This and that with a local flavour.
Links to some current local issues:
Of course the scene above is not a run down Moscow suburb, or a dilapidated corner of Detroit, it's right here in the world's second Garden City. It's the view that welcomes anyone one who gets off the train at the station, and stops to take in the ambience. Not a great welcome is it! Would it inspire you to discover the delights of the town? Probably not. A derelict factory site hinting at some former economic glory, nestles behind a decrepit rusting bridge that in most towns would have been deemed unfit for use many years ago.
Even the bridge at Hatfield station is better than this, although that station of course still has no lift, not sure how the less able are supposed to manage. For a University town Hatfield station does seem vastly underwhelming. But WGC station, as above, does also offer an awful post industrial vista. A replacement bridge has been under discussion for years, but of course nobody wants to pay for it. I would speculate that Tesco might, but only on condition there was a large Tesco glued onto the Eastern end, not sure we want that either.
Considering that this railway bridge is a main thoroughfare into the shopping centre you might think those concerned with the centre, and the Train Operating Company would see the benefit of an aesthetically pleasing replacement bridge and strike up a deal, alas not.
If you showed this picture to old Ebenezer Howard, I'm sure he'd be very disappointed that his vision for the Garden City now looks like the polluted poorer parts of London he was trying hard to elevate people out of, 90 years ago this year. There is much to celebrate in Welwyn Garden City 90 years on from foundation, but as this picture shows, neglect also now takes it's place as a feature of the town.
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Like anywhere Welwyn Hatfield suffers its share of crime. We all live to a greater or lesser extent in fear of crime. Whether it’s remembering to shut the windows when we go out, or being too frightened to go out at night. The media has for years run scare stories about how at risk we all are, and how it was better in the old days. Out of curiosity I found some recent crime data for Welwyn Hatfield, see below.
Comparing 6 months in 2008 to the same 6 months in 2009.
The data from Herts Constabulary, publicly available, can be seen below:
You might want to bin it. There are a lot of clothing collection operations, some are genuine charities and some are not. This one is leafleting in the area this week and has been pursued by the Advertising Standards Agency .
The Daily Mirror said of Rutex last month:
Here's another example of that favourite Lithuanian scam, the bogus charity clothing collection. Fliers stuffed through letter-boxes pleaded: "Not everyone and especially young families can afford to buy new often expensive clothes, shoes and household things."
It went on to ask you to "kindly donate" clothes, towels,handbags, soft toys and shoes.The Advertising Standards Authority ruled this week that this broke the rules on truthfulness because it implied the collection was for charity.
In fact the clothes are collected by Rutex Ltd, run by a 41-year-old Lithuanian called Gintaras Ragauskas, who ignored the watchdog's questions.
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You can read the ASA case HERE
Also the term "Third World" is no longer applicable. Since the second world disappeared (The Eastern Bloc) in the 90's the term has fallen by the wayside. No charity worth it's salt would use that term anymore, the correct term is now "Developing Countries".
If you live in Welwyn Hatfield and want to donate clothing to a very good cause Oxfam has a large clothing warehouse in Mundells, WGC (opposite Predator) You can drop clothes and other items off six days a week.
Or if you have a lot they can come to you (01707 330776).
Worth remembering the next time you clear out that wardrobe!
Local nature watch September 09
A Sparrowhawk does exactly what it says on the tin!
Having our say about the future of Welwyn Hatfield
The East of England regional assembly (not a quango, as it is at pains to point out) has launched a consultation to glean the public's view on how the region should be developed between now and 2031. This of course is closely linked to the proposals for 15,000 new homes which was challenged by Herts County Council successfully in the High Court. More on that outcome HERE. It appears that the plan will now be "repaired" presumably excluding the proposed housing numbers for our borough, but let's see. Of course housing is needed in our borough, but it was the lack of supporting infrastructure, scale, and choice of locations that was at issue.
Interestingly EERA will cease to exist next year, to be replaced by the EEDA, the East of England Development agency. Whether that will be any less or any more locally representative of our borough remains to be seen.
