Have your say on local news, local issues or the national issues.
Have a moan or say thanks. Click here to have your say or scroll down to see the views of others:

The BOATENG FAMILY
We would like send a big hug and love to our dearest one.may God almighty keep you by his side.we will surely miss you.also a very big thank you to all who have shown love and support Rexford says HAVE A SMILE cos he is in Heaven.

JOSH PRICE (YEAR 5) HOBLETTS MANOR SCHOOL,
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
We are very sad to hear the tragic news about Rexford. Our thoughts are with all his family and friends at this very sad time. Josh Price and Family.

Anon, Hemel Hempstaed
Rest in Peace little man. I will never forget you Rexford, I know your memory will always live on with us at Hobletts. My heart goes out to your family at this time.

Tom conlon, bury court, hemel
I enjoy reading jane's column. Russell Brand she aint. And I'm not the only one who enjoys reading the am I not the only one column. My bird Aileen does too!

Audrey Pitchforth, Northridge Way
Stuart Bloom's assurance that GP surgeries will not close in order to make way for the new GP centre is welcome. I was under the impression that this was not the case. It seemed a reasonable supposition that the new service would replace what is already in position in a Health Service that has limited financial resources.
My excellent GP surgery is open from 8.30a.m. to 6p.m. five days a week, with extended appointment provision for people who find they cannot fit in with these times. I can always have a same day appointment and see a doctor I know and who knows me. It is within five minutes walk of my home and offers services from doctors, nurses and does minor operations. It is no wonder that I am delighted to find that it will remain available to me.
But if this is so - why do I need a surgery in the town centre? If it is true that we are to have both - I think a lot of money will be wasted. I know where I think the waste will come and it is not in a locally based, well run GP surgery.

anon
im so sorry.

Connor Walpole, Hemel Hempstead
Very sad about the news but i will always remember you Rexford,RIP,Connor Walpole, P.S. Hobletts will be sad whith out you.

lauren keele, highfield, hemel hempstead
rexford was a lovely boy he was a very funny boy he always made people laugh. He will be really missed by his friends and by his family from lauren x

anon, hemel hempstead
God took you by the hand and took you to a place to heal, he kissed your face and put his arms around you and will keep you safe and warm.

connor walpole, Hemel Hempsted
Im so sorry about the news. I wil miss you verry much.R.I.P. P.S. Hobletts will all miss you and i miss your smile. Connor Walpole

anon
just wanted to say how sorry iam to here about your lose.we are all thinking of you at this sad time.

adam seremba, hemel hempstead
rexford was my best freind and ill miss him

Liam Brunt, Adeyfield, Hemel Hempstead
So sorry Rexford, i will miss playing with you at school, rest in peace Liam xx

aaron hollick, westray hertfordshire
I didnt know Rexford Boateng but its just a tragedy to see such a young, caring and well loved boy, pass on at such a young age. I feel truly upset for the family and friends. I was in shock when i saw the article in the newspaper as Hobletts Manour is quite close to where i live, it came to my awareness how he died, its such a tragic mis-hap.

The Majors, Hobletts Road
A lively little boy, Will be sadly missed. Rest In Peace Rexford. x

Holly McGuigan, Tring
AMAZING!!! Tring really needs a COSTA! Bring on the good coffee...

nathan robinson, hemel hempstead
i went too school with rexford i feel sorry for his friends and family he will be missed lots... he will be sitting on a cloud now looking down watching us at school...i played football with him sometimes and he was very good.. from nathan robinson age 8

connor rea
rest in peace Rexford you always made me smile

anon
an absolute tragedy i only knew him thro my son who was in his class a very lively boy. a boys boy .so sad so tragic my heart goes out to his family.

angie browne, highfield, hemel hempstead
Thinking of all the family at this sad time. My son will miss the running races he use to have with him. Rest in peace. Love from angie (miss browne) and Louie Collier xxxxx

casey grimes, adeyfield, hemel hempstead
rexford was one of my best friends, i will miss him very much.school will never be the same. R.I.P mate i will always remember you love casey

kieran stevens, hemel hempstead
dear rexford i am so sorry u have gone i remember we used to play at lunchtime and break time i will miss u lots love kieran stevens year 3

Ryan Spencer, Hemel Hempstead
I hope you are at peace rexford. We may not have been in the same year but school will be different without you.I will always remember how funny you were and think of you with a smile.God bless From Ryan Spencer, year 5, Hobletts Manor School

sarah robinson
our thoughts are with you!


