Concern is mounting for a 79-year-old man who has been missing for more than a week.

Worryingly Paul Kynoch, who was last seen in Tring’s High Street on Saturday, October 20, could have spent some of the recent cold nights on the streets.

Paul, pictured left, lived on a canal boat at Cow Roast Marina for 12 years until his age led him to decide to move into sheltered accommodation in nearby Tring in March this year.

Head of the missing persons unit at Herts Constabulary Det Insp Duncan Sales said: “This is the first time that he has gone missing – it is out of character.

“For someone who is advancing on in years it obviously heightens the risks if they are sleeping rough. He used to live on a boat so would have connections with things like the Grand Union Canal and people that do reside on boats. Whether he is with someone on another boat, that could possibly be a line of inquiry.”

Paul, who was reported missing by the warden where he lives, is described as white, of thin build, around 5ft 3in tall, with grey balding hair, glasses and a beard.

Police, who have been in close contact with Paul’s worried son, have been visiting boaters in the marina and searching addresses in a bid to find him. They have also been hitting the streets to publicise his disappearance and are asking the media for help.

Det Insp Sales said: “I’m hopeful that he will reappear in the near future. If he could please contact police just to let us know that he is safe and well as obviously we are concerned for him.”

Paul, who does not suffer form any age-related illness that could explain why he has wandered off, is also believed to be keen on visiting the Bournemouth and Cheltenham areas and has links to Devon.

Anyone with information should contact police on the non-emergency number 101.

Pendley Manor was swollen with Pride last night at the inaugural Pride in Dacorum awards.

Hundreds of people turned up to the beautiful hotel complex in Tring to see their friends, family and colleagues recognised for the valuable work they do in the community.

The awards, organised by Premier Newspapers, publishers of the Gazette and the Herald Express, were created to give us – and you – the opportunity to recognise those people who work so hard to help others and to shout about their achievements.

For the last few months we have been asking you to nominate those you felt deserved recognition. A winner in each category was then picked by the judges, along with a People’s Choice award voted for by you. Those lucky winners received their awards at Thursday night’s glittering ceremony.

Actor Ricky Groves, better known as Gary Hobbs from BBC soap EastEnders, was the compere for the evening.

He said: “I think we have proved that here in Dacorum there is a great deal to be proud of and I would like to add my congratulations to all the people who were nominated for an award.

“I would also like to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication in making their part of Dacorum extra special.

Andrew Williams, the leader of Dacorum Borough Council, added: “What we have always known is we have an awful lot to be proud of in Dacorum and the council is very grateful for all the work people do,

“The effort people put in is the envy of many places and your contribition is extremely valuable.”

And Gazette deputy editor Wes Smith said: “What a fantastic evening. Dacorum really does have an awful lot to be proud about – congratulations to everyone involved.”

The winners were:

Bravery Award, sponsored by Elegant Car Hire and Phoenix Office Solutions: Dave Stokes

Care in the Community award, sponsored by Murdock Care Services: Hemel Hempstead Child Care Centre

Excellence in Education, sponsored by Tesco Tring: Broadfield Primary School

Friendly Neighbour Award, sponsored by London Luton Airport: Joan Knight

Fundraiser of the Year award, sponsored by Asda Hemel Hempstead: Peter Churchill

Raising the Profile of Dacorum award, sponsored by Dacorum Borough Council: Maylands Partnership

Service with a Smile Award, sponsored by Specsavers: Discount Tyres And Exhausts

Unsung Hero award, sponsored by Beard Brothers: Mildred Lowe

Young Achiever award, sponsored by West Herts College: Charlie Bicknell

The People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Virgin Holidays: Jackie Jackson

Kings Badminton Club attracted a bumper turn-out when they welcomed Olympian Gail Emms to club night.

Club member Ben Thorn contacted Emms through Twitter, and the former world champion and Olympic silver medallist was more than happy to take up the invite to attend a session at The Knox Johnson Sports Centre in Berkhamsted.

“Being a fan, I follow Gail on Twitter and through a bit of messaging and Tweeting, I managed to arrange this,” said Ben. “Getting her here is great for the club because she is the most well-known face in badminton.

“I suppose this was spurred on by the Olympics, and we are trying to attract new players and members. We are aiming to get more of a competitive element at club nights and we are also looking for juniors to come down. All ages and abilities are welcome.”

