The Resident Number 104 - 1970
Croxley Green Residents Association
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THE FIFTY-YEAR PARTY
November 15th was the occasion when most of the people who had lived in Croxley Green for over 50 years were able to join together for a party. This was organised by Miss K. M. Raggett, ably assisted by a willing group of helpers, and our thanks go to everyone who assisted on the day with gifts and helped to make this a memorable occasion. Pride of place for the longest resident title went to Mrs. Rosa Gibbard who had lived locally for 85 years, while the oldest person present was 88-year-old Miss L. Barton-Smith. CROXLEY GREEN BRANCH LIBRARY Since the opening of the new Library here three years ago, there has been a considerable increase in the use made of the library service by the residents of Croxley Green. This is only to be expected as the wider selection of books and periodicals in much more comfortable surroundings is infinitely more attractive than the previously cramped accommodation. I should like to mention two points which should receive as much publicity as possible. One, that we hold a Story Time at the Library each Friday afternoon when the children are read stories by a member of the staff. | ||
The Resident Number 105 - 1970
Croxley Green Residents Association
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SNOW
It is very distressing to have to severely criticise the Rickmansworth Council's Highways Committee for the inefficiency of its Highways Department in dealing with the blizzard of March 4th. The snow had stopped by early evening on that day and between 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. much snow had turned to water but could not reach drains; if action had been taken to clear the gutters the ensuing night's freezing temperature would have been lessened. Even the following morning (when the editor slipped and broke his wrist), the only sign of activity along Watford Road was the one road sweeper hacking away at the pedestrian crossing. Later that day some roads were gritted. By Saturday (72 hours later) nothing had been done at either bus stop at the top of Scots Hill where patches of frozen snow remained at just the place where people boarded and alighted from buses. This matter was fully discussed at the last meeting of the Association's Committee. FLOWERING MAY Red and white flowering May is sought by the organisers of The Revels on The Green to decorate the Queen's float. If you can help please bring the flowers to Yorke Road (old) School, adjoining 29 Watford Road. | ||
The Resident Number 106 - 1970
Croxley Green Residents Association
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OF IMMEDIATE CONCERN
Parliament has announced the following changes in supplementary benefits: an increase of 8s. for a single person, and 13s. for a married couple; these increases to take effect from November 1970. It is this dating forward that is so aggravating-it's happened before and by the time a pensioner gets his increase it has already gone. Industrialists would not tolerate this-so why should pensioners have to be subjected to this legislation? In St. Albans there is a strong effort to secure reduced fares for pensioners on the buses, and as this happens in some parts of the country why should it not be general? The latest increase in telephone charges has brought about a national outcry for old age pensioners to be relieved of paying at least the increases. There are many elderly people who, rightly, regard the telephone as their contact with the outside world-something like an emergency service-and it's not right to inflict higher charges on them. It is recognised that there is a wealth of knowledge and experience amongst the elderly folk and the formation of the Pensioners' Association in Croxley Green could easily bring them forth as a formidable fighting force. Please don't wait to be called on; make yourself known to any member of the Committee NOW. | ||
The Resident Number 107 - 1970
Croxley Green Residents Association
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THREATENED CLOSURE OF THE L.M.R. LINE - For the past few years the operation of the railway from Watford to Croxley Green (LMR) has been subsidised, and now the Railways Board think it should be closed because it is uneconomic. This Association is one of the 53 objectors who have made a case to the Transport Users' Consultative Committee. A public inquiry will be held in Watford Town Hall on October 21st at 10.30 a.m., when the two local authorities will open by presenting a case for the retention of this railway and other objectors will also be heard.
GREEN BELT - The Association is making inquiries to ascertain the extent of the planning permit given to London Transport allowing them to fence land between the canal and Frankland Road, and, for the past seven years, to raise the level of the land by dumping hardcore and sleepers. When the land was fenced it denied the use of footpath from Frankland Road. In this latter respect the Council's Clerk suggests the Association press the matter with London Transport direct "as a Residents' Association might carry more weight". The footpath is incidental to the semi-industrial usage to which the land has been put and it is felt that if something is not done to restore the land to grass it might be used as railway sidings. | ||
The Resident Number 108 - 1971
Croxley Green Residents Association
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A HAPPY NEW CENTRE ... for Croxley Green Young People is taking shape on its site at the rear of New Road. Croxley Green's Youth Worker, Miss Tansy Wild, has made an impact since she took office two months ago; she can be contacted at 3 Berry Lane, Rickmansworth, tel: 75564. A D-Day donation of pennies and 3d. pieces in your possession will be sought in a collection on 13th February.
