Countryside Management Service

We have a number of leafleted walks that are aimed at beginners or those walking specifically to improve their health. Find one in your area and give it a go.

The Countryside Management Service (CMS) has been working with communities in Hertfordshire for 30 years, helping them to care for and enjoy the environment.

A Wheelie big Welcome to Sopwell Priory

Thanks to the CMS volunteers Sopwell Priory Open Space in Watling Chase Community Forest can now be accessed by all.

Eileen Harris, Deputy Mayor, opened a new disabled access bridge at Sopwell Priory Open Space, St Albans, on behalf of the Sopwell Residents’ Association on Thursday 7th July. The bridge is one of the first in a number of improvements planned to make the open space more inviting to visitors and local people. Volunteers from the Countryside Management Service built the bridge, which now allows wheelchair and pushchairs users onto the area.

This is part of a Greenspace Action Plan (GAP) devised by the Sopwell Residents, Countryside Management Service and St Albans City and District Council. The GAP is an agreement between the partners to undertake regular maintenance and a number of improvements for the space. These include installing new benches, planting bulbs, and surfacing the riverside path in places.

The Plan also includes measures to entice more wildlife to use the Open Space by leaving areas alongside the river and hedges uncut so they can be used as habitats for rare species like watervole. Kingfishers can be seen regularly, using the river Ver at Sopwell Priory to fish and make nests in the banks. Flowers have been planted and areas of meadow left uncut until September to encourage butterflies and bees. The uncut areas will also provide food for birds and there are plenty of trees and hedges on the Open Space for them to make nests.

For a copy of the plan or more information contact Petrina Llewellyn on 01727 848168.