Emms, who was part of the BBC commentary team for London 2012, said she enjoyed the session and is hoping to visit more clubs in the future.

“I want to help give back to the clubs and communities who help to promote badminton so well,” she said. “I will be doing more visits. They are really good fun and I get to play badminton!

“This sort of thing is for recognition of the hard work clubs do. To get more people involved in badminton is a whole other thing.”

Kings Badminton Club holds club nights on Wednesdays and Thursdays, in Berkhamsted and Tring. For information on the club, call Neil Walker 01442 358224 or search for Kings Badminton Club on Facebook.

Hemel Hempstead Town have boosted their squad with the signing of former Chesham United captain Danny Talbot.

Left winger Talbot, 28, is the son of former Arsenal player Brian Talbot, and made more than 160 appearances for Chesham, scoring 23 goals.

He has also enjoyed stints at Rushden and Diamonds, Cambridge City and Potters Bar Town over the course of his playing career.

Talbot adds to a talented Tudors attacking force, who have already helped their side to the highest goal tally in the division so far this season.

Tring Athletic are looking to pull off a Herts Senior Cup giant-killing as they welcome npower League Two side Barnet to The Grass Roots Stadium on Wednesday.

Barnet are jointly managed by Mark Robson and former Dutch international midfielder Edgar Davids.

Davids, who boasts 74 international caps, could feature for Barnet on the pitch, having joined the club in a player/coach capacity.

The game gets under way at 7.45pm, and entry is £5 for adults and £3 for concessions, while U16s can attend for free.

Tring chairman Mick Eldridge said: “Come along and help your local team achieve a cup upset and a giant-killing.”

The company that runs the trains that pass through Tring, Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead has come under fire for a string cancellations to its services.

Reports in the national media said that a shortage of drivers hit 37 of London Midland’s train journeys yesterday (Thursday).

They were cancelled, delayed or finished early on the line between London Euston and Birmingham.

Speaking yesterday, leader of the House of Commons Andrew Lansley said: “London Midland has been experiencing a high level of cancellations for about two months now.

“London Midland is not yet technically in breach of its obligations, but if improvements are not seen in very short order, the Department for Transport will need to consider taking action against the train operator.”

He was responding to a question by Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier about the ongoing ‘poor performance’ of the operator.

Mr Garnier said: “Their performance continues to be absolutely atrocious. Given London Midland’s habitual under-performance, will the Transport Secretary make a statement on how that pitiful situation can be resolved?”

Rail Minister Norman Baker has been in talks with London Midland’s managing director Patrick Verwer.

Mr Baker said: “As with other franchises, London Midland is required to meet stringent benchmarks relating to their performance and I will be monitoring this extremely closely to ensure that normal services are resumed as a matter of absolute priority.”

London Midland has not yet issued a comment on the situation.

Rust And Bone

One of the main reasons for the resurgence and rebranding of French cinema recently has been the stunning output of Jacques Audiard.

His films The Beat That My Heart Skipped and A Prophet rank as two of the best to come out of any country in the past decade.

His latest is just as searing and brutal, albeit in a different way.

The incredible Marion Cotillard is a killer whale trainer who suffers an horrific accident that leaves her disabled.

The bond she has formed with Ali, a young father recently arrived with his son, is strengthened and their love and adventure story grows into something epic and overpowering, for them and the audience.

Audiard leaves it all on the screen, the direction is unflinching and the performances incredible.

It might feel odd first time round, but it’s guaranteed the emotional resonance will stay with you and force you back for a second look. Brilliant film-making.

The Shining

Talking of brilliant film-making, the BFI are re-releasing a beautiful new digital restoration of Stanley Kubrick’s horror masterpiece for a short period to coincide with Hallowe’en and, presumably, to make the most of the curiosity to revisit it the wonderful documentary Room 237 will doubtless conjure.

Truly unique as an artist, Kubrick’s telling of the Stephen King bestseller is a truly individual horror movie that plays against all the traditional codes of the genre and yet still manages to terrify and unnerve.

Watching Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) go mad in The Overlook Hotel never looked so vast, crazy and utterly gorgeous. Misunderstood on release, it’s now rightly regarded as a masterpiece, not only of horror, but bravura, stylistic cinema of the psyche. Peerless.

