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YOUR COMMENTS:


Posted on site Monday, March 31


Re: Unreliable bus route in the spotlightClick here to see original story

From: Danielle
Hemel Hempstead

Views: Re unreliable bus route (26th March) I'm really glad someone at the Council is taking this problem seriously. I've had to complain to Arriva about late/early-running or non-arriving services almost every other week over the last 7 or so months and also get similar responses every time.
I notice that Arriva have recently lost a number of council contracts. Let's hope the companies now running these routes do a better job. As for the 'commercial' services, I'm not sure what can be done but I imagine that if a rival operator were to start up a service in direct competiton with the most unreliable Arriva routes it might do very well.



Re: Potholes

From: GRAEME SIMPSON
Leverstock Green

Views: Rants Meadow has just been resurfaced and the pavements repaired,now the water board is going to dig it up to repair the drains,amazing.The pot holes in Tile Kiln Lane,Kiln Croft and at the large cross roads near the citroen garage in Hemel Hempstead are a disgrace.The ones at the cross roads near the citroen garage are at least 6 inches deep and cover about 4 square feet,they are incredibly dangerous.Any one on a motor bike is dicing with death.
See also Hemeltoday's own Pothole Hotspots, click here

Re Charity collections in street (See comment earlier this month)

From: Tony Castle
Hemel Hempstead

Views: Regarding charity collectors: please remember there's a difference between people shaking a tin (volunteers!), and those people with clipboards/folders who want to sign you up. The clipboard people are paid upwards of eight pounds an hour, and want a lot of money for you (of course they do, there a lot of staff wages to pay!). What angers me the most is you never see the clipboard people stopping rich men in suits! It's always woman and younger people they stop.

Fears for shops

From: mick
hemel

Views: On a walk around the Marlowe's and the new riverside shopping centres there are still a lot of empty units to let or for sale. In a recent article in the gazette there was concern that all the new shops that had opened where large corporations there for the money they made was not staying in the local area.
I have used the local shoe repair shop in the Marlowe's centre on many occasions they saved me about 100 pounds when they cut a new key for my car and then reset the key so it would work the cars immobiliser. I was told at the weekend the shop will be closing with the loss of jobs because the Marlowe's centres very large rent increase surely with all the empty units the centre would want to keep the shops not price them out of business. there business is shops that are open surely.



Posted on site Sunday, March 30

Re: Broken lift at sheltered housing blockClick here to see original story

Name: Ex Hemel resident
Australia

Views: My parents live in Betty Patterson House After giving them a call I have been informed from my Mother that the lift is still not working and has not been for 2 weeks. She mentioned that this was in the Gazette.
However still nothing has been done to get this fixed. These people have been in wars to fight for what we have today and yet they are treated like this. The council should be ashamed. I have sent e-mails to various people in the council waiting they response. I can not believe that I have to do this from Australia,
Worrying that my Mother can not get out of the flat without struggling up 2 flights of stairs when over 80yrs old, My Father needs the lift he can not get of of the flat at all. Concerned x Hemel resident I would like some results


Re: Potholes

From: Maureen
Berkhamsted

Views: The potholes in Berkhamsted by Ashlyns School are disgusting. There are two kerb pinchers by St Edmunds which are really bad especially if you have a chronic back condition like myself.

See also Hemeltoday's own Pothole Hotspots, click here




Posted on Site Saturday, March 29

Re: Hemel Hempstead PostOffice to close and moveClick here to see original story

From: J G
Hemel Hempstead.

Views: I'd heard about the closure of Post Offices. 'Poor things!' I thought, imagining a little village in remotest Hertfordshire deprived of a valuable facility. Today I went into WH Smith, toiled up the stairs to the top floor, and discovered that the back half of the upstairs floor will become our new Post Office on 10th April.
Is this a well-thought out idea? Many stairs - old people, mothers with prams and toddlers. One lift, yes. But...Can you picture it? Half the present area - queues at the present Post Office sometimes stretch out almost to the street, even with the contrived snaking. The staff didn't seem too keen about it. Someone tell me it's only a nightmare.


Re: Card cloningTo see report from January, click here,


From: robert nisbet
hemel hempstead
Views: i am emailing you regarding cloning of bank cards. i have had my card cloned once again! this time they have robbed me of £571.00! the card was cloned in hemel at a petrol station. all of the fraudulant payments have been taken from automatic payment systems and also in stores on the un manned till points.perhaps if they stopped the use of these till points etc the amount of fraudulant sales would stop?


Re: Pick eco bagsClick here to see story

Mrs Brenda hayes
Pimlico Hemel hempstead
Views: So much has been said recently regarding the careless use of plastic bags in our supermarkets. The press have done their best to make people aware of the danger to the environment, but you only have to stand at the exit doors to see how much good it has done. On the other hand, look along the line at the checkout, and you will see which section of the public are doing their bit by bringing their own bags, and it's us oldies. These reusable bags cost very little and last forever. They stay in the car boot until needed. It takes so little




Posted on site Friday, March 28

Re: Water leak is a wasteClick here to see story

From: Richard
Views vRe: Water leak is a 'waste' As someone who works for a utility company in the South East of England I can confirm that gaining access to the highway in order to carry out repairs is possibly going to get even more dificult. The Traffic Management Act comes into force on the 1st April and changes the way that any one who wishes to work in the highway has to apply and plan for it. Whilst this will enable councils to manage the work occuring on their roads more effectively it will also mean that events such as this leak will potentially take longer to rectify.


Re: Yellow lines considered for busy roadClick here to see story

From: Priscilla Milton
Tring

Views: As a resident of Akeman Street who most evenings upon arrival home from work at around 7.30 p.m. is unable to gain access up the road without mounting the pavement because of parked cars, I would welcome the introduction of double yellow lines.
However, I would ask that the lines be continued if not continuously certainly either side of the access into Rodwell Yard where cars park right up to the entrance, making it difficult to both turn in and more importantly to exit the Yard without "taking your life into your hands" because of poor visibility up and down the street.
The parking problems at the top of the road are particularly bad in the day at weekends when the road is blocked by visitors to the Museum parking there. The concern not only is for gaining access - which can take 10 minutes on some occasions to get down Akeman Street to the High Street (a 2 minute walk) but also that there is no way that emergency service vehicles (in particular fire engines) would be able to gain access up the street. I strongly support double yellow lines for the whole length of Akeman Street to give residents safe and reasonable access to their homes.
There are 3 car parks within the town all within 5 minutes walk of Akeman Street, and in the evenings there are no parking charges.




Posted on site Thursday, March 27

Re: War veteran gets hump over potholesSee story, Click here

From: Shirley
Hemel Hempstead

Views: Potholes, potholes everywhere! I think almost every road in Hemel Hempstead needs resurfacing. Just filling in potholes is not the answer as within a short while the infill has sunk. A major one that I use frequently is the one on the traffic lights on London Road/Two Waters Way I am sure that my tyres and suspension is suffering because of this and it cannot be avoided if you are going into Hemel from Apsley.

