Uncertain future for town shop
THE FAMILY behind one of Tring’s oldest shops, G Grace and Son, yesterday refused to confirm or deny claims they are planning to sell their business.
Rumours are circulating around the town that Gilbert Grace is cutting loose the family business, which was established in 1750 and has passed down through generations.
Julie Grace told The Gazette her husband was not willing to comment on the rumours and to call the store next week.
G Grace and Son began as an ironmongers with a retail shop on the High Street and forges at the back in Parsonage Place.
Today, there are two Grace retail shops, which are next-door to each other. They specialise in traditional ironmongery, tools, hardware, plumbing, electrical and gardening.
One rumour suggests Mr Grace may sell the
business, but the stores will remain in the town.
If Mr Grace decides to sell up it will be the latest blow to the town which in October saw its anchor store, Budgens in Dolphin Square, close down.
Traders in the High Street have also seen a drop in shoppers over
recent months and concerns have been raised over car parking charges, with calls to scrap the first free hour.
Meanwhile, clothes company Mackays is planning to open a shop in the town.
The high street fashion retailer already has a store in Berkhamsted and in total 250 stores across the country.

Book is Tringspiration

There was a nice lady from Tring
who believed that poems were king
with an historic perspective
she compiled and collected
then published a book on the thing

A TRING historian has compiled a collection of poetry relating to the town.
Wendy Austin, of Mansion Drive, has recently completed The Tring Collection, a mix of Tring history and verse.
Mrs Austin told The Gazette: “For some years I have been collecting poems and verse about Tring and hadn’t done anything about it and thought I’d compile them. I was amazed how much there is.”
The Tring Collection includes works by the well-known Tring poet and Chartist Gerald Massey, Berkhamsted’s William Cowper, Rupert Brooke, Edward Lear and contemporary broadcaster Richard Stilgoe.
Alongside these more recognisable names are lesser known poets, all with a common theme.
Mrs Austin said: “I think one of my theories as to why there is such a lot of poetry written about Tring, is that it is an easy word to rhyme, compared to Berkhamsted for example!”
Among the poems is an Ode to Tring Station, Tring Park and Progress! The Curious Story of the Tring Post Office.
Mrs Austin has produced three other works on local history, the Tring Personalities trilogy, that profiled a selection of the great and the good and the not-so-great and good that have had links with the town.
She said: “Some of the people I profiled were well known and others have been suggested to me and others I just stumbled across by accident during my research. I think there are plenty of others who can be included in another book, but it’s a question of finding enough about them.”
Wendy was born and brought up in Tring, as were her parents, three grandparents and five of her great-grandparents but her interest in local history didn’t blossom until later on in life.
She said: “I’ve not always been interested in Tring history. When I was younger it bored me, but after I retired it really started to grow and I now have a huge collection of items on Tring and that’s how I came by many of the poems found in my new book.”
So despite compiling a collection of works of poetry inspired by her home town, has Wendy ever thought about penning some verse of her own?
“No not really! I think there are enough poets about, so I don’t have to write any. I prefer to put facts down in prose.”
The book is priced at £12.50 and is available from The Bookshop in Tring or from the Tring Local History Society on 01442 825047 or direct from the author on 01442 825292.
Proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to charities in Tring, including the Tring and District Local History and Museum Society.

Spring firm extends supply
ARCHITECTS working for the landlords of the former Danone site in Aldbury have revealed that no building work will start until water company, Angel Springs moves out in 2008.
Last week the Gazette reported Angel Springs would leave the site when their lease runs out in April 2006, but managing director John Dundon has confirmed they have extended their lease at Toms Hill until April 2008.
He said: “Technically our original lease expires next April, but we have the right to extend the lease so we have done that.
“We notified the landlord about three months ago.”
Angel Springs, which has 48 staff working at the Aldbury site, uses the same water source as Danone. Mr Dundon said: “We have an agreement to draw water from that source for which we pay Danone.”
When their lease runs out in 2008 Angel Springs will consider whether to apply for a new lease or move to another industrial site. The company has already identified several possible sites and will be retaining their work force. Mr Dundon said: “Retaining the local work force is very important to the company.”
Owner of the Toms Hill Estate, Mainworth Ltd, has submitted a planning application to Dacorum Borough Council to develop the site with ten new homes of two, three, four and five bedrooms and give Toms Hill House a face-lift.
Mr Dundon said: “We have looked at the planning application and we are studying it carefully and taking legal advice before taking our next step.”
Mainworth Ltd was unavailable to comment.