Silent Hill: Revelation

Wisely, the cinema schedules for Hallowe’en are packed with real classics in the form of The Shining and The Rocky Horror Picture Show to make up for what passes as horror nowadays.

This sequel to an utterly forgettable piece of garbage is, lo and behold, an utterly forgettable piece of garbage.

A great cast is wasted in clicheville as a young woman is drawn back into a dangerous alternative reality when her father disappears. That may hold the secrets to her damaged upbringing, but likely won’t completely help as that would mean no need for a third rubbish outing.

“Think on your sins...

This is the cyber threat at the heart of Skyfall – a doomsday scenario for the undercover spies the world over.

Yes 007 is back (played once again by the excellent Daniel Craig) to save the day. It’s hard to believe that the world’s favourite secret agent has now been fighting for Queen and country for 50 years.

Also back is M (Judi Dench – better than ever) but times are tough – and a new threat has the whole MI6 British secret service looking like it has lost its relevance in the 21st century.

Sam ‘American Beauty’ Mendes directs Skyfall – which has already taken the UK box office by storm with the second biggest opening weekend of all time. It’s easy to see why – this is Bond at his best and Skyfall kicks the doors in with a truly epic entry in the franchise.

M and MI6 are under attack, a global list of all undercover anti-terrorist agents has been stolen – it seems someone has a very personal grudge and it is down to Bond to fight back.

Bad guy this time is mad computer hacker and ex-MI6 Agent Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem), and he’s potentially one of the best Bond villains ever – think The Joker from The Dark Knight and you’ll have some idea what to expect.

Silva is out for revenge against M and Bond will be tested to the limit as he strives to protect his boss, even whilst she is being investigated by MPs for her recent actions.

Skyfall does pretty much everything right, bringing high quality action, stunning locations, gorgeous Bond girls – in the shapely form of Naomi Harris’s Eve, and Bérénice Marlohe’s Sévérine – and some ‘cheer out loud’ crowd pleasing Bond-isms such as a new Q (Ben Whishaw) and another spin for the classic DB6.

Best of all Skyfall makes Bond fun again – judging the balance of action and danger just right to make this the family film of the year (we took our sons aged 15 and 11 – who both loved it). The 12 certificate is used well, and the fights are brutal enough to prevent the film feeling too tame.

This is Craig’s moment as Bond, the good work he did in Casino Royale is cemented to icon status here, even making up for the weaker Quantum of Solace.

The whole package delivers on all fronts – Skyfall comprehensively trounces Taken 2 and The Bourne Legacy – it is by far the best spy action film of the year and should sure up the Bond franchise for some future adventures. Welcome back Mr Bond!

Saturday

The Late Great Eric Sykes 
(BBC Two, 8.45pm)

Eric Sykes devoted his life to making people laugh, so the world was a lot duller when the final curtain came down on his showbiz career on July 4 this year.

Now, the BBC devote an evening to the man himself, beginning with this documentary. Later, there’s a classic episode of the sitcom Sykes, and then another chance to see Arena: Sykes and a Day from 2001 in which he reflects on his life and career.

Sunday

Downton Abbey (ITV1, 9pm)

In the last of the current series, it seems Matthew and Mary may be keeping secrets from each other. Did they really learn nothing from the first two series?

Meanwhile, in the house and the village, all the talk is of the annual cricket match, which brings out Robert’s competitive side.

Violet’s great niece Rose arrives, and Carson has the power to decide Thomas’s future _ but the scheming valet could have a most unexpected ally.

Monday

MasterChef: The Professionals 
(BBC Two, 8.30pm)

For those of us who struggle to recognise one end of a spatula from the other, the Beeb’s signature telly culinary effort has kept us entertained for years.

Most of us know the drill by now, but for the uninitiated, the Bafta award-winning competition tests the skills of professional chefs, who are pushed to the brink of their gastronomic limits, before a winner is crowned the next big thing in the culinary world.

Tuesday

Dara O Briain’s Science Club 
(BBC Two, 9pm)

Stand-up comedian and all-round clever clogs Dara O Briain again proves his uncanny ability to make complex science both fun and funny. For this new series, the Mock the Week frontman will focus on one topic each week, ranging from space exploration to music, and examine it from every possible angle. We’re promised in-depth discussions, illustrative films and on-the-spot reports into some of the more fascinating aspects of modern science.