APPROACHING CROXLEY GREEN - After many years of trying, the Council (nearly two years ago) agreed to place "Croxley Green" signs at Cassio Bridge, the foot of Scots Hill, and Sarratt Lane. The work was deferred until Cassio Bridge was completed, and we now learn that the job will not be done until later in 1971. THE LATE MR. B. W. GARDNER We are sorry to record the sudden death of Mr. B. W. Gardner at his home in Clacton-on-Sea, where he moved some three years ago when his Firm removed from London. Mr. Gardner had been Chairman of our Association until his reluctant resignation. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gardner had lived in and known Croxley Green for a long time, so that he brought a vast knowledge of the locality for the benefit of the Committee. | ||
The Resident Number 109 - 1971
Croxley Green Residents Association
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NORTH ORBITAL JOINT ACTION GROUP - Over recent months the Group has had to contend with a familiar problem in regard to progress on the vital Bypass section of this road from Hunton Bridge to Maple Cross-complete silence by government Ministers. By the time this edition of The Resident is read, you may already have a Ministerial pronouncement. Those who consider themselves in the "know" have been confidently expecting a public announcement in favour of the road since 13th January of this year (the date that Parliament reassembled). N.O.J.A.G., fed up with waiting, held a public meeting, with Gilbert Longden, M.P., and Raphael Tuck, M.P., speaking in favour of an early public announcement on 22nd March, to ask "Why no decision?" Whatever the uncertainties it is certain that the delays over recent months put back the likelihoods of the road being completed in 1974-or 1975? One undoubted cause of delay is the number of differing individuals who have occupied the Ministerial Chair. When the road first reached the "Rolling Programme" in 1966 Barbara Castle was Minister of Transport; she was succeeded in turn by Richard Marsh and then by Fred Mulley. Last year's change of government brought John Peyton to the Ministry, but then in October the Ministry of Transport disappeared into the new Department of the Environment.
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The Resident Number 110 - 1971
Croxley Green Residents Association
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Croxley Green is in a unique position. With our probable population of 14,000 we are close to Rickmansworth on one side-and close to Watford on the other side!
Your Association has decided to take a referendum and every household is invited to take part-NOW. Please complete the coupon (which provides for every member of your family over 18 years to participate) and return it quickly to any member of the Committee whose names appear on the last page of this magazine. We plan to meet the problem of getting your votes back quickly by asking every resident who lives in a house numbered 1 11, 21, 31, 41 and so on to collect the votes from the next nine numbered houses above his own. Our faith is in you to do this-QUICKLY. Paid up membership of the Association is immaterial at this time; the material feature is that you, as a resident of Croxley Green, have a copy of The Croxley Green Resident delivered to you - that is every house in Croxley Green-and everyone on the Electoral register can express their opinion. Firstly, the new Rickmansworth authority as proposed and approved by Rickmansworth U.D.C. will retain Rickmansworth (population 30,360), and take in Chorleywood (8,100), Sarratt (2,932), Bovingdon (3,550), Flaunden (235), Chipperfield (1,883), Kings Langley (5,233) to give a total population of 52,293. | ||
The Resident Number 111 - 1971
Croxley Green Residents Association
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HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Land at "Whitegates" and "Clare Cottage", The Green, is to be developed with four detached houses and 18 terraced houses. Conditions have been made to preserve many trees but no control of vehicles proceeding to and from the new houses has been determined. Local residents objected to the original plan for 24 houses and this had the result of improving the density more in line with existing properties in Baldwins Lane who, at the time of construction, were dictated by density. TREES ON THE GREEN The Committee is dismayed with the appearance of some of the trees on The Green. Ten of them are commemorative trees, of which five have plaques. In particular a trench has been dug alongside the War Memorial (and it is hoped this will be satisfactorily reinstated expeditiously), and there is the unkempt surround to the Churchill Tree. The Council's Engineer is being asked to improve the surrounds of all the commemorative trees, and he is to be thanked for the fine greensward on the area of grassland where the Revels are held. | ||
The Resident Number 112 - 1972
Croxley Green Residents Association
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CONVERSION TO NATURAL GAS By all accounts the conversion to Natural Gas will take place in Croxley Green in about March 1972. Already fears are being expressed about this, especially in the Sycamore Road / Valley Walk area, where several stories are going around about the need for additional air supplies to the gas boilers which form an essential part of the ducted warm air central heating. Some suggest that an air brick will be put into the outside wall nearest the boiler, others that the boiler will have to be turned round. . Whatever is necessary from a safe operational angle, let us all be certain that the cost is down to the Gas Board. The air brick idea will certainly detract from the heat supply, quite apart from being unsightly and a dust trap. It now behoves all residents in this area, and indeed in any other part of Croxley where such problems are likely to arise, to forthwith contact the Gas Board at
Hemel Hempstead and ascertain their intentions. In the event that the Gas Board are not as helpful as we think they should be then be prepared to join forces and fight. Remember-March 1972 is not all that far away. | ||
The Resident Number 113 - 1972
Croxley Green Residents Association
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AN ANTIQUITY OF CROXLEY GREEN - We are pleased to read that two councillors are pressing the Community Services Committee to seek urgent action over an 18th century well-head at Croxley House, which may collapse unless it is given immediate attention. The well, which has connections with the area's past and leading families, has been recommended for listing as a protected ancient monument. The owners, the Women's Royal Voluntary Service, say that they are unable to pay for repairs, as all their money is spent on running the home for old people, so they are pinning their hopes on the Environment Secretary agreeing with the Council that the well is worth preserving, in which case a grant will be made towards the cost of rescue work.