Puppies  followed Laura’s lead
THE FIRST batch of puppies have graduated from a new Puppy School in Aldbury.
During their course the puppies learnt basic skills such as sit, down, stay and walking comfortably on a lead.
The Puppy School was launched by Laura Savill in September. It uses reward-based training methods to encourage puppies to be obedient, well-mannered and confident.
Laura said: “I am very pleased at the way the course progressed. Everyone learnt at their own pace and had fun. It says a lot when a number of owners wanted the course to carry on.”
A new set of classes will start for young and adult dogs in February next year. For more information please contact Laura on 07769 962842 or 01442 890729.

Good news for festive trade
by Victoria West
victoria.west@ccnltd.com
FEARS that roadworks in Tring could damage Christmas trade in the town has forced Herts Highways to delay their work until the new year.
Excavation of trial holes to give indications of the underlying state of the town’s troubled High Street were expected to run into December causing disruption to shoppers and motorists, but Highways bosses have now decided to postpone the work until January after discussions with local residents and traders.
Herts Highways spokesman Lara Hejazi said: “Letters were sent to all affected residents and businesses and following comments back, we have postponed the work on the High Street to the beginning of January.
“We sent the letters out in order to get feedback and we are pleased that we have been able to alter the programme in accordance with the comments received.”
A night-time survey of the High Street began this week and is expected to be completed by Friday, November 18. The work involves a radar survey of the underground utilities when workmen will mark the position of services, such as gas, electric and water, with bio-degradable paint, which will deteriorate quickly.
A further radar survey will be conducted in January to find out more about the road’s layers. This will take three nights. Herts Highways has reassured residents that no noisy machinery will be used at night.
Miss Hejazi said: “The results of the surveys will explain the reasons why the block surface on the High Street has become deformed.”
The works are part of plans to look at ways of transforming the High Street, which has been plagued with problems. Over the years pressure from heavy traffic passing through the town has caused fractures to underground piping, forcing workmen to repeatedly rip up the road to repair pipes.
Continuous work to the road over the years has caused roadblocks to sink resulting in potholes and many of the bricks forming the road surface have also sunk.
This good news will add to the beneficial effect of Christmas lights in Tring Market Place planned to give a festive feeling this December.
Tring Town Council has decided to spend £900 on Christmas lights to decorate the front of the newly refurbished market place.
The lights will be strung between lampposts at the front of the market place and will be visible to passing motorists in Brook Street. They will add to the festive feeling at the Christmas Market, being held on Saturday, December 17.
Customers will be offered mulled wine to thank them for their support and there will be a sausage barbecue.
A brass band will play Christmas carols and take requests from visitors.
In the run-up to Christmas traders will also be decorating their own stalls to spread a little Christmas spirit and attract customers.
Two other markets will be held before the Christmas Market, on Saturday, November 19 and Saturday, December 3 where customers can order Christmas foods such as turkeys.

Kids dig in for spring
BUDDING young gardeners in Tring have been getting their hands dirty to ready their school garden for the winter.
Youngsters from Grove Road Primary School planted more than 700 bulbs, cleared leaves and dug up weeds on Saturday, November 5, while parents, governors and school staff pinned rubber safety matting around the edge of the playground.
The school garden was created about three-years-ago and provides an extra area where children can learn and play.
Deputy head teacher Fiona Masters said: “It was previously completely flat so we had it landscaped. It is an area where children can play in all weathers because it has a shingle path.
“We are hoping every year we will plant more bulbs and every year more will come up.
“We were there for the morning and had about a dozen children with us, all working hard.”
The school holds the gardening clear up twice a year - during the autumn so that bulbs can be planted and during spring when herbs are planted.

