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Abbots Langley’s Amanda Elliott squandered two match points as she finished runner-up in the Condor de Plata junior tennis event in La Paz, Bolivia. The Queens Club based 17-year-old lost a nail biting final 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 to Japanese third seed Kurumi Nara. It was no walk in the park for the eventual winner, as a determined Amanda pushed her opponent all the way in the eventual tie-break decider. The Abbots teenager had earlier lead her Japanese opponent after taking the first set six games to three. An array of well placed shots in difficult windy conditions meant that Amanda would draw first blood in the South American final. Sadly, she could not maintain her solid form in the second set as her first serve percentage dropped, allowing Nara to grab the set by the same score line. The Japanese teen maintained her impressive form in the final and decisive set, as she opened up a comfortable 5-2 lead. However, a brave and resolute Amanda would save two match points and go on to force a nerve wrenching tie-break. A topsy-turvy decider would see Nara race into a 4-1 lead, only to be pegged back by Amanda, who had two match points at 6-4. Sadly for the Abbots teenager, she could not convert her chances and eventually lost the tie-break 9-7.

A local mother, who tragically lost her son due to suicide last year, has expressed her outrage at the unacceptable treatment he received from the NHS. After a number of failed attempts to take his own life her son, who is not named, succeeded in dispelling of his demons, as he prematurely ended his young life. The fragile state of her son began after he was involved in a car accident four years ago, suffering a serious neck injury and nerve damage down the right side of his body. He received physiotherapy three times a week for a period of time in June 2006, but the NHS refused to give him the all clear to resume his search for employment. Sadly depression soon set in and after the family expressed their concerns for his health, he was referred to Luton & Dunstable Hospital and the Psychiatric Unit at Watford General. After having a consultation, he was unbelievably sent away with some literature and told he would be ok. He was not ok, and his condition in fact deteriorated. He turned to small quantities of alcohol and dabbled in drugs to try and cope with his depression. Another failed attempt at suicide through a drug overdose confirmed the family’s fears, but their cry for help again fell on deaf ears. The coroner who looked into the death said: "His suicide was a result of his mental state, while the balance of his mind was disturbed.” This was a man who was in the prime years of his life, and should have been a million miles away from depression. The family feel let down by the lack of support he received from the NHS and feel if he had had the right help, he would still be alive today. The mother also wants to send a message across to all young people saying simply, drink and drugs are not the answer to any problems, please get some help in the form of counselling, drink and drugs will only make any problems worse.

A local mother, who tragically lost her son due to suicide last year, has expressed her outrage at the unacceptable treatment he received from the NHS. After a number of failed attempts to take his own life her son, who is not named, succeeded in dispelling of his demons, as he prematurely ended his young life. The fragile state of her son began after he was involved in a car accident four years ago, suffering a serious neck injury and nerve damage down the right side of his body. He received physiotherapy three times a week for a period of time in June 2006, but the NHS refused to give him the all clear to resume his search for employment. Sadly depression soon set in and after the family expressed their concerns for his health, he was referred to Luton & Dunstable Hospital and the Psychiatric Unit at Watford General. After having a consultation, he was unbelievably sent away with some literature and told he would be ok. He was not ok, and his condition in fact deteriorated. He turned to small quantities of alcohol and dabbled in drugs to try and cope with his depression. Another failed attempt at suicide through a drug overdose confirmed the family’s fears, but their cry for help again fell on deaf ears. The coroner who looked into the death said: "His suicide was a result of his mental state, while the balance of his mind was disturbed.” This was a man who was in the prime years of his life, and should have been a million miles away from depression. The family feel let down by the lack of support he received from the NHS and feel if he had had the right help, he would still be alive today. The mother also wants to send a message across to all young people saying simply, drink and drugs are not the answer to any problems, please get some help in the form of counselling, drink and drugs will only make any problems worse.