The public consultation runs until 24 November 2009, and is about a lot more than housing, hopefully Welwyn Hatfield residents will make their views known.********
Finally, an article appeared about this consultation in last week's Welwyn & Hatfield Times, but their was no actual link to the documents given. The above is aimed at helping people have a say about how they would like the borough, and the region develop.If we don't comment, then we'll only have ourselves to blame in years to come, if things happen which degrade our quality of life, and are not in the best interests of the majority of local residents.
Stanborough car parks consultation
Details of the results can be found in the Stanborough poplars section above.
Download the information leaflet HERE.
Saturday was Kaleidoscope Festival day a Stanborough Lakes, despite the uncertain weather the event had a large turnout, and it looked as though a good time was had by all. The event seems to go from strength to strength, and draw quite a cross section of people and stall holders from Welwyn Hatfield and beyond. A wide range of local good causes and interest groups came along to engage with people, and the new Mayor was spotted floating around the stalls for a while.
Here are just a few pictures from the day, to get a flavour of the event:
Here's a small clip from the performance of the Zimbabwe Youth Dance Troupe, very good they were too:
Our towns clearly enjoy summer days in the park like this!
See the event website here: www.kalfest.org.uk
Finesse Leisure want our views...
Finesse who manage leisure facilities on behalf of the council have a new survey form which aims to glean some feedback on what residents think of the services they provide. There is a PDF version, and an online version:
Note that the deadline seems to be wrong on the PDF version, it is in fact July 31st.
The survey is by no means exhaustive and only takes a couple of minutes to complete, it's not very substantive at all in fact. But it's worth doing as there can never be any harm on commenting on how things are run on our behalf (and with our money) in Welwyn Hatfield.
Funday event to support SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Families Association)
- Presented by Predator Motorsport, at Mundells WGC.
This event, the brainchild of one man (Mr Colin Fitch), seemingly organised at short notice took place today, and what a turnout! The weather was perfect, parking didn't seem to be an issue and the event was packed with local residents enjoying something different on a Sunday. The event was to raise funds in support of the SSAFA, you can find out all about them here: www.ssafa.org.uk and if you wanted to donate today, but didn't manage to, you can do so by clicking HERE.
Anybody who has watched the recent TV documentaries such as "Ross Kemp in Afghanistan" will have an idea what our forces personel go through when on active service, and what many have to endure for the rest of their lives if injured, on their return. SSAFA seems like a very worthy cause to me. As we've seen with the case of Ghurka's recently, the government doesn't seem to bend over backwards to help those that have fought on behalf of this country.
Anyway, below are a selction of pictures from the day. Not great pics, but hopefully a taster of the day. This is the first time I can ever recall an event down by the lagoon, hats off to Mr Fitch for cutting through the red tape which no doubt sought to entwine him at every turn, and prevent the whole thing. It seemed like a good day was had by all!
There were even portaloo's for that "festival" experience!
Royal Artillery Display Team.
A stroll by the Lagoon
Black Knights Parachute Display team
A stunt pilot puts on a show.
All in all a great day which went off well in this quite unusual location. Hopefully this may even spur on other events in the town, the thousands who attended proved there is clearly enough demand for such good happenings.
If you have other pictures, or comments on the day they can also be posted here. Just send to info@welwynhatfield.co.uk
The car parking racket!
Current inflation figures show that the Retail Price Index in February was 0% (RPI does not include housing).
The Consumer Price Index inflation rate was 3%. The interest rates being offered by banks are a couple of percent at most, and mortgage rates are the lowest on record. The cost of living is expected to fall in the coming year, but not everywhere!
Our council puts up it's parking charges in a weeks time. The charges in long stay car parks will rise, hitting once again commuters who suffered well above inflation train ticket price rises in January.
The new prices are:
£2 a day on Saturdays - a 100% price rise. Although Sunday is not mentioned we presume it's now free on Sundays.
£4.30 a day during the week - a 7.5% price rise, over double the CPI inflation rate.
