Hartford, Huntingdonshire UK
Listed in the Domesday Book 1086
as one Manor and 34 households, estimated to be about 140 people.
Registered Charity Number
1025575
After two years disruption due to Covid, we are delighted to announce our first speaker meeting of 2022: Graham Campbell will give a presentaion on the work of the Great Ouse Valley Trust on Tuesday 13th September at 7.30 in Hartford Village Hall.
Established in 2018, the GOVT promotes the conservation, restoration and enjoyment of the landscape, wildlife and heritage of the Great Ouse Valley and its environs in Cambridgeshire.
The Great Ouse Valley is a valuable community resource in one of the UK’s areas of fastest expanding population and infrastructure. People need green spaces and fresh air to thrive.
The wonderful countryside of the Great Ouse Valley has protected landscapes and nature reserves, a recognised rich bio-diversity, stunning historic buildings, an immense social history dating back to the dawn of civilisation.
It’s a landscape for life – and as such, it is vital we protect it now, and for future generations. Come along and learn more including how you can help.
Despite rumours the old school has not been demolished!
In fact the tasteful and high standard refurbishment of the old school building and its adjoining classroom is progressing well and will constitute two separate dwellings within the old building.
There is also an application for a single semi-detached house of two 2 bedroom dwellings in the old car park area. All in all a much better outcome than previously feared.
Many thanks to Marilyn Simpson for this super school photo from the 1960s. We’d love to hear from you if you are pictured here
May saw the removal of the old circular flower bed following around 20 years of delighting the local residents, especially when displays were inspired by flights of fancy, notably the butterfly with tennis ball antennae!
Unfortunately the old timbers had rotted and this coupled with overhanging foliage necessitated Huntingdon Town Council to take action and the result is a larger rectangular bed which hopefully will continue to delight. It was fascinating to note during the removal of the old bed how roots from adjacent trees had grown up through the flower bed.
Concerns have been raised by local residents regarding the strip of land running from Desborough Road through to Gardeners Lane.
In the latest stage of a long running saga, a Peterborough builder has acquired the plot and proposes to build a store for his materials. Unfortunately (for him) we were unable to find any record of a planning application and have got HDC Planning Enforcement involved.
Regular readers may recall that HCG organised a survey last year when local residents were pretty unanimous in opposing any development of this plot. Watch this space!
The Hurst is an 18th century high status residence that originally enjoyed gardens stretching down to the river.
Isabella Bird Bishop (1831-1904) lived here for a short time but was less than flattering about her time therein! She was an intrepid traveller, photographer and the first woman to be elected as a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society following extensive travels in Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Well done for bringing some pride back into this Grade 2 Listed building
As local authorities have failed to complete their usual weeding of road gutters, Hartford residents took matters into their own hands with a community clean up in Main Street.
"Organised by Hartford Conservation Group, it took around an hour" said Chairman Mike Humphrey. "Some have questioned why we should do it, after all we pay council tax. Well it is what it is and sometimes it's easier to simply and quicker do it yourself! Thank you to all residents who joined in.
"It's always good to have a community project that gets neighbours out and talking. It would be nice if others could follow Hartford's example."
Well done to the King of the Belgians with the return of their popular ‘King of Beer Festivals’ moved this year to coincide with the Jubilee and raising around £8,000 for local charities.
Meanwhile the Village Hall ‘Street Party’ defied the weather to be a great success, raising £160 for charity and bringing pleasure to many residents.
Thanks to everyone who turned up for our Spring Litterpick.
Our next litter pick will be on Saturday 10th September. Please met at the Village Hall at 10am, bags and picking devices supplied. All residents are invited, especially family groups.
The Conservation Group contacted Huntingdon Town Council with a request that the old pavement curbs by the raised flower bed on the village green be removed.
They no longer served any purpose and represent a real trip hazard, especially to residents cutting through to Arundel Road.
Well done HTC on your quick response!
Avian influenza
Huntingdonshire District Council have issued a warning advising of confirmed cases of avian flu. There is a very low risk to both humans and dogs. However it is advised that dead or injured birds should not be touched. If you do come into contact, thoroughly wash hands. Keeping dogs on leads to keep them away from dead birds is advised by the RSPCA especially in area with high bird populations. Further advice can be found at: www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/bird flu
Myxomatosis.
A number of rabbits along the Riverside walk appear to be suffering from this disease. Neither humans or dogs can be infected by Myxomatosis. However a struggling rabbit can prove irresistible for dogs and will cause much stress for the rabbit.
Algae on river
The calm, hot weather of late and the slow flow of the river have encouraged the spread of algae, especially noticable by All Saints Church.
Autumn already?
Many of us will have heard leaves crunching underfoot and seen autumnal colours. It is called a "false autumn." The heatwave and drought have pushed trees into survival mode. Shedding leaves and colour change are all a response to stress. Sadly it may also mean that we may lose more trees.
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