See also Hemeltoday's own Pothole Hotspots, click here
Posted on site Wednesday, March 26


Re: Give horse riders space on the road

From: Catherine Belso
Abbotts Langley
Views: I am writing this e mail as I would like the oppotunity to raise awareness for horses on the roads. Last Friday I had an accident on my horse when a bus came up close to me (brushing my leg) and put his air breaks on. My young horse was scared out of his wits, lost his balance and fell over causing me to fall off in the road.
The bus driver did not stop. This is the last straw for me as it was a proffessional driver who should have known better, not only did he endanger my life, my horses life, his life and others on the bus, but also the lives of other drivers and their passengers. I was so furious, but to be honest it was just a matter of time before something like that happened.
People just do not slow down or pass wide enough, when asked to they respond by speeding up or giving 'v' signs!!! This incident happened on the Bedmond road. On this road there are a number of livery yards and two riding schools.
The riding schools have young and inexperianced children that they take out. I would love the local people to be educated on the importance of slowing down before a child or driver is killed through ignorance. Can you help? I have spoken to the two riding schools on that road, Lisa at Mansion house Farm and Zoe at High Herts and both have said they'd be happy to talk to you and tell you off some of the incidents that have happened on the roads due to ignorant and selfish driving.
The big problem we have is there are so many footpaths and not enough bridelways, in order to get to most of the rides we are allowed to use, we must do road work. I now fear I will never be able to ride my young horse safely on the road as he is now scared. If we cant safely ride on the roads where can we ride?
Could you imagine if there were these restrictions on owning dogs or cats? We spend alot of time and money looking after our kind and beautiful animals, we should be able to enjoy them. Maybe if these ignorant people were aware that if they scare our horses and they jump in the road, they themselves could be killed.
When a half ton of horse hits a windscreen the driver and passenger would not stand a chance. I do hope you dont think this is all waffel and I've made myself clear. People in this area need to be educated, we no longer have campaigns on the telly informing people of the dangers.


Posted on site Tuesday, March 25

Re: Charity collectors in the street

From: Keith Carrington
Hemel Hempstead

Views: Having been approached by a charity collector in Hemel Town centre last week. The collector stated that I should donate a minimum of £8.00 per month. this in itself seems a bit extreme, as the amount I might donate should be my decision.
When asked if the collector was a paid collector she replied yes I get £8.50 per hour. I am appalled that I am approached for a donation to such a deserving cause only to be asked for a minimum amount and then to realise that the collectors take £8.50 per hour fome the amounts.
There were at least 10 collectors on the marlowes and each one takes the £8.50 per hour for up to 10 hours per day. That is a great deal of money donated that will never reach the Charity office.
I can only say to the generous people of Hemel Hempstead if you wish to donate to any charity please consider doing so direct to them and an amount that you decide.
And also you might ask any collectors if they are paid to collect for any particular charity, and how much. I will no longer donate to street collectors.

What do other readers think of charity collectors in Marlowes? Click here and tell us



Re: Card cloningTo see report from January, click here,

From: Lisa Smith
Hemel Hempstead

Views: Just to make you aware it is not only the garages where cards are being cloned, my 15 year old daughter's account was wiped out within the last two weeks the day after she used a cashpoint at a supermarket in Hemel.




Posted on site Monday, March 24

Re: Store imposes 'ageist' ban on teen shoppersTo see report, click here,

From: Ray
Hemel Hempstead

Views: You cannot blame Tesco's they have had to put up with lots of yobbish behaviour and shoplifting, mainly due to to drunken youths.
Re diabetics etc, please make sure you leave home with glucose/sugar sweets,(its just basic common sense) alternativly the nearby Queens Square/Bennetts End shopping parade have a Co-op and similar shops open till 10pm.


Re: Charity sign removed for being 'visually intrusive'To see report, click here,

From: Norman Cutting
BERKHAMSTED
Views:: Regarding the 'illegal' sign removed by the Castle. I was under the impression this process had been abandoned as the Aylesbury Company advertising hot air balloon flights has been on the verge for over 2 years as you enter Berkhamsted.
I can live with local business signs (remind self to erect sign outside by house!), but Aylesbury isn't even in Dacorum - yet!




Posted on site Sunday, March 23

Re: Dumped rubbish to cost taxpayerTo see report, click here,

From: Harry mann
Berkhamsted


Views: Re: Dumped waste computer screens These were not dumped at one site just in Ivinghoe!!!
Driving to MK sunday before last vis Cow Roast, Trinbg Station and Ivinghoe, there were at least 3 lay bys with similar dunmped computer screens..
Cow Roast, Between TRing Station and Ivingoe (Lay by) and Ivinghoe I am glad the serials are being used, very often business computers have equipment numbers marked on them too...
Everywhere I drive now there is dumped rubbish... drivers should be vigilant for dumpers.. I am suffering random vanadalism of cars too..
Of course there are no police whatsoever ANYWHER anymore due to govt. initiatives to tick boxes on crime, rather than prevent it happening. Herts Chiefy is also useless, refuses to target an area and keep at it.. 5 mins later they're back




Posted on site Saturday, March22

Re: Store imposes 'ageist' ban on teen shoppersTo see report, click here,

From: Ms Jayne Sears
Hemel Hempstead

Views:TESCO EVEN BANS ONE SINGLE TEENAGER DURING EVENING HOURS. WHAT IF THE TEENAGER IS DIABETIC AND NEEDS SUGAR. WHAT IF THE TEENAGER IS TRAVELLING BACK HOME TO ANOTHER TOWN AND NEEDS A SOFT DRINK.
My son Luke Sears went to the cinema on Friday evening and decided to buy a soft drink from Tesco on his route home. He was denied entry because he was a teenager. At 11pm he phoned the 0845 number. He was told that this should never have happened and they will be looking into this.




Posted on site Thursday, March 20

Re: Red Kite sightingsFor our report on the sightings plus photos click here


From: Steve
Hemel Hempstead
In the last 2 weeks I have sighted these 3 times. Today it was a pair flying over Camelot rugby club - let's hope they stay!


Posted on site Tuesday, March 18

Re: Shops sold cigarettes to teensCLICK HERE to see report

From: Christine
Hemel Hempstead

Views: Shops Sold Cigarettes to Teens - I am not surprised at this as my 16 year old grandson manages to get served with tobacco and alcohol at many of the shops in and the town and isn't even asked for any i/d.


Posted on site Monday, March 17

Re: LeisureWorld rumoursCLICK HERE to see report

From: Jessica Ladyman
Aylesbury

Views: I am really upset to hear that jarman park may be closing down , i travel there weekly with my friends as i love to go ice skating. It is really upsetting to hear that a main teenage attraction around this area may go. Please dont let it go .