The Nethercott Family, Hemel Hempstead
Our thoughts are with Rexford's family. Rexford was in Ross's class at Hobletts Manor and Ross often talked about Rexford and what a good footballer he was. He was a popular little boy who will be missed by all his classmates.

Alex, Tring
People should stop moaning when these franchises attempt to move into Tring, it's halting the towns progression completely, do they think we're still in the 1950s or something?

Julie Bidgway (MSA), LEVERSTOCK GREEN
My heart goes out to Rexford's family for there sad loss. Rexford will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Rexford always brightened up our day at Hobletts Manor with his wonderful smile. May you rest in peace up above with the angels.

Joni kearins, topaz, year 6, boxmoor
you were wicked and we will all miss ya xoxox

chloe & jamie drake, hemel hempstead
Rexford you will never be forgotten sweet dreams from chloe and jamie drake

Tahmid khan, yr 6, Hemel Hempstead
r.i.p rexford schools not gonna be the same with out you gonna miss you r.i.p from Tahmid khan yr6

Sian, Berkhamsted
I'm not familiar with Jane Bidder's column but if it's that unpopular why doesn't the Gazette use the space to give local people the chance to write the column each week? This happens in the London evening freebies and you can vote on whether you like the person's writing and whether they should write for the paper again. What a great opportunity for the budding journalists of Dacorum to display their talent. They might even be better than the paper's current writers and show them up! Come on, Gazette, try it out if you dare.....

jamie g makepeace, hemel hempstead
i was a year above rexford at hobletts,he was a nice boy i am sorry he has gone my family's thoughts are with his family jamie g makepeace

katherine
i know it is a great family loss and everyone will miss him. his father works at my dad's place and his father must be so heart-broken. i wish good luck to the family in the future. katherine xxxx

RAMO, LUTON BEDS
MAY ALMIGHTY GOD REST HIS SOUL IN PEACE AND MY TRIBUTE TO MR.JOSEPH BOETING AND HIS FAMILY ALSO WE PRAY TO ALMIGHTY GOD TO GIVE YOU STRENGTH DURING THIS PERIOD OF SADNESS

Emma Davies, Hemel Hempstead
When i heard the news of an 8 year old had died my heart sunk. I am so sorry for the loss of your son, although i didn't know him he sounded like a lovely boy and this was such a tradgic thing too happen. My thoughts are with his family. R.I.P Rexford xxxx

Stephen Atkins, damask green, hemel hempstead
I would like to say thank-you to all at Chaulden Post Office. I left my wallet on the counter, which, included £200, my driving licence, bank and credit cards. I realised an hour later, and, returned expecting it to be gone. However, the smiling staff reached for it straight away, relieved that I'd returned. It's nice to know in this day and age that there still are honest, hard working decent people! Thanks again!

anon
What a terrible thing to have to live through. My deepest sympathy goes out to all the famil and friends of this young boy, and they will all be in our prayers

charlie cutten
Rexford RIP we will miss your smiling face. xxcharlie

Shaun Clynes, hemel hempstead
Im so sorry for Rexford i used to play with him when he lived near me i played football with him and he used to come round my house. bye rex

patrick heffernan
rexford was a nice boy i use to play footy with him and i know his sister I THINK HE BE MISSED

khawar, Woodhall Farm
Very very sad to hear this tragic news. Our thoughts are for his family and friends for their tragic loss.

jessica and amelia stretton
your smile made us feel really good, we will miss you lots from your classmates jessica and amelia

Julie
Our thoughts are with your family at this very sad time.

Kameron Brindle, Hemel Hempstead
I am very sad about Rex, he was always very nice to me and he was always happy. I used to see him at football.
Kameron, Year 2

Boswell family
May the angels look down and give you the strength to move forward during this terrible loss, our thoughts and prays go out to you and your family. My children tell me he was a nice, cool little boy who everybody liked and will be greatly missed. God bless.

anon
What a sad story my heart goes out too his family and all his school friends.


