logo
Rickmansworth residents asked to choose name for new bridge

Rickmansworth residents asked to choose name for new bridge

BBC News20-02-2025
Residents have been invited to select a name for a new pedestrian bridge in a Hertfordshire town.Three Rivers District Council wants a new wider bridge to connect Rickmansworth Aquadrome to the Ebury play area.People have been asked to share their opinions on five names proposed by the authority, each referencing the history in the area.Emma Sheridan, associate director for environment at the council, said: "It is only fitting to have a name for the new bridge that best reflects the character and heritage of the Rickmansworth Aquadrome."
The new red bridge is planned to be 48.6m (159ft) long and 3m (10ft) wide, which is double the width of the previous bridge.Contractor Beaver Bridges dismantled the original structure on Saturday and Sunday, and the replacement will be installed in March.
The council has considered five possible names for the bridge and people can share their opinions on their favourite until 28 March.They include Harry Walker Bridge, which would honour a local boat builder whose family business, which he started in 1905, helped create the Aquadrome.The name Ebury Bridge recognises the Grosvenor family, particularly Robert Grosvenor, 1st Baron Ebury, who during the Victorian era was involved in local railway development.
Meanwhile, Colne View Bridge would highlight the River Colne, a chalk river that hosts species of shrew, newt and bat.Another suggestion, Ann Shaw Bridge, would commemorate Ann Shaw who led the council for 30 years and passed away in 2017.Finally, Aquadrome Bridge would reference the nearby man-made lakes that the bridge connects to.
Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

I tested best fish and chips in capital of British national dish – winner was succulent and flaky and only cost £10.50
I tested best fish and chips in capital of British national dish – winner was succulent and flaky and only cost £10.50

Scottish Sun

time13 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

I tested best fish and chips in capital of British national dish – winner was succulent and flaky and only cost £10.50

