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YOUR COMMENTS:

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.



Posted on site Saturday, February 23

Pub praise

From: Geoff Newman.
Ontario, Canada.
Views: While visiting the U.K. last year I visited the newly refurbished "Top of the world" I remember it as a typical working class pub with crisps or peanuts on the menu, however I was surprised to find the well furnished, clean and bright surroundings with a varied menu. The food arrived quickly and was well presented and I enjoyed it very much. The staff were helpfull and friendly and I look foreward to eating there on my next visit in April.


Posted on site, Thursday February 21

Re: Fuel to return to BuncefieldClick here to see report


From: Ian Johnston
Berkhamsted.
Views: The Powder Magazine in Berwick-upon-Tweed was built in 1749 with strong walls and a lightweight roof so that, in the event of an explosion, the blast would be directed upwards and damage to neighbouring buildings would be minimised.

The same principle could be applied to the Buncefield depot by surrounding it with high earth ramparts. The oil companies could afford to fund the construction of these without suffering much damage to their profits.



Posted on site Wednesday, February 20


Re: Re Dacorum council tax increaseCLICK HERE to see report


From: Mark
Hemel Hempstead

Views: How can Dacorum Borough Council justify a 4.5% rise in our council tax? We are having our hospital removed from us, have proposed school closures, only have our rubbish removed twice weekly, and have hardly anything to speak of in terms of entertainment / leisure activities, apart from Leisure World. How the hell can this be really justified? I take on board the transparency of where the money is to go, but realistically, to the man on the street, our everyday services are getting worse.
Coupled with increased energy bills, rising mortgage rates and inflation, and petrol prices going through the roof, I think there could be many (not just pensioners), who will start to struggle.

Re Hemel Hempstead Hospital

Name supplied:
Hemel Hempstead
Views: Just a note for other Hemel Hospital users.

I just wanted to say that last Monday 18th I had an angiogram at Hemel Hospital and amidst the closure aspect I could not fault the speed, service, care,cleanliness,staff who were wonderful and the care taken by Doctors unsurpassed.

I was so nervous but the staff made me feel much more relaxed, and at home and the Doctors kept me well informed and TALKED to me throughout.

Along with this as local, I could easily get there and home without much effort.......Forget Watford!!! that would have been at least 1 hour each way.

For any staff reading I was in cublicle 2 in Cardio day ward.


Re: Re Dacorum council tax increaseCLICK HERE to see report

From: Name witheld
Berkhamsted

Views:I think its absolutely wicked that the Manor Street Day Care Centre for the elderly is likely to shut. So this is yet another decision based purely on finances, no doubt the council will sell the property to pocket lots of money. And what of the 72 elderly residents who use the day care centre, do they just go to Hemel or Tring? Do they rely on the much reduced and much pricier bus service? As one lady pointed out, many of the elderly residents need routine and will find it difficult travelling elsewhere. Another nail in the coffin of 'community'. And what is this twaddle written by the council spokesman 'each service user will have an individual review'. Please don't look at our old people as 'service users' - they have spent much of their lives defending our country and make it the rich and varied place it is to live and deserve much better treatment from us.



Posted on site Monday, February 18

Re: No home for vital cancer screening unitCLICK HERE to see report

From: John Copas
Tring, Herts
Views: Who are these 'officials' and councillors who place the income from a few parking spaces above the wellbeing of so many of their constituents?
Have they forgotten why they were employed/elected by those same people?
What price the misery and despair of the 420 families already
'discovered' over the past two years had they not had the services of this unit?


Posted on site Sunday, February 17

Re: Hemel's Magic RoundaboutCLICK HERE to see report

From: steven king
Views: I think the magic rondabout is excellent, it test your skills of driving,the only people who have problems are people who cant and shouldn't drive.



Posted on site Saturday, February 16


Re: No home for vital cancer screening unitCLICK HERE to see report

From: Anxious of Tring
Views: I see no reason why Tring Sports Centre cannot be used this year. It was perfectly satisfactory last time.


Re: Playschemes in line for axeCLICK HERE to see report

From: Stephanie
Hemel Hempstead
It can only work as one playscheme if there are enough staff on the rota to cover the ratios. This is hard to do during half term weeks as the employed staff who attend university are not available to work. The council need to consider employing more staff before this idea should be considered. It is very trying working all day at the playscheme.

One big playscheme would work, but I know that some parents do not drive and would find it hard to get to Tudor playscheme. I feel Leverstock Green would work better if it opened all day as a lot of parents need all day supervision for their children and this is not available there so the numbers are low there.

