Tag: Abbey Fields

  • Abbey Fields Guided Walk

    Abbey Fields is holding a guided walk on Thursday 26th May at 9.30 am at Croft Close Set-aside (at the end of Croft Close).

    Martin Minarik – a zoologist living in the village – will lead the Thursday morning walks. As it is May, there will be a good opportunity to listen out for birdsong. Martin will also be looking out for reptiles, butterflies and more!

    If you would like to join the walk please email sitemanagers@Abbeyfields.online to register interest.

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    There will be no charge but if you would like to make a donation as a token of appreciation, please visit the website  https://abbeyfields.online/ or, to donate though JustGiving, https://www.justgiving.com/histongreenspaces .

  • Abbey Fields Guided Walk

    Abbey Fields are holding a guided walk on Saturday 14th May from 8am at Croft Close Set-aside (at the end of Croft Close).

    This walk will be led by Bruce Liggett and will be all about enjoying the early morning bird song, and seeing a summer migrant or two as a bonus. Bruce is a member of the Ely Photographic Society and his photos from around the world have won awards and been featured on TV  so you may also get some tips on wildlife photography.

    If you would like to join the walk please email sitemanagers@Abbeyfields.online to register interest.

    There will be no charge, but if you would like to make a donation as a token of appreciation, please visit https://abbeyfields.online/events/guided-walk or, to donate though JustGiving, https://www.justgiving.com/histongreenspaces .

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  • Abbey Fields Guided Walk

    Abbey Fields is holding a guided walk on Thursday 12th May at 9.30 am at Croft Close Set-aside (at the end of Croft Close).

    Martin Minarik – a zoologist living in the village – will lead the Thursday morning walks. As it is May, there will be a good opportunity to listen out for birdsong. Martin will also be looking out for reptiles, butterflies and more!

    If you would like to join the walk please email sitemanagers@Abbeyfields.online to register interest.

    Advert

    There will be no charge but if you would like to make a donation as a token of appreciation, please visit the website  https://abbeyfields.online/ or, to donate though JustGiving, https://www.justgiving.com/histongreenspaces .

  • Easter Treasure Hunt

    Histon and Impington Green Spaces Charity have organised an Easter Treasure Hunt on Saturday 16th April at Long Meadow, Park Lane.

    Pop along any time between 10am and 12.30 pm to explore Long Meadow and solve fun clues to win a chocolate treat. Entry to the Treasure Hunt will be £3 per child. Children can also help to build a model flower meadow.

    There will also be a stall with homemade cakes and volunteers on hand to tell you more about what is happening at both Long Meadow and Croft Close Set Aside. See www.abbeyfields.online for more information.

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  • Croft Close Set-Aside and the Intriguing Shield-Shaped Field

    You are invited to a  talk by David Oates on the heritage aspects of Cross Close Set-Aside (CCSA) by Zoom on Monday 28th February at 7.30pm.

    Many people think of CCSA as a magical 11 acres of wilderness, woodland, and open areas on the edge of Histon – but it also played an important part in early settlement.

    It is the oldest recorded individual field in Histon, mentioned in a 1251 deed. Laser airborne radar shows that the field is crossed by two ancient double-ditched probably pre-historic tracks for driving cattle to and from Westwick. This land has probably been at the heart of local activity and settlement until the 16th century. 

    Flier for the Talk. The zoom link is https://ukri.zoom.us/j/99798947790 . The talk is free.

    You may like to consider a donation that will contribute to helping Histon & Impington Green Spaces Charity secure the land for the community in perpetuity. Donations can be made through JustGiving at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/abbeyfields-ccsatalk or on the website at https://abbeyfields.online/

    This is the first of a series of talks – future talks will focus on the flora and fauna aspects of the landscape.

  • The Croft Close Set-Aside and a History Mystery

    Histon and Impington Women’s Institute is holding a presentation on Thursday 20th January 2022 at 7.30pm at Histon Methodist Church Hall.

    Local resident Moira Neal will give a heavily illustrated, personal slide show about the development of this beautiful wild place in Histon.

    If you would like to attend this meeting, please email hisimpwi@gmail.com.

    Visitors and new members most welcome. Cost £4.00

  • Abbey Fields Stall

    The Friends of Histon & Impington Green Spaces Charity have a stall on Sunday 12th December at Histon Smokehouse from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

    Abbey fields, on the doorstep of the villages, comprises:

    • Croft Close Set-Aside (11 acres) – a re-wilded space with young trees and shrubs springing up among the native flowers and grasses. Rare birds nest here and there are newts in the pond. Its paths are perfect for exploring, blackberrying and bird watching.
    • Long Meadow (4 acres) – a wildflower meadow with stately trees and a clear stream running alongside. A great place for a picnic, for walking, or just enjoying the countryside.