So in an age of falling prices and record low inflation rates WHBC would like us to dig a little deeper into our pockets to help them out.
These prices apply to Osborne Way and Campus East car parks. These parking prices have been going up by well above inflation for at least 5 years as I recall, you would think though that in the current financial climate WHBC would reflect the world around them and back off a bit, but alas no.
It's also worth noting the new car park in WGC, on Broadwater along from Topps Tiles (at the back of Roche). It's £1.50 all day and is attended, much better value if a slightly longer walk to the station.
A Muntjack deer spotted!
Spring is in the air, these frogs were spotted basking in the sun at the Commons Nature Reserve recently.
Rivetting eh? Another one tomorrow!
More pictures to follow, find out more about the threatened reserve HERE and HERE.
Broadwater Road Development
Spenhill the "regeneration subsidy of Tesco"
Spenhill/Tesco are in town presenting thier vision of WGC town centre, the plan to develop the former Shredded Wheat site and more. I visited the exhibition today where a gaggle of sharp suited executive types are on hand to discuss the proposal with the public. It's a very professional presentation and whats notable by its absence is the Tesco branding. The proposed new Tesco is just over 20% smaller than the Oldings Hatfield Tesco, that's a big store!
Although the argument is the store will act as a big draw which will benefit all of the towns other retailers, i'd like to hear what those retailers think about that. Particularly the struggling independents.
This development could be the largest change to occur in WGC town centre since its founding. This will no doubt be a contentious and drawn out affair.
I hope that people will take the time to find out what's being proposed and make their views known, to the council as well as Tesco/Spenhill.
Spenhill/Tesco launched their new website about it today, its very sleek as you would expect. You can see all the details and have your say on it, the site is HERE.
Sunday 8th Feb, a kestrel taking a break near Tewin...
It was spotted in a tree about 15 foot off the ground, it's not often you get this close. Presumably fields covered in snow makes a meal harder to catch.
Male or Female, does anybody know?
Art in our midst, with famous connections...
Many of us (me included) often walk around taking little notice of whatever public art might be dotted around. We don’t have much in our borough so it’s easy to miss. Wandering across the Campus roundabout recently, opposite the library, I stopped to appreciate this sculpture, called "Ad Astra":
It may not be everybody’s cup of tea but what famous connections it has. The phrase Ad Astra is Latin meaning “To the stars” hence the heavenly gaze I suppose. What is more fascinating about this piece is the creator. Kathleen Scott was the wife of the polar explorer “Scott of the Antarctic”, and was married to him when he perished on his way back from the south pole in 1912, after having been beaten to the pole by Roald Amundsen. She was classically trained in Paris and was a friend of the famous sculptor Rodin, she also has works exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery.
Kathleen Scott and Robert "Scott of the antarctic"
Thermal insulation, mother nature style!
December 30th 9:00AM.It was sub zero all night and much of the day. Not a problem for this chirpy chappy who hopped around the garden in search of food all morning. The secret to keeping warm isn't Gor-tex, it's feathers and spindly legs!
Merry Christmas from Cameroon. I've been following the exploits of a British charity worker in Cameroon for sometime. He recently posted this festive and excellent short video on his blog, couldn't resist passing it on through this page.
See and listen to it HERE, certainly gets you in the Christmas spirit!
Christmas Cheer!
On the left is one of the two spectacular Christmas trees in WGC town centre. Yes, you can detect the irony in the foregoing. The other tree on the Campus is better, but not impressively so. It's good that we these trees of course, although green campaigners have reason to disagree. Without the sponsorship of a supermarket I wonder if we'd get anything at all? Or perhaps a pint sized plastic thing freshly arrived from China. I'm sure that in years gone by our Christmas trees were more impressive though, more lavishly decorated, just more everything really. The army of trees on parade outside John Lewis is impressive as ever by night, but they've had the same display for many years now and its looking a bit tired, in need of an "extreme makover" in the parlance of junk TV.
