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Urgent community meeting about metal recycling today at 4pm

Meet at Springwell Ln, Harefield, Rickmansworth WD3 8UW. https://maps.app.goo.gl/2fqPLhCUh8vcMNpd9maps.app.goo.gl Metal recycling urgent update: Springwell community meeting this Saturday 25th 4:30pm at Springwell Barn. Your chance to be heard. I’ve been furiously writing letters to Councillors, our MP and candidates of...

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Sunday Market is on 26th April

Come and say hello between 10.30am to 2.30pm! Support the many stall holders and local shops along Rickmansworth High Street – Parking’s free! Artisan Food | Homewear | Fresh produce | Gifts | Flowers #LoveYourHighStreet

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Welcome to the RDRA Committee

We welcome Mike Sims & Michael Charnock to the RDRA Committee.

Mike Sims

Mike is an independent Councillor who works with TRDC & residents to achieve community goals.

  • Helped residents block a fastfood drive-through proposal at Moneyhill Parade.
  • Led consultations for improvements to the Ricky West Parking Scheme.
  • Worked with other councillors on site visits for Rickmansworth Town Ditch, with progress expected soon.
  • Advocated for reopening the Aquadrome Woodland/River Walk; resolution is very close.
  • Promotes proper maintenance of local listed buildings.
  • Assists in gathering signatures and presenting petitions.
  • Handles casework individually and through the association
Michael Charnock

Michael Charnock owns Decor Scene shop in Mill End Parade & has lived in Rickmansworth his whole life.

Michael advocates for the rights of small businesses in West Rickmansworth by actively campaigning and petitioning the parking scheme. He represents all shops in West Rickmansworth in this endeavour and keeps the RDRA updated on the latest developments.

By R.D.R.A., ago
100+ Club charity donation

100+ Club charity donation

This quarter we donated to the Rickmansworth Gateway Club located in The Shepherds Centre on Middleton Road. Phil Cox runs this busy social club for adults with a learning disabilities and autism – a great place for fun social interaction and activities!

Join them every Wednesday 7-9pm at The Shepherd Centre, Middleton Road, Rickmansworth WD3 8JF.

Phil Cox, who runs the charity, is presented with a cheque by RDRA Chairman Ash.

By R.D.R.A., ago

London Green Belt Council – Green is now Grey

Please read this paper detailing grey belt sites: Green belt is now grey belt.

Foreword

The London Metropolitan Green Belt (LMGB) as a planning policy has been hugely successful in containing the capital and preventing urban sprawl. In 1940 London and Los Angeles were of a similar area and if London had been allowed to sprawl to the extent that Los Angeles has grown, it would stretch from Brighton to Cambridge.

The LMGB has many economic, social and environmental benefits, apart from its role to restrict urban sprawl and encourage urban regeneration. It protects the capital from flooding and provides opportunities for carbon sequestration, nature regeneration and biodiversity. It provides important physical and mental health and welfare benefits for the city’s inhabitants, and opportunities for recreation and sport as well as food security and rural activities.

The introduction of grey belt has already resulted in the loss of open countryside, often of high quality, as can be seen in the photographs in this paper. It is leading to speculative and piecemeal development with ten out of the twelve planning appeals in 2025 being allowed for proposed development in the London Green Belt where the sites were identified as grey belt.

These sites are not previously developed land, such as redundant petrol stations or car parks, as originally intended. The present definition of grey belt enables the revoking of protection of Green Belt, as is recognised by developers and their legal representatives.

The Government’s grey belt policy is leading to the destruction of the Green Belt whose benefits will not be enjoyed in future. If this policy is not reversed, future generations will live to regret it.

Richard Knox-Johnston
Chair
The London Green Belt Council 		Peter Waine OBE
Chair
CPRE Hertfordshire

Useful links

Contact your MP

Contact the Councillor for where you live

By R.D.R.A., ago

Criminals stole over £879 million through investment fraud in 2025

Message from Report Fraud.

Victims of investment fraud lost an average of £1,675 every minute last year, new figures from the City of London Police, the National Lead Force for Fraud, have revealed.

Criminals stole £879.8 million through investment fraud last year – an average of £2.4 million a day.

In 2025, 34,673 people reported investment fraud to Report Fraud, the national service that replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. This marks a 31 per cent rise on the previous year. The rise in reporting is not only linked to an increase in investment fraud, but also due to the point at which victims realise what has happened. Reports began climbing steadily from March and spiked in July and September when many people review their investments, move money into new products or check their returns ahead of the new financial year.

As part of wider fraud‑prevention work, we are urging the public to take simple steps to protect themselves.

  • Before making any investment, use the FCA’s firm checker tool, to confirm whether a firm or individual is authorised. The tool can be accessed via the FCA website and is one of the most effective ways to avoid cloned firms and bogus advisers.
  • We encourage anyone considering an investment to be cautious of unsolicited messages, adverts promising unusually high returns, or requests to keep the offer “confidential”.
  • You can also contact the Financial Conduct Authority’s consumer helpline on 0800 111 6768 or report suspicious businesses or individuals by using the reporting form on their website.

Any suspicious activity should be reported to Report Fraud as soon as possible at www.reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, victims of fraud and cybercrime should report to Police Scotland on 101.

By R.D.R.A., ago