Room for manoeuvre
A PLAN for a detached house on the site of the former Deer Leap swimming pool in Little Gaddesden aims to preserve the open space facing Nettleden Road.
Applicant Coleman Properties of Luton and J P Cantle of Dunstable describe the proposed detached house and triple garage as a low key development concentrated solely on the pool complex and its associated hard standing area.
The house will be set a minimum of 62 metres from Nettleden Road. They say the idea is to form a better integrated site with its wider landscaped setting to retain and enhance the open green space from the road.
The site is within the Chiltern Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Missing in action
A drama club is appealing for anyone who knows the whereabouts of its advertising banner. Little Gaddesden Drama Club last saw its banner when it was hanging on the railings of Berkhamsted Castle advertising their show of Steel Magnolias.
Their production of A Christmas Carol starting on Friday, January 21 is fast approaching and they cannot afford to fork out cash for a new banner. If you can help contact Lyn Hyde on 01442 842267.

Site saves bloomers
There is no excuse for forgetting Christmas greetings this year even if you are abroad, thanks to a new website launched by a Berkhamsted florist. The Hearts and Flowers Internet site opened for business last week and guarantees to deliver on Christmas Eve should that special someone have slipped your mind. The High Street shop, in Berkhamsted, which was opened by owner Rachael Wade a year ago, will also be trading seven days-a-week until the big day.

All aglow!
THE SPIRIT of Christmas was in the air on Friday when local organisations and residents gathered for Berkhamsted’s Festival of Lights.
This year Mayor Phil Gibbs assisted by pupils from Victoria First School, switched on the High Street lights, (although Rotarians were primed to turn on each lamp at the same time, due to the lack of a mains switch)!
A visit from Santa followed and Greenway School pupils sang carols with the Salvation Army choir.
The High Street, which had been closed to traffic, was packed with stalls and many people enjoyed a variety of refreshments, including cakes courtesy of  Berkhamsted Scouts (pictured above centre).
Light wands sold like hot-cakes and Lady Luck was on the side of Kathy Harding, (pictured who won a bottle of wine among an array of tombola prizes available on stalls run by local charities that were there to collect donations.
The charities - including Macmillan Nurses, Save the Children, Associated Berkhamsted Churches, Pepper Foundation, The Salvation Army and Sunnyside Training - raised more than £7,000 between them last year and are hoping to have collected even more this time. The night was organised by the Dacorum Council for Voluntary Service and was supported by Berkhamsted Town Council, the Rotary Club and Lions Club.
Louise Cecil, of DCVS, said: “It went brilliantly. All the lights switched on at the right time and there was a very happy atmosphere with no troubles at all.”

Commuter centre collaboration aims to corner the market
One stop station shop could be just the ticket
 by Abena Bailey
COMMUTERS travelling from Berkhamsted railway station are getting more than they bargained for when they go to grab a cup of coffee before getting on the train.
The newly opened traveller’s shop in the ticket hall area of the station called Commuters Corner is a fusion of services offered by local businesses.
So as well as picking up a cuppa and a copy of The Berkhamsted and Tring Gazette you can drop off your dry cleaning, buy flowers, order and pick up gifts and buy freshly baked cakes. The useful shop has been open for a few months and is a growing hub of local services for people arriving into and leaving the town.
And it is not just useful for them but also for motorists constantly getting fined for parking for a short while in the wrong place.
The station has the free carpark, which makes it useful for stopping for five minutes to drop off dry cleaning.
Owner 26-year-old Drasko Katavic said: “We are always trying to support local businesses and at the moment everything is going fine because we have a really good network with other businesses. Here it’s a hot spot because everyone comes to the station.”
Mr Katavic recently moved into St Johns Well Court from London with the idea of setting up a business that encourages local companies to work together.
At the moment he offers a dry cleaning service from Be Smart Dry Cleaners on the High Street.
If commuters hand in their clothes at Commuters Corner before 10am staff at Be Smart will pick them up clean them and bring them back to the shop by 5pm in time for when they get off the train.
Commuters and other people can choose from a range of Tulips flowers and Home Bakeries cakes.
They can even peruse through gifts in the Dandy catalogues at the shop and if they order on line they can arrange to pick up their order from Commuters Corner too.
Currently Mr Katavic is in talks with the Rex Cinema about selling programmes at the shop and is hoping to expand.

