Community Fund Grant to Friends of Greenway Spinney

Started by local residents in winter 2009/10, this 5-year project, now complete, has:

restored the diversity of trees and plants by a planned programme of selective clearance of invasive species and replanting with native species.
restored the ancient hedge along the green lane.
created an improved range of wildlife habitats.
maintained public areas.

Over the five years supporters from the local community have worked more than 1,400 man hours to clear all invasive laurel and snowberry and planted 1,500 hedge plants and trees in their place. The spinney is now a very popular area of mixed native woodland with a range of diverse habitats, and Natural England has agreed it can be classified as a Local Nature Reserve. It is also being used every week by Grove Nursery and Grove Infants for Forest Studies.

Support has come from several bodies - St. Albans District Council, Herts County Council Locality Budget, Biffa Award as well as the Harpenden Trust Community Fund. The Trust responded very swiftly to the urgent need to purchase 410 hedge plants and trees for planting in February 2015 to complete the programme.

02 May 2020

In Other News

Young Enterprise - National Final

28 June 2025

Some great news from the National Final of the Young Enterprise competition where Food From the Roots, a team from Roundwood school, were competing. This is the first time a team from Harpenden has reached the National finals.

Volunteer opportunity - The Compassionate Cafe

28 June 2025

The Compassionate Cafe is a partnership between The Harpenden Trust and Rennie Grove Peace Hospice and runs a biweekly drop-in session at the Well Bean Cafe at 130 Southdown, above the Co-op. We are looking for another volunteer to join this wonderful team.

New Summer 2025 Issue of the Harpenden Trust Newsletter

07 June 2025

We are delighted to attach our new Summer 2025 edition of the Harpenden Trust Newsletter (click on the link at the end of this News notice). The Newsletter highlights many of the Trust’s activities that have taken place during the past few months, and much of our ongoing work in the local community. You can also learn about the values of the Harpenden Trust, which guide our thinking and our actions and define what is important and worthwhile in the…

Willow Court Care Home - Fundraiser for the Harpenden Trust

30 May 2025

On Bank Holiday Monday 26th May, Willow Court held a Fundraising Event for the benefit of the Harpenden Trust. It was a great success and included a bouncy castle, tradesman stalls, drinks and hot food, music entertainment and a raffle. The initiative raised £267.50 for the Trust which is very much appreciated and was an excellent reward for all the hard work from the staff at Willow Court that contributed to making the event so memorable.