Posted on site Sunday, March 16


Re: Award for building
From: Patsy Blackmore
Berkhamsted

Views: At the Berkhamsted Citizens Association AGM last week the Collegiate Schools' new building in Castle Street was voted the best new building in Berkhamsted. I am certainly not against modern architecture in its right place and if this building had been erected on a campus surrounded by landscaping,playing fields, etc, then perhaps it would merit such an accolade. But I know I am not alone in finding it a complete eyesore squashed as it is in what is probably the most historic and delightful street in the Conservation area.
The very redness of its brick and tiled facade (which might fade with the passing of many years) is offensive, To me it looks more like an erection at Legoland and I find it difficult to make any comment on its dog kennel like chimneys!
It remains a mystery to me how the plans of this extraordinary building, situated as it is in the conservation area, were ever passed by the Dacorum Planning Department. But, of course, that is in Hemel Hempstead. Residents of Berkhamsted BEWARE, our town is changing (and not always for the best) before our very eyes. RE;e:

Posted on Site Saturday, March 15)


Re: Missing Shannon found safeCLICK HERE to see report

From: Karen Hardy
st ives
Views: I'm elated that shannon has been found safe and well.But they are saying she is the only child to be found safe and well after going missing for 24 days but did we not have a boy in hemel hempstead go missing from gadebridge park area in the late 1980s and found safe and well after a few weeks in a hostel in the old town does anyone know how long he was missing? forgive me if im wrong.All the best to you all in hemel.
(Hemeltoday note: It was in 1991 that little Simon Jones went missing in Hemel. He was found alive and well after eight weeks.)

Re: Rude Jogger

From: S Liddiard
Hemel hempstead

Views: What Happened to Peoples Manners??? I was walking my dog along the footpath in Lawn Lane when i heard someone say something. i wasn't sure what i heard at first, because along that road you get noisy cars with loud music coming from them, or contiuous traffic screaming along.Then i heard it again, this time it was the word "Passage", What was it? i hear you ask?, well the next thing i heard was "Move it!!!"
I then turned to see a JOGGER coming up behind me along the narrow pavement,when i realised that this Ignorant, Arrogant man was actually shouting at me to move because i was walking on the very pavement where HE wanted to run on!
When i shouted back to him "the word is Please! you ignorant man" he laughed and barged his way through me, nearly knocking me into the busy road.
Is this how Joggers and runners behave these days??! because if it is I feel sorry for anyone who is eldery or disabled and cannot move as quickly as he did!
After checking several websites dedicated to Safely Jogging & Running it doesn't say be careful of other pedestrians using the pavements or be curtious towards other people. These "Joggers" should be aware that they aren't the only ones exclusively allowed to "run! or Jog!" on the paths which ordinary people use. Is manners old-fashioned now or is it that people cannot be bothered to learn them???




Posted on site Tuesday, March 11

RE: Grotspots in Hemel

From: Laura Stabler
Hemel Hempstead

In reply to Margeret Glen (Your Say comments Feb 25th) I have also noticed the dreadful state of open areas in Hemel. Where I live at the bottom of Turners Hill, it has now become a rubbish dump on and around the field. People dump old bikes, cupboards, rubbish bags, old paddling pools. Not only does it look disgusting, it is dangerous for local wildlife. Walking down the pathway towards town, the path is covered in dogs muck, the verges and bushes are overgrown and the trees are overhanging, and again more rubbish dumped. Further down towards the small industrial estate it looks like someone has just given up on dustbins altogether.
The rubbish is plastic cups from vending machines, wrappers and fast food cartons. Why are the businesses here not responsible for clearing this up? I also agree with Margaret that young offenders and those given community service orders should be at work regularly clearing these areas. Do the council even notice what is going on around them? I have tried to get these areas tidied up but staff at the council that I have contacted treat me like a nuisance. Possible if people who worked for the council actually cared residents might see more results.

Re M1 widening works Click here for background to M1 widening works

From: Michael
Hemel Hempstead

I just wondered whether all the work on the M1 will eventually help the rush hour traffic leaving Hemel to join the M1. The delays have always been horrendous and are obviously even worse at the moment. They are all caused by the roundabout at Breakspear way and Green Lane. Are there plans to improve this roundabout? It would seem silly to me that if after all this work the jams leaving Hemel are not solved. I think that even traffic lights would be better than the roundabout.


Re: Recycling

From: Laura Stabler
Hemel Hempstead

I have recently moved from a house to a flat. We have to use black bags in our wheelie bin as because of the hill the collectors dont move the bins they collect the bags. I have asked for a green bin for other refuse and have been refused. I have also asked for more shared recycling bins at the front of the flats and have been refused. Do the council actually want us to recycle?
Posted on site Monday, March 10

Sir/Madam

Shops and stores runs their in law by the invitation to treat. There is
no obligation to sell their goods even if you want to buy them.
If Tescos feel that they don't want to serve teenagers at certain times
of the day, they are perfectly within their rights.
Regards Steve Knapman

I whole heartedly agree with Tesco.
Unfortunately for the teenagers of today the minority have caused this situation for the majority. What really annoyed me was Yufan Zhao's comment that his human rights were being denied, this in my opinion is used too many times these days and too many people hide behind those words.
If he is such an upstanding young man he would respect the rules Tesco has made. In the interest of their staff and shoppers just a little understanding would go a long way.


I am in full support of Tesco on Jarmen park for their imposed restrictions on groups of young people shopping in groups after a certain time of night for the clear reasons given in last weeks Herald Express.
The management know what is the best for their store, and I feel, have every right to make the rules and Yufan Zhao, should not consider himself above these rules, and jump to the wrong conclusion of personal produce.
Yufan quoted, ' The stores clampdown could be effected if only used against trouble makers.'
If this was the rule it might be too late to catch the offenders since many of them look and behave normally until it is too late and somebody has been hurt or something has been stolen, trouble makers come from all social status.
I am sure that when Yufan gets to Cambridge university, he will have too little time on his hands to concern himself with making such a song and dance over minor petty offenses.

Susanna Nsude
Hemel Hempstead


I am writing to inform you of my disgust of the serves in which me and my two friends all received when we attended Tesco Supermarket in Hemel Hempsted last Friday evening (Friday the 7th of March 08).
Me and my two best friends, where just about to go ice-skating/bowling at Jarman Park. We where quite short on cash, so, to save us some money, we thought it would be a good idea to by some snacks and fizzy drinks at Tesco. When we arrived, we where about to enter, when the security guard stopped us and asked us to go in one at a time. So, my friend went through (thinking we where all aloud in, but only one at a time) and beckoned us to enter, so I stepped forward but the security guard told me to get back. Disgusted, me and my other friend texted the friend in the store and told her to get out. Whilst we where waiting for her return, another group of teenagers where about to enter the store, when they where told to stay back as well! Then a 'passer-by' asked the question we all wanted to know the answer to... "Excuse me, but why aren't you letting those teenagers go in the store together?". The security guard simply answered, "Because it is part of the security rules." Then my friend came out of the store and we walked of, embarrassed and disgusted.
When I told my mother and farther, they where furious, they told me to send in a letter of complaint but I haven't got round to doing it yet.