Strapped for cash
TWO Tring hairdressers are hoping to enjoy a hair-raising experience when they do a parachute jump for charity later this month.
Amanda James and Claire Blackburn will be taking a break from cutting hair at Vanity Fayre hairdressers, when they dive out of an areoplane in aid of the Iain Rennie Hospice At Home.
The duo will be strapped to two qualified parachute instructors when they take their leap of faith on Sunday, November 27. They have already raised more than £1,000 in sponsorship and are hoping even more people will come forward to back them.
Amanda, who opened Vanity Fayre in Tring more than 20-years-ago, said: “It is something we both wanted to do for a long time and we were talking about it in the shop. A client suggested doing it for Iain Rennie. Now it is happening and we are both petrified.”
Seventeen-year-old trainee hairdresser, Claire was planning a parachute jump for her 18th birthday, but when the opportunity came up to do it for charity she leapt at the chance.
She said: “I feel quite nervous at the moment.
I wanted to do it to celebrate my 18th birthday, but decided to do it for charity instead with my boss.”
Claire has been working at the Western Road hairdressers for more than a year and is training to become a full-time hairdresser.
Amanda wants to give something back to the hospice, which does so much good work within the community. She said: “My mother was nursed by the hospice in her last years so it seemed like a good reason to do this. They do so much good work in the community. Our clients have been so generous, they have given a lot of money. The support we have got has been fantastic.”
If you would like to sponsor Amanda and Claire contact them at Vanity Fayre on 01442 822275.

Brownfield site plans
COUNCIL planners have given permission to knock down an industrial building in the centre of Tring and build seven new homes.
The houses, a mix of one, two and three bedroom houses and maisonettes, will be built by developers, Try Homes Ltd in two blocks on land off Akeman Street, known as Harrow Yard.
Parking is to be in carports and garages for each unit.
The decision goes against the recommendations of Tring Town Council that the site should be kept for light industrial use as access would be inadequate for homes and extra housing would lead to more traffic.

Restaurant effort is one very good reason to eat all you like
Charity curry favour
A TRING restaurant will be opening its doors for a special fundraising lunch to raise cash for the Iain Rennie Hospice At Home.
Staff at the Jubraj Tandoori Restaurant will be providing a tasty feast in return for donations to the Tring based hospice.
Liz Clarke from the hospice said: “We are requesting a donation in return for lunch to help fund the Iain Rennie nurses. We are very grateful to the Jubraj because it is a very generous gesture.”
This is the first time the hospice has held a fundraising lunch and they are hoping to have three sittings which will serve up in total about 100 lunches.
The special lunch is being held at the Jubraj, which is next to Market Square off High Street, on Sunday, November 27 between 12.30 and 2pm.
There will be a choice of two meat curries, a vegetable dish, rice and naan bread. Second helpings will be on offer and guests will be able to eat as much as they like.
Tables must be booked by contacting the Iain Rennie Hospice At Home fundraising team on 01442 890222.

