A fault on a high-voltage underground cable caused a power cut for 13 business premises in the Swallowdale Lane area of Hemel Hempstead this morning, Wednesday.

Engineers rushed out to the road, in Maylands Industrial Estate, and had restored electricity supplies by 10.20am – an hour after the cut was reported.

Jesssica Gallagher, spokesman for provider UK Power Network, said: “We realise how difficult it can be to be without power and apologise for any inconvenience.”

You can report problems with the electricity supply to the firm’s power cut helpline on 0800 7838838.

Flickering lights were experienced at about the same time as the power cut today at Marlowes in Hemel Hempstead town centre.

High School Musical is a worldwide phenomenon – and Tring will have its very own version of the show this summer.

Tring Festival Company is planning to stage a production based on the US drama that made superstars of Zac Efron and Gabriella Montez.

And auditions for key roles in Disney’s High School Musical Jr, to be performed at the Court Theatre in July, start on Sunday.

The shop is based on the first film of the iconic High School Musical trilogy, which followed the exploits of the squeaky clean East High pupils.

Songs included in the stage production include Breaking Free, Get’cha Head in the Game and We’re All In This Together.

But as you’d expect, a large cast is required – up to 80 younsters are needed to fill all the many roles on offer.

Performers aged between eight and 15 are needed for principal roles, speaking parts and ensemble, and there are also roles for two adults – one male and one female – with a playing age between 20 and 35.

There are auditions on Sunday for performers aged eight to 10, with another session on Sunday, February 3 for older hopefuls.

Sunday’s session at the theatre runs from 10am to 5pm, while on February 3 the same time slot is reserved for those aged 11 to 15, and adults will be seen in the afternoon.

No previous performance experience is required because all relevant skills will be taught by the experienced production team and developed throughout the rehearsal process in the run-up to the summer show.

If you’d like further information and an audition pack, email hsm@tringfestivalcompany.co.uk.

Police carried out a fresh round of raids today (Wednesday), swooping on eight homes and arresting six more people in their continuing Operation Scorpion crackdown.

The warrants were executed in Hemel Hempstead, Watford, St Albans and North London and the six men held had been under investigation as part of a long-running probe into the supply of drugs into Hemel Hempstead.

Three – aged 31, 34 and 50 – were from Hemel Hempstead, two were from Watford and one came from St Albans.

As part of the same operation a 17-year-old boy from London was arrested on Monday and later charged with the supply of Class A drugs.

He was due to appear at St Albans Youth Court yesterday.

A week ago officers smashed down doors and arrested 15 men and two women as part of string of surprise raids in Herts, Beds and London.

Since then five men have pleaded guilty to charges they faced as a result of the operation.

Paul Stanley, 45, of Alexandra Road, Hemel Hempstead, has admitted handling stolen goods and supply of Class A drugs, Andrew Lockett, 35, of Hyperion Court, Hemel Hempstead, has pleaded guilty to supply of Class B drugs and possession of Class B drugs and Gerald Donaldson, 50, of no fixed address, held up his hands to handling stolen goods and supply of Class A and B drugs.

Danny Francis, 30, of Vestry Road, London, admitted supplying Class A drugs and Christopher Rumney, 27, of Austin Road, Dunstable, pleaded guilty to supply of Class A and B drugs.

St Peter’s Church in Gadebridge, Hemel Hempstead, is set to be demolished and the site transformed into a development containing nine eco-friendly two-bedroom council flats.

The building, which is opposite Galley Hill JMI School, has been vacant since 2004 and the flats will be Dacorum’s first new council homes built in more than 20 years.

The new development will include parking facilities, and will use technology to prevent wasted energy consumption in winter. This will mean it will cost just £100 to heat each flat for a year.

Cllr Margaret Griffiths, portfolio holder for housing, said: “This year we’re investing £14 million in our new-build programme – and this is just the start of our plans to create more homes for our residents in Dacorum.

“As soon as these homes are built, they will be offered for rent to households on our waiting list.”

Developers may yet face a set-back, however, after it was revealed that the site could be located close to a former chalk mine. That means they will need to meet certain conditions before construction can begin.

A Tring landmark will be on TV on Friday.