Chloe Sexton, Hemel Hempstead
I went to school with Rexford, he was a lovely boy, he could always make everyone laugh and he will be missed loads. Rest in peace Rexford x love Chloe, aged 11

Colette Colls, Adeyfield
I just want to say how very sad I am at hearing this news, its absolutely tragic, my heart and love goes out to Rexfords family, they must be absolutely distraught, what a horrible thing to have to deal with. Im sending you all my love, hugs and everything else, I'm so very sorry. God bless Rexford. you're now a beautiful angel x

Harry Treadwell, age 8, Hemel
Rexford was one of my best mates at Hobletts Manor and I will miss him very much. He'll never be forgotten by me and I will always remember how he made me laugh.... a lot. Especially when he was The Pope in the play we did at Hampton Court. Love Harry Treadwell.

Dale Carrington
Rest In Peace Rexford, I will always remember your smile.
Dale year 6 Hobletts Junior School

anon
My heart goes out to the family x

Stanly Hollick, Highfield, Hemel Hempstead
I am so sorry for the familys loss. I went to the same school as Rexford he was one of my best mates. He would always have a smile for everyone.I will miss having the odd game of football and the chats we had. i hope you rest in peace rexford...my thoughts are with you..
Stan yr 6 age 10

Gemma D, Hemel Hempstead
Bidder outbursts! - Whilst I agree that some of her stuff may not be to everyone's tastes, I feel that everyone is a little hard on her. She is a good writer, and works very hard with the prison service and some fabulous charities. In regards to making a comment about her dead dog, I understand that people may not appreciate how that feels, BUT the lady that made a comment about losing a child like the front page of the paper, I think that you misinterpreted what was she was getting at. Some people don't have children, but try to understand what you feel through relating it to something they understand on a personal level. I know I would. Re New Art Work in Hemel - I wholeheartedly agree with the response to the art work in a positive manner. It is here, get used to it and stop moaning about it!! We didn't pay for it, and it is cute! Love it!

Andrew Muir, Wigan, Lancashire
ahhmuir@yahoo.co.uk
I am trying to contact a Mr Keith Head of Markyate that's all the info I have of him.I came across of him sending a letter into a horse racing paper called Raceform update about a horse racing program called WEIGHT RIGHT by B J Healey.I knew this gentleman back in the nineties and when I moved down from Scotland to Wigan I lost his address in a fire.I do hope you could help me please.

Ray Smith, Northchurch
Can anyone tell me when did the St.Mary's Church War Memorial Cross in Northchurch break and was there a re-dedication service after it was repaired?

Ravi Patel, Malmes Croft, Hemel Hempstead
I was so sorry to hear about Ron.We met at the Hospital at Mount Vernon only about 6 months ago and he made an instant impact on me.We talked about Football,Golf and of course our illness.We had a mutual friend in Martin Bayliss, which is how our conversation started that day in hospital.Our paths have not crossed since but I was in hospital for 10 days so could not attend his funeral service last week.May god bless his soul and I for one am glad to have known him for such a short period of time.

Rosie Blackshaw, Berkhamsted
No Mr Hedge you are not the only one who finds Jane Bidder's column vacuous and patronising. I am sure there are lots of writers out there who have far more interesting, thought provoking and humorous ideas to share with Gazette readers. Get rid of her.

Becky, Newlands Road
I was walking along the footpath at the back of JFK school at about 1.30pm and I saw a Red Kite swooping between the field and the houses near Fields End. I couldn't quite believe what I seeing. What a brilliant sight.

Anon, Hemel Hempstead
With regard to the Magic round about, I am a 24 year old having been driving for 7 years, there are so many people that use this round about that have been driving longer than me. It is not difficult, and now there are huge 5 foot white arrows painted on the floor to help you out. I think people just need to lift their vision a bit and dont be so afraid of it, it works perfectly, at least the highways agency haven't stuck lights there because if they do we're all doomed.

Claire French, Tring
Every week I read the Gazette. One week I made the mistake of reading the column "Am I the only one....?
I support your writer of this week "Who cares about the column?". I think the column should be replaced with something of substance too. Reading her groaning on about her children and the trials and tribulations of being a middle class mother with her flippant stupid remarks is tedious. Putting a text in the wrong place ??? Come on... any self respecting Mother knows everything belongs on the floor. I had the misfortune to be waiting in a queue with this lady some months ago and to listen to nagging her fairly grown up son was unbelievable. I am certain she will have a say in the personal statement !
Please let's have a change from this drivel.

