the Commoners (by simple majority of votes cast), voting rights of commoners will be in proportion to the number of stints to which each commoner present and voting is entitled.

For the election of one Conservator to represent the residents of the Special Drainage District of Royston. Election will be by simple majority of the eligible electors present and voting.

Candidate nominations must be submitted in writing to reach the clerk on or before 5th February 2020.

Please use the nomination forms above and ensure the declaration of eligibility is also completed and submitted. Candidates will also be asked to submit a brief written statement, to be published on this website shortly after 5th February.

Further information about the SDDR and election process.