THREE RIVERS

Autumn/Winter 2014 2015 Autumn/Winter Summer

Fly tipping, Leisure contamination activities Page 8-9 Page 18-20

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NEWS Local Summer markets hearing Based at Henderson Hall, the Abbots Langley for HS2 Transition Project organises 10 October, 14 November The District Council a local market several and 12 December. has formally petitioned times per year and is fast The South Oxhey Market, Parliament’s High Speed becoming a feature of Rail Hybrid Bill to amend village life. The next dates set up at Bridlington Road every Thursday, has various several aspects, due to are 11 July, 12 September concerns over pollution, and 5 December. stall holders and sells a variety of goods including traffic and environmental At the Sarratt Village food and clothes. problems caused by the Hall Market, you can buy proposed large construction plants, crafts and bric-a- The last year has seen compounds and remodelling brac. The next dates are several successful French of the landscape. Markets, selling traditional 19 July, 20 September, The petition will be French produce such as South Oxhey 18 October, 15 November considered by the HS2 cheeses, patés and pastries. and 20 December. Parliamentary Select These have been organised Committee this summer. Little Fox Market, in by the Chorleywood Initiative: www.51m.co.uk Rickmansworth, hosts a Business Association, variety of stalls offering a Abbots Langley Biz and West Hyde, Maple Cross Developer partners chosen selection of accessories, Rickmansworth Town Team, and Rickmansworth are Three Rivers District Council are pleased to announce that clothing, food and antique so keep an eye out for any expected to be affected by they have chosen to select the partnership of Countryside finds. The next dates are future markets within the the nearby 24 hour a day Properties (UK) Limited and Home Group, as preferred 11 July, 26 September, district. operation of four major bidders to work with them on the redevelopment of central construction sites involving South Oxhey. 700 workers for eight to ten years, on-site residential The Council will now work with the chosen developers to accommodation for nearly refine their proposals and these will be the subject of public 250 people, and associated consultation in the autumn. traffic movements. Subject to further drafting, the development contract is The proposals include expected to be signed in September 2015 and Countryside excavation and depositing Properties (UK) Limited and Home Group will aim to submit of several million tonnes of the planning application in December 2015. material to form the West The aim of the South Oxhey Initiative is to redevelop the Hyde embankment. heart of South Oxhey, dramatically enhancing the quality of To keep a look out for the life for everyone living in and using the centre. Committee’s decision, The regeneration scheme will provide: please visit n A range of around 500 apartments and family sized Grant help www.threerivers.gov.uk houses. More information about the The Council provides a proposed new railway is n A larger foodstore and a more varied and attractive limited number of grants for available at www.hs2.org.uk shopping environment, delivering a district centre where people want to shop. community organisations. You can contact: Abbots Langley Players, High Speed Two (HS2) n Attractive, high quality public spaces including a market Rickmansworth Waterways Ltd, One Canada Square, square and better links to Carpenders Park station. Trust, the Wheelchair Dance London, E14 5AB on n Opportunities for local people to secure apprenticeships, Sport Association, New 020 7944 4908 or training and jobs throughout the development’s Hope, Croxley Hall Woods [email protected] construction. Allotment Association and For details of how to apply Age UK Hertfordshire have for a grant (including Ann Shaw, Leader of the Council said: “This is good news, all received grants recently. deadlines) please visit bringing the provision of new, high quality, homes and www.threerivers.gov.uk shops closer. The Council is delighted that it will be moving The activities funded range 01923 776611. forward with Countryside and Home Group, organisations from employing staff, with proven track records of successfully delivering such organising an arts festival, To apply for a grant from regeneration schemes.” running drama workshops, the £1000 Youth Council buying large equipment and Fund please email: More information about the project is available at carrying out improvements commsadmin@threerivers. www.threerivers.gov.uk or call 01923 776611 to a building. gov.uk you can also sign up for the project’s e-newsletter.

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Contents SUSTAINABILITY page News 2-5 New Chairman Underground, Sustainability 6-7 elected over ground Recycling 8-9 Democratic and Civic Activity 10

Community Action 11-13

Business News 14-15

Community Safety 16-17 Construction work to re- Benefits of the rail link route London Underground’s will include: Leisure and Culture 18-20 Metropolitan line to Watford n A London Underground Junction for the long- rail link to central London, Editor TIM ASHBY awaited Croxley Rail Link is which will also supplement expected to start later this existing passenger services Designer DIANE BUGEJA year. from Watford Junction and Main Photographers ANNE SIMONS, VICTOR SHACK, In March, Hertfordshire Watford High Street. LES MEAD, SUE LACEY County Council and the n Better rail access for more Department for Transport households. Approximately Eric Bishop, a Carpenders reached a funding 2,700 net additional We welcome your ideas and feedback on this magazine. Park Councillor, was elected agreement for the rail link, households will fall within an Ring 01923 727334 or email [email protected] Chairman of the District which is predicted to create 800m catchment area of a Front cover: Local events. See back page for details. Council in May 2015 and will over 9,000 new jobs and station. serve for a year in the non- contribute over £8 billion to n An improved east-west political role. the economy by 2031. If you would like this information public transport connection translated into another language please Fundraising, meeting small Once completed, the rail link for Watford and Croxley contact us on 01923 776611. charities and visiting will provide up to six trains Green, which also helps historic buildings are just reduce the strain on an hour, linking Watford W sprawie tłumaczeń proszę kontaktować sie z some of the many Junction and Watford High Watford’s busy road network activities in Cllr Eric Bishop’s Street with London. by providing a tube service plans for the coming year. from Croxley to Watford Para traduções favor contactar Hertfordshire County Junction station in just “I will be fundraising this Council will lead a under nine minutes. year for Home-Start Watford consortium of local funding n & Three Rivers which helps The provision of an partners to support important public transport local families with young the project, including link for patients and 01923 776611 children, and Parkinson’s in This information is also available on our the Hertfordshire Local employees of the existing West Hertfordshire which website at www.threerivers.gov.uk Enterprise Partnership and hospital and the under- helps sufferers. In addition, Watford Borough Council. I also want to help the Box construction Watford Health If you need this information in Cleva group in South Oxhey Three Rivers District Council Campus. which brings a lot to the is one of the scheme’s n The rail link will support large print, braille or another community by teaching partners and has worked economic development in format call young people self-discipline closely with the County Watford and its surrounding and improving fitness using Council on developing the areas by providing first class 01923 776611 boxing training.” project. transport links to business and retail centres. All information is correct at time of going to print. Eric Bishop took up the www.croxleyraillink.com An audio CD and large print version of this magazine role following his position is available from the Council. The audio magazine is as Vice-Chair over the past produced by Watford Talking Newspaper and is distrib- uted to its members. A podcast and text-only version year. Cllr Kate Turner has are available at www.threerivers.gov.uk Watford Talking been elected Vice-Chair for Summer play areas Newspaper 01923 248006. 2015/16. New equipment will be available in Maple Cross, Printed on chlorine-free paper from sustainable forests. Hornhill Recreation Ground, Chalfont Road and People can follow the This publication cost 20p per copy including delivery. Carpenders Park, Greenfields this summer. Children will Chairman through his To reduce costs this magazine be able to enjoy the new equipment including a slide, new blog is now published twice a year. zip wire, swing, trampoline and toddler swings. Next edition autumn/winter https://threeriverschair2015 2015. ericbishop.wordpress.com www.threerivers.gov.uk Page 3 THREE RIVERS TIMES SUMMER 2015

NEWS

Leisure, Wellbeing & Health Committee meeting, on 16 September. If accepted, the proposals will not affect the majority of dog owners in the Three Rivers area, but will provide the means to tackle the minority of irresponsible dog owners, who allow their dogs to cause nuisance or Tackling foul play distress to other members of the community. Rickmansworth Following a report to the with over 3,000 people relevant Committees completing it. Thank you for the Canal Festival tremendous response to the regarding the making of a Time is now being taken to The 22nd Rickmansworth Canal Festival attracted over consultation and providing Public Spaces Protection analyse each response, to 25,000 visitors to the event and it topped off a very your say towards the Order to make irresponsible ensure an accurate account successful Rickmansworth Week which offered a range of proposals. dog owners control their is given. cultural and fun activities in the town. www.rwt.org.uk dogs, a public consultation Sign up for our Have Your A further report, along was undertaken. Say e-newsletter with the findings of the www.threerivers.gov.uk The survey received an survey, are expected overwhelming response to be discussed at the Jasmine Safety Track Trust The Jasmine Safety Track landowners has enabled Canal boating - Trust was started by four us to open six tracks, all accessible to everyone voluntary trustees after of which avoid busy lanes Jasmine, a much loved and roads. These tracks are Waterways Experiences, Nash Mills, together with the family pony, was killed after free for the use of all horse South-West Herts Narrowboat project and the being hit by a car in Bucks riders, but we rely entirely Rickmansworth Waterways Trust, offer residents the Hill. Since then, the Trust on donations to maintain chance to organise trips on the Grand Union Canal, and has found opportunities to the existing tracks and take allows parties to set their own itinerary for stops along set up ‘off road’ tracks for opportunities to set up new the way. A journey along the Grand Union Canal provides riders in the local area. tracks. To make donations a fascinatingly different perspective of familiar places on or for further information your doorstep. Purchase of additional please contact Trish Sale land and the generosity of [email protected] Waterways Experiences and South-West Herts Narrowboat project have superb facilities for people with disabilities, including special lifts and ramps for wheelchair users. The Basing Gardens bowling Popular for group or family outings, many passengers green is tucked away behind enjoy helping operate the locks and some even have a go at the lovely gardens in steering (under Skipper’s watchful eye of course!). Northway, opposite the District Council office. We Rickmansworth Waterways Trust also welcomes people with caught up with club captain, disabilities. Visit www.wexp.org.uk Ernie Gray. www.swhertsnarrowboat.org.uk “I have been playing bowls at www.rwt.org.uk Rickmansworth for 30 years at all levels including playing for Hertfordshire County. Bowling is good exercise and News of the day you meet many new friends.” Keep in touch by subscribing to our various “Bowling today is 12 months e-newsletters, including What’s On, Business, of the year - five months Green movement Environment, Have Your Say, Planning, outdoor and seven months Service news and South Oxhey news. indoor. Our membership games at Basing Gardens on Saturday afternoon, and have You can also join the Council’s Facebook and Twitter ranges from those aged 21 club nights every Monday during the season. Anyone can feeds, which provide updates on current events. years to 90. And one lady come along and have a try. Phone me on 01923 778250 or has just retired at 94 years.” Alan Carroll 01895 822229. All you need are flat shoes!” @threeriversdc Bowls today is very popular. or search your town on Facebook. There are over 4,000 clubs in A list of bowls clubs in the district is available from this country. We play home www.threerivers.gov.uk 01923 776611