So what of Christmas displays around the towns this year? It looks to me like they have got more in Hatfield this year than last. After the way things have panned out in Hatfield this year that's the least they could do. As for peoples houses, it looks to me like there are generally less displays than last year. As electricity is on average 40% more expensive this year that's not too suprising. The "Mothership" of displays on Heronswood road is knowhere to be seen 
. There are though some good ones tucked away, around Attimore road and a very elaborate affair that looks like something out of Willy Wonka in Panshanger, near the airfield. It's great that so many people still take the time to put up displays and spice up an otherwise dull and dismal time of the year.
If anyone has a picture of their display they want to share please email it and it will be put here on the site.
Not long now to the orgy of Turkey and TV, I read with horror that we'll even be treated to Noel Edmunds at a children's hospital in an offensive jumper on Christmas morning - it's 1971 all over again.
A quick reminder for the men out there; only four more days until you have go out and buy your presents after work on Christmas eve. Why not get in early this year, nip out at lunchtime and beat the rush!
Well done them! More about the players HERE..
A resumption of the development still looks a
long way off according to reports.
The Town and Country Planning Association has compiled a very interesting document concerning Garden Cities and how they should evolve going forward. Welwyn Garden City features quite heavily and several very good recommendations are made about how the integrity of our Garden City should be protected.
You can read the document here: Garden City Settlements (2.7Mb)
Comment on this or anything else welcome at info@welwynhatfield.co.uk
e Town and Country Planning Association has compiled a very interesting document concerning Garden Cities and how they should evolve going forward. Welwyn Garden City features quite heavily and several very good recommendations are made about how the integrity of our Garden City should be protected.
You can read the document here: Garden City Settlements (2.7Mb)
Comment on this or anything else
welcome at
info@welwynhatfield.co.uk
Snow in Welwyn Hatfield in October?
The first time since 1974 apparently!
Ramblings with a local flavour
An autumnal hue covers our towns, opening the door to winter...
Conkers from Bridge Road.
The end of Roche on Broadwater road, a deconstructed view:
Taken at the beginning of the month this edifice is now all gone. Note the guy scaling the chimney, and in close up below:
One of the towns former major employers being reduced to rubble:
The long view:
How long until the chimney comes down? RIP Fred Dibnah.
Ramblings with a local flavour.
Pretty in Pink?
You might also be interested in this local blog, unspecified ramblings with a local flavour:
If you use the excellent Google earth see us here: WelwynHatfield.kmz
A reminder of the glory
days when Hatfield had a live entertainment venue:
Demolished in the year 2000, with structural
problems and competion from the multiplex at the Galleria being blamed. What about the cars...Morris 1100, a Chevette,
and is that a Lotus Elan tucked in at the back?
Did you know Sir Frederic Osborne (1875-1978) a founder of WGC was a sometime poet!
Here is a verse of his published in 1959 which is quite illuminating and possibly a response to criticisms about the town. Particularly the higher than elsewhere price of food and other goods.
"How glorious shops are here." I cried
"With goods and goodness crammed"
"You think we are the blest?" They sighed.
"You're wrong: We are the damned"
It could be argued that as clone town Britain extends into WGC these lines still have some resonance today.
As trees have been a local talking point of late here is a nice quote from Humphry Repton in 1803:
‘The man of science
and of taste will…. discover the beauties in a tree, which the others would
condemn for its decay…’
Humphry Repton was a famous landscape gardener who lived from 1752 to 1818, one of his designs was the former Panshanger house on the B1000 near Hertford where Lafarge gravel extraction now is. Here is a picture of his Panshanger House "pleasure garden" from 1799:
There are many challenges facing our towns. The hope is that this site will develop into a platform for local (non-commercial) information, or links to other sites holding useful information. It will also serve as a portal for those who want to get involved and exercise their democratic right to have a say in how our towns evolve, and how social problems might be addressed. It is politically impartial and not for profit, the over-riding aim is make our area a better place to live, both socially and environmentally.
Send your ideas and comments to: info@welwynhatfield.co.uk
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