People

MOTORISTS and neighbours near a Northwood school have been subjected to a catalogue of road rage attacks during rush hour.

Racial abuse, threats of violence and vandalism are commonplace during pick-up and drop-off times, fed-up residents claim.

Students have also been targeted as school run traffic clogs the streets at the beginning and end of the day.

"HELPING people to feel positive about themselves and get excited about life is worth so much more than money."

These are the uplifting words of local personal trainer and life coach, Davinia Gill (pictured right), who is launching a free Positive Living Club in Rickmansworth.

Ms Gill, who penned self-coaching book, Imagine & You Can, has helped hundreds of women to transform their lives and now wants to spread the power of positive thinking throughout the community.

A RESIDENT who was banned from Croxley Green Parish Council offices after its chairman said he subjected staff to 'years of harassment and intimidation' has made an unexpected return to local politics.

As reported by the Gazette last August, Robert Ridley, of Scots Hill, can currently only communicate via post through outgoing chairman, Marion Birch, after her colleagues branded him a 'habitual and vexatious complainant'.

Mr Ridley, a businessman for more than 35 years, stood for election under the slogan 'Stop The Parish Council Wasting Money' in Croxley Green South - one of three council wards in the village.

EXCLUSIVE: THE heartbroken wife of a policeman who was killed in a road crash has paid tribute to her husband on the first anniversary of his death.

Sean McColgan, 37, of St Peter's Close, Mill End, died after his blue Suzuki motorcycle collided with a black Ford Fiesta at the junction with Denham Way and Tilehouse Lane, Denham, on April 6 last year.

Mr McColgan was an officer based at Hayes Police Station and had worked for the Metropolitan Police since 2003.

To mark the first anniversary of his tragic death, his wife, Tracey, and their two-year-old son, Evan unveiled a plaque in his memory at a special ceremony at the station, in Uxbridge Road, on April 5.

A POLICE officer who spent nine years serving the community in Mill End has been honoured with an award.

PC Tim Hill, 46, was presented with a Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, given to officers who have completed 20 years of service and whose conduct and character have been exemplary.

PC Hill began his career in Mill End and now works with the road policing unit in north Watford.

A MOTHER has blasted Hillingdon Council for failing to secure her diabetic teenager a school place in more than six months.

Teresa Spender, of Pinner Road, Northwood, says she is at her 'wits end' after eight schools across the borough denied admission to her 13-year-old son, Charlie.

Ms Spender, together with Charlie and younger daughter Lillie-Marie, six, returned to Northwood last November after moving to Southend, Essex, for three years.

The single mum says that, due to Charlie having Type 1 diabetes - which requires regular insulin injections - his previous school attendance was just 69 per cent.

A MOTORCYCLIST was rushed to hospital after colliding with a car in Rickmansworth yesterday (Sunday).

The crash, involving a black Honda CBR and a silver Peugeot 207, took place at about noon in Chorleywood Road, close to Rickmansworth Station and Station Roundabout.

Emergency services arrived at the scene minutes later and the motorcyclist, a 30-year-old man, was taken to Watford General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

A BAR owner in Rickmansworth has told of his shock after his venue was gutted by a fire for the second time in less than three months.

A crew of 31 firefighters in six engines raced to The Globe Bar, above Villa Romana restaurant in High Street, at about 2.24am yesterday (6) morning, to find the building well alight.

The flames were extinguished at about 4.30am and no one was injured.

A police investigation is now under way to establish the cause of the fire, which is believed to be arson.

A LONG-term friend of a man found dead in his car in Croxley Green has spoken of his shock at the news.

Jan Podgorski, 46, was discovered by a member of the public in his silver Toyota Yaris in All Saints Lane at about 9am on Sunday, March 27.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and police have confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious. The matter will now be dealt with by the county coroner.

Pal Keith Joseph, who lives in Chorleywood, told the Gazette: "Jan and I have known each other for more than 20 years, and I was the reason he was in this area.

A MOTHER-of-two from Mill End says she will be left 'severely out of pocket' in the wake of school transport spending cuts.

The Gazette reported last week how hundreds of parents will be forced to tighten their belts after Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) approved plans to slash free travel for pupils.

From September 2012, free transport will only be offered to those who are statutorily entitled, disabled or eligible for free meals. The service will also be limited to the nearest qualifying school.

Georgina Bowman-Smyth, of Middleton Road, says the decision will leave her struggling to make ends meet.