Note that Alice Goodman’s research also revealed where the above are buried or commemorated on another memorial. For example, Frederick Fellows is commemorated on the famous Menin Gate at Ypres, France. Copies of her book can be obtained from Paul Harding of SAHAAS (price £4.00), telephone 839577. Going West (again) In the last Newsletter, we reported a spectacular pile-up in the Street (outside No.7) when a car going west down the Street collided with parked cars, with 5 cars altogether being damaged. This was in August, but a separate incident occurred in early September, when a BMW mounted the pavement, demolishing the lamp-post outside No.18 and the iron bollard outside No.20. An attempt by the driver to leave the scene ended in failure due to damage to his steering and his car ended up on the pavement outside No.15, on the opposite side of the road. Fortunately, there were no personal injuries, though police and ambulance were called by residents, many of whom had gathered in the Street (some in pyjamas – it was around midnight) having heard the impact. The road was blocked in both directions for some time until a break-down vehicle arrived to remove the debris. The bollard was promptly replaced by Herts Highways. In January, a new post for the lamp was put up, but was so modern in appearance that the Association asked the Planning Department of St.Albans Council to check that the final result would be in keeping with the Conservation Area. Meanwhile the Association has renewed its representations that the Street should be subject to a 20mph speed limit, in the belief that a lower limit will lessen the likelihood of further such incidents. A 20mph limit is now being requested by numerous residents’ associations and similar bodies in the Conservation Area. Licensing Forum The Association was represented at the Licensing Forum held at the Council Offices on 10th December 2007. Such forums are held approximately twice a year and are usually attended by Councillors and Council Officials, police, representatives of residents’ associations and the ‘licensed trade’. There have been no applications for new or variations of licenses for premises in or likely to affect the Street since the last Newsletter and the Association has not recently been made aware of any serious problems affecting residents. Advice is always to seek to resolve any such problems by an approach to the licensee. Many of them belong to ‘Pubwatch’, an organisation which seeks to ensure that so far as possible, no such problems arise. Representatives of the licensed trade reported that generally there has been a drop in trade since the ban on smoking in pubs came into force on 1st July 2007. It has however had the effect of driving smokers into the street and/or pub gardens, which can sometimes give rise to residents’ complaints, e.g. about noise. It has also caused an increase in the number of premises wishing to put tables and chairs outside on the pavement. Consent for this is required from Herts Highways, not the Council. The Council has been reviewing its Licensing Policy and is expected to publish its revised policy early in 2008. All that is known at the moment is that the Council is not minded to take into account the ‘cumulative impact’ of granting a licence application, i.e. that there are already more than enough licensed premises in a particular locality. The Association had asked them to do so and it was pointed out at the Forum that a planning committee of the Council had recently rejected an application to turn 2 some retail premises in Verulam Road into a restaurant (change of use from A1 to A3) on the ground that the area was already ‘saturated’ with restaurants. Thus it seemed that the policies on Licensing and Planning were at variance. Concern was expressed generally about the growing trend in the City for restaurants to take the place of shops. This is causing anxiety to other retailers because the night-time economy does not generate ‘footfall’ (and therefore trade) during the hours that shops are normally open. Some of the shops’ problems were due, it was claimed, to a switch in shopping habits to the internet and difficulties in parking in or near the town centre. Nevertheless the Saturday Market, it was claimed, was busier than ever. The other main topic was the steps planned by the police, the Council and the licensed trade to try to minimise alcohol-related problems over the Christmas and New Year period. By the time you read this, we shall know how successful those efforts have been. Your Committee Anne Valentine (formerly at No.4) has left the Committee, having moved to Heritage Close, off the High Street. We thank her for her work on the Committee, especially for her efforts in monitoring traffic in the Street. We would like to fill this vacancy and new members are always welcome. If you would like to help please contact James Evans, Chairman of the Association, at No.6, Tel: 853064, email: james.evans39@btinternet.com 2008 Subscriptions 2008 subscriptions are now due and you should have received the Association’s pamphlet, reminding you of the Association’s objectives and how it works. £5-00 covers all adult members of a household. To renew your subscription or join afresh, contact Madeleine Sansom (No.124, telephone 864761). Postman Andrew Andrew was duly married at St.Michael’s Manor Hotel in November. The Association gave him and his wife a present of cash to mark the occasion and residents’ appreciation of his work. A card of thanks has been received from Andrew and his wife, Janet. Verulamium Park Project The Association was formally invited to become a ‘partner’ with the Council and other bodies in the preparation of the