DAREVE'S SITE--CASSIOBRIDGE WHARF - Rickmansworth U.D.C. formally took over control of this site at the end of March last year. The s.te has now been cleared and since this land is in The Green Belt it will be used in future for recreational activities as yet undecided. THOS. McINERNEY & SONS - Congratulations to this firm situated on The Green, for being awarded a £7 million Building Contract by the G.L.G. It involves building 925 dwellings in two, four and ten storey blocks at Islington. | ||
The Resident Number 114 - 1972
Croxley Green Residents Association
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CROXLEY REVELS
The Croxley Society were very pleased with the turnout for the Revels held on the Green on Saturday, 17th June. Fortunately the weather was excellent which makes such a difference on these occasions. The events started with a Carnival procession led by the Thistle Pipe Band. The Revels' Queen, traditionally chosen from pupils at Durrants School, was suitably crowned. A large number of children took part in the fancy dress competition and pupils at York House staged a William the Conqueror pageant. Other displays were given by Croxley Red Cross, Croxley Camera Club, The Winemakers' Association, the National ,Federation of Old Age Pensioners, Rickmansworth Air Training Corps and last but by no means least the Croxley Residents' Association. CROXLEY CAMERA CLUB - The Club begins its new season on Wednesday, 6th September, in the Dickinson Guild House at 8 p.m. and every Wednesday there after. Wednesday, 6th September is Open Night and visitors and new members will be welcome. If you can take good photographs, we need you! If you can't, you need us. Hon. Secretary: Mrs. K. Howard, Shepherds Way, Rickmansworth (Tel. 73533). | ||
The Resident Number 115 - 1972
Croxley Green Residents Association
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DICKINSON GUILDHOUSE - The Dickinson Guildhouse,Croxley Green, together with some adjoining allotment land, is to be put up for sale, it was stated by the John Dickinson Company recently. It is presumed that any purchaser will want to redevelop the site, and the price will depend on the planning permissions which might be obtained for it. The Guildhouse was originally built at the turn of the century, when Croxley Green was very much smaller. and many of the residents were employed at Croxley Mills. Its aims were moral, intellectual and physical improvement, and it became a focal point for the district. A spokesman for the company said: "The sale has been fairly recently decided. Now that the district is very much larger and there is less dependence on Dickinson's, the Guildhouse is just not being used for its original purpose. The company feel there is nothing to be gained by retaining it. We have told the members, and it will remain open for the present time."
CROXLEY GREEN YOUTH CENTRE The Residents of Croxley might also like to know that there are several vacancies for day-time bookings at the Youth Centre. Organisations who would like to use the hall in the day-time should contact Mr. J. Hughes, 28 Girton Way, for prices and application forms. | ||
The Resident Number 116 - 1972
Croxley Green Residents Association
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WATFORD-CROXLEY GREEN RAILWAY - British Rail have now issued their latest publicity sheet which includes details of main line trains stopping at Junction during the morning and evening rush hours. Leaflets are available at local libraries.
SCOTS HILL HOUSE, SCOTS HILL - Outline planning permission for the erection of ten houses and garages at this site has been refused by the Planning group of the Council on amenity and road safety grounds. COFFIN SITE (CASSIOBRIDGE PLAY AREA) - As previously reported the Council are to develop this one acre site into a children's playground; £3.000 has been provided for the purpose. It will have a limited amount of playground equipment and would be principally used for light ball games. In view of the close proximity of the main road and canal the area will be surrounded by an 8ft. Oin. high chain link fence. The site will be landscaped. Apparently the name 'Coffin' is to be heard no more. One of our Councillors raised the matter at the latest meeting of the Council and within the space of exactly one minute-a rather hasty decision we would have thought-the name had disappeared for ever! Indeed, the name was not exactly pleasing to the ear, but the site has been known as 'Coffin' for many years and no objection has ever been voiced against it as far as we are aware. | ||