Patricia Norval, Bassil Road, Hemel Hempstead
My main gripe is the loss of our hospital as I think it is pure stupidity and given how close to the M1 we are and the amount of houses/flats being built in the area means we should not have to rely on going all the way to Watford with the risk of deaths as a consequence.

Monty Mcshane...again, Hemel
Can I just point out the following? The artwork's price tag was picked up by Riverside developer Crest Nicholson, as part of its planning agreement. So, let's stop moaning and just get on with our lives...it's only a sculpture not a hideous intrusion on our lives....I don't know why people are so negative, it only draws negativity, a never ending spiral of negativity. If you don't like it, don't look at it just think of something nice like fresh cut grass or baby lambs instead. Life's too short to get wound up by a sculpture.

Rowena Powell, Hemel Hempstead
I find the site extremely informative and access it on a daily basis.

Simon Williams, Hemel Hempstead
I actually like the Hemel Knob of Reflection. It's well carved and provides a feeling of flowing water despite its sandstone texture.
Why not open your minds a bit? You'll all love it eventually. And it's far better than Watford's rusty metal wasp. Also, I don't view its resemblance to an ice cream to be a negative. Mmm, ice cream.

D Russell, Berkhamsted
I want to thank Johnathan Hedge for expressing my views about the Jane Bidder column so elequently. I have often though about writing to express my irritation and am grateful that Johnathan has done so. I don't know of anyone who finds this weekly column relevant or interesting.

Barbara Bradley, Gaddesden Row, Hemel Hempstead
Bidder column. How I agree what a load of rubbish I never read it but from the letter published last week I understand she was going on about her dead dog. Having been in the situation of the family on the front page and suffering the death of a child I have had people like her say "I know how you feel, my dog died" I hope you don't pay her for this dribble.

Ann, Berkhamsted
OH how I agree with Jonathan Hedge in the Gazette letters page (Who cares about the column?)
Jane Bidder's contribution is totally irritating middle class twaddle of the type heard in all the coffee shops of Berkhamsted on a daily basis. (No, I don't frequent these places, it is just that these parents, mostly mothers, usually sit outside at pavement tables and speak in very loud voices so everyone hears whether they want to or not!)
Off spring who sponge off their all too willing parents, the same parents who constantly boast about their off spring's exploits, many of which they should actually be ashamed to admit to rather than boast about.
The same mentality that forced us to send our children to school out of the town to avoid them becoming spoilt brats by associating with the said offspring.
PLEASE get rid of this inane garbage from the newspaper, it really has no place in a local newspaper, anyone who wants to read what she has to say can buy her equally unstimulating novels instead.

Ray, Hemel Hempstead
I was in a similar position to Gary Wordsworth after my divorce ended, I rented a single room for a 12 years, until eventually to my great relief l was offered a Housing Association flat, many of us go to work and survive without all these free handouts.

Andrew South, Hemel Hempstead
I go away from Hemel Hempstead for the first time in over a year and when I return, after less than a fortnight, I find that there is a new landmark in Marlowes. I mean of course Tim Shutter's "A Point for Reflection".
My definition of Art is "anything that the Artist wanted to make". Never mind if anyone could have done it(or if no-one else would have wanted), Shutter did. We do now at least have another reference point or meeting point in the town centre (beyond the Rainbow, fountains, bandstand etc). People wanting to meet up in the town centre now have another option. "Where will I find you?" or "Where will we meet if we get separated?". Simple Answer:"I'll be waiting by The Big Knob". (After its resemblance to the handles of old doors and furniture - obviously).

anon
Re: new artwork
Why do people not read an article properly before slating something, IT WAS NOT TAX PAYERS MONEY!!!

M, Hemel Hempstead
...and to think this thing actually gained planning permission. The design statement on the planning website assures us that it is graffitti proof! What an absolute waste of money, even though the tax payer has not contributed.
Instead of wasting money the developers should bring down the center rents so that we would not have so many empty units! They obviously don't need the money!

Christine Woodward
Berkhamsted
In response to Jonathan Hedges's questioning letter in this week's Gazette, I confirm that he is not the only one who finds the Jane Bidder column irritating and irrelevant.
Perhaps more offensive is the misleading self-promotion. In the Berkhamsted Life magazine delivered to me recently there was a page of Jane Bidder's recommended 'good reads' which featured 'The Supper Club' by Sophie King. The book was the first of the bunch and shown in the top left hand corner of the page. In the bottom right hand corner was the information that Jane Bidder writes as 'Sophie King'. This message is usually at the foot of the 'Am I The Only One'. column' in The Gazette. This week the message is missing – instead we are advised to 'Check out The Supper Club by Sophie King…' without mention that she is the alter ego of the person recommending the read!


