Raise issues for our RDRA AGM on 16th June

If you would like to raise anything at our AGM on 16th June, please let us know!

All welcome to attend but only paying members can vote.

Become a voting member of the RDRA by paying £3 per year:
https://rickmansworthresidents.org/members/

Or join our 100+ Club, with free RDRA membership, for £60 per year:
https://rickmansworthresidents.org/100plus/

Further information about the RDRA AGM:
https://rickmansworthresidents.org/2025/05/rdra-agm-notice/

The 95th Annual General Meeting of RDRA will be held on Monday 16th June 2025, 8pm at the Education Centre, Batchworth Lock, Rickmansworth

You are invited to attend our AGM to let us know your views regarding matters related to Rickmansworth and surrounding districts.

All residents of Ricky town, Mill End, Penn and surrounding areas are welcome, but only paid-up members can vote. Refreshments will follow the meeting. Please Park in Church Street, Moor Lane, or Tesco.

Education Centre address: Rickmansworth Waterways Trust, Batchworth Lock Canal Centre, 99 Church Street, Rickmansworth, Herts WD3 1JJ

Agenda

  1. Apologies for absence
  2. To Approve the minutes of the last AGM on 17 June 2024
  3. An overview of the last year and thank you’s. (Chair).
  4. Treasurer’s Reports (Treasurer): To approve the accounts for 2024 and appoint the auditors for 2025.
  5. Election of President (Michael Stimpson is willing to stand again)
  6. Election of Committee:
    i. Hon Chair (Ash Pattni is willing to stand again if no takers)
    ii. Hon Secretary (Christine Evans is willing to stand again)
    iii. Hon Treasurer (Leisle Chrol-Frolowicz is standing down, nominations please)
    iv. Web Site & Social Media Controller (Debbie Wheeler is willing to stand again)
    v. Membership Secretary (Anne Littlejohn is willing to stand again)
    vi. Planning Matters (Bob Templeman is willing to stand again)
    vii. Committee Member (Carolyn Venn is willing to stand again)
    viii. Committee Member (Andrea Clark is willing to stand again)
    ix. Committee Member (John Payne standing down, nominations please)
    x. Newsletter Editor (post vacant, nominations please)
    xi. Membership Recruitment (post vacant, nominations please)
    xii. Event’s Organiser (post vacant, nominations please)
    xiii. Fund Raiser & Publicity (post vacant, nominations please);
  7. The Committee can co-opt 3 people. If you are interested in becoming more involved as a co-optee please let us know.
  8. Any Other Business
  9. Followed by: Refreshments and talks by Two Guest Speakers:

    Chris Hillier on the history of the Aquadrome
    Chris, a retired engineer, has lived in Rickmansworth for over 55 years. An early member of Rickmansworth Waterways Trust, he is passionate about local history and serves in the Rickmansworth Historical Society. He was Chairman of Watford and District Industrial History Society until last year (www.wadihs.org.uk). Chris frequently gives history talks, donating proceeds to Workaid (www.workaid.org.uk), where he volunteers.

    Sue Lacey will give a brief overview of the Barn Project and Crowd Funding 
    Sue is the Community Engagement Manager at Woodoaks Farm in Maple Cross.

Hope to see you there!


Electric Charging Point feeder pillar

Artists needed: Design these electric charging feeder pillars before 27th May

Message from Batchworth County Council (BCC).

As part of our Electric Vehicle Charging Points Project, BCC are organising the painting of feeder pillars which will be adjacent to the charging points located here:

  • High Street West (M&S)
  • Talbot Road West (slightly smaller feeder pillar)

The painting of the feeder pillars is being funded by the Charging Point Operator.

The feeder pillars measure 2000mm W x 500mm D x 2000mm H. On one side they will have doors. The Feeder Pillars will be delivered in green. One of these feeder pillars is installed in the lower floor of Three Rivers House carpark if you would like to view.

