What we did 2019 to 2024
2019 Action Groups Diary
Sat 19th January 2019 10am – 12noon. Sopwell Nunnery Green, St Albans pruning trees and bushes along the river and cutting back fallen trees and removing obstructions in the river.
Sat 16th February 2019 10am – 12noon. Back to Sopwell Nunnery Green, St Albans: tree pruning along the path, fence repair, obstructions to remove in the river plus cans and bottles to fish out.
Sat 16th March 2019 10am-12noon. Drop Lane, St Albans AL2 3TX. Tasks include pollarding willows and collecting stakes and faggots to reuse as flow deflectors in the river later in the year. Park and meet in the Riverside Way car park, Drop Lane, Colney Street, St Albans AL2 3TX https://goo.gl/maps/UWjzUyfwz9q
Sat 20th April 2019 10am-12noon. Colney Street AL2 3UA. For April’s work we will be in and around the River Ver between Frogmore Pits and Moor Mill. There are in-water trees to clear and we’ll be opening up the canopy to improve the river and bank side light levels. There’s plenty to do whether you have waders or wellies. No experience necessary! Park and meet at Moor Mill Lane, Colney Street AL2 3UA https://goo.gl/maps/RB725CGGFxH2
Sat 18th May 2019 10am-4pm. Verulamium Park near St Michael’s Bridge. There will be no official Action Group work party in May but on the 18th the Ver Valley Society will be running an event in the Park as part of the Sustainable St Albans Festival. Titled ‘How Healthy is the River Ver’ our Riverfly volunteers will be displaying chalk stream invertebrates and explaining how they reflect the health of a river. It’s a ‘drop in’ event open to the general public and you are welcome to call by to have a look and lend a hand too. We’ll be at https://goo.gl/maps/p1KpdabaCvB2
Sat 15th June 2019 10am-12noon. Sycamore Drive, Park Street AL2 2PJ. We’ll be pulling up Himalayan balsam an invasive species which has a foothold by the Ver as far upstream as Park Street. There’s plenty to do whether you have waders or wellies. No experience necessary. Park and meet in Sycamore Drive, Park Street AL2 2PJ https://goo.gl/maps/NuVUR7axuqn
Sat 20th July 2019 10am-12noon. Moor Mill (Beefeater), Smug Oak Ln, Bricket Wood, Radlett, St Albans AL2 3PN. A morning of Balsam bashing to continue our battle to eradicate this persistent pink flowered plant on the Ver. Wearing waders, wellies or stout shoes and wearing long sleeves is best! No experience necessary and we’ll probably go for a drink afterwards! Meet in the Moor Mill (Beefeater) car park. https://goo.gl/maps/pxw5L4MxbDMdFDiz7
Sat 17th August 2019 10am-12noon. Riverside Way and the Confluence. A final Balsam bash of the summer pulling the mature plants before they can set seed and spread downstream into the River Colne. New volunteers welcome. Wearing waders, wellies or stout shoes and long sleeves is best!
Park and meet in the Riverside Way car park, Drop Lane, Colney Street, St Albans AL2 3TX https://goo.gl/maps/UWjzUyfwz9q
Sat 21st September 2019 10am-12noon. Colney Street AL2 3UA. This month we’ll be tackling the footpaths near the River Ver between Frogmore Pits and Moor Mill. There’s plenty of scrub to clear that’s encroaching on the paths and blocking the view of the river. Park and meet at Moor Mill Lane, Colney Street AL2 3UA https://goo.gl/maps/RB725CGGFxH2
Sat 19th October 2019 10am-12noon. Riverside Way, Colney Street. A 70/30 mix of sunlight and shade helps produce the ideal chalk stream. We are aiming to create this perfect balance by pollarding willows by the Ver and taking the opportunity to trim trees overhanging the footpath. New volunteers welcome. Park and meet in the Riverside Way car park, Drop Lane, Colney Street, St Albans AL2 3TX https://goo.gl/maps/UWjzUyfwz9q
Sat 16th November 2019 10am-12noon. Sopwell Nunnery Green. We hope to be working on both sides of Cottonmill Lane to improve light levels in the river by trimming bushes and trees. If there is a larger turnout than usual, we’ll do a litterpick in and around the river too.
Meet on Sopwell Nunnery Green by the Cottonmill Lane bridge over the Ver (opposite the Sub Aqua Club). Park on the street or at the allotment car park, Sopwell Mill Farm Lane, off Cottonmill Lane, AL1 2ER https://goo.gl/maps/jJfLYmjRZxP2
Sat 21st December 2019 10am-12noon. Chequers Inn, Redbourn. We’ll be clearing obstructions on the River Red and along the dry Ver riverbed and down to the confluence with the Red. And afterwards for refreshments in the Chequers. Park and meet in the Chequers car park, St Albans Rd, Redbourn, St Albans AL3 7AD https://goo.gl/maps/x1dyDLsLPc4csNWY6
Existing members and new faces always welcome! You don’t need waders, tools are provided. Please contact Richard Wallis 01582 794332 or email richard_wallis@btconnect.com if you’d like to attend.
