This is the  home on the web on the Friends of Moneyhole Lane Park in Panshanger, Welwyn Garden City. We are a small but growing group of people who want to see good things happen at the park. We are working hard to make the park a tidy, safe, and most of all a fun and relaxing place to be.s

This is a local community powered, volunteer driven initiative.

Have a look around the site!

Queen Diamond Jublilee Fete

A community wide event that everyone can join in. Together we can make this a great day to remember.

• We need volunteers, stall holders, display teams and sponsors.
• Do you have organisation skills?
• Is there a community choir available to lift our spirits?

Proposed charity this year is Help for Heros or the British Legion.

Email moneyholepark@gmail.com

Royal Veterinary College Blood Donor Programme

RVS is looking for potential cat donors. If you live within 15 minutes of the RVC and your healthy cat is between 1-7 years old, please call the blood donor line 01707 666 511 or email blooddonor@rvs.ac.uk. Dog donors are also welcome.

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Sat 28 & Sun 29 January

A fun event. Spare an hour to note the highest number of each bird species seen on the ground and submit findings on RSPB website. It can be in your garden, local park or any site. download a form from rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

Attacks on Guide Dogs

Attacks up from 3 a month to 7 a month.  http://bit.ly/oqjPRH

It costs £28,000 to train a Guide Dog. Many are too traumatised to work after an attack.

We need sponsors, co-hosts and volunteers to make this a great community event. Can you or know of anyone who can help?

Email us on moneyholepark@gmail.com

Follow us on Twitter @moneyholepark.

Send us a message or retweet our tweets.

Joyous Yuletide greetings

As 2011 draws to a close, this is a summary of the events and highlights of the year.

Easter Fete 23 April – This year’s fete was held on one of the hottest Easter Saturday seen for many years. We had a wonderful turnout of residents, families and dog owners. There were more stalls, inflatable slides and competitions. £418 was raised for the Guide Dogs and St Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital. Our sincere thanks to the volunteers, stall holders, sponsor and visitors for making this another success fete.

Nature Trail (NT) – the mile long nature trail has been repaired and overhanging branches cut back by kind, dedicated volunteers several times this year.

• Sat 19 Feb – Four UoH MBA students – Dominic, Luke, Mo & Peter braved the rain to kick off the first repair along Stirling Way and Leysdown.
• Sun 12 June – The May family (Mark, Linda, Erin), Lyn and Zulfigar Ahmed relaid half of the Birchall Farm section.
• Fri 12 Aug – Nick, Janet, Sarah and Colin spread 2 tons of wood chips along the Birchall Farm stretch.
• Sun 21 Aug – Mark, Linda, Erin and Ray completed the Birchall Farm path and started the Henry Woods section.
• Fri 14 Oct – Ray & Margot continued the work along Henry Woods.
• Sat 15 Oct – Keith, Valerie, Linda, Erin & Mark completed Henry Woods and half of the Wyton to Leydown stretch. Over 4 tons were spread.

We like to thank all the volunteers who re-laid the wood chips along the Nature Trail. Our gratitude also goes to Mark May, a local tree surgeon (07725 415209),who kindly donated all the wood chips. We shall start again in the New Year to continue the work by these wonderful volunteers. Please email us if you can spare an hour or two to maintain this all season  footpath around Moneyhole.

Nature Watch – A pair of red kites nesting by the Lafarge estate were spotted throughout summer. They were last seen on Monday 02 Dec.

• Bird Survey – jays, wrens, robins, collared doves, wood pidgeons, blue tits, great tits, sparrows, starlings, blackbirds, magpies, woodpeckers, red kites, seagulls were seen.
• Foxes – Many fox sightings were reported this year. More fox droppings were seen this year on the fields pointing to a likely rise in numbers.
• Rabbit – my first sighting of a rabbit this year in Henry Woods on 20 Dec.
• Fungi Walks – Tree Wardens organise two woodland fungi walks in Sherrardwoods each Autumn. They will consider a similar walk in Moneyhole if there is sufficent demand. A small charge is levied to raise funds for trees conservation. Please email to express your interest.

Picnic in the Park Sat 02 July – This was our 6th annual picnic for all park users and residents.

Park Angels – Moneyhole and the surrounding woods are much cleaner year on year thanks to the constant efforts of the park angels. These kind residents and park users pick litter on the quiet. Once again big thank you from the community.

Finesse carry out litter pick by the carpark and playareas.

Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) – the number of ASB reported have fallen this year. This is positive news and a step in the right direction.

• Replacement fence – After many years, a broken fence was finally re-erected between Moneyhole Park and Russett House in Spring thanks to Steven Seager’s months of persistence. This should help to deter ASB trespassers plaguing nearby residents.
• Trail and Quad bikers – Unlicenced bikers are still causing a nuisance riding along footpaths, woods and the park. Do call the police on 101 for immediate action to prevent accidents to walkers, dogs and children. A trail biker was apprehended in last month after being reported.
• Unprovoked Attack – a couple’s night out ends in violent attack near Moneyhole entrance made WHTimes’ front page news on 14 Sep.  The attack happened on 10 Sep shortly after the local street lights are switched off at midnight. Please pass any information of the attackers to the police.

Dog & Litter Bins -

• A dog bin was added in the middle of the park courtesy of the local Community Fund.
• The offer of another dog bin was swapped for two litter bins along Bericot Way and by the Bericot Way/Lincoln Way footpath junction.
• Overflowing bins – email E.Nicholls@finesseleisure.com or Contact-WHC@welhat.gov.uk,

Health & Safety

• Tunnel slide (Multi Activity Area) – the exposed concrete blocks at the slide base were reported to Finesse and WHBC in early Spring by Mrs Smith and Mrs Rose. This issue was finally resolved and fresh wood chips relaid by 22 August.
• Dead trees – the dead trees in a cluster and few along the Nature Trail were removed by Finesse.
• Please contact Finesse or WHBC if you spot any H&S issues.

Other Neighbourhood Issues –

• Litter & Pot Holes – In February, Cllr Sara Johnston came on the FoM’s inspection tour of nearby streets. WHBC was galvanised to remove the worse of the flytipping and accumulated litter in the tree belts along Sylvan Way, Moors Walk and Panshanger Drive.
• Bericot Way & Sylvan Way -  The frost damaged pot holes along these roads previously reported by FoM were also temporarily patched up after Cllr Johnston kindly chased these up. Our grateful thanks go to Cllr Johnson. New pot holes have since reappeared and now require attention. If more residents do report these, then Hertfordshire Highway may be more inclined to act. See contact website below.
• Black Fan Road - The various pot holes reported were eventually patched.
• Panshanger Drive – Numerous dangerous sections of footpath were repaired this year when reported to Mid Herts Highways. Fallen Autumn leaves,which tend to become mushy and slipperry underfoot, were also cleared recently along this stretch.

Next Year

• Queen Diamond Jubilee fete 04 June 12 – A possible event when we find a sponsor and partner. Participants  and stall holders please contact us to express your interest . Help us to make this a truly memorable day. Email us on moneyholepark@gmail.com
• Nature Trail (NT) repairs – We will resume when we get another donation of wood chips.

Useful numbers and website

• New Police non emergency number – 101. This is a flat rate charge of 15p. Remember to ask for a unique reference number (URN).
• WHBC Contact Centre – email Contact-WHC@welhat.gov.uk litter issues, bin requests;  tel: 01707 357000
• Finesse Leisure – email E.Nicholls@finesseleisure.com for all park related issues .
• Fixmystreet.com – an excellent site to reporting local faults, litter and issues to WHBC and Herts CC. Moneyhole Park post code is AL7 2RT. Highlight the spot on the map. Broken glass on pavement, flytipping and litter have been resolved previously.
• Hertsdirect.org – for Highway related faults like pot holes and damaged pavements - http://www.hertsdirect.org/actweb/hfr/default.cfm

The authorities are fairly prompt in dealing with reported issues but only if you report them. With some, perseverance pays.

Lastly we like to thank everyone who supported the Moneyhole Park community throughout the year.

Wishing everyone A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

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Friends of Moneyhole
www.welwynhatfield.co.uk/moneyhole – striving for a cleaner, safer & inclusive park

Email : moneyholepark@gmail.com

Hope everyone enjoyed the Indian Summer at the end of September.

Autumn has arrived. We always enjoy the woodland walks at this time of the year. Looking forward to the display of Autumnal colours.

Nature Trail repairs (free workout) – two stretches will benefit from more woodchips before the winter rain comes. So if anyone can spare a couple of hours and fancy some light workout, then join us. The purpose is to make the trail useable in all seasons.

