New High Sheriff of Hertfordshire visits Welwyn Hatfield

Joined by his wife, Henrietta, the High Sheriff was shown local projects and attractions that reflect the theme for his year in office, ‘Nurture through Nature’, to raise awareness of enhancing mental and physical wellbeing through access to the natural environment.  Throughout his term, the High Sheriff is championing projects such as community gardens, health walks, and outdoor education - initiatives that foster wellbeing, confidence and connection through nature.

Accompanied by the Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield, Councillor Lynn Chesterman OBE and WHBC Chief Executive Ka Ng, the High Sheriff began his day with a formal welcome at the Council Offices. The group then visited Hatfield Town Centre to unveil new artwork installations created by local artists from the H’arts In Mind charity and by pupils from Southfield Primary School, a local school that specialises in supporting children with SEND needs. The artwork on display celebrates Hatfield’s rich heritage and strong community spirit.

The tour continued with a visit to a local allotment called Dove Court where the High Sheriff saw how residents are embracing sustainable growing and community gardening.  Dove Court was heavily overgrown and required significant clearance before it could be used.  The council worked with First People, an organisation who supports individuals who are sleeping rough and at risk of homelessness, to revitalise the allotment site.  The site has now been cleared and is served as a therapeutic space, using gardening as a tool to aid in recovery and personal growth.

The party then enjoyed a guided tour and lunch at Mill Green Watermill and Museum, one of the borough’s most treasured heritage sites. His visit concluded with a stop at the Danesbury Fernery in Welwyn, where he met volunteers working to restore and maintain this unique Victorian nature reserve.

Speaking about the visit, the Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield, Cllr Lynn Chesterman OBE, said:

I was delighted to welcome the new High Sheriff to Welwyn Hatfield and show him some of the wonderful projects and attractions that our borough has to offer our residents and visitors.  Being proud of our environment and heritage is a priority for the Council and I know that the High Sheriff enjoyed meeting the H’arts In Mind artists, pupils from Southfield Primary School, volunteers and Council officers who together help make our borough such a wonderful place to live, work and visit.

The High Sheriff, Nicholas Buxton, said:

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Welwyn Hatfield to see first-hand the wonderful work that is taking place to promote and preserve the local environment and heritage for others to enjoy.  Thank you to the Mayor, WHBC Chief Executive and everyone that I met for making my visit so interesting, informative and enjoyable.  Everything that I saw really did exemplify my theme for this year ‘Nurture through Nature’, and I look forward to visiting Welwyn Hatfield again soon.