Wednesday

Secret State (Channel 4, 10pm)

Very loosely based on Chris Mullins’ A Very British Coup, this political drama stars Gabriel Byrne as Tom Dawkins who, as deputy prime minister, decides to take on the American petrochemical company Petrofex after a devastating accident on British soil.

But it’s not going to be easy for him. As a man who believes in transparency and open government, he’s got his work cut out in tackling vested interests as he goes about finding out the truth and getting justice for the families.

Thursday

Kirstie’s Vintage Home (Channel 4, 8pm)

In her new series,Kirstie will be showing us how to bring a little retro style to our properties.

The first people to undergo Kirstie’s handicraft masterclass are Colin Webster and Amber Moss, whose 1960s maisonette in Edinburgh should be the perfect pad for a couple of young groovers. Instead, they are drowning in clutter, some of it belonging to their baby, but some the result of panic buying bargains from the internet.

As well as teaching them to be more selective with their shopping, Kirstie shows them how combining classic techniques with cutting-edge materials can give their home a retro feel and take it back to its 1960s roots.

Friday

Castle (Five, 9pm)

This witty saga also appeal as it exploits the winning formula ofcharismatic protagonist (Nathan Fillion); gorgeous sidekick (Stana Katic), and a ‘will they, won’t they?’ frisson that runs throughout.

A dead 20-something woman is found hanging by her wrists from a playground climbing frame, her semi-clothed body covered in caramel sauce. Barry, the owner of bondage shop The Love Shackle, provides handy information that identifies the victim and ex-shopper as Tyler Benson’s girlfriend. Could Lady Irena hold the key to unlocking the case?

Recent details of applications made to Dacorum Borough Council for planning permission to carry out development include the following proposals. Applications and accompanying plans can be viewed at Planning Reception, Ground Floor, Civic Centre, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, from 8.45am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday and from 8.45am to 4.45pm on Friday.

4/01698/12/Lde Single Storey Rear Extension. Moneybury Cottage, Moneybury Hill, Ashridge, Hp4 1Lx

4/01855/12/Roc Variation Of Condition 8 (Noise Protection Scheme) Of Appeal Decision App/A1910/A/2107771 Of Planning Permission 4/02083/07/Mfa (Residential Development To Provide 40 Dwellings With Associated Parking, Major Retaining Structures On A5 Boundary And Landscaping. Extension To Existing Cemetery With Associated Parking) Land At Manor Farm, Dunstable Road, Markyate, Al3 8Ql

4/01856/12/Roc Variation Of Conditions 7, 15, 16 & 17 Of Appeal Decision App/A1910/A/2107771 Of Planning Permission 4/02083/07/Mfa (Residential Development To Provide Forty Dwellings With Associated Parking, Major Retaining Structures On A5 Boundary And Landscaping. Extension To Existing Cemetery With Associated Parking) Land At Manor Farm, Dunstable Road, Markyate, Al3 8Ql

4/01874/12/Ful Landscaping To Rear Entrance With New Timber Post Fencing And New Floor Finish With Feature Festoon Lighting Above. Existing Window/Door Set To Rear Elevation To Be Altered And Adapted Goat Inn, 83 High Street, Berkhamsted, Hp4 2Df

4/01887/12/Ful Extension Of Existing Church Annex To Create New Meeting Room, Sanitary Facilities, Kitchen Facilities And Linking Element With Associated Internal Alterations Sacred Heart Church, Park Street, Berkhamsted, Hp4 1Hx

4/01893/12/Ful Replacement Dwelling House And Car Port Finches, Hemp Lane, Wigginton, Hp23 6hf

4/01904/12/Fha Single Storey Rear Extension And Raised Decking 8 St. Marys Avenue, Northchurch, Hp4 3Rw

4/01907/12/Fha Demolition Of Garage, Single Storey Front/Side Extension. Two Storey Side And Rear Extension. Demolition Of Conservatory With Replacement Single Storey Extension (Amended Scheme). 7 Tring Road, Northchurch, Hp4 3Sf

4/01908/12/Ldp Garage Conversion Holly Cottage, Kings Lane, Chipperfield, Wd4 9Ep

