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Your say online, May

Your comments and views from May 2008.

Have your say on local news, local issues or the national issues.

Have a moan or say thanks. Click below to have a say and scroll down to see the views of others:

CLICK HERE to tell us your news and views on the news

YOUR COMMENTS:

Posted on site Saturday, May 31

Re: Investigation into deaths continuesCLICK HERE to see original story (also see comments Friday

From: moteba khan

hemel hempstead

Views: it was shocking to see it happen from moteba khan

Re: Dirty townCLICK HERE to see original story

From: Kerrie Hemel Hempstead

Views: i was walking home from macdonalds and i saw a bunch of teenages throwing there macdonalds rubbish on the floor about 10 steps away from a bin then spat on the floor i think it was descuting every where i go theres litter!!! do you people think about GOLOBAL WALMING !!!??? ITS SO ANOYING THAT YOU ALL CANT PICK UP YOUR LITTER... I WALK TO SCHOOL (LONGDEAN FROM NASHMILLS)AND I PICK UP ABOUT A BLACK BAG FULL OF RUBISH TO PUT IN THE BINS EVERY DAY !!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN

P.S I HOPE YOU TAKE ME STATEMENT INTO CONCIDERATION AND TRY TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP LIKE... PUT MORE CAMERAS UP OR MORE SIGNS AND MORE BINS OR A LITTER PICK DAY IF YOU DO I WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP IN ANY WAY.THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

Posted on site Friday, May 30

Re: Police reveal how couple diedCLICK HERE to see report

From: A neighbour

hemel hempstead

Views: i am very saddened to hear of the deaths in my street.the families of this couple must be in turmoil. i lost my daughter just nine months ago so hearing and seeing the events like this is very hard to come to terms with.i feel for the children left behind as my granchildren are now growing up without their mum.hopefully they will have a supporting family to help them through this very hard time.my heart goes out to them.

From: Cheryl Andrews

Views: I am best friends with kayleigh broux! me and kayleigh have not been the same since the incident. Me and kayleigh also went to collett school together! We used to walk past the house everyday for school and now i cannot even go near the street. This will stay in our memories and we send our blessings to the family. I just hope my friend kayleigh can complete her college course without to much disturbance.

From: Tim Haskell

Olney

Views: I knew Athos and Chrystalla personally, having worked with Athos for a number of years and would never have foreseen a tragedy like this. Athos was one of the kindest, gentlest people that I have known and always appeared to be a devoted husband and father. We are devastated at this news and our thoughts and prayers go out to the children and to Athos and Chrystalla's families

From: Kaylee Broux

Bennetts end Hemel hempstead

Views: I Think its horrible to hear something like that. I live a street up from them and i did happen to always say hello passing on my way to college. I knew theyre older daughter alexa she was really nice and i hope she and the rest of the family are ok.

From: Sophie

Hemel Hempstead

Views:I knew lexi there older daughter. I walk past there everyday to go to my school. i think its tragic.

Re: Hemel Hempstead Hospital

From: Jo Waller

hemel hempstead

Views: I walked with my brother to Watford on the recent march to save our hospital with many others, Watford dont want us either. In the 1970's i went on a march with my late mother to save our hospital, we were then relieved when the hospital was reprieved good sense prevailing.

We had in Hemel 3 hospitals Bennetts End, St. Pauls and of course West Herts, we had a cancer wing, cardiac all facilities, bit by bit these have been chipped away hoping that the people wouldnt notice whats happening, less staff, apts changed to other hospitals. Bennetts End and St. Pauls now housing estates, new builds are going on all over the town, how many more with the Kodak building.

The government have also stated that they want more housing and have designated some of the green belt areas, so i expect we will be one of those. Being the largest town in Hertfordshire it beggars belief that we should lose our hospital, i wonder who is making money out of this! It seems very suspect to me. I would like to know who will be buying this land and when will we know, is it being sold privately, for more housing. If the people of Hemel and the surrounding areas all paid so much a week to keep the hospital running, maybe we could stop the closure it might make the powers that be sit up and take notice. Unfortunately time is running out as the A&E is supposed to be closing in October. The people are being left high and dry with no real thought about what the consequences will be for us, i expect that they dont really care, it seems to be all about business.