I am completely disgusted at Tesco. I could understand if I had caused any previous trouble at the store but I have not. How dare they stereo type me like that, just because of my age!

Yours sincerely P Taylor of the Hemel Hempstead School.


I am completely shocked and find it unbelievable to hear of the possibility that the Waste Recycling Centre at Tring is to close in October. This site is extremely valuable to all those who live in and around the Tring area. Surely there must be a large demand for this local site as every time I go it is very busy.
I am confused by the reason for this closure put forward by the county council, that half the people coming to the site were from outside the county. Well of course they are because the site is close to the boundaries of 3 counties, Herts, Beds and Bucks. How on earth was this survey carried out? Was the questions which county do you live in? Herts, Beds or Bucks? ………..Derr!.
Draw a 4 mile radius around the site at Tring and I'm sure you will find most people come from within the 4 radius. LOCAL PEOLPLE
It's ridiculous for the County Council to say there is an adequate alternative nearby. That doesn't sound like a very environmentally aware thing to say as everyone will now travel further in individual cars, bonkers!
Regards,
John Kaye (I live in Bucks, about a mile from the Recycling Centre)

Dear Sir,
As a Tring resident and a regular user of this well run site I am a loss to understand why it is a good thing to close this site.My wife and I try very hard to recycle as much as possible to the extent that we only expect the council to collect 1/2 a black bag of household waste once a fortnight which we cannot recycle, all other material is collected by the council as they request in bins provided or taken to the Tring Waste Site.How does forcing me to drive 15 miles in a return trip to Berkamsted regularly help with Global Warming ,Pollution or general congestion in the area.
I also wonder what the 60% visitors from Aylesbury Vale will do with their rubbish.I assume Hert CC will not be worried unless it appears on the outskirts of Tring in the Dacorum Area.Might I remind the CC that Tring is indeed in Herts although it is a long way from the seat of power and was the highest rated area for recycling in 2006/2007.With regard to parking problems ,try driving to the Berkamsted site and actually getting through the gate without queuing along the access road.The only problem with Tring is the fact that a small minority of users seem to have to drive right upto the bins rather than using legs and a bit of common sense.
Regards.


I fully sympathise with Mr Zhao regarding his mistreatment at the hands of tesco. I have experienced similar hostility from their staff and a follow up complaint to head office wasn't at all sympathetic. I'm not a teenager and i wasn't in a group,i'm a motorcyclist and experienced hostility in the petrol station for wearing a crash helmet (which is a legal requirement to wear one). I was rudely asked to take it off after filling up. When I asked where i could leave it, I was told that I must hold it despite having my hands full with my wallet (to pay) and my gloves. Tesco staff treat motorcyclists as potential armed robbers as they treat teenagers as trouble makers and management don't seem to care.

There must more than one answer to the problem of the cost of runningTring tip, the simplest seems to be to insist that all herts residents bring ID. No ID, no entry.
Ron


A number of years ago when Tesco advertised 24 hour opening, I discovered that wasn't the case. I was told the store had been required to close earlier due to the yobbish behaviour of young people from Leisureworld and I was annoyed the behaviour of a few had affected the convenience of all others wishing to shop. Years on, it seems that Tesco have required to take matters further but now the inconvenience of a few means the majority benefit. That seems much fairer, since the only inconvenience is that a group of young people require to organize a list for one person to buy and if sober, that should not be difficult. However, there may be another down side, for if groups of young people hang around outside waiting for the one shopper, surely that will deter many other shoppers from visiting Tesco? Could that be inconveniencing the majority again?! Regardless of shopping, I doubt that many people will stop to use the cash machine!
Anon

I was very interested to read your report in last weeks paper. My son on several occasions has been refused entry into the Tesco store at Jarman Park as have many of his friends. I might also add it has often been as early as 5pm. On one occasion a couple of weeks ago he was in the store attempting to buy some beer and a computer game when he was approached by a member of the security staff and was told to leave. This was done in a rude and aggressive manner and when my son challenged as to why, he was told "because I don't like the look of you". My son replied that he had been going into that store for years and buys his beer and computer games there regularly. He was made to leave the store and when my son protested he said that he was now banned for life. I would like to add that my son is nearly 21 and many of his friends have been denied entry, one of whom is 24, and even when they have there ID on them the security guards still will not allow them in. I'm don't disbelieve that Tesco do have problems with people from the nightclubs, but stopping just 2 or 3 friends going into the store when they are clearly not doing anything wrong is totally unfair, and basically they are saying that all young people are out to cause trouble. I don't believe that to be the case. Maybe the bad attitude comes from some of the security staff and not necessarily the younger generation.
P Hubbard

I am writing to you with reference to the article on the front page of this week's Gazette.
I cannot understand the reasoning behind the proposal to close Tring's waste site. I visit this site every fairly regularly and
it aways seems to be a well used site. It always seems to me whenever I visit that it is very busy and quite often has a queue of cars waiting to enter. The staff there are very helpful and efficient.
In the article, it is mentioned that the Berkhamsted site is already 'busy at peak time'. The proposal would put an unnecessary strain on this site and would surely lead to residents who couldn't get to Berkhamsted 'dumping' rubbish elsewhere!
The article also mentions that the Tring site had the highest rate of recycling in the whole county 2006/2007. Why spoil this?!
Access was also mentioned - yes, there is a small bridge over the canal to one side of the site, but a small detour via Aston Clinton would mean that lorries could avoid the bridge.
This matter needs careful consideration and hopefully the decision to close this useful amenity will be reconsidered.
Yours faithfully
Ken Parslow
Tring resident

Posted on site Sunday, March 9


Re: A great show

From: Michael Stanyon
Hemel Hempstead

Views: Hemel No Longer a Cultural Desert! For a local theatre company to risk putting on so well known a show as South Pacific one might expect an enthusiastic rendering falling somewhat short of the memories of a familiar and well loved film, most won't remember the stage show.

But for the production by the Hemel Hempstead Theatre Company putting their own stamp with subtle new twists, helped by the programme notes, was indeed a triumph. The entire cast, which must be near 100 including the house staff, would not have disgraced a West End production.

Brian Doran's Direction ensured that there was always something happening on stage to catch the eye. Nicola Casserley must be singled out in the principal part of Nellie Forbush, at times coquettish, in emotional turmoil or ecstatically happy, but always in good voice. Alongside her Emile de Becque played by Danny Asirati was given ample scope for his rich baritone.

The twelve piece orchestra conducted by Ron Jeanes was well up to West End standards too. From the moment I first heard the mens chorus sing There is Nothing Like a Dame I knew we were in for a cracking performance.

With all of this talent around it is a relief to know we are not living in a cultural desert.

Congratulations to everybody, cast, front of house, musicians, lighting, sound and stage management for a memorable evening.