• Friday 14 @ 10 – noon.  Meet by the woodchips at Martlesham  Park entrance to work along Henry Wood section (far end of Moneyhole Park)
• Saturday 15 @ 10 – noon. Meet by the woodchips at Wyton Park  entrance ( near the dog bin on the left side of the park).

Please bring a barrow, shovel or rake if you have one. Do dress appropriately for the weather.

Community Orchard – Last week Finesse removed the cluster of dead trees next to a bench & litter bin, thinned a section of the tree belt and trimmed some branches along the trail.

We would like to see the felled trees replaced with fruit trees to encourage wild life and to foster a unique Panshanger community identity. It can also help to preserve old varieties of  apples and pears.

Progressive councils in Chichester and even London are replacing ornamental trees with community orchards like pears, apples and cherries.

Contact us and Finesse if you share this view.

See links:

http://www.theecologist.org/how_to_make_a_difference/food_and_gardening/876973/what_is_a_community_orchard.html

www.theecologist.org/how_to_make_a_difference/food_and_gardening/876973/what_is_a_community_orchard.html

http://thelondonorchardproject.org/what-we-do

Email: moneyholepark@gmail.com            mobile : 07946 464672           Twitter: @moneyholepark

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Friends of Moneyhole
www.welwynhatfield.co.uk/moneyhole – striving for a cleaner, safer & inclusive park

Nature Watch

• Foxes -
  • A Westcott resident emailed to say a fox follows them regularly along the road when they walk the dogs.
  • A Harding resident said that a neighbour’s rabbit was attacked in the garden in the past.
• Rabbits, Muntjacs and Woodpeckers – Unusually no sightings were reported this year.
• Birds survey – we are interested to find out the variety of birds that visit Moneyhole Park, woods and our local gardens. Do tell us what birds you have seen this year.
• Mushrooms -There are many fungi sprouting in the park and woods. Does anyone know someone knowledgeable on the subject to lead a small group on a fungi walk in the Autumn?

Nature Trail (NT) Repairs

Mark May is again donating more woodchips for the Nature Trail. Email us if you can help over the next few weeks.  Please visit this site for updates on the next NT repair dates.

Panhanger House Dowsing cancelled – Sadly the landowner has declined permission to the Hertfordshire Dowsing group. Email us for their other dowsing trips or events.

Multi-Activity Playarea – exposed concrete at the base of the tunnel slide were reported by a mother and grandmother in March, May & August 2011 to Finesse. Please see the reply from Carol Rigsby (WHBC) dated 22 August 2011.

Dear Mrs Smith

Thank you for your email received today, 22 August 2011. We take all complaints very seriously and those referring to safety are given priority. I would like to assure you that Finesse Leisure responded to the complaint made in March 2011, I replied to Mrs Rose on 21 March 2011 and Emily Nicholls from Finesse followed this up on 11 May with an email confirming the inspections and the additional raking of the wood chip flooring were being continued.

Please see the following comment from Finesse following my enquiry today:

“In March 2011 we received a complaint about the play area at MHL and some exposed concrete below the main slide.  At the time Andy removed a large section of concrete that had been exposed by the constant wear and redistributed the woodchip to ensure there was enough covering the area and the slide foundations that he could/should not remove.

All the play areas are checked on a (working day) daily basis through the school holidays and on a twice weekly in term time, as part of the inspection the areas in the photographs are raked over and covered with a suitable amount of wood chip. The constant wear over the weekend has revealed some thin slithers of concrete that were attached to the rubber crumb that was in the original play area, Andy has removed these and redistributed the wood chip to cover the rubber crumb, he has also arranged for a top up of woodchip to the area to ensure the areas are covered at all times.”

In addition the site will also be checked by the Council’s play area supervisor and myself on a regular basis over the next few weeks to ensure the problem is fully resolved.

Yours sincerely

Carol Rigby

Head of Leisure and Community Services

01707 357114

email: c.rigby@welhat.gov.uk

Please be vigilant when using the play areas and report further concerns to Emily Nicholls  (Finesse) or Carol Rigsby (WHBC).

Contact details – moneyholepark@gmail.com

Friday 12 August  – Local residents Nick, Janet, Sarah and Colin of Welwyn came to help with the repairs along the Birchall Farm section of the Nature Trail. They spread nearly 2 tons of wood chips.

Sunday 21 August – Mark, Linda, Erin of Little Gannet and Ray of Hertford Heath gave up their Sunday morning to carry repairs to the Nature Trail. We completed the Birchall Farm section and started the Henry Woods path.

