4 MERCURY THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2020

News

‘We’re not going anywhere’ CAMPAIGNERS COME TOGETHER TO FIGHT CLOSURE OF BELOVED MUSEUM

By charlotte page The Friends of Lowewood Museum held know anyone and the pottery club intro- ously explained that the decision to close [email protected] a meeting on Tuesday, January 21, which duced me to a joyful pastime but more the museum did not need to be made by @journopage was attended by almost 100 people and its importantly gave me a sense of belonging full council, and such decisions rest with petition to save the museum has reached and place in the community. the council’s cabinet, who voted unani- More than 150 campaigners gathered to show their nearly 3,000 signatures online and more “The arts clubs perform such an impor- mously on December 16. support for Lowewood’s Museum in a than 400 signatures on paper. tant social role, especially for older and They added that the financial and demonstration marking “just the beginning of a com- The protest was held with just a few days more excluded members of the com- staffing resources required from the munity campaign”. notice and campaigners were said to be munity, as well as with young people, council far exceed those available On Saturday, January 25, campaigners from The delighted with the turn out, especially in the and I just don’t think the council have or justifiable in the current eco- Friends of Lowewood Museum, the Soci- cold weather. thought this through.” nomic climate to continue to ety and members of the public gathered outside the Petition founder David Dent vowed: “It is As well as their petition against the operate the museum, which cur- museum, housed in a Georgian building dating back just the beginning of this community cam- closure, which will be submitted to rently costs the local tax payer over to the 1750s, on the High Street, Yewlands, to demon- paign, we’re not going away!” the council next month, Friends of £100,000 a year, and it was agreed strate their opposition to Broxbourne Council’s deci- The museum is not just home to nearly Lowewood and the Hoddes- that Lowewood Museum sion to close a “beloved local community venue”. It fifty thousand unique local exhibits, varying don Society are asking peo- will close to the public was also the final chance for people to see the last day from archaeology, geology, costume, social ple who object to the clo- on June 30. of the James Ward: Animal Painter exhibition. history, art and photography, but is also the sure to write to their local To sign the petition venue for many local arts events and its councillors requesting visit https://www. basement has happily housed the Lowe- that the decision is dis- change.org/p/brox- 7 DAYS wood Pottery Club for generations. cussed by the full coun- bourne-borough- SPRING Janet Feet, a member of the Lowewood cil. council-save-lowe- Pottery Club, said: “I’m really sad to learn Broxbourne Coun- wood-museum- that the council intend to close the cil said at this time, Petition founder hoddesdon-from- BREAK £367 museum. they have nothing fur- David Dent closure-at-the- COACH BREAK TO SCOTLAND “When I first moved to the area I didn’t ther to add, but previ- end-of-june-2020 Residents raise concerns over ‘deathtrap’ road plan Concerns over plans previously Herts District Council and Redrow, but a “I am confident that a solution by branded a “deathtrap” for a new access major planning application, a road survey opening both accesses would resolve this route to and from the A10 in Buntingford and considerable planning issues would be issue for all Buntingford residents. have been presented to required, not to open Neale Drive to “Further monitoring of the two ARDGARTAN HOTEL TripAdvisor Highways. traffic. This is because it had been an accesses once all construction in the LOCH LOMOND NATIONAL PARK Housebuilder Redrow was granted essential planning condition to spread north of the town ceases would provide planning permission to close the current traffic through the town. the information required to see if any TH SUNDAY 5 APRIL access route from Ermine Street to the However, a proposal to keep Ermine further measures are required.” A10 as part of plans to deliver the newly Street open is thought to be more In response, Chris Gatland, head of Come and visit Scotland in the spring! built residential development The Maples. realistic, with it possible for Hertfordshire planning at Redrow Eastern, said: “The With included excursions to Callander, the Changes would see a new access and County Council to consider any proposals closing of the A10 junction north of the exit built through the residential Neale for traffic restrictions in Neale Drive. site is subject to a Traffic Regulation Trossachs, Dunoon and Benmore Gardens. Drive, which would need to accommodate Mr Heald said: “This was a constructive Order which has not yet been obtained by You will also get the chance to cruise on larger vehicles, prompting residents to meeting and we put the case forward the Highway Authority so Redrow are not Loch Lomond, discover Inveraray, Fort launch a petition due to safety fears. strongly. The proposal to keep two progressing with this closure at present. Last week North East Herts MP Oliver accesses to north Buntingford and then “In the meantime, work is continuing to William and Glencoe as well as Glasgow. Heald and County Councillor Jeff Jones consider traffic restrictions on Neale deliver the remainder of the consented TOUR INCLUDES took residents Bill Osborne and Pannie Drive seems more realistic than not to scheme and road layout, including the 6 nights half board. Nightly entertainment. Excursions. Hopper to meet Hertfordshire Highways’ open Neale Drive at all. new A10 access link. We have not yet Mark Youngman to discuss access to The “I am now going to have meetings with been contacted about a meeting between PICKUP FROM Maples and the plan to stop at Ermine the district council planners and also other local representatives and , , , Biggleswade, Sandy, St Neots, Street, at the Royston end, so that there discuss the matter with Redrow.” stakeholders.” Peterborough Services is just one access to north Buntingford Cllr ones added: “This meeting was a A spokeswoman from East Herts via Neale Drive. good opportunity to discuss the concerns District Council said: “We are aware of the LOCHS.COM It is understood that Mr Youngman that residents have with the opening of petition and we are discussing a way 01389 713713 agreed to discuss the matter with East Neale Drive to the A10. forward with the highways authority.” LOCHS & GLENS HOLIDAYS, SCHOOL ROAD, GARTOCHARN, G83 8RW