Victoria LunnonNo Jonathan you are not the only one, I find it hard to believe that her column has gone on for as long as it has without anyone complaning about it.

Ann, Berkhamsted
Oh how I agree with Jonathan Hedge in today's Gazette letters page (Who cares about the column?) Jane Bidder's contribution is totally irritating middle class twaddle of the type heard in all the coffee shops of Berkhamsted on a daily basis.(No, I don't frequent these places, it is just that these parents, mostly mothers, usually sit outside at pavement tables and speak in very loud voices so everyone hears whether they want to or not!)
Off spring who sponge off their all too willing parents, the same parents who constantly boast about their off spring's exploits, many of which they should actually be ashamed to admit to rather than boast about. The same mentality that forced us to send our children to school out of the town to avoid them becoming spoilt brats by associating with the said offspring.PLEASE get rid of this inane garbage from the newspaper,it really has no place in a local newspaper, anyone who wants to read what she has to say can buy her equally unstimulating novels instead.

Brian Hubball, Flitwick
What a superb servant to Hertfordshire football. Will be sadly missed. From Brian Hubball and all at the Review Sunday Football League.

Chris Cundale
Iveagh Court
Hemel Hempstead
Am I the only one…?
who agrees totally with Jonathan Hedge (Gazette October 22) for his comments on the irrelevant, smug ramblings of Jane Bidder.
This revelation may make her choke on her Chateauneuf-du-Pape but who, apart from her close friends and family, could be slightly interested in the rubbish she writes?
The space her article takes up could be used for 2 or 3 more letters reflecting issues that affect people's everyday lives and are actually important!
Stick to your books Jane / Sophie, and then at your next dinner party maybe you can reflect on why your column is meaningless to the 2008 populace of our towns.

Mike Pound, Hemel Hempstead
Re: new artwork at Riverside Shopping Centre:
A Point for Reflection. The money spent could have paid for something better for the community. I won't be surprised that these piece of unwanted piece of junk will be vandalised not in the distant future.

Karen, Hemel Hempstead
Looks really top heavy to me. Hope all the necessary risk assessments have been thoroughly thought through.

Anonymous, Hemel Hempstead
I think this was a total waste of time and money there is no point in it at all and that money wud have been spent on summin more useful! talk about credit crunch try saving a bit... !

TEDS, Hemel Hempstead
Did you expect the people of Hemel to give positive views!!! You only have to take a walk through Hemel anytime of day to see that you would only recieve negative views. The money is spent, and at least we are able to view it, and at least it has not gone in some 'fat' bonus for someone that already has a 'fat' salary.....and then we would never see where the money was spent :-)

Jo M, Hemel Hempstead
I don't like it at all. It screams out " Please graffiti on me" and looks totally out of place in Hemel Hempstead.

Nat C, Hemel Hempstead
Not my taste! Disgusting! Waste of money... and if you think this is bad, wait 'till the Gateway sculpture is erected before Christmas in Breakspear Way!

Monty Mcshane, Hemel
Well, as usual, people are knocking something different. Instead of it 'being awful' why not say, 'it's not to my taste'... Art, like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I think it has a charm about it.

NP, Hemel Hempstead
I saw this when the man was working on it at the weekend and I said to my son how horrible was it was and he agreed and he's only 7. I dont know how much it cost but I can say whatever it was it was a waste of good money that could have been spent on getting our A&E department back... We dont like it...

Anon, Hemel Hempstead
It looks awful!.... I hate it!.. waste of money

Lisa Marie,
Hemel Hempstead
I consider myself to be a big minded person when it comes to art/modern art however when I saw this monstrosity today, the terms hideous, tasteless and unsuitable immediately sprang to my mind. Today it was still in its original pristine condition, as nauseous as that is, however I'm just waiting for the graffiti to start and in this case it will probably be an improvement, sorry I hate it

anon, Hemel Hempstead
I could think of a lot better things money could be spent on then the sculpture, it looks like a giant honeycomb to me. What a total waste of money!!!!