Beleagured building project gets flat refusal
A HOUSING association is waiting for the results of an adjudication to force Classic Homes to finish building flats in Northchurch after the contractors walked off the job.
Classic Homes were building four flats for the needy on Northchurch High Street for Hightown Praetorian Housing Association but have refused to finish the work.
The development costing £450,000 has taken almost two years longer to build than planned because of setbacks caused by planning disputes.
Director of Hightown Praetorian Housing Association David Bogel said: “Classic Homes costs are much higher than they would have been.”
Classic Homes were supposed to be finished in early 2003 but built the new affordable maisonettes too high and Dacorum Borough Council took enforcement action to pull them down.
Classic Homes appealed against that decision in January this year but lost bringing the whole project beyond deadline.
Classic Homes picked up extra costs involved by rebuilding the flats, but after building the flats to the current level they refused to finish the job forcing Hightown to go to adjudication to force them to finish the job.
The adjudication took place on Wednesday, November 24 and the parties are waiting for the decision. Classic Homes, which has gone into administration, refused to comment.

Pupils will pick up ‘best-of-breed’ learning across network of schools
Changing face of schooldays
by Stuart Amos
The days of children attending one school for their education are numbered, according to head teachers in Dacorum.
A learning network giving students access to ‘centres of excellence’ across the area is the bold vision that could replace conventional teaching structures.
Future plans could ultimately see pupils visiting more than one school to access the best-of-breed resources available to them.
Ashlyns and Tring School have already launched a joint sixth form prospectus designed to offer youngsters a broader range of subjects and learning facilities.
And it is a model which could be extended to include students studying for their GCSEs. Richard Dalziel, Secondary School Heads Association spokesman, and Ashlyns School head teacher, said: ”It is an exciting time for education.
“As more schools seek specialist college status I can forsee a time when children will access those facilities for lessons in the subjects such colleges teach.
“In Dacorum we already have schools who specialise in sport, the performing arts and now languages.
“With greater collaboration the standards of education in Dacorum will be raised.”
Ashlyns School, which officially launched its Language College last month, is now striving to make Berkhamsted a centre of excellence for modern languages.
A £150,000 state-of-the-art teaching unit, was opened at the Chesham Road school in November by the Government’s National Director of Languages, Dr Lid King.
The seven classroom re-fit includes a 30-computer IT suite, interactive whiteboards utilising touch screen technology and laptops for departmental teaching staff.
A condition of the school’s new status, and the £100,000-a-year grant which goes with it, means it must develop community projects offering adult education courses and running sessions in first and middle schools.
As a result modern language standards in the region should improve significantly within the next four years, according to Mr Dalziel. “If we are serious about education our unit should become a benchmark for all schools,” he said.
“Schools in Dacorum are already looking to use specialist colleges to raise standards across the board.
“We have been set targets to reach in order to maintain our status so in as little as two years’ time you will be able to see the tangible benefits of tax payers’ money being used in this way.”
He added: “The work that we do in first schools will have a knock on effect in middle schools until you should see a real mushroom effect in language skills in the area.”
Tutors at the Berkhamsted school have already hailed the unit as a breakthrough in motivating and inspiring students.
More than 250 people attended the lavish official opening ceremony for the unit which was the culmination of much hard work from Language College Head Dave Pipprell and Head of Languages Viv Roberts.
Past pupils and former governors were among guests who saw a traditional Chinese dragon dance bestow good luck on the new college.
The unit is currently running a programme of adult courses in French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese. Anyone wishing to know more details about evening language classes should contact 01442 863605.

Pupils posters give peace a chance
PEACE posters created by pupils from three Berkhamsted schools have been entered into the regional final of an international contest organised by The Lions Club.
Nearly 300 pupils from Berkhamsted contributed to this year’s Lions International Peace Poster Contest for 11 to 13-year-olds.
But only three pupils have made it into the next heat.
The winning poster at Berkhamsted Collegiate School was produced by Jonathan Simblett, aged 11.
It depicts a dove of peace flying to troubled parts of the world - both past and present.
On the back of the poster he wrote: “From Japan to Bolivia don’t we all just deserve peace?” Eleanor Doughty, aged 13, painted the winner at Bridgewater School with good and evil finely balanced in the scales of justice.
She wrote: “Because humans are the dominant species, we can chose either peace or destruction, and that choice affects the planet and all its creatures.”
At Thomas Coram the winner was Emma Davies, aged 12, whose poster shows a dove flying over a world encircled by a rainbow.
On the back she wrote: “I think we should give peace a chance. If we did not have peace, it would destroy the world.” The contest, now in its 17th year, attracts more than 325,000 entries worldwide.
Reproductions of the three winning posters and runners up will be on display at the Way Inn, High Street, Berkhamsted until the middle of December.