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NEWS

appearances in numerous Fairy Godmother with a commercials and the cult- classic Hitchhiker’s Guide Now open: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, followed by comedy hits Two Point 3 producers Paul Holman Platform 9 /4 Four Children and The Two Associates have called on a Ronnies. More recently star with galactic experience Sandra has appeared in New to wave the wand at Tricks, Holby City, Doctors Watersmeet, Rickmansworth and can currently be heard later this year. voicing various roles in The instantly recognisable, Gumball, and is the voice of Sandra Dickinson will be Grandma Tracey in the new guiding Cinderella on her Thunderbirds for ITV. journey to find true love, Sandra will be sprinkling when she stars as the Fairy magical fairy dust over Godmother. audiences at Watersmeet Sandra came to the UK from 4 to 31 December. It takes a very special fairy late in the 1960s where Tickets for the production Featuring the Hogwarts to create the magic needed she studied at the Central of Cinderella are available to transform Cinderella’s School of Speech and from the Box Office on Express at Warner Bros. pumpkin into a sparkling Drama and was soon a 01923 711063 and online at coach so UK pantomime household name with www.watersmeet.co.uk Studio Tour London One of the main features By Sarah Mitchell, Warner Bros. of the project was the On Thursday 19 March, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – growth and use of a working The Making of Harry Potter officially unveiled an impressive Jacobean herb garden for expansion, including the original Hogwarts Express steam a set during the production. engine and a recreation of Platform 9 3/4. The new, After show week, the permanent section offers a glimpse into how some of the garden was donated to films’ most iconic scenes were created as well as giving Abbots Langley to be used visitors the chance to climb aboard the train’s carriage and as a communal resource, to pose with a luggage trolley as it disappears through the outside the Police station. platform wall. The Herbal Bed - Herts Highways update Abbots Langley Players Hertfordshire’s roads are busy and Hertfordshire County The Abbots Langley Stages – the UK’s biggest Council share their residents’ views that well-maintained Players (ALP) worked with amateur theatre project. streets and roads are very important. the Royal Shakespeare ALP’s brief to the RSC was The county council is responsible for over 3,000 miles of Company (RSC) to present to involve as many local road and more than 115,000 streetlights. Road maintenance a production in the heart of people and community contractor Ringway repairs an average of 75 potholes every the village, at St Lawrence groups as possible, making day and these efforts have been boosted by the successful Church. the production an effort bids for additional funding from central government. Their production of Peter that would highlight the Whelan’s The Herbal Bed, depth and diversity of the For more information visit www.hertsdirect.org/highways staged in April 2015, was village and raise the profile Call 0300 1234049 part of the RSC’s Open of Abbots Langley as a whole. @herts_highways

Buddleias track on Croxley Saddle up safely Village Green. For its 40th Anniversary project, the Mixing together fast road horse riding routes, by CVBA built the Metro Track moving traffic, horses – and encouraging local riders to alongside the Metropolitan competitive cyclists – can wear high visibility clothing, Railway Line between be a volatile and potentially and to acknowledge and be Chalfont and Chorleywood. dangerous mix. In the Three helpful to all other road users. Both of these have added to Rivers and surrounding an extensive and growing off Recently, the British areas the Chess Valley road track network. Bridleways Association Horse Society and CVBA (CVBA) works to reduce succeeded in gaining To find out more visit these risks by developing off bridleway status for the www.cvba.org.uk www.threerivers.gov.uk Page 5 THREE RIVERS TIMES SUMMER 2015

SUSTAINABILITY Keeping Who you gonna cool call? Pestbusters! During the summer, most trap more effective, use the By of us will want to enjoy the top section you have cut Sean garden more. However, we off as a funnel by pushing it Tyrrell are not the only species to neck down into the base and benefit from longer days stapling it in place. and warm sunshine. If you have to go into the All of us will have been loft to retrieve the suitcases bothered by wasps at some for your summer holiday, be time. Apart from having aware that loft spaces are nuisance nests destroyed, popular sites for wasp nests, for the gardener. They hunt Herts Healthy Homes provide home visits to give advice you can also try to prevent being warm and dry. To other insects - particularly and practical support to help you stay well and active. foraging wasps from gate- avoid the risk of unwittingly flies and aphids. However, The help, which includes additional advice on keeping cool crashing your barbeque. disturbing a nest, before this is not really much as the temperature increases, includes information on One of the simplest things you enter, turn the light on comfort if you are allergic increasing ventilation in the home during cooler times of to do is to make your own in the loft and go and have a to wasp stings. Pest control the day and using curtains to increase shading during hot wasp traps. cup of tea. When you come appointments for wasps are spells. Any long container will do, back, if there is an active available from mid-June Dehydration is a known contributing factor to falls in older a two litre pop bottle is a nest up there, you would onwards. people due to increased dizziness and fainting. Water jugs normally expect to find a good size. Cut the top off Three Rivers District Council can be provided to act as an easy way to stay hydrated for few wasps buzzing around above the label and fill half offers a pest control service those who are less mobile or as a visual reminder to keep the light. If this is the case, with an attractant – like fruit for a variety of pests. Terms fluid levels up. turn the light off, close the juice or similar and add a and conditions depend on a loft hatch and phone for a During the home visits, water saving advice can be provided drop or two of washing up number of factors. For more liquid. pest controller. and a range of devices, supplied by Affinity Water, installed information, including pest within the kitchen and bathroom. This will not only benefit Position these around your In the early part of the control advice, and fees visit the environment, but can also help households save water, garden – but not near where summer, wasps can be www.threerivers.gov.uk or save energy and save money, particularly if they are on a you want to be. To make the beneficial creatures, mainly call 01923 776611. metered supply.

General home energy advice will continue to be delivered LoCO2 Energy’s motto alongside the draught proofing installations, provision is ‘sustainable energy at of carbon monoxide alarms and insulation referrals as sensible prices’, and we required. offer two main tariffs: our ‘Planet’ tariff which is composed of 100% green electricity, and our ‘Pocket’ tariff, which contains a minimum of 20% renewable energy but aimed at the more cost-conscious customer.

In 2015 we also started supplying gas to homes, which means that anybody Low carbon at the canal within the Three Rivers district can switch to us on By Gillian Thompson, LoCO2 a dual-fuel tariff basis. We bring our ‘small supplier’ LoCO2 Energy is a The company was mentality coupled with an renewable energy company. established in 2009 and honest and ethical approach We are based by the canal mainly produces green to anybody looking for an in Rickmansworth at energy via its network of alternative to the ‘Big Six’ Batchworth Lock House. eight (soon to be nine) energy suppliers. We love it here as an micro-hydropower sites. The environmentally-aware energy these sites produce To get a quote and switch business, it is great to be is then transmitted into the please go to based in a place that feels national grid and sold on to www.loco2energy.com like the countryside, whilst end business and domestic or call our customer service still being well-connected to customers. team on 0330 124 1500. London and the North.