Re Hemel Hempstead Hospital

From: David Angell
Dublin

Views: :It recently came to my attention that should one have an accident with a suspected broken bone, they would have to go to Watford Hospital, a bad sprain however could be treated in Hemel Hempstead. Does this mean that if diagnosed in Watford with the sprain one would be transported back to Hemel Hempstead sprain and minor scratch department? Also - is there a St Albans fracture clinic for neither sprains nor breaks? I wonder if this is the case also for our local government who is very quiet on the issue (all parties included), if I have a complaint about a hospital closure do I need a separate form to that of one for complaints about street pavements?


Re: Dancers sending out an SOS
Click here to see report

From: Steve Newby
Reading
Views: I and a number of my friends have been regular salsa dacners at the town hall for several years,and have never seen anyone using chalk as claimed by the town hall trust. Indeed it serves no purpose to do so with modern shoes worn for dancing. Mr Cowie should be asked to explain how come this an issue just at his town hall: it has never been raised as an issue at any other Salsa venue,other town halls included? (Ealing,Chiswick,Hammersmith town halls have run regular salsa event for many years and continue to do so).He gives the game away in his comments in your interview,revealing the real reason: this is simply to increase revenues. We often eat or have a drink locally before the dancing,so this decison will have a detrimental effect on the local business as well. Mr Cowie threfore does Berkhampstead a diservice with these actions.



Posted on site Friday, March 7

I have been a regluar dancer at the TOWN HALL for sereral years. i am greatly dismayed at the closure of this event which serves not only the local community but also others from further afield. There have been several reasons given for closure - chalk ????!!!! on the dance floor - I would suggest cleaning fluids are not ecologically sound as they are leavng a white residue and also that the council wishes to make money from weddings - I DO NOT understand why suddenly the town hall has become a hot spot for such events, I would also suggest the managemnt exmaine their consitution AS WEDDINGS are not educational or furthering the good of the comMunity but lining the pockets of the council and others.
AMANDA LING
SEMPILL ROAD, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD


Dear Sir
We must all be concerned to read Tom Bevan's plea in yesterday's Gazette for the setting up of a youth counselling service in Berkhamsted. I was disappointed, though, that your piece made no mention of the Samaritans, who exist and have existed for nearly sixty years, to provide just such a service day and night for people of all ages. Their national number is: 0845 790 9090.
Ex-Samaritan

After reading Yufans story, I could easily spot the similarities of his
experience with my past experiences.
Usually, the security guard on patrol won't let even one of us in,
promptly rudely telling us to "go away".
One rare time, when he did let me in whilst my friend waited outside,
I returned to find her distraught and close to tears after being
humiliated by other teenagers outside the store. I strongly blamed part
of this on the security guard and Tesco, as they were the ones
responsible for making her vunerably wait outside alone in the dark.
Not only am I furious with the way we are all stereotyped as anti- social yobs, but I am also extermely angered on one occasion when a
friend, who is diabetic, was refused entry when she tried to enter
Tesco to buy a sugary snack when she felt her sugar level going low.
Luckily, she was with us and used one of our mobiles to phone her
mother to quickly pick her up. I dread to think what could have
happened had she been alone.

I do respect Tescos wishes to reject anti-social teenagers from the
store that may repel customers, but it is infact intimidating for young
people to be by themselves.

Whatever happens, I do hope Tesco reviews this ban, as it not only
intimidates innocent young people, but does actually put me and many of
my friends off from ever entering Tesco stores.
Kayla, 16


I read your article regarding the plans put forward by the East of England Regional Assembly for an increase in gypsy caravan pitches in Dacorum. I think I must be getting old and forgetful but would someone please tell me when we voted for representatives for this Assembly that is making plans for our area and who the member for Dacorum is!
Eileen Heylin
Crofts Path
Hemel Hempstead


I read your article regarding Tesco and their rules regarding not letting teenagers in after 7pm on Fridays or Saturdays.
However last Saturday my 11yr old son and his two female friends of 12yrs had just been to watch a movie at Jarman Park. They came over to Tesco's where I was shopping to let me know that the movie had finished and to then get a lift back home again. The security guards on the door would not let them in, said only one of them could come in. My son had to text me to say he was outside. I left my trolley behind to go and talk to them and heard the guards stopping 3 teenagers saying that only two of them could go in. All of this happened at +/- 4pm on Saturday afternoon.
There appears to be a variety of rules that Tesco have. It does seem a bit unfair for an 11yr old to be refused admission. Just as well that he had a mobile phone and could text me, otherwise they might have missed their lift home.
Fiona Widzowski (Grovehill, Hemel Hempstead).

Posted on site Thursday, March 6

Hi I feel that tesco are wrongly choosing groups of youngsters to ban as my son was barred to going in the shop when i asked thim to by me somthing a few weeks ago, he was with his mate of 16yrs and it was only 5pm he was not asked to leave but grabbed by the shoulder and escourted of the premmises, concerned parent D. Mills


Name: Marion
Subject: Berkhamsted-Bursting At The Seams.Reply.
Message: At last somebody is singing from the same hymn sheet as myself. We have lived in Berkhamsted for almost twelve years and are saddened at the damage that is being done regarding infilling and huge building projects.
My husband commutes and is now finding it difficult to get a seat on the train. The roads are jammed and full of potholes, schools are full, doctors bursting at the seams. When are planners going to take off their blinkers? In the centre of Berkhamsted your not allowed to park for more than four hours, they penalize the workers. I, like many other local workers spend a lot of my working day running round Berkhamsted to find a parking space (numerous tickets slapped on our windscreens). I like many others work for an estate agent, so need quick access to my car, in order to show clients around. The whole situation is ludicrous.
The massive building at Stag Lane will result in hundreds of extra cars, where are all these cars and people going to go?
The drains where we live cannot cope with the housing that is already there and Dacourum want to build hundreds more. Dacorum as a council is known as a laughing stock as no matter how many, or what type of planning that people put forward, they eventually pass it. Regardless of what the locals think or the impact on Berkhamsted.
As residents, we need to make a stance because every available green space is being swamped. Berkhamsted does not need any more houses-WE ARE FULL TO CAPACITY!!!
Thank you for highlighting our crisis.