4/01909/12/Fha Extension And Alteration To Pool House, New Gates And Piers, And Tennis Court (Amended Scheme) Nettleden Lodge, Nettleden Road, Nettleden, Hp1 3Db

4/01913/12/Ldp New Velux Windows In Existing Roof 3 Castle Hill, Berkhamsted, Hp4 1He

4/01914/12/Ful Demolition Of Existing House, Barn And Stables And Construction Of Two Detached Dwellings With New Access Gamnel Farm, Bulbourne Road, Tring, Hp23 5hf

4/01930/12/Fha Single Storey Rear Extension And Two Storey Side Extension 7 Lyme Avenue, Northchurch, Hp4 3Sg

4/01934/12/Ful Demolition Of Existing House And Construction Of Replacement Detached Five-Bed Dwelling Milles Cottage, Gravel Path, Berkhamsted, Hp4 2Pj

4/01936/12/Ful Change Of Use Of Administration Building To Office (B1) Church Farm, Station Road, Aldbury, Hp23 5Rs

4/01940/12/Ldp Two Storey Rear And Side Extensions And Four Dormers Penrhyn, Leverstock Green Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hp3 8Pr

4/01941/12/Drc Details Of Pre Construction Safety Report, Remediation Verification Report And Site Waste Management Plan As Required By Conditions 4, 8C And 13 Of Planning Permission 4/00893/09/Mfa (Site A: Redevelopment Of Jet A1 Aviation Kerosene Storage Depot: Demolition And Removal Of Damaged Tanks And Bund Walls And Associated Pipework And Concrete. Three 16.5M High Fuel Storage Tanks And Three Interface Material Tanks, Ancillary Filter Facilities, Reorganisation Of The Internal Site Roadway Layout, Fire Fighting Eq Wlps/Ukop, Buncefield Oil Terminal, Green Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hp2 7Hz

4/01942/12/Fha Single Storey Side And Rear Extensions, Two Storey Side Extension And New Vehicular Access. 33 Bridgewater Road, Berkhamsted, Hp4 1Hp

4/01943/12/Ldp Single Storey Rear Extension 27 Sarratt Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, Hp2 7Jn

4/01944/12/Drc Details Of Materials And Slab, Finished Floor And Ridge Levels As Required By Conditions 3 And 4 Of Planning Permission 4/00467/12/Ful (Construction Of An Agricultural Building) Land At Piggery Farm, Hamberlins Lane, Northchurch, Hp4 3Td

4/01945/12/Ful Move Existing Access To Majestic Trees Site And Upgrade An Historic Access To Walnut Cottage Access To Majestic Trees, Oak House & Walnut Cottage, Chequers Hill, Flamstead, Al3 8Et

4/01946/12/Tpo Works To Oak Tree Land At, St Francis Close, Berkhamsted, Hp4 3Fq

4/01948/12/Fha Two Storey Side And Part Two Storey And Part Single Storey Rear Extensions (Amended Scheme) 31 Coombe Gardens, Berkhamsted, Hp4 3Pa

4/01954/12/Tpo Works To Trees 10 Edenhall Close, Hemel Hempstead, Hp2 4Nd

4/01955/12/Drc Details Of Site Completion Report As Required By Condition 19 Of Planning Permission 4/01022/10/Vot (New Two And Three Storey Building Of Seven Flats – Variation Of Time Limit To Planning Permission 4/01126/05) 235-237, London Road, Apsley, Hp3

4/01956/12/Fha Garage Conversion And Glazed Panels To Existing Porch 3 The Melings, Hemel Hempstead, Hp2 7Sf

4/01957/12/Fha Part Single Part Two Storey Side And Rear Extension (Amended Scheme) 22 Kings Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, Hp3 9Tn

4/01958/12/Lde Use As 10-Bed Staff Hostel (Amended Scheme) Fryth Hay, Hempstead Road, Bovingdon, Hp3 0Ds

4/01961/12/Tca Fell Willow Tree In Rear Garden 86 Western Road, Tring, Hp23 4bj

4/01962/12/Ful Machinery Store And Fisherman’s Rest Hut/Fish Cleaning Facility Land At Kingfisher House, Sharpes Lane, Bourne End, Hp1 2Rx