Check out the ratings for all 22 fish and chip shops in Scarborough we put to the test NOBODY DOES IT BATTER I tested best fish and chips in capital of British national dish – winner was succulent and flaky and only cost £10.50 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THERE are few things we Brits love more than fish and chips. And Scarborough, home to 93 chippies, knows that more than anywhere else. The seaside resort in North Yorks has more fish and chip shops per head than any other town or city in the country — 85.4 per 100,000 to be precise. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 15 Tom Bryden put the UK's fish and chip capital to the test, trying out as many different establishments as possible Credit: Richard Walker So as a self-confessed fan of our national dish, I knew I had to pay it a visit. My mission? To find the best fish and chips in the fish and chip capital of Britain. My method? By trying as many establishments as I could in the town centre in one day. And along the way, I found out just how the chippy makes the meal like nowhere else — and why it's more important than ever to make a point of supporting your local. As it turns out, the dish had made quite the journey to end up in the UK. Sephardic Jews in 15th Century Portugal enjoyed traditional fried fish on the Sabbath. Cooking on the day itself was forbidden, so they would wrap the fish in batter to preserve it. But when they were banished in 1497, many fled to England, bringing the dish with them — and the tradition of eating it on a Friday soon caught on. By the Victorian era, fried fish was firmly established as a working-class staple, being cheap, nutritious and easy to ship across the country thanks to the arrival of the railways. 'Fried fish warehouses' even featured in the Charles Dickens classic Oliver Twist. Britain's £65 Fish & Chips So Big NO ONE Can Finish It Alone But the title of Britain's first fish and chip shop is hotly debated. A southerner may tell you the first one was opened in Bow, East London, by a Jewish immigrant called Joseph Malin in about 1860, while a northerner might claim it was John Lees, who opened a market stall in Mossley, Lancs, around 1863. Wherever that marriage of fried fish and fried chips was first made, it wasn't long before there was a shop on just about every corner. The dish even escaped rationing during World War Two. 'Prices are rocketing' 'It just worked so well, and it's great nutrition,' says Andrew Crook, President of the National Federation of Fish Friers. The numbers don't lie either. According to UK Fisheries, UK fans scoff around 382million meals from chippies every year and spend £1.2billion on fish and chips annually. Even Queen Elizabeth was a devotee — although she didn't eat fish off a newspaper, instead preferring haddock cut into small squares and covered in breadcrumbs. So how did we come to love fish and chips so much? 'It's a comfort thing,' reckons Andrew. 'People go on holiday, and the first meal they have when they get back is fish and chips. 'Everyone has their favourite chippy — you see so many arguments on social media about which one's better than the other. But as long as it sells and people love it, you're doing alright.' But the good old fish and chip shop is under threat. Although there are still more than 10,500 shops left in the country, they now find themselves under pressure just like other small businesses. 15 Fish and chips shops are under pressure from many different market factors in 2025 Credit: Richard Walker 'Fish prices are rocketing, while staff wages and national insurance contributions have increased,' says Raymond Fusco, a third-generation fish fryer and the owner of ­Winking Willy's, a fish and chip shop right on the harbourside in Scarborough. He adds: 'Gas price increases were massive too, because of the Ukraine war. All that has to be taken into account.' Reduced cod fishing quotas in recent years have also driven costs upwards. But despite these challenges, Raymond still feels confident about the future. He says: 'The good shops will continue to thrive. You can't imagine a Britain without fish and chips.' Andrew, meanwhile, wants the Government to recognise the problems smaller shops face. He says: 'We've got a great product and people rightly love fish and chips. 'We just need the Government to start engaging with this more closely, because if they don't I fear for many small businesses.' But to really understand fish and chips, I would have to get behind the counter and find out how it is made. Raymond explains the vital parts of the process. The oil will soak in if the batter is too thin — and chips must always be at least double fried. When it comes to the fish, keeping the oil clean is what matters most, and it must be regularly sieved to remove scraps and impurities. 15 Tom was invited behind the scenes to check out how fish and chip shops operate Credit: Richard Walker 'Crispy on outside' It's also why what you get down the chippy is so different to what you get in pubs. Raymond reveals: 'We always say, the busier we are, the better the fish, because you're constantly turning over the oil. 'Pubs don't generally do the same amount of volume.' I was now ready to go back to the customer side of the counter and see what Scarborough had on offer — but what should I be looking for in good fish and chips? Andrew, who also judges the National Fish and Chip awards, says: 'You want to be looking at the batter first. 