January 2012
It was good to see so many residents at the 12th night drinks party, especially as there was some confusion over the date. I have to take some of the blame here as my research convinced me it was January 5th. Afterall, if the first day of Christmas is December 25th then the 12th day is January 5th. Apparently it doesn’t work like that. 12th night is Epiphany, January 6th. Luckily that didn’t deter some 30 residents congregating at the Old Bakery, home of PERA secretary Michael Nidd and his wife Pat.

Among the guests were two of the village’s most recent arrivals, Tim & Julia Blinko, who spent their first Christmas in their new home at 138. It was also good to catch up with two other residents spending their first Christmas in the village, Carly & Ramon from the Boars Head. All four were very enthusiastic about village life and said how much they were looking forward to playing an active role in it. There was also talk of organising a street party to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June and Maggie Chandler from Riverbank said she planned to hold another summer party, later in the summer, to raise funds for Help for Heroes. Roll on June and July!

Update on my December & November posts: the rubbish in Beechwood Lane has been cleaned up. Good. Chez Gerard in Berkhamsted has closed. Oh dear.

PS It seems I was right after all about Twelfth Night. It is January 5th, Epiphany eve, and the 12th day of Christmas.