Danesbury Fernery

Researching and Restoring the Danesbury Victorian Fernery

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Notice of Working Party – Thursday 20th February 2020

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Dependant as we are on the constraints of the weather, and the number of volunteers on site, we are planning to operate two Work Parties on the 20th February:

  1. Local Nature Reserve – Leader Andrew Beattie
  2. The Fernery – Leader Harry Ward

Weather Forecast- long range

Gusty winds and hail showers!

If we have to call the meeting off this week, then we will publish another date as soon as we can. But please keep Thursday 27th February clear if we do choose to drop by one week.

Work Party No 1 – Local Nature Reserve – Leader Andrew Beattie

Volunteers for the Local Nature Reserve Working Parties should collect the spare First Aid Kit, bow saws, loppers and springy wire rakes from the Fernery shed before moving to the allocated work site.

Park Field – Ghylls Hill – The Ancient Track – Primrose Planting

We have now received a pack of 100x primrose plugs from the Borough Council, to be planted. If resources permit, then we will also continue the work of recent months continuing the clearance of the Ancient Track on the Park Field, and other tasks to be scheduled.

The work area is reasonably sheltered and whatever the weather we look forward to a good turnout of non-gardening scrub-bashing volunteers.

Clock Meadow

The Leader will decide on the day, depending on the resources available and weather conditions, if the Nature Reserve Work Party can be split to allow tasks to allocated in the Clock Meadow on the Fernery Field.

Work Party No 2 – Fernery Garden – Leader Harry Ward

Garden Maintenance Tasks

Last month the Work Party completed many, if not all, of the scheduled tasks, including the planting of 2x Holly Trees.

A few days later, whilst photographing some of the spring flowers which are showing beautifully, we witnessed Alan who had, on his own volition, returned to the site to reinforce the stakes supporting the new Holly Trees to keep them secure in the forthcoming storms. We don’t thank Dennis, but we do thank Alan.

We have taken delivery of a pack of 100x Primroses from the Borough Council which are ready to be planted – whatever the weather!

But we are still awaiting the delivery of thousands of new bulbs which are on order from Lubbe of Lisse, Spalding. We are advised that they should now arrive next week and, if the weather forces us to cancel this week’s Work Party, then we are likely to re-arrange the meeting for the following week, when the ground should be nice and ‘moist’, and just ready for bulb planting.

Soft Landscaping tasks – specified by Harry Ward

Harry will be specifying tasks, which will follow the recent mix of maintenance and soft landscaping.

Meeting Place – both Work Parties

All volunteers should meet at the Fernery at 9.30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. start, where the leaders will allocate tasks and distribute tools as appropriate for the working parties. Before arriving, volunteers are asked to consider which of the two working parties they would prefer to join, i.e. the Nature Reserve, or the Fernery, as this helps team organisation.

How to find the Fernery

If you have not visited us before you will be made very welcome. Please read the directions to find us.

Bring a hot drink and refreshments with you, and wear strong boots or shoes and good quality gardening gloves. All tools will be provided.

On your first visit the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (the Owners) require that you complete a Personal Details Form which will be retained by them for Public Liability Insurance purposes only.

Notice of Working Party – Thursday 16th January 2020

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Dependant as we are on the constraints of the weather, and the number of volunteers on site, we are planning to operate two Work Parties on the 16th January:

  1. Local Nature Reserve – Leader Andrew Beattie
  2. The Fernery – Leader Harry Ward

Weather Forecast- long range

Light rain showers and a moderate breeze, but the rain is forecast not to arrive until 1300hrs!

Work Party No 1 – Local Nature Reserve – Leader Andrew Beattie

Volunteers for the Local Nature Reserve Working Parties should collect the spare First Aid Kit, bow saws, loppers and springy wire rakes from the Fernery shed before moving to the allocated work site.

Park Field – Ghylls Hill – The Ancient Track – Habitat Improvement

We will continue the work of recent months continuing the clearance of the Ancient Track on the Park Field. We await the delivery of primrose plugs from the Borough Council.

The work area is reasonably sheltered and whatever the weather we look forward to a good turnout of non-gardening scrub-bashing volunteers.

