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| Parish Council Report |
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I'll tell you of some of the things that have happened in our village. Hallowe'en is the night ghosts and ghouls fly the skies. It is a pre Christian folk tradition. English children have combined this with the American custom of "Trick or Treat". They dress as ghosts and witches and ask householders for presents. Hallowe'en the police are on visible patrol, to stop hooliganism and excess. There was little in London Colney, whereas in Harpenden and St Albans Hallowe'en... We had supervised activities in one of our village schools, where children prepared displays and joined in traditional games.
On Guy Fawkes night, our Scouts put on a firework display at Morris Field. Through a legal anomaly, the Council can buy fireworks VAT free. Your Council bought fireworks for the Scouts, and allowed the Scouts to use our field - and Council staff helped get the field ready. Entry to the display was free, but there was a collection for Scout funds. A cold but enjoyable evening!
Friday 24th November saw the lighting of the village Christmas Tree and street lights. The tree lights were switched on by stars from the St Albans pantomime. At the same time all the Christmas lights came on in the High Street. Massed choirs from the three village schools sang carols, and people joined in. I watched the passengers in buses as they passed the Parish Centre. Their eyes almost popped from their heads! I like to think of passengers travelling home on buses in early evening: after travelling in darkness they come to our village, where there is joy and light!
The Guides sold cakes and tea at the lighting, whose profits went to swell their funds.
People ask - why is there less crime in London Colney than in other local communities? Possibly one reason is that we have three extremely active PCSO's - Police Constabulary Support Officers. They are always patrolling - whatever the weather!
Several people have said how they like the new railings by the bridge. We are fortunate to have councillors with the skills and leadership qualities to get the railings erected. And we are grateful to the civic minded people who helped install and paint the railings. Someone complained of council extravagance when we ordered a dozen more stanchions than were necessary. Every year, motorists lose control driving over the bridge. With stanchions already made, we can get replacements fitted quickly: also, it was cheaper to have the stanchions cast now, than to make a new mould later when more were required.
Members of your Council went to the big Climate Change Conference at Rothamsted Agricultural Station and learnt that ALL reputable scientists agree the climate is getting warmer. Already global warming is making tropical agriculture difficult in places, and it is likely the Polar Ice Cap will disappear by 2080. Farmers in East Anglia are having to stop growing sugar beet, as it is too hot. Perhaps this is good news to Caribbean farmers, but British farmers are going to have to think what to grow instead!
Climatologists predict that there will be less summer rain in Britain, and when it comes, it will come in short extremely heavy bursts, which will lead to increased flooding.
With increased warmth, insect pests will thrive, and there will be more generations each growing season. Again, there will be more fungal infections. So farmers and gardeners will have to use more insecticides and fungicides. We were told that Rothamsted are developing new crops which will thrive in the warmer conditions, and they are also seeking ways of making the soil absorb carbon dioxide.
Robin Cooper
Chairperson, London Colney Parish Council
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