4/01963/12/Tpo Works To Trees 22A Kendale, Hemel Hempstead, Hp3 8Nn

4/01965/12/Fha Single Storey Side Extension Redwing Farm, Cholesbury Road, Wigginton, Hp23 6Jh

4/01967/12/Tpo Works To Pine Tree 22 Gravel Hill Terrace, Hemel Hempstead, Hp1 1Rh

4/01968/12/Tca Fell Ceder, Fir And Llaylandi Trees (16 In Total) Police House, Chapel Croft, Chipperfield, Wd4 9Eh

4/01969/12/Tca Works To Gleditsia And Cedar Trees And Fell To Ground Rowan Bay Court, Doctors Commons Road, Berkhamsted, Hp4 3Dn

4/01970/12/Tca Fell To Ground Scots Pine Tree 10 Torrington Road, Berkhamsted, Hp4 3Dd

4/01973/12/Fha Single Storey Side Extension, Alterations To Existing Barn And Upgrading Of Parking Area To Front Kozicot, Water End Moor, Water End, Hp1 3Bl

4/01975/12/Lbc Single Storey Side Extension, Alterations To Existing Barn And Upgrading Of Parking Area To Front Kozicot, Water End Moor, Water End, Hp1 3Bl

4/01976/12/Lbc Take Up All Carpeting And Boarding, Take Up Floor Boards, Inspection Of Existing Joists And Make Remedial Repairs, Install Sisters Joists Next To Existing Joists And Bolt Together, Re-Fix Floor Boards And Lay New Boarding And Carpets The Counting House, 9 High Street, Tring, Hp23 5te

The badgers are back at Berkhamsted Castle – and this time the damage they have done to its grass is worse than ever before.

Site owner English Heritage taped off a previously-undamaged corridor to prevent people from tripping on the torn-up castle turf.

But now the badgers – who eat grubs underneath the grass – have torn it up inside of the corridor too.

English Heritage say there is little they can do as badgers are a protected species, and are very good at chewing or digging their way through and under obstacles.

The Box Moor Trust needs volunteers to be part of a new community project called Access All Areas.

It aims to develop and support opportunities for people with a range of disabilities to get more involved in enjoying the countryside and parks.

Thanks to financial help from the Chilterns Conservation Board, the trust will be working to build a local network of people to form a group to help land managers, councils and their staff.

For more information contact Ian Richardson on 01442 253300 or email ianrichardson@boxmoortrust.org.uk

The owners of a new business say they have launched the first fully-equipped pilates studio in Berkhamsted.

Lucy Walton, Emma Bray and Kemi Roche launched their new classes in BayYoga, above Costa Coffee in Berkhamsted High Street, last month.

They have kitted their studio out with thousands of pounds worth of equipment that help the body to do stretches that would be otherwise difficult to perform.

Mrs Walton, 33, launched the business after selling her share of a studio in London, as she wanted 
to move somewhere nicer to have a baby.

Her classes come in packages including £185 for a block of 10 sessions for a group of three people.

She said: “You are getting lots of attention from us, which is why it’s more expensive than a big group mat class. It’s quite specialised here, so you can get more of the results you need.”

For more information, visit the website at www.berkhamstedpilates.co.uk or call 07827 627809.

Street wardens and fire officers have been asked to keep an extra eye open in crime trouble spots.

This month Hertfordshire police launched Operation Guardian where community services work together to reduce crime.

The Fire and Rescue Service has been asked to pass by areas, such as Leverstock Green and Bennetts End in Hemel Hempstead where home burglaries have increased by a small number compared to this time last year.

The idea is the presence of a fire engine or street warden would prevent criminals from breaking the law.

Neighbourhood inspector George Holland said: “The increase in burglaries was down to a total of four individuals who have been arrested and charged and since then the numbers have reduced.”

Thousands of people could be left fighting for a home they can afford by 2033 as the East of England region faces the biggest rise in households in England – and a massive shortage of new homes.

A new report from the National Housing Federation called Home Truths: East of England warns that we’re only building half the homes we need to house the 32,000 families forming in the East region each year.

The rise in demand for homes, coupled with such limited supply, will cause house prices and rents to rocket.

The prediction is that home ownership in the East will drop from 70 per cent today to 59 per cent in 2025.

And rents will soar by 64 per cent in the East, the second-highest regional rise in England.

A major cause of the household growth is the happy fact that people are living longer.