Posted on site Thursday, May 29

Re: River Gade clean-up CLICK HERE to see report

From: Tony

Gadebridge Hemel Hempstead

Views: Well not before time has somebody decided to clean up the river gade ,what a mess it has been for years now thank you whoever thought about this and decided to go with it hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: What would you take to Hemel's twin-town? CLICK HERE to see report

From: JULIE

WARNERS END HEMEL HEMPSTEAD

Views: A ONE WAY TICKET SO I WOULD NOT HAVE TO COME BACK

Posted on site Monday, May 26

Egg Mystery

From: Gina Bull

Hemel Hempstead

Being EGGED ON… Someone answer me please… I know this is a silly question, I am even not expecting an answer but I have to ask anyway. Is anyone else digging in their garden or replanting garden pots, and here we go finding chicken eggs in their garden? (I told you it was a silly question)!

I have been prompted to write to you as other people have been here & seen this happen. None of us can think where they are coming from or what animal must be putting them in my garden, it is a total mystery. To make it even worse guess what, this is even sillier they are DATE STAMPED obviously the dates are un readable but they are definitely there.

We are finding this hard to work out as nowadays people are putting out rubbish in bins not black sacks any longer so an animal can't be scavenging bins to find them. Over the past 2 summers I have probably found about 10 to a dozen eggs. They are all raw & usually buried quiet deeply. At first I thought it was a joke & someone was playing tricks on me, but my garden is completely enclosed so no one is able to get in.

Posted on site Tuesday, May 20

Re: Wheelie bins

From: Peter

Hemel

Views:: Last Weds the Bin Men took our green bin complete with lid they returned it minus the lid no knock on the door just left lidless. We phoned up immediately and are still waiting for a replacement/bin lid. What a dreadful service no lids, bins left outside wrong houses recycle tubs left here there and everywhere

Re facelift for Hemel town centreCLICK HERE to see report

From: Shelz

hemel

Views:

Instead of wasteing 100,000 pounds on getting us bins which we allready have, and spending money on ashtrays for the smokers, how about the council put some money in building us a new hospital, im sure that the local public will much more benifit if the money is used for this, seeing as they will be alive to see it because a hospital is near when they are in need!

Posted on site Monday, May 19

Re Council chiefs 16m short for new homesCLICK HERE to see story

From: Norman Cutting

BERKHAMSTED

Views: So the council don't have the money to build the houses the government says it must. Hmmm, why doesn't it occur to them not to build them unless the money (aka, can afford) is available? That would solve all the problems, no need to build on the green belt, medical facilities wouldn't be needed so WHH can be closed, no additional roads/schools needed and so the list goes on. Yep, our elected representatives don't have the guts to represent the majority, reject the proposals and improve the existing facilities for existing residents - keep hospital services, schools, maintain the roads etc.

Re What would you take to Hemel's twin town?CLICK HERE to see story

From: Gavin Beale,

Hemel

Views: For our twin town..... To capture the essence of Hemel, I'd take a burberry cap ....... Essential Hemel.

Name: Anon

Views: My next door neighbours!

Re Yaks over Hemel CLICK HERE to see story

From: Pamela Harrison

Hemel Hempstead

Views: Russian Yaks over Hemel The Planes flying over Hemel Hempstead, were most likly on there way to Duxford for the flying day on the 17th & 18th May, when we pasted on our way back fron Norfolk on wednesday, they were getting ready for display, lots of old planes already on the airfield.... hope this helps, lots of planes were flying in...

Re Pothole Hotspots CLICK HERE to see story

From: kevin duff

pitstone

Views: i would like to say about the pot holes in the road new mill right through to the main high street in tring there is not one pot hole the whole 2 miles is just one big pot hole

Re: Plan for cats only clinic

Name: Niki Riley

Kings Langley

Views: To Whom It May Concern: I write regarding the rejected planning permission as applied by Barton Lodge Veterinary Centre to build a cat only clinic at 3 Midland Road, Hemel Hempstead. As a cat owner and customer of Barton Lodge for several years, I wholeheartedly support a cat only clinic and urge Dacorum Borough Council to reconsider their decision. A visit to the vet can be a traumatic experience for a cat, especially if the waiting room is full of dogs. I recently took my cat to Barton Lodge and whilst I was waiting for my appointment, five dogs were also in the waiting room. Needless to say, my cat was very upset, literally shaking with fear. A cat only clinic is crucial for the cat-owning customers of Barton Lodge and Hemel Hempstead.

Posted on site Sunday, May 18

Re:What would you take to Hemel's twin-town?CLICK HERE to see story

From: Tom

Ex Hemel Hempstead

Some paper! For 200 years Hemel was the home of Britsih papermaking with John Dickinson's mills etc.

