Henlow Lakes
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Arlesey
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The Old Moat
Nature Reserve
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The Mill Pits is a well known landmark in the village. Many people
walk around or through it and even played there as children.
But the river Hiz that runs through it, is probably less well known
as a ‘chalk stream’.
What is a Chalk Stream? – Water in these streams has been filtered
by chalk underground and is crystal clear with very little suspended
material, yet is rich in minerals. Traditionally described as ‘gin-like’ it
then runs over wide gravel or flint bottomed rivers and streams. In the
United Kingdom there are around 160 Chalk Streams. Given there are
only about 210 in the world, the UK does have a large proportion of
them. They are mainly to be found in the south and east regions.
The Hiz running to the west of Arlesey has its origins in the hills
around Charlton near Hitchin and runs north to the confluence with
the River Ivel further on from Arlesey. The Hiz is also fed by the Rivers
Purwell and Oughton.
As with all water courses maintenance and upkeep is essential, as
well as controlling what goes into them. The Hiz flows through a nitrate
and phosphate vulnerable zone and controls by DEFRA are in place to
reduce the runoff from the fields.
A report by the River Restoration Centre for The Environment
Agency in 2011 highlights areas of the river where action would be
beneficial and enhance the surrounding habitat. The river water quality
is classed as 1B – which is good. But work is needed to restore parts
of the river by way of: Narrowing, Tree planting, Introduction of large
wood for habitat gain, Re-assessing/ceasing current river maintenance
regimes and Weir lowering/removal options.
Three sewage treatment works discharge into the River Hiz, the
largest one being in Hitchin.
Our history shows that populations grew up around a good source
of water. Rivers offered many towns and villages this much needed
supply around which people lived and worked.
The Doomsday Book of 1086 recorded that Arlesey had more
than one mill, and recent research has shown along the length of the
through Arlesey there were in fact three mills. The mill races from one
of the mills can still be seen under the bridge across the river at the
Mill Pits. Another was just south of Mill Lane. Straw plaiters used to
work by one of the sites during the summer.
ACORN raised the funds to put in the easy access path from
Mill Lane to the meadows and also to put in the new bridges.
Access to the river is quite open for much of its journey through
Arlesey, and is very popular with walkers throughout the year. In
2012 ACORN were instrumental in opening The Hicca Way after
many years of work and research. The footpath runs from Charlton to
Henlow Bridge Lakes. For the majority of its length the new footpath
follows the course of the river as it would have done in the times when
Danish settlers came here and set their camp on the river to the south
west of Henlow.
The old bridge to the west of the station has been in place since
Medieval times and has undergone several changes since it was built.
The medieval bridge underwent restoration and further reinforcement
in 2001 before commenc