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SUSTAINABILITY

Power of the sun

Over 400 homes in Three Rivers now have solar panels and it is easy to see why. Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels generate power through converting sunlight into usable electricity for your home, even on a cloudy day. This means that electricity produced by the sun during the day is free for you. Three Rivers District Council currently has solar panels at William Penn Leisure Centre and Watersmeet. Solar facts: n By installing solar panels on your roof, you could save £100 a year on your electricity bill. Green your garden n Installing the panels costs between £5k and £7k for a typical 4kWp rooftop array (roughly 16 panels) depending It’s estimated that there are around 30,000 gardens in Three Rivers. Gardens can help on what panels you go for. the environment in lots of ways including reducing the risk of flooding, absorbing carbon n Through the Feed-in Tariff (FiT), energy suppliers will pay dioxide and providing a home for wildlife. Making a few small changes to your garden you for the energy that you produce, typically more than can make a big difference in helping the environment. £500 a year at the current rates. Mini beasts Green your walls a hose will reduce the water n Solar PV is eligible for a Green Deal Loan which is a A bug box can encourage Planting climbers such as you use and can save you financing mechanism that lets people pay for energy natural predators such as honeysuckle, clematis and money. efficiency improvements through savings on energy bills. ladybirds and lacewings climbing roses will provide Get composting n Solar panels on the roof of your home are generally which will help to control additional cover and food Composting is an permitted development, unless you are in a conservation aphids. Old logs placed in for birds and wildlife. inexpensive, natural area, but please check conditions at: a shady corner provide a It doesn’t save to pave process that transforms www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/ cool, moist habitat for frogs If you need off-street your kitchen and garden solarpanels and newts and rotting wood parking and are thinking of waste into a valuable and For more information visit www.energysavingstrust.org.uk is perfect for a range of paving your front garden nutrient rich food for you To find a certified installer visit: insects including the stag then check if you need garden. Hertfordshire www.microgenerationcertification.org/consumers/ beetle. planning permission, use residents can buy compost installer-search Plant a hedge permeable surfacing to bins at a reduced rate from Hedges, especially a prevent water run-off and www.herts.getcomposting. mixed native hedge, make add planting up either side com a fantastic habitat by of the car space or add pots Reuse providing food and shelter and planters. Old household items for a range of animals. Save water such as wellies or sinks Plant with pollinators in Reduce the need for make great planters. How mind watering by planting inventive can you be? Simply adding pollinator- drought tolerant plants, What have you spotted? friendly plants can give adding mulch and watering If you keep an eye on species such as bees and at cooler times of the day what wildlife visits your butterflies, which are in to reduce evaporation. garden, pass your sightings decline a helping hand. Collecting rainwater, on to the Hertfordshire Put in a pond reusing washing up or bath Environmental Records The best wildlife ponds water and fitting a nozzle to Centre: have both deep and shallow www.hercinfo.org.uk River Chess update areas, sloping sides and In December 2014, the Environment Agency were awarded pond plants to oxygenate For more wildlife friendly gardening suggestions a contract to clear the Chess and reduce flood risk to the the water. Avoid adding fish and further information on how to green your community. The work commenced on site on 13 January if you want a pond rich in garden visit www.greenourherts.org.uk 2015 and has since been completed. This included wildlife. establishing a site compound, setting up site access roads and removing silt, reeds and tree branches to restore capacity, reduce bank leaks and reduce bank pressure. www.threerivers.gov.uk Page 7 THREE RIVERS TIMES SUMMER 2015

RECYCLING Reducing contamination in your bins It is currently estimated emissions and reduce the that 5% of our recycling costs of disposal - which is FAQ s is contaminated and it is currently at £70 per tonne. What will happen costing the Council over toQ my bins if they There is still a high rate of are found to have £150,000 per year. By soft plastics entering the contaminants in them? reducing contamination you stream along with other could help in reducing the materials, such as nappies cost to Council Tax payers. and food waste. Even more Your bins will not The increase in concerning are the number Abe collected. You will contamination of household of sharp metals, including have to remove the bins in Three Rivers has knives and saucepans, contamination yourself become a concerning that are entering the before any further sorting process, although issue over the past year. In collections. If this is a simple terms contaminating these incidents are rare, operatives are sorting and reoccurring issue an your bins simply means Enforcement Officer placing the wrong items filtering these materials and may arrange a home- in the wrong bins which they pose a huge safety risk. n A refuse bin collected visit or issue a £60 causes material that would Three Rivers District fortnightly. otherwise be recycled to be Council currently operates a Fixed Penalty Notice. If residents are unsure of wasted and sent to landfill. collection of four bins: what material goes in each Having the correct items n A recycling bin collected bin they should call the Is placing in the correct bins will help weekly customer service centre on Qfood in the refuse to increase the quality of n A food pod collected 01923 776611 or visit bin classified as the recyclate. Furthermore, weekly www.threerivers.gov.uk contamination? the number of vehicles n A garden waste bin Wasteaware may also provide that have to be sent out to If you fill your collect contaminated bins collected fortnightly further information food pod a second one would decrease vehicle www.hertsdirect.org/wasteaware A can be requested by calling the Customer Service Centre. Ideally Recycling Food pod Paper and bottle banks residents should be bin All food waste (e.g tea bags, bones, raw/ From June 2015, the Council removed its paper banks and composting their Cardboard cooked meats, vegetables/ (e.g toilet roll centres, fruit peelings, egg shells) bottle banks across the district. These ‘bring’ sites have waste. Hertfordshire plain greeting cards, egg cartons, cereal been in place for many years, but the quantities of paper residents can buy packets) Kitchen tissue (not the cardboard tube) compost bins at a Foil and glass collected in this way have dropped significantly Starch liners in recent months, thanks to the success of the weekly reduced rate from Glass bottles accepted or food can be and jars wrapped in newspaper collection service for mixed recyclables which began in www.herts.getcomposting. Tins and cans No plastic carrier bags October 2014. com Aerosols The very last resort Drinks/food cartons Three Rivers can supply larger 360 litre recycling bins free Paper (e.g newspapers, magazines, would be food in the telephone directories, junk mail, of charge to households which need a bigger bin. envelopes and shredded paper) Refuse bin refuse bin and at Plastics (eg. Bottles, yoghurt pots, The Council also offers trade waste and recycling services tubs, food trays etc) (If you can ‘scrunch Only waste that present residents will it’, it’s not recyclable) cannot be recycled to local businesses at competitive rates. For more not be fined. No plastic carrier bags (eg. Plastics you information please contact 01923 776611. can ‘scrunch’) or waste that It is important to ensure Paper banks and bottle banks are being removed from our recycling is of the cannot be composted the following areas from 30 June 2015: highest quality. No garden waste, food or Please remember recycling Abbots Langley, Manor Lodge (glass) to recycle right. Chorleywood, North Hill (glass and paper) clean empty sorted Brown bin Croxley Green, Community Way (glass) Garden waste (e.g grass cuttings, Maple Cross Community Centre (glass) wood prunings) Shredded paper Rickmansworth, Fairway Inn (paper and glass) Real Christmas trees Rickmansworth High Street (glass) (can be left next to the Three Rivers District Council brown bin) South Oxhey, Bridlington Road (paper and glass) thanks you for your No soil, plastic carrier bags, co-operation cardboard or food waste William Penn Leisure Centre (glass)

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SUSTAINABILITYFLY TIPPING

How you can help Combating fly-tipping Fly-tipping in Three Rivers The types of waste fly- Fly-tippers are doing something illegal and so are unlikely Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of rubbish or bulky tipped range from ‘black to welcome people observing them and taking notes or items on land not licensed to receive it. bag’ domestic waste to large photographs. Call the Police on 101 and report as much deposits of materials such It is a significant blight on local environments, a source detail as you can about the offenders and their vehicle. as industrial waste, tyres, of pollution, it attracts vermin and is a potential danger Vehicle number plates are particularly useful in catching construction material and to public health and a hazard to wildlife. offenders. Household waste makes up nearly 60% of the liquid waste. Fly tipping costs significant amounts of public money to fly tips in Three Rivers. If you see someone dumping black clear away, which could be better spent elsewhere. bags or white goods in your local area then please let us We investigate each and know, too. every incident looking for To give an idea of the problem, figures published by the evidence of an offender. For Department for Environment Food & Affairs (DEFRA) If you come across fly tipped waste, then please do not larger fly tips we will look show that in 2013-2014 local authorities in England touch it. Waste often contains sharp objects, needles and to caution or prosecute the dealt with 852,000 incidents costing £45.2 million to other hazardous substances. offenders and for smaller clear and £17.3 million to investigate and enforce. In the Please note the type of waste and the location and call ‘black bag’ fly tips we have same period, Three Rivers had 524 incidents costing Three Rivers District Council on 01923 776611 to report it. the power to issue £75 £36,900 to clear and £20,500 to enforce. We will clear all fly tips on public land within 24 hours. Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN Three Rivers District Council and the Environment (excluding weekends and bank holidays) s) for the lesser crime of Agency (EA) are responsible for clearing most cases littering. We want to work with you to make Three Rivers the of fly-tipping on public land, whilst the EA investigates cleanest, tidiest place to live. From April 2014 to March and enforces against the larger and hazardous waste Fly-tipping collected 2013-2015 2015, one man was offenders. Please note that fly tips on private land need successfully prosecuted to be cleared by the landowner. Abbots Langley Parish region – 202 (Abbots Langley– for dumping asbestos; 50, Bedmond & Primrose Hill – 55, Langleybury – 46 and four cautions were issued; Leavesden – 51) 52 FPNs were sent and 71 Watford Rural Parish region – 525 (Ashridge – 71, businesses were asked how Carpenders Park – 62, Hayling – 160, Oxhey Hall – 23, they dispose of their trade Northwick – 209) waste. Chorleywood Parish region - Chorleywood East – 40, Chorleywood West – 20, Sarratt Parish region – Sarratt - 69 Croxley Parish region – 101 (Croxley Green – 30, Croxley Green North – 33, Croxley Green South – 38) Unparished region - 304 (Rickmansworth – 76, Rickmansworth West – 13, Moor Park & Eastbury – 33, Penn – 34 and Maple Cross & Mill End – 148) Please note: these figures have been collated using the old ward boundaries. This year’s findings will be collected Disposing of your waste using the new ward boundaries. One of our biggest with that person directly. and call the Environmental problems is that people pay Using unauthorised waste Agency on 03708 506 506 Type of fly-tipping 2013 2014 unlicensed waste carriers to removers means you may and ask for a validation White goods 11 33 dispose of their waste. be prosecuted and run the check. Alternatively, you Other electrical 12 12 risk of a £5,000 fine and a can do this online via their If waste originating from web pages www.gov.uk 13 46 criminal record. Tyres your property is found to The waste carrier should Asbestos 14 13 have been fly-tipped, you If you are hiring someone also provide you with a Commercial waste 15 28 are obliged to provide us to remove property they Waste Transfer Note when with details of who you need to have a Waste removing the waste from Green waste 28 37 gave it to, so that the Carrier’s Licence. Ask for your home. Construction waste 83 146 matter can be taken up their Waste Carrier number Other household waste 165 224 Three Rivers District Council provides a special kerbside 172 172 Household black bags collection service for large items, and at our waste In 2013 the total cost of clearing up disposal sites and recycling flytipping was £36,877 centres you can safely and legally recycle/dispose of In 2014 the total cost of clearing up unwanted items. For more flytipping was £46,317 information visit Figures based on DEFRA guidelines www.threerivers.gov.uk or call 01923 776611 www.threerivers.gov.uk Page 9 THREE RIVERS TIMES SUMMER 2015