Sadly the mills have nearly all gone, but we have Frogmore Mill and the Apsley Paper Trail project. Take some hand made paper from Frogmore and, of course, a big aerial photo of the Magic Roundabout.

Name: John Howard Norfolk

Tiverton, Devon (formerly Watford resident)

Views: Suggest you take young tree to be planted in twin town. Oak would be a good English choice and particularly suitable as Hertfordshire has more oaks than any other county

Posted on site Friday, May 16

Re: Dirty old townCLICK HERE to see report

From: John Newberry

Hemel Hempstead

Views: DIRTY OLD TOWN. Yes, and it's you the people who make it so. If all discerning people who are concerned about their town just picked up one piece of rubbish as they walked through the town centre it would make a world of difference. Don't say: "Oh, what's the use, because that one piece of rubbish will make a difference. So instead of whingeing get out there and help as I do - just one piece!

Re: Closure of Hemel Post Ofice and move to WH SmithCLICK HERE to see report

From: John Newberry

Hemel Hempstead

Views: POST OFFICE AT W.H.SMITH. I have just stood in what I thought was the Royal Mail Post Office on the first floor at W.H.Smith to hear a counter assistant say to a customer: "I'm sorry but you'll have to go to a proper post office we're only W.H.Smith". From that I presume that we no longer have a "proper" post office in Hemel Hempstead, along with not having a "proper" hospital!

Posted on site Thursday, May 15

Re: Dirty Old TownCLICK HERE to see story

From: Rita Warwick

Hemel Hempstead

Views: Dirty Old Town Go and have a look at the alley way between the *Projectionst* pub and Kentucky Take Away, top end of Marlowes, if you want to see how dirty our town is, there is a dumped sofa there along with loads of other rubbish that has been there for at least 6 months. As a long term resident of the town I find this part of Hemel is a disgusting embarrasment.

How can we allow this to happen?

From: Sue Reynolds

Tring.

Email:

Views: I think it is so sad that an elderly lady who is obviously suffering from mental problems has been living for the past two weeks on a bench in the old market place next to the telephone boxes. I work in a tall building nearby and have seen her all hunched over in all weathers with what looks like her few possessions around her. Passers by carry on about their business without a second glance. She could be their grandmother or mother but they don't care. What is wrong with our society that we can allow this to happen? I haven't once seen an official approach her to find out even if she is alive. Hemel should be ashamed! I

Posted on site Wednesday, May 14

Re: A 'Moan'

From: Sue Robinson

hemel hempstead

Views: I was sitting in my living room when 3 comunity policemen followed by 3 council workers put a ticket on my car that was parked on verge because we live on a bus route and on a corner at the top of the hill so to park in the road would cause an obstruction,I will be parking on the road from now on but why it took 6 people to write 1 ticket still amazes me. Moan over I am sure there are more important issues but just wanted to have my say Sue

Re: Hemel will get Green Belt reviewCLICK HERE to see story

From: Bill Oehlman

Hemel Hempstead

Views: It is all very well having extra homes in Hemel and other towns. The left hand does not know what the right is doing. Most of our hospital is going as are some schools. What are the Government doing about this problem?

Posted on site Tuesday, May 13

Re: Parking and clamping controlsCLICK HERE to see story

From: jannie phipps

Apsley Lock Hemel Hempstead

Views: I am a resident at Apsley Lock and have allocated parking permits for two vehicles. None the less I have been haranguned and threatened with legal action on 14 seperate occassions, despite being legally parked or dispalying valid permits.

The parking scheme and enforcement as such in this area, is in my opinion poorly managed. Apsley Lock is a former brownfield, high density mixed use development close to a railway station and embraces most of the good principles of planning. None the less people still use their cars and adequate provision should be considered and exacted at initial planning stages,rather than exacerbate the knock on effect of inadequate provision by painting the surrounding roads with double yellow lines and subjecting the unsuspecting person to eroneous penalty charges or indeed wheel clamping.

Posted on site Monday, May 12

Re: Award winning butcher's may be forced to close CLICK HERE to see story

From: Brenda Davidson

Texas, USA

Views: Deeply saddened to hear of the possible closing of the old "TOMMY'S butcher shop on Gravel Path. I used this location for many years (50's-60's) when I lived in George Street, of course there was no problem with parking as everyone walked to get their shopping!

I do hope that the parking problem can be solved to everyone's satisfaction. I am looking forward to visiting my old "HOME" town this coming June. Love the town (the old "DORMITORY TOWN") as it was once known, due to many residents travelling to London by train to their different business locations. I enjoy the news about Berko/Hemel and go on line quite often to catch up.

