Local Warm Spaces during cold weather

Message from OWL

Three Rivers District Council has a list of welcoming spaces on its web pages at https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/services/community-and-living/cost-living-support#Welcoming%20spaces

There are places listed across the district each day where you can go for a cuppa, chat or just sit quietly in the warm to escape from the cold weather for a while.

You could ask at your local library for a list of the welcoming spaces near you or ring the Council on 01923 776611.

If you can, please find the time to check on any elderly or vulnerable friends and neighbours to see if they’re OK. 

If you are concerned about someone you can ask Hertfordshire Fire Service to carry out a free Safe and Well visit.  Further details are on their website here or ring 0300 123 4046.

Ricky Festival halted after 30 years

A message from David Montague, Chairman and Festival Director of Rickmansworth Waterways Trust and a former RDRA Committee Member, who appeared on television regarding this topic

Representatives from the Rickmansworth Festival Team attended a meeting hosted by Three Rivers District Council just before Christmas regarding the recent implementation of an Asbestos Management Plan for the Aquadrome.

The plan has designated the Aquadrome as a no dig zone and so nothing can penetrate the ground on the site. This includes digging, raking, staking or any activity which could erode or expose anything below the ground surface. It would preclude the use of stakes for fixing marquees or gazebos, and any vehicle movements on the grassed areas of the site would also be a concern. Any hirer of the ground would also need to pay for appropriate monitoring before and after the event at a cost of between £5000 and £8000 per day for two days of monitoring (a total of £10 – £16k).

Representatives from the Rickmansworth Festival Team attended a meeting hosted by Three Rivers District Council just before Christmas regarding the recent implementation of an Asbestos Management Plan for the Aquadrome.

Whilst it is possible to fix structures in place with weights or large water barrels this is really suited for working on a hard site when lifting vehicles can be used and access is not compromised by soft ground. Our Festival site manager has confirmed that whilst anything is possible the costs and extra labour required would go up significantly if we considered this possible to do on the site.  There may also be other requirements such as ensuring all contractors were trained.

Therefore I am afraid Rickmansworth Waterways Trust has had no choice but to make the difficult decision to cancel the event for 2024 and no Festival will be possible with these requirements in place.

TRDC stated that they were happy for the Festival to go ahead as long as the conditions of the management plan could be met. However the reality is that the management plan makes it impossible for a non commercial, volunteer led Festival to proceed with an event that uses the Aquadrome.

This is a really sad day for our community and I feel for all the other charities, community organisations and small businesses that have lost an opportunity to promote themselves. Thank you for all your help over many years since our very first event in 1993 and for contributing towards a great event. It will be sadly missed.

David Montague

Click here for the site investigation report

100+ Club winner presentations

Many congratulations to the 1st and 2nd prize winners of our first RDRA 100+ Club monthly draw, pictured below being presented their winnings by RDRA Chairman, Ash Pattni. Proceeds from this draw will go to signage for the Community Garden as well as RDRA administration costs. These photos are taken in the Community Garden, located behind the Rose Garden, opposite the TRDC Council offices in Rickmansworth and very near the Bowling Club.

Andrea Clark: 1st prize winner – £150

Andrea said: “I’ve been a Road Rep for many years, I’m thrilled to win this fantastic prize and it’s also helping local good causes so I recommend you join the 100 Club today – be in it to win it!”

Rosi Jordon: 2nd prize winner – £75

Rosi said: “What a treat to have won a prize! How nice to have the presentation up at the Community Garden & Orchard too.” Rosi is a champion of the Community Garden & Orchard and has worked on the project tirelessly. All volunteers and plants welcome!

3rd prize winner – £25: Wishes to remain anonymous and donated the prize money back into the RDRA good causes fund.

Click here to join the RDRA 100+ Club and win too!

Next prize draw: Friday 26th January

Congratulations to our first winners

The RDRA 100+ Club monthly prize draw was held on Sunday 17th December during the Christmas Market in Rickmansworth High Street. All winners have now been informed – congratulations to them!

First prize winner receives £150
Second prize winner receives £75
Third prize winner receives £25

For further information and details of joining the RDRA 100+ Club monthly prize draw, please click: rickmansworthresidents.org/100plus

Bob, Ash & Anne draw the first three winners using a random number generator.

Sunday Market presence

The RDRA was once again at the last Sunday Market in Rickmansworth High Street, handing out 100+ Club leaflets. If you would like to join our 100+ Club to support good causes, you will also get FREE access to our e news, please click here: rickmansworthresidents.org/100plus

Thanks to BCC for sharing their gazebo at the market – we will soon have our our own for future events!

Membership Secretary Anne and Chairman Ash at the last Sunday Market