Secure your Whatssap account

WhatsApp group chat members are being warned they could be targeted by criminals, as Action Fraud reveals it has received 636 reports from victims of the messaging app this year.

 

The fraud often begins when a member of the group receives a WhatsApp audio call from the fraudster, pretending or claiming to be another member of the group. This is done to gain the individual’s trust, and often the scammer will use a false profile picture and/or display name, so at first glance it would appear to be a genuine member of the group.

 

The fraudster will tell the victim they are sending them a one-time passcode which will allow them to join an upcoming video call for group members. The criminal then asks the victim to share this passcode with them so they can be “registered” for the video call.

 

In reality, the criminal is asking for a registration code to register the victim’s WhatsApp account to a new device so they can take over their account.

Once the fraudster has access to the victim’s WhatsApp account, they will enable two-step verification which makes it impossible for the victim to regain access their account. Other members of the group, or friends and family in the victim’s contacts, will then be messaged asking them to transfer money urgently as they are in desperate need of help.

 

How to secure your WhatsApp account:

 

  • Set up two-step verification (2SV)to give an extra layer of protection to your account. Tap Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable.
  • CALL.If a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person outside of WhatsApp to confirm their identity.
  • Report spam messages or block a sender within WhatsApp.Press and hold on the message bubble, select ‘Report’ and then follow the instructions.

 

*This article is from Action Fraud.

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Great Big Green Week 8 – 16 June

From 8th June to 16th June, dozens of organisations in your district are hosting a range of activities – all with their very own ‘eco twist’.

From litter picking, to wildlife walks, to craft events, to movie showings.

There is something for the whole family – your friends and family will love it – and so will you.

Read More. 

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Tour De Ricky – 1 June

Tour de Ricky is back in style Saturday 1st June! As well as  cake-powered rides, there are cycling related fun at Woodoaks Farm for anyone who wants a bit of fresh air, to explore new ways to get active and, most importantly, drink tea.

The team from Watford Cycle Hub will be on hand to take a look at your bikes and talk about training and skills. SPOKES, the South West Herts cycling group will explain how to get involved in campaigning for better infrastructure and services as well as how to join one of their amazingly welcoming local rides.

Freewheel and Ridgeback Kids will be demonstrating the latest kit and bikes – which you can buy through Watford Cycle Hub – and there are a number of local fitness organisations having run taster sessions. It could be the day when you discover inner yogic bliss, get hooked on Nordic walking or find an activity that could change your life.

Read more

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OHRA AGM – Today! See you there!

The Oxhey Hall Residents Association’s AGM will be held today, Thursday 23 May 2024 at 8 pm in the Community Hall in Broadfields Lane for all Oxhey Hall residents. Doors will open half hour early to give you time to read the reports. As usual, the AGM will be followed by some wine and cheese and a chance to chat with all.

We look forward to seeing you there.

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Climate Change Trail at the Gardening Fair – 26 May

Gardening Fair is returning this 26th May 2024 at Carpenders Park, Community Hall, WD19 5EG, it’s an immersive experience for gardening enthusiasts, organic and natural products, fresh produce and those eager to explore the world of flora and small animals supplies.

Join the Climate Change Trail to explore the local impact of climate change and discover actionable solutions. As our community faces rising temperatures and extreme weather events, understanding adaptation strategies is crucial. From cycling to reduce emissions to retrofitting homes for energy efficiency, every individual can make a difference. Take part in the trail to learn, engage, and empower yourself to take meaningful action. Together, we can create a resilient and sustainable future for our community. Join us on the Climate Change Trail and be a part of the solution!

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Oxhey Place and Oxhey Chapel

The Saxon name for Oxhey meant a place where oxen were kept. The Oxhey estate was one of three given by the powerful King Offa of Mercia to the monks of St. Albans. According to legend Offa was moved to donate the estates and found the monastery as an act of atonement for killing Ethelbert, King of East Anglia, in AD 757. In 1529 Oxhey was among the first minor monasteries to be demolished by Henry VIII.

In 1604, Sir James Altham, Baron of the Exchequer under Elizabeth I and James I, bought the Manor of Oxhey. Sir James built Oxhey Place on the monastic site adding the family chapel in 1612 on the foundations of the monastic church.

In 1877 Oxhey Estate was sold in building lots and the area around Oxhey Place and the chapel being bought by Thomas F. Blackwell, of Crosse and Blackwell.

Photo – Our Oxhey*

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Within the chapel the font, reredos (an ornamental screen covering the wall at the back of an altar), west doorway, roof, communion rails, chancel paving plus the Altham monument are all from the Seventeenth Century. The seating arrangements and other furnishings date from a restoration in 1897 but complement the earlier work maintaining its Jacobean atmosphere.