DEMOCRATIC AND CIVIC ACTIVITY Election results Have Elections were held for Three Rivers your District Council on 7 May. District elections say on A total of 13 seats were up for election. The Liberal Democrat Party remains the party with the most seats with 19, the Conservative Party won four seats, meaning they local Council planners are now have 17 seats, and the Labour Party maintained their three seats. best in the country New Conservative Councillors are Diana Barber, Penn and issues Three Rivers District Council continues to maintain its high Mill End, Rupert Barnes, Dickinsons, Leslie Proctor, Gade Have your say on local performance and is now the top district authority in the Valley and Angela Killick, Chorleywood South and Maple issues at your next local country for speed of decision making on major applications. Cross. area forum. This is out of 337 authorities in total. Full results can be found at www.threerivers.gov.uk Watford Rural Local Area Forum The Hertfordshire Omnibus Survey 2014-15 Watford Rural Parish Council elections Monday 13 July 2015 7.30pm at Watford Rural The latest results of the Hertfordshire Omnibus Survey results Parish Council Offices, uncovers the opinions of Three Rivers residents on matters South Oxhey Ward WD19 7SB. such as satisfaction with the Council, services provided Brendan O’Brien, Pamela King, Sean McCluskey, William and the neighbourhood they live in. These results are Waite (all Labour) and Yessica Gould (UKIP). Youth Council then benchmarked against Hertfordshire-wide ratings. A Tuesday 6 October 2015 representative sample of 502 Three Rivers residents were Oxhey Hall Ward 5.30pm at Three Rivers telephone interviewed during 2014 and the start of 2015. Ann Grant (Conservative) and Alison Scarth House, WD3 1RL. (Liberal Democrat) Residents continue to be satisfied with the services Chorleywood and Sarratt provided by Three Rivers District Council. Satisfaction with Hayling Ward Local Area Forum the way in which Three Rivers District Council has improved Ty Harris (Conservative) and Joan King (Labour) Monday 12 October 2015 year on year and now stands at 78% (up from 73%). Sport 7.30pm at Sarratt Village and leisure facilities continue to attract high levels of Carpenders Park Ward Hall, WD3 6AS. satisfaction (90% - a rise of 2 percentage points on last David Coltman, Valerie Coltman, Terry Dos Ramos and Pensioners’ Forum year), as do parks and open spaces (93% satisfaction). Angela Roberts (all Conservative) Friday 23 October 2015 During a year that involved necessary significant changes Ashridge Ward 2pm at Three Rivers House to refuse and recycling rotas, satisfaction levels remained Shanti Maru (Conservative) WD3 1RL. high (refuse collection: 82% and doorstep recycling: 85%). Help with transport is Since the new wheeled bin for dry recycling was introduced Abbots Langley Parish Council available. in June 2014, 45% of residents state that they are recycling more than when the boxes were used. elections results For times and venues this autumn visit Diversity and cohesion remain encouragingly high with Abbots Langley West Ward www.threerivers.gov.uk 83% believing that Three Rivers is a place where people Owen Roe and Alison Ward 01923 776611 from different ethnic backgrounds get on well together (a (both Liberal Democrat) Subscribe to the Have rise of 2 percentage points on the previous year), whilst Hunton Bridge & Langleybury Ward Your Say e-newsletter at 92% felt that local public services treat all types of people Leslie Proctor (Conservative) fairly (a rise of 2 points on the previous year). www.threerivers.gov.uk Leavesden Ward 01923 776611 Sara Bedford, Martin Brooks, Liz Burns, Stephen Giles-Medhurst Council Tax (all Liberal Democrat) and Hitesh Tailor (Conservative) Abbots Langley The District Council has had cuts in national government by-election grant funding but it has also gained revenue through retain- Primrose Hill Ward ing 50% of Business Rates and the increased Council Tax Lyn Ferguson and Alex Michaels (Liberal Democrat) result revenue arising from new homes being built in the area. The election for the Two uncontested Parish Council elections in Croxley Abbots Langley and The Council has saved over £3.5M in efficiency gains since Green and Sarratt, meant that seats were automatically Bedmond Parish Ward 2005/6. The fractional average reduction of 0.11% for the awarded to persons nominated for parish elections. took place on 24 June 2015/16 Council Tax is effectively a freeze. In the Dickinsons Ward, one Conservative and seven 2015. independents gained seats. In the Durrants ward, one The Government is providing additional grant funding to For the results visit: UKIP and three independents gain seats. local authorities which freeze their Council Tax. For Three www.threerivers.gov.uk Rivers District Council the additional grant this year is In Sarratt, all seats were awarded to independents. £56,000. For more information visit: www.threerivers.gov.uk

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COMMUNITY ACTION Get your voice heard with Herts Youth What has 80286 legs Parliament and walks four times By Alex Ferguson around the earth? Herts1125, supported by Hertfordshire County Hertfordshire Health Walks, part of Hertfordshire County Council Youth Connexions, Council and co-ordinated by the Countryside Management is open to young people Service, are locally led, health-focused walks happening between the ages of 11 and right across the county and are free. They help everyone 25 who live, work or are get outdoors, get more active and reap the benefits of a educated in the county, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award healthy lifestyle. giving non-elected young By Caroline Corderey Being moderately physically active, such as walking, for people a bigger voice and a If you are aged 14 or over, did you know that you can now 150 minutes a week has a huge number of health benefits: way to be heard. Members take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme with the risk of heart attacks and strokes falls up to 35%, colon of Youth Parliament (MYPs) Youth Connexions? Based in Rickmansworth Youth Centre, cancer and type 2 diabetes up to 50% and Alzheimer’s are aged 11-18 and are over 100 young people have achieved either their bronze disease 60%! Moderate physical activity means feeling elected annually for a 12 or silver awards. The group meet on the third Monday of a bit warmer, breathing a bit harder but able to have a month term, with one young the month from 6-8pm – and are actively recruiting now for conversation with the person next to you. person per district elected. young people interested in taking part this year. If you are interested in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award consists of four main Through Hertfordshire Health Walks, people engage with local politics, the UK Youth elements: Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition (and their town, countryside and friends and help those who Parliament Election season Residential for the gold award). Youth Connexions fully suffer from social isolation. is from November-March. supports the bronze award, as well as offering support There are currently 55 Hertfordshire Health Walks each The current MYP for Three to those who go on to complete the silver or gold level. week attracting over 40,000 attendances annually Rivers district is Vivek Monthly Monday meetings cover the expertise required (meaning 80,286 legs did walk over 100,000 miles…four Shah, 13, from St Clement for the expedition element with training, practice and times around the earth!). The shortest walks are 20 minutes Danes and who says about qualifying expedition taking place over the year. Cost of on flat and even ground with plenty of stopping places - his time with Herts Youth taking part is kept to a minimum – registration for the many are wheelchair accessible. Longer walks are up to Parliament: “Where do I bronze and silver awards is £20 and the average bronze 90 minutes involving inclines and possible stiles at a faster begin? At the beginning I expedition costs £25-£30 (bursaries available) and Youth pace. was quite anxious about Connexions own all the equipment required. Last year trips Currently in Three Rivers there are Hertfordshire Health doing this because I thought included the Chiltern Hills and Epping Forest. Walks in Abbots Langley, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth I was not old enough and While the other sections of the award can be completed and South Oxhey. There is no need to book, you can just couldn’t represent my in a variety of ways, Youth Connexions have set up a turn up! community. However, with a programme with Rickmansworth Fire Station which covers lot of encouragement from both the Physical and Skills elements for those interested [email protected] 01992 588433 if you my school and friends I in completing these sections this way. The course covers would like more information on participation or becoming a started to feel more excited a variety of different exercises used to train fire fighters volunteer. Alternatively, visit www.hertfordshirehealthwalks. about this new adventure. – such as hose runs, climbing ladders and smoke filled org or follow @HertsHealthWalk. “From the start, Youth rooms – and has proved to be a very popular choice. Youth Connexions also run projects that cover the other sections Parliament has been non- of the award – from cooking skills to biking courses. stop fun. I have learnt so much about what goes into The Duke of Edinburgh’s award is not only great fun, but making change – it is not as also highly valued by young people and employers. For easy as people think. more information, contact Beth Taylor, Youth Worker, on 01442 454060 or go to www.youthconnexions.org.uk “My hopes for the future are to help the youth of my community and improve their lives.” Last year’s Woodoaks Summer Festival saw For more information, stalls that tickled everyone’s fancy, offering including the Herts1125 a huge variety of activities and attractions Hertfordshire Young People’s Manifesto visit for the entire family to enjoy. This year’s www.youthconnexions- festival took place on 4 July. hertfordshire.org www.threerivers.gov.uk Page 11 THREE RIVERS TIMES SUMMER 2015

