MONDAY 27th APRIL 2009
Surelet To Let
The Surelet franchise has closed it's office in The Marquee Shopping Centre after just a year.
The Surelet website is still offering two properties in the town together with an 01707 telephone number, but a large sign has appeared in the window offering the empty office to let.
MONDAY 27th APRIL 2009
Annual Town Meeting
The Town Council's Annual Meeting takes place at The Castle this coming Wednesday (29th) at 7:30pm.
The meeting will include a report from The Town Council by Cllr.Linda Radford, a presentation by the North Road Allotment Group, a presentation by Museum Curator Helen Gurney on the redevelopment of Hertford Museum and an open forum for questions from the public.
Refreshments will be available after the meeting.
THURSDAY 23rd APRIL 2009
Dope Smokers Collared
Four men were arrested yesterday for smoking cannabis in the grounds of Hertford Castle.
Police were called by a member of the public at around 11.30am reporting four men smoking drugs. A few minutes later the men, aged 17, 18, 20 and 67, were stopped and arrested for possession of cannabis.
A 67-year-old man from Hertford, an 18-year-old man from Cheshunt and a 20-year-old man from Cheshunt were cautioned. A 17-year-old man from Cheshunt has been police bailed until April 28.
Neighbourhood Sergeant Andrew Palfreyman said: "Hertford Castle’s current priorities include tackling anti-social behaviour in Castle Grounds and we have been regularly patrolling the area in order to address these issues."
MONDAY 20th APRIL 2009
Trouble At Elberts
Police are appealing for witnesses after an altercation between a man and staff at Elbert Wurlings.
Six people were arrested after the 22 year-old man was subjected to a serious assault following the confrontation at 1:10am on Saturday morning.
Investigating officer, PC Richard Gumbrill said: "We are very keen to speak to this group of girls as they could give information which could assist our investigation. Several of them are said to have blonde hair and if you believe this was you I’d urge you to contact me at the earliest possible opportunity.
"I am also appealing for anyone else who witnessed the incident to call me as soon as possible on 01992 533617. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers, the independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111."
FRIDAY 17th APRIL 2009
Police Team Plays Sele Farm
A football match between a team of Herts police officers and residents from the Sele Farm area of Hertford will kick off a family fun day being held in the town on Saturday 18th April.
The free event, which will be held at the grounds of Hertford Town FC on West Street, starts at 11am.
It has been organised by PC Mark Bullen and PC Andrew Palfreyman from the Hertford Neighbourhood Team, who set up the squad for people in Sele Farm in January. Both teams will be competing for the East Herts District Council Challenge Cup.
PC Mark Bullen said: "This is going to be a great day for the local community and I would urge all local residents to come along and take part in the fun activities. I’m sure it will be a thrilling game between the two sides, with lots of friendly competition for the cup! It will also be a great chance to meet your local officers, discuss any local issues and get crime prevention advice."
As well as the football match, there will also be other sporting events, a tug of war, face painting and refreshments. Officers from the Hertford Neighbourhood Team will also be on hand to talk with residents and the mobile police station will be on site so residents can get crime prevention advice and get their property marked with a UV pen for free.
The event will then finish with a match between Hertford Town FC vs. Kingsbury London Tigers in the Molten Spartan South Midlands Football League, which starts at 3pm*.
FRIDAY 17th APRIL 2009
Council Angered By Ruling
The District Council has expressed anger at the Planning Inspectorate's decision to overturn their refusal of planning permission to Starbucks.
Cllr Malcolm Alexander, Executive member for community safety and protection said: "The Planning Inspectorate has shown utter disregard for local democracy, by supporting the aggressive expansion of a multi-national chain while local businesses struggle through the recession. Now more than ever, it is important to support local businesses and maintain the right mix within the town centre."
The Starbucks planning application met with fierce objection from local residents and businesses who opposed the plans. Inspector Richard Perrins acknowledged the high number of third party objections, but said: "I have to give little weight to the petitions submitted at the inquiry," dismissing them as "unsubstantiated or emotive."
A similar application to that of Starbucks from neighbouring café and food store, Serendipity was also refused by the council. Cllr Alexander said: "The consistency that the council has shown in both its decisions has been undermined by the Inspectorate.
"Serendipity, an independent small business, has been penalised for using the correct channels to apply for planning permission while Starbucks has been rewarded for abusing the system and showing blatant disregard for local plans."