With an ageing population comes increased frailty and a growing need for appropriate homes and support: by 2030, the number of over 65s in the East of England who are unable to manage one simple domestic task will have risen 57 per cent to almost 700,000.7

Claire Astbury, East of England lead manager at the National Housing Federation, said: “This is a problem that will not go away unless we take action. Our population is increasing, with people living longer and more single-person households, and this only increases the pressure on our struggling housing market.

“If the housing crisis doesn’t affect you now, the chances are it will in the next few years – if not you, then your children, your parents or your friends.

“House prices and rents are already out of reach for many families, with thousands of working people having to rely on Government support to pay their rent and waiting lists for social housing increasing.

“We are quite simply not building enough homes to keep up with demand, and unless this changes, the situation is only going to get worse. It’s time for us all – politicians, industry and local people in Bedfordshire – to say yes to homes.”

The National Housing Federation is calling on the government and local politicians to working with the housing industry to tackle the crisis. But public support for building the right homes in the right places is also crucial and we need to help the voices of those who say ‘yes’ to homes to be heard.

The National Housing Federation is launching a new campaign, Yes to Homes, to give local people the chance to show councillors and politicians that new homes matter.

November is typically the time of year homes can become affected by condensation and, according to UK trade body The Property Care Association, the use of poorly considered or badly installed insulation can compound the problem.

The Association says modern, open plan living – combined with greater moisture production from items such as tumble dryers and power showers – means that some homes produce more vapour than ever, and factors such as the airtight design of homes, inadequate ventilation and poor insulation are making some buildings more susceptible to the effects of excessive atmospheric moisture.

This can cause condensation on or within the structure of the building. The results can be unsightly, but could also lead to decay, further reductions in thermal efficiency and mould growth.

Steve Hodgson, general manager of the Property Care Association, said: “With the demand for energy-efficient properties, newer buildings often present few opportunities for water vapour to escape.

“In sealed conditions, trapped water vapour can result in very high atmospheric humidity. Without adequate ventilation or energy input even well built homes can become affected by condensation.

“After careful site evaluation and monitoring is undertaken, it is often found that only simple, small scale changes are needed to tackle the problem.

“Getting a healthy balance is key. Solutions may be as simple as opening windows, installing mechanical ventilation, closing the bathroom door when showering and using the heating system effectively – all can, in some situations, help to manage condensation problems.”

According to the PCA, some atmospheric moisture is to be expected, but a constant problem with water indoors should warrant action to prevent mould growth, damage to the building fabric and distress to owners or occupiers.

Mr Hodgson added: ““There is no set guide when people should seek expert help with condensation in the home.

“For example, condensation that appears on the windows after a shower or when cooking, but that quickly evaporates, is absolutely normal.

“If condensation persists in the home, or there is often wetness and mould growth on walls, ceilings or floors, then the problem needs to be investigated and addressed.

“Although some problems can be solved with minimal impact and cost, if householders act on the wrong advice then it could result in expensive, poorly directed work, which may have little effect, or in some cases make matters worse.

“A good place to receive accurate and effective advice is from a member of the PCA, as they are experts in dealing with damp in buildings.”

To join the PCA, contractors are all carefully vetted before being awarded membership - and are then subject to rigorous auditing procedures once admitted.

The PCA is also a member of TrustMark, the scheme supported by government to help property owners find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople to make home improvements.

To find out more log onto the PCA’s website www.property-care.org or call 0844 375 4301.

Police have warned the public to be on the look-out for email scams that could wipe all of the information stored on your computer.

Neighbourhood Watch liaison officer Andy Reynolds sent a newsletter out to tell people about a Berkhamsted woman who had her computer hacked.

The hacker sent an email from the victim to everyone in her address book, claiming she had been robbed in Dubai and needed money to get back to the UK.

The computer records of a friend who opened it, family photos and all, were wiped.

Mr Reynolds, who works for Herts Police, said: “Several watch members have had similar experiences. It is likely that the scammers depend on the opening of an attachment or link to get into your computer systems.

“Do not open attachments or use links unless you are sure it is safe to do so.”

Police advice is to ignore emails from unrecognised sources or where the spelling or literacy is obviously bad. Other emails to be wary about are ones that do not refer to you by name or that come from ‘banks’ that do not refer to your account details.

