January 2021
Dacorum has recently published details of its new local plan, part of which will have far-reaching consequences for Piccotts End.
Michael Nidd, our residents’ association secretary, is urging everyone who wishes to make their feelings known during the consultation process to do so before the closing date of February 28th.
December 2020
Happy new year everyone. 2020 has given everyone plenty of time for reflection. What have we learned to value from such a dreadful year? Counting our blessings might be one. Sue Leach and her husband Michael, pictured here, have lived in the village for nearly 20 years. I was chatting to Sue last week about the community spirit she and her Riverbank neighbours showed in ringing bells on Christmas Eve. ‘We do have a great sense of community here and lovely neighbours at Riverbank. After our Christmas celebrations Michael said to me “why would we ever think about moving away from here?”
December 2020
A warm welcome to Sam and Andy Ramsden who have just moved to the village. They are the new owners of Astley House, No 138, previously owned by Tim & Julia Blinko. Sam is a barrister and Andy is a solicitor and they come to Piccotts End from south London via roots in South Africa. ‘We’re looking forward to getting to know everyone in the village and the area better as we are newcomers to Hertfordshire, although I have family close by in Bucks’ Sam told us.
December 2020
It was Christmas with a difference, but residents found novel ways of celebrating despite the Coronavirus lockdown. Following a Christmas Eve ringing of bells, at 11am on Christmas morning many tuned in to a virtual carol recital performed by our musicians Jane McClelland and Simon Lillystone. Hark the Herald Angels Sing and O Little Town of Bethlehem rang out across a dozen homes with residents joining in the festive spirit.
December 2020
Piccotts End was a picture of lights and echoed to the ring of bells on Christmas Eve. Determined not to let Covid ruin the festive season, villagers pulled out all the stops on decking homes with some amazing displays of twinkling lights and illuminated reindeer. And at 6pm Riverbank residents, accompanied by Holly Cross at Piccotts End Farm, rang bells and made merry. Annette Harrison, social secretary of the Residents Association and a Riverbank resident, said ‘Everyone has made special effort to brighten up their homes for Christmas and the bell-ringing made for a great atmosphere. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas.’
December 2020
PERA chairman David Stanier and his committee would like to wish all the Piccotts End residents a safe and happy Christmas time. He writes ‘It is sad we have have had to abandon our regular social activities this year, but given half a chance next year will be better. Early in the new year we intend to hold a Covid-19 safe Annual General Meeting to enable all of us to mull over our thoughts for the future.’
October 2020
Like the great travellers who introduced exotic plants such as the Fuchsia to these shores, I love the idea of seeing them flourish here, even if my easyJet flights hardly qualify as great. My latest imports are now to be seen flowering prolifically as far afield as Cornwall, France and Dorset, as well as here in Piccotts End!
It’s the beautifully scented yellow Brugmansia, also known as Datura. The one pictured here in our conservatory originated in the gardens of the Grand Timeo Hotel in Taormina in Sicily. Last year I brought back few tiny cuttings and put them in a propagator. A year on they are producing an abundance of flowers which fill the house with perfume in the evenings.
October 2020
The village has lost another of its oldest residents. Gladys Kulikowski, who lived at 101 for more than 50 years, has died at the age of 99.
Val Corbett, a fellow resident and lifelong friend, paid this tribute in her eulogy at Gladys’s funeral.
September 2020
A Piccotts End resident is calling for a petition to demand a crossing over the Leighton Buzzard Road.
Michael Taylor, who lives at Riverbank, is asking villagers to join him with a petition after an unproductive meeting with ward councillor Ron Tindall.
September 2020
While the village Book Club’s usual meetings have not been possible under Covid restrictions it hasn’t cramped their literary deliberations. Thanks to Zoom the club has been turning the pages more often than ever. As well as a bi-monthly discussion members have been choosing short stories for the months in between. Summer titles have included Rebecca (Daphne du Maurier), The Machine Stops (E M Forster), The Catcher in the Rye (J D Salinger) and All Among the Barley (Melissa Harrison).