news

We have been informed that the public footpath to the north-east side of Theobald Street (the road referred to in the guidebook as having a blind corner with fast-moving traffic) is at present obstructed (Grid ref 177985). At this point there is a broken stile and a locked gate.

We would suggest that climbing the gate is safer than attempting the broken stile. At the end of the first field is a new fence with barbed wire. Cross this very carefully. Both the fence and barbed wire are illegal and we have reported them to the county; we hope both the stile and the barbed wire will be dealt with swiftly by Herts County Council. In the meantime continue to use the path as it is a legal right of way with the same access and protection as the footpath outside your house.

	These news items are in reverse chronological order - most recent first.
date
December 2008	Leg 10B. Work is due to start soon on the bank of the river Lea through Ware which will result in closure of the towpath for six months. The alternative route is to follow the High Street through the town as far as Priory Street (opposite St Mary's Church), then go along Priory Street to re-cross the river at the lock and re-join the towpath.
August 2008	Sandridge. The Woodland Trust is trying to raise £8.5 million to purchase a 850 acre site near Sandridge in order to create a new forest, planted with native trees. This is Hertfordwshire Way territory (leg 4) and the project has our full support. Sandridge councillor Beric Read is planning to walk the entire Hertfordshire Way during September to raise money for the project. If you want to learn more, see the Woodland Trust website www.woodlandtrust.org.uk and if you want to sponsor Beric Read and / or join him on part of his walk, see his website www.read.uk.net/ for his schedule.
July 2008	Leg 8 — with reference to the entry for July 2007 below See the guidebook (2nd edition) page 70, paragraph 14: This section is now totally accessible.
September 2007	A local farmer is planning to erect three huge wind turbines between Watton-at-Stone and Benington. Although not directly on the route of the Hertfordshire Way these turbines will be visible from many parts of the County. Your Committee discussed this proposal at our September meeting and decided that as an organisation we should take a neutral stance. Any members who wish to oppose the planning application should take a look at www.stopbeningtonwindfarm.co.uk.
July 2007	Leg 8 — an illegal obstruction See the guidebook (2nd edition) page 70, paragraph 14: We have been informed that the public footpath to the north-east side of Theobald Street (the road referred to in the guidebook as having a blind corner with fast-moving traffic) is at present obstructed (Grid ref 177985). At this point there is a broken stile and a locked gate. We would suggest that climbing the gate is safer than attempting the broken stile. At the end of the first field is a new fence with barbed wire. Cross this very carefully. Both the fence and barbed wire are illegal and we have reported them to the county; we hope both the stile and the barbed wire will be dealt with swiftly by Herts County Council. In the meantime continue to use the path as it is a legal right of way with the same access and protection as the footpath outside your house.
December 2006	Leg 10A—a Correction to the Guidebook (2^nd edition) Replace the wording of paragraph 3 on page 86 by the following: Take the second road (Crouch Lane) on the right and follow it as it turns left. On the following section ignore the route marked by Borough of Broxbourne roundels as these are not on the public right-of-way. Where Crouch Lane turns sharply right go straight ahead through a kissing gate into a field and immediately turn right over a stile. Take a line NE diagonally across the field until you reach the field edge, marked by a hedge (more a dense line of trees and undergrowth). Follow along the western side of this hedge through a gap in the hedge running at right-angles, and continue to the bottom of the next field where you will encounter a barbed-wire fence. Turn right alongside this fence until you reach a wooden section (this should be a stile but it has no footboards). Climb over this bit of fence and cross the brook - take care as the banks of the brook are muddy and there is no footbridge. Bear slightly to the right as you ascend the far bank of the gully and work your way through the undergrowth until you reach an open field. Continue in the same direction across the field to reach a stile at the right hand side of a metal gate. Bear left and cross the next field to a kissing gate which leads into a path between overhanging bushes, with a fence on the right and a small wooded area on the left. Follow the path to reach a kissing gate and emerge at the road in Hammondstreet. [Note: County are aware of the state of Cheshunt fp 37].
August 2005	The second edition of the Hertfordshire Way Guidebook is now available price £8-99 from book shops. If you need to order it, the publication details are: Title: The Hertfordshire Way - A waymarked long-distance footpath. ISBN: 1-903747-61-9 Editor: Bert Richardson. Publisher: The Book Castle, 12 Church Street, Dunstable, Beds. LU5 4RU