A car wash, bake-off and Tarot card-reading are among the events people in Dacorum are hosting to raise cash for Red Nose Day.

Neil Buchanan, 53, and Downs Syndrome sufferer Dan Kidd, 18, will give £5 car washes at Maylands Business Centre, Hemel Hempstead, from 11am to about 4pm on Friday.

Berkhamsted shoe shop Shu Shu will sell cakes in a Great British Bake Off today.

Tarot card readings in return for donations to Comic Relief will be in Dunsley Farm, from 1.30pm to 3pm and from 7pm to 9pm in The Crown, both in Tring, today. Tomorrow, they will be in B-Smart Dry Cleaners, Berkhamsted, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm and on Friday at Sainsbury’s in Apsley, from 2pm to 5.30pm.

A former Tring Park School pupil has been chosen to compete in the regional finals of a national singing competition.

Amani Hussain, who attended the performing arts school between the ages of eight and 12, will be performing in the Teen Star regional finals in Hayes on Saturday March 16.

Amani, who lives with her family in Chivery near Tring, shone at the first audition in February and flew through to the second round.

Amani was originally set to enter the Open Mic competition last September, but couldn’t because she was unwell. But after some searching on the internet, mum Roxanne discovered they were holding auditions for Teen Star in February and encouraged Amani to enter.

She said:”I’ve always loved singing, dancing and performing, but I still get really nervous. I try to practise a little bit every day at the moment; I just grab my iPod when I can.”

The youngster, 14, will sing popular tune ‘Boyfriend’ by Justin Bieber on the 16th, but with a twist. Amani will be changing some of the lyrics and performing a rap she has written herself. She said: “Hopefully that way people will remember it.”

Amani, who is in her first year of GCSEs at Pipers Corner School in High Wycombe, said: “I’d like to think I’ll get through but even if I don’t, it will have been a really good experience.

“All my friends and family have been really supportive, and quite a few of them will be coming to see me perform.”

Mum Roxanne said: “I’m very proud of Amani. She’s always loved singing from a very young age. I get really nervous for her when she performs, but she loves to do it. It’s really nice to see young people doing what they love to do.”

Amani is already a star on YouTube, where she posts singing videos under the name of ThatAmaniLiaGirl, and has received good feedback on solo and duet videos.

She said: “My friends told me I should do it, and we’ve even done a few duets together. It’s really fun.” To see Amani in action, visit www.youtube.com/user/thatamaniliagirl.

A Berkhamsted garage will mark drivers’ catalytic converters for free from today.

The markings, which take about 10 minutes, deter thieves by making it easier for police to find out where stolen units come from.

Catalytic converter thefts have risen in recent years due to the high price of metal. Roy Chapman garage will mark the units in diesel vehicles that weigh up to 3.5 tonnes for anyone who rings 01442 871234 to book in advance.

A Berkhamsted craft shop is launching a new range of classes after spotting a trend among shoppers.

Family-run Berkhamsted Arts and Crafts on Lower Kings Road noticed more people repairing, not replacing, uniforms. Manageress Jo Kidd said: “Make do and mend is an old wartime phrase but it is very appropriate at the moment.

“We are now running knitting and crochet classes during the day so mums can learn and still make the school runs.”

Visit bacshop.co.uk for details on the range of courses on offer, from card-making to sewing.

Kings Langley were left shell-shocked as struggling Kentish Town fought back to claim all three points in a 2-1 win at the Middlesex Stadium.

Things looked to be going to plan for Kings as they swept into a tenth minute lead against second-bottom Town on Tuesday night.

Sam Warrell signalled his return after a two month lay-off with a sublime 25 yard pass to into the path of incoming winger Jack Johnson, who placed a short low cross to the feet of Adam Hallissey to net with ease.

A Jimmy Armstrong breakthrough was well blocked by Town keeper Ryan Moore and soon afterwards the striker seemed certain to double the advantage when played in by Johnson, but uncharacteristically put the ball past the post.

