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Category Archives: Environment

Works to Minimise Flooding Risk

You might recall our post in November about plans for work by South Cambs District Council at the Green on removing some of the silt in order to establish a clear channel through the Brook that should be able to cope with the flows from winter rain.  The silt was to be deposited at the side of the Brook where previously removed material has shrunk behind the retaining walls.   In the event the planned date was not possible, and this work will now take place week commencing 9 January 2017 once the Christmas lights are down.  The work will not start until after 9.30am and should take a couple of hours
Because heavy machinery will have to be used some damage may occur to the grass – this will be repaired in due course by the Parish Council but it may be wise to plan to keep off the grass and mud where possible in the meantime!  The work will be planned to co-incide with a frosty morning to minimise the risk of damage

There’s further, much more extensive, works being planned by the Parish Council during 2017 both to improve the area further environmentally, and also make some of this maintenance easier in the long term. We’d welcome input from anybody who could add expert skills to the group planning this work

 

Christmas Tree Chipping

Matt from Tates Treework will be on hand to chip your Christmas trees on Saturday 7th January at the Village Green and The Crescent

Please take your tree to The Green near to the pump before 2pm on Saturday or to the island area at the entrance to The Crescent before 2.45pm  for this free chipping service. The enviro.volunteers will be on hand to assist.

The chippings will be put to good use in our open spaces such as the Copse and Coppice

If you would like your own chippings to take away, please bring a suitable bag

But remember:

  • Typically one Christmas tree will produce only a carrier bag of chippings
  • Fresh chippings are not suitable for mulch as the sap will burn plants, especially young ones or emerging bulb foliage.
  • Conifer chippings are particularly noxious
  • Please no decorations or metal

 

 

 

Work to Minimise Flooding Risk

We all know and love it as the “Duck Pond” – but some may not know that it’s not a pond, should properly be called “The Brook” and that it fulfills a vital role in helping to drain the village and therefore keep us clear of flooding.

Water from the south (including beyond the A14), east and north flows into the Brook and then out westwards towards Oakington along Park Lane.  This drainage network – the “awarded watercourses” – are the responsibility of South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC). SCDC have a regular maintenance plan in place to ensure that water can freely drain through the network.

As part of that regular maintenance they’ll be removing some of the silt in order to establish a clear channel through the Brook that should be able to cope with the flows from winter rain.  The silt will be deposited at the side of the Brook where previously removed material has shrunk behind the retaining walls. In order to make a difference to flooding risk, these works will need to be carried out prior to January, are planned for Wednesday 30th November, and should take less than a day.

Because heavy machinery will have to be used some damage may occur to the grass – this will be repaired in due course by the Parish Council but it may be wise to plan to keep off the grass and mud where possible in the meantime!

There’s further, much more extensive, works being planned by the Parish Council during 2017 both to improve the area further environmentally, and also make some of this maintenance easier in the long term. We’d welcome input from anybody who could add expert skills to the group planning this work.

 

Essential Winter Maintenance

Following the recent rain and wind, there has been a sudden fall of leaves.

May we suggest that if you see a build up of surface water can you please:

  • Check the nearby drains and free them of any leaf blockages
  • Advise the Parish Council of any slow draining patches by either email: admin@hisimp.net or phone the office: 01223 235906. We have already been advised of: Junior School approach road, Kay Hitch Way, Station Road

Take extra care making your way around the villages this time of year

 

 

Environment Committee News

A meeting of the Environment Committee took place on 25 October, see minutes here

Elaine Farrell was elected as Committee Chair following the stepping down of Cedric Foster from this role

The Council is delighted that Pinders Circus have booked to return to Homefield Park at the end of March.  Look out for details in the new year!

Representatives of HICOP (Histon & Impington Community Orchard) and the H&I Sustainability Group attended the meeting to update on their work

Ruth Moulder of the Sustainability Group reported on

  • the success of the wildflower verge planting scheme trial in the villages
  • 2 more Repair Cafes planned for 2017
  • A Hedgehog gardens project to keep hedgehogs safe
  • The successful Food Festival held in conjunction with the HICOP team

Dan Mace from HICOP  added updates on:

The Committee are next due to meet 6 December when their budget requests for 2017-18 will be finalised

 

Notice of Partial Temporary closure of Cawcutts Lake Permissive ROW – Chivers Farms Ltd

We have received the following statement from Chivers Farm Ltd:

The Permissive Right of Way which forms a circular route around Cawcutts Lake will be partially closed from 17.10.16 – 31.10.16.  This is to allow the Highways Agency to carry out clearing and improvement works to the section of embankment where the footpath runs parallel with the A14.  This is not work that can be carried out alongside an area of public access. The area will be clearly marked by the Highways Agency and information and a plan will be available on site.  The remainder of the footpath will remain open.