The narrowing and overhanging sections were trimmed back to widen the path.

Our grateful thanks goes to the kind residents and friends that gave their time to help repair the Nature Trail.  Special thanks go to the May family for donating the woodchips and their help to relay the path.  Thanks also go to Tony (Waterbeach) for the loan of a barrow.

Do contact us if you wish to help in the future. Email us on moneyholepark@gmail.com.

Nature Trail repairs - If you use the nature trail and can spare 2 hours to spread wood chips on the path, please come an give us a hand. We meet at the far end by the mobile mast on the following dates.

• Friday 12 Aug - 10 am to noon :  To complete the final section of Birchall Farm side of Moneyhole Nature Trail
• Sun 21 Aug – 10 am to noon : Henry Woods side (top right of Moneyhole Park)
• Email : moneyholepark@gmail.com

Please bring a rake, barrow and spade if possible. The wood chips were kindly donated by Mark May, a local tree surgeon.

Trail Bikes - As it is the Summer school holidays we expect more families and park users will enjoy Moneyhole Park and the woods. Do be vigilant of trail bikes. Please report any sighting to the Police for their immediate action.

Blood Donor Programme – the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), Brooksman Park, held a Blood Donor Programme evening on Thursday 30 June. It gave a fascinating insight into how dog’s blood donated is processed and used in the various types of transfusion. A case study was on onion poisoning that caused severe anemia. It ended with a tour of the new state of the art Queen Mother Hospital. The donor dogs come as far as London, Bedfordshire and Essex.  Cats are also welcome as donors.

If you are interested to find out more, please contact blooddonor@rvc.ac.uk or ring 01707 666 511.

Nature Watch -

• Red Kites – A pair was spotted on 3 July around 5.30pm circling Lincoln Close before disappearing towards Panshanger Airfield.
• Foxes -  It seems that there is more than one  established colony around Panshanger. Many thanks to everyone who wrote in.

Dowsing - The Hertfordshire Dowsing group has yet to finalise the visit to a site near Panshanger.

Events or news – if you have any events or news to share, do email us.

Useful numbers and websites – we will publish useful numbers or websites periodically here.

• New Police non emergency number – 101. Remember to ask for a unique reference number (URN).
• Fixmystreet.com – an excellent site to reporting local faults, litter and issues to WHBC and Herts CC. Moneyhole Park post code is AL7 2RT. Highlight the spot on the map. Broken broken glass on pavement, flytipping and litter were resolved in the past.
• Hertsdirect.org – for Highway related faults like pot holes and damaged pavements – http://www.hertsdirect.org/actweb/hfr/default.cfm
• WHBC contact centre – email: Contact-WHC@welhat.gov.uk; tel: 01707 357000 / 01707 357484
• The authorities are fairly prompt in dealing with reported issues but only when you report them.

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Contact Message -

Date: Thu, 4 Aug 2011 16:26:31

Good day
Could you please send me more information on volunteering with FoM, eg. how to register, upcoming events volunteers required for, what type of work you need volunteers for, etc. I am quite keen on volunteering to help with upkeep of the park & surroundings.
Thank you

Could the sender kindly email us on moneyholepark@gmail.com? There is no registration or joining fee . We are like minded folks who wants to make Moneyhole a better amenity for everyone.

There is a periodic  email circular about events and news. You are most welcome to help us with the Nature Trail repairs.

08 July – Finesse advised that the damaged nest swing in the play area will be removed. It will take several weeks for a replacement.

On 13 May A park user raised a serious concern about the safety of the tunnel slide in the multi-activity area.

The bark has been dispersed on the bottom of the slide and her son’s head narrowly missed the exposed concrete base.  Finesse has yet provided a satisfactory response for a permanent solution.  In the meantime, we advise parents and users to take extreme care when using the tunnel slide.

If you have any concerns about the play areas,  please contact Finesse and your councillors.  Keep us posted.

2011 ANNUAL PICNIC IN THE PARK

Saturday 2July 2011        Time:  4 – 6 pm or later (weather permitting)

Bring your own picnic & something to sit on.  Meet at the Wyton Entrance.

Everyone is welcome. Bring along a neighbour or friend.

Well behaved dogs are also welcomed but must be on leads and tethered please.

If it is wet, it will be held the following Sat 9 July.

Nature Watch

Contact email : moneyholepark@gmail.com