The Natural History Museum in Akeman Street will be on BBC Two show Antiques Road Trip at 4.30pm.

Antiques expert James Lewis will be shown around the venue before quizzing its manager Paul Kitching about the identity of a peculiar fossil.

There will also be a discussion during the daytime show about the Victorian tradition of collecting and the history of the museum.

It was once the private museum of Lionel Walter, 2nd Baron Rothschild, and is located in the grounds of the former Rothschild family home, Tring Park.

It was built in the 1889 to house his collection of stuffed mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. It was first opened to the public in 1892.

Hemel Stags continue their preparation for their inaugural Championship 1 campaign with a friendly game against London Broncos U19 on Sunday.

Troy Perkins, Hemel Stags head coach, said: “It’s our first hit out for the season and it’s a great opportunity for me to look at some of the players who have been doing pre-season but who I haven’t seen play much before.

“London Broncos will offer decent opposition as they will be well drilled and very fit.”

A famous former Stag may be returning to Pennine Way for the game, but he will be pulling on a London Broncos jersey instead of the blue and yellow Hemel strip.

Dan Sarginson, en route back from injury, played his junior rugby with the Stags and has gone on to represent the Broncos in the Super League, as well as playing for the England Knights.

Perkins said: “It’s great that Dan will come back to Hemel where he played his junior rugby.

“I think it will also add more interest to the fixture as a lot of Hemel and other London-based rugby league supporters will want to see him play his old club.”

Anybody who attends the game will receive a £5 discount off a season ticket in the matchday programme.

Community manager Tom Williams said: “We want all our regular supporters to be season ticket holders and benefit from the great discounts that can be gained by buying one.

“We are a supporter-owned club and we want our loyal fans to be able to support us in an affordable way.”

Regarding Sunday’s match, he added: “It will be a different experience to the Capital Challenge but it will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Hemel Stags play our first ever pre-season game preparing for our first ever season in the professional ranks of the game.

“Entry is only £6, so come along and watch what is set to be an historic match of rugby league.”

A biker died during the start of a 10-day holiday and just two days after celebrating his 67th birthday, when his motorcycle hit a car while overtaking.

James Cashman, better known as Jim, met his death while travelling with friends through Italy on September 15, an inquest heard on Thursday.

The group of bikers were planning to travel through Italy, Switzerland and Austria.

It is thought the radiologist, of Sarratt Road, Sarratt, failed to see an oncoming blue Renault Kangoo.

Herts coroner Edward Thomas said: “This was in the early part of the holiday – maybe even on the first day – because they had started off in Nice in France, which is just over the border.

“The police were able to speak to friends and one of them said that he was behind Jim, on his own bike. His friend tried to overtake, his speed being more or less 40km per hour, and he obviously hadn’t seen the other vehicle coming from the other side. Jim tried to brake but he couldn’t stop.

“He described it as an error of judgement to try and overtake without seeing all of the road. I think other friends confirmed that as well.”

Jim was given first aid at the scene where paramedics tried for 40 minutes to resuscitate him.

Mr Thomas recorded that Jim, who worked for West Herts NHS Trust, died from traumatic head injuries and said his death was an accident. The driver of the car was unhurt but the passenger suffered clavicle and sternum injuries.

An inquest into the death of teenager Jessica Cobb has been opened and adjourned. 
The cause of death - subject to confirmation at a full inquest hearing - is recorded as asphyxiation.

Jessica was discovered dead at her home in Gable Close, Abbots Langley, on the morning of Wednesday, January 16.

Tributes have been paid on a Facebook page set up in her honour called RIP Jessica Emma Cobb, never forgotten baby.

A full inquest hearing will be held at a later date.

Firefighters were called to put out a chimney blaze at a village home.

A crew went to the terraced property in Stoneycroft, Aldbury, just after 2.30pm on Wednesday.

They left just before 4pm.

A man from Chaulden has held his hands up to a burglary and two attempted break-ins and asked for a string of other house raids to be taken into consideration.

Nelson Loveridge, 22, of Honeycross Road, Hemel Hempstead, was arrested after police were called to two burglaries in Long Chaulden and East Flint last Monday.

When he appeared at Hatfield Remand Court on Saturday he pleaded guilty and asked for 17 other break-ins to be taken into consideration.

