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Covid bench installeD

The new COVID Bench near Oxhey Drive

PARISH councillors joined doctors, nurses and other NHS staff to celebrate the arrival of a new bench to thank key workers for their sterling efforts during the COVID pandemic.

Councillor William Waite, who caught the deadly virus last year, joined Parish Council Chairperson Joan King, Councillor Stephen King and long-serving Councillor Pam King between The Consulting Rooms and South Oxhey Doctors Surgery in Oxhey Drive.

The Parish Council ordered two specially designed benches. South Oxhey’s was installed on 6 October. The other went in near the Attenborough Surgery, Harrow Way, in Carpenders Park.

“We must never forget the professionalism, dedication and care our NHS has shown all the way through. In our own way, we feel this shows they are appreciated,” said Councillor Joan King of Blairhead Drive.

Labour plants even more daffodil bulbS

The Labour team planting bulbs this year.

Blooming Daffodils in March, planted last year.

THE local Labour team has planted a another bag of daffodil bulbs in addition to those it put in last year.

Councillors Stephen King, Stephen Cox and Mandy Shumake, were joined by her husband, Labour Club Secretary, Greg, who also lent a hand (Above).

The quartet chose to supplement the fantastic display that appeared in March and many people have commented on just how beautiful it looked (see picture below).
Councillor Stephen King, who brought along the digging equipment including forks and spades, said: “It took about an hour after we’d worked out where we’d put last year’s. We’ve planted in front of those, about 9 feet from the tree. We will let the grass mowers know so they miss them as they come up!”

New stand is opened by Private Tom Lake’s mum

The new Tom Lake Memorial Stand at The Boundary Stadium

A new stand for disabled spectators was opened on 13 November by Carol Lake, mother of Private Tom Lake who was killed in action in Afghanistan.

Tom was a former Oxhey Jets player and this year’s ‘Remembrance Day’ match between Jets and a team from the Coldstream Guards saw her unveil the Tom Lake Memorial Stand. A crowd of over 400 watched the game with Oxhey Jets coming out on top 6-0 at the final whistle.

Flags flew at half-mast at the Boundary Stadium in Altham Way. Many wreaths were laid, including one by Councillor Joan King, Chairperson of Watford Rural Parish Council, which funded the cost of construction of the stand.

“It was a very moving and poignant occasion,” said Councillor Joan King.

We will remember them
The Parish Council put up poppies in Station Approach and the market square. A new road will be named after Tom Lake. Councillor Stephen Cox laid a wreath as usual at All Saints’ Church on Remembrance Sunday.

Bus problems taken up

W19 and 8 Services.

Complaints by stranded passengers after buses failed to show up or take the correct route have been investigated.

Red Rose, operators of the W19 route, have been approached after a driver failed to serve the ‘Muirfield Loop’ on 25 October, as did the last buses on 4 November.

Arriva say that many drivers left to take up more lucrative HGV jobs but are employing agency drivers to ease things.

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Labour pushes for more parking bays to be donE

Councillors Cox at Falkirk Gardens

A planned underspend of Three Rivers Council’s car parking bay programme has led to complaints from Labour.

After some confusion it was finally confirmed to Councillor Stephen Cox that bays at Mullion Walk and Falkirk Gardens will go ahead by March.

The Lib Dem-run council will roll £110,000 forward due to stalled schemes elsewhere and refused to start work at Birstall Green and Ballater Close which are next on the list. Residents are furious.

Queen’s Jubilee plans criticised as ‘lacking ambition’ and beacons

Lacklustre plans to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year have been criticised by the local Labour team.
In response to a question from Councillor Stephen King seeking details of any concrete plans Three Rivers Council had to mark the occasion, the authority said it was only going to plant some trees.

Lib Dems say no to beacons
Councillor King said the response was “lacking ambition” and asked if celebratory beacons could also be organised. His request was met with a flat refusal at October’s council meeting.

“South Oxhey residents tell me they think that Three Rivers can and should do far more to celebrate what after all is all a 70 year reign,” said Councillor Stephen King.

The council named three roads it intends to plant trees in: Brampton Road, Embleton Road and Hayling Road, but further digging by the Labour team revealed others are planned for Edgbaston Road and Gosforth Lane.

The Labour team will keep up the pressure to ensure that Her Majesty’s achievement and the occasion is marked with joyous celebrations.

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Arbroath Green action

New Lampost installed at Arbroath Green

A new street light has now been installed at the top end of Arbroath Green.

Councillor Stephen King (left) said: “The old one had been leaning at an angle for a while.”

Hertfordshire County Council acted on the local Labour team’s report and decided to put a new column in.

We’re currently investigating who is responsible for the light between Gleneagles Close and Prestwick Road which is unlit.

Stop fire and re-hire

Sir Keir Starmer at a End Fire & Rehire Event

Boris Johnson and local MPs have been called on to ban the unscrupulous practice of ‘fire and re-hire’ by employers.

Bosses have used the cover of COVID to sack workers and then take them back on far worse pay and conditions.

Labour’s motion at Three Rivers Council was passed but not supported by the Conservatives!