The visitors were to rue these misses as Town began to fashion their own chances, and the hosts bagged an equaliser as the Kings defence conceded a needless free-kick on the edge of the box that was dispatched by Glen Garner.

Kings had become increasingly sloppy and this continued in the second half – culminating with Ant Ladyman’s poor goal kick being latched on to by an unchallenged Lee Scott to put Town ahead.

Some urgency was finally instilled with a double substitution on 65 minutes, but while Kings had the possession, the standard of balls into the box was poor and the previously shaky Town defence now looked comfortable against a subdued attack.

All in all, it was a woeful performance from a Kings team now struggling to hold on to a top-six finish.

London 2012 star Max Whitlock has set his sights on leading the British gymnastics team at the Rio 2016 Olympics after claiming the prestigious English Championship title last weekend.

Hemel Hempstead hero Max, 20, bagged two bronze medals at the Olympics in London last summer, and the Adeyfield man is now targeting future Olympic glory.

Olympic silver medallist Louis Smith skippered the team in London but he is not expected to compete this year after taking on other projects.

“I would absolutely love to lead the team in Rio,” said Max.

“Louis led the team in London and he did a great job, and it would be a real honour for me to do the same.”

Max had has a few months for his Olympic exploits to sink in, and he admits that his experience in London has made him hungry for future success.

“It does still feel weird if I think about it (being an Olympic medallist), but I’ve done that and now I want to add to it,” he said.

Max certainly looks on track to significantly bolster his medal collection over the next few years, and he started by winning the overall title at the English Championships in his first competition since the Games.

The former Longdean School pupil finished in first place overall with a score of 89.4 at the Europa Centre in Kent, and added gold medals on both the pommel horse and floor.

He scored 15.9 on pommel – his specialist apparatus – and 15.0 on the floor, and added silver medals on the rings and parallel bars.

The competition counted as a trial for the European Championships to be held in Moscow in April this year, where Max will be hoping to continue his sparkling form.

He will also be competing in a World Cup event in France later this month, before swiftly heading off to the British Championships in Liverpool on March 23 and 24.

South Essex Gymnastics Club member Max said: “I want to get in the team for the British Championships and hopefully I will be doing the pommel and the floor as well because I’ve really upped my routine.

“I’m really focussing on my training at the moment with three big competitions coming up.”

Berkhamsted is the place for bellylaughs this week as the town’s first comedy festival gets into its stride.

Berkomedy, organised by the Get Stuffed team who also serve up the annual Tringe comedy bonanza later in the year, features 26 up-and-coming gagmeisters over 13 nights.

It all started on Monday with home town boy Robin Ince among the comics featuring at the launch night.

Most of the acts booked to appear in The Greene Room function room in the Kings Arms on Berkhamsted High Street are less experienced than cerebral comic Robin – but that doesn’t mean they will be any less adept at finding your funny bone.

Get Stuffed boss Ben Moorhouse said: “There are going to be quite a few lesser-known acts who are going to shake things up a bit in the industry.”

One of his hot tips for the top is Phil Wang, who Ben says could be “bigger than Michael McIntyre”.

Phil, who burst on the scene by winning a 10-gig deal in a Comedy Central contest to find the funniest student stand-up back in 2011, is sharing the stage with Matt Forde tonight, Thursday

At the time Phil was a Cambridge University engineering student, but he’d already been developing his comedy talents at gigs across the city.

Next up on the Berkofest bill will be Gareth Richards and Matt Richardson on Sunday night, and then the comedy comes thick and fast next week.

Howard Read and Tommy Rowson share the billing on Monday night, Jarlath Regan and Adam Drake are the two to watch on Tuesday and then Irishman Jarlath is back for a second helping on Wednesday night, alongside Grainne Maguire. Mary Bourke and Kevin Shepherd do the honours on Thursday, and then WitTank and Ahir Shah are on the bill on Sunday.