Abena Bailey joins movie fans to marvel at the rejuvenated Rex
Stylish thriller helps mark the opening of a stylish new venue
by Abena Bailey
THE GLORY days of Berkhamsted’s grand movie theatre The Rex have returned - it’s official. And there was no better way for this new golden era to get underway than a screening of The Third Man, a classic 1940s film with a screenplay written by the town’s most famous son Graham Greene.
The very special opening night on Sunday was a far cry from any usual visit to the flicks. It was glamorous, with champagne corks popping, and film fans in posh seats at the front sitting at candlelit tables.
UCI eat your heart out!
It was a momentous occasion for supporters of this epic project, who had waited 16 years for their local art deco cinema to re-open.
But the man with the biggest smile of the night, and deservedly so, was James Hannaway, whose sheer determination and hard work together with an army of volunteers saw his dream come true.
It had taken two years of fundraising to get the £1 million needed to refit the beautiful old building.
And having enjoyed this glittering first night I can say that going to The Rex in 2004 is like stepping back to a time when a trip to the movies was a sophisticated night out.
There was a sense of occasion and relaxed approach to the whole film experience. During the interval visitors lounged on comfy seats or were even able to buy a drink at the bar and chat. In most cinemas you never get a chance to talk to those you are with.
There was an air of excitement as, dressed in our glad rags, we strolled through the main doors into the auditorium.
The first sight of the main theatre is awe-inspiring with the sheer grandeur of the proscenium arch, classic art deco oyster-shaped lights on the walls and ceiling decorations - all in shimmering gold.
The sumptuous feel of the venue is enhanced by red Rex monogrammed carpet.
Seeing all this was the moment I decided that ‘cinema’ was the wrong word to describe The Rex. Movie theatre was much more fitting.
The luxury feel continues with the chance to choose different types of seats. In the main auditorium the seats are large and comfortable, more like sitting at home than in a cinema. When I peered over the side of the circle down to the lower floor it looked like a 1930s dining hall!
Each table had a table cloth and tea light and was surrounded by cinema seats. All we needed to complete the scene were Eroll Flynn and Olivia de Havilland to make an appearance.    
But you didn’t need to be a film star to feel like one ordering champagne and enjoying music from old movies before the main feature.
Not even Graham Greene’s celluloid triumph could eclipse that of One Screen Cinema’s director James Hannaway as he got up on the stage to address his first full house. “So what do you think?” he asked the crowd.
They answered with claps and shouted praises. “Well we’ve done it!” he shouted and the crowd cheered in agreement.
As with many opening nights there had been a few teething problems - some seats double booked and problems starting up the projector.
But the enthusiastic crowd willed this night to be a success and hopefully a preview of a new era of entertainment for Berkhamsted.
The show began with trailers and clips from movie classics.
As I sat in the beautiful theatre at my table sipping wine and nibbling snacks I thought this was definitely the way all films should be watched.
The audience enjoyed the film and there were laughs throughout and a round of applause when it ended. James took the stage again and asked the audience if they had enjoyed it and they shouted some more.
They are all hoping that this season of good cheer continues for many years to come. Many local people, even those who have supported the project with money and time, had doubts about its completion.
Many funding crises had put renovation work under serious pressure.
One member said: “I’m one of those people eating my hat. I wasn’t sure they would finish it.” Member Angela Wheeldon said: “I had to come for the opening night. It’s just wonderful.”
The first night followed a week of glamorous parties when champagne and Chablis flowed. James also had the opportunity to thank all those who had helped make this ambitious project a reality.
It is hoped the venue will be used for other events to benefit a town starved of local entertainment.
For tickets to see films including the classic Christmas weepie It’s A Wonderful Life on December 23 and 24 contact The Rex on 01442 877759.