Once the feeder pillar are installed in your area, we recommend visiting to see how visible it is and what side you’d like painted. Some feeder pillars may be in more visible locations than others.

Designs need to be submitted to tom.rankin@threerivers.gov.uk by the 27th of May 2025.

Please provide a high-res copy of the designs and any indication of the size you would like and the side of the feeder pillar. We will liaise with an artist to have designs interpreted and painted on the feeder pillars.

Download further information and measurement drawings here

The Countryside Charity London AGM on 22nd May

Message from CPRE (Council for the Preservation of Rural England) London

CPRE London will be holding its online AGM at 6-7.30pm on 22 May 2025.

This year we will be focusing on:

  • Green Belt and its continued relevance in 2025
  • Solutions to the housing crisis that don’t worsen the climate and nature crises
  • Growing further the environmental and social benefits of Green Belt.

If you are interested in hearing more about what we have been doing and plan to do in these areas over the coming year we do hope you will join us.

You are very welcome to ask questions. 

We are also keen to hear your thoughts and suggestions on the current need to respond to the Green Belt Review in a way that will help maintain its integrity and vital role in preventing carbon-hungry urban sprawl.

Please click here to register for the CPRE, The Countryside Charity London AGM

The Aquadrome Bridge

Official name: The Aquadrome Bridge

Message from the Aquadrome Steering Group after RDRA we raised concerns about lack of communication

The Three Rivers website has lots of information on the status of the bridge along with some exciting drone footage and press releases. We are pleased to have also been given space in MyRicky since December and we have a featured article in the monthly magazine which provided an update on the project. So please watch out for that.

General overview of the project:

https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/services/leisure-parks-culture/rickmansworth-aquadrome-project

The story so far – an insight into the funding of the project:

https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/services/leisure-parks-culture/rickmansworth-aquadrome-project#The%20story%20so%20far

Frequently asked questions:

https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/services/leisure-parks-culture/rickmansworth-aquadrome-project#Frequently%20asked%20questions%20(FAQs)

Planning ahead for your care – conversations that matter

Dr Rob Mayson, a local GP explains the importance of talking to family or close friends about your future care needs: “We want to make sure that all patients in the NHS get the care that is right for them. This is especially true for all of us as we get older or whenever we become unwell. Too often, we see that people’s wishes are not met towards the end of their life, which can be upsetting for them and their families.

“It can help to think ahead about what kind of care you would want if you got very sick. For example, would you always want healthcare professionals to try everything to keep you alive, even if it might not work? Or would you prefer care that focuses on keeping you comfortable?

“There are no right or wrong answers – it’s about what feels best for you. But it’s important that the health and care teams looking after you know your wishes to ensure the right decisions are made. Take some time to talk to your family or those you ae close to about how you might want to be looked after as you get older.

“It’s also a good time to think about the medicines you take. Do they still help you? Do you feel like you need them all? Sometimes, as we get older, some medicines may not be as helpful anymore. You can review them together with your GP, a pharmacist or another healthcare professional if you have any questions.

“You don’t have to decide anything right now. But it’s good to talk about these things with your family. If you’d like to chat more about it, your GP practice is here to help. You can bring it up at your next appointment or let your practice know if you’d like to talk sooner.

“We want everyone to feel comfortable having these conversations, and we believe it should be normal to start thinking about it at a younger age way before ill-health is even a consideration.”

Find out more on the Age UK website:
www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/age-well

Neighbourhood Plan Referendum Result

Message from The Batchworth Plan Steering Group.

We are really pleased to announce that 81.7% of those who voted in the referendum on 1st May 2025 have voted in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan being used to help determine planning applications in the Batchworth area.

The full results were as follows:
Electorate: 9242
Turnout: 31.1%

“Do you want Three Rivers District Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Batchworth to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

Response Votes
Yes: 2264
No: 505

Now that the Neighbourhood Plan has been adopted, Batchworth Community Council will be looking to take forward the projects outlined in the plan. If you would like to be kept informed of this work and other council news, please sign up to the newsletter at
https://www.batchworth-ecc.gov.uk.