  • Photo by Andrew Beattie

Clock Meadow – January and successive months.

Clock Meadow is the name we have given to the newly managed area at the South East Public Footpath entrance to the Fernery Field by the Old London Road and behind Clock House Gardens.

Having started and made such early progress with this area Chris James (WH Borough Council Landscape & Ecology Officer) is keen for us to continue to undertake more pruning, and the removal of elders and some cherry suckers.

Work Party No 2 – Fernery Garden – Leader Harry Ward

Garden Maintenance Tasks – specified by Sarah Marsh and Harry Ward

  1. Cut down necessary perennials and shrubs plants etc
  2. Cut Hellebore leaves off
  3. Cut down ‘full stop’ area on North East corner of the Dell
  4. Plant 2 new holly trees
  5. Continue planting new epimediums
  6. Bulb planting – we have a supply of spring bulbs from the Borough Council which need to be planted – the scale of this task might entail further ad hoc meetings Weed out large perennial weeds
  7. Move foxgloves where there are too many
  8. Jenny needs support to weed and maintain the wild flower beds on the North Bank
  9. Colin has ferns to be planted in the tanked bed, and further fern transplanting and weeding.
  10. Rake the leaf drop for storage on the compost heap.

Soft Landscaping tasks – specified by Harry Ward

  1. We have more old branches to fix in position to aid soil retention on the North Bank and further work to cover the terram with a mix of soil and bark chippings.

Meeting Place – both Work Parties

All volunteers should meet at the Fernery at 9.30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. start, where the leaders will allocate tasks and distribute tools as appropriate for the working parties. Before arriving, volunteers are asked to consider which of the two working parties they would prefer to join, i.e. the Nature Reserve, or the Fernery, as this helps team organisation.

How to find the Fernery

If you have not visited us before you will be made very welcome. Please read the directions to find us.

Bring a hot drink and refreshments with you, and wear strong boots or shoes and good quality gardening gloves. All tools will be provided.

On your first visit the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (the Owners) require that you complete a Personal Details Form which will be retained by them for Public Liability Insurance purposes only.

Notice of Work Parties – Thursday 21st November 2019

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Given the constraints of the weather, and the number of volunteers on site, we are planning to operate two Work Parties on the 21st November:

  1. Local Nature Reserve – Leader Andrew Beattie
  2. The Fernery – Leader Harry Ward

Weather Forecast- long range

Light rain showers and a moderate breeze

Work Party No 1 – Local Nature Reserve

Park Field – Ghylls Hill – The Ancient Track – Habitat Improvement

With next month’s December meeting in mind when, for practical reasons, we will want both working parties working closer together to more easily join up for Seasonal celebrations, we have decided to return this month to the Ancient Track to continue the maintenance work of earlier work parties. The work area is reasonably sheltered and whatever the weather we look forward to a good turnout of non-gardening scrub-bashing volunteers.

A lot of scrub is re-growing at the bottom (Codicote Road) end of the Track and at the kissing gate access, which will be cleared once again with the strimmer.

We will also use loppers to clear scrub and bramble trailers along the banks, and rakes to reveal more of the established ferns and hopefully the bluebells that have been smothered (although not visible at present). We will also prepare the ground for the expected arrival of primrose plugs in the New Year.

Volunteers for the Local Nature Reserve Working Party should collect bow saws, loppers and springy wire rakes from the Fernery shed, and the spare First Aid Kit, before moving down to Ghylls Hill.

Clock Meadow – December and successive months.

This is the name we are giving to the newly managed area at the South East entrance to the Fernery Field by the Old London Road and Clock House Gardens.

We will re-visit the Clock Meadow in December 2019, because it is in line of sight of the Fernery (almost). In December the Clock Meadow volunteers will more easily be able to join up with the Fernery Gardeners for Seasonal Celebrations.

Having started and made such good progress with this area behind Clock House Gardens Chris James is keen for us to undertake more pruning, and removal of elders and some cherry suckers in December and beyond.

