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The week in history February 07
Wednesday February 7 2007
1907 100 years ago
The Gazette's rumour column, We Are Told, gave a report of an amorous sounding meeting of a local club.
It read: "An interesting games tournament recently took place at a certain club. The members all seemed to be amative campaigners. In Billiards they had misses and kisses. In cards the hearts were prominent. In draughts many an artful move was made. The darts were sure in their aim. The members were well engaged in regard to the rings. most members sought a good partner. and there was plenty of skittles - and beer."
The fire brigade held its annual fancy dress ball this week.
A report read: "Quite the event of the year in local terpischorian circles is the annual fancy dress ball under the auspices of the Hemel Hempstead Volunteer Fire Brigade, and this year's function, which took place at the Town Hall on Tuesday Night, quite surpassed any of the former gatherings both in the point of numbers present and enjoyment."
Previous balls had been overshadowed by tragic events beforehand, including the death of Queen Victoria, the Gaddesden Place calamity and the passing of the wife of the captain of the brigade.
The report of the 1907 ball read: "With the chandelier lights, mirrors, lounges and choice exotics and shields representing the coats of arms of all nations, flags, bunting, evergreens, firemen's helmets and accoutrements hanging round the room a spectacle of dazzling brilliance was presented, and when dancing was in full swing the perfect deluge of all colours, together with the spangled brilliance of the charming and dainty dresses worn by the ladies intensified the kaleidoscopic character of the scene ten-fold."
1957 50 years ago
People who doubted the wisdom of the New Town development were wrong, according to the Chairman of the development Corporation Mr Henry Wells.
Giving his annual address to the Borough Council Mr Wells said things were going well.
The Gazette reported: "Ten years has passed since the New Town came to Hemel Hempstead. Noting this in his annual review Mr Wells said: 'There have been a lot of things which we would like to have done better in that time, but we have proved that the warnings of all the Jeremiahs were not justified.'"
"Mr Wells said that national economy measures had caused a six-month lag in the development programme, but despite this during the last year the Corporation: Built 1,329 dwellings (total now 6,205); Housed 900 people (total 20,400) and: Erected 60,000 square feet of factory space (total 950,000 square feet.)"
Her Majesty the Queen stepped in to help an appeal to replace the bells at All Saints Church in Kings Langley.
The Gazette reported that an estimated 1,000 had to be raised to recast and rechange the eight bells in the tower, the oldest of which dated back exactly 300 years.
A report read: "In a letter appealing for financial support the vicar, Rev R L Parkin, says that a report from a leading firm of bell founders had found they were badly in need of attention."
It added: "Her Majesty the Queen has shown her interest in the church - it houses the tomb of her ancestor, Edmund de Langley, first Duke of York - and has sent a donation towards the restoration costs.
"The vicar hopes that the Queen's fine example will stimulate the generosity of all local residents."
1982 25 years ago
The future of Hemel Hempstead's maternity unit still hung in the balance this week, despite a decision by health chiefs to keep it open.
A report read: "The North West Thames Regional Health Authority bowed to public pressure on Monday and agreed a temporary reprieve for the St Paul's unit at Hemel Hempstead general hospital, instead of moving all maternity services to Watford. But a further report on the future of the service is to be considered later this year.
"The Dacorum Hospital Action Group said that the public must maintain the campaign to make sure St Paul's is saved."
The group had presented the health authority with a petition containing 32,500 signitories.
Labour Councillors this week accused the ruling Tory group on the Dacorum District Council of acting with "indecent haste", on controversial planning matters.
A report read: "Proposals to use the Bourne Valley and Fields End school sites in Hemel Hempstead, plus some green belt land at Fields End Farm, for residential development were revealed in reports which the Labour members said they had not had time to study."
The reports were of two planning meetings held to discuss recommendations by a planning inspector for the district plan.
The Labour group complained that they could not do justice to proposals made by the chief planning officer because they had been rushed through with "disgraceful speed" according to one councillor.
Cllr George Scribbens told a full council meeting: "I believe these sites will be sold off to private developers, which will not do the people of Hemel Hempstead any good at all."
Cllr Phillip Mayo, of the Conservative group, said that long-term planning decisions had to be made even if everyone did not agree with them, to ensure Hemel Hempstead did not become a 'has-been town.'
A group of Longdean School pupils managed to reach the divisional finals of a school rock band competition this week.
The group, called Eutopia, reached the finals with their self-titled composition Eyes Can Never Lie. Consisting of of Jennifer Bennett, Rosemary Bluemel, Daren Aldwinckle, Paul Cook and David Thorton, Eutopia were set to take part in the next round in Brighton.
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South
