The Review, news from St Albans, Harpenden, Welwyn and Hatfield
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Welcome to a special section of this website focussing exclusively on Hatfield and its surrounding villages. It is supported by a team of community correspondents proud of Hatfield's heritage and determined to bring you special reports, interviews, features, letters, pictures and videos that keep you fully informed of the major issues happening in the town and nearby. Please scroll down to see all our categories below ↓ |
Editorial:Town Centre Portas Pilot Bid FailsThe 12 Portas Pilot winners of £100k cash prizes were officially announced on Saturday. Hatfield wasn’t among them but there were 358 other losers too. But before anybody gets too despondent, local MP and Government Minister, Grant Shapps, has just announced a further 15 winners will be revealed in July. Perhaps Hatfield will be one of them? Whilst Hatfield didn’t make the shortlist either, Mr Shapps is suggesting that we “sharpen our bid”. This shouldn’t be too difficult considering our poor first attempt! Borough Council leader John Dean said the loss was “bitterly disappointing”. But he is the man accused of politically hijacking Hatfield’s scheme by nominating a fellow Tory to lead the Hatfield bid in the run-up to the Council elections earlier this month. The upshot was that the whole process became a charade with far too many people involved, with far too many suggestions put forward. This overkill diluted the perfectly deliverable business plan already put in place by Labour Councillor Archer. Perhaps the adage ‘change for the sake of change’ is apt on this occasion? But the really stunning news came from Stevenage on Friday; their plans for a £250 million regeneration of their town centre was scrapped. The reason is being blamed upon the “continuing adverse economic conditions.”Well, we in Hatfield have heard that before! Four years ago Mr Dean’s borough council were still peddling the myth that Hatfield’s town centre was about to be redeveloped in the run-up to the council elections in May 2008. But whilst it had already been scrapped, they didn’t reveal the news until a day or so after the elections. Then, over a year ago, the same council announced the start of ‘Phase One’ of a much reduced version for a new Hatfield town centre. 14 months later all we’ve seen is the demolition of a former pub, and the announcement that bakers Simmons will move 20 yards across White Lion Square to an existing shop premises. But worryingly, as the same economic conditions that have just hit Stevenage affect us, should we now expect further bad news for our redevelopment plans here in Hatfield? Perhaps this Portas Pilot 2nd round competition is our only hope! Mike Watts, Community Editor Neighbourhood Watch:Hatfield House: Jubilee Beacon Day - Monday 4 June 2012
7:01pm Friday 25th May 2012 Thousands of beacons will be lit around the world on 4th June 2012, including at Hatfield House, to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen's 60 year reign over the UK and as Head of the Commonwealth. Our beacon will be lit at 10.01pm... Bikes stolen during burglary in Welwyn Garden City
8:41pm Tuesday 29th May 2012 Police are appealing for information and witnesses after two motorcycles were stolen in.... |
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News & Views:Hatfield Incinerator: HCC To Be Scrutinised Over £7.5m Plan To Clear Site
9:31pm Tuesday 29th May 2012 Herts County Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee have decided to examine some of the finances of the planned New Barnfield incinerator in their future work programme. However, this will happen only after... Fire doesn't stop Oliver Cromwell from steaming through Hatfield
12:40pm Tuesday 29th May 2012 Oliver Cromwell was due through Hatfield station around 09.55am on Sunday 27th May but due to an incident at.... Hatfield Against Incinerator: Blimp Seen For Miles
9:36pm Tuesday 29th May 2012 Last Friday Veolia flew a “blimp” or balloon from the New Barnfield site, to indicate the height of the proposed incinerator. The pink balloon indicated the height of the flues, and the pennant part way down the string indicated the height of the dome... Hope For A Tidier Hatfield: Fines For Rubbish Left In Gardens
10:11am Tuesday 22nd May 2012 The Government has introduced a new rule in an effort to stop householders leaving unsightly rubbish like old cookers, settees and pizza boxes in their front gardens. The Community Protection Notice means that on-the-spot fines of £100... Events & Sport:Hatfield's Mercantile Miller of Mill Green
6:36pm Sunday 27th May 2012 Dave Knight, Mill Green’s Miller, is himself a local product: born in WGC, schooled in Hatfield. His career began in retail, and he became manager of Martin’s newsagents... Cycle With Us To The Herts Steam Rally At Smallford
11:17am Friday 25th May 2012 This WHCF led ride will start from Hatfield and WGC to ride to the Herts Steam Engine Preservation Society steam rally in Smallford on 9th & 10th June 2012. |
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