Posted on site Friday, MAY 9

Re: Campaign to save Tring tipClick here to see story

From: Angela Cooper

Tring.

Views: I am writing to express my dismay at the planned closure of the recycling tip in Tring. This facility is well used and is busy at all times of the week. I fail to see the sense in closing a site that has a successful recycling record and is so popular. Two of the reasons sited as to why the tip needs to close seem ridiculous to me. The first being that the tip needs to be expanded and the existing facilities do not offer the space to do this. If it needs to be expanded there is obviously a need, this would be the normal consensus?

The other reason given was that it is poorly sited due to the hump back bridge. As work on this stretch of the Grand Union canal started in 1793 I would have thought that the local council were aware of the bridges existence when it decided where to site the tip. I would be very interested to know if the council is aware of any plans to develop this part of Tring as any development would appear far more favourable if there was no longer a tip on this site.

Posted on site Thursday, May 8

Re: Wish midwife Dorothy and happy retirementTo see all the good wishes sent in for Dorothey over the past few months, click here

From: Jude Hardcastle

Apsley Hemel Hempstead Herts

Dorothy was involved in the birth's of both our daughter's. Whilst she was our point of contact for our eldest daughter (now 12) she was not available for the traumatic birth. However, to be gifted with a second daughter and have Dorothy personally attending her birth was to be blessed.

At the time of this daughter's birth my grandmother was awaiting her birth before she sadly succumbed to cancer.My grandmother was also named Dorothy and in memory to her and Dorothy Norman, our daughter has the middle name of Dorothy. Dorothy Norman allowed me to transfer my immediate midwife care to South Devon (where I am originally from) and at just 10 days old, our youngest daughter was able to be held and cherished by her great grandmother before she sadly passed away 2 weeks later. Dorothy Norman should be suggested for an award from "Her Majesty" and the gazette should lead the way?

I am sure we are not alone in this idea? I am sure Dorothy will remember our parting gift after the birth of our daughter (Findlay DOROTHY)? A can of air freshener? Thank you Dorothy, life for "Mother's to be" will never be the same without you. Hertfordshire will mourne your loss. Thank you Dorothy. May the Hardcastle family wish you a Happy retirement and send our sincere wishes for the future. We need more like you!

Posted on site Wednesday, May 7

More entries today to our Pothole Hotspot, click here to see them

Re: Police and anti-social behaviour

From: Conserned Council Tax Payer

Hemel Hempstead

Address:

Views: I do not wish to disclose my name for fear of repercusions. Yesterday evening I was very shocked to learn that 2 police cars had been called in Grovehill because a child had thrown an egg at someones house. I understand that this cannot be condonded, but feel this is a waste of Police resources, I am sure they would be better served stopping vandalisum in Grovehill. I was also surprised at the spped of the response, and would like to know if we are all intittled to this rapid response or just the ones who constantly badger the Police with trivial problems.

Re More Housing Good for Hemel CLICK HERE to read story

From: David Mitchell

Hemel Hempstead

Views: David Bogle has got it completely wrong. We may need more affordable housing but if we build on farm land between Hemel and the M1, all we will be doing is encouraging an ugly urban sprawl. Hemel and its environs would begin to resemble greater London. We need to protect the countryside around Hemel and the best way to do that is not to build on the Green Belt. As it happens, my family and I enjoy going for country walks in the area Bogle refers to, and for him to say "it's not land worth dying in a ditch for", I find incomprehensible.

Re: Clamping fines CLICK HERE to see story

From: Viv Mcsweeney

Apsley

Views:: I am outraged at having to pay 423 on Sunday to get back my car that had been towed away from the parking spaces outside the Papermill in Apsley at 1.20am on Saturaday morning.

I simply did not know I could not park there. The signs are not clear and you have to look up above your normal field of view to see them and then walk over to them to read them. Irrepective of the signs, the fees are outrageous. I would be able to accept paying 120 if I have made a mistake but the fees in this area are dispicable.

You pay 290 for the pleasure of having your car towed away plus and additional 35/day that the car remains in the pound plus VAT (even though they will only accept payment in cash!). I am disgusted at being forced to pay this kind of money.

If parking is not permitted in certain areas, it may be prudent to highlight this to people using clear signs that you do not have to look in to the sky and put your glasses on to read before enlisting the help of these organisations.

I would never live in this area now. Anything you are doing to address these practices is to be applauded and I will help in any way I can.