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Girlguiding changes as the lives of girls change. Our programme is girl-led which means it’s always relevant to today’s young women. Girls in guiding can do everything from abseiling and zip-wiring to international travel, attending huge girl-only pop concerts and embarking on social action projects. We continue to prepare girls to be active citizens, Girlguiding encouraging them to take part in social action to make Leaps and bounds for Study Group the world a better place, By Janet Eavis including our leadership Students in South Oxhey have been getting a helping hand Nationally, Girlguiding has Guides and the Senior course, the Queens Guide thanks to Youth Connexions and the Library Service. The over half a million members Section, as well as dedicated Award. South Oxhey Study Group offers assistance, support and who meet in communities adult volunteers. Girlguiding To find out more about access to resources, including free printing and internet. across the UK. Girlguiding provides girls with a variety Girlguiding and getting The group meet on Tuesdays after school from 3.30- Hertfordshire has over of opportunities to try new involved visit 5.30pm in South Oxhey library. 10,000 members including things, challenge themselves www.girlguiding.org.uk girls in Rainbows, Brownies, and develop their potential. Students have the use of a dedicated room set aside for their benefit, equipped with desks, a large bank of brand new computers as well as printers, headphones, and general Channel Mogo stationery. As Elaine, Youth Connexions Youth Support Three Rivers has a vibrant Worker in Charge, says: “The facilities offered by the library community and in the district make a huge difference to these young people enabling there are many community them to complete homework and projects effectively and centres and organisations on time within a friendly and supportive environment. including Scouts, Guides and Many attendees have come on leaps and bounds.” social clubs in the area. Youth The study group is free and open to all young people of Connexions and Channel South Oxhey aged 13-19. No pre-booking is required – Mogo maintain a list of youth just come along to South Oxhey library, Bridlington Road social clubs. between 3.30-5.30pm on Tuesdays during term time or call The art of combat www.mogolistings.org Youth Connexions on 01442 454060 for more information. while giving families a well- Continued success for Watford Fencing Club and Three earned break from their Rivers Young Blades Taking action caring responsibilities. Also based at the same site is If you happen to be walking through the Nuffield Health Hertfordshire Care at Home, & Fitness Club at the Royal Masonic School on a Monday which provides domiciliary or Wednesday evening, be prepared to witness a hive of care to help vulnerable activity in the main sports hall as fencers of all shapes and children and young people sizes take to the piste in this very energetic, yet noblest, of access leisure activities in sports. their community. A competitive spirit is engendered with friendly and With its national head league fixtures with other clubs as well as annual club office on Ascot Road in competitions and a very busy competition circuit at county, Watford, Action for Children regional and national level for both clubs. works directly with more If you would like to give the sport a try, new beginners’ than 300,000 children, classes start for both clubs in the autumn, details of young people, parents and which can be found on the websites at www.tryb.org.uk/ carers each year. With 650 beginners/ and www.watfordfencingclub.co.uk/wfc services throughout the UK, By Huw Beale it helps transform the lives Three Rivers Young Blades training and sparring of thousands of children and Action for Children’s West overnight breaks, trips Mondays from 7 – 9 pm young people and has been Hyde Short Breaks service out in the community and Watford Fencing Club doing so for 145 years. offers respite for young family fun days. The aim is Wednesdays from 7 - 8pm training people with learning to give young people the For more information, visit Both clubs benefit from a very high quality and experienced disabilities and complex opportunity to socialise www.actionforchildren.org. coaching team including four times British women’s Foil health needs. with their friends in a safe uk or follow on Champion and local girl, Dominique Szokolovics. The service provides and homely environment, Twitter @actnforchildren

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Going your way Woodoaks Farm By Lisa Burn By Eve Howard If you are a community go anywhere within the The need to embrace our group wanting to get to UK. There is no minimum natural surroundings is activities or meetings, a charge, so you can do as more evident than ever, sports club who need to few or as many miles as and at The Woodoaks get to matches and events, required. Each bus has Association, that is exactly a school, scout or guide been converted and is fully Empowering young what we aim to do. group needing transport for accessible for those with Based on Woodoaks Farm trips and camps, or just a a disability, therefore can people – Signpost in Maple Cross, natural group of like minded people cater for all your transport resources have always been wishing to go to the theatre, needs. By William Allen at our fingertips, and by concerts or a seaside trip, Please contact Andy or Lisa Signpost, our local youth counselling charity, has supported using this to our advantage, then Roundabout Transport on 01923 711139 to have a young people aged 10-25 from Three Rivers for over 40 years we are able to create is for you. chat about your specific who have problems ranging from bullying to depression opportunities for everyone in the community with Roundabout Transport is group and see how we can and from family break-up to overcoming abuse. With our sport, drama and arts a charity based in South help you get out and about support from Three Rivers District Council, Hertfordshire services. West Hertfordshire that in the community. County Council and the Big Lottery, the charity is now provides minibus transport More local transport offering a far more varied and localised service, including: In addition, with football, to community groups within information is available in One-to-one counselling on Wednesday evenings in rugby and birthday parties the area. Each minibus the 2015/16 A to Z directory Rickmansworth (by appointment only) dominating our weekends, can be used 24 hours a of local services One-to-one counselling and coaching on Thursday weekdays are host to our day, 7 days a week and can www.threerivers.gov.uk evenings in South Oxhey (by appointment only) holiday courses, which A social group for young people overcoming anxieties supply each child with and isolation meets in Watford on Thursday evenings. the space and freedom Activities include karaoke, sailing, crafts, cookery, Quasar to explore their own and a treasure hunt. personalities in a fun and An emergency service for young people who are suicidal comfortable atmosphere. or seriously self-harming, is arranged on an individual basis. The Woodoaks Farm A pizza and problem-solving drop-in group at Otley Way Festival, and a multitude of Family Centre, South Oxhey, runs on Thursdays at 5pm. other exciting events are Sessions are in five-week blocks, so call to check the timetable. taking place and our major A satellite service is also being planned for Abbots goal is refurbishing the Langley in September. Black Barn, a 16th Century If you, or someone you know, would benefit from Signpost’s listed building which support, or would like to know about the services listed when complete, will be a call 01923 239495 or visit www.signpostcounselling.co.uk central hub that the entire community can benefit Have you ever from. We hope to see you LGBT*Q Guide and Herts Pride at some of these exciting events this year and please A partnership thought about check out our website for all of Hertfordshire information. Thanks! based volunteering? www.thewoodoaks organisations You could volunteer association.com has produced as a gardener, driver, an information receptionist, home help, “Beautiful, just beautiful. guide for the web designer, mentor or Brings all elements of a county’s lesbian, hospital visitor – to name fairytale and adventure to gay, bisexual just a few. There are lots life.” and trans* of opportunities to help in Dad of two, Maple Cross community and your local community and to about the Drama Birthday United by music those questioning their identity (LGBT*Q), with Three meet with other people who Parties. By Gill Backhouse Rivers District Council co-sponsoring the production of share similar interests. the LGBT*Q Guide for Hertfordshire. So if you want to meet We are a friendly choir, www.threerivers.gov.uk always delighted to new people, make a real welcome new members The guide was produced in response to the social isola- difference locally and do who enjoy singing. There tion and prejudice that some members of the LGBT*Q something you enjoy doing, are no auditions. Musical community still experience and offers a ‘go to’ guide why not give volunteering experience amongst our 70 for advice and support. It also helps raise awareness of a try? To find out more plus members varies widely. the county’s diverse communities and Herts Pride event information visit the For more information visit: which will be held in Cassiobury Park, Watford on Watford & Three Rivers www.chorleywoodchoral.co.uk Saturday 22 August 2015. www.hertspride.co.uk Trust website at www.w3rt.org www.threerivers.gov.uk Page 13 THREE RIVERS TIMES SUMMER 2015