Inspector Richard Perrins noted that Serendipity had the same right to appeal but chose not to. Cllr Alexander said: "For a big chain like Starbucks, who frequently flout planning laws, it's simple to appeal, whereas for a small independent café like Serendipity, appeal carries a far greater risk."
Cllr Alexander added: "In making the mistake of naming Bishop's Stortford in the appeal report, rather than Hertford, the Inspectorate has demonstrated a clear lack of interest in our local community."
THURSDAY 16th APRIL 2009
Chemical Spill Closes Road
Ware Road was earlier closed from Caxton Hill to Stansted Road following an incident in the basement of a dental practice.
Four fire engines, an ambulance, a decontamination unit and several police cars attended after a chemical was reported spilled in the basement of Dental Health Care at 73 Ware Road.
There was virtual gridlock in both directions from Caxton Hill to the town centre as traffic either turned around or tried to negotiate the back roads.
The indident was thought to involve cresol, a phenol used in small amounts during root canal treatment.
TUESDAY 14th APRIL 2009
Millets Flats Refused
Plans to convert the floors above Millets in Fore Street into 4 flats have been refused by the District Council..
Local officers turned down the application on grounds of overdevelopment and potential harm to a listed building.
SUNDAY 12th APRIL 2009
Employer Axes Jobs
One of the town's largest employers is axing up to 19 jobs from it's factory in Caxton Hill.
Fluorocarbon employ over 100 people at the factory and have been hit by the economic downturn.
The company is one of the UK's largest processors of PTFE, better known by it's brand name of Teflon
TUESDAY 7th APRIL 2009
Council Overruled 2
The Planning Inspectorate have overturned The District Council's decision to refuse planning permission for change of use for Starbucks Coffee Shop in Bircherley Green.
Following an enquiry, Planning Inspector Richard Perrins concluded that change of use would not harm the "generally healthy, vital and viable" town centre.
The decision has been met with anger by some local residents and Roger Duffield, owner of neighbouring shop Serendipity, who was also refused planning permission for the unit but abided by the council's decision before Starbucks occupied the site.
TUESDAY 7th APRIL 2009
Council Overruled 1
Plans for a new Sainsbury's on the site of Hertford Brewery have been called in by The Planning Inspectorate.
Overruling the District Council's controversial planning approval, The Inspectorate have been asked to re-examine the development together with an enlarged Tesco supermarket in Ware Road.
The Secretary of State for the newly formed Department for Communities and Local Government has decided that the application is one that she should decide herself because of the potential conflict with national policy guidelines.
MONDAY 6th APRIL 2009
Bircherley Court Work Starts
Work has started on the £7.5m refurbishment of Bircherley Court.
The scheme involves the refurbishment of the 62 one and two bed flats, a new rooftop garden and the remodelling of the internal courtyard. A new modern façade will replace the existing 1970s exterior.
FRIDAY 3rd APRIL 2009
Ceramic Exhibition
Peter and Susan Brown Interiors in St.Andrew Street are hosting an exhibition of ceramic works by local artists Jean Sleator and John Masterton.
Jane Sleator produces intricate, finely crafted, hand-thrown clay bowls using patterns and colours found in nature to create unique works of art which would grace any home. Having won this year’s Digswell Arts Trust prize, her bowls have already won places in central London galleries. An exhibition dedicated entirely to a collection of her work takes place in Welwyn Garden city in June. She lives in Knebworth.
John Masterton produces work inspired by Far Eastern styles – rich coloured surfaces from China in red and green, and Raku - a Japanese inspired technique which uses smoke to pattern the surfaces in black and white. His work has been purchased by civic bodies to produce gifts of distinction for overseas dignitaries. Skilful techniques, which require absolute mastery of the medium, enable him to produce beautifully crafted pots. His work has been exhibited in London. He lives in Sawbridgeworth
The exhibition opens tomorrow and runs for two weeks at 40 St.Andrew Street.
THURSDAY 2nd APRIL 2009
Community Voice
Do you have a burning question to put to East Herts Council? Members of the Executive, who have direct responsibility for the issues that affect you, will be attending the Hertford Area Community Voice to take your questions this evening at Wallfield.
The public meeting will be held in the council chamber from 7.30-9pm. Come along and talk to the decision makers of the council about the topics key to your town and the district.
Chairman of Hertford Community Voice, Councillor Suzanne Rutland-Barsby said: "With plenty of changes happening in Hertford and across the district, this is the ideal opportunity to discuss the important issues in your area. Don't miss your chance to come and ask Executive members about the things that matter to you."
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