Fire at Stockers Lake

Fire at Stockers Lake may have been arson

Affinity Water were made aware of a fire at Stockers Lake yesterday morning, 21st August. This was immediately reported to the estates team who undertook all necessary steps.

Maydencroft attended site to undertake an inspection and recommended action regarding the health and safety of the trees. The area was barriered off and the footpath was temporarily closed.

The Herts Fire and Rescue Department and Wildlife officers Simon and Charlie were also on site dealing with the situation.

There are 3 trees in total that were scorched and 2 have been taken down as they were unstable and could fall at any point. The main tree was about 20 metres tall. Some smaller trees were also cut down to allow a clear path for the large tree to be felled safely. A lot of the branches from the bigger tree had fallen in to the lake.

The trees have been checked for wildlife and there is no wildlife in them or around the area. We have also checked the bat box that’s in one of the unharmed trees near where the fire was and the bat box is fine.

After speaking to the lake Bailiff, they suspect this may be the 2 young youths which started the fire last week in swim 1 whilst a hornet’s nest on the footpath was being treated.

Affinity Water posted today that the area is now safe.

Vital improvements to Aquadrome receive cash boost

Message from Three Rivers District Council.

Plans to improve Rickmansworth Aquadrome have received a cash boost to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds thanks to the support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Three Rivers District Council has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Water, Wildlife and Wellbeing at Rickmansworth Aquadrome project, announced on 11th July. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the project aims to enhance, nurture and protect the site. Development funding of £736,515 has been awarded by the Heritage Fund to help Three Rivers progress their plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant of £4m at a later date. The success of the funding bid was also made possible through using funds awarded by HS2 Colne Valley Additional Mitigation Panel as match funding.

Wildlife area in Mill End needs help

Message from volunteers at the Community and Rose Gardens

As you may know, there is a wildlife area in Mill End, next to the allotments. Although it was cared for by local people for many years, these residents are now very elderly and unable to continue. TRDC approached us recently to see if we could help.

At this stage, all our gardening volunteers are busy looking after our community garden and the rose garden. So we’re looking for younger people who might be willing to lend a hand. As it’s a wildlife area, if doesn’t need a great deal of care, but at present it’s really overgrown and in a state of neglect.

If you would like to volunteer, please send a message to Jane & Annabel who are leading this project via: www.sustainablethreerivers.org/contact