Friends of Norton Common

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Friends of Norton Common

The Friends of Norton Common (FoNC) is a voluntary group working to preserve the precious habitat of Norton Common for both the people and wildlife.

09/09/2026

Working Party Second September Task,
Thursday, 10th September 09:30

This week, we shall be continuing the work started last week, again splitting into two groups.

The main group will be carrying on with the Task around the East-West Ride area, clearing, and consolidating the barrier across the entrance to, and round the Large Marsh. We shall also be strimming and path clearing in the area, as needed.

This group should meet at the Container at 09:30, to walk with the truck.

The construction gang should go straight to the Cowslip Hill Entrance at 09:30, to continue the solid start made last week by just two brave souls. Hopefully this week they will be joined by several others to continue the replacement of the Cowslip Hill Entrance fence. They should take their own refreshments.

Please don’t forget your protective gear, helmet, glasses, gloves, and sturdy footwear.

Any queries, directions etc., please ring - 07969 507864 - Graham

28/08/2026

Working Party First September Task,
Thursday 3rd September, 09:30

Last Thursday, after one torrential downpour we started on our Task in drizzle, before being defeated by a second torrential downpour. There were twelve attendees, despite the weather.

Next week, weather-permitting, we shall be splitting into two groups.

The first group will be completing the Tasks started last Thursday, clearing low hanging trees from the Path alongside the Ditch, and consolidating the Barrier across the entrance to, and round the Large Marsh. The Kellies will be back in use to provide break time refreshments. We shall also be strimming and path clearing in the area, as needed.

This group should meet at the Container at 09:30, to walk with the truck.

The materials for the second phase of the Cowslip Hill Entrance fencing will be delivered on Wednesday, so the heavy gang (you know who you are) should go straight to Cowslip Hill, as before, to carry on with their sterling work, remembering to take refreshments.

Please don’t forget your protective gear, helmet, glasses, gloves, and sturdy footwear.

Any queries, directions etc., please ring - 07969 507864 - Graham

25/08/2026

Working Party Fourth August Task,
Thursday 27th August 09:30

This week, we shall be working on both sides of the East-West Ride; (i) on the tributary path near the pond, cutting back brambles, and sorting trees which have fallen across footpaths, and (ii) maintaining the Large Marsh dead hedge.

We shall also be strimming and path clearing in the area as needed.

Meet at the Container at 09:30, to walk with the truck.

Please don’t forget your drink, protective gear, helmet, glasses, gloves, and sturdy footwear.

Any queries, directions etc., please ring me on 07969 507864 - Graham

16/08/2026

Working Party Third August Task,
Thursday 20th August 09:30

This week, we are returning to the Small Marsh area to try and finish the dead hedging at the Kings Bridge. We shall also be strimming and path clearing in the area as needed.

Meet at the Container at 09:30, to walk with the truck, or park on or just off Wilbury Road, to walk on to the Common from there.

Please don’t forget your protective gear, helmet, glasses, gloves, and sturdy footwear.

Any queries, directions etc., please ring me on 07969 507864 - Graham

12/08/2026

🔥 🥵 🔥 🥵 🔥 🥵 🔥 🥵 🔥 🥵 🔥 🥵 🔥

Working Party advice for tomorrow and everyone in general 🔥🥵

Second August Task,Thursday 13th August 09:30

Please see below the advice relating to our Thursday task received from the health and safety people at County Hall.

Tasks are above all, meant to be enjoyable, so please take a moment to consider the following points and make the best choice for you as an individual regarding your tasks in high temperatures:

Consider postponing the task, or shorten the task to morning only.

Drink plenty of water the day before task and avoid alcohol💧 💦

Sun hats – must be worn if the sun is strong, this makes a huge difference to keeping you cool. 🧢 👒

Wear sun cream 🧴🧴

Bring plenty of your own water supply. Consider using ice blocks in insulated bags to keep it cool 🧊 🧊 🧊

Wear cool, loose clothing 👕👚

If you are uncomfortable in extremely hot weather, consider not attending – no one will hold it against you!

You may wish to bring a camping chair to take more comfortable breaks in 🪑

Take additional breaks sitting in the shade, take a longer lunch break to avoid working in the hottest part of the day ☂️

10/08/2026

Working Party Second August Task,
Thursday 13th August 09:30

This week, following the three hours hard labour with no remission the gang put themselves through last week, a smaller team (you know who you are!) will be putting the finishing touches to the Cowslip Hill Bridge Entrance Fence, and going directly there.

Meanwhile the main group and the truck will be based in the top of Grange Wood, where there is a hanger to be dealt with, which, together with other debris, will be cleared into a dead hedge,

Meet at the Container at 09:30, to walk with the truck, or park on or just off Wilbury Road, to walk on to the Common from there.

Please don’t forget your protective gear, helmet, glasses, gloves, and sturdy footwear.

Any queries, directions etc., please ring me on 07969 507864 - Graham

04/08/2026

Working Party First August Task,
Thursday 6th August 09:30

This week, we shall be continuing the refurbishment of the Cowslip Hill Bridge entrance, and dealing with a tree which has fallen across a nearby neighbours fence.

Meet at the Container at 09:30, to walk with the truck, or park in Hawthorn Hill, off Cowslip Hill, and walk through the passage, to the bridges where the Pix and the Drain converge.

Please don’t forget your protective gear, helmet, glasses, gloves, and sturdy footwear.

Any queries, directions etc., please ring 07969 507864 - Graham

19/07/2026

Working Party Fourth July Task
Thursday 23rd July 09:30

If you feel bit of deja vu looking at the map 🗺️ this week, it's because this week’s Task is what last week’s was planned to be. However, at short notice, we were asked to construct two Dead Hedges around the King Bridge, which we did using material from the site, and a fallen branch from the bank of the ditch.

This week we shall be working along the Pix Path, which runs alongside the Pix from the tributary bridge below our pond, all the way to the Two Bridges, where the Pix and the Drain come together; as well as fallen tree clearance, and dead hedging at the King Bridge.

Meet at the Container at 09:30, to walk with the truck.

Please don’t forget your protective gear, helmet, glasses, gloves, and sturdy footwear.
Any queries, directions etc., please ring me on 07969 507864.

14/07/2026

Working Party Third July Task,
Thursday 16th July 09:30

After last week's Herculean effort (with Greek weather to suit 🥵) installing a new bench at the top of the Meadow, with legs (bench) almost a metre into the ground; this week we shall be working along the Pix Path, which runs alongside the Pix from the tributary bridge below our pond, all the way to the Two Bridges, where the Pix and the Drain come together; as well as fallen tree clearance, and dead hedging at the King Bridge.

Meet at the Container at 09:30, to walk with the truck.

Please don’t forget your protective gear, helmet, glasses, gloves, and sturdy footwear.

Any queries, directions etc., please ring me on 07969 507864 - Graham.

08/07/2026

Working Party Second July Task,
Thursday 9th July 09:30

This week we shall be installing the replacement bench at the top of the Meadow, as well as path maintenance and log piling the cut tree in that area.

Meet at the Container at 09:30, to walk with the truck, or park on or just off Wilbury Road, and walk in from there.

Please don’t forget your protective gear, helmet, glasses, gloves, and sturdy footwear.

Any queries, directions etc., please ring me on 07969 507864 - Graham

Address

Norton Common
Letchworth
SG64UF

Website

http://www.north-herts.gov.uk/norton-common

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