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The Abbots Langley electorate has spoken, or voted in this case, with the Liberal Democrats dominating proceedings. May 3rd saw local elections take place throughout Three Rivers and the rest of the country, with Abbots Parish Council welcoming four new faces. Those four are; Leon Lay - who will represent the Leavesden Ward ,Chris Daily - who has been elected for the Tanners Wood Ward, David White - who will represent the Abbots Langley Ward, and John Wyatt - who will join David White on the Abbots Langley Ward. All the other local Lib Dems that were up for re-election including Keith Williams, Ivy Young, Jane Lay and Sara Bedford were comfortably re-elected. Each individual promoted a strong campaign, but it was sadly against very little opposition. This does not take away the fact that the electorate have spoken, signalling that all are worthy of their place on the council. The Lib Dems have proved to be very reactive and proactive in recent months, and certainly come across as having the community at heart. What is disappointing though is that in every ward except Abbots Langley, less than 40% of those eligible to vote did so. Do the local community not care about what happens in the village? Or were the elections not promoted properly? Either way, less than half of the community voted, and that is a low figure. Owen Roe, who was Vice Chair of the Parish last year, is this year expected to be promoted to the position of Chairman. It was also a good day for the Lib Dems on the District Council. Matthew Bedford should be especially pleased, after dominating the Abbots Langley Ward, winning by well over 600 votes. Leavesden, Langleybury and Bedmond & Primrose Hill will all have Liberal Democrat representatives, after all three wards were won comfortably.

My Abbots would like to congratulate the new faces on the council, and also say well done to those re-elected.

An Abbots plumber who was involved in a fatal car crash back in January says that the traumatic experience has made take a new perspective on life. Colin Wilson, 20, from Upper Highway, Abbots Langley, has worked for AJS Plumbing and Heating for the past three years, and has also represented Evergreen Football Club. He was involved in the collision with three friends when on their way to St Albans for a night out. Colin was a rear seat passenger in a Fiat Punto when they had a head on collision with another vehicle. Police estimate that the speed of the two cars resulted in a 130mph crash, with the high speed impact resulting in driver Rob Halford tragically losing his life. Colin was suffering from severe internal injuries and two damaged vertebrae, but despite this, managed to drag himself out of the wreckage. He then managed to rescue the female passenger who was in the front seat, and also Danny Chitty, who had been sitting in the back with him. Rob was pulled from the car by a passing motorist, and within minutes of all four being clear of the wreckage, the Fiat went up in flames. Colin spent one week in hospital and two months away from work, while Dan suffered facial injuries and the female passenger a broken collarbone. My Abbots would like to make it clear that all four of those travelling were wearing seatbelts. Colin said his parents Jeff and Sue, brother Paul and his close friends have been wonderful and supportive through his ordeal, and he wishes to thank them all as it has been uplifting and appreciated. The accident has changed his perspective on life, while he admits it will be tough for him to get over the loss of his close friend. He told My Abbots: “Losing my friend Rob, who I have known for eight years, has been very hard to deal with and it will be with me for the rest of my life. The only positive I have taken from the accident is that life is too short to worry about immaterial things and maybe to have a ‘live for today’ attitude. Losing my mate has put things into perspective.” Colin refused to accept any kind of hero tag from this magazine for his bravery and selfless actions, but we at My Abbots think he is certainly worthy of our respect. We are sad that he lost a close friend, but proud of his willingness to save his friends.

Residents of Abbots Langley are becoming increasingly concerned about the traffic black spots that are a danger to pedestrians in the village. A number of close encounters have occurred on Abbots High Street involving vehicles driving by and children crossing the road. Witnesses say some vehicles are not stopping to allow pedestrians to cross the busy road, with a number of near misses occurring. Incidents have also occurred outside Tanners Wood School, with the latest been on the 4th of May when a brand new 07 Toyota had its door taken off by a passing vehicle, after it failed to stop in time as the driver was leaving the car. Fortunately, nobody was hurt, but this was the last in a long line of close calls. A few Friday’s before the incident with the Toyota, a young boy was half way across the zebra crossing on the High Street when a car failed to stop and nearly knocked over the stranded child. This was witnessed by a number of pupils and parents, leaving one mother and child distraught. It is not just the children in danger however, as two ladies were also nearly hit by a car which drove around them when they were half way across the road. This appears to be a regular occurrence and one resident in particular, who did not wish to be named, wants some drastic action. She told My Abbots: “Something needs to be addressed immediately, as we are going to lose a local resident of the village and a family will be robbed of a loved one.” A spokesman for Tanners Wood School said: ‘I am not aware of the full details of the accident this morning but I do know that the issue of traffic volumes around the school is a worrying one. Small children and cars do not mix safely and, by coincidence, the school has just started in earnest to write a ‘Travel Plan’ that will try to address some of the problems associated with traffic. We will be encouraging parents to walk their children to school and allowing specific groups of children to ride their bikes to school when they are proficient enough at cycling. We would also like parents to car share whenever possible. Together, and with the help of the local authorities, I am sure things can be improved over the coming months and years.’