I have just read your article about the possible closure of the Tring Recycling/Waste Site. I am shocked that the County Council should consider this. I have, and hopefully will continue, to use this site on a regular basis. Last year I journeyed many a time 'down the dump' to take a lot of my garden waste. I can easily fill up my green bin during the two week collection cycle and there is not much room left for our hedge cuttings, pruning of trees, general garden tidying etc. When so much is made of caring for the environment, the Council will be forcing people to use their cars to drive further afield to recycle their waste. I hope this proposal is seen for what it is and put firmly in the bin!
A Hopcraft
Miswell Lane
Tring


Like most Tring residents we were appalled to read the lead article in this week's Gazette. I think there are three significant points to raise:
1. The County Council cites access difficulties as the main reason for the closure proposal on account of the hump-backed bridge. During the 35 years we have lived here it has always been possible to turn right on leaving the site and gain access to any part of the county without the need to use a narrow bridge. Perhaps Herts C.C could interrogate Multimap.
2. Taking away the facility will obviously precipitate fly-tipping, an eyesore of which we are relatively free at the moment.
3. Having to burn fossil fuel ourselves to go to Berkhamsted instead is hardly environmentally friendly.
In addition it is hardly surprising if a number of users are from outside the County, again the clue lies in the atlas - New Mill is a stone's throw from Bucks and Beds!
Regular users of "the dump"
Gill and Brian Lerigo


Last week they proposed to take away our local bus service, this week our household waste recycling site. I wonder what it is going to be next week. As a resident of Tring I feel so angry that the powers that be think it is okay to remove what I consider to be a public service. Why does everything have to be cost effective?
Concerning the 500 bus story in last weeks paper, how do they propose, that I a non-car driver, will be able to visit local towns for shopping trips. We are always being told to support local shops yet they take away the means to do that. And what about the local teenagers who use this route to attend Aylesbury and Watford colleges. How do they propose they continue with their further education if they can't get there?
With regard to this weeks proposal to close a very well used facility, I find this unbelievable. We are all urged to recycle as much as we can which we do at a very efficient site. The council has stated that the humpback bridge is difficult for collection lorries. Well, they have managed for many years so what has changed now. They also claim that people from Aylesbury Vale use it. Well, if I lived for example in Aston Clinton, why would I want to drive into an already congested Aylesbury when there is a perfectly adequate facility a mile down the road. Does it really matter where people recycle their waste, the important thing is that we are doing it. We are always being told to save energy, use the car as little as possible, yet with both these proposals they are making more people use their cars and for longer journeys. In the current climate with regard to the environment I find both of these proposals totally unacceptable.
Julie Hamilton
Tring


You will be pleased to hear that last Thursday Dacorum Council's Development Control Committee rejected an application to build a thrid house in Meadway behind No's 11, 13 and 15; the building of two having been approved earlier under delegated powers by the Council's Planning Staff. I am convinced that the publicity generated by your newspaper's stand on the issue of back-filling in Berkhamsted had a great influence on the committee whose decision was unanimous. Well done the Gazette and thank you.
G,c, Lamb
Air Vice-Marshal
Berkhamsted


Once again Tring will take the brunt of Hertfordshire's finance cuts.The decision to close down the Tring recycling centre.
I suggest the decision makers attend the site to observe how many people use the site.Do they really think that Berkhampstead is a viable substitution?
The argument that access is limited does not have any factual substance and is like their decision, "rubbish".
All local companies who use HGV do not use Heygate's bridge due to weight limits. They use Lower Ickenield Way without causing any undue congestion to local traffic.
The alternative to residents in and around Tring should "dump" their rubbish at bus stops . As it looks like our bus services are to be cut they will be made redundant as a passenger service, but have very good access HGVs.
Yours fuming
Brian Webb
Tring


Regarding your piece of 5th March, why close something that works well? Tring tip is tidy, organised, well run and obove all local. We need local disposal to avoid illegal dumping. People just don't like having to cart their rubbish further than absolutely necessary.
We can't help being just over the boundary with Bucks. County Councils used to operate a "Knock For Knock" scheme for overlapping services. There must sites in neighbouring counties that are used by Herts residents. So live and let live. It really does seem childish to tell people that they must cart rubbish further than their nearest tip when this leads to more traffic, pollution and dumping.
There is more room to expand the Tring tip to the left of the entrance and lorries can avoid using the canal bridge by gaining access from the other direction. There isn't a major parking problem - all tips have queues at busy times and if Tring tip were to close we will certainly see queues at Berkhamsted with all the pollution that will bring.
Lets have an intellegent decision here from the local point of view rather than from some pen pusher in Hertford. I would like Herts CC to issue all residents with questionnaires for our views on this most important subject.
John Scafe
Tring

REF TRING RE-CYLING CENTRE
THE COMMENTS FROM COUNTY BEGGAR BELIEF,THERE ARE MANY TIGHT DELIVERY PLACES IN MANY OLD MARKET TOWNS AND I AM UN AWARE OF ANY ACCIDENTS THERE ??, THE USE IS CONSIDERABLE WHICH SHOWES HOW MUCH IT IS REQUIRED AND ALSO A CREDIT TO THE OPERATORS

AND STAFF ON SITE,IF THIS IS CLOSED,TWO HORRORS WILL HAPPEN,FLY TIPPING WILL TAKE PLACE AND PREHAPS WORSE STILL IS WHAT PLANS HAVE COUNTY FOR THE SITE ONE CAN IMAGINE CANT ONE ,THE BLOOD RUNS COLD
RONALD AND SUSAN LANNING TRING


Re: Youths being turned away from Tesco
I was just ready the front cover of this week's Herald Express newspaper about Yufan Zhao being refused entry to Tesco store at Jarman Park.. unfortunately this is not an isolated incident and as a Friday night shopper have witnessed this on countless occasions, in one instance I heard 2 young men aged about 18 and very smartly dressed try to explain that they only wanted a few bits and they were still turned away. What if they had a small child at home and wanted nappies ??
My own son a 14yr old boy and his 2 friends were also refused entry trying to buy sweets for the cinema a few weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon .. I understand that the store have trouble with drunken youths late at night or large groups of kids shop lifting , but really , do we need to tar all teenagers with the same brush and think they are all out to cause trouble , surely this will just make kids dislike and respect adults even more ...
Steph

Posted on site Wednesday, March 5

Re: Dancers sending out an SOS
Click here to see report

From: Renee Alldridge
Berkhamsted
Views: I have been a regular attendee at Berkhamsted Salsa Club, held at Berkhamsted Town Hall, since the club's opening and I am writing to protest at its proposed closure due to the actions of the Berkhamsted Town Hall Trust over allegations as to the use of chalk on footware.

Berkhamsted Salsa Club is renowned as a successful and friendly club, and in particular, has been a good club for beginners salsa. The club is popular with the local community as well as attracting people from as far as Ware, Aylesbury, Milton Keynes and Reading. Each week the club attracts over 100 people due to the variety and high quality salsa teachers and also due to the good sized and attractive hall, the good wooden sprung floor and the bar facilities - all attributes of Berkhamsted Town Hall and integral to the success of Berkhamsted Salsa Club.

As far as the allegations to the use of chalk, I have never witnessed anyone do this in all my time at the club. The floor is very good for dancing so I believe that the use of chalk would be unnecessary and, furthermore, would render the dance shoes to be too slippery and dangerous on that floor. Surely if the Berkhamsted Town Hall Trust reconsidered its position and sought a solution to, what is after all, a minor and surmountable problem which could easily be solved by good professional cleaning. In addition, the attendees at Berkhamsted Salsa Club are well behaved and not rowdy and, I believe, respect and love the building and property of Berkhamsted Town Hall.

