The Resident Number 194 - 2007
Croxley Green Residents Association
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In this Issue
Editors Corner I would firstly like to thank those who subscribed to the last edition of the Resident, I apologise to those of you whose articles were not used due to lack of space, please bear with us we shall endeavour to place those gems in this or the next edition. Likewise I would like to thank our other unsung supporters, the advertisers without whom we would be unable to produce this magazine for the residents, so to those who have used our advertising service in the past, please continue to support us and indirectly, the community ... We also welcome new enquiries who should contact Rosemary Hanscomb for details of advert sizes, presentation and cost. For those who are new residents to Croxley, the way we finance the Association, all residents are automatically members of the Residents Association. Any surplus revenue derived from the advertising, after printing costs and insurance, is directed towards small community objectives/projects. As in previous issues I have tried to encourage lesser known members of the community to supply articles and as' I have mentioned Jasper, the new pup on the patch, this raised the most unlikely gem of all - through our letterbox arrived a letter and book from the National Secretary of the Dachshund Society who resides in the village. ' Many thanks and feel free to place an article. | ||
The Resident Number 195 - 2007
Croxley Green Residents Association
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In this Issue
PREFAB MEMORIES OF A CROXLEY RESIDENT My two daughters and I were the third family to occupy a brand new Prefab - No 6 Cherry Lane. Each of the small lanes had the name of a tree or shrub. As No 6 was the last of three in a row, we had good sized gardens, back front and side. Durrant's School was next door and we could watch the children being taught by Mr Fone (history teacher) to grow vegetables, it was the girls' entrance by our Prefab. The Prefabs were very comfortable, in the kitchen everything was built in, for example a wash boiler, oven, fridge and metal cupboards with drawers. The living room had the same metal dresser and drawers and a fireplace with a small stove with a door. There were 2 bedrooms off the hallway, a separate toilet and bathroom with a metal airing cupboard. During the Winter, it was very very cold to go to bed and I always baked 2 bricks in the oven and wrapped them in woollen cloths and they became the water bottles'. From time to time I had to climb on the flat roof to sweep the chimney! In the garden we had two sheds, one concrete and one made of corrugated iron and a water butt outside the back bedroom window, we used that water to rinse our hair in. As the Prefabs were a brand new venture in Croxley Green, most of the people living there were young families, hence the children grew up together and it had a lovely community feeling with everyone knowing each other. | ||
The Resident Number 196 - 2008
Croxley Green Residents Association
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In this Issue
What does the future hold for Yorke Road School? Yorke Road was originally Garden Road, it was renamed after Charles Yorke, former chairman of Ricky U.D.C. Croxley's first school was built on land given by John Dickinson in 1873 and it opened in 1875 with 120 children. It soon needed enlargements which occurred in 1884, 1889 and 1894 when the total number of pupils rose to 296 and was split into boys and girls. The boys moved to the new boys school in Watford Road, and by 1938, the combined number of pupils had risen to 570. The managers then handed the school over to County Council rather than build another extension.. Seniors went to Harvey Road into hastily built wooden buildings, juniors stayed in Yorke Road.. Land was bought on Durrants Farm Estate and Durrants School was opened in 1939 for senior pupils (now housing estate) and Harvey Road continued as the junior school with infants housed in Yorke Road until Yorke Mead school opened in 1974. The Old Boys School (now town houses) was used as an overflow from Harvey Road and later Sherwood School. When Clement Danes School moved to Chorleywood, Yorke Road School was used for the first intake of about 80 11- year olds in 1975/6 until the school was ready At present Yorke Road School is used by Leukaemia Research Fund Cards but only until March 2008 when they move out. | ||
The Resident Number 197 - 2008
Croxley Green Residents Association
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In this issue