However, the playschemes are very good fun for the children and they come back time and time again because they enjoy it so much.
The staff are very friendly and look after the children well.



Posted on site Friday, February 15

Re: No home for vital cancer screening unitCLICK HERE to see report
From:Kevin
Berkhamsted

Views: "But this year Berkhamsted women will have to travel to Luton for the vital tests because there is nowhere in the town to set up the 40ft screening facility."
May I suggest that the screening unit could be parked in the same area, as the Day Centre is now sighted. This would be in the old Social Services car park in Manor Street, Berkhamsted

From: Kay
Berkhamsted

Views: Surely somewhere can be found to situate the mobile screening unit! It is about saving lives after all. That must be worth more than six to eight parking spaces! If not, how about the road behind Berkhamsted Sports Centre where it was set up in 2002? I can't believe nowhere can be found to house this vital service.


Re: Study to find potential housing plotsCLICK HERE to see report

From: karen
Views: Re the development of 18,000 new homes to be built in Hemel Hempstead by 2031. Amazing - another potential 18,000 families and yet no hospital facilities............

From: Daniel
Woodhall farm
Views: I'd like to know where these homes are going to be built. I hope that Green belt land wont be used. When the average Joe asks to build on green belt land we get told there is no chance. One rule for the government and one rule for us. Tell me the last time the government did anything to make the general public happy?
Also, we dont have enough schools in the town to cope with this many new people. And we are also now without a proper hospital. Tell me how these officials who make the decisions actually get into these positions of power?? I feel strongly that what is happening in our town is mirroring the decline of our entire nation. Can't someone sort this mess out!?


From: Norman Cutting
BERKHAMSTED
So, Housing consultancy Llewellyn Davies Yeang has been employed by Dacorum Borough Council to carry out a 'Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment' for the period 2007 to 2031.

Makes you wonder why it can't be done 'in house' instead of providing a profit for outsiders.
The Town Centre consultants for Berkhamsted believed that Bourne End was part of Berkhamsted, when they repeated the same task twice (2 payments, same consultants!!). The Borough Officers did a Borough wide study a few years ago identifying sites which might be suitable, so half the work has already been done 'in house'.

Re: Fuel to return to BuncefieldClick here to see report


From: Jane
Apsley
Views: I think we might be being a bit unfair here. BP were merely a neighbour to this incident but as a result have been unable to operate for over 2 years. Are they really all that different to all the other companies on the Maylands industrial estate? They too have suffered damage and business interuption through no fault of their own. I am unaware of any claims against BP and they have committed to a safety action plan with the council. In fact, if there were any reservations about the safety of their proposals, there are other authorities with the power to stop then: the HSE and Environment Agency. Amazingly, these key facts always seem to be missing from newspaper reports. Much as we might want to stop BP just because we don't like the idea, these aren't really sufficient grounds! If the HSE are happy that they can operate safely, then that's our only logical argument gone out the window! Just imagine that this was December 2007 following the Holywell Haulage fire on the same estate, we would all be clamouring for support for all affected business and trying to help them get back on their feet........wouldn't we? Why should this be any different?

From: karen kucper
Adeyfield
Views: Having been one of only three families whose homes were completely destroyed, I think it is outrageous that any kind of operations could be allowed to resume, particularly when many have received nothing by way of decent compensation.
Why should these oil companies be allowed to start making obscene amounts of profit when they have treated this community so insensitively.
Their team of legal experts have done their upmost to ensure that not only have people lost their homes, they have managed to make sure that certain families have lost their dignity too.
I could not put into words my true feelings, you wouldn't be allowed to print them.
To say I'm angry is putting it mildly. We have been treated worse than criminals. We never wanted to become victims but we have.



Posted on site Thursday, February 14

Re: Fuel to return to BuncefieldClick here to see report


From: Graham Glover
500 metres from Buncefield

Views: We (the residents of Lilly Lane) were subjected, just after 6am on that cold and dark Sunday morning to a waking nightmare; beds covered in debris, houses full of ominous crashes, falling ceilings, more explosions and a wall of fire seen through the windows. We climbed over demolished front doors to abandon our badly damaged houses and all our possessions to an unknown fate. We didn't return for six days.
Frankly, I thought I'd managed to put it all behind me. I haven't made a fuss. The insurance company repaired all the damage and I got on with my life. But now it seems that the oil companies can just carry on where they left off. From what I've read of the 'accident'; it seems clear to me that there were maintenance, procedural and design issues that show a level of sloppy incompetence or corporate irresponsibility in a number of areas.
Nothing has been said or done to make me feel safe if they should start storing fuel at the depot again. Despite the damage inflicted on an area much larger than that prevously considered dangerous, fuel will again be stored with people living and working just as close to the depot as before.
Remember, people would almost certainly have been killed if it had happened during working hours. Central government doesn't want to know and local government does not have the money to stop the conceited oil companies doing whatever they want within the few constraints that their lawyers cannot manipulate. I'd sell up and move if I could find someone prepared to live so close to a rebuilt Buncefield.