bid that is going to be made to try to secure lottery funding for improvements to Verulamium Park. We thank Madeleine Sansom (No.124), Treasurer of the Association, for representing the Association at the numerous meetings that preparation of the bid involves. The Association is of course only one of many contributing to the discussion and, apart from this, its principal task is to help with communicating information to members as to what is happening. In this connection, it is suggested that members regularly access the web-site of the Friends of Verulamium Park at www.fvp.org.uk It is planned that an initial bid by the Council for £2m will be made to the Heritage Lottery Fund in March 2008. The Council is being assisted in the preparation of the bid by The Landscape Partnership. It is anticipated that the bid will seek to prioritise what needs to be done, with emphasis on refurbishment of the lakes and river and tree and hedgerow planting to replace those lost. A controversial issue may be the creation of cycle paths. The Association is strongly of the opinion that, if created, they must be kept entirely separate from paths used by pedestrians. Strictly speaking, cycling is currently banned in Verulamium Park altogether, a prohibition unfortunately ignored by a section of the cycling fraternity. Combined Societies Meeting Various residents’ associations and other similar groups meet about every 6 months to discuss matters of common concern and exchange information. The last meeting was held on 15th October and the Association was represented by Committee Member, Jenny Berryman (No.92). Jenny reports that the main topic was excessive speed in the Conservation Area and the Combined Societies will be 3 supporting the Association’s request for a 20mph limit. There is a strong feeling that the usual 30mph limit for so-called ‘built up areas’ is now hopelessly out-of-date, partly due to the much greater number of cars on the road. Problems of enforcement will doubtless remain, but a lower limit should help to remind drivers to moderate their speed. Planning - No.87 House on left (No.87) proposed for demolition, with new larger house to be built on site Garage on left proposed for demolition. Inspector decided replacement garage in garden to rear would adversely affect of amenity of house to right (No.89) The Inspector said he considered that the main issues were (i) the effect of the proposals on the character or appearance of the Conservation Area (ii) the effect on the setting of nearby listed buildings (iii) the effect on the living conditions of nearby residents. On (i) the Inspector found that the effect would be adverse. On (ii) he considered there would be no adverse effects. On (iii) he considered that only the living conditions of No.89 would be adversely effected, mainly because the new garage proposed (at the rear of the garden of No.87) would be overbearing from the rear garden of No.89. Although pleased at the outcome, other objectors were surprised that the Inspector did not consider that No.85 in particular would suffer any loss of privacy, nor indeed any other neighbouring properties, particularly those opposite. The Inspector accepted that the outlook from these houses would change but noted that ‘it is not a function of the planning system to protect private views’. It remains to be seen whether the applicants, a company called Fieldquick Ltd based in St.Albans, will submit revised applications once they have considered the Inspector’s findings. Planning – No.122, The House No.122 is Bank House, former residence of the late Ruth Pickles. Following her death, the property was sold. Oakbridge Homes Ltd of Redbourn omHapplied for permission to make a single storey rear extension, new lantern rooflight and certain alterations to openings. The Association commented that it was concerned about a potential loss of trees and hoped that a way could be found to avoid this. The Council has now granted the application for the building work but states, in its adjudication, that ‘this permission does not extend to the removal of the cherry trees adjacent to the eastern elevation’. It notes that the site is in the Conservation Area ‘wherein consent is required to fell trees’. The applicant has been told to discuss this question with the Council’s Landscape Department. The grant of the application for the building work is subject to a number of conditions, particularly to do 4 with approval of materials to be used and finishes, but it does also stipulate that the applicant does have to get Council approval for how the roots of existing trees shall be protected during excavation works for foundations etc. Planning – No.122, Land at rear When Bank House was sold, it was offered in two lots, basically the house and garden in one lot, and some adjoining land in another. A separate application (also by Oakbridge Homes) has now been made in respect of the adjoining land at the rear of the house. This is for ‘two detached five bedroom dwellings with detached garages’. This second application was advertised in the Review of 26th December last and any representations about it needed to be made by 17th January 2008. The Association has not been made aware of any great concern by residents of the Street, to which there will be no new access, the two houses being accessed from King’s Road and Offa Road respectively. The Association’s Website Committee Member Simon Gleadall (No.70) runs this site: www.fishpool-street.com , but may not have been able to give it his usual attention lately. His house suffered serious water damage from a cistern which leaked badly while he and his family were away and so was not detected until their return. Simon