May 2014
Have you seen an Empire Arts film yet? You should! With the Rex at Berkhamsted the local cinema of choice for many film fans my own visits to Hemel’s Jarman Park have been limited only to a few must-see-now movies. But the recently introduced Empire Arts programme is changing all that, not just for me but for everyone who enjoys live performance.
April 2014
Three Piccotts End houses have been broken into and valuables stolen. The burglars struck during the morning when the owners were not at home. They are believed to have kept a low profile by parking away from the houses so as not to arouse suspicion. Police are investigating.
April 2014
Over at Hatfield House the other day I couldn’t help but notice the amount of noise from the nearby railway. With such a grand and historic residence, home of a line of Lord Salisburys and the young Elizabeth I, you’d imagine its gardens to be a haven of tranquility. But sadly not. Every other minute the peace is disturbed by the clatter of one of the many trains racing past only a few
March 2014
Come and join us! That’s the invitation from Little Gaddesden Bowls and Croquet Club, who have launched a campaign to extend membership to 100. Club captain Alun March has written to PERA saying residents are welcome to come and try their hand. Click here for more details.
March 2014
A campaign to turn the site of Piccotts End’s rare 15th century murals into a museum has been launched by Dacorum Heritage Trust. The Trust’s campaign manager Mark Stephens said: ‘The murals are unique survivors of national importance. It is imperative they are saved.’ Anyone interested in contributing to the museum fund should call DHT on 01442 879525 or email info@dacorumheritage.org.uk
February 2014
In between reading the Book Club choice Longbourn, which is an imaginative take on life below stairs in a sequel to Pride and Prejudice, I have been revisiting Julius Caesar’s Gallic Wars. I remember the drudge of having to translate passages from Latin while at school. Now, more than 50 years later, they make a fascinating read. Putting aside the million-odd deaths he was responsible for,
January 2014
Village newcomer Deirdre O’Donohoe received a warm welcome by all attending the 12th Night drinks party at the Marchmont Arms.
December 2013
December gales brought down a large tree in the village, blocking the entrance to a house and damaging an old brick wall. The trunk fell across 158 Piccotts End, narrowly missing overhead powerlines. Fortunately no one was hurt but one of the brick piers bordering the entrance took the full force of the fall and broke off.
December 213
It’s Christmas Day and for the first time in many years there has been no snow this month. Remember about 4 years ago when Hemel came to a halt in mid-December and the snow stayed until January? Today has been sunny, mild and dry, just like most Christmases. Yesterday we went to the children’s carol service at St Mary’s Church. It was just as well
December 2013
Residents and friends of Lady Val Corbett gathered at her home earlier this month when she was presented with a plaque to commemorate the life of her late husband Lord Robin Corbett.