Before the arrest police said they were struggling to track down the culprit behind more than 23 break-ins and attempted burglaries in the Boxmoor and Chaulden area since November 1.

Loveridge is next due to appear at St Albans Crown Court in early February.

In an unrelated incident, police are appealing for information after a home was broken into in Park Road, Hemel Hempstead.

Crooks climbed a fence at the side of the house and forced a panel in a secure door last Wednesday, between 11.45am and 3.50pm. They went upstairs and grabbed an iPad, Apple Mac, a Tiffany ring, Tiffany bracelet, a Pandora bracelet with a hippo sleigh charm, a kangaroo charm and yellow and red glass beads. A Nintendo DSI, a Kipling handbag and a X Box Connect were also taken.

Det Sgt Gill Fawcett from the Hemel Hempstead local crime unit said: “This burglary has had a devastating effect on the victims who have lost items of great sentimental value. I would urge anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious, or who may have been offered these items for sale to get in touch.”

Anyone with information can call the police non-emergency number, quoting crime reference D1/13/390. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Berkhamsted Cricket Club looks set for a bright future after the appointment of an ambitious new head coach.

Riaz Richards joins Berko with a wealth of experience coaching in Britain and abroad, and he is eager to get stuck in to his latest challenge.

“As soon as I red about the job I knew I wanted to be part of the club,” he said. “I’m really excited and have said to the players that however hard they work, I will try twice as hard.”

Richards, who has worked in South Africa and Morocco, will take up a player/coach role at the club and insists that he is ready to put in the hard graft to ensure he will make his mark.

“I’m someone who is constantly learning myself,” he said “I’m not saying that I’m going to have all the answers but I’m quite happy to ask some of my connections and see if they can help me.

“I’m the type of coach who wants to work with anyone who is happy to put the work in.”

Richards lists rising England star Joe Root amongst his protégées after working with the 22-year-old while he was in Sheffield.

And he is hoping that the creation of an academy at Berkhamsted will help to unearth some more budding stars.

He said: “The academy will be for our most committed and talented juniors to try and fast track them into senior cricket and beyond. The training will be county-standard training.”

However, Richards – who has been playing cricket since the age of six – says that his focus will not only be on developing the younger members of the club.

“I want to encourage more youngsters to join the club but I do not want to just forger about the seniors,” he said.

“The main thing for me is when anybody of any age or any ability comes to me and says thank you for the work I have done to help them.

“For me it makes no difference what level they have reached; to see that you have helped someone to develop is what coaching is all about.”

Training for the 2013 campaign starts at Berkhamsted in the first weekend of February, and Richards is confident that this preparation can help the club to achieve their ambitions for the season.

“Our main aim is to challenge for promotion with the first and second teams at least,” he said.

“We are also trying to crate a ladies’ team to enter into the ladies’ league, as well as developing Sunday cricket at the club.

“For me, Berkhamsted are going about things the right way. There are a lot of clubs that just throw money at players but you don’t get results from that.

“I think it is admirable that the club is doing things the right way and looking at developing players with proper coaching.”

The maternity unit at Watford General Hospital has secured a slice of £25 million in funding to improve its service to mums-to-be.

Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter announced on Thursday that the Watford ward will get £537,000.

It is one of 100 hospitals to be given cash to makeover their maternity wards.

The cash will be spent on improving the Alexandra Birthing Unit and upgrading facilities for bereaved parents, including the creation of an additional bereavement room on the delivery suite and better facilities for the bereavement counsellor. Some cash will also be spent on improvements to the neonatal unit.

Dr Poulter said: “A new arrival in the family is a joyous time but it can present a real challenge for mums and families, particularly those experiencing it for the first time.

“We are now going to see huge improvements to maternity services right across the country – from birthing pools to family rooms and even new midwifery-led units. These will make a big difference to the experience mums and families have of NHS maternity services, with more choice and a better environment where women can give birth.”

In November, the government opened the £25 million fund to applications from NHS trusts and foundation trusts. Applications have only been approved where there was evidence that mums and dads wanted the changes. Bids were judged by a panel that included representatives from the Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Tring council’s new clerk is looking forward to getting to grips with the town’s top priorities.