Posted on site Tuesday, May 6

Re More Housing Good for Hemel CLICK HERE to read story

From: Graham Glover

Hemel Hempstead,

Views: "If you go up to the land between Hemel Hempstead and the M1 it's not land worth dying in a ditch for." (David Bogle - Chief Executive, Hightown Praetorian and Churches]

I live there Mr Bogle. Not only do I find your comment both stupid and offensive, it is simply untrue. How does such an idiot become chief executive of an 18m business? I assume that the Crown Estates (whose land it is and who wish to build houses on the land) have put you up to this ridiculous comment.

Re Litter in Hemel

From: Sarah Fraser

Grovehill west, Hemel Hempstead

Views: Hi there, I was strolling through hemel town yesterday (bank holiday monday) enjoying a bit of retail therapy on a nice hot day and couldn't believe the state of the town!!! Every where i looked there were bins over flowing and rubbish scattered every where, I couldn't believe what a mess the town was in, not to mention the smell of rotten food wrappers!! What has happened to our lovely town?? Won't be long before we're infested with rat's!! I expect this isn't the first letter you have had on this and im sure it won't be the last!! I hope to see some thing about this and what the council intend to do to fix the problem in the paper this week!! Your's sincerely Sarah Fraser x

Re: Glass recycling 'baskets'

From: Roy Lainton

Hemel Hempstead

Views: We were a little worried, when the Council issued us with open baskets, a few weeks ago. These were for us to leave our glass bottles and jars, for collection and recycling. Our fears were justified, this morning, when we awoke, to find the pavement outside our home, littered with smashed glass, on collection day. We must assume that the recycling collector did not drop all those bottles, so it must have been passers by, overnight. It is so tempting, for the intelligent individuals, who walk past, to have weapons and missiles provided, free of charge. How can this situation be avoided?

Re Potholes CLICK HERE to see our Pothole Hotspot section

From: Mr Tearle

Hemel Hempstead

Views: I am a youngish disabled person. I had an accident due to a slab beside the water gardens being loose caterpulting me into the water. This area was a hazard and I would like to hear from any other people who have had any simular accidents or falls. gimpingcat@hotmail.com Your help would be much appriciated.

Posted on site Monday, May 5

Re: Best fuel prices May 3CLICK HERE to see story

From: Karen

Tring

Views: There is only one garage in Tring . . . .so surely by default the Total Garage in Brook Street would be the cheapest!

Posted on site Sunday, May 4

Re: Time short to fight more planes and noiseTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: Marilyn M. Fletcher

Great Missenden.

Views:, Local people's enjoyment of their highly-prized scenic beauty spots is threatened by low flying aircraft from Luton Airport if the National Air Traffic Services' plans go ahead.

Family groups picnicking on the National Trust's Coombe Hill near Wendover, with its panoramic views of Aylesbury Vale, Chequers in the valley and the magnificent escarpment of the Chilterns on either side, will have their get-away-from-it-all interrupted. In the Forestry Commission's Wendover Woods, cyclists, walkers and parents relaxing at the BBQ while the kids are at the new Go Ape will have their quiet enjoyment of a well-earned rest spoiled.

Meanwhile, in the National Trust's Ashridge Estate near Berkhamsted the 5000 acres of woodlands is presently quiet enough to be the film set for many historic dramas.

Its outstanding scenery, with herds of magnificent fallow deer, badgers, foxes, weasels and hedgehogs which give the public so much pleasure, will have its tranquillity broken. NATS estimate that in just 7 years time one aircraft every 6 minutes will be flying the proposed low altitude routes from Luton just 2,300 feet above the ground! Many many more will be flying a little higher than this over our "jewels in the crown".

As it is, there are all too few places where people from our local towns can find a bit of piece and quiet and enjoy scenic splendour.

Defend your leisure time and your children's heritage, reply to NATS Consultation at www.nats.co.uk or TCN Consultation, NATS, Freepost NAT22750, Reading, RG1 4BR sending copies to your MP

Posted on site Saturday, May 3

Re: More housing 'good for Hemel' CLICK HERE to see story

From: David Angell

Hemel Hempstead

Views: Affordable housing is a very good idea, expansion in a town unable to cope with it is not. If we are to 'see the bigger picture', must we not also consider the lack of health service support for the new residents of the 18,000 new homes. Moreover, as our council continues to place commerce over amenities, what will the potential 43,000 people (half of Hemel's current population) do for an evening? To see the bigger picture, we must invest in ensuring health services remain in Hemel and arts/culture (through funding) come back to Hemel.