From: Karen Herbert
Hemel Hempstead
Views: re: Oil firms are ignoring the community'

Many residents seem to forget one important fact regarding Buncefield Oil Depot:

Buncefield was there first BEFORE many of the neighbouring houses and buildings on the industrial estate were built.


Re: Flytippers target charity shop To see report, CLICK HERE

From: Glenn Currie
Hemel Hempstead
HP2
Views: We were reading your article about fly tipping at charity shops and we were amazed that people had the cheek to do this. We too have noticed our charity shop with buddles of rubbish dumped on there door step and feel being a waste company it would be our responsibility to recycle these dump goods.


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

From: John Syddall
Views: I saw a red kite over the Cemmaes Meadow/Collett Road area on Monday 11 February.





Posted on site Wednesday, February 13

Re parking on grass verges

From: Jill
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I believe that parking up on grass verges is against the law (correct me if I am wrong) and if this is so, then where are all the traffice Wardens in Hemel.
The grass verges are churned up all over Hemel causing it to look a complete disgrace. I am assamed of people coming to my house. I have tried placing stones on the grassed area to prevent cars form parking there but I have since received a letter from the council asking me to remove them, which I did straight away. However they dont have to live with the mud that parking on wet grass causes.
I would like something done about this but don't know what next steps to take as the council are absolutely no help what so ever! Even my local MP has not position on this it seems??



Re: Fuel to return to BuncefieldClick here to see report

From: Jennifer (Absolutely infuriated of Maxted Road)
Views: I cannot believe that the Oil Companies will be allowed to carry on distributing fuel from the Buncefield Oil Depot before the Uninsured Loss Claims are fully resolved. It is absolutely disgraceful that they care not a jot for anyone who lives and works near their antisocial depot. My family business was one of the many local businesses hit by this horrendous explosion. It was only through sheer hard work and tenacity that we have managed to re-build and re-open our business, with absolutely no help from the Government or the perpetrators of this dreadful catastrophe.

It is a sorry state when we actually need someone to die before these vultures accept responsibility.

Please put as much as possible in your newspaper about this. There are lots of people who are much worse off than us who are still suffering financially from this catastrophe.


Posted on site Tuesday, February 12

Re water coolers and council

From: Kieron
Apsley

Views: We all pay alot of money in council tax. I do not think there is any justification for the council to rent water coolers for there employees in the civic center and refuse collection area. This is costing thousands of pounds each year. They are capable of drinking tap water like everyone else. This is only one of the perks they award themselves on our council tax. Ie personal telephone calls wasting energy heating and lighting offices not being used. I think they should be independently audited to stop the wastage of our money and made reduce our bills accordingly.


Re: Fuel to return to BuncefieldClick here to see report


From: Harry Cichy
Hemel Hempstead
Views: Whilst a very 'Dark Cloud' still hangs over Buncefield, more than two years on & many residents are still waiting for compensation claims. The large multi nationals involved, still do not seem to want to take responsabilty for the massive fire & explosion at Buncefield.
The reopening of the Buncefield oil storage site, should be put on hold. This is a total disgrace to reopen whilst all at Buncefield is far from resolved


From: David Mitchell
Hemel Hempstead, Views: It was probably inevitable that Buncefield Oil Depot would be rebuilt. However one would have hoped that the oil companies would have consulted the local community before starting the rebuilding work and storing fuel again. (A public inquiry would have forced them to.) At least they could have waited until the MIIB report is completed later this year. Dacorum Council is effectivly powerless as they say they cannot afford the legal costs to challenge the oil companies.
As a local resident, I want to know what they are doing to ensure our safety. The future of Maylands business park is also at stake. There should be a proper and public rennovation plan for the whole area (including the oil depot) with all interested parties involved. The oil companies did so much damage but it seems all they are bothered about is their profits.

From: RICHARD HAYNES
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
Views: Buncefield Depot
So the bully boys have won!
They have still not admitted responsibility for the explosion and damage caused!
They have still not paid any compensation!
It is still not known how such a powerful explosion could have happened!
Why did the Government not hold a public enquiry into the Buncefield Explosion - are they afraid to stand up to the Oil Companies?
The Oil Companies say they have improved the fire prevention on the site - but they have not mentioned how they can be sure that there will not be another explosion.
The Oil Companies intend to recommence operations on this site without any regard or concern for the safety of the local community.