2020 Action Groups Diary (Covid-19 restrictions limited the number of meets)
Sat 18th January 2020 10am – 12noon. Redbournbury
We’ll be working along the mill stream and footpath near the Veolia works between St Albans and Redbourn. The footpath running through trees either side of the works is narrow and overhung – the aim for the majority of the group is to improve the width and clearance of the path. The ground is expected to be wet and muddy. There’s in-channel work for 3-4 people with waders. A potential kingfisher nesting bank needs reviving to provide the necessary perch points and flight lines to encourage nesting.
Meet and park: https://goo.gl/maps/KueeiNg16XoXhEXdA
Sat 15th February 2020 CANCELLED Frogmore Gravel Pits
In view of the weather warnings issued this event was been cancelled.
Sat 21st March 2020 10am-12noon. CANCELLED
Covid-19 restrictions meant many work parties were cancelled in 2020
Sat 18th April 2020 10am-12noon. CANCELLED
Sat 16th May 2020 10am-12noon CANCELLED.
Sat 20th June 2020 10am-12noon CANCELLED
Sat 18th July 2020 10am-12noon CANCELLED
Sat 15th August 2020 10am-12noon Riverside Way, Bricket Wood
Reduced by Covid-19 protocol to two groups of six we managed some Balsam Bashing in discrete groups. Long sleeves, gloves and work boots, wellies or waders were required.
Sat 19th September 2020 10am-12noon. CANCELLED
Sat 17th October 2020 10am-12noon. Frogmore Gravel Pits
Reduced by Covid-19 protocol, one group of six rewidened the permissive path above the river and another group cleared rubbish and fallen willows from the river channel.
Sat 14th November 2020 10am-12noon. CANCELLED
Sat 19th December 2020 10am-12noon. Sopwell Nunnery Green, St Albans
Reduced by Covid-19 protocol one group of six worked to clear rubbish and clear blockages in the river channel. Another group pollarded willows and trimmed branches interfering with the river side footpath.
Existing members and new faces always welcome! You don’t need waders, tools are provided. Please contact Richard Wallis 01582 794332 or email richard_wallis@btconnect.com if you’d like to attend.
2021 Action Groups Diary (Covid-19 restrictions limited the number of meets)
Sat 19th June 2021 10am-12noon. Colney Street AL2 3UA. We will be in and around the River Ver between Frogmore Pits and Moor Mill. There are in-water trees to clear and we’ll be opening up the canopy to improve the river and bank side light levels. There’s plenty to do whether you have waders or wellies. No experience necessary! Park and meet at Moor Mill Lane, Colney Street AL2 3UA https://goo.gl/maps/RB725CGGFxH2
Sat 17th July 2021 10am-12noon. Moor Mill (Beefeater), Smug Oak Ln, Bricket Wood, Radlett, St Albans AL2 3PN. A morning of Balsam bashing to eradicate this persistent pink flowered plant on the Ver. Wearing waders, wellies or stout shoes and wearing long sleeves is best! No experience necessary and we’ll definitely go for a drink afterwards! Meet in the Moor Mill (Beefeater) car park. https://goo.gl/maps/pxw5L4MxbDMdFDiz7
Sat 21st August 2021 10am-12noon. Sycamore Drive, Park Street AL2 2PJ. We’ll be pulling up Himalayan balsam an invasive species which has a foothold by the Ver as far upstream as Park Street. There’s plenty to do whether you have waders or wellies. No experience necessary. Park and meet in Sycamore Drive, Park Street AL2 2PJ https://goo.gl/maps/NuVUR7axuqn
Sat 16th October 2021. Colney Street AL2 3UA. Permissive path work at Frogmore Pits. Meet from 09.30 for a 10.00am – 12noon session.
Following the floods closing off the northern end of the footpath the vegetation, particularly on the middle section, has run rampant. We’ll be cutting back the vegetation to allow the normal walkers through. Clearing the path will also provide access to an area on the western bank where there will be work at a later date. There’s plenty to do, tools provided. No experience necessary! Park and meet at Moor Mill Lane, Colney Street AL2 3UA https://goo.gl/maps/RB725CGGFxH2
Saturday 20th November 2021. Colney Street AL2 3UA. There’s a significant amount of hanging and fallen crack willow along the banks of the Ver that requires some sympathetic pruning and management. Meet from 09.30 for a 10.00am – 12noon session.
There will be in-channel work for those with waders and bank work for those with wellies or boots. There’s plenty to do, tools provided. No experience necessary. Park and meet at Moor Mill Lane, Colney Street AL2 3UA https://goo.gl/maps/RB725CGGFxH2
If you would like to attend, please contact Richard Wallis, the Ver Valley Society Action Group Co-ordinator. Please email or call 07710 313937.
