Ashwell Parish Council

26/08/2026

ASHWELL SPRINGS
Ashwell Parish Council have been aware of behaviours at Ashwell Springs that could cause ecological damage. The Springs are not a playground, they are a legally protected Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). We understand that many people may not be aware of behaviours that can affect it. Therefore

PLEASE DO NOT:
• Wade in the water or net wildlife, there are rare freshwater invertebrates including flatworms, some of which may be relics of the Ice Age and dependant on the Springs high-quality cold water.
• Climb the bank as this can cause ecological damage to the chalk face.
• Allow dogs into the water or off the lead as flea and tick treatment from dogs can filter through to the water

ADDITIONALLY, PLEASE
• Take all litter home as this encourages rats and other pests
• Do not BBQ

If you see any of the above taking place, please help protect the springs by reporting it through these direct channels:
• Report Active Damage to Natural England - They handle enforcement for SSSIs.
o Email: [email protected]
o Phone: 0300 060 3900
o Report Nuisance or Vandalism to the Police, by dialling 101 or reporting via the portal

Contact us landing page

25/08/2026

ASHWELL SPRINGS
We are extremely lucky to have the Ashwell Springs, an SSSI, in our village.
I would like to gently remind people of Ashwell, and any visitors, that the site is a legally protected nature reserve, not a play area.
The site is being damaged by dogs being off lead in the water, parents holding their babies to urinate in the water, and climbing and clambering up the chalk face to the rails on the High Street.
Currently there is concern over the toxcicity of flea and worm medication that leeches from dogs’ skin if they have been treated recently. Here is the current warning;
Allowing dogs to jump into Ashwell Springs, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), poses severe ecological risks to its highly sensitive, rare cold-water habitats. UK wildlife trusts and the Countryside Code strongly emphasize that keeping dogs out of protected water bodies is critical to stopping chemical pollution and physical destruction.
Please can everyone help the Parish Council by respecting the existing signage that is there. It is not intended to spoil anyone’s fun, but to ensure the site is not damaged. These sites are very rare, and should be valued.

21/08/2026

A​genda of HR Committee Meeting to be held on Tuesday 25th August 2026
(published to noticeboard 20th August 2026)

21/08/2026

August Newsletter from Ashwell Parish Council

17/08/2026

BALDOCK AND VILLAGES COMMUNITY FORUM - 14th September 2026 at 7.30pm

Please click link for a poster advertising the next Baldock and Villages C​ommunity Forum which will be held in the Youth Wing at Baldock Hub (previously Baldock Community Centre) on Monday 14th September at 7.30pm.

There will be presentations on Local Government Reorganisation, North Herts Green Spaces, and the New North Herts Local Plan all with opportunities to ask questions and raise matters concerning you. Everyone is welcome

Please click here for a poster advertising the next Baldock and Villages C​ommunity Forum which will be held in the Youth Wing at Baldock Hub (previously Baldock Community Centre) on Monday 14th September at 7.30pm.

16/08/2026

Please find a statement below that has been received by the Parish Council from the Committee of Ashwell Cricket Club

Dear Residents of Ashwell

We are writing on behalf of Ashwell Cricket Club to directly address concerns regarding our water usage during the current Affinity Water Temporary Use Ban. We understand it may frustrate residents to see our sprinkler used while the village adheres to home restrictions. We want to transparently explain why this watering is legally permitted, structurally necessary, and critical for public safety.

Compliance with Affinity Water Guidance

Ashwell's water supplier, Affinity Water, maintains strict rules during a hosepipe ban. However, their official framework includes specific exemptions for recreational grass sports grounds.

Affinity Water Guidance permits the targeted watering of active playing surfaces, such as cricket creases, strictly for health and safety purposes.This is not a license to water the entire ground. Watering outfields or surrounding grass remains completely banned, and we strictly adhere to this. We only water the specific wickets being prepared for upcoming matches. Furthermore, we are doing this in the evening with a time limited sprinkler.

Preventing Irreparable Pitch Damage

Cricket wickets are made on prepared soil (we spend all winter spiking, overseeding, applying loam, rolling, etc) and entirely different from residential lawns.

Without controlled moisture, the soil shrinks, bakes dry, and cracks deeply. Once the soil dies and structurally collapses in extreme heat, it cannot be revived by rain.

If the square was allowed to die off it would require a full, costly excavation and rebuild that we could not afford.

Player safety

The most critical reason we water the wicket is to maintain player safety. An unwatered, bone-dry wicket creates dangerous, unpredictable divots and deep cracks. A hard cricket ball traveling at high speeds hitting a crack can deflect sharply toward a batsman’s face or throat, risking injury. Last summer, several players were hit on the head by variable bouncing balls as the ground grew drier and drier.

Ashwell Cricket Club is fully committed to environmental responsibility and we actively minimize our water consumption. The square has been hardly watered this summer. We carry out watering during low-evaporation hours to ensure every drop counts.We deeply appreciate your understanding, patience, and continued support in keeping local sport alive and safe during this challenging summer. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to the club committee via the Parish Council.

Yours sincerely

Ashwell Cricket Club Committee

08/08/2026

Draft Minutes from Ashwell Parish Council and meet our 3 new Parish Councillors

This email has been sent to because you signed up on https://www.ashwell.gov.uk Please add us to your contacts to ensure the newsletters land in your inbox.

04/08/2026

Police advice regarding recent BBQ near Small Gains Allotments.

If you see any activity that could pose a fire risk — such as BBQs, open flames, or anything that could easily ignite dry grass or vegetation — please report it to the Police on 101.

If a fire has already started or is an immediate danger, always call 999.

These small actions can help prevent serious fires and protect our local environment, homes, and wildlife. Thank you for your support.

03/08/2026

📞 PARISH COUNCIL PHONE ISSUE

We are experiencing a problem with the Parish Council office phone, which is currently not working.

If you need to contact the Parish Council, please email the Clerk or Deputy Clerk at [email protected], [email protected]

We apologise for any inconvenience and will update you once the phone line is back up and running.

Thank you for your patience.

03/08/2026

🔥 Hot Weather Reminder from Ashwell Parish Council 🔥

We have been made aware of people bringing BBQs into a field near the allotments (3 cars seen over the weekend).

With the current dry conditions, we must stress that BBQs, campfires, and any open flames should not be used in fields or on public green spaces.

The ground is extremely dry and the risk of fire spreading quickly is very high. Even a small BBQ can lead to serious damage to wildlife, nearby property, and the surrounding countryside.

Please help keep Ashwell safe by avoiding fire risks during this period. Thank you for your cooperation.