In the New Year we will begin wider publicity for this exciting new area of Danesbury which offers so much opportunity for habitat improvement, It is an area on the Nature Reserve which hasn’t previously felt the impact of the volunteer Friends of Danesbury. It will be seen by a different set of visitors to Danesbury Park as they follow the Public Footpath from the old Service Road behind the former Clock Hotel.

Work Party No 2 – Fernery Garden

  1. We have more old branches to fix in position to aid soil retention on the North Bank and further work to cover the terram with a mix of soil and bark chippings
  2. Bulb planting – we have a supply of spring bulbs from the Borough Council which need to be planted – the scale of this task might entail further ad hoc meetings
  3. Jenny needs support to weed and maintain the wild flower beds on the North Bank
  4. Colin has ferns to be planted in the tanked bed, and further fern transplanting and weeding.
  5. We will undertake general maintenance tasks including raking the Leaf drop for storage on the compost heap.

Meeting Place – both Work Parties

All volunteers should meet at the Fernery at 9.30 am where the leaders will allocate tasks and distribute tools as appropriate for the two working parties. Volunteers are asked to decide before arriving which of the two working parties they would like to join, as this helps the organisation.

How to find the Fernery

If you have not visited us before you will be made very welcome. Please read the directions to find us.

Bring a hot drink and refreshments with you, and wear strong boots or shoes and good quality gardening gloves. All tools will be provided.

On your first visit the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (the Owners) require that you complete a personal details Form which will be retained by them for Public Liability Insurance purposes.

Notice of Work Parties – Thursday 17th October 2019

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Objectives

We will operate two Working parties:

  • Local Nature reserve – Habitat Management
  • Fernery Garden – maintenance and some excavation

Weather Forecast – Long Range

Sunny Intervals and a moderate breeze.

Nature Reserve – Habitat Management

Andrew Beattie will lead this group which will start working in the new area identified by Chris James at the South East corner of the Fernery Field, and described last month.

The area of land between the start of the Public Footpath behind Clock House Gardens and the Fernery Field cattle fence, is owned by the Borough Council and for many years has been undeveloped scrub and grassland.

Earlier this year Maydencroft stripped the area of long standing brambles and scrub in readiness for management of the area and bringing it under control.

It is expected that volunteers will start planning and shaping the area to encourage wildlife, and better use and enjoyment of the space.

Fernery Gardening Group

The Fernery Team led by Harry Ward has been busy over recent weeks in ad hoc groups working on pressing tasks. Details of some of these tasks are included in the Report of the 19th September Working Party; they include opening the Parsons zigzag planting bed, and positioning and planting the recently installed Oak logs on the East Bank.

Tasks for Thursday 17th October are expected to include the following:

  • Planting ferns and weeding with Colin and Sarah.  
  • Working with Jenny on the wild flowers beds.  
  • Raking leaves and twigs off the grass banks and paths. 
  • Work on the north slope; cutting out areas of terram where the mulch has washed away, and infilling with soil and mulch. 
  • Starting to excavate the newly exposed South Bank around the terracotta brickwork to establish its depth and possibly uncover another Parsons bed with a hard base and drainage.  

Meeting Place – both Work Parties

All volunteers should meet at the Fernery at 9.30 am where the leaders will allocate tasks and distribute tools as appropriate for the two working parties. Volunteers are asked to decide before arriving which of the two working parties they would like to join, as this helps the organisation.

How to find the Fernery

If you have not visited us before you will be made very welcome. Please read the directions to find us.

Bring a hot drink and refreshments with you, and wear strong boots or shoes and good quality gardening gloves. All tools will be provided.

On your first visit the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (the Owners) require that you complete a personal details Form which will be retained by them for Public Liability Insurance purposes.

Notice of Work Parties – Thursday 19th September 2019

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Objectives

We will again be operating two work parties this Thursday.

Because Maydencroft are scheduled to be on site in the Fernery to undertake final heavy equipment work for 2019, we must limit the number of volunteers working in the Fernery this Thursday, for health and safety reasons.

We therefore encourage Gardening volunteers to work on the Local Nature Reserve with Andrew Beattie’s work party.