'I'd always break a fish in half and make sure it's not too gooey underneath. You want a nice thin batter that's crisp, and you want a little bit of lift on it, usually a bit spiky.' Haddock rather than cod is the preferred offering in Scarborough, but a good fish will always be ice white and flakey. And for the chips? Andrew says: 'Crispy on the outside and soft in the middle.' But he added that as it was new potato season, they would likely be on the softer side. For these reviews, I have taken into account flavour and value for money to give each a mark out of ten. Here, I reveal what happened when I put Scarborough — and my arteries — to the test. Winking Willies: £10.50 15 Family-run Winking Willies stood out with terrific taste to score a 9/10 rating Credit: Richard Walker THE batter at this family-run shop certainly delivered a great crunch. The chips also had a good amount of softness on the inside without sacrificing the bite on the outside – no doubt thanks to the fact it is cooked in beef tallow. But it was the fish itself that really stood out, with a succulent flavour and great degree of flakiness. SCORE: 9/10 Harbourside: £11.20 15 Harbourside charged a high price, and thankfully the taste was worth it Credit: Richard Walker Like Willy's, this takeaway on the far end of the seafront also keeps things traditional by frying everything in beef dripping. Taste wise, it's worth it, and the chips had a great colour. I was also impressed by the size of the fish – though at £11.20 I wouldn't expect anything less. The fish was slightly greasy, but the batter was crisp. SCORE: 7/10 The Anchor: £11.30 15 The Anchor has featured on television and the portion sizes were impressive Credit: Richard Walker WITH it featuring on TV's The One Show, I went into The Anchor with high expectations – and it almost met them. The portion size was good, and there was clean separation when I broke away the fish, indicating good ­batter. But I found the chips to be somewhat undercooked with too much fluff – though having beers on draught almost made up for it. SCORE: 6/10 Bamford's: £10.60 15 Bamfords had a unique taste, leaving the fish skin on - which won't be for everyone Credit: Richard Walker THIS small shop on the front had one of the best coloured chips on offer. The fish also delivered on taste. In its favour, for me, was the fact that the skin was still left on. Though I can appreciate not everyone is a fan of this, I think it adds a nice variety to the flavour, especially when you're tucking into it by the sea. SCORE: 7/10 Tunny Club: £8.95 15 The Tunny Club had another unusual approach, serving a fish and chip wrap Credit: Richard Walker I WAS impressed by this award-winning takeaway's unique twist on the classic dish – a fish and chip wrap, featuring battered haddock, chips, and tartar sauce all bundled together. It came in at a very reasonable price, and I was pleasantly surprised by the innovation, which made a pleasant change from your usual takeaway tray. SCORE: 8/10 Fish Pan: £9.85 15 Old-school seafront restaurant The Fish Pan drew a mixed response from Tom Credit: Richard Walker Established in 1960, this old-school seafront take- away unfortunately left me disappointed. I enjoyed the chips, and the batter looked and tasted good, too. However, the fish itself was far too greasy for me to enjoy, and was too tough as well, lacking the flakiness I had been told by the experts to be on the lookout for. SCORE: 5/10 Papa's: £10.18 15 Boasting to be Britain's Best Fish and Chips, Papa's did not quite live up to the claim Credit: Richard Walker SITTING in a prime position on the seafront, a giant sign announces this as Britain's Best Fish and Chips. Unfortunately, it wasn't on the day I visited. Although the chips were decent, the fish was oily and not as good as many of the others nearby. But at £10.18 for a regular meal, it was one of the better value shops along the front. SCORE: 5/10 Carol's Plaice: £9 15 Carol's Plaice is hidden away from the seafront and was once visited by a top soap star Credit: Richard Walker A FEW streets away from the beach in a more residential area, this small family-owned shop is not chasing the tourist crowd – but it offered plenty of bang for my buck. The chips were generously portioned and the batter was a standout. It's no wonder that Gary from Coronation Street – actor Mikey North – once paid a visit. SCORE: 8/10 Rennards: £9.15 15 The fish outperformed the chips at town centre restaurant Rennards Credit: Richard Walker THE offering from this town centre chippy was a decent size for the price, and the fish itself was tasty. The batter wasn't too bad either, though it could have done with crisping up a little bit more. Unfortunately, the chips were the let-down here, as they were pale, undercooked and overall of poor quality. SCORE: 5/10 Wackers: £10 15 There were no complaints with taste at Wackers, despite the very untraditional looking store Credit: Richard Walker THE understated plain brick frontage of this takeaway just off the main shopping street didn't fill me with ­buckets of hope. But at a tenner a portion, I couldn't complain. The batter had a good golden colour to it, and the chips tasted great with a lovely crispness on the outside. Top whack! SCORE: 8/10 North Bay Fisheries: £12.50 15 There was a queue for North Bay Fisheries despite the price, and the taste showed why Credit: Richard Walker THE large queue snaking out of the door proved why this establishment, situated on the opposite side of town, is one of the highest-rated chippies in Scarborough. The batter and chips all scored top marks, and the fish was tasty too with a more meaty texture. By far the most expensive takeaway I visited but the portion size was very generous. SCORE: 9/10 Catch 55: £10 15 Catch 55 delivered on taste, and could have scored higher with a bigger portion Credit: Richard Walker JUST one road back from the seafront, this smart establishment offered a regular meal for a reasonable tenner. The batter was some of the best I'd had, and the fish was also tasty. But although the chips were great, they were let down by the fact that there were not as many in my box as other shops had served me. SCORE: 7/10