Full details online at www.get-stuffed.biz/berkomedy.

Three go-karts were stolen from a school compound 
during a night-time break-in.

But four crooks were caught on CCTV carrying them out of The Astley Cooper School in Grovehill.

They were taken at about 9.45pm on Tuesday, March 5.

Police are now trying to retrieve the missing machines, which have a red metal frame, black seat and cream inner wheels.

If you have any information that could help police, phone them on 101 quoting crime reference D1/13/1407.

The winner of a Battle of the Bands will get to play live at music festival Berkofest on September 14.

The battle is at the Centenary Theatre in Berkhamsted School on Saturday, April 20. Tickets are £8 for adults and £5 for those aged 12 to 18 and can be bought at Scoops and The Kings Arms in the town’s High Street. U12s get in free.

To sign your band up for the battle, email info@berkofest.co.uk

The first BerkoFest was held at Berkhamsted Cricket Club in 2012.

A Northchurch man was jailed on Friday for nine months after pleading guilty to sexual activity with a teenage girl.

At Aylesbury Crown Court Daniel Skinner, 34, of Valley Road, admitted three charges relating to a 17-year-old.

The offences occurred in September and October last year.

He is a former Berkhamsted School student and resigned from his post as sports secretary on The Old Berkhamstedians committee in January.

Mystery surrounds when exactly major road works that could spell traffic misery for motorists are due to start.

Drivers have been left scratching their heads after Herts County Council published a notice to inform the public of plans to close the busy London Road in Apsley, Hemel Hempstead, for resurfacing over a seven day period.

The notice – featured this week in the Gazette – informs readers that the road from its junction with Two Waters Way down to the Apsley Mills Retail park will be a no-go area for motorists over a seven-day period at some point between next Monday and Sunday, March 31.

During the same period, according to the notice, Berkhamsted’s London Road will be closed between Swing Gate Lane and Hall Park Hill for resurfacing and Hemel Hempstead’s Link Road – between the roundabouts with Aycliffe Drive and Piccotts End Road – will be closed for pothole repairs.

But highways chiefs said yesterday that the works have not yet been scheduled and they were unable to give a start date for the road closures.

They did, however, say they have an 18-month grace period under the road closure order to carry out the works but said it would be sooner rather than later.

A Herts Highways spokesman said: “We are currently awaiting contractors to schedule it in.

“We do have an obligation to contact residents in the area when these details are firmed up.”

It is understood that the roads would be shut off to traffic between 8pm and 5am, but there could also be some daytime closures.

Hemel Today also contacted a council information line – published as part of the public notice – but call operators there were unable to shed any light on the planned road works.

People in Berkhamsted have been invited to have their say on a developer’s plans for 120 new family homes in the town.

They would be built alongside new public open space and five extra playing fields for schoolchildren and the community on land south of Egerton Rothesay School, off Durrants Lane.

Taylor Wimpey North Thames is making detailed plans for the development at the moment.

Planning director Nigel Agg said: “We understand the importance of giving local people the chance to get involved and have their say on development plans for their community.

“That’s why we want to give Berkhamsted residents every opportunity to view and comment on these proposals.

“We are confident that this development would not only fulfil a need for more high-quality family homes and affordable housing, but that it would also positively enhance the community for the benefit of everyone.”

The plans will be exhibited at the Egerton Rothesay School in Durrants Lane on Tuesday, March 26, from 2pm to 8pm. They will also be displayed online at www.taylorwimpeyberkhamsted.co.uk from that date.

Public feedback from the event will be used by Taylor Wimpey to refine its plans before submitting them to Dacorum Borough Council for planning permission. Its representatives will also answer your questions there.

The firm wants to create the new development on fields now used for crop farming to the east and west of Durrants Lane, bordered to the south by Shootersway.

There are also plans for new parking and changing facilities and the on-site area of woodland known as The Plantation would be protected under the proposals.

The new homes would not be on the Egerton Rothesay School’s current playing field, which Save Our Berkhamsted Residents Association has applied to register as a village green.