    A local resident has temporarily bought the land, giving the community time to raise the money to secure it in perpetuity. Friends of Histon & Impington Green Spaces Charity are spear heading the fund-raising campaign. The target is to raise £500,000.

    Over 200 people made donation pledges last year to make this project possible but more support is needed as there is a significant shortfall.

    Find out more on the website (www.abbeyfields.online) where you can:

    • Donate and have the opportunity to receive a numbered and limited ‘Foundation Croft’ certificate (£50 or more) to record your donation – also a great Xmas gift.
    • Donations of any size are most welcome. Claim your free cupcake at the stall.
    • Join the Friends Group to receive newsletters about the wildlife and hear about any educational opportunities – there is no fee for joining.
    • Sign up for volunteering opportunities – working on the land or behind the scenes.
  • ‘Friends’ step up to launch Abbey Fields supporter programme

    ‘Friends’ step up to launch Abbey Fields supporter programme

    A new charity has started work to enable the vision for securing this valuable community space to become a reality – and local residents can get involved.

    The launch last week of a new charity in the village has opened the door for a fundraising campaign that will secure the 11-acre Croft Close Set Aside and 4.5-acre Long Meadow land for the community, as a haven for wildlife and a green space where people can experience, learn about and enjoy nature.

    The new charity, Histon & Impington Green Spaces, has now been registered with the Charity Commission and its six trustees – three nominated by the Parish Council and three by the community – will become the formal custodians of the land when fundraising is completed. They are tasked with ensuring it always remains true to the original vision of conserving nature and heritage on the sites, while enabling people to enjoy these much-loved places.

    Friends

    Villagers have been using the Abbey Fields land – part of the Abbey Farm estate – for centuries. Earlier this year it was bought by the Jenking family, with a view to taking it off the market and giving local people the time to raise the money needed to keep it out of the hands of property developers.

    READ ALSO: Celebrations as Abbey Fields sale reaches completion

    A new Friends organisation will elect a committee that will manage the land, lead on the fundraising and report to the charity trustees. They will be ensuring that Abbey Fields are well-conserved and managed spaces; providing regular information on the animals, trees, and plants; providing volunteering and educational opportunities; and linking with other community groups to help protect and improve green open spaces generally. They will also be canvassing the views of local people and site users and involving them in planning, decision-making and management.

    Some volunteers have already set to work, with the Site Management Action Group meeting weekly and path clearing being very active. More are needed to support the work including the website, publicity and communication, administration and fundraising.

     Join in!

    The charity trustees are encouraging everyone who wants to support the project to get involved. The first meeting of the Friends Group will be next week on Thursday 9th September at 7.30pm at Histon Baptist Church and also live on Zoom. 80 people can attend in person, with normal Covid-19 precautions in place. Anyone can register for free tickets for the live meeting and Zoom attendees will be able to pick up the link on the Abbey Fields website.

    As well as a short review of progress, the meeting will hear a presentation of the extraordinary wildlife on our doorstep. There will be information about the Friends group, including a new young Ambassador group, and about elections to the Friends Steering Committee.

    For more information see the website or email info@abbeyfields.online.

    Sign up here for tickets for the inaugural Friends meeting.

  • Abbey Fields Practical Volunteer Session

    An Abbey Fields Practical Volunteer Tasks session to clear shrubbery and branches reaching across the main paths at the Croft Close Set-Aside, so that people can walk there safely on Saturday 14th August 2021 with RSPB expert Nigel Butcher from 9.30 to 11.30am.

    Meet at the gate at the end of Croft Close, Histon CB24 9HU. If you would like to attend, please send an email to sitemanagers@abbeyfields.online

    Please wear stout shoes and bring work gloves. Please bring your own loppers and shears if you can. Training will be given if required. You will have the opportunity to adopt a path to keep clear if you like. Please bring your own water and a sunhat/waterproofs as appropriate. Please do not bring children under 5 years old or dogs. We will be cutting thorny branches. Children between 5 years and 16 years must be supervised by an adult.

    This event is run by the Site Management Action Group of the Abbey Fields Transitional Management Committee appointed by Histon and Impington Parish Council to manage the Croft Close Set-Aside and Long Meadow until a Friends Group can be set up.

    The Croft Close Set-Aside and Long Meadow are leased to Histon and Impington Parish Council abbeyfields.online

  • Guided Walks on the Abbey Fields

    Come along for guided walk to learn more about the wildlife and natural habitats found in these special green spaces. The walks will be approximately one hour long and supervised children are welcome. Please note that paths on Croft Close Set Aside are not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs and boots (or enclosed shoes) and trousers are recommended as there are brambles and nettles about. Suggested donation of £5 per adult, children free.

    • 6pm on 5th July on Croft Close Set Aside
    • 12 noon 7th July on Long Meadow
    • 6pm on 8th July on Croft Close Set Aside
    • 12 noon 9th July on Croft Close Set Aside

    Please book the walks (essential) here https://abbeyfields.online/