Re Watford maternity slammed after baby death ' CLICK HERE to see story

From: Jo

Hemel Hempstead

Views: I cannot sympathise enough with the family that lost there baby at Watford. When I was due to have my baby there earlier in the year I was dreading going there, however when things did not go according to plan the care that I recieved on delivery suite and my baby recieved in SCBU was exceptional. All the staff we encountered were efficient and caring and we probably wouldn't be here today if it were not for them. We always hear the horror stories but there are plenty of good ones too!

Re Campaign to save Tring tip' CLICK HERE to see story

From: F E Turan

Tring

Views: The reasons for closing the Tring tip do not make any sense. Firstly, the problem with heavy lorries negotiating the bridge and the small local approach road. As we all know,the geography has not changed since the tip was built the bridge has been there for centuries, at the initial time of planning it was deemed the most suitable site for this amenity. Secondly, would it not make sense to wait until the tip at Aston Clinton is in operation for the Bucks residents, and then, see if our tip is still as essential to the Herts residents as it certainly is at present?

That would be planning in the true sense of the word. As to the cost, that does not see to be an issue when the council can organise a costly survey on waste and then ignore it completely. The council are supposed to be proud of their record on recycling, how can they be taken seriously when they pull stunts like this? Then if you take into consideration the carbon footprint and volume of traffic between Tring and Berkhamstead it is nothing short of vandalism. Also the question has to be asked, what planning is in the pipeline for the site after it has been cleared? I will put money on it that it will not be anything that will benefit the local residents at all. It would be a tragedy to lose the tip only to find it replaced by luxury dwellings or the like.

I think that we will all be watching future developments with great interest. Just to close , I would like to thank you for arranging the "open to the public" meeting at a time and place that will make it impossible for the majority of us to attend. If you had the courage of your convictions the dozen or so of your council would come to Tring on an evening to gauge the feelings in our town on an even playing field. I am not surprised as this is the underhandedness that we have come to expect from authorities with no accountability.

Posted on site Friday, May 2

Re: Do you support teachers strike? CLICK HERE to see vote section - there's still time to vote!

From: Mrs J hardcastle

Hemel Hempstead

Views: With ref to your article "Online vote against NUT strike" 30th April 2008. I am concerned that our community did not support the strike by members of the NUT on 24th April. Qualified and dedicated teacher's are a rarety in our County and we need to encourage and support them to come and educate our children, not criticize and vilify them for wanting to be able to afford to exist. Unfortunately, this is a "sign of the times".

The Government have "All But" decided that teacher's, Police officers, nurses and Fire officers, amongst many other Public Sector workers are not worth a rise in their salaries. I wonder where we would ALL be without them? I am not a teacher, just a parent who was also affected by the strike with one of my children having to stay at home from The Hemel Hempstead School on 24th April.

The School remained open but explained in a letter to Parents of the younger pupils that they would not be able to take responsibility for the supervision of those children. The letter was sent to parents in plenty of time and most parents were able to make alternative arrangements. I would rather supervise my children at home than worry about the risk to their safety at school, should they not be supervised?

I suspect that some of the parents who participated in your online vote were perturbed at having to make alternative child care arrangements!

Whilst all parents know that it is lawful to send their children to school, we are also secretly relieved that we have FREE childcare for six hours a day? This allows us to earn a living! We may have to endure further Industrial action by the NUT but I feel that parents should be more sympathetic and realise that we can not recruit high calibre teacher's to our school's if they can not afford to reside here, let alone the surrounding areas and even beyond!

Whilst I do not advocate strike action, sometimes it is necessary to highlight a genuine grievance and I believe we should support our Teacher's and encourage more to establish roots here! We have rising fuel, food and utilities costs and it is almost impossible to obtain a mortgage? What other choice do we ALL have?

Re: Best petrol prices revealed CLICK HERE to see story

From: Alison

Tring

Views: Best Petrol Prices: I was surprised to see that Total were shown as the cheapest fuel in Tring, when in fact they are the only option in Tring, and are more expensive than Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead.

Posted on Site Thursday, May 1

Re: The Apprentice

Name: Jo McCaul

Berkhamsted Herts HP4 3NZ

Views: Who watched the Apprentice on BBC1 on 30 April? Who witnessed some of the best business people in the country waste 4 hours of precious time dithering on where to place the 's in 'National Singles' Day. Michael Sophocles, (MA Hons) History and Classics, should have rung us at Intouch language Training (www.intouchLT.co.uk)and we could haved advised him in a moment.

I wonder how often this situation occurs in thousands of businesses around the country and how many millions of pounds are lost because of poor grammar.