A 90-year-old Abbots resident received star treatment last month after appearing on Channel 4’s Paul O’Grady Show. Joan Parker, of The Crescent, is a former Milkmaid and went on the show to share her experiences with the Scouse chat show host of her time working at the Ovaltine Dairy Farm during the 1930’s. Attending with her friend Doreen Cooper, who also worked at the farm during the 1950’s, Joan said she was treated like the Queen Mother. She was given her own dressing room with her name on the door, and was made to feel very welcome by the cheeky chat show host. Joan grew up on her father’s farm in Wiltshire before moving to Hertfordshire in the early 1920’s. She began work at the Ovaltine Farm in 1933 after leaving the Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture. Her time at the farm involved very long days, starting at 6am to milk the cows, before making butter twice a day, cleaning the dairy, and welcoming guests to the farm. Joan carried out the work of three women, and never received a half day off until five years into the job, when a union was established for farm workers insisting that they receive one half day off a week. Joan left her post at the farm in 1941 when she married Cyril Parker at St Lawrence Church, Abbots Langley. Cyril was in charge of the cows at Blackbirds Farm in Aldenham, which Ovaltine leased from the council. The couple stayed in Aldenham until 1953 when the farm was sold, and sadly for Cyril, he was forced to give up farming due to a bad case of arthritis. The couple moved to Abbots Road, with Cyril joining the civil service, and Joan working on a small chicken farm. Cyril passed away in 1984, but Joan has become a well known figure in the village due to her 45 year association with the Women’s institute. The now TV star spoke to My Abbots about her experience on the show, telling us: “I had great fun and it really was a pleasant day.”The former milkmaid has met many celebrities in her lifetime, and puts meeting actor Sir John Mills at the top of her list. So how does Joan look so well for her age? She told My Abbots: “By eating sensibly, not smoking, and years of tasting ‘good old’ Jersey Milk!!” Joan made such an impression on Paul O’Grady, he has invited her back in the future for more of her stories.

Evergreen’s outstanding finish to the season has seen Paul Faulkner’s side achieve promotion to the Hertfordshire Senior County League’s top division. With only one game of the season’s campaign remaining, the Green Boys lie third and cannot be caught by their nearest rivals Chipperfield Corinthians. A run of 10 games without defeat has proved crucial at the most vital period of the year, and that ultimately has resulted in the South Way side’s promotion. Manager Faulkner could not hide his delight at his side’s achievement, as it now means Evergreen will mix it with the big boys. He told My Abbots: “Its been a manic season and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m over the moon and couldn’t ask for a better team.” The month of April saw a congested fixture list for Evergreen, as they participated in no less than five games in three weeks. A draw against Sarratt was a valuable point away from home for the Green Boys, with Richard Noble grabbing the vital goal for Evergreen. The draw at Sarratt was followed by wins over struggling Croxley Guild and second placed Bovingdon. Liam Sonner and Dean Seabrook grabbed the goals against Croxley, which leaves the Guild sitting nervously above the relegation zone. Fellow promoted side Bovingdon could not handle the hot streak of the Green Boys, as goals from Junior Lewis, Kurt Morlese and Dean Seabrook gave them a well deserved 3-1 triumph over a side who had won by the same score line earlier in the season. With Loughton unable to complete their remaining fixtures of the season, Evergreen were awarded a 0-0 win to extend their unbeaten run. Two draws to finish the month against North Mymms and Buckhurst Hill were enough to see the team promoted, making it a treble triumph for the South Way side, with the reserves winning the Reserve Cup and also gaining promotion. Manager Faulkner is all too aware that the step up to the top league will not be easy, but was quick to praise those who have helped to get the club where it is. He said: “ Nik Allen, has changed things for the better at this club along with the fellow football committee members he serves with. The team and coaches deserve tremendous credit, it has been a tremendous season”.