Therfield Heath Visitor UPDATE – 21 December 2020

With the announcement that we will be in Tier 4, the Heath remains open to visitors providing an important place for both physical and mental wellbeing.

We would ask all our visitors to take note of the following advice/restrictions. Tier 4 means that you can continue to take unlimited exercise alone, or in a public outdoor place with your household, support bubble or one other person.

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

Thank you for your co-operation,

The Conservators

Update on Facilities

Car Parks – For those who wish to travel 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.

Bins – with the likely increase in visitors, there will be an increase in the amount of rubbish.  Please help us to keep the Heath clean and tidy at all times. Take your rubbish home with you wherever possible, and particularly if bins are full.  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 also presents a health risk to other visitors.

Café – The Heath Café will be serving takeaway food only.  Please ensure you dispose of take away food containers or coffee cups responsibly, either in bins provided or take them home. For more information including opening times and menus go to www.roystonheath.co.uk

Toilets – there are no public toilets nearby.

Sports – Royston Golf Club remains open, 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. For more information go to www.roystongolfclub.co.uk

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.

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

Bylaws – 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 see our latest update

Therfield Heath Visitor UPDATE – 2 December 2020

With the announcement that from today we will be in Tier 2, we would ask all our visitors to take note of the following advice/restrictions. The Heath and Greens remain open for households, support bubbles and groups of no more than 6 to enjoy in line with the regulations and guidance.

Golf will restart on 2 December and have introduced appropriate regulations to play safely. It is important for those who have enjoyed exercising on the fairways to be aware of golfers and the resumption of golf.

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

Thank you for your co-operation,

The Conservators

Update on Facilities

Car Parks – For those who wish to travel 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.

Bins – with the likely increase in visitors, there will be an increase in the amount of rubbish.  Please help us to keep the Commons clean and tidy at all times. Take your rubbish home with you wherever possible, and particularly if bins are full.  Please do not leave your litter at the side of the bins; it not only presents a risk to wildlife that lives on the Common, but also presents a health risk to other visitors.

Café – The Heath Café will be serving food and drink at reserved tables and via the takeaway Hatch.  For more information including opening times, menus and to book a table go to www.roystonheath.co.uk

Toilets – 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.

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

Bylaws – 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/

In addition to what has already been mentioned, we would also draw your attention to the following:

Do not light barbeques or any form of fire. The ground may be wet but fires may still spread rapidly.

Do not fly any drones or model aircraft.

We thank everyone for using the Heath responsibly.

Thank you.

Please see update regarding Therfield Heath and Greens

Therfield Heath Visitor UPDATE – 6 November 2020

The Heath remains open for households and pairs of individuals to – ie with the people you live with, with your support bubble or, when on your own, with 1 person from another household.  Please continue to enjoy it in line with the regulations and guidance.

Autumn and winter brings a beauty to the Heath and Greens and we hope the change of season will enhance your visit. You remain welcome to use the whole area for exercise, well-being, recreation and study.  Please be kind and respectful to fellow visitors – everyone needs to be able to enjoy the Heath safely.

Thank you for your co-operation,

The Conservators

Update on Facilities

Car Parks – For those who wish to travel 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.

Bins – with the likely increase in visitors, there will be an increase in the amount of rubbish.  Please help us to keep the Commons clean and tidy at all times. Take your rubbish home with you whenever possible, and particularly if bins are full.  Please do not leave your litter at the side of the bins; it not only presents a risk to the wildlife that lives on the Common, but also presents a health risk to other visitors. 

Café – The Heath Café will be serving takeaway food only.  Please ensure you dispose of take away food containers or coffee cups responsibly, either in bins provided or take them home. For more information including opening times and menus go to www.roystonheath.co.uk

Toilets – there are no public toilets nearby.

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.

Golf Course – The golf course is closed at present however green keeping staff will still be maintaining the course. We would therefore ask all visitors to respect their space and keep off the greens and tees and out of the bunkers.

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

Fireworks – Please do not discharge Fireworks on the Heath or permit embers to fall on the Heath.  Not only is this a fire risk but the semi-burnt packaging is dangerous to wildlife.

Bylaws – 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/

We thank everyone for using the Heath responsibly. Thank you

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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