by Pete
Bennett
A SUPERWEED which
can burst through tarmac and concrete must be destroyed warns a Berkhamsted
environmentalist.
Stuart
Downhill, of Millfield, is encouraging residents to report any sightings of
Japanese Knotweed, the UK's most invasive weed in a bid to stop the menace from
spreading throughout the town.
Berkhamsted Town Council has also got
behind the campaign to attempt to eradicate the plant from the area.
Mr
Downhill said: "There are patches of it in Berkhamsted that we know about but
there could be more. We know what a problem it can be. In Devon and Cornwall it
is has caused devastation. I had heard about its reputation but never really
knew what it was until I saw patches of it being treated in the Lee Valley and
realised that we had it in Berkhamsted so I set about trying to increase
awareness.”
Japanese Knotweed was introduced to the UK as an ornamental plant
by the Victorians but was soon discarded when it began to over run gardens and
spread into the wild.
With no natural predators in this country, the ability
to grow in nearly any type of soil as well as a root system that can reach 3m
deep and 7m from the parent plant it has been known to cause extensive
structural damage to buildings and roads.
Under the 1981 Wildlife and
Countryside Act planting or dumping Japanese Knotweed can lead to two years in
prison, a large fine or both.
Mr Downhill said: “It is classed as a
controlled waste, the same as asbestos.
“It can spread into people’s gardens
and if you have it there and don’t take any action you’re quite likely to see it
work its way into neighbours' gardens.”
Cllr Betty Patterson, chairman of
Berkhamsted Town Council’s Environment Committee said: “People should be taking
this seriously because it will spread quickly and the root system is very
destructive.
“People should report it to the help point at the Civic Centre
so we can chase up the land owners if it’s on public land or we can advise
smaller land owners.”
The problem is now so widespread across the country
that the Government has estimated the cost of controlling it could reach £1.56
billion.
Dan Taylor, a spokesman for the Environment Agency, said: “The
problem is that it can completely transform the indigenous ecosystem. It can
make things very difficult for native plants species and animals that depend on
them. It can have a significant impact if not controlled.”
Disposing of the
weed requires it to be burnt on site or buried to a depth of 10m.
A spokesman
for Dacorum Borough Council said: “The borough’s approach to controlling the
growth is spraying with glyphosate, a herbicide effective on Japanese Knotweed.
“It does not kill the plant immediately instead the herbicide soaks through
the leaves and is taken into the plant root system”
This system can take a
number of years to destroy the plant completely.
The council is warning
people not to mow or flail the weed and not to include it in normal household
waste or in green bins.
Areas of Berkhamsted
known to be affected by Japanese Knotweed:
-Broadwater by Lower
Kings Road
-Greenfield
Road
-The Old Mill on the
bank of an off-take from the Grand Union
-The Esso Service
Station
-Swing Gate School
(crossing under the road to the used car plot)
-Top of Cross Oak
Road
-The wetland between
the Bulbourne and Lower Kings Road (currently being successfully treated by
British Waterways)
Schoolgirl hit by 4x4 vehicle is
recovering’
A LITTLE girl who
was left seriously injured after a freak car accident at Berkhamsted Collegiate
Prep School last month is expected to make a full recovery although it ‘will be
a long process’.
Eleanor Kay, aged five, from Felden has been in intensive
care at GuyÂ’s Hospital in London since a runaway 4x4 vehicle pinned her against
the wall in the prep school car park on the morning of September 19.
PC Jon
Stow, leading the investigation into the incident, said the Year One pupil was
expected to recover from her injuries.
He said: “She is recovering and it is
going to take a lot of time but they are
expecting her to make a full
recovery. They are unsure how long she will be spending in Guy’s and if she will
be moved back locally in the future.
“This has been a very stressful time for
her parents who have been spending a lot of time with her in hospital. It has
been very distressing for them that rumours have been going around about the
status of their daughter’s health. She is doing well but it will be a long
process.”
PC Stow added that
parents of other pupils who want to know how
the injured child is doing should check with the school which will be placing
updates on its website.
Dr Priscilla Chadwick, principal of the Collegiate
School said: “We are all very pleased to hear that the little girl is making
good progress in hospital and our staff, parents and children continue to
support her and the family.”
Tree festival for
birthday
FLOWER festivals are
popular in summer - but All Saints’ church in Berkhamsted is to hold a
Christmas Tree Festival.