On Monday, 10th November 2008 there will be an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Croxley Green Residents Association (at the Library, Barton Way) to determine its future. In fact, this meeting will serve the purpose of electing a new committee or, in the absence of sufficient people being available; the Association will have no other option than to be wound up. Why do we need a Village Residents Association when we have a Parish Council? Let's go back a bit to 1939 for it is then that the Association was founded in a bid to fight on behalf of residents in the construction of the main drainage scheme for the village. For 70 years the Association has been there to support residents in issues affecting them and the village. The Resident newsletter has been a constant feature and, to this day, there is a ready resource of willing contributors of articles and features, local sponsors and avid readers. The Parish Council was born out of the Residents Association when, at the inaugural election in 1986, all of the 16 elected councillors were nominees from the Residents' Association. The make up of the Parish Council is somewhat different now as it contains both political party representation and individuals with disparate views. Of course the role of a Parish Council is mainly in the undertaking of tasks within the village that have been, in effect, delegated from the District Council whereas the role of a Residents Association is not to undertake such tasks but to gather the overall views of the community on a variety of issues and to lobby whichever relevant organisation has the power to act upon those issues. These organisations may range from private companies to any appropriate level of government (local or national). | ||
The Resident Number 198 - 2009
Croxley Green Residents Association
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In this Issue
CONGRATULATIONS To The Sportsman Public House for being the close runner up to The Land of Liberty for the prodigious Watford District Branch CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Pub of the Year competition. Jason, Tracy and family have been in Croxley for just over a year and have extended their range of 6 traditional beers to include 2 local breweries, have run 2 successful beer exhibitions and have their own supply of Sportsman house beer and Sportsman lined glasses to ensure there are no short measures. Their prices are very competitive and on the social side they have extended the music beyond Saturday nights and run a very popular quiz night. Come along and see, join them in a pint! Our new Village Green I'm referring of course to Long Valley Wood and the Buddleia Walk in South Croxley. This 25 acre wildlife site was registered as a Village Green in October 2007 as an amenity for local residents. We've just completed our winter programme of maintenance and everything is set up nicely for the Spring and Summer months. Rubbish and invasive weeds and plant growth have been removed, paths cleared, a woodland glade has been created, wooden benches have been installed and there are 20 or so bird boxes in place. Three Rivers District Council has installed a fabulous set of stairs to enable access from Footpath 11 down the steep slope and into Long Valley Wood. | ||
The Resident Number 199 - 2009
Croxley Green Residents Association
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In this Issue
Tesco Update We now know that the planning inspector has decided in favour of Tesco following the 'public' enquiry into the application for what will be Croxley's biggest-by-far store on Watford Road. Some concessions were secured but the Inspector decided that this development - nearly twice the size of the Co-Op- is an appropriate size for the site, will have little adverse impact on local shops, will create negligible traffic issues, and fills a need. What planet is the Inspector from? The same one that Herts Highways occupy, who concurred with Tesco's contention that 600,000 customers a year will mostly walk. * We must not take what we have for granted; preservation of the good stuff is not negative, or conservative, or dull - its just common sense. * We can't rely on others to do it for us. * Organisation takes time and effort. To improve our large village I small town life, we need commitment and contribution (activity, not money) from a wide group of people. We did what we could to represent the views of the vast majority of Croxley residents and even though the Tesco issue was of widespread concern, the burden of work fell on too few people. Good Luck to Colin Turner of Premier Butchers as he retires after three decades in Baldwins Lane many thanks to him for all the advertising support he gave to The Resident over the years as well as the excellent service he offered to all his customers. | ||
The Resident Number 200 - 2010
Croxley Green Residents Association
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In this Issue
