Hertsmere First

05/08/2026

AN INSULT TO THE MEMORY OF THE GREAT SIR CHRISTOPHER LEE, albeit a sight that might have come straight out of one of his horror movies.

The scaffolding blighting Shenley Road has been an ongoing concern for Borehamwood residents and businesses.

We’ve been told by Hertsmere Borough Council that it is expected to come down by the end of the summer. But these latest images show just how dangerous and unacceptable the situation remains EVERY DAY it is left in place.

Following our complaints and our petition, protective foam was installed to reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians. As you can see, much of that protection has now come away - creating more mess and further hazards for passers-by.

This cannot be allowed to continue.

We will not rest until every last piece of scaffolding has been taken down and whatever works are necessary to secure public safety have been carried out - and carried out in short order.

Hertsmere First
People before politics

02/08/2026

29/07/2026

Yesterday was the annual fundraising Garden Party for the NSPCC, and it was a big success! 💚

Local musicians including Borehamwood Brass, Borehamwood Community Choir, and Paul Lomax laid on the entertainment, there were stalls, tea and cake, a prize raffle drawn by the Mayors and inspiring words from Dr Ann Goddard on behalf of all the wonderful NSPCC Committee volunteers... and perfect weather.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this and to the kindness of our hosts, Norman and Ann Shuker.

27/07/2026

A huge thank you to Dwain Chambers for an afternoon that was engaging and entertaining in equal measure — leaving all of us lucky to be there with the inspiring message that real success is about becoming the best version of ourselves.

A lovely lunch at MezeMangal in Bushey, and our thanks to Councillor Marc Amron, Suzy (Sujata) Essex, Community ConneX and of course Dwain himself for helping make the event such a success.

A fantastic day supporting Community ConneX, an organisation that provides vital support, opportunities and services for people with learning disabilities and autistic people across Hertfordshire. 🌟

26/07/2026

𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑: 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝟐 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊𝐒

Over the past fortnight I have been working with residents to make a number of improvements to our town. They may be small individually, but they matter to our neighbours who see them every day. They all add up to a nicer place to live.

🍃ARUNDEL DRIVE – Overgrown hedge opposite Paxton Court blocking footpath access trimmed back

🐝BALMORAL DRIVE – Tree growing into and damaging resident’s flat removed, potential fire hazard hedge trimmed back at the corner with Howard Drive, Beehive in chimney making life hell for a family removed and transferred.

🧒🏼COMPOSERS PARK, ELSTREE VILLAGE – Broken swing replaced, graffiti removed from children’s play equipment.

🛋️MANOR WAY – Flytipped sofa and wood cleared from behind shops on the Church side and trip-hazard drain cover made safe with mounted concrete.

☢️SHENLEY ROAD – Metal cover placed on dangerous open drain outside Liberty Court and flytipped fridge removed near St Teresa’s Church.

🔫THORNBURY GARDENS – Alleyway weeds sprayed and overgrown shrubs mowed

As ever, I must say thank you to the borough and county council employees who helped to fix them and to YOU, the residents who reported these to me so that we could get them resolved together:

Have a great weekend,
Dan

Hertsmere First
People Before Politics

23/07/2026

Don’t forget - lunch with Dwain Chambers at 12.30pm tomorrow in Bushey.

🌟 AN AFTERNOON WITH ATHLETICS LEGEND DWAIN CHAMBERS – Supporting a Fantastic Local Charity 🌟

Hertsmere First is delighted to invite residents, friends and supporters to a very special charity lunch with British and international track sprinting legend Dwain Chambers on Friday 24th July 2026, from 12:30pm–3:00pm at MezeMangal Restaurant, Bushey (WD23 1EL). 🏃‍♂️🍽️

This promises to be a relaxed and enjoyable afternoon in support of Community Connex (Registered Charity No: 295263) — an outstanding local charity providing vital support, opportunities and services for people with learning disabilities and autistic people of all ages across Hertfordshire and neighbouring boroughs. ❤️

Dwain will be joining us as our special guest, sharing his remarkable story with the same openness and honesty that has inspired so many people. He will talk about the highs and lows of his athletics career, the lessons he has learned along the way, and there will be an opportunity for guests to ask questions and chat with him throughout the afternoon.

🌟 This is a great opportunity to:
✨ Meet and chat with Dwain in an informal setting
✨ Hear first-hand from one of Britain’s most recognisable athletes
✨ Network with others from across our community
✨ Enjoy a lovely lunch while helping raise funds for an incredible local cause

Dwain is no stranger to Hertsmere. Through his friendship with Hertsmere First Leader Councillor Marc Amron, he has already visited the borough twice to inspire young people, speaking to students at Hertswood Academy and Queens’ School, Bushey about his extraordinary journey — sharing honest reflections on the highs and lows of elite sport, resilience, accountability and the importance of making positive choices in life. 🌟

Many people may not know that Marc and Dwain’s friendship goes back to their shared passion for athletics. Marc was a talented sprinter himself in his younger days and still trains with Dwain today, continuing to compete and remain actively involved in the sport he loves. 🏃‍♂️💪

We are hugely grateful to Dwain for continuing to give his time to inspire the next generation across Hertsmere, and we look forward to welcoming him once again — this time in support of a fantastic local charity. 🙏

📅 Date: Friday 24th July 2026
⏰ Time: 12:30pm–3:00pm
📍 Venue: MezeMangal Restaurant, 81 High Road, Bushey, WD23 1EL
🚗 Free parking available at the rear of the restaurant, or paid parking is available at Rutts Car Park opposite.

If you would like to attend this special afternoon and support Community Connex, please get in touch or contact the charity directly at [email protected]

We hope to see you there for what promises to be a memorable afternoon! 🌟

17/07/2026

HERTSMERE LEADERSHIP INSULTS RESIDENTS OVER THEIR CAMPAIGN TO RID BOREHAMWOOD OF ITS NEVER-ENDING HIGH STREET SCAFFOLD

In an extraordinary outburst on Wednesday evening, Hertsmere Borough Council’s leadership sought to gaslight local people by belittling their campaign to rid Shenley Road of the ugly scaffold that has blighted Borehamwood’s high street for an entire year.

When Dan Ozarow asked a Member of the Public question about why the Borough Council has just granted planning permission to the owners of the building where the scaffold is for another THREE YEARS despite so many residents having sustained injuries on the abandoned scaffold, Hertsmere’s Portfolio Holder for Environmental Health Cllr Paul Richards completely avoided answering the question and instead read out a pre-prepared script.

In an uncharacteristically misinformed and condescending response, Cllr Richards accused residents of participating in a "fake campaign which hasn't changed outcomes or delivered something that wouldn't happen otherwise”.

This is in spite of the fact that following the widely supported petition’s submission, the county council responded directly to it by confirming that the footway was widened to increase accessibility, the rotting wooden block that residents were tripping on was removed and safety sponge was added to the metal scaffold to prevent head injuries.

This followed Mayor of Hertsmere Cllr Parveen Rani seeking to prevent Dan from speaking several times during his contribution, despite the required impartiality of the Mayoral role.

Take a look at this footage. It beggars belief!

Hertsmere First is disappointed in the Council Leadership’s arrogant and dismissive attitude towards local people and believes that residents should be praised for campaigning to protect their community, town centre and affected local businesses not gaslit and insulted.

Hertsmere First
People before politics