Ayfer Orhan (Labour), Dr Richard Grayson (Liberal Democrat) & Mike Penning (Conservative) with  Anthony Styles (Chairman of West Herts Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society) before a public debate at a hustings meeting sponsored by Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead.

The three main parliamentary candidates for the constituency of Hemel Hempstead locked horns on Thursday in the usually-more-sedate environment of St John the Evangelist Boxmoor Parish Church at a hustings meeting  sponsored by Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead. Discussing questions proposed in advance by audience members were Ayfer Orhan (Labour), Mike Penning (Conservative) & Dr Richard Grayson (Liberal Democrat).

The evening was recorded as a podcast & is available for download at the Churches Together website at http://www.hemelchurches.org.uk/.

Questions raised by the audience of around 200 constituents were as follows:

Who is going to open our A&E department and maternity unit - in fact the whole hospital - for the local people? Will it be the first and foremost priority?

Will the freedom for independent bodies to set up new Academy schools be to the detriment of existing schools whose numbers will fall?

It is of concern that the current government has not taken up the recommendations on the long-term care of elderly people and has stalled on its own proposals. If elected, how would you ensure that the needs of elderly people are met - financially and socially?

£68 billion of government savings equates to around one million jobs, based on around £68,000 per job (£34,000 salary & 100% overheads). Is this a fair understanding and if so how can this number of jobs be lost without impacting every frontline service? Wouldn't a fairer solution than cutting jobs be to put up taxes, starting with income tax at least back to the 22p it was at until fairly recently?

How do you think the British government should react to the Israeli building of settlements on occupied Palestinian land?

Should it be a crime to say that homosexuality is sinful?

Whether your party has control of Parliament or not, what will be your three main personal objectives for Hemel Hempstead over the next four years?

LISTEN NOW TO AN AUDIO RECORDING OF THE HUSTINGS DEBATE.

The full list of candidates standing for the Hemel Hempstead constituency in the election are as follows:

David James Alexander - UK Independence Party
Dr Richard Grayson - Liberal Democrats
Ayfer Orhan - The Labour Party
Mike Penning - The Conservative Party
Janet Dorothy Price - British National Party
Mick Young - Independent

Jean Garner (Centre) being presented with a framed long service testimonial certificate by Christian Aid worker Catherine Loy, and a bouquet of flowers from Chris Jones treasurer of Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead.

Mrs Jean Garner of Boxmoor has finally stood down as town organiser for Christian Aid collection in Hemel after 35 years of faithful and successful service. She took over the role in 1975 and during that time over £250,000 has been collected in Hemel and given to overseas development work and disaster relief.

A special buffet evening was arranged to mark this event at St Mary's Church Old Town where many of Jean's friends and helpers gathered to thank her and wish her well.

Catherine Loy from CA Oxford came and gave a talk on the difference CA work is making around the world including in Haiti. She especially spoke of people in Burkina Faso whose lives have changed  for the better following CA support there.

Christian Aid week will bespan style="mso-spacerun:yes">  9-15^th May this year. If anyone would like to help with the street collection or help with the organising of the week would they please contact Rev Stephen Wood, Chair of Churches Together in Hemel. (T 256433)

Cllr Mrs Carol Green, the Mayor of the Borough of Dacorum, cut a ribbon to open a new purpose-built extension to St George's URC Church at an open day on Saturday (14th March).

A service to dedicate the building for the work of the church was held to mark the occasion.

Rev Peter Cotton, Rector of St Mary's Church and Rural Dean of Hemel Hempstead, retired on 29 January 2009 after 12 years of active service in the town, including serving as Chairman of Churches Together.

Peter & his wife Liz plan to return to Hampshire where Peter is looking forward to doing some gardening & bird-watching.

Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead wishes him God's very best for this new season of life.

New Horizons Christian Fellowship celebrated ten years of service & worship in the community of Hemel Hempstead on Sunday, 14 September 2008 with a special day of celebration including food, fun & entertainment throughout the day! They were joined by Baroness Caroline Cox who in a keynote address spoke on the theme of 'Social Justice in a World of Trouble.'

Congratulations to all at New Horizons on reaching their key milestone.