THE NEW BARTON WAY PARK: CRAZY & FUN Anyone who has been in Croxley for any length of time will have used Barton Way Park. It is centrally located and many people will have used the car park to pop to the shops, or have used the field for dog walking, the multi skills court for playing or watching their children play football, or just used the small play area. Many Croxley residents were, therefore, suitably excited at the news that Three Rivers and the Parish Council had secured funding to improve the park. Living as close as I do (I can see the park as I type this!) my children and I kept a close watch on the proceedings, from the day the bulldozers moved in (October 2009) to the day the fences came down and we were able to use the park again (officially 15th February 2010). We were intrigued by some of what happened - upside down trees, big holes in the ground, enormous lorries parked on Barton Way, including one that blocked us in for three hours one day! However we are sure everyone will agree that the finished result was well worth the wait. We are now enjoying the early summer weather in the new children's park area. It's crazy-and fun! I would like to personally thank Charlotte Masters at TRDC for her hard work in visiting all the local schools and finding out what we wanted-and also the Parish Council for securing the funding and actually getting the job done! And to everyone who has suggested that I open a cafe in my garden ...sorry but not any time soon!! | ||
The Resident Number 201 - 2010
Croxley Green Residents Association
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In this Issue 'The Way of the Sun' In the previous edition of The Resident we featured the anticipated publication of a new book covering the history of the Sun - Printers, which had such an impact on the growth of Croxley Green. The new book - The Way of the Sun' is out now. Shirley Greenman brings us up-to-date. Whilst reading a copy of the Sun News that had been donated to the Sun Printers History website, I came across details of the building of the 'Sun houses' in Durrants Drive. After the second world war the Sun Printers had a number of properties in the Watford area to let to employees. A considerable number of loans were also made to employees to help them buy their own homes. As a result, the Sun Printers Housing Society was formed, in November 1950. A suitable site for over 50 houses was purchased in Durrants Drive, in Croxley Green. It was a two-stage development; Dawe, Carter and Partners of Clarendon Road, Watford were appointed architects. and Mr. Hale, a local builder, won the construction contract. Building work began in 1954..... Road Safety in Croxley: It's important - so get involved How safe are the roads around Croxley for both vehicles and pedestrians? The quick response would be: it all depends on whom you ask. People who travel mainly by car will have a different point of view to those who mainly walk, cycle or use the buses. Children and the elderly will see it differently to other age groups. The one certain thing is that whatever means of transport used, road traffic and safety issues has the potential to affect us all at some point. | ||
The Resident Number 202 - 2011
Croxley Green Residents Association
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In this Issue
Question Time Event 2011 - Our Question Time Event was quite a success. We may have to do it again next year! It was the perfect vehicle for achieving most of the aims of the Association: - informing the community about local issues, encouraging interaction, identifying and working with local groups and organisations, encouraging involvement in the community, stimulating the interest of residents and businesses in the welfare of the area and highlighting the many things that are good about Croxley Green. Most of all it was an extremely enjoyable social occasion. The QT panel considered questions with a local rather than national and international flavour and the audience received an insight to the difficult options facing the tiers of government on topics ranging from housing development, local businesses, the provision of a new school and other infrastructure and funding requirements. It was also clear that the upcoming Localism Bill has the potential to rock the established political order and further empower individuals and our parish council. Most people in the audience saw the benefit of having a blueprint or plan for Croxley Green particularly at a time when money and resources are going to be in short supply and the community will be facing an uphill struggle to get the best deal for Croxley. Of the 60 completed feedback forms we received all but one (from a local councillor!) were greatly in favour of such a community plan. In fact, matters are moving at pace and the forthcoming Revels presents the ideal opportunity for consulting people on the type of things they'd like to see happening and the nature of questions that will be utilised in the formation of a plan's questionnaire. Look out for the Community Plan Stall! Barry Grant | ||
The Resident Number 203 - 2011
Croxley Green Residents Association
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In this Issue