Married father of three Michael Curry, 58, of Wingrave, took up the reins at Tring Town Council earlier this month and is keen to make sure decisions made by elected councillors turn into action.

Mr Curry, who had been a parish councillor at Wingrave with Rowsham for eight years including chairman for five years, went into local government after his job in the criminal justice system was made redundant. He previously worked in marketing.

Mr Curry, who was previously clerk to the parish council in Midsomer Norton, in Somerset, said: “I had been interested in local government as a councillor so it was a natural career change.” He believes in taking an interest in the local community.

For 18 months Mr Curry used to travel down to Somerset on a Monday and return to Wingrave at the weekend, before being appointed to the Tring post.

As well as making sure the council operates within its legal powers, Mr Curry sees the job as ‘making sure things happen’.

He said: “It’s all about working in partnership. You have to understand the circumstances other councils are working in and put things in a way that can achieve. But it also means you need to keep the pressure on.”

In coming years, Mr Curry believes cuts to local authority funding will have ‘repercussions’ for the town council.

This, he says, means the money spent at grassroots level of local government will come under increasing scrutiny.

Children’s entertainers Kids Bee Happy are holding a sand painting workshop on Sunday (January 27) to support a pub’s charity fundraising weekend.

The Halfway House in Bovingdon is raising money for The Meningitis Trust and John Radcliffe Children’s Hospital.

Ann Stack, of Kids Bee Happy said: “Children love the activity and will get great results creating their own sand paintings which are then sealed for them to take home and display.

“Previous workshops at the pub have been very popular and we are pleased to support these two charities.”

The workshop starts at 2pm. There is no need to book just go along and join in the fun.

For further information or to book your own party or event call 07530758057.

Blue badge holders will now have to pay for parking at hospitals.

In a controversial move, from April 1 Blue Badge holders must pay the same parking charges as other motorists at Watford General Hospital, Hemel Hempstead’s Urgent Care Centre and St Albans City Hospital.

Director of strategy and infrastructure Louise Gaffney said: “This decision was not made lightly by the trust board, but it believes that it will create fairness and equality for everyone needing to use the hospital car parks. Trust staff with a Blue Badge are charged for parking on site.

“The trust will continue to have dedicated, priority spaces for disabled visitors. A wide range of car parking discounts are also on offer to patients and visitors who park at the sites frequently. In addition, there are free 30 minute parking bays available on each of our hospital sites. Information on concessions is widely available throughout all of the hospitals and on the trust’s website.

“Many other NHS Trusts and local authorities charge Blue Badge holders to use car parking facilities.”

Parking at the three hospital sites currently costs £4 for up to three hours, £6 for up to five hours and £12 for the whole day.

A reduced parking rate is on offer to patients and visitors who are attending any ward or department on a frequent or long-term basis and also to some relatives.

For patients attending more than once per day or more than twice a week for up to four weeks a £4 day or £8 week rate is on offer. This is also available to an ‘active carer’ - someone who is actively participating in the rehabilitation or care of a loved one. For those attending more than twice a week for a period of more than four weeks a month-long permit can be purchased for £24.

What do you think? Is it fair? Let us know by commenting below or email thegazette@jpress.co.uk

The grandson of a 90-year-old woman was woken by the loud noises of her falling down the stairs at 2am, an inquest heard today, Thursday.

He discovered that Jane Stewart, of Breakspeare Road, Abbots Langley, had been seriously injured and called for paramedics.

She was rushed to Watford General Hospital, but doctors said that no treatment was possible and she died later that day on Tuesday, October 2, last year.

Hertfordshire Coroners Court heard that her grandson lived with her and helped give her a sense of security in her life.

Deputy coronor for Herts Graham Danbury said: “She had some signs of confusion and short-term memory loss, but she was able to lead a fairly normal life.”

He had given her a sleeping pill before she went to bed at about 10.15pm on the night of her death, as he did every night, the court heard.

Verdict: accidental death.

A brace of intriguing music dates have been lined up for Saturday night – one in St Albans, and one in Tring.

The St Albans show is at the Maltings Arts Theatre in the city centre, when Dr Shades and the Hill Street Blues Band share the stage.

