North Mymms News: October 2019

Local footpath closed due to dangerous bridge

Walkers are advised to find alternative routes

The footbridge along Essendon footpath 16 crossing over Wildhill Brook
Image by North Mymms News released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

A footbridge on a public right of way that features on six routes on our local walks site, Hertfordshire Walker, has been closed due to safety concerns. Walkers are advised to avoid the bridge until it’s repaired.

11 incidents of ‘violence and sexual offences’

Herts police, image courtesy of Hertfordshire Constabulary

The September 2019 crime figures for North Mymms show that 49 incidents were reported during the month, one more than in August.

There were 27 reported crimes in the Welham Green area, and 12 reported crimes in the Brookmans Park area.

Proposed closure on hold until more data is gathered

The entrance to the Urgent Care Centre at the QEII in Welwyn Garden City
Photograph by North Mymms News released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

A recent questionnaire about the proposed closure of overnight services at the QEII Urgent Care Centre (UCC) in Welwyn Garden City drew more than 900 responses, according to local health officials.

Of those who filled in the survey, 58% disagreed with a proposal to close the centre between 10pm and 8am.

Public asked to photograph offending vehicles

Driver blocks pedestrian route on Bluebridge Road, Brookmans Park

Image by North Mymms News released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

An increase in “inappropriate parking” has led Welwyn Hatfield to introduce Verge Protection Orders (VPO) prohibiting parking on “footways, verges, vehicle crossovers and other green areas”.

The aim is to stop pedestrians being forced to walk in the road when a vehicle is blocking the way, and to protect the borough’s grass verges.

Firework display cancelled after complaints to council

The Hope and Anchor, Welham Green
Image by North Mymms News released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Management at the Hope and Anchor in Station Road, Welham Green says they have had to cancelled the planned firework party on Friday 8 November after concerns were raised by a neighbour.

The local authority intervened after carrying out a council-led risk assessment of the event.

Owner says animal “could have died”

Horse found with baling twine tied tightly around its neck
Image taken from Facebook post

A horse found with baling twine tied around its neck and struggling to breathe had to be cut free on Wednesday afternoon, according to a report on the local Facebook site.

Horse owners have been urged to check their animals after a woman reported that her horse was suffocating and that its tongue and gums had turned blue.

German Shepherd bites local woman

Jonas Way, leading to Gobions Open Space
Image by North Mymms News released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

There has been another dog attack at Gobions, the second in a week.

According to a local resident who contacted North Mymms News, the latest incident happened at 7.40am on Thursday morning 24 October along Jonas Way, the lane leading to the Gobions Open Space car park.

Neighbours were alerted by the screams of “a woman being attacked” and “calling for help”.

Incident reported to Hertfordshire police

Path around Gobions Pond
Image by North Mymms News released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

It’s claimed that a local woman has been given a tetanus injection after being bitten in the stomach by a “rescue dog”.

A post on the local community site NextDoor says that the woman was walking by the lake in Gobions when a rottweiler “lunged” at her dog. As she tried to rescue her pet, the rottweiler “bit her on the stomach, drawing blood”.

UK Power Networks outage affects postcode AL9

Another power cut affected the area on Thursday morning, 24 October, the second outage in a week. Some local circuits tripped out twice. By 8:50am 14 customers had called UK Power Networks complaining of a loss of power.

Supply off for up to 90 mins overnight

Two power cuts happened late Sunday night, 20 October and in the early hours of Monday 21 October affecting large parts of southern Hertfordshire and further afield.

According to UK Power Networks, “a fault occurred on an underground electricity cable on the high voltage network affecting the local area”.

Anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and drug use top the list

Local crime statistics for August 2019 - image courtesy of Hertfordshire Constabulary

Local crime statistics for Welwyn Hatfield South for August 2019
Image courtesy of Hertfordshire Constabulary

Local police say that all types of anti-social behaviour (ASB) are to be targeted in the coming months following consultations with the local community through the force’s Echo project, and data contained in the most recent crime figures.

Dates for the East Coast upgrade and its impact

Brookmans Park station - image by North Mymms News via Creative Commons

Network Rail has started a £1.2bn programme to upgrade the East Coast Main Line (ECML), with the first phase of work planned for late December and through January. The project is due to be completed in 2021.

The upgrade will cause some changes to scheduled services. Rail travellers are being warned to plan ahead and to not travel on certain days.

Dates announced for festive fayre and tree lighting

Flyer for Brookmans Park Christmas Fayre

This year’s Christmas Fayre at Brookmans Park Primary School takes place on Saturday 30 November. The traditional lighting of the tree ceremony on Bradmore Green follows the event.

Update: Dog now reunited with owner

Image of terrier courtesy of Nichola Burgess

A small terrier dog wearing a pink collar which was found outside St Mary’s school on Dellsome Lane, Welham Green on Monday has been reunited with its owner.

Find out which houses are happy for visits and which are not

Image by Hannah Howarth released via Creative Commons BY-ND 2.0

The postcode social media website NextDoor.co.uk has created a Hallowe'en treat map showing which local houses would be responsive to visits from trick-or-treaters and which would not.

The idea is to ensure that those knocking on doors pick the most receptive homes to visit.

New cross-party branch part of the European Movement UK

Campaign leaflets are being handed out in Welwyn Hatfield

The recently formed Welwyn Hatfield for Europe group is campaigning for as many local residents as possible to joint the “People’s Vote” march in London on Saturday 19 October.

The group, which was established in July says its purpose is to “seek to change public opinion locally about Brexit and make a positive case for staying in the EU, as well as highlighting the risks of leaving”.

Officers urge vehicle owners to take preventive measures

A vehicle that has had its catalytic converter removed
Photograph by Seth Sawyers released via Creative Commons BY 2.0

Hertfordshire police say drivers need to be vigilant following an increase in the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles.

Thefts are taking place during the day and at night in public places and on private property.

Officers say there are measures that can be taken to reduce the chance of becoming a victim.

Trees around Bradmore Green decorated with artwork

Image of artwork on trees courtesy of Brookmans Park Primary School

All the pupils from Brookmans Park Primary School took a walk around Gobions this week as part of a day of activity aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues.

After a nature walk the youngsters returned to school to fashion autumnal decorations for a temporary display to be pinned to some of the trees in Brookmans Park village centre.

Pedestrian access restricted while work is carried out

Tree felling image by Brian Robert Marshall via Wikimedia Commons

Tree surgeons will be working in the Gobions Wood nature reserve over the next few weeks clearing sycamore and ash. Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT) says the work is necessary to bring more light into the woods and encourage the growth of native plants.

It won’t work, despite claims to the contrary

The error message received when trying to use Oyster at Brookmans Park station
Screen grab from Geoff Marshall's video

For those confused by the misleading information put out about using Oyster cards at Brookmans Park station, a YouTube video now explains what can and can’t be done.

Any faults could result in fines and penalty points

Police will be looking out for flaws in the tyres
Image by Sean MacEntee released via Creative Commons BY 2.0

Roadside checks will be carried out throughout Hertfordshire during October as police try to reduce the number of accidents caused by worn or faulty tyres during what’s being called tyre safety month.

13 incidents of ‘violence and sexual offences’

The August 2019 crime figures for North Mymms show that 48 incidents were reported during the month, five more than in July.

There were 30 reported crimes in the Welham Green area, 11 more than the previous month, and seven reported crimes in Brookmans Park, 10 fewer than in July.