The cancellation of the contract at Berkhamsted Town Hall will certainly mean closure for this popular salsa club and I believe that this will reflect badly on the Berkhamsted Town Hall Trust, choosing disservice to the community it has been appointed to serve. The sprung, wooden floor of Berkhamsted Town Hall was designed, amongst other things, to be used for dancing - long may it be so!

Re Hemel Hospital

From: brenda
USA
Views: How sad to hear of the demise of Hemel Hospital. I did my training at West Herts Hospital in the fifties a few years before leaving with my British family for the US. At that time West Herts was a place to be proud of, I enjoyed every minute of my time there. Ah well! such is progress!

Is there no way to hold on to a medical center that seems to be badly needed in the area?


Posted on site Tuesday, March 4

Re: Closure of Salsa calasses

From: Natalie Coulter
Views: Regarding the forthcoming closure of the Friday night salsa with and123, I would like to know why, after 4 years the Town hall have suddenly decided that it is a problem to have salsa there. There will be many, many disppointed salsa dancers in the community and we would be happy to adhere to any request the Town Hall may have if it means that we can keep the venue open.
Salsa dancing is such a healthy, fun and sociable activity. Salsa dancers never get drunk or start fights and are always very respectful of the venues where they dance. I would be surprised if you could find a more trustworthy group of people to hire a venue to.
Whatever the problem is, if the Town Hall really want to then I am certain they can find a compromise which doesn't mean taking away our Salsa. Anyone else who feels the same please contact the Town Hall and ask them to reconsider, perhaps they should come along and see what they are depriving us of!

From: Disappointed of Berkhamsted
Views: I hear that the the management company from the Town Hall have terminated the contract with our local salsa group. The reasons are unclear; leaving many dedicated and aspiring dancers disillusioned.

From: Diane Brown
Aylesbury
Views: Since taking up salsa last summer, I regulary travel from Aylesbury to enjoy the friendly party atmosphere and the choice of lessons at Berkhamsted town hall.

I find the accusation that the dancers have been using chalk dubious, as I have never witnessed this. There is no need to use chalk on the floor as it is adequate.

For the real reason why the venue is being cancelled I suggest you 'look to the money.'

From: L.D.
Letchworth
Views: I am dumb-founded by the decision of the Chair of the Board, Mr Ron Cowie and the Manager, Mr Ian Hall of the Berkhamsted Town Hall, to cancell the contract with And123 Ltd and the Salsa Classes held at the Town Hall on Friday Evenings!
The grounds for the cancellation of contract are apparently an unsubstantiated accusation of using "Chalk" on the dance floor and causing an excessive cleaning task with the subsiquent residue.
This is totally ludicrous and no evidence has ever been produced to back this claim up, especially as there is none.
I have never witnessed or heard of any of the patrons of these Friday evenings ever using chalk! And for what purpose any way?
I appeal to the people responsible for the idiotic decision to cancell the Friday evening contract to reconsider their decision and let the contact continue. It is one the most popular events at the Town Hall and people for many miles come to use the facility.
Thank you kindly from a disgruntled frequent

From: David Beal
Dunstable
Views: it is a great shame that salsa is being stopped in Berkhamsted. i have been going for around 2 years and it is a great night out. the lessons and teachers are great, the atmosphere fantastic and everyone is so friendly down there and have i made new friends to. i just hope the management at the town hall change their mind and keep salsa alive in Berkhamsted as the town will suffer such a great loss for entertainment on a Friday evening.

Re: Congratulations for 'best in country' A&E waiting times Click here to see report

From: Norman Cutting
BERKHAMSTED
Views: It can only be the Trust that doesn't know that the way the A&E 'targets' are met is by the Ambulance crews waiting round the corner until they are sure the target of 4 hours can be met. My mother was taken as an emergency over the Christmas period, but according the the ambulance crew, neither Watford and Hemel 'could take her'. She ended up in HH observation ward for the night.


Posted on site Monday, March 3

Re: Nappy recyclingClick here to see report

From: Katie
Views: Disposable Nappies!
As you know that the new disposable nappies are full of 'swell gel',
it's the same stuff you get from the garden centre to add to compost
to retain moisture and costs around £5 a box. I have started to re-use my grandson's nappies, just the wet ones! Rinse them in the shower until all the 'yellow' has gone and they don't smell. Rip one end and squeeze them into your compost and hay presto compost that doesn't dry out. Ideal if you live in an area that has hose pipe bans every summer. I'm always nagging my daughter about the nappies; I always used towelling ones when my kids were babies. And the thought of all the nappies ending up in landfill horrifies me. Have a go, it's free and greener.
Katie, A new nanny

Re Salsa classes closing

From: Jeff Banks
Hatfield
Views: The news of the closure of the Salsa evening ( Fridays ) held at Berkhamstead town hall is outrageous.
The local council have issues concerning the floor but have no evidence into the cause ?
The company running the dance evenings ' and123 ' have tried to work with the local council but to no avail. ' and123 ' have done many fund raising charity evenings and good for the communities around hertfordshire. No other venue has an issue with the flooring so it would seem there are other issue's they are not telling us about ?

From: Helen Loomes
Heath and Reach
Leighton Buzzard
Views: I am a very keen dancer and regularly attend both Salsa on Fridays and Ceroc on Sundays at Berkhamsted Town Hall.

We have now been informed that Salsa will have to stop because it is suspected that dancers are using chalk on their shoes and this is causing a cleaning problem. I can assure you that I have never seen anyone put chalk on their shoes and they would not need to as the floor is very good and nothing else is needed to aid spinning.

I have certainly noticed the white footprints in the bar area on both nights and wondered what it is. Having now talked to other dancers, we think it is the polish you are using which is grinding off when we dance and then leaving a powder residue on the carpeted areas.

A lot of people will be very upset if this regular event is cancelled and it is also inconsistent to target one organisation and not the other. This is a problem that has caused a lot of conternation amongst the dancers but feel it could be solved by looking at the polishes that are used whether the have been changed recently, because this has only started happening recently.



Posted on site Sunday, March 2

Re End to Salsa Classes

From: Dr Alison Tierney
Berkhamsted
Views: I am writing to protest about the ending of salsa classes at Berkhamsted Town Hall. This Friday night event is a wonderful occasion and it will be a tragedy if it ends, as planned, on March 14th. I have recently started learning salsa and was looking forward to carrying on for many months and years ahead.

I gather that there is a controversy about white marks on the carpet in the bar area outside the dance hall. As I understand it, the white marks are the result of the method of cleaning the floor of the dance hall, but the salsa dancers have been accused of causing the marks by using chalk on their shoes (which they don't).

This is an absurd situation, where a simple solution can be found so that the event can continue. I have made my views known to Ian Hall (Town Hall manager) and councillor Ron Cowie. I hope very much that they will be willing to review the situation and resolve it so the dancing can continue. However, as things stand at present, Mr Hall has stated that the salsa event must end on March 14th.