Bob K, Hemel Hempstead
It looks like a big Ice Cream....I dont like it.

Pete Foster
Tring Road
Wilstone
Can I congratulate Tring school in creating an atmosphere where the student body feels able to freely express its concerns over the 'vertical tutoring' issue and can put its point of view in such a co-ordinated and constructive way. I do hope the school can respond in like manner and drop what is, after all, a social, rather than educational, proposal.

Colin Garrett, Berkhamsted
I was glad to see the controversy stirred up by Simon King's newsletter to his patients and the knee-jerk reaction of the Department of Health. Simon has many grateful patients who have benefitted from his holistic approach and his discussion of the alternatives that are available. I have re-read his newsletter. He was not saying that children should not be vaccinated. He merely suggested that lots of hard questions should be asked to enable an informed consent to be given. If his own children are healthy it is probably because they have a good lifestyle and diet resulting in their immune systems being strong. This is surely the better way to avoid infections of most sorts.

Caroline A, Hemel Hempstead
I agree with Cllr Adeleke with the amount of waste that is generated. With TV, the internet and the local newspaper that gets delievered to all households in Dacorum, is there a need to advertise/print infornmation?

Richard Alan Savage, Birmingham
poohbearrichie@yahoo.co.uk
Hello, I am trying to look up any information, records, photos and memories of the old bakery in Piccotts End. I would be most grateful if any persons who may have any such items would contact me as I am trying to gather together a collection as a gift. Thank you in anticipation.

Carole Smith, Berkhamsted
Recycling. Why oh why do we painstakingly seperate our newspapers, cardboard, tin cans etc. into the smaller green and black boxes only for the binmen to come along and tip the whole lot into one large black wheelie bin before being emptied into the lorry? This has been witnessed only this morning through our lounge window and has left me totally exasperated and indeed totally disheartened!!!!

Suzanne Thorpe
Bucknall Avenue Lincoln
My U.K based charity had some 30 stray/street cats under its neuter and feed programme in Torremolinos, Spain and our helper there is struggling to feed them all daily. As a result some of the cats are becoming desperate. In addition to this a British bar owner sold up in July and left six cats literally behind on the street for us to care for. So if any reader is visiting Torremolinos/Benalmadena on holiday in the near future and could help out with the feeding, even once, it would be a great help, or if they have friends living in that area who could help with the feeding (all food provided by us) that would be fantastic.
Suzanne Thorpe, Paws In Need reg charity 1110537, 35 Bucknall Avenue Lincoln LN6 OBL. Tel 01522 683704. pawsineed@aol.com and suzannet007@aol.com

Roger Ginger
Hilldown Road, Hemel Hempstead
Ron Kibble words of advice spoken by Ron (as referee) to me as a player have stuck in my mind for over 40 years. Total respect for the man.

Peter Powell
Swan Mead
Hemel Hempstead
I refer to the letter of R. Brooks of Clacton-on-Sea regarding the Luxor and Princess. The booklet ' THE CINEMAS OF HERTFORDSHIRE by Allen Eyles & Keith Skone published in 1985 by Hertfordshire Publications and Premier Bioscope gives many details. With regard to the LUXOR this is described as opening in July 1926 as the AERO, but changing its name to the LUXOR in May 1930 when it started to show films with sound. The PRINCESS is was opened in December 1912 .

Anonymous
I have just been into Hemel town and, in the sunshine, I could have been in any town in Europe, except for the LITTER. It is everywhere, absolutely disgraceful. Why do people drop all this stuff? Its just laziness, there are plenty of rubbish bins in the town. Its time we started taking pride in our surroundings, and not expecting someone else to clear up the mess.

Colin Messenger
The Headline reads, Public Spirited Dacorum Borough Councillors unanimously voted to forgo their salaries to help keep council tax bills down. The Leader of the Council Andrew Williams praised all members for this wonderful gesture. Then my alarm clock went off and I awoke and realised it was all a dream.
The reality is due to financial incompetence over the Icelandic bank affair by County Hall, the former will be used as an excuse to hike council tax bills I should imagine.

Anonymous
If you are going to the A41 from the Leighton Buzzard Road you should be in the left lane because you are going left at that particular then you go into the right hand lane to go right in front of car wash garage. If you treat each roundabout as an individual roundabout it is simple.