Intouch is a local language training company (we're based in Berkhamsted)and we provide business language skill courses for companies. Good language skills is not a luxury it's an essential for all businesses. We're a local company who are also trying to set up English language classes at the Civic Centre in Berkhamsted.

Classes are only 100 for ten 90 minute lessons. Hardly any money will be made on these classes, just enough to cover the cost of the teacher and the rooms, but I want to provide what I believe is a important service for our community.

Re: Clamping fines CLICK HERE to see story

From: Laura Marshall

Hemel Hempstead

Views: It's outrageous, I was towed the week before last from the Apsley Lock estate… I was visiting friends and they hadn't been issued a visitor's permit for me to use, I was only there for 20 minutes, when I came out my car had disappeared! By the time a nieghbour told me it had been towed away (I'd been talking to the Police because I thought that the car had been stolen) the towing company told me it was too late to collect the car and that I'd also have to pay an extra 50 pounds in storage to collect the car the next day. I had to also get a lift over to the Uxbridge area to collect my car. I'm only 21 and had to use my birthday money to pay for the fine… when I started to lose my temper the woman told me that if I carried on I'd be fined more for abusive behaviour (it said as much on their paperwork)... they're not the Police are they! Terrible, terrible, terrible… is shouldn't be allowed!

Re: Bus services

From: F Turan

Tring

Views: Just as pensioners have been given passes to ride free on the buses,if our councillors have their way there will not be a bus to use them on.

Our local bus services, not only Tring itself, but the surrounding villages. For many it is a lifeline, used to reach the doctors surgery, to visit friends and shop at tesco or m&s for essential foods. Also commuters use this service and their jobs depend on it. By a miracle Silverlink are to invest 2.5 million in a multi car park at Tring station. This seems quite a coincidence and begs the questions, who owns the land? who will maintain it? who will profit from it? and does it depend on us losing our bus? None of the other stations, most much bigger than Trng eg. Hemel station have such a grand carpark so we have to wonder why Tring? Also is it right that we should increase our carbon footprint by having to drive to the station every day instead of using a bus? It has been said that the council are concerned about commuters using side streets close to the station, do they not realise that this is not because the car park is too small but that a small minority just will not pay the parking fee however big the car park? Perhaps yellow lines would be the answer.

Posted on site Tuesday, April 29

Re: Recycling boxes

From: Karen Davies

Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead Herts

Views: The Great Recycling Extravaganza – Part 7 Our household is now in receipt of yet another recycling receptacle. A rather fetching black super market style shopping basket, to which all glass jars and bottles are to be placed. Its capacity is questionable. As a family we make sure all recycled items are cleaned before they go in their respective bins, the jars are put thru the dishwasher (sad I know), cans and bottles washed out.

This goes some way in stopping the infestation of flies and other insects along with consideration of the recycling team.

Unfortunately, on the day of recycling collection one of our bins which were meant for non glass had a bottle in it and the "environmental recycling technicians" refused to empty the bin. Hence we now have a full to overflowing bin with a weeks worth of cans and plastic all because of one glass bottle. How easy would it have been to remove the bottle? It all goes in the same vehicle anyway? The bin now lurks around for a full seven days.

Not to mention all the other recycling that this week will bring. I have to ask the question, is this blatant officialdom commercially viable when it comes to the collection next week, the recycle teams with have two weeks worth to collect all because of one glass bottle? What was once a friendly service provided by our council, has now turned into a battle of wills and a National debacle making headline news both in the press, TV and Radio. Is it just me?

Re: Public telephones in Marlowes

From: Tony Castle

Hemel Hempstead

Views: Please please don't tell me that the new pay-phone stations in the Marlowes are going to replace our phone-boxes. The two things a user of a public phone needs is (a) privacy and (b)shelter. Do they really expect me to make important and personal calls standing in the open, exposed to the rain? Whoever designed them has obviously never had to use a public phone in his or her life. Who authorised these monstrosities? What's the "plan"?

Re: New A&E at Watford delayedTo see report, CLICK HERE

From: John Newberry

Hemel Hempstead

Views: New A&E at Watford delayed. Mr Graham Ramsay, Medical Director, said: "At Watford General Hospital maintenance totalling many millions is needed, partly because the promise of a new health campus has led to essential work being put on hold. We don't think it's worth spending 60million – we need a new hospital." May I suggest we already have one, here at Hemel Hempstead!