In 1704 the chapel was given a hipped roof and tiled along with a bellcote, which is a shelter for a bell. More work took place in 1712, when the reredos was painted white. From about 1799 no services were held, and the chapel used for storage. During 1852 Oxhey Chapel was restored as a church by Thomas Blackwell for the use of the inhabitants of Oxhey.

By the 1960’s the chapel was verging on dereliction. An appeal raised the equivalent of £126,000 and it was rescued. Restoration work changed the outward appearance, but the new roof is entirely in keeping with the old building.

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The chapel was declared redundant in 1977. Fortunately, it was considered to be of sufficient historical and architectural value to be vested in the Churches Conservation Trust and its future is now secure.

Information from the Churches Conservation Trust and Wikipedia

*See Our Oxhey – www.ouroxhey.org.uk for further local historical Hertfordshire archives

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Water Saving Tips

With population growth, changing weather patterns including hotter summers and drier winters, water is becoming increasingly vulnerable to scarcity, even in the UK. That will mean more water shortages: by 2050, the amount of water available could be reduced by 10-15%, with some rivers seeing 50%-80% less water during the summer months. It will mean higher drought risk, caused by the hotter drier summers and less predictable rainfall. On the present projections, many parts of our country will face significant water deficits by 2050, particularly in the south east where much of the UK population lives.

Find out more about how you can save water in the household

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A brief history of Oxhey Hall

 

 

Development on Brookdene Avenue

It is believed that Oxhey Hall Estate takes its name from the Grade II house which dates from the 16th century. It is known to have been the hunting lodge of Henry VIII. The house is situated at the end of a lane off Hampermill Lane.  Oxhey Hall is a moated site, and the moat, now dry, is a Scheduled Monument.

Oxhey Hall Estate was built on land which was formerly part of the Oxhey Estate of the late Thomas Blackwell, the father of S.J. Blackwell, (Cross & Blackwell family) having been purchased by him from the Rt. Hon. William Henry Smith in or about the year 1877 (W.H. Smith).

In 1930 brothers R.H. and E.H. Harland purchased land for development.  Other developers were also involved in building in the Oxhey Hall.

Oxhey Hall was a freehold estate extending to upwards of 130 acres. Plots of land were offered for sale in 1930 by the Sole Agents Lawton & Wright of High Street, Watford. Plots of Freehold Land, either singly or in quantities could be purchased for £4 to £5 5s 0d. per foot, according to the position.

The Estate was described as “being carefully developed for medium-sized residences” and came under Bushey and Watford Rural Town Planning Scheme and only 4, 6 or 8 houses per acre (according to position) were allowed.

The estate was advertised as having “an excellent service of trains, both steam and electric into London”.  A 3rd Class season ticket to Euston cost £1 10s 9d a month!

Gas supply was from Watford and St. Albans Gas Co. @10d. per therm and Watford Rural rates approx. 4 shillings in the pound for the half year.

When the Metropolitan Railway was built in the late 1880’s the areas served by the railway was known as “Metroland”.  Houses within Oxhey Hall include good examples of 1930’s “Metroland” architecture.

It appears work on the Estate was put on hold during WWII.  A section along Oaklands Avenue was finally completed in or around 1956.  It is believed that the land was being used as allotments before the houses Nos.  62 to 86A were built.

Interestingly, during the war a bomb landed in Brookdene Avenue.  There was a crater in the road and some windows blown out but, luckily no significant damage.  I am told local children made a ‘bee-line’ to Brookdene and collected shrapnel.

In the early years of the 2000’s property developers were making concerted efforts to buy parts of the large back gardens enjoyed by Oxhey Hall Residents.  To try and protect our rural estate, Conservation Area Status was sought from Three Rivers District Council and it was finally granted in March 2006.  Oxhey Hall was designated as “An area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.”

– With grateful thanks to Pauline Tollady for her wealth of local knowledge.

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Updated Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy – TRDC

Three Rivers District Council is committed to being a net zero council for its own operations by 2030, and to help decarbonise the district as set out in the Climate and Sustainability Emergency Strategy and Action Plan, which was adopted in 2021.

An updated strategy for 2023-2027 was adopted by the council in December, and now councillors have given the green light to an action plan to make its ambitions become a reality.

Read More

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Collect Free Compost Giveaway – 8 May

Compost made from recycled garden waste will be available for free for green-fingered Three Rivers residents to pick up.

The council’s garden compost giveaway will take place at Rickmansworth Aquadromeon Wednesday 8 May from 9:30am until compost runs out. Residents are asked to bring their own shovels and bags to fill.

Read more

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