Anne Britz
I agree wholeheartedly with Alison Sutton, who has written an excellent letter in support of the choice parents have regarding the issues around vaccination of young girls against cervical cancer, as pointed out by Simon King in his recent article. The NHS does have a responsibility to foster public awareness of relevant, accurate information which may lead to parents choosing not to have their daughters vaccinated.

With respect to the right of intelligent, responsible parents to have their daughters vaccinated in this way, there will be many couples with daughters who don't hold the same view, or disagree with one another on this subject. My view is that too many authorities around the world seek to influence and control society through fear-mongering. Far too much time, work and money is spent around widely-available medical products and treatment such as contraception and abortion services, and imminently in the UK, on this new anti-cervical cancer vaccination. This is based largely on the assumption that parents are powerless to protect and educate their daughters regarding the risks of this cancer; and the fear that our daughters are not capable of learning to take responsibility for their health, but are "victims-in-waiting" who will most probably become prematurely sexually active, or be raped, or become infected with a STD of some sort. This thinking is based on a fearful, fatalistic view of a world without hope.

As parents, we are not helpless victims of negative propaganda. Nor are we victims of our children's choices, unless we choose to think and live this way. Parents who choose not to have their daughters vaccinated against cervical cancer are not intimidated,
but can think and decide for themselves while their daughters can still benefit from the health they are born with! They are in effect making more funding available for genuine medical emergencies, while 21st-century cancer researchers continue to make ever greater strides in discovering effective anti-cancer treatments.

Stephanie Ginn
Simon King is a good man, and brave too. He is right to warn people. There is massive evidence to show that there is no such thing as a safe vaccination. Ask the parent of an Autistic child, they will mostly tell you that they know their child was normal before the jabs...and it can be any jab.
Twenty girls have already died following this jab, six of those were in Australia, and many more have passed out or become partially paralysed as a result. Of course the pharmaceutical industry deny any connection...they always do.
Vaccination is a pharmaceutical con which most of us have fallen for.


Colin Davies
Berkhamsted
I think Mr. Kings remarks are extremely irresponsible.
If none of Mr. King's children have been vaccinated (or innoculated), they will probably be OK provided that the majority of other children are given that protection and thus reduce the likelyhood of epidemics.
However, it seems a bit selfish to rely on everyone else, and not to join in too.
Paraphrasing some of his statements in quotes, my replies are underneath.
"The long term effects of vaccination are not kown."
The long term effects have been that nobody now gets smallpox.
"It has not been proved that Aids was not a consequence of smallpox vaccination."
It has not been proved that pigs have never flown. Aids and smallpox are both dreadful diseases. But we know how to avoid catching Aids. I don't think smallpox was so easily avoided..
"Once you decide for or against vaccination, stick with that decision for ever."
People who never ever change their minds, never learn anything.
"We should have faith in our bodies to look after themselves."
For most of eternity we have had to let our bodies look after themselves. Now that we have modern medicine most of us live much longer.

Dr. Colin Andrews
Surely if the local GPs provided an adequate service there
would be no need for "Walk-in-centres" so if
Drs.Branson,Sainsbury,Tesco,Boots etc,etc invested
£millions they would loose their money!!!!!


Lucy Bethune
Director
Arnage Executive Hire
Hi, I will keep it brief but regarding your article with the accident that happened outside Acliffe Drive School while the lollypop lady was IN THE ROAD! The children were allowed to cross, and I am disgusted this has happened, My daughter goes to this school and I was there about 30 seconds after the accident. Every morning I watch cars fly past with speeds of around 40mph, I drive myself and at nightime we all drive past there a little to fast. But, at that time of morning any person should know that kids are crossing. You failed to mention thaty the driver was infact POLISH with a polish license, of which is a disgrace of how he could just come here and drive on a different side of the road without some kind of test! You also failed to mention that there are witnesses that know he was speeding as we all heard the tyres screeching. I do hope now the council consider putting speed bumps this side of Grove Hill.


Simon Icke
Aston Clinton
Bucks
Never in the recent history of the UK have so many old and poor people faced such a bleak winter. With unjustifiable price increases in both Gas and Electricity (around 25 % plus) not to mention unjustifiable petrol & diesel prices that have not come down as they should have. The whole utility & petrol pricing situation is a complete scandal. But does this Government really care? They have allowed such obnoxious profiteering by the utility and oil companies and their fat cat bosses awarding themselves massive bonuses. They don't seem to care less. Thousands of old and poor people will probably die this winter as they will be too frightened to put on their heating, when the cold winter starts to bite.