Taking place during the weekend from December
2-4, the festival will mark the church's centenary.
A total of 40 trees have
been sponsored by local businesses and will be decorated by community groups and
charities.
On Friday and Saturday the church will be open from 10am to 5pm
and on Sunday from 2pm to 5pm.
There will be a light-hearted concert on
Saturday evening and a service of thanksgiving on Sunday evening.
Bellway expected to ring change
soon
PLANS for a new
housing development at the Stag Lane site in Berkhamsted are expected to be
submitted in the “near future”.
Dacorum Borough Council has agreed a
development brief for the site which outlined to prospective developers the
constraints and requirements for the site.
A council spokesman said: “The
brief will be an important consideration in any planning applications. We are
expecting Bellway Homes to submit an application sometime in the near
future.
“Cabinet members, who signed off the final document felt
strongly that the council should ensure that any development at Stag Lane is of
a very high quality in terms of design and is in keeping with the character of
the town.”
The land, which is owned by Tesco, is set to be turned into around
150 homes.
Tesco spokesman Andrew Slight said: “Tesco is working on preparing
a detailed planning application with Bellway Homes, our prospective partners.
Hopefully this will be submitted within the next couple of
months.”
Berkhamsted Town Council had been in favour of a mixed development
including a food store, but borough councillors decided earlier this year to go
ahead with 100 per cent housing.
Berkhamsted Town Councillor Betty Patterson
is opposed to the all housing development.
She said: “I know we couldnÂ’t
amend the plans but I will certainly be commenting on them when they come
through council. It is still unclear from the brief what the exact number of
homes will be.
"We want to ensure there is open space on the development and
that they donÂ’t develop too close to the canal, or allow run off into the
Bulbourne.
“Our objections still stand and they haven’t taken much notice of
them but we will repeat them again.”
Grand affair to mark use of
piano
THE opportunity to
hear a free concert by a celebrated pianist is being given at St Peter’s Church,
Berkhamsted.
Anna Markland has been invited to inaugurate the new grand piano
at the church and will perform works by Beethoven, Debussy, Grieg and Scarlatti
on October 23, at 7.30pm.
The Cowper Society has been raising money for the
piano for some time and now, having received a very favourable offer, has
already bought the instrument - leaving more than £6,000 still to pay. The
society describes this as ‘a leap of faith’.
The piano will enable the
concert repertoire to be extended and add to the musical life of the church both
as a place of worship and as a concert venue.
Anna Markland launched her
successful musical career as Young Musician of the Year in 1988.
The Cowper
Society is relying on the generosity of its public and rather than selling
tickets is asking for donations.
Seats must be reserved - contact David
Pearce (01442 878809) or
draptob@berkhamstedschool.fsnet.co.uk.
Vandals kick out at
mirrors
POLICE are appealing
for information after vandals damaged cars in Berkhamsted last week.
In the
first incident the wing mirror of a Honda Accord was snapped off in Shrublands
Road between 4pm on Monday, October 10 and Tuesday, October 11.
In a second
incident someone was seen kicking the wing mirrors off a Volkswagen Golf and
another car in Chapel Street before making off towards Gravel Path.
Anyone
with any information on these incidents can contact the crime desk on 01442
271004 or call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Dig Deep pledges
total £56k
The Gazette’s Dig
Deep campaign for the Hospice of St Francis got off to a flying start with more
than 100 donation forms being received and one-off donations of more than
£5,000.
Hospice fundraisers have calculated the campaign has brought in the
equivalent of more than £56,000 already.
The campaign aims to help the
hospice raise the £2.5m required to complete the construction of its new £6m
premises due to open at the end of 2006.
It urgently needs public support to
reach its target and continue to provide its high levels of care throughout
Dacorum and beyond.
One-off donations have ranged between £5 to £10,000 with
another massive £5,000 being given by one donor.
Pledges of between £2 and
£40 a month have been flooding into the hospice offices and staff are delighted
with the public response to the campaign.
Roger Sharp, community appeals
manager said: “I think it highlights the huge warmth of support out there and we
only hope that that will continue. A big thank you to everyone who has donated
so far.”
The Dig Deep campaign allows readers to set up a standing order or
give a one-off donation to help the Hospice’s dream become a reality.