Remembering the fallen Communities unite in respect for those who lost their lives in conflict
by Rita Knowles
DACORUM’S public has taken the horrors of war to its heart.
Across the borough on Sunday, towns and villages, families from children to grandparents all honoured their heroes of conflict.
Reports came in of packed churches, better turn-outs, and more people than ever attending to watch the parades and see the wreath-laying ceremonies.
While the numbers of war veterans themselves may be decreasing memories of the Falklands and Iraq are still fresh wounds in the minds of many and the unease from terrorist attacks both at home and in the USA lives on.
Hemel Hempstead marked the day with a parade from the Civic Centre to St John’s Church, Boxmoor for the laying of wreaths and commemorative service. The parade was headed by the Mayor of Dacorum, Councillor Jane Hogg and the service conducted by the Rev James Reveley.
Among those laying wreaths were Councillor Hogg, Bob Fisher, president, Royal British Legion, Hemel Hempstead and Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead and bridging the generations gap were Doreen Biddle of Melstead Road, Hemel Hempstead and her granddaughters Emily Holland,six, and Lois Emery, three.
“I didn’t lay a wreath, but I go every year” she said. “I think it is important we go on remembering these people. The children have been learning a little bit at school. If nobody tells them, then they don’t know. I was very heartened to see so many people there,” she said.
She added: “My husband was an army man and survived. And I remember the war. I am old enough to have been a child in the war and we should go on telling the next generation about these things.”
A Guard of Honour was formed by Co.Sgt Mark Bullock (Irish Cadet Force) Sgt Marcus Whybrow and Sgt Tom Williams (Hemel Hempstead ATC) and Sgt John Lamb (Irish Cadet Force).
Bernard Kelly, president of the Royal British Legion Club, said there was a turn out of about 150 including Royal British Legion, ex-servicemen, councillors, Scouts, Guides and Cadets.
Nine standards were on parade, led by the Union Flag and eight others from the branches.
Mr Fisher said:”I was very pleased with the day. It was excellent, a superb turn-out. The parade went very well apart from the diversion.
“I think there were probably more people than normal. One comment made to me was that they had never seen so many people in church at the Remembrance Service. Very pleasing.”
At Potten End, the ceremony at the memorial included World War II D Day Veteran Vic Riches, representatives of the Nettleden with Potten End Parish Council, the church’s children’s Sunday Club and Scouts and Guides taking part.
In the new United Benefice of Northchurch, the Rev Jonathan Gordon took the service at St Batholomew’s Wigginton, followed by an Act of Remembrance at the village memorial at which a wreath was laid by veteran Mr David Reppard and a representatives of Wigginton Parish Council, while at St Mary’s Northchurch, the service was conducted by Lay Reader Doreen Knapp and Youth Worker Jimmy Young. Scouts, Guides, Brownies, Beavers and other groups paraded.
At Little Gaddesden about 80 people paraded to the Green, headed by the Hemel Hempstead Band. Wreaths were laid by the president of the local Royal British Legion Branch, the chairman of Little Gaddesden Parish Council, Cubs, Scouts and Beavers and children from the village school.
The parade then marched to St Peter and St Paul where the traditional remembrance service was conducted by Royal British Legion chaplain Trafford Allen.
Berkhamsted’s parade was held in the afternoon, marching from Lower Kings Road to St Peter’s Church, where 22 wreaths were laid at the town memorial.
The turnout of more than 200 included the Town Mayor Councillor Geraldine Corry and councillors, a Wing Commander from RAF Halton, The Royal British
Legion, ATC, Scouts, Girl Guides, St John Ambulance, British Red Cross,
Rotary Club, Lions Club, Round Table, Gadebourne Masonic Lodge, Fire Service, Police.
The service was conducted by Canon Basil Jones and Mr Bill Buckland, RBL chairman read the Roll of Honour of 21 names and Exhortation and president Mr Frank Perry the Kohima Epitaph.Councillor Corry read the lesson.
A march past followed to the saluting base at the Civic Centre and thence to dismissal at Lower Kings Road.
Tring’s ceremony was held on the town square where wreaths were laid by the Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Councillor Derek Townsend, on behalf of Tring Town Mayor who was unable to attend and Len Smith, chairman of Tring RBL.
Other wreaths laid included the Royal British Legion Men’s and Women’s Sections, Girl Guides, Scouts, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, ATC and RAF Halton representatives and others before going into St Peter and St Paul’s Church for the service conducted by the Rev Frank Mercurio.
John Bowman read the Roll of Honour and branch secretary Pat Gray read the lesson.
A bugler from Tring School played the Last Post and Reveille.

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