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A 50 year old man from Wycliffe Court, Abbots Langley, was convicted of benefit fraud on Thursday 19 July at Hemel Hempstead Magistrates Court.As part of an investigation led by Three Rivers District Council, it transpired that the Abbots man had been overpaid over £9,000 between November 2002 and November 2006, as he failed to declare additional bank accounts on his claim forms. One of the bank accounts he had failed to declare held a balance of over £39,000 in October 2006.The Wycliffe Court resident received a 16-week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months and a curfew for a period of 8 weeks between 7.00pm and 7.00am, 6 days a week. He will also have to wear an electronic tag to monitor his movements. Portfolio Holder for Resources at Three Rivers District Council, Councillor Richard Struck, said:"The purpose of     Housing and Council Tax benefit is to help those on low incomes pay their rent and Council tax. To take benefit money fraudulently from the District Council means less money for services in the community. Three Rivers District Council takes a zero tolerance approach to benefit fraud and people who try to cheat the system will be brought to justice.

A couple from Abbots Langley are seeking the help from their local MP after continuous efforts to have a lime tree trimmed outside their home fell on death ears. Mr & Mrs Borrowdale, of The High Street, have had a two year debate with the Parish Council over having the tree pruned, but say that progress has got nowhere. The couple state that they were told last year that something would be done about the overgrown tree in the October just past, but still nothing was done. At a meeting held recently with Three Rivers Council’s Environmental Health department, the couple were told that the parish council did not have the money to carry out the necessary work, which would involve pollarding and cutting back the lime trees which dominate that part of Abbots High Street. Carol Borrowdale felt that her and her husband had no choice but to seek the help of the MP for Watford Claire Ward due to the lack of progress. She said: “We are really at our wits end. The house is so dark that we have to have the lights on all day in our front room and our front bedroom is also in semi darkness. In the Autumn we are constantly sweeping fallen leaves from our hallway and the pathway outside is a constant health hazard. We have got so frustrated at all the broken promises of action that we have now asked Claire to intervene.” Ms Ward was disgusted to hear of the Borrowdale’s situation, and plans to write to the District and County Council’s to voice her concerns. She said: “It's disgraceful that nothing has been done to help this couple. I have visited the Borrowdale's home and I can't believe that they have put up with this situation for so long. The lime tree is now so large that it completely obscures a street lamp standard and a telegraph pole connecting phones to local houses and shops.”In her letter, the MP plans to point out the health and safety implications for the Borrowdales, as well as the road safety dangers from the obscured street light.

Connie Fisher graced our TV screens last year when she won ‘How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria’ to be given a role on stage in the musical ‘The Sound of Music’. Well Abbots Langley has its own Connie, Connie Power, who this year won her own competition to perform on stage in Songtime’s amateur production of Disney’s High School Musical. Connie, 12, of The Crescent, won the Watford Observer’s 12 month scholarship with Songtime after deciding she fancied a crack on stage. The Kings Langley Secondary School student is a member of the Life and Soul Theatre Academy and has performed in various smaller shows during her tender years. She wanted to take the next step as far as performing on stage is concerned, so decided to enter the competition. The Abbots resident told My Abbots: “I know that the scholarship is quite expensive and I thought I had a good chance. I had to learn a few dances and sing for the headmaster of Songtime. I sang a song from High School Musical and then we had to wait and see who made it through to the final four.” Much like a Pop Idol contest, those in attendance where either put through to the final or sent home, and fortunately for Connie, she was one of the four to make it to the final stage. She added: “I was sitting in the theatre waiting for the result when my mum found out that I and another boy had won. We went home and phoned loads of people to tell them the good news.” Connie performed the three sold out shows at the Beck Theatre and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. She said: “I was a little bit nervous but it was wonderful being in the show. I now hope to do a few more shows while I have the scholarship.” Connie admits she would love to be in the spotlight when she is older, whether it be as an actress, singer or model. So who does she look up to? Cameron Diaz. There are certainly worse people to idolise, and if she has half the success as Ms Diaz has had, she will certainly go a long way.