Taylor Wimpey also plans to build 60 extra homes on top of the 120 at a later date, but where they go depends on the outcome of this application.

Four vehicles suffered damage when an axle broke off from a haulage lorry that was travelling along the A41 this morning.

It happened at around 11am just past the northbound Chesham junction.

Damage was caused to three cars and a small van and one of the vehicles suffered an oil leak.

One of the drivers, 19-year-old Tiffany Choules, said: “I just saw cars swerving in front of me and then all of a sudden this metal piping came out from under the car in front.

“It was too quick and I couldn’t avoid it. I hit it with my tyre and it immediately went as flat as a pancake. Luckily I managed to pull over and call the RAC, who are coming to replace my tyre.

“It could have been so much worse, the pipes could have come through my windscreen.”

Police have closed one lane along the stretch of road and officers are still at the scene.

The Seishinkai Shotokan Karate International squad had an excellent day at the Legend Open Karate Championships in the first major tournament of the year.

The squad’s performance was one of the best in the association’s 36-year old history and the Dacorum clubs came home with five gold medals in the major categories.

Clubs from all over England, Wales and Scotland were competing for the spoils, but they could not prevent Adam Cockfield from retaining his men’s black-belt kata title, or Gabriel Van Rel from taking the silver medal in the men’s black-belt free-fighting event.

Rachael Houlton, meanwhile, won the ladies’ black-belt free-fighting event in great style – beating the favourite from Scotland in an exciting final.

She also took third place in the ladies’ black-belt kata division and picked up the trophy for the Female Competitor of the Day.

This adds to the Male Competitor of the Day accolade which Cockfield won in the 2012 competition.

Elsewhere, Cristy Nash, Tom Colbourne and Conor Wardley also won their categories in real style to complete the SSKI godl medal haul.

Other silver medalists on the day were Oliver Nash, Olivia Christodoulou, Leah Groom and Matthew Gilling, while bronzes also went to Lauren Brooks, Matthew Gilling, Dylan Freeman, Madison Harding-White, Sam Richards, Cameron West, Conor Wardley.

Team Silver medals went to the U16 kata team and the ladies’ kata team, and team bronzes went to the ladies’ free-fighting team and the men’s kata team.

Local instructor and chief Instructor for SSKI worldwide, Malcolm Phipps 8th Dan said: “I was extremely pleased with my powerful squad and look forward to a busy year ahead with the European Championships in Germany in June.”

Anybody interested in joining the SSKI group in Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Bovingdon, Kings Langley, Watford, St Albans or Slip End should ring the association headquarters on 01442 266048 or visit www.sski.org

> Pic - 2012 Competitor of the Day Adam Cockfield with 2013 Competitor of the Day Rachael Houlton.

Two teenage girls have been charged with theft after police raided a Hemel Hempstead traveller site.

Around 20 officers swooped on the Three Cherry Trees Lane base on Wednesday morning.

A 16 year old and 19 year old, both from Hemel Hempstead, have been charged with theft in relation to alleged shoplifting at the BP petrol station in Park Street, St Albans, on July 6. They are due to appear at St Albans Magistrates Court on Monday, March 25.

A 40-year-old woman, arrested on suspicion of making off without payment, perverting the course of justice and non-payment of a fine and 40-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of theft and non-payment of a fine, have been bailed by police until April 3. Another man, aged 19, has also been bailed until April 12 after being arrested on suspicion of theft and non-payment of a fine.

A 22-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of theft, was released with no further action, while a 41-year-old man arrested on suspicion of non-payment of a fine has been referred to the court system.

>For our original report on the raid {http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/community/police-make-arrests-at-hemel-traveller-site-1-4890037|click here}

Police need your help to hunt down two men suspected of supplying class A drugs in Hemel Hempstead.

Jordan Levein, 20, of Cranes Way, Borehamwood, who is wanted for supplying both class A and class B drugs, is thought to be in Borehamwood or Hemel Hempstead.