The Hill Street crew have just formed, with a passion to play rhythm and blues classics in the tradition of the original artists like Smiley Lewis, Chuck Berry and Howling Wolf.

Add maybe a twist of 1960s Atlantic Stax soul, a sprinkling of rock and roll and a dash of 1950s jump jive and it’s the recipe to get the joint jumping.

Dr Shades features the voice of Chris Lord and builds on the rhythm and blues recipe, with familiar standards and lesser known songs on the playlist.

Tickets are £10, call 0844 8700 887.

Over at the Court Theatre in Tring, El Bronson will be centre stage – and it’s fair to say that once you’ve seen them, you won’t be forgetting them in a hurry.

They’re billed as performing music others would never attempt, in a way others would never dream of – and did we mention that the frontman wears a full Luchador costume?

For those not in the know, that’s a Mexican masked wrestler rig, and it’s a matter of honour that his identity will never be revealed.

He can certainly belt out the numbers, though, backed up by a supertight band of experienced pros aiming to produce a good time sound.

Visit www.courttheatre.co.uk/box/box.htm for ticket details, or pop into Beechwood Fine Foods in Frogmore Street to pick them up in person.

A man who worked with steam locomotives died from a rare cancer after years of asbestos exposure.

Retired train driver Alfred Bryant, 76, of Dundale Road, Tring, had started out cleaning trains, before becoming a stoker and then a driver.

During a hearing into his death on Thursday, Herts coroner Edward Thomas said: “He would touch asbestos and knock bits off as he cleaned. He would also be present when others removed asbestos material.”

Some of the train cabs were insulated with asbestos. “In the early days the locomotives wobbled and rattled along which caused the asbestos to be disturbed,” said Mr Thomas.

The married 76-year-old was diagnosed with mesothelioma last summer after suffering with shortness of breath and chest pain.

Mr Thomas said: “I’m satisfied that for a substantial period of his working life he was exposed to asbestos.”

“His symptoms and the dates of his exposure to asbestos are very consistent to the development of mesothelioma.”

Married Mr Bryant had continued to work on the railways as a part-time customer services assistant until the age of 75. He died at his home on December 6. Mr Thomas recorded that he died of industrial disease through mesothelioma “through an occupation that, when safe, he obviously really loved.”

An elderly woman was taken to hospital suffering with smoke inhalation after a blaze in her flat.

The fire at White Hart Drive, Hemel Hempstead, on Thursday at around 8pm is thought to have been caused by candles.

Crews from Hemel Hempstead Fire Station used breathing apparatus and one hose reel to put out the living room fire. The rest of the property was heavily smoke logged.

Five men have been charged following a second round of raids in the fight against drugs in Hemel Hempstead.

The arrests took place on Wednesday and the following people were charged and appeared at Hatfield Remand Court the following day:

-Ermal Aliaj, 31, of Medway Road, Hemel Hempstead, has been charged with supply of Class A drugs.

-Baris Tek, 21, of Whippendell Road, Watford, has been charged with supply of Class A drugs.

-Daniel South, 34, of Sempill Road, Hemel Hempstead, has been charged with supply of Class A and Class B drugs. He pleaded guilty at Hatfield Remand Court and has been released on police bail.

-Brian Millgate, 48, of Upper Lattimore Road, St Albans, has been charged with supply of Class A and B drugs and theft. He has been released on police bail.

-George Jones, 18, of Curtiss Drive, Watford, has been charged with supply of Class B drugs. He has been released on police bail.

-A 50-year-old man from Hemel Hempstead, who was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods has been cautioned.

As part of the same operation a 17-year-old boy from London was arrested on Monday. He has been charged with the supply of Class A drugs and has been remanded in custody.

Dacorum Chief Inspector Mike Pryce said: “This is the second arrest phase which made further significant arrests of people suspected of being involved in the drugs supply into Hemel Hempstead and other connected offences.

“Whilst Hemel Hempstead does not have a major issue with drugs, no more than any other area, we are resolute in ensuring levels remain low and this operation forms part of our on-going work in Dacorum to achieve this.”

Wednesday’s raids followed a morning of surprise warrants in Herts, Beds and Luton during the previous week. As part of that operation 17 people were taken into custody. Since then five men have pleaded guilty to a range of charges.