To think we are supposed to be a civilised, fair and decent caring society, yet the suffering we are about to witness is beyond anything thought possible in a so called rich western nation. I wonder if Government ministers and utility & fuel company, senior managers will be able to sleep easy in their warm beds this winter, knowing that so many of the British people will be shivering in theirs? They probably don't give a damn! Is this what we call a just and fair society?

It seems that greed, profiteering and selfishness are now the new order in the UK!

Alison Sutton
I have chosen not to have my daughters vaccinated with the HPV vaccine after reading the supported evidence, included in the newsletter, offered to me by Simon King.
Simon's advice is sought by busy, intelligent people who respect his sensible, holistic, medical knowledge and appreciate him passing on, and making available to us, his opinion and the alternative view point that the N.H.S. and government chose not to make available to us.
Too often people don't realize that they have free will in the choices that are made for them about their health and blindly accept the consequences without any personal investigation.
Simon never seeks to make a judgement or insist that his opinion is right, he merely gives us the opportunity to take the responsibility back for ourselves.


kevin wooldridge, berkhamsted
Following the letter from Diana Hesketh concerning the statue that used to be outside the Kodak building I remember some more details. The statue was a Rodin bronze but of Balzac the French novelist and playwright. Hope that helps in finding it - there was a rumour that it was sold off by Kodak around 15 years ago.

Gillian Frostick
Wigginton
I was interested in the views expressed by Simon King in your front page article this week. Does he not realise that the reason he can afford to feel so smug about the (presumably) good health of his unvaccinated children is because other parents have had their children vaccinated, and have been doing so for 50 years or more? The result of this is that childhood diseases such as diphtheria and whooping cough have almost disappeared. He might also care to reflect on the fact that during the recent scare about the measles vaccine, which led to a number of parents refusing to have their children vaccinated, the incidence of measles, with all the attendant problems, increased substantially.
He is, of course, correct in saying that this is a matter of personal choice. However, the tone of his letter implies that if you choose not to take what he perceives to be the "natural route", as he has done, then you have only yourself to blame if things go wrong.

John Newberry, Cotterells, Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead Gazette Re: Readers Letter ' "The Thinker" is food for thought'. The Rodin statue which at one time stood outside the main entrance to the Kodak building in Station Road, Hemel Hempstead was not 'The Thinker' but was of Honore de Balzac the French novelist and playwright and depicted him in his working apparel of a monk's robe. The artwork was named 'Monument to Balzac' and was completed at the height of Rodin's career in 1891. It was a sad day when this magnificent bronze was removed from Hemel Hempstead.

Gillian Frostick
Wigginton
I was interested in the views expressed by Simon King in your front page article this week. Does he not realise that the reason he can afford to feel so smug about the (presumably) good health of his unvaccinated children is because other parents have had their children vaccinated, and have been doing so for 50 years or more? The result of this is that childhood diseases such as diphtheria and whooping cough have almost disappeared. He might also care to reflect on the fact that during the recent scare about the measles vaccine, which led to a number of parents refusing to have their children vaccinated, the incidence of measles, with all the attendant problems, increased substantially.
He is, of course, correct in saying that this is a matter of personal choice. However, the tone of his letter implies that if you choose not to take what he perceives to be the "natural route", as he has done, then you have only yourself to blame if things go wrong.


Jonathan Culverhouse, Piccotts End
As a cricket fan I'm delighted to see Hemel Hempstead CC getting a brand new pavilion. But with its clock face and balcony the building currently nearing completion in Roughdown Avenue looks grand enough to be more like the new civic centre for Dacorum Borough Council. It's so huge (and out of proportion to its immediate surroundings) I'm wondering how on earth it was granted planning permission. Or is there something we're not being told about the Town's ambitious new development plans?

R Brooks, Clacton-on-Sea
Could anyone please settle an argument for us? Could you tell us the date of the building, of the luxor and the princess cinemas?

Mrs Reeves, Hemel Hempstead
My husband walks our dog at Westbrook Hay in the fields and through the woods and has spoken to other dog walkers who have seen black squirrels there. The subject came up after my friend and I saw them in Hatfield in a graveyard next to a church last year.