From: Belinda Atkins
Welwyn Garden City
Herts AL7 3PD
Views: No more Salsa at Berkhamsted Town Hall!

At the moment, the 123 Salsa Club has a Salsa night every Friday night in Berkhamsted Town Hall. It is a great venue, and the best Salsa night for miles around, and certainly consistently the best I have ever been to. Based on an unfounded allegation by the Town Hall Manager regarding dancers using chalk on their shoes, the salsa night is to be cancelled.

If there is anything your paper can do to highlight this injustice, it would be much appreciated by all the Berko Salsa goers.

From: Sue Atkinson
Hertford
Views: I am writing to express my sadness that Berkhamsted Town Hall will no longer host salsa dancing(and123.co.uk) on a Friday, I am really upset. It supposedly has to stop because people have been putting chalk on their shoes and ruining the dance floor - I have never seen anyone doing this. What is the point of having such a wonderful dance floor when it is not put to optimum use.

I went to salsa at Berkhamsted Town Hall last night and was told that it would only be running for the next two weeks. I was completely shocked - people travel from all over the county (I come from Hertford) to visit this wonderful venue, not only does it have a fantastically large dance floor; it is a beautifully renovated hall and a wonderful place to dance. This is one of the few places where there is no rowdy behaviour. Since taking up salsa 3 years ago I now drink less alcohol, have got fit (I would have thought the government would be promoting an event like this), have learnt a new skill, and have made lots of new friends from all walks of life and all ages. There may be other places that hold salsa classes but none as large or as friendly as Berkhamsted.

I implore the Manager and The Chair of Berkhamsted Town Council to change their minds.


From: Matt Brett
Hitchin,
Views: I have just found out that the salsa night held every Friday in Berkamstead town hall has been cancelled by the council on (unsubstatiated) grounds that dancers have used chalk on the floor and it's being damaged as a result. This is ludicrous - this event has been going on for years, and I've never seen anyone do this. Even though the organisers have offered to pay for any additional cleaning and polishing, this has been dismissed out of hand by the council and site manager.

100-150 people attend this evening every week, making it one of the most popular classes in Herts. The idea that this group would endanger the future of this event by not following venue rules is crazy - it would be impossible to meet a nicer bunch of people more enthusiastic about dancing. I myself travel 20+ miles each way because this is such a great evening, and lots of regular attendees do the same.

From: K. Jones
Bicester,
Views: I just want to express my disgust at the council's decision to cancel the Friday Salsa event at Berkhamstead Town Hall. The conflicting excuses given are very odd. This is the best event around and we regularly come down from Bicester for it. this must be the best moneymaking event at the Hall, it will be a very sad day for all concerned when it closes.

From: Ivan Cronyn
Berkhamsted
Views: I heard today that the Berkhamsted Town Hall has cancelled the contract for the Salsa dancing on Friday nights. My wife and I and many friends in Berkhamsted have enjoyed dancing at this venue over the years. I am saddened that Berkhamsted is to lose this most popular event due to the manager being unable to come to an accomodation with And123, the company providing the excellent evening.

I have heard some details of a dispute related to "chalk" on the floor, and cannot believe that this is why this excellent evening is being discontinued.

I have written to Ron Cowie, Chair of the Trust that runs the town hall, and Ian Hall, the manager. I trust they will be able to provide a satisfactory explanation.



Re: Bursting at the seams Click here to see report

From: Michael Groom
Berkhamsted,
Views: I would like to congratulate you on your piece "Bursting at the seams". On Ellesmere Road there was a recent attempt to garden-grab and luckily this was turned down by the planning committee to our relief. Currently the parking situation is getting worse and this will only be increased by garden- grabbing. As it is the local highways need major work as their condition is poor.

Posted on site Thursday, February 28

Colin Garrett
Views: Every resident of Berkhamsted should take note of Dr Laurence Handy's excellent paper entitled "Wake up Berkhamsted" (see Gazette web site). The relentless over-development of the town is negating the very reasons that people chose to come here to live in the first place. It is still a pleasant and busy market town BUT there are too many cars and not enough parking, the roads are in a very poor state, the street drains are blocked, the water supply is under pressure as are the schools. And yet more and more building is allowed. What is the limit ?



Name:Anthony
Council Tax and Rent Increases I think it is absolutely disgusting that the council can raise rents for its tenants by 7.3% and council tax by 4.5%. What they have not taken into consideration is the fact that living expenses have gone up so much that they are putting their tenants into poverty. Gas and Electric costs have risen by approx 20% in the past year, and so has fuel. Wages are not rising much - if at all. If the Head Counceilor of Herts County Council can afford to be given a 17% pay rise, why isn't that money being spent better to keep the increases down to a much lower level. Three Rivers Council have not raised their rents or council tax for 2008/9 because they have a surplus in their accounts, and they are also using that money in their area for well needed projects, so why can't Dacorum do that. Stop blaming Central Government and get things sorted.

Posted on site Monday, February 25

Re: Disgusting Hemel!

From: Margret Glen
hemel hempstead
Views: I don't know if anyone else has noticed the dreadful state of hemel and surrounding areas,the roads and grass verges are strewn with rubbish they look absolutely disgusting, also there is dog s**t all over the place, have the council ever thought of having a clean up ??? there must be lots of young offenders about, how about putting them to work, it would certainly keep them out of mischief. Hemel used to be such lovely clean place to live. WHAT HAPPENED??????????

Re: Red Kite sightingsFor our report on the sightings plus photos click here


From Alan Dickson
Grovehill
I saw a red kite over Great Gaddesden yesterday, near Wyevale Garden
Centre, and took my wife back to see it again today. It was soaring near a
buzzard that also seems to live in the area. I took this photo with my 400 mm
zoom lens but it's not very distinct.
Alan Dickson
Grove Hill.


Posted on site Sunday, February 24

Re: Council homes could be soldCLICK HERE to see story

From: Martin White
Hill Hemel Hempstead

Views:With regards to the proposed council housing sell off,it was quite by chance that I found out that Dacorum Borough Council should have sent out "to all DBC tenants" a form asking those tenants how we wish to proceed in the way that the consultation is framed. I rang the Civic Centre who then passed me on to another place where I was kept waiting for ten minutes before answering. The man at the other end of the line seemed surprised that I had not received the form.He promised to send it that day but I still have not received it!! I am now wondering if there are other tenants of DBC who like me have not received these important forms.I think it is vitally important that ALL DBC tenants are aware of what is going to happen to them.

Re rent and tax hikeCLICK HERE to see story
Fom: rob

Views: As i have stated many times this council will take take and take. close all facilities hospitals etc . The council are only in it for the money and will only pay for what is essential. Look at the state of the roads go back 20 years hemel was clean and a great place to live. The sooner hemel people are voted into council the better.




Comments from earlier months can be viewed using the links in the grey box at the top right of this page.