Thank you for your involvement over the last few years – the adoption of the Neighbourhood Plan is a big step forward in bringing about the positive changes we would all like to see in our neighbourhood.

VE day 80th anniversary celebration on 8th May

The Clerk and Batchworth Community Councillors are delighted to invite you, to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day on Thursday 8th May at 7:15pm held at Eastbury Recreation Ground, Batchworth Lane HP6 3HE.

Enjoy choir performances from Eastbury Farm School, band performances by Royal Navy Volunteer Band and the Lighting of the Beacon Ceremony.

Light refreshments will be provided by Batchworth Community Council. You are welcome to bring a picnic, and food will be available to purchase.

Download poster with full event details.

Riverside Path still closed

Message received 3rd May, 2025 – via email.

I wonder if the the association has either news or views on the closure of the riverside path at the Aquadrome? I have not seen any coverage of this on the e-new bulletins and this situation has been going on for the best part of 15 months.

Initially there was no information about why this decision had been taken. Subsequent enquiries to the responsible officer (Emma Sheridan) tell us it is H&S issues as the path has been rendered unsafe due the persistent floods. It is as you should be aware a wetland site and by its nature it floods because it part of the floodplain, so it was always the case although recent wet winters have not helped matters. Decisions as the what repairs and when it will be reopened are dependent on the outcome of independently commissioned 3rd party hydrology surveys (by the EA), and subsequent investigation work by 3RDC before a new safe pathway specification can be formulated. As matters stand the current impasse could persists for months and years.

On the face of it the decsion to close the path is reasonable and proportionate, but as many other residents will testify the current state of riverside path is no worse and arguably better that most of the other footpaths around the aquadrome site. Put simply if it is justified to close this path on H&S grounds the other paths should be closed too. They are not and there are no plans to do. No one doubts 3RDC’s competence to act to protect residents but the evidence on the ground does not match or justify what we are being told. Many individuals have explained this to 3RDC which remains steadfast in its stance. Questions have been raised in Open Council meetings and there is at least 1 expensively petition doing the rounds. What is anything is RDRA’s position on this please?

RDRA response:

Thank you for your email via our website. I fully agree with your comments about the riverside path in the Aquadrome.Unfortunately, there are no updates from TRDC regarding the completion of the hydrological survey or when the path will reopen.

The longer it stays closed, the higher the reopening costs will be. It appears that the council is not keeping residents like us informed.

I’m unsure how residents can get the council to communicate and engage with us. I welcome any suggestions you may have.

Join #TheFoodConversation at Woodoaks Farm on 1st May!

Message from Woodoaks Farm.

As a valued member of our community, we invite you to join The Food Conversation—a vital opportunity for local citizens to share what they truly want from food.

Food sits at the heart of major challenges, from food insecurity and diet-related illness to its impact on nature and climate. Yet, governments have struggled to act, hindered by uncertainty over public priorities.

The Food Conversation is a nation-wide engagement project by the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, asking people what they expect from government and business when it comes to food – and how the food system can deliver more for health, nature and climate.

Join the conversation:

  • Hear the views of people in your community.
  • Contribute to a desperately needed push for food system change.
  • Make connections; build relationships
  • Explore how to become more active in shaping the future of food.

What to do next?

  1. Please RSVP to this email if you or any of your team/ colleagues are able to join us – we would really
    value your input.
  2. Please reserve your free place here:
    https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/join-in-the-food-
    conversation-at-woodoaks-farm-maple-cross-tickets-1316482989059?utm-campaign=social&utm-
    content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-
    source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

What? Welcome by the team at Woodoaks Farm and local Registered Nutritionist, Lucy Williasmon, The Food Conversation presentation & facilitated public discussions (to be summarised after the event). News from the farm & Refreshments!