Learn more about how to protect yourself from these scams at www.getsafeonline.org

To report an email scam or virus, visit www.actionfraud.org.uk

The death of a man who had physical and mental health problems has led a Hertfordshire Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CAT) to change its policy to no longer refusie to visit intoxicated people in need, an inquest heard.

Tony Frost was found dead in his Hemel Hempstead home on April 9, just two days after his mother made desperate calls to a mental health helpline and a doctor asking for someone to help him because he was having suicidal thoughts.

His mother told the inquest, held on Wednesday, October 24: “He said he won’t be around for much longer, that’s why I called the doctor.”

Tony was in distress during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend and when an out-of-hours GP asked the crisis team to visit it wouldn’t go until the Tuesday because he had been drinking.

The 46-year-old, from St Agnells Lane, had psoriasis, back problems, agoraphobia, depression, he self-harmed, had alcohol problems and was dependent on pain killers.

The community mental health team (CMHT) he was referred to couldn’t start treatment until his substance misuse was under a certain level of control but he didn’t want help from DrugLink for it.

The CMHT had a meeting about Tony on April 3 and decided to arrange an assessment in the next week or two.

On the Saturday before his death, Tony cut his arm with a dagger and the next evening he had a heart-to-heart with his wife, who agreed to give their marriage another go.

She woke up in the early hours of the next morning and found him dead in bed. He had taken lethal amounts of tramadol and dihydrocodeine and left a note in red marker on the pantry wall saying: “Sorry I failed you, I did love you, you know.”

Hertfordshire Partnership Trust agreed to send an action plan to the coroner and Tony’s family detailing changes that will be made to the service as a result of an enquiry into his death.

Hertfordshire coroner Edward Thomas recorded that he killed himself under extreme pressure from health issues.

A dad has spoken out in support of Saturday detentions at Hemel Hempstead School after his son was given the punishment.

Raymond Smith said he was initially against his son completing the weekend penalty, but after speaking to teachers agreed to it.

“He is certainly of the mind that he doesn’t want to do it again,” said Mr Smith, of Boxmoor.

The weekend punishment was introduced at the Heath Lane school in September as part of a new rewards and consequences system.

Mr Smith’s 15-year-old son was told he would have to attend school dressed in his uniform on a Saturday after failing to attend an after-school detention that was handed out for fighting.

His dad got in touch with the Gazette to support the new regime following our report on mum Deena Singh who refused to let her son do the weekend punishment, imposed after he left school without permission.

Acting headteacher Tim Jordan introduced the Saturday detention, which runs from 9am to 11am, after consultation with staff and parents as a ‘strong deterrent’.

Mr Smith said: “They are less inclined to get in trouble or act like fools at school because of the threat of having to spend a Saturday morning at school.”

A new scale of rewards has also been introduced to recognise good behaviour including rewards that can be exchanged for goods in a reward shop or the canteen and in the best cases students may be invited to attend a special reception with their parents.

Despite a spate of burglaries, Tring can still boast one of the lowest crime rates in the county.

The town’s quarterly crime figures show a 20 per cent reduction in all crimes compared to last year and a 20 per cent cut in anti-social behaviour in all of the town’s neighbourhoods.

Neighbourhood inspector George Holland said “If anyone else in the UK was living in areas that had crime numbers as low as they are in Tring and Berkhamsted they would be jumping for joy.

“These towns have some of the lowest crime levels in the county. The chance of being burgled is really very low.”

Officers recently nabbed some individuals responsible for five burglaries of people’s homes in Tring east.

Mr Holland: “Those people were arrested and charged about six weeks ago.

“We had to identify who it was and since then the number of burglaries has gone down.”

The quarterly figures for crime in Tring show that burglaries, with an increase of five, and violent crime, which is up by 12 incidents, are the most common types of crime in the town.

Mr Holland said: “The performance for the whole of Dacorum is the best it has ever been.”

He explained that Operation Guardian, which started this month, sees partnership agencies working together to reduce crime.

Herts Fire and Rescue service has been asked to drive through crime hotspots while out and about.

The idea is that the presence of a fire engine would deter criminals thinking about breaking the law.

Mr Holland added: “It’s important for anyone who sees anything suspicious to call the police and also make sure their windows and doors are locked.”