BUSINESS Let your business fulfil its growth potential Perfectly placed A new service to support established small businesses in Hertfordshire that have the potential for growth was Forget rum & cigars, launched on 26 March. The Hertfordshire Growth try Cuba’s oranges By Danielle Marks Hub, funded by Hertfordshire By Jane Brading, Three Rivers Fairtrade Group With UK business prospects massively improving, Local Enterprise Partnership On a recent visit to Cuba, the Watford and Three Rivers companies are at a point where they can review their office (LEP) with grant money from Fairtrade Group met Gaspar who is a farmer in a community needs and have the confidence to upgrade. As a result, they the Department for Business, where Fairtrade has made a real difference. Farming in are actively seeking modern accommodation, increasingly Innovation and Skills, will Cuba is carried out in a very sustainable way, with mixed, in locations on the outskirts of London, such as the Three provide advice, information, rotational cropping and little use of chemicals. Rivers area. support and events to help local businesses fulfil their But many farmers are extremely poor and desperately need The announcement by the government of the commitment growth potential. to make improvements so they can reap the benefit of their to rail infrastructure and the extension of the Metropolitan hard work. The money received from Fairtrade has enabled Hertfordshire LEP has line will further enhance Three Rivers’ prospects as a Gaspar’s co-operative to invest in ways which benefit both successfully secured business destination. the farmers themselves and their whole community. substantial funding for the Rob Flavelle, Senior Asset Manager at Threadneedle, which economic development of One of the latest of these businesses to open its doors is runs the Croxley Green Business Park on behalf of its the county and the Growth the Kitchen in Croxley Green. Linda Anderson says: “At The owners, comments: “In 2014, Croxley Green Business Park Hub is part of its strategic Kitchen we use Fairtrade products whenever we can. secured a record number of new leases. As location and development activity to meet transport connectivity forms the basis of most business “We also talk about the difference Fairtrade makes to its ambitious plans for the the young people attending our baking classes. It’s an relocation decisions, we expect to see an increase in county’s future. local businesses attracted to the park and its surrounds, important part of our business and we know our customers and a rise in larger London-based businesses seeking an Small and medium appreciate it.” sized businesses across alternative to the high-rent and overcrowding issues of Whether you are a business or a consumer, by selling or Hertfordshire can use the the City. In the last 12 months we have seen more business buying Fairtrade goods you too can have a real and positive Growth Hub to find out more owners de-risk by moving out of central office blocks that impact. Find out more on the Fairtrade Foundation website about the opportunities to have potential for residential conversions under permitted at www.fairtrade.org.uk or email the Three Rivers Fairtrade access finance, skills and development rights.” Group at [email protected] innovation help. The confirmation in March’s Budget of funding approval for www.hertsgrowthhub.com the Croxley Rail Link, an extension of the Metropolitan line, is an exciting opportunity for people in and living around Councils the Three Rivers area, along with those working in the area. team up to keep millions Supply Hertfordshire Portal of pounds Supply Hertfordshire is the portal for Hertfordshire County Three Rivers District Council Council, the District and Borough Councils and Lee Valley is working to save millions Regional Park Authority. It advertises opportunities to of pounds from local business do business with organisations across Hertfordshire, rates. Many local authorities encouraging Hertfordshire businesses to tender for public Halls for hire have to pay a levy to central sector contracts in Hertfordshire. The Council has updated its government on the income list of local halls for hire. they receive from growth in Suppliers need to register to express interest in and bid The list is available at www. business rates. The new for opportunities. When complete, you will be able to view threerivers.gov.uk and Business Rates Pool, any of the Authorities’ opportunities when they are made includes Watersmeet and a together with other The campaign aims to available. It’s important to register the business categories range of village and church authority’s income from inspire UK companies to in which your organisation operates in, in order to generate halls. Any groups wishing to business rates could see develop their business, by email alerts. www.supplyhertfordshire.uk providing advice and support. add their venue to the list as much as £2.65 www.greatbusiness.gov.uk Register on the Governments website Contracts Finder: can contact the Council million retained and www.gov.uk/contracts-finder [email protected] reinvested in the local area.

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ever market. The market Guides to Villagenomics was very well attended, the turnout exceeding support our expectations, and the feedback from both traders the district and their customers was To continue to develop very positive. Three Rivers, the Council has produced several guides Abbots Langley Biz is to promote the area. very much part of the community. The local Police Lights, camera, action The Three Rivers Guide is are very much involved. for long-residing or newly They attend our meetings Filming in Hertfordshire welcomed residents and whenever possible. By Hayley Armstrong and get work on a short film and tourists, highlighting some We are in touch with Joely Hertz this helps you show your of the best features of the Rickmansworth Chamber commitment and interest area. of Commerce and in turn With Hertfordshire home in working in the industry To support the bed and By Lynn Luck, Over the Moon are working on an affiliation to the majority of the UK’s when applying to larger breakfast community, the Abbots Langley Biz with the Chorleywood and media production, including productions. Bed and Breakfast guide was formed to increase South Oxhey business Elstree Studios, Warner includes the contact details awareness of our lovely associations to better Bros and many satellite n Do also sign up to Creative of places to stay in and village, to ensure it remains represent firms within Three industries, opportunities England’s newsletter via around Three Rivers. a vibrant and interesting Rivers. are available for media www.creativeengland. For your copy visit: place to visit. students to experience the co.uk and twitter @ Representatives of Abbots www.threerivers.gov.uk booming film industry in CEnglandProdn. We all face the same issues Langley Parish Council or call 01923 776611. Hertfordshire. and together we are more often attend our meetings. n Join Twitter and start to Three Rivers District Council able to address them The film and TV industry follow companies you are www.abbotslangley.biz has also co-authored the effectively. provide many jobs within interested in. The Associations Facebook South West Herts Business the district and the Creative n Elstree University In April we organised page features upcoming Guide, a free handbook for England’s national crew and Technical College offers full Abbots Langley’s first events in Abbots Langley. local firms which provides facilities database contains time courses for students information about local a list of satellite industries aged 14-19 that support arts resources. within Hertfordshire. and media studies. www.burrows.co.uk/swherts Whether you are an Live chat business advice experienced professional or To add to the ever- Three Rivers District Council have partnered with the new entrant, an established growing film industry award-winning, online business support service, My business or start-up in the county, councils Incubator Ventures (MIV), to offer local residents access to company, all registrations across Hertfordshire the MIV live chat portal free of charge. are welcome. Register for came together to sign a free at Residents will now be able to speak with professional Film Friendly Charter with www.creativeengland.co.uk/ business mentors online in real-time* without the need Creative England. production-services/crew- to travel anywhere. Whether it’s start-up advice or The new Charter aims to and-facilities. advice for an existing small business that’s needed, MIV’s build on Hertfordshire’s experienced mentors can help. For more information Tips for new entrants reputation as a first- residents can visit www.threerivers.gov.uk/egcl-page/ looking to work in the film class filming destination business-support-and-advice or TV industry: for producers and * Business mentors are available to chat to between 9am – 5pm, n Take a look at directors from across the Monday to Friday (*excluding bank holidays). www.creativeskillset.org world. Creative England for great careers advice and estimates that last year, their Trainee Finder scheme. £8.6m was spent in Business in Rickmansworth n Join film networks and Hertfordshire, as a direct Stroll around Rickmansworth active co-ordination of groups - it’s much easier to result of location filming. on any day of the week and development by the Council. you will see a lot of innovation, The Council carefully including award-winning controls the building of Help for first-time buyers food businesses. It’s no homes in the district to First-time home buyers in Hertfordshire can now borrow up surprise that the town centre protect the Green Belt and to £250,000 with just a five per cent deposit with support has a high shop occupancy. Conservation Areas. This are working to deepen our from the County Council’s Local Authority Mortgage The Council plan carefully sensitive development also understanding of the needs Scheme. Any first-time buyer with a 5% deposit, who is for both the short and increases the number of of businesses, to further looking to buy a property in Hertfordshire is eligible to the long term and in a customers wanting to spend promote inward investment apply. Applications are subject to rigorous checking by the rapidly changing world, their money in nearby shops and to encourage lenders involved, as is true for any mortgage, and can be the continued success of and on local services. businesses to buy supplies turned down if the usual mortgage criteria are not met. To Rickmansworth’s business Through the Three Rivers’ and services locally, from find out more about the national UK Mortgage Scheme, sector depends on the six point economic plan we each other. please visit www.gov.uk www.threerivers.gov.uk Page 15 THREE RIVERS TIMES SUMMER 2015

