Our Planet Our Future joined guide Jonathan Edwards on a fascinating walk around Highfield Oval in Harpenden by volunteer Fuschia Hutton.
The drizzle didn’t deter our enthusiasm as 12 of us explored the site. During this enjoyable walk, we learned about how the Oval has changed over the years, and how the team manage the orchard and woods to encourage biodiversity and wildlife.
And who better to guide us than Jonathan, who lived and worked on the site for many years? Jonathan currently advises the site’s owners, Youth With A Mission (YWAM), on the management of the orchard and woods.
From children’s home to charity base
Our walk started in the village area of the oval.
Highfield Oval began as a National Children’s Home in 1913 when it welcomed 200 children from London’s East End. As well as providing shelter and education, the children learned a trade such as carpentry, printing, dressmaking or shoemaking in the workshops. The grounds were like (and still are) a little self-contained village surrounded by orchards, woodland and farmland.
When the country changed its approach to children’s care in the 1980s, YWAM, a global Christian missions agency, rented from 1986 and then bought the 48-acre site in 1993. The Oval now houses YWAM staff and trainees, training facilities and coordination for local and international projects.
Ahead of its time
Renewable energies and reusing resources are central to site management. A modern biomass boiler burns wood chips under controlled conditions to ensure the combustion is as efficient as possible. This means it burns cleaner and produces less particulate matter and ash. The leftover ash is then reused in the grounds.
Jonathan emphasised the importance of only burning dry wood. Wet wood burns ‘dirty’, producing lots of harmful air-polluting particles including PM2.5. This particle is about a quarter of the size of a red blood cell and can penetrate the lining of the lungs when inhaled, causing a range of health issues.
We also discovered that rainwater from the buildings’ roofs is collected in retention tanks underground and used as a means of irrigation when the National Children’s Home grew their own vegetables. This was well ahead of its time.
On to the orchard and woods
Home to 100-year-old apple trees, the orchard is classified as ancient. It is here where YWAM has set up an orchard planting scheme which provides income for the whole community.
As we crossed the orchard and walked through the meadow, we discovered the grass is now only being cut and the hay raked off before the apples are harvested. It is then cut once before the end of autumn. This is a valuable habitat for invertebrates and small mammals during winter, and limiting cutting helps protect these small creatures.
We continued on to the Oval’s wooded area. Each spring, an amazing display of bluebells grows under the shade of the hornbeam trees growing on one side of the path. Oak and ash trees, as well as bracken, grow in the more open areas.
Visiting Highfield Oval
You can visit Highfield Oval between 8:30 am and 8:30 pm Monday to Saturday and between 8:30 am and 1 pm on Sundays. The Oval Café offers delicious drinks and snacks Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm and Saturdays between 10 am and 4 pm.
Since the site is residential, please keep away from grassy areas around the buildings and park only in designated areas for visitors.
Discover more about Highfield Oval’s history on YWAM’s website and the Harpenden History website.
Our next event
Want to learn how to mend your broken garments, gadgets and other items?
Join us at 7:30 pm on Tuesday the 10th of September at the Plough & Harrow in Harpenden for our free talk on how traditional and modern mending techniques can help you mend your precious objects. Book your free spot here.
About Our Planet Our Future
Our Planet Our Future is Sustainable St Albans’ landmark series of talks and events to help you live a more sustainable life.