Re: Council homes could be soldCLICK HERE to see story


From: Geraldine
Berkhamsted

Views: 'COUNCIL HOUSES TO BE SOLD OFF' I would urge Tenants and Leaseholders firstly, to complete and return the Consultation form they received on the 1st February 2008 from Dacorum Borough Council. The form asks how the Tenants would like to be consulted? Public Meeting etc.
Secondly, if you do not have a Tenant representative on DBC's Housing Advice Panel (HAP)for your Road or block of flats; I suggest you join by contacting DBC's Resident Involvement Officers. Thirdly, The Independent Tenant Advisor (ITA) is chosen exclusively by HAP Tenant members by a tendering process. DBC have employed a Consultant, so to keep a level playing field, the Tenants choose a Consultant to protect their interests.
This is the third time Housing Options Appraisal has been proposed; (sell off to Housing Association or set up our own Housing Association).
In 1994 HAP members discussed the pro's and cons of joining a large Housing Association. It was felt that we would not get enough Tenants on the Board. After the Consultation process; Tenants have to be balloted. All DBC tenants can vote, the vote will probably take place in 2009.
The result of the vote will determine who manages, repairs and improves our homes. There are many financial and contractual questions to be asked at the February HAP meeting and thereafter.
So come and join us at the Housing Advice Panel(HAP). No pay but can be rewarding!



Posted on site Saturday, February 9


Re bird spotted

From: Evelyn Morrison
Warners End, Hemel Hempstead
Views: saturday(9th) morning my neighbour and i saw an eagle flying above our houses.it was being harrased by a crow, it was circling around for quite a while then as it was circling it soared higher and higher fantastic sight i wish i had thought to get my camera. it had a white head red belly enormous wings with white tips with a really distinct pattern on them. it was beautiful.i think it was a red kite. did anyone else see it?
From Hemeltoday. It sounds like a Red Kite, there have been many reports of sightings locally. For our report on the sightings plus a photo click here


Re: Fuel to return to BuncefieldClick here to see report

From: Norman Cutting
BERKHAMSTED
Views: It was always obvious to me that the Buncefield oil depot would resume as the problem wasn't the actual storage, it was the lack of requirement by the Borough Council to insist on a proper high bund surrounding the whole site prior to allowing extending the industrial development any nearer than Buncefied Lane.
It's not too late even now!


From: Anon
Views: I think fuel should be stored at the site as it's the greedy council that has allowed the industrial estate to spread upto the Buncefield site.



Posted on site Friday, February 8

Re:No Race for Life in Hemel

From: Maureen Warren
Views: Just had an email from Cancer Reasearch to enrol for this year's race for life sponsored by Tesco, Reebok and Nivea only to find out that there will not be one in Hemel this year. The person answering the phone fron Cancer Reasearch did not know why. I think many people will be disappointed as this is always a highly subcribed event and how many people will want to travel to St Albans, Watford or Luton? Have you any idea why this is?


Re Second bid for Tapas eaterieCLICK HERE to see story

From: Sam
Redbourn
Views: The Tapas bar should be allowed to trade as a restaurant, not more so as a take away. The reason is this, the more take aways you get, the more rubbish you get and this is what lets the shops down. Although there are plenty of bins about there are some who don't give a toss but will toss their rubbish on the pavement.
I'm all for having shops not remaining vacant, and there are too many of them in Hemel at the moment, what the reason is for this I don't know, but most of them have been left looking so bad,like the one next to Boots. The Council or the Landlord of all the empty shops SHOULD be made to cover them up like the empty ones are in Riverside. However, we don't need anymore pound shops or take-aways or "shack up for one month and then disappear shop". No no no no no.


Posted on site Thursday, February 7


Re: Age discimination laws

From: Nina Cole
The Herald and Post helped to launch my Hemel based pet sitting service in 1998, after I decided to realise my dream of working with animals. I had just recovered from a brain hemorrhage, and throughout the years our business has expanded rapidly.

Two years previously, we won through to the semi final of the Barclay's Small Business award and through rapid expansion, we are now able to offer our services throughout Europe.

However, since our team of live in pet sitters are largely retired people/couples, we are now falling foul of the new age discrimination law, which makes it almost impossible to find the right caliber of people. Would a young person want to share their bed with a St Bernard? Could they intervene when Roger the Rabbit and Gertie the Guinea Pig decides to play out Gunfight at the O.K Coral on the first day of a sit?