and his family have had to move to temporary accommodation in Holywell Hill while repairs are done. Commiserations, Simon. The Lower Orchard This is the property of St.Albans School, with access on the South side of the Street, opposite the Lower Red Lion. Collaboration between the Association and the School, through its Estate Bursar (Jason Robb) has led to some extensive planting of shrubs etc on the right hand side of the entrance (as seen from the Lower Red) which it is hoped will improve the street-scene. Planting was done by some Committee Members and boys from the School, as part of their participation in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. Thanks in particular to Committee Member, Anthony Oliver (No.17), for liaising with the School on this and getting things organised. As a goodwill gesture, the Association made a donation of £50 towards the cost of new plants. Coach bays on Romeland Hill The Association continues to press the Council to amend the rules so that the bays can be used by others, when not required by school coaches. At the moment, the bays are reserved for school coaches on a 24/7 basis throughout the year. Everyone (including St.Albans School) agrees that this is unnecessary, since there are large parts of the year when the school is on holiday and there are no coaches. Even when the term is on, there are periods in the day, when they are not required for school coaches, and the Association has suggested that outside weekends and 8.00am to 9.30am and 3.30pm to 6.30pm Mondays to Fridays inclusive, the bays should be available to other users, whether residents, visitors to the Abbey or those wishing to shop in the town. Given the City’s retailers plea that parking problems partly account for a decline in trade, one would have thought that the Council would have decided to ease the restrictions as a matter of some urgency. As it is, the discussion has been dragging on for months. Councillor Martin Frearson, one of the three Verulam Ward Councillors, has written to the Association, saying that he supports our initiative. A meeting with the Council has been requested to try to sort this out once and for all. We can but hope. Hoe and Trowel Group In 2008, the above Group will meet at the Ford Garden at St.Michael’s Bridge on the following dates (all Saturdays), from 10.30am to 12 noon:16th February; 15th March; 12th April; 17th May, 14th June; 19th July; 16th August; 20th September; 18th October and 15th November. We would very much like to welcome other volunteers who would be willing to spend an hour or so helping – no special green fingered expertise is needed. Please phone Madeleine Sansom on 846761 for further information. Madeleine Sansom’s report on the 2007 activities of the Group states: ‘This year the shrubs put on an enormous amount of growth due to the wet weather so a lot of pruning has been done. In addition we got permission from Andrew Branch, St.Albans District Council’s Tree and Woodlands Officer to reduce the height of the two yew trees on the site. They block the light which is also limited in the garden. The complicated work up ladders with long handled loppers and saws was done by Anthony Oliver (No.17). 5 The Committee has agreed to £50 being spent by the Hoe and Trowel Group so we can diversify the planting further Sign Clutter COME TO TEA ON SUNDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2008 Instead of the Ploughman’s Lunch, this year, for a change, the Association invites you to tea at 3.30pm on Sunday 24th February 2008 at St.Michael’s Parish Centre. The cost will be £3.50 per adult, £1.50 per child or £10.00 for parents and up to 4 children. The tea will be preceded by a short (optional) walk (probably in Verulamium Park) for those so inclined. Intending walkers should meet at the Puddingstone (outside Kingsbury Mill) at 2.30pm. If you are interested please apply to Madeleine Sansom (No.124, Tel: 846761) by Tuesday 19th February 2008 using the tear-off form on page 8. Voluntary Tree Warden Scheme The Council wants volunteers to be Tree Wardens. They say ‘Tree Wardening is a way for volunteers to play an active role in championing their local treescape’. Volunteers can get involved in activities ranging from collecting information about local trees to practical projects such as planting and caring for trees and encouraging others to value their local trees and woods. They will be organising training sessions. If interested, contact David Curry of the Trees and Woodlands Section at St.Albans and District Council at the Civic Centre, St.Peter’s Street, St.Albans AL1 3JE. His direct line is (01727) 819372 or email treewardens@stalbans.gov.uk 6 Police P.C. Snook is the Ward Constable for Verulam Ward. His is assisted by P.C.S.O. Jill Brown. The Association attended a Police Ward Meeting on 1st November 2007, which P.C.Snook chaired. Many of the problems in the Ward occur in or around Verulamium Park and/or the Abbey Orchard, often involving young people and alcohol – not a good combination. The Street itself has not suffered much in the last few months, but residents were warned about the prevalence in the area of thefts from cars, often SatNavs. In the area generally, between 1st August and 31st October, there were 18 thefts from motor vehicles, 1 robbery and 1 assault, 4 burglaries (2 residential, 2 at business premises). The Police reported 4 traffic accidents all in Fishpool Street. The Association again requested support for a 20mph limit, but Councillor Bob Clarkson, County Councillor for St.Albans South, who was at the meeting, was rather cautious on this issue on grounds of cost and competing priorities for the County Council, of which Herts