August 2020
Most celebs and rock stars hang out in fashionable areas like the Cotswolds or Surrey. But not Ronnie Wood, the Rolling Stone who has come to rest in our part of the world, at Little Gaddesden. One of his favourite haunts is the Alford Arms where he’s a regular patron.
August 2020
Friends and neighbours gathered for an alfresco farewell to popular village musicians Tim & Julia Blinko. Tim, who is Professor of Music at the University of Hertfordshire, and Julia, who sings with the Bach Choir, are moving to Dorset. They will be accompanied by Julia’s mother Pip to a dream home in Shaftesbury. ‘We’ve loved our time in Piccotts End and we will miss the many friends we’ve made,’ said Tim, whose family have lived in the village for 10 years. ‘We’re very much looking forward to welcoming you all to our new home.’
July 2020
Judy Wade, village veteran and HELLO!’s royal correspondent for 27 years, has died at the age of 81 after a short illness.
A trailblazing woman journalist, she reported on royal births, deaths and marriages and crossed the globe on royal tours until her retirement in 2015.
Known for her colourful outfits and larger than life presence, she arrived from her native Australia in 1971 and moved to Piccotts End shortly afterwards.
July 2020
After 17 years of missing deliveries and confused delivery drivers I have finally taken some action. I’ve changed our postcode! I didn’t realise you could do this until I noticed that several places I go to have a unique postcode identifying their exact location. Why would I need this? Well it’s because our current postcode HP1 3AT directs drivers into Piccotts End village whereas we are marooned the other section of the road leading into Hemel Old Town. The problem was caused when the road was cut in two by the building of Link Road back in the 1980s.
May 2020
For many it’s a Thursday night ritual and residents in the black and white cottages have been regulars from the start. Thanks to photographer Steve Casey of No 52 who was there to record the latest occasion.
May 2020
Riverbank residents didn’t let lockdown dampen their spirits on VE Day. Safely spaced in the communal gardens they marked the 75th anniversary enjoying tea and cake on a beautiful, sunny Bank Holiday Friday.
April 2020
The village may look dead to the world but behind the walls and doors of lockdown a veritable hive of activity is going on! It’s great to see that community minded residents Holly Cross, Maggie Chandler and Sue Leach have set up a facebook page and a WhatsApp group dedicated to helping anyone who can’t get out for shopping, prescriptions or just need some words of comfort and support.
April 2020
If you’re a Radio 3 listener you may have heard Penny Gore presenting the afternoon concert this week. But instead of her usual berth at Broadcasting House, during lockdown Piccotts End resident Penny has turned one of her rooms at home into the makeshift studio you can see here.
March 2020
If you’re stuck at home and need help during the Corona lockdown a new aid group has been set up to help. Villagers Maggie Chandler and Holly Cross are offering to do shopping, post mail, collect medicine or give any other assistance required.
January 2020
The Daily Mail’s letters column is always crammed full of readers’ views on current affairs. As a regular reader, dating back to when I worked there back in the 70s, I’ve noticed one scribe’s name appearing more regularly than anyone else. Step forward Piccotts End’s very own veteran epistolarian Mary Wiedman! Mary has had her views published on a wide range of topics, ranging from early departing swifts foreboding a harsh winter to her latest suggestion to make Prince Harry our US Ambassador.