To
pledge your support for The Hospice of St Francis turn to the form on page 15.
Alternatively visit www.hemeltoday.co.uk
and follow the hospice appeal links.
Colin urges readers to get behind building
appeal
Hospice did so much for my
wife
A BERKHAMSTED man
whose wife was supported through her final days by the Hospice of St Francis has
urged people to get behind The Gazette’s Dig Deep campaign.
Colin King, of
Victoria Road, is planning a fundraising party for the hospice to help mark the
anniversary of his wife’s death and wants the whole community to donate what
they can to help.
Pat King died last year after a four-year battle with
cancer and her husband Colin said he would never forget the care the hospice
provided in her final days.
He said: “If it hadn’t been for them my wife
wouldn’t have lived as long as she did. People need educating as to what the
hospice does. People should support this because one day, God forbid, they might
need that place themselves.
“They need the money to get that place built, up
and running and helping people. They need that building.”
Colin said the
advice and help the Hospice of St Francis gave during Pat’s illness was
invaluable. “A nurse used to come round every week to check on Pat and check on
me to see if everything was ok.
“They did everything. Pat used to go in
there for physio and they are the only place round here that can do that. When
she went into West Herts hospital when she first got ill, I had to change
her dressings myself. We never had to do that kind of thing at the hospice. It’s
a different world. You’re treated like a human being not just a patient. They
really care about you in there.”
Tragically Colin’s son, also called Colin,
was killed in an accident at Berkhamsted train station in 2001 during Pat’s
illness. The hospice helped Colin and Pat through the difficult time.
“If Pat
hadn’t of been with the hospice when Colin died, we wouldn’t have had anyone. It
was the hospice that helped us through that.
“After Pat passed away last year
I got phone calls from the hospice checking how I was doing and they provided
counselling. They support you for as long as you want support.”
On October 29
at Northchurch Social Centre Colin is hosting a party in memory of Pat with all
proceeds going towards the Hospice of St Francis.
Friend of the family Louisa
De Lisle has helped organise the event.
She said: “It's a celebration of
Pat’s life. We all miss her so much and want to raise as much money as possible.
She was so strong and even when she was really ill she would still be doing
things for other people. Before she passed away she took all her nieces and
nephews to Legoland to give them a treat.
“There’ll be people from the
Hospice at the party but we want as many people as possible to come along, the
more the merrier.”
The party will include music from The Bumnotes, a buffet
and a raffle with prizes donated by Zen hair care, the Studio, Currys, WH Smith
and Wine Rack among other attractions.
Tickets cost £10 and are available by
contacting Louisa on 07729 478017.
Colin said: “This is not just another
local charity, this is somewhere that all of us in this area might need someday.
We need to get the money for the hospice and we are not going to do that with
just a charity party but if everyone gave something.
“Don't just read this
article, do something about it to raise some money with your school, office or
business. Anything to get this place built.”
Artist in the
making
PUPILS at a
Berkhamsted school were given an art class to remember last week with help from
one of the country’s top artists.
Doug Hyde, officially the UK’s most popular
living artist, paid a visit to Victoria School to pass on some tips to the
youngsters and launch a competition which will see some of the pupils’ work
displayed at the award-winning Berkeley Gallery on Lower Kings Road.
The
experience of talking about art to young children was new to Doug, whose
distinctive pastel works have made a huge impact in the UK and USA in the last
few years.
He said: “It’s the first time I’ve done anything like this. I’ve
talked to people about my work but this is totally different and the reaction
has been great. I expected half the kids not to be interested but they have been
really, really keen and I hope they have had fun doing it.
“I had always been
interested in art but if an artist had come to my school then I would have been
even more inspired.”
The visit was arranged by the owners of the Berkeley
Gallery, Paul and Laura Rozelaan.
Paul said: “We like to try and do inventive
things to promote ourselves and artists. Doug’s style of art is immediate.
“You don’t have to think too hard to enjoy it and to be inspired by
it.”
Doug gave a talk in the school assembly before spending the rest of the
day going into classes.
He said: “I talked about how I approach my work. How
I will turn things I have seen into pieces of art. I asked them to approach
their pieces in the same way. Hopefully it will mean they end up with a piece of
art that means something to them personally.”
Head teacher Janet Robinson
said: “We very much encourage art in school and it’s been extremely successful
having Doug here and our thanks to the Berkeley Gallery for arranging
it.”
