It’s looking very festive in the village. From the annual spectacular at Mill Close to the reindeer of Church House, residents are lighting up as never before. Even the village sign is sporting a Santa hat. Merry Christmas everyone! And when the party’s over, don’t forget to join us for the 12th Night drinks party at the Marchmont Arms on Friday 5th January (7pm – 9pm).
Mass village opposition to a major housing plan has paid off. Following a concerted effort by members of a new WhatsApp group, Dacorum Council have refused an application to build 390 houses on land overlooking the village on the west side of the Leighton Buzzard Road.
An eagle-eyed resident has noticed that Royal Mail have pulled a fast one on the village post box. The collection time always used to be a user-friendly 4pm, meaning that sending things like birthday cards for next day delivery involved a leisurely afternoon stroll. All that has changed with the new collection time of 9am, a move which was hidden away in the small print on the post box.
The raffle proved a big hit at this year’s fireworks party. More than 70 villagers enjoyed hot dogs, soup and fantastic fireworks on a dry November night.
It’s not often that you’ll see a real life scene depicted in The Twelve Days of Christmas. Twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, probably never. Nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, rarely. But seven swans a-swimming, yes!
A warm welcome to the village’s newest residents, Jack and Alice O’Brien. Jack & Alice and their young sons Freddie (3) and Rafferty (1) have upped sticks from their East London home and moved into the old Boar’s Head. They’ve lost no time in getting into the swing of village life, hosting a course at the recent Safari Supper.
Congratulations to Margaret Stanier, of 110 Piccotts End, who has just earned herself a PhD at the ripe young age of 80! Dr Stanier, to give her new official salutation, joins a long list of village boffins who have raised the IQ of PIQcotts End! Margaret, who is pictured here in her graduation robes of the Open University, took her doctorate in Pure Mathematics – an amazing feat which leaves all us maths duds in awe and admiration.
The Safari Supper made a triumphant return to the village social calendar this month. It’s held every two years and this year’s event proved a big winner.
This month I’ve been on the trail of apricots. They’re my favourite summer fruit but finding really sweet and juicy ones is sometimes hard.
A village resident has had to call in gas engineers after recent work connecting her house back to the main supply led to a leak. Now, Margaret Stanier of 110 PE is advising other residents to do the same if they smell gas.