Christmas Gathering 14th December 2017 The weather was kind to the Friends who braved the ice and cold to celebrate the successes of the second year of restoration. But in fact most of the snow had melted away with the overnight rains and it was a sunny and clear day, but still quite cold. We discovered […]
Archives for 2017
British Pteridological Society (BPS) Membership Confirmed
Treasurer Andrew has succeeded in arranging a group membership for “The Danesbury Fernery Volunteer Group“ The BPS are very interested in our Project and Andrew has already had contact from Dr Alison Evans, BPS Membership Secretary, and Dr Peter Blake acting Representative for the East Anglia section. As East Anglia Area representative, Peter Blake (from […]
High Sheriff’s Award 2018 – FOD fail to be short listed
We have received notice from the Hertfordshire Community Foundation that unfortunately the Friends of Danesbury LNR have not been short-listed by the High Sheriff’s Panel for the 2018 Award. We are advised that a large number of nominations are received from a wide range of fantastic organisations in the county, and that it is always […]
How Parsons grew specimen Ferns
The following is an extract from Alpine Flowers for English Gardens by William Robinson and published in London by John Murray, Albermarle Street in 1870 Source: https://archive.org/details/alpineflowersfo00robigoog (Ed: I have corrected a few original typing/printing errors and introduced emphasis where helpful). Part I – The Rock Garden (pages 24-26 Popular and almost universally cultivated as hardy ferns […]
Work Party Report – 16th November 2017
Tasks Undertaken A total of 13 volunteers met and carried out weeding of planting beds, nettle strimming, more fencing reparation, and some further excavation which left us with yet more unanswered questions. We also welcomed two Swedish visitors to the site and gave them a brief introduction. Garden Maintenance Strimming and leaf blowing: The site […]
Notice of Work Party Thursday 16th November 2017
Start Time and Place We meet at the Fernery at the top end of North Ride, Welwyn, AL6 9RD starting at 10 a.m. Please note that team leaders and tools will be on site from 9 a.m for those who prefer to start earlier. Work continues until lunchtime and volunteers should wear strong boots, […]
Garden Restoration Strategy Meeting – 9th November 2017
Attendees: Ann Macdonald – Manager Environmental Services Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Chris James – WHBC Officer Environmental Services John Roper – Volunteer Leader Danesbury Local Nature Reserve Andrew Beattie – Volunteer Danesbury Local Nature Reserve Sue Stephens – Volunteer Friends of Mardley Heath LNR Report On Thursday 9th November a valuable two hours were spent […]
Friends of the Fernery Garden – Introductory Meeting 4th November 2017 Rained off.
Unfortunately the Introductory Meeting planned for the Friends of the Fernery Garden proved to be a wash-out. Heavy rain fell and kept all our new volunteers away. We hope for a kinder forecast at the next scheduled meeting on 2nd December 2017.
Work Party Report – Thursday 19th October 2017
IMPORTANT VISITORS We welcomed Welwyn Hatfield Borough Cllr. Helen Bromley, Executive Member for the Environment, CEO Rob Bridge, and Director of Landscaping Nick Long. They were shown around the site by the Leader of the Friends, John Roper, and admired the excavations carried out in the past two years, and learned about the history of the […]
CPRE Commendation Award – 17th October 2017
At a special meeting held at County Hall Hertford on Tuesday evening the 17th October, the Friends of Danesbury Local Nature Reserve, represented by John Roper and Andrew Beattie, were awarded a Commendation in the Community category of the CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) Rural Living Awards. The Award was presented on behalf of […]