2020 Calendar – Hertfordshire’s Countryside Under Threat

We are pleased to produce our annual calendar highlighting the work of the charity.

We work within the planning system to defend and protect the countryside for everyone's benefit. We also recognise and celebrate the excellent work of individuals and groups around the county who make Hertfordshire better by reducing impact on the environment and improving community life.

The Hertfordshire countryside is not just an abstract concept; many thousands of Hertfordshire residents regularly access and depend upon the countryside for recreation, physical and mental health and wellbeing. In this year's calendar, we have included some images of people engaged in the outdoors activities they enjoy.

Regrettably, Hertfordshire's countryside continues to be under immense development pressure, with well over 70,000 houses now proposed for Green Belt land across the ten districts. This is the equivalent of a new city with a population similar to that of Cambridge, sprawled across our county's green fields and hillsides. CPRE will continue to fight against these damaging proposals, and will continue to advise and support local communities to do the same.

Our calendar this year features a number of specific threats to our countryside as well as several examples of the positive work done by local groups. Also included are some pictures from our Rural Living Awards Scheme, which aims to celebrate efforts made by anyone to improve life in their community and/or enhance the environment in Hertfordshire.

If the thought of losing Hertfordshire's lovely countryside and precious Green Belt concerns you, please help us protect it

Price held - good value at only £8 each or £15.00 for two, plus £3 p&p in the UK.  

Our 2020 Hertfordshire Countryside Under Threat calendar makes the ideal gift and is available now

We are pleased to publish our latest  "2018 / 2019 Annual Review" available as a download. Please enjoy reading our latest news and we would appreciate any feedback to enable us to improve this newsletter.

This document lists all of the walks available on our website in the form of an index by district with hyperlinks enabling you to select the walk within the document then using the hyperlink go straight to the web page where you can view and/or download the walk.

This year our walks will explore more of Hertfordshire’s beautiful countryside and diverse landscapes.

This 5.7 mile circular walk takes in some lovely undulating farmland and woods around Flamstead in Dacorum Borough.

For CPRE's route, the start and finish are at the free car park at the junction of Friendless Lane and Mill Lane on the northwest side of the village.

2019 saw another successful competition for CPRE Hertfordshire.  However, with over 800 pieces of individual artwork it was difficult to judge. The theme this year was “Trees of Hertfordshire” and the art teachers had interpreted this in many different ways.  Children sent artwork showing trees in the playground, bark rubbings, abstract trees and some with environmental messages, they were all pretty amazing.

Professional artist, Valerie Cansick, who judged the competition said:

“It has been a privilege and a pleasure to assist with the Children’s' Art Competition for CPRE Hertfordshire during the last few years and I would like to commend and thank all the art teachers, every single one, who so enthusiastically encouraged their pupils to participate. The children certainly did that.  

The imaginative collection of artwork always shows how much they take in about nature and the planet, there are many positive and poignant messages coming through loud and clear each year from all participants.”

The competition is open to all primary schools in Hertfordshire and entries are received from reception through to Year 6.  This year successful entries came from schools in Puckeridge, Bushey, Welwyn Garden City, Watton at Stone, Borehamwood, Welwyn and South Mymms.

Winning artists will be invited to collect their prizes at the CPRE Hertfordshire Awards Evening which is held in October at County Hall, Hertford.

For more details contact Gill Bryant, Office Manager: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 01438 717587

 We have been delighted to receive 22 nominations a great result

This year our walks will explore more of Hertfordshire’s beautiful countryside and diverse landscapes.

 The 2019 Early Summer Walk is a figure of eight route of just over 5½ miles, starting in Aldenham, which explores surprisingly peaceful countryside in Hertsmere District in the south of the county.

Read More Here

We have been receiving emails and phone calls from residents in the Welwyn Hatfield area who are concerned about the current Welwyn Hatfield Council consultation on Promoted Sites.

CPRE Hertfordshire have now commented on the additional promoted sites (see June Attachment)

CPRE Hertfordshire has considered and objected to a major proposed Motorway Service Station in the Hertfordshire Green Belt south of Kings Langley.

The location of this scheme will bring further congestion to often grid - locked roads around M25 Junction 20.