We are now recruiting for live in pet sitters in the Hemel Hempstead and surrounding areas, but governmental restrictions mean, that we can no longer suggest that this type of work is ideally suited to a retired person or couple!

I believed this law was implemented to help those in our society who find it difficult to find employment, such as the elderly who want to continue work during their retirement. Being a live in pet sitter offers them that opportunity, allowing them to enjoy the company of a pet without the expence and responsibility.

Many of our team, have lost husbands, or wives, and have found returning to work, albeit on a part time ad hoc basis, a real boost to their confidence and at times, life changing. For my husband (who has multiple sclerosis), and I, it is also testament to how a potentially life threatening illness, can actually bring huge rewards.


Re: Council homes could be soldCLICK HERE to see story

From: angela tower
hemel hempstead
Views: NO WAY should the council transfer all it's house's to a Housing Association, for 1, the rent's will rise straight away, there are never any free rent week's like they do on the council !!! also i'm a single parent living for the last 15 yrs in a housing association house!! nobody ever ever want's to exchange with a housing association!! they all want to stay in there lovely council house!! do i blame them ?? errr no!! cheaper rents, free rent weeks, spring to mind!! better care as far as repairs go!! all these people who decide these stupid decision's care about is money!! they are normally living as a couple in good job's where they think everyone is living at the same standard as them!!! wrong again!!


Re: Red KitesCLICK HERE to see story


From: brooks
Views: Saw a Red kite in Abbots Road 3.45 pm 7thFeb 2008 (just off pig farm ]



Posted on site Wednesday, February 6

Re Second bid for Tapas eaterieCLICK HERE to see story

From: SB
Address: Apsley
Views: I think that the proposed tapas restaurant on the Marlowes is a fantastic idea. It is disappointing to see the council rejecting exciting plans which could quickly, cheaply and without unnecessary disruption bring Hemel up to the standards of surrounding towns. I hope that this amended proposal is greeted with a more open minded response and I look forward to ordering my patatas bravas in the very near future..........

Re: New in Town

From: Gillian Brierley
31 High Street
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I have taken over a little cafe' in old town hemel hempstead, formerly called Scoops. It is now called Cafe' Re'yno.. I have moved down from Leicestersire in order to start my own business, and have stumbled across this little cafe. I have given it a different image and it is looking and 'feeling' a nice place to be. I want to introduce myself to Hemel Hempstead and thought of yourselves.

We are trying to be a little different in our approach, catering for all needs, and focusing on the home made, especially cakes, soups, and daily 'homely' specials, with a different one's on sale daily. I also wish to bring to the business people of Hemel our Buffet Services which are available. It would be nice to see this cafe' highlighted and succeed, especially as it is in the Old Town.



Posted on site Tuesday, February 5

Re Second bid for Tapas eaterieCLICK HERE to see story


From: Val Spurr
Leighton Buzzard
Views: Re = 2nd chance application for Tapas Bar Let's hope the Council see sense this time and let the Tapas Bar open. It is just what Hemel needs. There are too many Estate Agents and £ shops,which seem to pop up every time a shop becomes empty.It is in a Prime position, and will make Hemel proud if allowed to go ahead.



Posted on site Sunday, February 3

Re: Council homes could be soldCLICK HERE to see story


From: Diana
Hemel Hempstead
Views: It's obvious the general public don't understand the key issues about the sale of the Council's stock. I have worked in Social Housing for nearly 18 years and all the issues began in the 80s when the right of buy came in and which the public were so keen on.
Now the pressures on social housing are huge and doubled with this is the Government's funding regime for authorities like Dacorum, who mismanaged for such a long time by the local Conservative party has lead to where they are now.
The local Politicians are to blame, blundering the money from Council rents on their pet political issues and making irrational decisions. Why should they care, most if all are not Council tenants , as they live in their large detached and semis.
They don't have to answer for anything, its the low paid, hard working staff who have to deliver the bad news to the poor tenants that their windows, heating and other such things won't be replaced.
The best option now is for tenants to vote for the transfer, so long as the condition is that new organisation supplies a number of social housing units per year as they have done in other parts of Hertfordshire.
I think the tenants need to look at how beneficial transfers have been for tenants in other parts of the country. At least this way the money will be used by the new organisation to benefit of the tenants governed by a non-political board who will only be concerned about the tenants not a bunch of self righteous Politicians who use the money to fulfill their political agenda and don't give a toss about the tenants.