Long Range Weather Forecast

Sunny with light winds.

Nature Reserve Work Party – Leader Andrew Beattie

As stated many times before, scrub-bashing work on the Nature Reserve is less likely to disturb wildlife, in particular nesting birds, from September round to March/April each year,

From now until Spring 2020 we therefore encourage volunteers to join Andrew’s scrub-bashing Work Party.

Regular tasks can be expected to include path clearance of overhanging brambles, nettles and tree shoots and runners.

Work on special projects will be agreed in advance between Andrew and Chris James and are likely to include continuation of ancient track clearance down to the Codicote Road, hedge layering, and the clearance and burning of brash left laying around from earlier work parties. Some basic tree pruning might also be on the agenda.

An interesting new Project proposed by Chris James is to develop an area on the South East corner of the Fernery Field into a wildlife study area. The area (outside the cattle fence) owned by the WHBC behind the rear of houses in St John’s Close and the Clockhouse Gardens development and Old Roman Road was cleared by Maydencroft during the year

These are all good seasonal fun tasks for colder Autumn and Winter days as the work of the Fernery Gardening Group falls off.

Fernery Work Party – Leader Harry Ward

Because Maydencroft are on site, we need only a limited number of volunteers to be in the Fernery. Apart from undertaking light tasks, these volunteers will in part supervise Maydencroft’s work in the absence of hands-on WHBC management.

Maydencroft will be:

  1. Mechanically digging out the zigzag bed at the North End and moving soil and turves to other parts of the site
  2. Lifting, moving and installing the three very heavy hollow Oak logs from the North end to the East end.
  3. Excavating the steep South Bank to uncover hidden Anthony Parsons beds.

Scheduled tasks for the few volunteers will include:

  1. Fencing the northern slope where we’ve planted wild flowers and where we’ll plant herbaceous shrubs in October. (Alan and Harry)
  2. Weeding the North Bank wild flower beds (Jenny +1)
  3. Moving last years leaf mulch from the front enclosure to the back one, thus allowing this Autumn’s leaf fall to go into an empty enclosure (Colin + John)
  4. Working with Maydencroft on the zigzag bed, testing the soils for ancient fern spores, and re-positioning the turf. (Colin + !)

More demanding seasonal work such as leaf collection, strimming, grass cutting and general tidying will wait for the October Work Party.

Meeting Place – both Work Parties

All volunteers should meet at the Fernery at 9.30 am where the leaders will allocate tasks and distribute tools as appropriate for the two working parties. Volunteers are asked to decide before arriving which of the two working parties they would like to join, as this helps the organisation.

How to find the Fernery

If you have not visited us before you will be made very welcome. Please read the directions to find us.

Bring a hot drink and refreshments with you, and wear strong boots or shoes and good quality gardening gloves. All tools will be provided.

On your first visit the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (the Owners) require that you complete a personal details Form which will be retained by them for Public Liability Insurance purposes.

Notice of the 2019 AGM – Thursday 3rd October

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The 2019 AGM will be held at the 1st Welwyn Scout Hut in Lockleys Drive at 12.30 pm on Thursday 3rd October 2019.

All active Friends of Danesbury Local Nature Reserve and the Fernery will be welcome, but in regard to the formal business of the Friends of Danesbury Fernery, (FODF) then in accordance with Section 2.4. of the FODF Constitution, qualification to vote will be determined by evidence that a member is Registered with the WHBC as a Volunteer who has attended at least one official working party within the calendar year.

It is proposed to socialise and enjoy a buffet lunch at the start, which will be followed by the formal part of the meeting. Hilary Ward has kindly offered to organise the catering as she did so successfully in September 2018 at our last meeting. For catering purposes please let Harry or John know if you plan to come to the meeting, and also advise Hilary if you have special catering needs.

Over lunch we will be able to discuss all things of interest or concern about the Local Nature Reserve and future projects, followed by the formal AGM of the Friends of Danesbury Fernery (FODF). Please let Secretary Harry Ward know if you have any issues or concerns that you wish to be included on the Agenda in Any Other Business.

