Welcome to our group website
This is the website of the South East Hertfordshire Local Group. RSPB local groups are a great way to meet friendly, like-minded people in your area while learning more about birds and wildlife.
Forthcoming Events
Presentation by Peter White “The River Beane and Other Chalk Streams” at Tuesday 27 October – 7.30pm for 8.00pm
Presentation by Tom Moat “Introduction to nature restoration at Harold’s Park Wildland” at Tuesday 24 November – 7.30pm for 8.00pm
Latest news
From the blog
Fifth update on the future of Rye Meads
BULLETIN 5 Rye Meads update for Members of SE Herts RSPB Local Group 30.9.26
The Hoddesdon Society’s AGM on 3rd September hosted a meeting between stakeholders and interested parties to discuss the future of Rye Meads. There was a surprise announcement from Thames Water ‘We plan to keep the site open to the public and community groups following the RSPB’s decision to end its lease. We are working at pace to put the necessary arrangements in place to take over the running of the site and look forward to sharing further details in the future’.
Following this announcement, a meeting was convened by Herts CC, E Herts DC, Stansted Abbots Parish Council and Broxbourne Borough Council on Monday 7 Sept. We learned that Thames Water were setting up a Steering Group. The Hoddesdon Society contacted Thames Water on 7 Sept with a list of stakeholders to be consulted, including our Group. The Councils wrote to Thames Water asking, inter alia, what the operational model would be and who would fund it. The Hoddesdon Society report that, unfortunately, things seem to be at a standstill with
Thames Water, despite being chased, have not confirmed any further consultation with stakeholders, including arrangements for setting up a steering group. Local MP Lewis Cocking has been included in the correspondence. The Hoddesdon Society will keep all parties informed should they hear anything. With the RSPB poised to withdraw in a few weeks, we are all concerned about this lack of progress.
Stan Kitchiner asked Hannah Phillips at RSPB, as a matter of urgency, what discussions they have had with Thames Water and what plan and arrangements they have in place for their exit. Hannah replied that RSPB representatives had met the Thames Water Property Team recently. The meeting was largely focussed on practical handover arrangements (equipment, services etc) and a site visit is planned in the coming weeks to go over this in more detail. Hannah has reiterated the need for Thames Water to consult with the volunteers, wider stakeholders and work with RSPB on communications.
We learned yesterday that the data provided by volunteers was integral to justifying the decision by the Thames Water board to keep the site open to the public. They are now awaiting the dilapidation survey reports from property for them to complete the handover of land process with RSPB,
A land Management Plan has been produced outlining what is required to keep the site safely open, restore the habitats & maintain species records.
They are now working on the final discussions on how the site will run in partnership with other internal nature reserves teams. Discussions envision an agreement similar to their sites where members have controlled access through a coded lock & an internal member of TW Staff organise management & monitoring events / routines.
With just four weeks before the RSPB pulls out we will keep a close watch on progress.