January 2020
The festive season is over for another year and residents marked the Twelfth Night finale with a gathering at the Marchmont Arms. It was one of PERA’s best attended events with residents young and old, recent and longstanding, enjoying drinks and nibbles organised by our social secretary Annette Harrison.
December 2019
Champagne corks popped and the bubbly flowed at a get-together for couples and families who have recently moved to Piccotts End. They were welcomed by village veteran of 35 years, Lady Val Corbett.
The party took place at 105, kindly provided by Kathryn and Alastair Yexley, who at only 4 years are still newbies by comparison!
November 2019
The sausages sizzled, the pork pulled and the fireworks fizzed! Villagers enjoyed a great night at Marchmont Cottage for the annual fireworks party. Many thanks to Annette (pictured) and Paul Harrison, Michael Nidd (pictured) and Ian Keevil for all their help in making it a November to remember, remember! More photos in Gallery.
October 2019
Every house has a story, some happy, some sad, some mythical, some notorious. Here at Marchmont Cottage it was said to be inhabited by a ghost which caused passers-by to hurry along in case they encountered it! At a recent meeting of the village book club Jane McClelland told us of the infamous connection to her house.
October 2019
It included the best of British at No 5, the finest of France at No 27 and the richest of Russia at No 96. This year’s Safari Supper was even tastier than dinner at Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons! PERA chairman David Stanier and his wife Margaret are to be congratulated on organising another successful event on the village social calendar.
The culinary mystery tour started out at homes throughout the village, taking residents from one house to another for either a starter or a main course before ending with a final gathering for dessert at the village’s renowned Murals Cottage.
August 2019
Ever since we moved to Piccotts End in 2004, enjoying a meal with friends at Alberto’s in the Old Town has been a regular part of our lives. Making the short walk from our house in winter, spring or summer was an occasion to look forward to. The shock news that he’s decided to close after 23 years has depressed me in all sorts of ways.
July 2019
A lovely recital by resident musicians Tim & Julia Blinko made this year’s summer garden party sing and dance! OK there was no singing or dancing but everyone enjoyed the marvellous music emanating from Julia’s flute and sax, and from Tim’s electric piano. Add the bonus of warm and dry weather and it was a lovely afternoon. As always it was the sterling efforts of our social secretary Annette Harrison and her husband Paul, with the help of Michael Nidd , who made it all happen.
May 2019
The sun drew an excellent turnout to the PERA spring brunch.
April 2109
PERA’s social secretary Annette Harrison announced a busy programme of social events at the AGM.
It will kick off with the Spring Brunch at the Marchmont Arms on Sunday May 12th (11am – 1pm). Next up will be the Summer Garden Party on Saturday July 6th (venue to to be confirmed).
In September it’s a welcome return for the Safari Supper. This will take place on Saturday the 21st. If you would like to host a starter or main course, or offer your home as a rendezvous for dessert and the final part of the evening please email Margaret Stanier margaretstanier@outlook.com
April 2019
Problems caused by the Marchmont Arms were one of the the main topics of conversation at this year’s PERA AGM. The secretary Michael Nidd reported how refuse and delivery lorries had churned up the grass verge by the pub and demolished decorative pots outside Blue Gates. The matter will be raised with the pub’s manager.