Saturday 18th December 2021. TBC but usually includes a festive drink in The Chequers Inn at Redbourn. Meet from 09.30 for a 10.00am – 12noon session. Watch for announcements
2022 Action Groups Diary
Sat 17th December 10.00–12.00 Redbourn. Details tbc. And afterwards in the Chequers Inn.
Sat 19th November 2022 10.00am – 12 noon. Sopwell Mill Open Space: Deadhedging and willow pollarding. Park at the allotment car park, Sopwell Mill Farm Lane, off Cottonmill Lane, AL1 2ER https://goo.gl/maps/jJfLYmjRZxP2
Sat 22nd October 2022 10.00am – 12 noon. (Moved from 15 Oct.) Drop Lane, St Albans AL2 3TX. Tasks include pollarding willows and repairing flow deflectors. Park and meet in the Riverside Way car park, Drop Lane, Colney Street, St Albans AL2 3TX https://goo.gl/maps/UWjzUyfwz9q
Sat 17th September 2022 10.00am – 12 noon. Drop Lane, St Albans AL2 3TX. Tasks include pollarding willows
Sat 20th August 2022 10.00am – 12 noon. Balsam Bash. Moor Mill (Beefeater), Smug Oak Ln, Bricket Wood, Radlett, St Albans AL2 3PN. A morning of Balsam bashing to continue our battle to eradicate this persistent pink flowered plant on the Ver. Wearing waders, wellies or stout shoes and wearing long sleeves is best! No experience necessary and we’ll probably go for a drink afterwards! Meet in the Moor Mill (Beefeater) car park. https://goo.gl/maps/pxw5L4MxbDMdFDiz7
Sat 16th July 2022 Balsam Bash. Removing Himalayan Balsam at Moor Mill and downstream along Drop Lane. Details to follow. Cancelled
Sat 18th June 2022 details to follow
Sat 21st May 2022 Colney Street AL2 3UB. Frogmore – work beside the Ver. Meet from 09.30 for a 10.00am – 12 noon session. We’ll be working on the Permissive Path will be using loppers and slashers to push back the encroaching vegetation on the path to keep it open for walkers. Another group will be dropping leaflets about non-native invasive species in the area – to help residents identify the whereabouts of Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed in particular. A small team will be removing Himalayan Balsam in the disused mill race at Park Mill.
There’s plenty to do, tools provided. No experience necessary! Park and meet at Moor Mill Lane, Colney Street AL2 3UA https://goo.gl/maps/RB725CGGFxH2
Sat 16th April 2022 The Chequers at Redbourn
Sat 20th March 2022 Irish Weir at Redbournbury.
Sat 19th February 2022 Sopwell Nunnery Green.
Sat 22nd January 2022. Colney Street AL2 3UB. Frogmore – work in and beside the Ver. Meet from 09.30 for a 10.00am – 12noon session.
On the west bank we’ll be opening up the canopy to allow the light into the chalk stream. A second team will be working in the channel continuing the pruning and pollarding of willow growing in mid-stream. Both parties will be supported by more volunteers to move brash away from the river and build brash piles that mammals and invertebrates can use as cover.
2023 Action Groups Diary
Sat 16th December 2023 Redbourn area in and around the Ver. And afterwards in the Chequers Inn from 12 noon.
Sat 18th November 2023 Drop Lane and Ver/Colne Confluence. Willow pollarding and litter pick
Sat 21st October 2023 Moor Mill Area – bankside and in-channel work to reduce willow encroachment
Sat 16th September 2023 Moor Mill Area – bankside and in-channel work
Sat 19th August 2023 Moor Mill area Balsam Bashing
Sat 15th July 2023 Park Street area Balsam Bashing
Sat 17th June 2023 Park Street area Balsam Bashing
Sat 20th May 2023 Park Street – Balsam Bashing and in-channel work near Ver/Colne confluence
Sat 15th April 2023 River Ver Trail, Redbourn & Frogmore in-channel work
Sat 18th March 2023 Frogmore/Moor Mill
Sat 18th February 2023 Gorhambury Estate
Sat 21st January 2023 Sopwell Nunnery Green
2024 Action Groups Diary
Sat 20th January 2024 Activity cancelled (high water/wet conditions)
Sat 17th February 2024 Drop Lane
Sat 16th March 2024 Drop Lane
Sat 20th April 2024 Hyde Lane
Sat 18th May 2024 Activity cancelled (high water)
Sat 15th June 2024 Sopwell Mill
Sat 20th July 2024 Moor Mill, Balsam Bashing
Sat 17th August 2024 Activity cancelled
Sat 21st September 2024 Drop Lane
Sat 19th October 2024 Activity cancelled
Sat 16th November 2024 Sopwell and Sopwell Mill
Sat 21st December 2024 Redbourn, Chequers Inn
There’s always plenty to do, no experience is necessary. Wearing gloves and old clothes with waders, wellies or boots is best! Long sleeves are recommended. Tools are provided.