Highways (who would decide this) are part. However a consultation document will shortly be issued about transport in St.Albans and we shall see if our campaign has made any progress. Neighbourhood Watch The Association supports the above scheme, which is active throughout Hertfordshire and regularly liaises with Ken Lane, the Watch Liaison Officer, who is based at St.Albans Police Station in Victoria Street. His e-mail is ken.lane@herts.pnn.police.uk and his ‘phone number is 796087. As previously advised, NW alerts are now best received by e-mail or, if you don’t have it, by telephone, via the OWL system. Residents of the Street were circulated last year as to how to get connected to OWL and many did so. If you did not do so at the time, it is not too late to do so now. For details, contact James Evans (No.6) Tel: 853064. You are reminded that Street coordinators no longer circulate NW alerts, so if you do not sign up, it is assumed that you do not wish to receive them. OWL has an excellent web-site (www.owl.co.uk) which has recently been awarded a prize for excellence. However, you need a password to access it. Again details from James Evans as above. Recent alerts have included: (a) A request to residents to report suspicious activity in the vicinity of churches, due to a spate of damage and thefts, often of metal (e.g. lead roofing), which commands high prices on the scrap market, due to high demand, notably from China. (b) Renewed warnings about distraction burglaries and against admitting unverified visitors. (The advice is ‘If in doubt, shut them out’). These can take numerous forms such as people posing as meter inspectors or other staff of utility companies, police officers or even, they say, representatives of Neighbourhood Watch! Clearly nothing is sacred. (c) Advice that building sites or empty houses being renovated can suffer damage and/or theft if machinery and/or materials are not made secure. Fishpool Street is fortunate in usually being a low crime area, so don’t panic. If you do see a crime in progress, dial 999. If it is less urgent, dial 0845 3300222. To report something anonymously, dial 0800 555 111, which is the ‘Crimestoppers’ line. The current NW coordinators in the Street are James Evans (No.6, tel: 853064); Anthony Eilers (No.38, tel:811614); Madeleine Sansom (No.124, tel: 846761); Graham Branch (No.164, tel: 730668); Sian and Stuart Bates (No.184, tel: 842554); Geoff Kirk (No.137, tel: 858236).The Association plans to be represented at a County-wide NW Conference to be held at Sandringham School on 23rd February 2008. New Waste and Recycling Collection Services Residents will soon be receiving a leaflet from St.Albans and District Council explaining the above. Please read it carefully and note that there are contact details on the final page (‘phone, e-mail, web-site etc) where you can get queries answered. Note that from February 2008 the Council will be extending its collection of glass for recycling. Also that you will receive black bags for your use ‘in bulk’, instead of weekly. From September 2008, the Council will be issuing wheeled bins, but not to Fishpool Street and certain other streets in the Conservation Area, since few people there have anywhere to put them. There will still be weekly collections, but different things from one week to another. One week green waste will be collected. You will still have your reusable green bag for this (and you can get a second one on application to the Council). In addition to green waste, you will also be able to put food waste and cardboard in these bags. (You will also be able to get a ‘kitchen caddy’ from the Council to use for food waste, if you wish). On the same day, the Council will also collect paper, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, tins and cans. You will have a box for these. In the second week, there will be a black bag collection. This is for landfill waste only. This includes food waste. Yes, it is complicated, but we must try to make it work. The objective is to increase recycling and to reduce land-fill. 7 Dr. Donald Buttress, LVO, D.Litt, MA, FSA, ARIBA Photograph: John Bethell Since moving to St.Albans, Donald has been active in local affairs including a stint as Chairman of the Friends of St.Michael’s Church and President of the Baconian Club of St.Albans, a local ‘discussion group’ which meets in the winter months to hear talks by distinguished speakers. The star-turn during Donald’s Presidency was Sir Roy Strong, who Donald had got to know through his work. His subject? ‘Coronations’ for which the venue is of course Westminster Abbey. Ann Bateson We regret to report that Ann Bateson of 18 Fishpool Street died on 30th December 2007. She was the wife of Fergus Bateson of the same address, a retired solicitor, and had lived at No.18 for many years. She had been in ill-health for some time. A Funeral Service was held at the United Reformed Church in Homewood Road, St.Albans on Tuesday 15th January 2008. Sincere condolences to Fergus and his family. TEA ON SUNDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2008 AT 3.30pm To Madeleine Sansom, 124 Fishpool Street From No:.……………. Fishpool Street Name(s):…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Please reserve ……………….. places for adults @ £3.50 each Please reserve ……………….. places for children @ £1.50 each Note that parents and up to 4 children can come for £10.00 I enclose cash/cheque (payable to Fishpool Street Residents’ Association) for the relevant amount. We shall/shall not join the preceding walk at 2.30pm Newsletter prepared by Rosie Cinicolo, No.154, 864473. 8 www.fishpool-street.com NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2008