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Safe Friday Keeping Hertfordshire Safeguarding adults is everyone’s business and responsibility. By Michelle Wheeler, Ascend Safeguarding Adults Board Safeguarding means protecting a person’s right to live in Hertfordshire safety, the right to live a life that is free from harm, abuse and Safe Friday has now neglect. Safeguarding is about individuals, businesses and organisations working together to prevent and stop the risks Tidy been launched. It is a 10 and experience of harm, abuse or neglect, while also making sure that the adult’s welfare is supported. This includes As part of this scheme month pilot project for listening to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs. anyone in Three Rivers Hertfordshire County Hertfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board (HSAB) is a Council, in partnership and surrounding areas multiagency partnership, which is a requirement of the Care Act 2014, with representation from the organisations that work with Three Rivers District who wants information with and support adults at risk in our community. Council, has recently or support about crime The HSAB brings all of these organisations together in order prevention, minimising the to challenge safeguarding practice and ensure it is delivered to recruited a new riding stable the highest standard, ensuring that adults at risk are protected risk of becoming a victim of and supported. in Chorleywood to patrol the local area. crime or personal safety. The HSAB vision is that all adults at risk live and work, are cared for and supported in an environment free from abuse, Supported by funding from harassment, violence or aggression. HSAB’s mission is to work Hertfordshire County in partnership to ensure that Hertfordshire is a safe place to Reunited, the Hertfordshire Police and work and live for all adults at risk. Council is successfully using an innovative Community Crime Commissioners Fund, The HSAB publishes an annual report which is available for Safe Friday will run as a anyone to read. To access this report and many other useful Horse Patrol Scheme to and it feels resources relating to adult safeguarding in Hertfordshire visit drop-in (with refreshments) the website below. reduce anti-social behaviour. every Friday, from 12 In patrolled areas, instances so good noon to 4pm at ASCEND’s What should you do if you suspect an adult is being of fly-tipping have reduced A new website, community hub, Step Up, abused or neglected? If you or someone you know is being abused or neglected from 2-3 a week to virtually HertsReunited, launched at 39 Oxhey Drive, South please contact Health and Community Services at none. Hertfordshire County Council on: 0300 123 4042. in January 2015 by the Oxhey WD19 7SD. Hertfordshire Constabulary Or for adults receiving mental health services please contact Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust on 0300 777 0707. The Community Horse and has been set up to help ASCEND also Patrol Scheme is co- If there is immediate danger to life, risk of injury or if a crime reunite members of the welcome is being committed dial 999. ordinated by Hertfordshire public with their lost and enquiries from If there is no immediate risk but a police response is required as soon as practicable due to County Council’s Fire and stolen property, If someone potential the seriousness of the incident and / or potential loss of evidence then dial 101. Rescue Service and more has had something stolen – volunteers to Follow us on Twitter @HertsSab than 100 incidents have or they want to report a lost support this www.hertsdirect.org/HSAB been reported since the possession or something project. 0208 420 1364 scheme began. they have found – then this website is a one-stop-shop to help reunite them with Ground-breaking their property. scheme to improve www.hertsreunited.co.uk the lives of vulnerable adults The lives of people with complex needs will be changed for the better with a revolutionary new scheme.

For the first time, these vulnerable adults – for example people with mental health problems, criminal records, a history of drug or alcohol issues, those who have been victims of crime or affected by homelessness – will have a dedicated service tailored Neighbourhood to meet their specific needs. This could mean help Watch and OWL finding a suitable home, steady job or support to There are now well over improve their health and wellbeing. 80,000 residents in Currently, a number of organisations provide these Hertfordshire who have Over 80% of cigarette support services. By working together and pooling joined Neighbourhood their resources, they will provide a service that is Watch and the OWL smoke is invisible better for the individual and cheaper to the public messaging system. We have No matter how careful you are, children are at risk of breathing in purse. almost 16,500 households harmful poisons from cigarettes. The best way to protect you and on email or phone link, and your family is to make your home and car smokefree. The new way of working is being piloted in Hertsmere would like to increase this and Three Rivers. Hertfordshire County Council, Stop smoking today with free proven support to over 17,000 this coming the Police and Crime Commissioner, NHS, housing summer. associations, Hertsmere Borough and Three Rivers District Council have pooled resources to fund the www.owl.co.uk Search ‘Smokefree’ £700,000 two year pilot. www.threerivers. neighbourhoodwatch.org

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also received funding from Three Rivers District Council and Thrive Homes in order to make this possible, so we thank them for their support.” If you would like to sign up to the scheme, or assist an elderly neighbour by passing on messages to them, or work for an organisation which may benefit from being involved, New Neighbourhood please contact the PCSO which covers your area: Watch scheme launched A new Neighbourhood crime. The scheme will run Your area PSCOs Watch scheme aimed at similarly to Neighbourhood Oxhey protecting older people Watch, where messages Safer Neighbourhood Team 2015-16 living in Three Rivers has and information are shared [email protected]. been launched. ‘Senior to members through the police.uk Community Watch’ was created in the ‘Online Watch Link’ portal Rickmansworth & District wake of a large number of (OWL). Safer Neighbourhood Team Safety scam phone calls made to jennifer.stredwick@Herts. residents and the Oxhey Sergeant Mitchell added: Partnership pnn.police.uk Safer Neighbourhood “The PCSOs have done Team needing to distribute a great job in working Abbots Langley priorities essential safety information closely with a number of Safer Neighbourhood Team Over 2014-15 the Community Safety Partnership has to their older residents organisations, to build marijke.stevens-keijzer@ worked to make Three Rivers a safer district for its with advice to prevent better contacts and create Herts.pnn.police.uk residents and visitors. The Community Safety Partnership them from falling victim to new relationships. We’ve is made up of staff from Three Rivers District Council, Police, Fire Service, NHS, Thrive, Probation and Police and Crime Commissioner. Receive important Information obtained during 2014-15, through the new information with methods of recording, will be used as a baseline for the our new Community upcoming year, to allow us to measure our real successes. Based on an intelligence assessment, the priorities for Safety e-newsletter. the Community Safety Partnership for 2015-16 are: The bulletins will be Managing crime (including burglary and acquisitive crime). produced four times a Anti social behaviour (including fly tipping, criminal damage, nuisance, noise nuisance and abandoned vehicles). year, with the first one Public safety and will be for this summer. vulnerable people (including www.threerivers.gov.uk domestic abuse, vulnerable families, vulnerable adults and drugs and alcohol).

make provision for victims not to report the matter to of crime, with vulnerable Police, or who have changed Beacon or repeat victims being their mind about needing identified early on for an support and choose to make scheme enhanced care package. The contact in the weeks or new ‘one-stop-shop’ offers months after the incident. The Hertfordshire Victim victims a range of services Visit the Beacon website Care Centre, called Beacon, under one roof, from simple went live on 1 April and will at www.hertfordshirebeacon. practical help through to org or call the hotline 0300 provide an innovative new information about their arrangement with Victim 011 55 55 which will be open crime investigation or daily from 7am to 10pm for Support working directly emotional support. alongside the Constabulary’s victims to contact the centre Victim Service Team. Importantly, this service direct. will be available free to all Operating out of a single victims of crime, including hub, the new service will those who have decided www.threerivers.gov.uk Page 17 THREE RIVERS TIMES SUMMER 2015

LEISURE

Play Rangers branch out Your adventure awaits… free Play Ranger sessions will be taking place across Not just another the district this summer to youth club encourage young people, between the ages of 5-16 Monday 3 - Friday 21 years, to explore their local August, 10am-4pm woodland and open spaces. This exciting youth club returns to Croxley Green where will you play A wide variety of activities this summer. are on offer and include ‘Two25’ is open to children den building, rope swings, outdoors this summer? camp fires, woodland crafts, and young people aged 10 Did you know that there are over 40 play areas in Three - 14 years, and is based at Rivers? Each of them providing a wide choice of play outdoor games and lots more. 225 Baldwin’s Lane, Croxley equipment and outdoor fun. Why not pack a picnic and In addition, and new for 2015, Green, WD3 3LH. head down to one of our 21 areas of natural beauty for are Play Ranger Parties Entry is £5 per day. some fresh air and adventure? where the birthday child Activities include: Parkour, For more information visit i-explore.org.uk or and up to 19 of their friends Arts and crafts, Table www.threeivers.gov.uk or call 01923 776611 can take part in a selection Tennis, Dance, Kwik Cricket of adventurous outdoor and Tie-dying workshops. a racket before or are a activities followed by the All activities are run and seasoned regular – there experience of cooking staffed by Three Rivers Great is no excuse not to come outdoors as they prepare District Council or external down. All ability levels are their party food over a providers. Activities vary British welcome. To book visit: campfire. each day. No booking required. www.lta.org.uk/gbtw A two hour party costs £199 For more information visit: and includes everything Saturday 1 August www.threerivers.gov.uk Tennis you need for the birthday South Oxhey boy or girl to have a birthday 10am – 1pm Weekend celebration to remember. Rickmansworth South Oxhey Playing Rockets win Fields, Green Lane, For further details of Play Ranger sessions or birthday Get outdoors and try tennis Watford WD19 4LT parties visit www.iplayoutdoors.co.uk 01923 776611 netball league for free this summer as part Rickmansworth The Rickmansworth Rockets of the Great British Tennis 12noon – 4pm Netball club was formed in Weekend. Rackets and balls Scotsbridge Playing 2011 by a group of ladies will be provided and anyone Fields, Scots Hill, at our Back 2 Netball can get involved. Whether Rickmansworth WD3 1AT sessions, with support and you’ve never picked up encouragement from coach Val Thorogood. In the 2014- 2015 season the team won the winter league with an incredible 18 wins out of South Oxhey Parkrun 19 fixtures. If you would Parkrun is a weekly free 5km run entirely organised by like to join Back 2 Netball, volunteers. It’s you against the clock every Saturday; sessions are open to all 9am at South Oxhey Playing Fields, Green Lane WD19 women aged 16+ and take Get into Tennis 4LT. It’s free to take part (but you will need to register at place during term-time www.parkrun.com/first). You don’t have to be an athlete on Wednesdays from 8pm Three Rivers District Council run a comprehensive to take part. Walk, jog or run come and join in whatever - 9pm at St Clement Danes programme of tennis for children and young people over your pace! Funded by Hertfordshire Public Health, South School Sports Hall, Chenies the summer months. Sessions take place every Saturday Oxhey Parkrun launched in January and has regularly been Road, Chorleywood WD3 and cost just £3 to attend. All coaches are LTA qualified and attracting over 50 people per week. 6EW. Cost is just £3 and no fully licensed. Payment is taken on the day and all rackets booking is required, just and equipment are provided, so just turn up and play. turn up and play. Rickmansworth South Oxhey Scotsbridge Playing Field, South Oxhey Playing Fields, Scots Hill, Rickmansworth, Green Lane, South Oxhey, WD3 1AT WD19 4LT Three Rivers Playschemes carry an outstanding Ofsted 10.30am – 11.30am, 10 – 11am, 4 - 10 year olds rating and we know that our young residents love going! 4 - 10 year olds, 11am - 12 noon 11 years + When we say ‘there is no such thing as an average day’ Contact Wayne McDonald Contact David Shann on at Playscheme we mean it, but don’t take our word for it, on 07957 755540 or email 07940 428310 or email book a place this summer holiday and see for yourself. [email protected] [email protected] 01923 776611.