Have your say on changes to North Glasgow fire stations
Have your say on changes to North Glasgow fire stations

Glasgow Times

time2 days ago

  • Glasgow Times

Have your say on changes to North Glasgow fire stations

Residents were presented with two options for change yesterday at Balgrayhill Community Centre in Springburn as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) prepares to restructure. In both cases, an extra full-time appliance will be added to the station in Maryhill. Springburn Fire Station (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest) However, the first option would also include reducing the number of full-time trucks stationed in Springburn from two to one. And the second option would not affect the building - instead, it would involve Cowcaddens and Govan stations. Deputy Chief Officer Andy Watt explained that removing one truck from Springburn would not change initial response times. But it would mean that the response time of a second appliance would increase by an average of one minute and 25 seconds. On average, the first firetruck would be at the scene of a fire within five minutes and 35 seconds, while the second one would join in seven minutes and four seconds. It was also noted that, according to data from April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025, only roughly 30% of calls needed a second vehicle. The meeting in Springburn (Image: Sourced) Have your say about changes to North Glasgow fire stations (Image: Sourced) READ NEXT: Inside the public meetings over 'closure' of Glasgow fire station SFRS representatives assured attendees that the difference would be slight but changes would allow the service to free up nearly £500,000. Residents expressed concerns about what the money would be spent on, to which the officers responded that it would be spread out across Scotland with no specific plans yet. Another issue raised was the landscape of North Glasgow, which includes tenements, Victorian buildings and assisted living facilities, all of which could be at increased risk of fire and make evacuation difficult. One woman noted: "This would put more pressure and responsibility on the businesses to ensure evacuation and fire safety. "The care sector needs huge reassurance." Bob Doris, MSP, for Maryhill and Springburn, added: "We would also need reassurance that you have taken high-rises and disorder, minor fire raising into consideration. "Sites like the Promat factory are at bigger risk." (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest) (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest) Fire officers explained that the review is needed so they can redirect funds for modernisation, training and prevention to respond better to changes such as the climate emergency and industry changes. You are encouraged to share your opinion here. We previously reported that option one would see Cowcaddens fire station rebuilt on Maitland Street, the sale of the current site, and the closure of Yorkhill fire station which currently has one appliance. Option two would see the closure of Cowcaddens at its current site with the land sold off, but they would retain their Maitland Street site for possible future development. Yorkhill would remain open. The SFRS Service Delivery Review consultation will run until September 16, 2025.

Newark Castle revamp project building work under way
Newark Castle revamp project building work under way

BBC News

time3 days ago

  • BBC News

Newark Castle revamp project building work under way

Ground work has begun on a multi-million pound project that has been described as a "game changer" for one of Nottinghamshire's best-known historic scheme at Newark Castle will open up the original gatehouse, restore access to parts of the surviving walls and improve accessibility across the have started to dig a hole, which will contain a new room for school groups and is hoped the project, which was originally budgeted at £5.6m but needed a £1.02m bailout in February, will be completed in late 2026. The infamous King John died at the castle in 1216, but a large part of the structure was demolished after a protracted siege in facelift has been several years in the planning, with archaeologists investigating the site before building work will also see the gatehouse being reroofed, new exhibition spaces built and improved access to the formal Victorian gardens that fill the former interior of the Clarke, project delivery manager, said: "We are creating a new room underneath the steps that will lead to the gatehouse."That room is going to be used for school visits, community events and workshops."It is going to be a real game changer to have that kind of space." It is hoped that by boosting visitor numbers to the castle, it will provide economic benefits to the wider is also being made for wildlife, with pollinator friendly flower beds and bat roosts included in the it was planned to open the site in autumn next year, Ms Clarke emphasised this was dependent on many factors."All these things can change with a project as complicated as this one."This morning we have found some archaeology, some remains of stonework and we have now got to find out what that is."It is quite possible it is medieval stonework, so we will have a little pause while we figure that out, so these kind of delays can make a difference," she said. The project is backed by funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the government's Towns Fund, and Newark and Sherwood District Cozens, deputy leader of the council, said: "This project ensures the castle remains standing strong for another 900 years while ensuring that accessibility and biodiversity are at its very heart. "We'll be able to open new spaces in the castle to the public and provide exhibitions telling of Newark's rich medieval history."Drop-in sessions with project staff are being planned for August and September, with both evening and weekend options available.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store