 

 

HI Village Food Festival Saturday 1 October 2016

This year there is an exciting new event planned for the village.  Histon & Impington Community Orchard (HICOP) and HI Sustainability Group are joining forces to host the first

HI Village Food Festival at the Community Orchard off Somerset Road, Histon

10am to 2pm on Saturday 1st October 2016

 

In addition to the regular juicing of the year’s apples by HICOP members, some of the planned village food festival activities include:

 

Vegetable growing advice

Children’s activities including juicing and a sustainability quiz with a prize!

Honey for sale by a local beekeeper

Advice on how to grow food in a limited space

Table for swapping or donating surplus vegetable and fruit

Fruit smoothies using bicycle peddle power

Local food vendors

Safely foraging for food in the countryside

Apple identification

Advice on keeping chickens with some hens for sale!

 

Entrance is free but donations appreciated!

 

 

Routine sewer cleaning

Industrial Water Jetting Systems works on behalf of Anglian Water and has advised that they are planning some routine sewer cleaning on Station Road, Poplar Road and Kay Hitch Way as per the attached plan (click here) to remove excess silt and scale to keep the sewer flowing as it should.

They plan to complete the work on the evening of 28th September 2016 between 7:30pm and 11pm.  There will probably be 3-way traffic management at the Station Road/Poplar Road junction.

It will be a minor inconvenience but is necessary work.

 

Work at The Green

The Parish Council has taken on the task of cleaning the white fence and bridge at The Green, owned by the County Council.  This follows many comments made to Councillors about the dirt and algae becoming problematic.   Volunteers are being sought from the community to form a working party to paint them, with the County Council agreeing to fund the materials for this work.  If you are interested in taking part, please contact the office on 01223 235906 or email clerk@hisimp.net

Local Company Admiral Kleencare Limited have pressure washed the fence and bridge ready for any painting work and already the area looks more pleasant as befitting our lovely Village Green.  Whilst in the village, the company has also dealt with some rather offensive graffiti at the Crossing Keeper’s Hut in New Road and problems in a few other areas owned by the Parish Council, and cleaned up some of the grubby village name signs at the entrances to the villages

 

Environment Committee News

A meeting of the Environment Committee took place on 31 May, see minutes here

The new Committee Chair for the coming year is Cedric Foster

Items of special note include:

  • Wildflower verges – keep your eyes open for our 4 trial verges in Histon & Impington this year!
  • Bee Orchids have been found growing in The Coppice and the Council has put protective measures in place. The Bee Orchid is one of the most beautiful and well known of the native orchids in Britain. The flower is quite unique, with its pink petals and a brown centre which looks like the body of a bee.

Unfortunately it is no longer a common species and is less frequent than it used to be so, with its preference for chalky soils, we’re lucky to have these plants. When a bee orchid does find a place to flourish it can grow up to 30cm, however it can take 5 to 8 years to flower and may only do so once in its lifetime. If picked, the plant is unlikely to flower again, so will have lost its only chance of producing seeds which it normally does in late July.

Bee orchids are protected, as are all wild flowers, under Section 13 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). This section prohibits unauthorised and intentional uprooting of any wild plant.

  • The Committee heard about plans for two environment-related events:

On Saturday 2nd July, Histon and Impington Community Orchard Project will be holding a Birds and Bees Breakfast as part of Feast Week.  The RSPB will have their bird-ringing experts and there will be a bee-keeping exhibit too.  Cooked breakfast will also be available.

On Saturday 1st October, the Sustainability Group and HICOP are holding a Village Food Festival.  There are plans for apple juicing, making smoothies by bicycle, a surplus stall for exchanging excess home-grow veg, local food vendors, plus stalls with information on poultry keeping, foraging, premium space growing, apple identification and the community allotment.

 

New website

INCREASING BIODIVERSITY IN THE VILLAGES

Tree across footpath behind Manor Park

Storm Eunice

Christmas Tree Chipping event Saturday 8th January 2021