The return of The Rex
Now that the champagne corks have stopped popping, The Gazette takes a look back at the significant dates that made the rebirth of a cinematic legend possible.
1938 The Rex opens for the first time as a single screen cinema.
1976 Converted to a twin screen cinema with bingo facilities in the stalls.
February 28, 1988 The last film to be shown at the 1930s art deco picture house is played to audiences before it closes, with financial difficulties preventing bosses from renewing the lease. Site owners, Rugby Securities, pledge it wouldn’t become derelict and proposals for redevelopment at the time included a new shopping centre. Two teenage boys, Ceri Roberts and David Rowley, launch a signature campaign to save the cinema where a ticket cost just £1.35.
March 2001 More than 250 people visit the derelict site to hear James Hannaway - director of One Screen Cinemas - lay out his vision for the David Nye-designed picture palace. New site owners and developers Nicholas King Homes open negotiations with potential operators of the single screen cinema after announcing plans to restore the Grade II listed building, alongside a 32 apartment housing complex.
September 2001 Work begins on the £1 million restoration of The Rex.  It is expected to be completed by Christmas 2002.
October 2001 The Rex Film and Art Trust fail in their attempt to win the operating contract leaving the door open for One Screen Cinemas who will eventually sign the lease two years later. First artist impression of the new art deco development is unveiled by Nicholas King Homes.
February 2002 Queues form outside The Rex for the first time in 14 years as the 32 apartments built by Nicholas King Homes are put on the market. Three quarters of the properties were sold within four hours of going on sale.
Setember 2003 One Screen Cinemas finally sign the lease to operate the new Rex.
February/March 2004 Fundraising for the final £250,000 needed to complete the project begins in earnest as film star Bill Nighy donates a ‘big sum of money’ towards the restoration fund. A series of open days pulls in £4,000.
June 2004 An undisclosed major international company invests £200,000 in the cinema and an opening date is set for December.
October 2004 294 seats are installed at the cinema slashing its orginal capacity by over 700 seats.
Novermber 30, 2004 A series of lavish parties herald the arrival of Berkhamsted’s new picture house.
December 5, 2004 Graham Greene’s ‘The Third Man’ - the first full length feature film to be shown at the Rex for 16 years - plays to a full house.

Alms for education
TWO ancient Berkhamsted charities have cash available for educational purposes. The Bourne and Salter Charities are able to  give help where it is not available from the Local Education Authority. Applicants must be under 25 and for the Bourne Charity, live in the Ecclesiastical parish of Great Berkhamsted or have attended Victoria Primary School. For the Salter charity, resident within the Ancient Parish of Berkhamsted - which covers part of Potten End. Assistance can be given with the provision of books and other study aids, musical instruments, sports equipment, training and help with travel at home and abroad. Anyone who feels they might be eligible for help should contact Priscilla Watt on HH 863804.

Little Gaddesden scores 100 per cent in National Curriculum tests
Top marks for village school with 83 pupils
by Rita Knowles
CHILDREN at Little Gaddesden Church of England School had no difficulty in totting up their scores in recent National Curriculum  assessments.
They had scored 100 per cent across the board in the tested subjects of English, Maths and Science, topping the lists for aggregate scores across the Gazette circulation area and one of only eight schools in the county with a full flush.
The tests in key Stage 2, level 4 were taken last May and assessed the overall achievements of 11 year-olds. 
Berkhamsted’s first schools are not listed - pupils change schools at nine years for the Middle School system. Middle Schools are included.
Little Gaddesden’s 300 aggregate score comes well above the national average of 243. And in the Middle Schools, Bridgewater School comes in  a creditable sixth with an aggregate score of 284.
At Rossgate Primary in Hemel Hempstead, where the headmaster Chris Pratt left after Inspectors criticised the school, the school was listed 37 out of 51, scoring  239, only just below the national average.
Lowest scorers were The Reddings Primary School, Bennetts End with an aggregate score of 140. But the number of pupils assessed in any particular school must be taken into consideration.
Little Gaddesden for instance had  14 children for assessment, whilst Bridgewater had 99 and The Reddings a total of 15.
Also to be taken into account are the value added scorings.
These show how pupils’ performances have improved, with the national average being 100 . Leavesden Green, Abbots Langley  topped the list here with a score of 102.5, followed by St Albert the Great RC School, Hemel Hempstead, with 102.4 and Bedmond Primary lowest at 98.
The figures cannot be taken in isolation - for instance The Reddings  with an aggregate score of 140 had a value added score of 98.9 and Bedmond Village Primary, with an aggregate score of 219 had a value added score of 98.