From: Michael Ivory
Berkhamsted

Views: Re: Council homes could be sold. Selling the housing stock for £140,000,000 means the 10,500 properties are being sold for £13,333 each,would the council not be willing to sell to the tenants who have lived in their HOMES for 10/15 years or more at this price?
This may cause the housing stock to dwindle and cause a greater shortage of affordable housing for rent, but that has been happening for the last 20+ years under the right to buy scheme and how long under a private landlord is it going to be affordable with rising rents? It will soon be cheaper to buy.



Posted on site Saturday February 2

Re: Council homes could be soldCLICK HERE to see story

From: Martin Cornish
Hemel Hempstead

Views:Keep the housing stock in council control I urge all tenants (and lease holders) to vote against the councils proposal of transferring the housing stock to a Registered Social Landlord (RSL). Whilst an RSL would be non profit making it would need to borrow money to fund services and improvements and would borrow money from financial institutions (banks) who would expect to make a profit. This profit will be paid for by higher rents. No longer funded by government the RSL would set rents and increases higher than inflation. Our "secure tenancy" would probably be replaced by "assured tenancy" with less rights to remain in our homes for us. The RSL would be able to evict more easily as the current protection we have would no longer apply.
The £140 million the council expects to receive will be as Councillor Margaret Griffiths, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: "used for the wider benefit of Dacorum residents, including tenants". Just a minute isn't this money tied to the council housing stock, which as tenants, we have and are funding with our rents? I would expect that the bulk of the £140 million should be used for the benefits of the tenants and not used as a subsidy by the council to claim good management by restricting increases in charges for services including council tax. Council housing belongs to us the tenants, don't give it away!


Re Bus cuts AND Council homes could be sold offCLICK HERE to see bus cuts story
F
rom: shelley
Tring

Views: What A WEEK OF HITTING THE "little People". First the news of the plans to scrap the bus routes I regualrly rely on and now you're flogging off my Council House to a Private Landlord & we all know what that will mean...
I think we need some direct action- Before it turns into Civil war. Me's not joking. You can only kick the little people so much before they get up and fight. & we venture into your nice Private Estates and take back what was taken from us- There is only one piece of pie- and it isn't us who have eaten all the pies- Mr & Mrs Fat Cat Power to the people! Lets get together and take this lot on- We will win- one in five people(Who live in Council housing) can't be wrong. We just need to regroup and take the power back Fight the powers- Fight the powers that be..


Re Second bid for Tapas eaterieCLICK HERE to see story

From: Jo A
Kings Kangley
Of course we need a Sanish Tapa bar / restuarant in Hemel - for such a large town there is so little choice / variety. It has got better in recent years but still falls behind places like St Albans / berkhamsted - so the sooner it can open the better!





Posted on site Friday, February 1


Re TV receptionCLICK HERE to see story

From: Brian
Hemel Hempstead.
Views: Here at lveagh Court we are still getting no BBC TV and many other channels, since work on Kodak Tower started,( it was perfect before work started) it is getting beyond a joke now, we have had to put up with this for many weeks, and when l complain to the BBC etc they do nothing.


Re cloned cardsCLICK HERE to see story

From: Dominic Freeland
Views: On reading your article about recent card cloning activity.
I discovered today that I have had about £12,000 taken from my bank account. My bank suspects my card was also cloned recently.

I can't believe it's happended to me. I'm still in a state of shock!


Re: Maternity servicesFor story, CLICK HERE


From: John
Hemel Hempstead.
Some of your online correspondents don't seem to understand that the Hemel Birth Centre delivered only about 300 women a year because full maternity services were taken away from Hemel Hempstead Hospital in 2002. As Hemel Hempstead's population is larger than Watford's do they expect us to assume that there are less women in Hemel Hempstead?



Re: Bin collectionsTo see story on this issue, CLICK HERE


From: Carol
Hemel Hempstead Views: I dont have a problem with the collections however can the binmen please put the bins & boxes back at the right houses - I am forever finding my bin down the road! Yes sometimes they get blown in the wind but not every week.


Posted on site Thursday, January 31

Re: Re Maylands white lines and potholesFor our Pothole Hotspot, CLICK HERE

From: Carol
Hemel Hempstead
Views: Why have the white lines been repainted in Maylands Avenue? the road needs repairing first surely! this is madness.
Also some of the worst potholes are in Maxted Road and have been since Buncefield incident.

Re: Re Power cutsFor story, CLICK HERE

From: Jude Hardcastle
Apsley
Views: I refer to Kerrie Backhouse's PLEA (Schoolgirl's Plea to stop blackouts?)