The FODF Agenda and copies of the Chairman’s, and the Treasurer’s Reports will be published before the date of the meeting, together with other relevant papers.

Notice of Work Party -Thursday 15th August 2019

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Long Range Weather Forecast

Overcast with a light breeze.

Objectives

We plan once again to operate two separate work parties this month, depending on available volunteer resources

Nature Reserve Maintenance Group

Leader: Andrew Beattie

Andrew and Chris are in the process of drawing up a schedule of work, and priorities, for the Park Field that will include traditional ‘scrub-bashing’ tasks of cutting back overgrown paths, strimming grass edges, pruning, tree management and hedge layering.

Task allocation will very often depend on the weather and the condition of the ground underfoot. However, scrub-bashing in the Park Field is expected to continue until April/May 2020 when birds begin to start nesting.

The Ancient Track (Ghylls Hill) which is in regular public use and provides the main access point to the Nature Reserve from the Codicote Road entrance, is likely to be a regular assignment.

The Fernery Gardening Group

Leader: Harry Ward/John Roper

Andrew plans to complete a session of blowing of leaves, twigs and rubbish before the main work party gets active, and there are many areas needing attention.

Wild flowers.

Jenny reports that Black Nightshade is growing in the wild flowers on the North Bank, and docks and nettles are growing near the entrance and the compost heap,

Other maintenance on the North Bank will include cutting down Weld and Oxeye Daises.

Herbaceous beds

Sarah wants the orange calendula in the Full Stop bed to be dead-headed to encourage the growth of new flowers. Likewise the ensimums (purple shrubby plant on top of the grotto) and their flower spikes cut off.

Weeding and Watering

Despite the recent inclement weather, the ferns and the trees in the perimeter need watering.

Planting

Depending on conditions, we have some new ferns to be planted.

Graffiti

We have a few new attempts at impressionism that might need attention to remove them.

Meeting Place – both Work Parties

All volunteers should meet at the Fernery at 9.30 am where the leaders will allocate tasks and distribute tools as appropriate for the two working parties. Volunteers are asked to decide before arriving which of the two working parties they would like to join, as this helps the organisation.

How to find the Fernery

If you have not visited us before you will be made very welcome. Please read the directions to find us.

Bring a hot drink and refreshments with you, and wear strong boots or shoes and good quality gardening gloves. All tools will be provided.

On your first visit the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (the Owners) require that you complete a personal details Form which will be retained by them for Public Liability Insurance purposes.

Notice of Work Party – Thursday 18th July 2019

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Long Range Weather Forecast

Light cloud and a moderate breeze

Objectives

As mentioned in previous Notices, we now plan to resume scrub-bashing tasks in the Park Field since the bird nesting season is past.

Depending on available volunteer resources, we therefore plan to operate two separate work parties on Thursday 18th July 2019 as follows.

The Fernery Gardening Group

Leader Andrew Beattie

Weeding and watering will always be on the menu, plus more planting.

North West Bank

Since the last scheduled work party, half of the North West bank has been dressed with mulch and planted-up with Jenny’s wild flowers.

This was accomplished in readiness for the visit of the Anglia in Bloom judging last Tuesday 9th July. But in Harry’s absence we might not have sufficient resource to complete this task until a later work party.

North East Bank

The newly profiled North East Bank was seeded with grass last week and now needs to be watered to give it a start.

Perimeter Area

We need to continue the task of strimming around the whips and small saplings in the perimeter area, to stop the growth of smothering weeds.

General Tidy up for Visitors

Extra tasks will include leaf blowing and general tidying up because on Saturday afternoon 20th July a group of visitors are expected from the East Anglia Section of BPS (The British Pteridological (Fern) Society). Andrew and Colin will act as leaders for this visit and support volunteers will not be needed.

Nature Reserve Maintenance Group

Leaders: Lucy Alexander and Richard Darby


From July 2019 round to March/April 2020 we plan to form a second working party.

Depending on the number of resources available, the Nature Reserve working party will, as a priority, return to the ancient track that was cleared last March. It has become overgrown once again, and a good general clear up is called for.

A priority task list will be drawn up for future work.

