While our Rates are always questionable. I find that paying towards HCC for a non existent Library are quite disgraceful.
The ‘temporary’ affair at Ebury Road scout hut really isn’t good enough, and for many its a difficult flog to Croxley Green/Watford
I enquired under FOI from HCC as to why the reopening of the Library is taking so long, to be told the matter of refurbishment is now handed over to their Insurers (who ever they might be!?)
The reroofing was completed months ago, yet nothing has happened with the interior.
Can you find out what is going on and when we can expect to have our Library back. The computers were invaluable and school children are missing out on an important educational asset.
RDRA response:
We asked Cllr-Vishal Patel for an update on this issue and received the following:
“I am in regular contact with the officer and have requested that the remaining work is completed at the earliest. Below link gives latest information and I have requested officer to publish timelines as soon as its finalised.”
This year marks a remarkable milestone – the Chiltern Society’s 60th anniversary. That’s six decades of conserving landscapes, protecting nature, and celebrating local character.
Now, as we look to the future, we’re inviting you to be a key part of it.
Please find below a report I have sent to Hertfordshire Highways re the lack of tree watering, in particular vulnerable newly planted trees in hot weather.
I am a great supporter of the tree planting scheme and appreciate the fanfare of self congratulation when work is undertaken, however I am concerned that my Council Tax is not being wisely used if they are allowed to die through lack of watering and care.
3 trees, recently planted by ‘the council’ are in dire need of watering. One is surviving, one is dying and one looks dead. Over the last week I have watered these daily, despite only one having a ‘tree hydration bag’. As I do not live adjacent to the trees, I have to carry a watering can and bottles of water to the site, in a shopping trolley.
Please can a watering programme be set up asap, for these trees and all the other trees recently planted, especially in the current hot weather. These trees will have cost us residents a significant sum of money to fund. A poor use of our taxes if they are not maintained.
Please can I ask that you assist me in raising this concern to any relevant parties.
You are invited to watch a live public webinar next Tuesday where the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire Jonathan Ash-Edwards will ask Chief Constable Andy Prophet about local crime and safety issues.
Neighbourhood policing, safer town centres and firearms licensing will be discussed, along with what steps the Constabulary are taking to solve more crimes in Hertfordshire.
The Accountability & Performance Meeting (APM) will be held online and is open to any members of the public who want to attend and watch the proceedings.
It starts at 9.30am on Tuesday 8th July, you can register for free and secure your place at https://bit.ly/JulyAPM2025.
For those who can’t attend in person, a recording of the meeting will be posted on the PCC website.
The Joint Residents’ Association (JRA) has responded to the technical consultation about the reform of planning committees. Click here to read the JRAs response. Please contact us if you have any comments on the JRAs response.
Note, the JRA combines lots of local associations and therefore have a stronger voice together:
You are invited to complete an online survey as part of a masters course being undertaken by James McGuirk, a Transport Planning student at the University of Hertfordshire, UK.
The survey is for Hertfordshire residents aged 18 or over and can be completed on a smartphone or desktop computer browser.
The findings will be used as part of a research report on public perceptions of public transport in Hertfordshire. Respondents cannot be identified, and responses are anonymous. The closing date of the survey is July 11th.
Sustainable Three Rivers’ latest newsletter recommends we dry our washing outside if we have gardens and don’t water dead or dry grass as it will recover when the rains return. They also encourage our use of the Croxley Green Repair Cafe – fix it, don’t bin it!
The RDRA are a proud supporter of the Community Garden, which is one of the many projects undertaken by Sustainable Three Rivers. Friendly volunteers meet up on Mondays 11.30-1.30pm and Sundays 10.30-11.30am for planting and garden maintenance sessions – all welcome but bring gloves! If you’re interested in getting involved, please email hello@sustainablethreerivers.org.
Read more about Sustainable Three Rivers’ work, like protecting local trees from damaging ties, and other important climate information by visiting: www.sustainablethreerivers.org/blog.
Chris Hillier receives a donation on behalf of Workaid.org from our Chairman Ash, following his talk at our AGM. Sue Lacey from WoodoaksFarm.org receives a donation from our Chairman Ash, following her talk at our AGM.
Thank you to everyone who came to our AGM on Monday 16th June 2025, where we talked about issues in the local area, like the closed Aquadrome path etc, and appointed the next Committee. Sadly, our much loved treasurer Leslie Chrol-Frolowicz is unable to continue due to ill health. Prior to the AGM, we presented Leslie with a special award to say thank you for his dedication and long-service. A photo of Leslie receiving his award is in our RDRA AGM slide deck. Leslie started on the RDRA Committee as Membership Secretary in 2016 and became our Treasurer two years later – we will miss him greatly on the Committee! The position of treasurer was offered at the AGM and we’re glad that someone took up the mantle – to be officially appointed at our next Committe meeting on 7th July.
RDRA President Michael Stimpson presided over the RDRA AGM, sitting at the table, on the right, next to RDRA Chairman Ash Pattni
As always, if you would like to join our Committee please contact us for a chat. We are in great need of young and passionate people!
The highlight of this years’ AGM were our two speakers who were delightful.
First we heard from Chris Hillier, a resident of Rickmansworth for over 55 years, who showed us many amazing black & white images of well-known areas that we hardly recognised. We especially liked the old video of ice skate races at the Aquadrome! If you would like to find out more about Rickmansworth history or even about the many fossils found here, please visit our small but lovely Rickmansworth museum located next to Watersmeet, along Rickmansworth high street.
Record-breaking ice skating at the Aquadrome
Next we heard from Sue Lacey who is a great advocate for restoring nature and the countryside, from Woodoaks Farm as seen on Countryfile . We enjoyed hearing about the Black Barn Project – a worthy project which will provide much needed facilities to help them teach others about good soil, land management and regenerating the landscape. If you would like to volunteer at Woodoaks or attend one of their many activities, like Zumba on Saturdays 10-10.45am or Yoga on a Sundays 9-10am or the Market Garden on Sundays 10-4pm or Herts Health Walks on the first Friday of the month and more, please visit: https://woodoaksfarm.com.
Woodoaks Farm activities
Please contact us if you would like to give a talk at our next AGM or tell us something important happening in Rickmansworth!