Pupils were set the challenge of producing a piece of work which will be
judged by the Berkeley Gallery with four from each year group being selected to
hang in the gallery where Doug will select a winner from each category on
November 19.
He said: “I think five years ago the thought of one of my works
hanging in a
gallery or in someone’s home would have been amazing but if
you’re seven years old that’s going to be pretty special!”
The winners in
each category will receive a signed limited edition print of one of Doug’s
works.
Show to keep kids
spellbound
THERE will be
magical goings on in Potten End this half-term holiday.
The Village Hall will
be hosting the annual Children’s Magic Show in aid of the Leukaemia Research
Fund on Friday, October 28.
In addition to a display by local magician Phil
Perry there will be face painting, a lucky dip and sweet and toy stalls. Tickets
cost £4 and include refreshments.
Call 01442 862062 for tickets and further
information.
That’s your lot art
lovers
Two more sculptures
go to auction
A PAIR of bronze
sculptures by a Berkhamsted artist are expected to fetch around £24,000 at
auction next week.
The sculptures, by the late Reg Butler, are up for sale
following the recent death of their owner, the Tesco heiress Irene
Kreitman.
The sculptures, entitled Two Women, and Two Figures,are expected to
fetch £18,000 and £6,000 respectively when they go under the hammer at Sotheby’s
in London on October 24.
Another Butler sculpture, Girl Looking Down,
formerly owned by Hollywood producer Ray Stark, was sold for £48,000 in July
this year.
There has been a surge of interest in the works of Reg Butler, who
lived in Berkhamsted for more than 30 years until his death in October
1981.
His sculptures, many of which show the female form, have sold all over
the world and the record figure stands at £70,612 for a piece entitled Girl in
New York in 1988.
Irene Kreitman was eldest daughter of Tesco supermarket
founder Sir John Cohen and bought the Two Figures sculpture in 1968. She liked
it so much that eight years later she bought the Two Women sculpture.
Mrs
Kreitman and her husband Hyman were major benefactors of arts institutions, most
notably the Tate Gallery in London.
Despite her huge wealth Mrs Kreitman
spent 25 years working at the Tate as a volunteer guide with few visitors aware
that they were being shown around by one of Britain’s richest women.
When she
died earlier this year she left more than £25 million in her will and an art
collection that is expected to fetch more than £1 million when it’s all
auctioned off.
James Rawlin, head of 20th century British art at Sotheby’s
said that the interest in Butler’s works was part of an overall resurgence in
interest in the 1950s.
He said: “It was a time when Britain had a large group
of well-known sculptors.” He added that Butler’s international reputation had
led to his works being sold at many major galleries and forming parts of some
famous collections.
Pink rollers at the
ready
A BERKHAMSTED
hairdressers is launching a pink raffle next week in aid of Breast Cancer
Research.
Trio Hairdressing on the High Street launches the raffle on October
24 with the prize draw on Saturday,October 29.
First prize is a £120 hair
makeover. The salon will also donate a percentage from sales of limited edition
pink GHD irons.
Dacorum schools lead way in banning unhealthy vending
machines
A Dacorum teacher is
calling for extra funding for canteens when unhealthy vending machines are
scrapped from schools next year.
Many of the borough’s schools are one step
ahead of Education Secretary Ruth Kelly, who has announced that from September
next year, vending machines selling chocolates, crisps and fizzy drinks will be
banned and some unhealthy canteen meals will also be struck off the school
menu.
But despite many Dacorum schools already banning junk food from their
canteens and opting for healthier alternatives, one Dacorum teacher is calling
for extra funding to fill the profit gap when the machines are
scrapped.
Andrew Dobberson, assistant headteacher of Tring School, said it
made a massive £20,000 each year from its vending machines with the money going
towards paying for its canteen staff.
“Healthy foods cost more than unhealthy
foods,” he said. “We can't afford to lose the almost £20,000 we take from the
vending machines.”
Last year the school was part of a pilot scheme that
introduced a healthy vending machine selling water, fruit juices and milk. It
was one of 12 schools across the country chosen to test out the new vending
machines as part of a government initiative to encourage youngsters to drink
fewer fizzy and sugary drinks.
Since then the school has kept one vending
machine offering juices, sandwiches and fruit, but still has a fizzy drinks
machine and a confectionery machine.