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Poolpods in position ar is smeet An innovative lift has been t t installed at Sir James Altham and William Penn Artistsmeet are delighted Leisure Centre, as a result to be featuring an exquisite of funding received from collection of fused glass and Herts County Council sand casted pieces, by local Public Health Department. artist Ewa Wawrzyniak. It offers swimmers with a disability or mobility issue The sculptures are about a more dignified way of vulnerability and protection, Join Morris and Doris entering the water than the how we experience intimate traditional hoist. places and to what extent for a Free Swim experience says: “The memories and childhood Three Rivers residents who are over 60 years of age can Councillor Ann Shaw, Poolpod at the William experiences influence our swim free all year round during designated sessions at Leader of the Council Penn Leisure Centre is William Penn Leisure Centre in Rickmansworth, Sir James explained that any swimmer need for a ’dreamplace’. an excellent piece of Altham Swimming Pool in South Oxhey and Watford Leisure who finds using a pool www.ewa-wawrzyniak.com equipment that helped Centre Woodside in Watford. ladder inappropriate can me support an individual 1 July – 27 August 2015 use the Poolpod simply, to get in and out of the 10am – 4pm Monday - Friday For full details call 01923 776611 or visit www.threerivers.gov.uk easily and quickly enabling pool with ease. I found the Entry is free the user to enter and leave submersible wheelchair Artist Q & A and evening a pool with the minimum of to be safer than the pool launch assistance. hoists that were previously Tuesday 7 July 6.30pm - 8pm in use as it has a belt and a Support Worker at Glass Fusion workshop surrounded platform.” Walsingham, Charlotte Monday 20 July 11am - 1pm Burns, with first hand www.hertsmereleisure.co.uk An introduction to glass fusing using recycled glass materials and a variety of Under 19s swim and gym techniques. Entry is free, free this summer holiday but spaces are limited. From Monday 27 July – pupils. Participating Friday 28 August Three venues are The Centre, Rivers residents who are South Oxhey (11-15 year under 19 will be able to swim olds), William Penn Leisure free during public sessions Centre, Rickmansworth at William Penn Leisure (12-15 year olds), Watford Centre in Rickmansworth, Leisure Centre Woodside, Don’t miss this year’s free event! Prizes to be won and no Sir James Altham Garston (11-15 year olds), and booking necessary. Swimming Pool in South Charters Health Club YMCA Scooter Jam Skate Park Oxhey and Watford Leisure Woodlands, Abbots Langley Friday 7 August Supervised dates: Centre Woodside in Watford. (11-16 year olds). 10.30am – 6pm Thursday 23 July - Advance registration for Sunday 30 August Just pre-book your free BMX Jam new participants is required. induction with your chosen Saturday 8 August Admission is subject to Session times: leisure centre and once 10.30am – 6pm availability. For further Monday – Saturday completed, simply turn up Skateboard Jam information and pool times 2015 10am 1pm skate only during the specified free Sunday 9 August visit www.threerivers.gov.uk 1pm – 7pm BMX and skate gym times. Call your leisure 10.30am – 6pm Sunday 10am-1pm Free gym sessions are centre for more information Skate Jam and supervised skate only available for senior school or visit sessions take place at www.iGymforFree.co.uk Croxley Skate Park, 1pm – 4pm BMX only Baldwins Lane WD3 3LE 4pm – 7pm BMX and skate Other skating facilities: King George V in Mill End, Manor House Grounds in Abbots Langley, Scotsbridge Playing

Activities for children Fields in Rickmansworth, Oxhey Playing Fields in South

and young people Oxhey and Romilly Drive Playing Fields in Carpenders Park. To order your free copy Gym members at The Centre will be able to take advantage of the summer activities Love Parks Week 24 July - 2 August of new new, state-of-the-art cardiovascular fitness equipment brochure call Three Rivers District Council is taking part in purchased by Three District Council. New fitness machines 01923 776611 the UK’s ultimate celebration of green space. will be open to the public this summer and the gym will get or download it online at a makeovert. www.threerivers.gov.uk For full details of Love Parks Week activities at an open The Centre is managed by Hertsmere Leisure Trust on behalf of the Council. space near you visit: www.threerivers.gov.uk www.threerivers.gov.uk Page 19 THREE RIVERS TIMES SUMMER 2015

COMMUNITY EVENTS Local events H To book tickets call Friends of Saturday 11 July WATERSMEET Chorleywood Village Day the Box Office on What’s on . . . Chorleywood Common. 01923 711063 FILMSOCIETY www.chorleywood-pc.gov.uk Selma (12A) Saturday 18 July 16 July 2015 Rickmansworth Folk Festival 128 mins St Mary’s Church Centre, Watersmeet High Street, Church Street, Rickmansworth Rickmansworth WD3 1EH WD3 1JB. Woman in Gold (PG) 01923 711063 http://rickmansworthtown.co.uk 20 August 2015 www.watersmeet.co.uk 109 mins Saturday 18 July Chorleywood Classic Car Show Vienna Festival Ballet Chorleywood Common. presents: www.chorleywoodclassics.org The Water Diviner (TBA) Coppélia 17 September 2015 18 July 27 September 111 mins Bedmond Village Fair £21 adults, £19 Bedmond School, Meadow Way, concessions, Bedmond, WD5 0RD. £15 under 12s www.bedmond.herts.sch.uk A Little Chaos (TBA) Sharpe Academy 15 October 2015 presents: Saturday 5 September 117 mins Summer School Croxfest Music Festival 24-28 August The Green, Green Lane, 3-5 years Croxley Green, WD3 3HN. Minions (PG) Wedding Show http://croxfest.co.uk 10.30am - 12.30pm 11 October 29 October 2015 £90 per week Pre register 104 mins 2pm matinee only (siblings £70) Sunday 14 September Half-term holiday film for free entry at Carters Steam Fair & 6-18 years, 10am – 4pm www.rickmansworth £3.50 adults, £2.50 children £140 per week Classics Cars on the Green weddingshow.co.uk. True Story (TBA) (siblings £100) The Green, Green Lane, Croxley Green, WD3 3HN. 4 November 2015 www.carterssteamfair.co.uk 99 mins www.watfordclassics.co.uk

18, 19, 25, 26 September Tickets: Members £3, Concessions £1.50 for The Sarratt Festival of Music matinee or £2 for evening. Non-members £5, Sarratt Village Hall, The Green, Concessions £3 for matinee or £4 for evening. WD3 6AS. Times: Matinee at 2pm, evenings at 7.45pm. www.sarrattfestivalofmusic.co.uk Kidology Dance Tea and cakes for £1 are served at matinee presents: performances. Evening bar opens at 6.30pm. 3 October Star Crossed Chorleywood 28 October Showtimes presents: Apple Orchard Day versatile Tickets: £12 adults, venueversatile venue hire hire Michael Jackson The Orchard, Common £7 concessions King of Pop Road, Chorleywood, 25 September Hertfordshire, WD3 5LT. Time: 8pm www.chorleywood-orchard.org.uk Tickets: £18.50 adults, A magical pantomime £16.50 concessions 9-15 November Chorleywood Literary Festival Chorleywood Bookshop, 4 New Parade, WD3 5NJ www.cwlitfest.org

Tours of Moor Park Mansion Will you be coming to the Ball ? Rickmansworth and Croxley Great Barn Michael Sobell Hospice Players presents: can be found at Talent Show 2015 Scrooge! www.moorparkgc.co.uk and 4 - 31 December 2015 trmt.org.uk respectively 2 October 18-20 November Box Office 01923 711063 Time: 7.30pm Tickets: £16 adults, £14 Tickets: £12 adults, concessions www.watersmeet.co.uk £6 children Page 20 www.threerivers.gov.uk