They are also looking for Fabien Miller, 34, of Evering Road, London as well as a third man, whose name is not known.

If you can help police identify the mystery man, or give them any information about the whereabouts of Levein or Miller, phone PC Rob King on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A careers fair to mark National Apprenticeship Week saw students from across Dacorum pick up advice and ideas for their post-college prospects.

Pupils from all three West Herts College campuses flocked to the Watford base to learn more about the apprenticeships on offer in the county.

Oakman Inns, which runs pubs including the Red Lion in Water End, the Akeman in Tring and the Kings Arms in Berkhamsted, was one of the businesses at the event promoting their apprentice schemes.

Pub manager Jack Ashmore started his Oakman career as an apprentice. He said: “We can take people from a complete novice status to those who are a bit more experienced, and develop them. I am a prime example of that.

“The more apprentices we can get locally, the better.”

Head of employer responsiveness at the college Sambit Sen said: “We’ve spoken to students from all our campuses during National Apprenticeships Week. There’s a lot of interest and we’ve got a growing number of opportunities.

“Fifty of our students who live in Dacorum are on apprenticeships locally. The number of employers involved in and around Hemel Hempstead town centre is a dozen and rising.

“It’s a very real measure of how Dacorum people are pulling together and creating opportunities for young people and local business.”

Detectives have released dozens of images of jewellery, keys, broaches, watches and coins that they believe were stolen during burglaries across Herts.

They have already reunited some of the items they found with their owners - but snaps of the rest of the items have been published on www.facebook.com/hertspolice

Detective Constable Dean Trollope said: “We hope burglary victims across the county will help us identify this property, which we believe was stolen since the beginning of the year.”

A 29-year-old man from Harpenden was arrested yesterday on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle.

A new study from home insurance group Churchill reveals that 88 per cent of estate agents think a well maintained home next door will increase the sale value of a property.

Estate agents estimate that well maintained and attractive homes surrounding a property have the potential to increase the sale price by as much as 12 per cent – equal to a staggering £19,400 at current market value.

But an unsightly or poorly maintained neighbouring property could reduce the price of a home by an average of 13 per cent.

If the house next door has an overgrown garden, broken windows, or a rundown car in the drive it could force down the property’s value by an estimated £21,000.

Estate agents are virtually unanimous (98 per cent) in their belief that an unsightly or poorly maintained neighbouring property has a negative impact on the price buyers will pay for a home.

The number one eyesore next door that drives down property prices is broken or boarded up windows, followed by rubbish and junk in the front garden. If your neighbours have garish paintwork, an overgrown garden or even dirty windows, this could also wipe thousands off the value of a property.

The five top eyesores that estate agents believe affect the value of a neighbouring property are:

Broken or boarded up windows

Rubbish or junk in the front garden or drive

Overflowing gutters

Unsightly or imposing extensions and DIY

Run down vehicles in the front drive

Martin Scott of Churchill said, “Whilst many householders will recognise that the condition of surrounding properties can influence curb appeal, the study shows that the upkeep of a neighbouring property could affect the sale price of a home by thousands of pounds.

“Relatively minor issues such as maintaining gardens and keeping external paintwork in good condition could increase property values in the area generally, putting pounds in homeowners’ pockets when they come to sell.”

Parents are being invited along to a family event to find out more about a planned new school for Hemel Hempstead.

West Herts Community Free Schools Trust wants to launch a primary school on the closed Jupiter Drive site in Highfield.

Ross Renton, Dean of Students at the University of Herts, which is part of the trust, said: “The event is a great opportunity for people to find out about the proposed school and have their say about the developments taking place in their community.

“At the University of Herts, we thoroughly support the initiative and believe in the importance of providing children with a first class education.”

The event is being held at West Herts College, Hempstead Road, Watford, on Saturday from 10am to midday. Visit www.westhertscommunityfreeschools.org.uk