We were plunged into Darkness on the evening of "CHRISTMAS DAY" I am sure readers of the Gazette, specifically, Apsley residents, will recall our "Black Out"? on Christmas DAY?

We invited my Disabled parents from Devon and endured a "Power Cut" on Christmas DAY!

Whilst my Husband spent several minutes on "THE PHONE" to representatives of the Electricity Board, it appears that APSLEY residents will continue to be ignored, over ruled and "Down Trodden" in order to achieve the Developers profits?

I Urge APSLEY Residents to contribute their plight

Re Berkhamsted Station parking

From : David Patterson
Aston Clinton
f Views: The swingeing car park increases at Berkhamsted for users, like I, of the old multi-entry card are disgusting. Someone commented to you that it would cost him 30% more. It will cost me about 66% more as it used to take me about five months to use up all 66 entries and now I shall have to get a quarterly ticket costing the same but requiring renewal in three months.

London Midland Parking just refuse to answer their telephone and don't seem too keen on answering e-mails. The response given to you by the London Midland railway company is trite, patronising and frankly shows that they do not care at all about their passengers. They know that they have a captive audience. If people want to go to London and not drive all the way then they have to use the train and, consequently, the car park.


Re: Maternity servicesFor story, CLICK HERE

From: Linda Spina-Beatty
St Neots
Cambridgeshire
Views: I had my daughter at WGH in March 2006. She was born 6 weeks early and stayed in hospital for 4 weeks.

Whilst I could see that the midwives were busy as were the nurses in the Special Care Baby Unit, we only received the best care.

I was looked after so well by the midwives before and after my was born. The midwife who looked after me before my daughter, Maisie, was born, (Dell I think was her name) even came to see me afterwards. The midwife who helped deliver Maisie, Rosemary, never left me alone once, she was brilliant. We even named Maisie after her. Maisie's full name is Maisie Rose.

The negative publicity must be towards the trust and NOT the midwives and I want my experience to reflect this.

The nurses in the Special Care Unit were great also and we couldn't have got through those 4 weeks without them. They too are amazing people.

I really hope things improve there and that some positive publicity will come out soon

From: jenna
Views: I am concerned that yet again the Dacorum action group will hijack this report for its own ends. West Herts Maternity service is not just based at Watford but includes the whole service. It cannot be denied that 5000 plus women into a site which housed 3000 + is a capacity issue however what has also hampered the development of services is this contant political bickering that serves no purpose but to get names into the paper. The Hemel Birth centre probably delivered no more than 300 women and I for one cannot see how this small number would make and impact on capacity at watford. However as a user of the service I was concerned that midwives sat waiting for those few women whilst others struggled to care for the majority. So please get real lets stop carping about the past especially by people who will never use the service and look to the future by supporting our maternity unit and its staff not bashing them for your own political agenda.






Posted on site Wednesday, January 30

Re: Youth centre seeking help for fundraising pushTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: A Grateful Perent
Berkhamsted
Views: I am writing in support of The Swan Project in Berkhamsted.

I am a parent of a young lad that uses the centre on a dailybasis. Without it both my son and I would not know what to do. My son is in year 9 at Ashlyns school and now too old for a childminder, but I am a working mother and still feel that he needs some supervsion after school.

We have found that The Swan Project is the ideal place. Clare and her team are doing a fab job of keeping the kids safe and entertained and treating them like young adults. I wasn't so sure about the place when I first heard about it so I took a walk down there and meet Clare and a few of her team. Well, the fact that there were loads of yougsters there looking happy said it all. Clare willing answered all my question and now my son can't get enough of the place.

I can go to work knowing my son is safe and happy at the end of the day and not hanging around street corners.

The club, as you say, runs gig nights and fun trips during the holidays and supports the local skatepark which is a winner with us.

I can't thank Clare and her team enough. I will be contacting Clare directly so see if there is any support I can offer as I would hate to think there is a chance we may lose a vital local venue. The other thing I have found is that it helped my son with his transision from middle school to senior school - as he and many of the other kids had already become friends by meeting up at The Swan Project, therefore breaking the ice before starting at Ashlyns.

Keep up the great work Clare.
From a very grateful parent.






Re: Hemel couple win lotteryTo see story, CLICK HERE


Dear Stephen & Ida
Congratulations on winning the lottery!!.... glad it was someone from where we live!.... all be it 500 yards from my house!
Good luck with life and I hope it helps with your health.
Gutted, from Bennetts End, Hemel Hempstead.