“If we can’t fund the healthy foods
option, then we can’t pay our canteen service. That is what concerns me about
the government initiative. They do need to give more funding designated to
canteens,” said Mr Dobberson.
“It is not as black and white as removing the
vending machines, although I am really pleased the government is doing this, the
kids need to be educated.”
On average the school’s confectionery machine
takes £150 per day, the fizzy drinks machine takes £50 each day and the healthy
options machine £50.
Ashlyns School in Chesham Road, Berkhamsted, has no
confectionery vending machine and began phasing out its two fizzy drinks
machines last year.
One was replaced with a water machine and the other with
a ‘vitality bar’ selling Fair Trade juices, teas and soya milkshakes. The school
also has a vending machine offering soups, coffee and tea.
Catering manager
Jackie Wing said: “It is going down pretty well.”
Last month canteen staff
cut down to serving chips just once or twice a week, replacing them with healthy
salads and pasta dishes. Mrs Wing said the canteen changes had been prompted by
the media attention on school meals, kick-started by celebrity chef, Jamie
Oliver’s TV programme Jamie’s School Dinners.
Mrs Wing said: “I think the
childrenÂ’s attitudes are changing.
“The girls are obviously wanting to eat
the right things and a lot of the boys are eating well.”
Hemel Hempstead
School in Heath Lane scrapped its vending machines three years ago. Assistant
headteacher at the school, Norma Darby said: “We got rid of them because of
litter and because we wanted more healthy eating.”
Cinema to host
poverty gala evening
PEOPLE in
Berkhamsted are being urged to head down to the Rex
Cinema to help Make
Poverty History.
The Berkhamsted Make Poverty History Group will be hosting a
gala evening to raise money for the campaign.
On November 1 there will be a
showing of the film Motorcycle Diaries and live music from a samba band. A
mystery celebrity guest is also expected to make an appearance.
The gala
follows an event back in July, where more than 200 protesters marched through
Berkhamsted for the campaign following International White Band Day on July 1
and the Live 8 concerts across the globe on July 2.
The protesters all
dressed in white for the march and many wore Make Poverty History white bands.To
take the campaign further, on November 2, people from Berkhamsted will be making
their way up to a mass lobby of parliament and join thousands from the South
East for Trade Justice.
The group will be demanding the Government supports
the campaign and raises the issue of poverty in Africa at the December world
trade talks.
Composer in birthday
show
BERKHAMSTEDÂ’S own
home-spun composer and broadcaster, Antony Hopkins, will introduce his own songs
when they are performed by The Chiltern Chamber Choir in a concert to mark the
40th anniversary of The Chiltern Society.
Adrian Davis will direct a concert
of English music entitled The English Muse at Berkhamsted Collegiate School
Centenary Hall on Sunday, November 6, at 7.30pm.
The programme includes music
by Adrian Batten, Thomas Tallis, Vaughan Williams, Henry Purcell, Hubert Parry,
Gerald Finzi, Benjamin Britten and Antony Hopkins.
Tickets are £10 from the
Chiltern Society Office on 01494 771250 and Bookthrift, Berkhamsted High
Street.
Hunt on for twin
conmen
Distraction burglars targeted
pensioners
POLICE have released
an image of a pair of suspected distraction burglars who targeted pensioners in
Berkhamsted.
The two men, who the police believe could be twins, struck twice
in half-an-hour between 9am and 9.30am on Thursday, September 22.
The
first attack happened on Westfield Road, Northchurch when the men arrived at the
home of a 94-year-old man claiming to be there to check the paintwork.
After
they were allowed into the home one of the men remained downstairs while the
other went upstairs and took a wallet containing credit cards and
cash.
Within half-an-hour the pair had approached an 86-year-old man on
Doctors Common Road asking for directions and were invited into his home to use
the phone.
While one of the men stayed downstairs the other left to use the
toilet and made off with three wallets containing cash.
A police spokesman
said: “The chances are that these two men probably tried to gain entry to
someone elseÂ’s home or did gain entry to someone else's home that day.
“If
anyone recognises the men they should contact our anti-distraction burglary
unit.”
The men are both described as white, between 20 and 30 years-old,
medium build and with short dark hair and were wearing black suits.
If you
recognise the person in the image contact Operation Manhunt on 01707
354642.