CROXLEYPEDIA - Croxley Green Residents' Association: an organisation of which those who live and work in Croxley Green are members. A committee consisting of up to 15 volunteers acts as a focus for local resident interest in matters affecting the village. The committee meets every 2 months at the library and residents can contact the Chairman or the Secretary to request that items be put on the Agenda and can participate in discussion. The committee provided the initial batch of councillors when the Parish Council was formed 25 years ago. Whilst the role of the Parish Council is basically concerned with fulfilling amenity tasks delegated to it by District Council, the Resident Association acts as an independent questioning body; an amplification of local resident interests and a supporter of local council initiatives that are to the advantage of Croxley Green residents. The District Council collects Council Tax so it can finance the collection of our refuse, clean our streets, look after our parks and woodland and make decisions on planning applications. A warm welcome to the winter edition of The Resident! I apologise for the crass definitions but I felt the need to clarify matters for residents, particularly those of you who have contacted us, asking the Association to do something about a variety of topics including: grass cutting on The Green (and grass verges generally), potholes, the din from model airplanes, over amplification on The Green, low flying helicopters and airliners, pavement dog poo and discarded red elastic bands (presumably not connected!?). The Residents' Association does not permit councillors to sit on its Committee and it steers clear of patty political posturing. | ||
The Resident Number 204 - 2012
Croxley Green Residents Association
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In this Issue
Croxley Rail Link The Department of Transport has advised the CGRA that it will hold a local Public Inquiry into the application for the proposed Rail Link Order (no date has been set as at the time of writing). As part of the consultation process the CGRA wrote to the Department of Transport seeking clarification on issues relating to land exchange, compensation, screening (sound and visual), rail operation (incl. revised Moor Park transfer arrangements) and financial viability. It is anticipated that the Public Inquiry process will bring balance, clarity and transparency to the application process whereas, up until now, most of the related information placed in the public domain has been published by the co-applicants of the scheme. If local residents have evidence that they would like highlighted by the inquiry they can contact us (contact details on back page). Croxleys' Own Olympian - With the forth coming Olympic Games in London does anyone remember Ray (Raymond) Barkway who grew up in Hazelwood Road? Born in 1924 in Uxbridge, Ray attended Watford Grammar School for Boys where he became Head Boy. Having left school during the Second World War, he trained in Canada as an RAF pilot gaining the highest marks in an Elementary Flying training course. He left Exeter College, Oxford with a second-class honours degree in Chemistry gaining a Blue in athletics and became a master at Marlborough College. In 1948 he represented Great Britain in the London Olympic Games in the 110 metres hurdles. He later became a science master at Clifton College and on 1st July 1956 he was killed in a flying accident whilst on exercise with the R.N.V.R. | ||
The Resident Number 205 - 2012
Croxley Green Residents Association
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In this Issue
Stone’s Orchard Many long standing residents will be aware that Stone’s Orchard was once a thriving local mixed fruit orchard recognised for its abundance of cherries. The land was originally owned by the Woolrych family and the orchard was managed by Walter Stone and his sons as tenant farmers (hence “Stone’s Orchard”) from 1893 to 1960. Much of the land was sold by the Woolrych family to John Dickinson a n d C o m p a n y ( t h e p a p e r manufacturers) which, for almost 150 years, provided employment at the paper mill. John Dickinson used some of the land for housing and leisure facilities for the benefit of their employees and sold other parts to Hertfordshire County Council. By the 1970s all that remained of the original site was approx. 3½ acres and, at this time, John Dickinson applied for planning consent for housing. This was refused and in 1983 Stone’s Orchard was sold to Three Rivers District Council for £1. From the time when the Stone family relinquished the tenancy (and thus when the maintenance of the orchard ceased) this well stocked thriving orchard gradually began to fall into a poor condition. However, in the early part of the 1990s a countrywide organisation, “Common Ground”, emerged that encouraged the reinstatement of old orchards for their wildlife values. A Management Plan to rectify the sad condition of Stone’s Orchard was drawn up and local schools and pupils took part in an annual event to replant many of the known varieties that the Stone family had previously maintained. This was superseded by a new initiative, Hertfordshire Orchard Initiative (HOI) which endeavoured to reclaim many old orchards in the county and, more importantly, sought to safeguard the known varieties of fruit for the future. In recent years an even larger organisation, East of England Apples and Orchard Project (EEAOP) has encouraged local areas to continue with this task. EEAOP is a registered charity working to guarantee a future for local orchard fruits and orchards. In this Issue | ||