The District Council's component of the Council Tax will rise by an average of 2.9% it was announced last night. The increase is the second lowest of the ten district councils in Hertfordshire. The rise, coupled with efficiency savings, will enable current service levels to continue and to expand in key areas. A recent consultation by the District Council found that nearly three quarters of respondents were prepared to accept a rise in Council Tax of between 3% and 6% in order for their services to either remain at the current level or to increase. Speaking at a packed Council meeting on Tuesday evening, Councillor Richard Struck, Portfolio Holder for Resources, said: "The District Council's services have recently been recognised by the Government's Charter Mark scheme for their cost-effectiveness and customer-focus. We are the first Council of any size in the country to achieve this. "By making further savings we have managed to keep the Council Tax rise below the Retail Price Index while increasing service provision in key areas which people want." The budget provides for a range of new initiatives for the coming year:

A campaign to promote energy saving - helping residents and businesses to reduce their fuel bills and protect the environment as well as cutting fuel costs in Council buildings.

Improvements to Watersmeet. Further development of cycle tracks. More parking bays. Further improvements of shopping parades. Help for private residents on low incomes with home repairs. Current initiatives which will continue into the coming financial year include: Bus passes for pensioners and people with disabilities allowing free travel across Hertfordshire and other local places. Free swimming for young people during the main school holidays - promoting health and reducing anti-social behavior. Extensive recycling services. The service has a collection rate of over 40% of household rubbish - one of the highest in the country.

The Council Tax rise does not include the charges for, Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Police Authority, which receive 85% of the Council Tax revenue. The County and Police figures will be announced on 27th and 24th February respectively to give the final Council Tax levels for 2007/8 for Three Rivers residents. Council tax charges will vary around the average depending on which part of the district residents live. This takes into account such factors as parish council precepts:

Regular readers of My Abbots will be familiar with an ongoing story that has been running regarding communications giant T-Mobile erecting a telephone mast within the area. As reported recently, the company are looking to place a mast disguised by a fake chimney on top of the Royal Oak public house. This has of course, been met with stern opposition from some local residents concerned with the impact it may have on the local area. Barbra Watson, of Castano Court , is so unhappy with the proposed developments that she has written to Chairman of Abbots Council Sara Bedford, but is yet to receive a reply. She told My Abbots: “We locals are not getting our say in relation to this proposed development. The only information we have received to date is a flyer posted through the door. This is why I have written to Sara Bedford.” Having seen a similar proposal rejected in Broomfield Rise recently, residents simply want answers to questions that are being ignored. Barbara was happy for My Abbots to print her letter to Sara Bedford, in the hope that she may receive a response sooner. Barbara’s letter is below:-

A LETTER TO THE CHAIRMAN OF ABBOTS LANGLEY PARISH COUNCIL

Dear Sara,

Thank you for sending me your informative news letter which I appreciated. Could you tell me if you have any more information on the proposed 3G Telecommunication T Mobile mast to be installed within a chimney of the Royal Oak public house on Kitters Green. The first I heard of this application was when a flynote was posted through my letterbox a few days ago. I am a senior citizen and a resident of Castano Court Kitters Green which is very close to the Royal Oak. I am very worried about the proximity of this mast and the cables from it which are to be routed through a drainpipe buried underground. This pipe will lead to an equipment cabin which will be sited about 25 metres from my bedroom window! The news that I won't see the mast & cable does not concern me as much as the fact I will certainly 'feel' the effect of them! I seem to be receiving mixed information as to whether these masts are a threat to health. However, the fact that the mast due to be sited on the Abbots Langley Scout Hut was rejected because of public outcry shows me that other people share the same concerns as I do. Another example is of the planning application being refused for a mast at the top of Broomfield Rise (there was an extraordinary number of complaints received by Three Rivers against this planning application by local residents). Castano Court consists generally of more 'senior' citizens but this does not mean our health concerns should be ignored - I want as long a life as possible with all my faculties still in tact!! If you have any information regarding a public protest, or any advice on how I should proceed to stop this happening, please could you let me know. I want to fight to prevent any potential risk to my health, especially if the cause is because of someone else's financial gain.

Yours sincerely

Barbara Watson

Richard Lee

Damien Francis

Tommy Smith

Ever wondered what Watford players like to do with their time off? Well Tommy Smith, Damien Francis and Richard Lee like nothing more than to relax with the latest edition of My Abbots magazine. My Abbots was fortunate enough to grab this picture of the Hornets trio before their latest Premiership fixture against Charlton Athletic at Vicarage Road. With an important fixture looming the boys were more than happy to pose for pictures. We at the magazine would like to wish Tommy, Damien and Richard the very best for their remaining fixtures this season, and hope that they fight against relegation to the bitter end.