On behalf of Janet Murrells, our Treasurer, I would like to thank all those Civic Society members who have now paid their BCS subscriptions for 2017/18. May I remind those who wish to renew their membership, but have not yet done so, that payment is now due. The subscription this year is £10, which covers the whole household, not just an individual. You can pay by cash, by cheque payable to Buntingford Civic Society, or by internet bank transfer. For further information, contact the membership secretary, Peter Hay, at membership@buntingfordcivic.org.uk. Your membership subscriptions and the advertising revenue raised through the Buntingford Journal enable the Society to enhance the attractiveness of the Town and its surrounding area and to contribute to worthwhile projects across the community.

This leads in nicely to my main topic for this month. As mentioned last month there is a growing concern that the Town is becoming 'unkempt'. It is therefore gratifying to see that some work has been carried out along the river Rib close to Pig's Nose. A most welcome piece of work but there is much still to be done. The whole length of the river from the Cage to the Tannery needs attention and it will be interesting to see if this happens.

Another area of concern is access to public footpaths. A footpath in Monks Walk which is a cut-through used by schoolchildren to gain access to Edwinstree School and Freman College is so overgrown that it is virtually impassable. It beggars belief that a right of way has been allowed to deteriorate to this extent. HCC have been notified.

It is most distressing to note that petty vandalism is still prevalent in our Town. The newly installed gazebo in Layston Court Gardens has been targeted and several of the roses planted around it have been uprooted and discarded. It is difficult to understand the mentality of those that carry out these acts. I know that the Town Council are investigating CCTV to see if they can deter any further acts of vandalism - such a shame that we have to resort to such tactics.

Our congratulations go to Councillor Jeff Jones - firstly for his elevation to Chair of East Herts District Council and secondly for his recent election as our local member for Herts County Council. It is good to have someone local to Buntingford - who I know cares passionately about the Town - as our local representative on both East Herts District and Herts County Councils. I am sure the Civic Society will work closely with Jeff to achieve joint objectives.

Graham Bonner, Chairman, Buntingford Civic Society

If you have any queries about Buntingford Civic Society or issues you would like to raise, you can email the Chairman direct at chairman@buntingfordcivic.org.uk.

This website and all the pages herein are © Buntingford Civic Society.