Posted on site, Tuesday, January 29

Re: Hemel couple win lotteryTo see story, CLICK HERE

From Martina
Views: Hi Steven and Ida
I nearly cried when I read your story. I am hoping and praying that you recover from your illness with enough time to enjoy life for a long time to come with your family. It sounds like you deserve it. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this both happy and concerning time.Take great care

Re: Re not guilty of assault in clash over biker noiseTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: Martin
watford
Views: RE:- BIKER NOISE
In regards to mr bennett being found not guilty, at last the courts are in the real world, more and more incidents of this nature by the youth of today go on, where people are too scared to speak up either because of fear of the youths or the law always to be on the side of those causing harm or nuisance. Do we need a death like other places in the country, from miners, in hemel before proper action is taken against this shameful behavior.


From: Anon
Views: my house backs on to the dips between warners end road and galley hill. there are numerous times motor bikes can be heard on the playing fields, and on two seperate occassions when it has been dark members of my family have almost been hit by these while crossing the path across the field, not only that, these youngsters also mess around with fireworks etc. and when approached in a diplomatic and polite manner you get verbal abuse , it's only a matter of time before some one gets injured. i can understand mr bennet's frustration as i too have young children who are frequently disturbed by the noise, and what happens to those who are riding their motor bikes??



Re: What Katie did for chickensTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: Rhonda Francis
Hemel
Views: Re What Katie did for the chickens.Katie would like to thank you to you for printing her article,thanks to you she has collected over a hundred mors signitures.She wanted to know if you could print a big thank you to everyone who signed,and also to the shops who took her petition,NEWS BOX in the market square and also the cafe in the market and friends who took it to work with them.Thank you again rhonda francis


Re: Winter sports will put town on mapTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: Paul Mckeown
Woodhall Farm Hemel Hempstead

Views: The Snow dome is a amazing idea for Hemel and using the un used track for other sports can only be a good thing too.Theirs a large number of Skiers and Boarders in our town!For other facillitys i would go with the Xtreme Space! Bmx and SkateBoarding the 2 largest growing sports are now both Olympic Events and Olympic Events need Olympic Facilitys .Training grounds are needed and Hemel is perfect location
With the M1 and M25 so close!Both sports have more than proved then self with the success of Hemels Skate Park! and all the other much lager parks popping up around the Country. Add in Rock Climbing, Recording Studio's,Arts Space etc and Hemel could have a good facility, lets just not get stuck in the past and settle for some thing like ice skateing just cause it gets a bit of prime time TV! - Paul Mckeown Hemel Skates Founder www.hemelskates.co.uk


Posted on Site Monday, January 28

Re: Tree felling

From: Geoff Smith
Views: I, with other neighbours were very disappointed this morning to watch one of our lovely copper beech trees being felled. On speaking to the men I was informed it had rotted at the base, and that as the root had to come out no doubt a new tree would be planted. I sincerely hope so, as these two copper beeches have been a feature of our road for many years. To watch them leaf up in the spring, their lovely bronze colour in summer and frost in winter has been stunning. We are saddened to see it chopped up, but understand why, and it would have been appreciated if we had known what was to happen.

Re: Bin collectionsTo see story on this issue, CLICK HERE


From: Diane Owens
Hemel Hempstead
Views: With regards to the never ending interest in recycling I'd like to voice my story.

We are a family of 5. Myself, my husband and our 3 young children. We also have a pet rabbit.

As a regular payer of council tax and fully aware of recent stories to fine people who do not recycle enough, I contacted the local waste centre to ask if I could have a second green wheelie bin, as cleaning out my rabbit 2-3 times a week can easily fill this, this is without all the cardbaord, food waste etc. that as an average family we accumalate. I was told I couldn't have one, but I could at MY OWN EXPENSE purchase biodegradable waste sacks from the depot which the bin men would happily collect.

As a nation of avid recyclers surely we should be making it easier for people to recycle not harder.

My green bin was full 6 days after the last collection before christmas and was not then collected until last week. I could have filled that bin 10 times over in that timeframe, but instead all the recyclable matter went into my black bin as I have no spare time or spare cash to visit the depot and buy sacks. I wouldn't hesitate to bet I am not the only one in Dacorum who feels this way.

If I had an extra green bin, I would produce less waste for the landfill sites, but as usual we are being penalised by the removal of privaledges like free black sacks and weekly collections, forced to pay more council tax and then penalised again for not recycling enough!!!

If someone can please explain the logic I would gladly listen.

I only asked for another recycling bin???????

TO RECYCLE, OR NOT TO RECYCLE, THAT IS THE QUESTION!



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