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Rickmansworth and District Residents' Association e-news
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Welcome to the 15th edition of RDRA e-news with 11 of the latest news items from our website.
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We expect our next e-news to be at the end of May by which time we expect to hear who was elected in the Council elections and should have details of which bits of our Green Belt we are loosing to provide more homes in the area.
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Michael Stimpson
Chairman, RDRA
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Join our friendly, monthly health and wellbeing talks designed to inform, support, and empower our local community. Everyone is welcome, no need to book!
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See you on Wednesday at 10:30am to 12:30pm:
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Parking is free every Sunday!
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Come and visit Rickmansworth High Street between 10.30am and 2.30pm.
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There will be lots of interesting stalls to see, including the RDRA stall - see you there!
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These regular Forums keep councils in check by highlighting important matters in our local area, and they're chaired by Mike Sims. Please come along to the next Forum (26th January) to show your support, especially of the Mill Stream.
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There is an excellent app to record water levels of any river or stream. Residents are using it to monitor the Mill Stream in the absence of Environment Agency monitoring. To see the latest data, visit: https://www.spotteron.com/crowdwater/spots/1367282
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For further information & a map of the Mill Stream and the Mill Race in Rickmansworth, click here.
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In June of this year, the Government introduced legislation for a national scheme of delegation with regard to planning applications. This will come into effect on 31st October. From that date onwards, only certain types of application will be able to be considered by TRDC Planning Committee:
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- Major residential developments (more than 9 dwellings or more than 0.5 hectare)
- Proposals affecting Listed Buildings,
- Retrospective applications,
- Major commercial developments, or
- Advertising consents.
All other applications must be decided by planning officers without reference to councillors.
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Three members of the Planning Committee and / or Parish Councils will be able to refer applications of the listed types for consideration by TRDC Planning Committee. However, unlike now, any application referred will have to go through a Gateway Test. This test will decide, based on specified criteria, whether the application can be presented to the Planning Committee. This will be decided by a nominated TRDC councillor (probably the Chair of Planning Committee) and a nominated officer (probably the Head of Regulatory Services). The criteria are whether there are significant economic, social or environmental considerations or significant breaches of the development plan (NPPF, Local Plan or Neighbourhood Plan).
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It will no longer be possible to use a petition to ask applications to be considered by the Planning Committee. However, this is very rarely used already as it is usually easier to get TRDC Councillors or Parish Councils to do the call-in.
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Message from Transport for Hertfordshire.
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Their draft Plan includes a long-term vision to 2050, strategic objectives, monitoring framework, and the policies that will guide the delivery of transport services and infrastructure across the county.
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Their draft Plan aims to:
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- Support sustainable growth across Hertfordshire
- Improve accessibility, safety, and connectivity for residents, businesses and visitors
- Enhance transport choice and encourage more sustainable travel
- Contribute to wider environmental, economic and quality of life outcomes
- We would be grateful to hear your views on the draft plan. Please encourage friends, family and colleagues as well to respond.
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Following the last Sunday Market, we found Rickmansworth residents are worried about an increase in break-ins, squatters and manipulative 'Cuckooing' or 'Elder Abuse' where vulnerable, elderly people have been targetted by drug addicts who charm/groom into staying at victims homes and eventually take over victims homes and property including jewellery, finances and even cars!
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Be wary of people feigning need or crises - point them to the authorities for help. It is not your responsibility to help them. Do not let them stay in your home. They are pretending to be your friend.
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If you or your family/friends have been affected by this kind of manipulation, please contact:
- 24-Hour Safeguarding Hotline: Call 0300 123 4042 (available day or night to report an adult at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation).
- General Enquiries: The same number (0300 123 4042) is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM for non-urgent care assessments and advice.
- Online Reporting: If you prefer not to call, you can submit a secure form via the Hertfordshire County Council Portal.
- Specialist Advice: The UK charity Hourglass (formerly Action on Elder Abuse) offers a confidential helpline at 0808 808 8141 specifically for older people facing
If you witness a crime (violence, break-in or squatting) please contact:
1. Report Anonymously
If you want to report information about a violent crime, break-in, or illegal activity but do not want to give your name or be involved in a police investigation, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers UK online or call them free on 0800 555 111.
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2. Call 101 or Report Online: Non-Emergencies
If the crime has already happened, the suspects have left, or there is no immediate danger to life or property, you should report it as a non-emergency. This includes discovering a break-in after the fact or discovering an established, quiet squatting situation.
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- Phone: Call 101 to speak to the Hertfordshire Constabulary control room.
- Online Reporting: You can log the crime, upload descriptions, and track updates directly via the Hertfordshire Constabulary Online Portal.
3. Call 999: Active Emergencies
You must call 999 immediately if you witness a crime in progress or if there is an immediate risk of harm. This includes:
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- Violence: An active physical assault, a fight, or a situation where someone is being threatened with immediate violence or weapons.
- Break-ins: An ongoing burglary, someone actively forcing entry into a home or business, or suspects fleeing the scene right now.
- Squatting with Aggravation: While squatting in a residential property is illegal in the UK, you should call 999 if the individuals forced entry by breaking windows/doors right in front of you, or if they are behaving aggressively or violently toward neighbors.
Upcoming events:
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Care for Carers monthly talks with RDRA Radfield Home Care, in partnership with RDRA. Join us for friendly, informal talks designed to inform, support and empower our local community. All are welcome. For dates and times, visit: rickmansworthresidents.org/Care-for-Carers.
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To reopen the Woodland Walk, the Council must seek funds first - they plan to do this in Spring 2027. Remediation works would then be complete by the end of 2027, if funds are obtained - fingers crossed!
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Sunday 18 October, 11am to 1pm.
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A popular hands-on workshop to create a pollinator-friendly hanging basket with Eco Ted. All welcome!
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Workshop experience £5.
Bring your basket home £10.
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Join our friendly, monthly health and wellbeing talks designed to inform, support, and empower our local community. Everyone is welcome, no need to book!
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See you on the following Wednesdays, 10:30am to 12:30pm:
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- 2026 dates: 28 Oct, 25 Nov, 16 Dec.
- 2027 dates: 20 Jan, 17 Feb, 17 Mar, 21 Apr, 19 May, 16 Jun.
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On 16th September a meeting was held to discuss the Aquadrome - watch the meeting recording here:
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Bowlers wanted!
Want to start a new hobby?
Want to get some good, safe, healthy outdoor exercise?
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Rickmansworth Bowls Club is seeking to increase its membership and would welcome experienced bowlers and newcomers to the sport, both ladies and gents, of all ages.
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The club plays at Basing Gardens, Northway, opposite the Three Rivers District Council offices. We hope to start bowling in April this year and would love to see potential new members there.
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We have spare bowls for newcomers to use so they can try the sport out before committing to buying their own. We will show you the basics of the sport and give you the opportunity to see if you like it. All you would need at first would be a pair of flat-bottomed shoes, plus comfortable trousers and shirt.
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We will be following the Government guidelines to ensure that members stay safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Please contact
Nick Bessant, Club Secretary, for further details:
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Sid Yexley, Green Management:
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