Meeting Place

All volunteers should meet at the Fernery at 9.30 am where the leaders will allocate tasks and distribute appropriate tools for both working parties.

How to find the Fernery

If you have not visited us before you will be made very welcome. Please read the directions to find us.

Bring a hot drink and refreshments with you, and wear strong boots or shoes and good quality gardening gloves.

On arrival, for Borough Council (the Owners) Public Liability Insurance purposes, you will be asked to Register with us before you start work.


Welwyn Festival Open Garden evening – Thursday 20th June 2019

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Site Preparation (1)

You are reminded that this year we are Open on the evening of 20th June 2019 from 6 pm to 8.30 pm. We will in fact have a Working Party on the morning of the Open Evening itself, at which time we will be busy tidying up the site for presentation to visitors.

But in order to press ahead, we have scheduled extra Work Parties on each of the Thursday mornings between now and 20th June 2019.

On Thursday 20th June 2019 we will have some Reception tentage to erect during the day and a couple of tables for refreshments. With limited time available to us, and to relieve the pressure on the volunteers, we will not this year have an Information tent and display table, and we will provide fewer visitor chairs and tables.

Refreshments

We will have a more limited selection of refreshments for sale, including soft drinks, and Prosecco, and dishes of nibbles, but no cake.

Hilary Ward will value offers of help with the refreshments.

Site Management

We ask for a full turn out of volunteers to help with the many tasks to get the site ready, and to guide visitors safely around the site on the evening.

We will also need ‘all hands to the pumps’ to help clear up afterwards.

Notice of Work Party – Thursday 16th May 2019

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Weather Forecast – Long Range

Sunny Intervals and a moderate breeze.

Tasks

As indicated in the Report of the last meeting of 18 April we are now focusing on the tasks associated with preparing the Fernery for the June 20th Open Garden evening.

Leaders will be on site from 9.30 am to open the shed and select tools that will be needed.

Weeding and strimming

The last few weeks of heavy rain have encouraged the weeds to leap out of the ground and this evening (15th May 2019) a small work party (Andrew, Harry and John) started the job of strimming the grassy banks at the Entrance, and the Lawn on the North Bank too.

This proved far more difficult than we anticipated because we have lost vital time keeping the weeds under control. We are likely to need to repeat this special work party until the grasses that Andrew sowed in 2017/18 are looking their best again.

As a direct result of the strimming exercise this evening, a task for Thursday will be to rake up the detritus.

Planting Bed – Weeding

This remains as a non-stop task for the Gardening Group.

Nettle Beds

If resources allow, we must continue trying to manage the nettle beds bordering the North East path and perimeter.

The WHBC have authorised us to spray weedkiller there, if we have to. But to be long term effective we should try to get the roots out of the ground as far as we can.

A final decision on nettle spraying has not yet been taken.

Watering

This remains a regular task as the need arises.

Visitors

We are expecting the metal detectorists to be on site.

Excavation Planning.

We are in the throes of agreeing dates with WHBC for Maydencroft to be on site again, and we will keep you updated on progress.

The tasks which we would like WHBC help with were outlined in last months Report.

Facebook Leader

Unfortunately Lucy Alexander has had to release herself from her close association with the FODF because, as we all know, she has chosen to undertake valuable work overseas with an International Charity. We all wish Lucy our thanks for the work and enthusiasm she always brought to the team, and offer her our best wishes.

We hope that Lucy will still be able to undertake work with us when she can, and she has been encouraged to join us at our elevenses breaks to keep herself up-to-date with our progress.

One direct outcome of Lucy’s lack of regular involvement with our work, has been that we are no longer presenting our work in the form of photos and brief explanations on our Facebook account. We therefore desperately seek a replacement so that we can maintain a high profile within the local community, and much wider too in the Fern world.

Please speak to John if you are prepared to take this role over from Lucy.

How to find the Fernery

If you have not visited us before you will be made very welcome. Please read the directions to find us.

Bring a hot drink and refreshments with you, and wear strong boots or shoes and good quality gardening gloves.

On arrival you will need to Register with us before you start work – for (WHBC) Insurance purposes.