Our aims and objectives, impact on the ground and how we operate within a federation of charities.
The main themes of our work and some of our most important initiatives.
What we can do for the wide range of people and organisations that we work with.
Find out the latest about how we're changing places and lives.
Further your career or help us make a difference.
How to get in touch with our team.
News RSS
03/08/2011
The final stage of the ‘Lost Rails’ community history project has been completed with the installation of historical information panels, on walking and cycling paths that follow the routes of former railway branch lines in Hertfordshire.
The Lost Rails project, a partnership between local charity Groundwork Hertfordshire, St Albans District Council’s Museums Service and local community groups, has been exploring and celebrating the social history of the former branch lines, parts of which are now known as the Ebury Way, Nickey Line, Ayot Greenway, Alban Way and Cole Green Way1 and are used primarily for walking and cycling.
Twelve historical information panels have now been installed by Groundwork on the five routes, providing site specific information that has been gathered during the project; five of the panels incorporate audio devices enabling passers by to listen to local people’s memories of working on or living near to the railways.
On 21 July the Deputy Mayor of Harpenden, Councillor Nicola Linacre, unveiled one of the newly installed panels on the Nickey Line, between Harpenden and Redbourn. Also present were Councillor Bert Pawle (Chair of the Environment Committee for Harpenden Town Council), officers from St Albans District Council, and representatives from Groundwork and from Friends of the Nickey Line (FONL), which is a well established community organisation that carries out regular volunteering activities to care for and enhance the Nickey Line. FONL members provided much of the information for the two information panels that have been installed on the Nickey Line.
Councillor Linacre said: “I am really impressed with the project and the ambition to draw together the various groups to celebrate these former branch lines. These old railway routes remain an active and important part of our communities, well used by a variety of groups from cyclists to dog walkers. They are certainly not forgotten and the work of the volunteers is much valued in ensuring the routes remain open and vital.”
David Abernethy, Chair of Friends of the Nickey Line said: "we are delighted to see these splendid information boards set up as a result of our joint work with the Lost Rails Project team. I am sure many Nickey Line users at Yew Tree Wood in Hemel Hempstead and between Redbourn and Harpenden will enjoy the fascinating insight these boards give into the history of the Nickey Line in their local communities."
Councillor Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage at St Albans City and District Council commented: “This project celebrates fantastic walks blending leisure and our heritage for enjoyment by all age groups.”
The Lost Rails project also included a free exhibition which ran at the Museum of St Albans from September 2010 until February 2011; much of the exhibition content, including audio memories, can now be accessed by visiting the Herts Memories interactive website http://www.hertsmemories.org.uk/.
Peter Christmas from Groundwork Hertfordshire added: “The installation of the history panels is the culmination of this project, and I would like to thank all of the funders, partner organisations and members of the public who have been involved. The success of the project has depended on local people sharing their memories, information and photographs as well as attending the exhibition and events. People can still add memories or comments by visiting the Herts Memories website which provides an ongoing resource for the Lost Rails project”.
Robyn Llewellyn, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East of England, said: “These former railway lines trace a route through the industrial and social heritage of Hertfordshire. By drawing together the stories of those who have lived and worked in the local area, this innovative project has created an imaginative way of sharing and celebrating the history of the area, whilst ensuring they are preserved for future generations to enjoy”
The Lost Rails project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, with additional funding from Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Highways.