Posted on site Monday, April 28

Re: Red Kite SightingsSee our Red Kite sightings section, with photos

From: Roxanne Ghajar

The Old Town, Hemel Hempstead

Views: I saw a red kite this morning around 9.50am when i was walking up to work near the industrial estate. It flew right over ahead and it took me a moment to realise that this wasnt your ordinary every day bird! it looked quite large with its wings spread and was gliding over above towards adey field.

You might also enjoy our gallery of garden birds spotted around Dacorum by readers - and send us YOUR garden bird photos. Just CLICK HERE

Posted on site Sunday, April 27

Re: Resurfacing of Tring High Street

From: Mike Sherratt

Tring

Views: The resurfacing of Tring streets has been great for wheelchair users. However, it is still very dangerous for the Grove Park area residents to cross the London road to get to the town centre. In fact there is only a single zebra crossing rather inconveniently located at the bottom of Mortimer Hill across Brook Street.

A pedestrian friendly crossing across London Road from the excellent footpath across Pound Meadow would transform disabled (and able bodied) peoples' lives, giving access to Tescos and the town centre. Cars routinely do 40 mph on this narrowed road, and it is difficult to pause at the central island which is about 1 metre wide.

One slip, and wham! the County seems to work on how many people have been killed or injured before it moves to do something. A nice picture and piece done by the Gazette a couple of years ago on this issue resulted in a big nothing. Does anyone else feel its about time traffic measure were introduced? I drive by car there, and it seems a reasonable proposition.

Posted on site Friday, April 25

Re: New cameras

From: R L

Hemel Hempstead

Views: Has anyone noticed the new 'cameras' sprouting up in Hemel, specifically the ones along Queensway, and the dual carriageway? Funnily enough there is nothing on the safety camera partnership website, or the council, or herts police? Have they still not decided how waste our money further?

Maybe these new installations could have paid for the numerous potholes to be filled, or roads to be resurfaced?

CLICK HERE to see our Pothole Hotspot section

Posted on site Thursday, April 24

Re Wheelie bins.

From: Debbie Palmer

woodhall farm

Views: i have recently moved to woodhall farm from grovehill I find that sometimes they leave my dustbins at the wrong house they are just thown about the street. I do lots of recyling there dont always take it all some of the stuff which is left not taken is normally left out in the street I pay my taxes & pay for this service they seem to take whats suits them each week They need to take bins each week when its hot this is going to cause problems

Re: D Day for tip closureClick here to see report

From: Bill

Tring

Views: Yesterday, amoungst the other junk mail, was a 24pp edition of 'Hertfordshire Horizons' - 'news from Hertfordshire County Council' . 470,000 copies are produced at 8p each, say 38,000 an issue - it doesn't say whether there are other costs, and I'm not sure how many issues appear each year. The content comprises adverts for HCC services, interleaved with lightweight journalism. Does anyone actually read it? I think it's just an un-necessary puff for the HCC. As such, I think it's a total waste of our money, which would be far better off used to support really useful and sensible operations like Tring's household waste centre.

From Ronald Lanning

Tring

THE ARTICLE IN THIS WEEKS PAPER ASKED ,WHICH IS BEST TRING OR BERKHAMSTED CENTRE.I DON'T THINK THEY ARE IN COMPETITON ,THEY ARE BOTH EXCELLENT,MY FOCUS IS ON TRING AS I LIVE THERE,AND FIND THE IDEA LUDICROUS,TO CONSIDER CLOSING THE CENTRE

THE MOOD IS ONE OF HORROR IN TRING,AND I AM SURE BERKHAMSTED IS WORRIED ABOUT THE INFLUX TO THEM,LET ALONE THE CARBON FOOT PRINT,WILL SENCE PREVAIL??

Re: Hemel Hempstead Post office closure and moveSee earlier protests and links to background

From: Mel

Hemel Hempstead

Views: Well what can i say!! the organisers didnt think of the people who live in hemel hempstead before deciding to put the post office in one of the most ridiculous place.

The fact its in WHSMITHS is fine but up stairs come on your kidding , i used to use the post office at least 4 times a week to send parcels when it was at its origanol place but now as its upstairs and i use it once a week , id rather pay for bus fair to long chaulden and use that post office as me and my daughter both have fears of lifts , and with my 2 year old walking up stairs and me carrying and buggy and parcels or elderly is a health and safety issue. The post office is the talk of the town at the moment , 99.9% are moaning for the fact that its upstairs , its obvious more poeple will visit post office then look at book on the ground floor. alot of elderly i know are taking public transport else where just for there own safety because of the stairs . ABSOLUSTY RIDICULOUS , PUT IT DOWN STAIRS !!

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