July 2014
PERA chairman Dave Stanier and his wife Margaret have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a party for family and friends. The couple, who are one of the village’s longest standing residents, were sent a card of congratulations on behalf of the residents’ association. ‘It must be something in the air at Piccotts End because we’ve spent 45 of those 50 years in the village,’ said Dave.
July 2014
Once again the sun shone on the PERA summer garden party. ‘It was a wonderful occasion and everyone had a great time’ said a delighted Annette Harrison, who organised the event with her team of helpers who included husband Paul and son Leon.
June 2014
The colourful wild flowers on the Piccotts End roundabout have drawn some favourable comments in the Gazette, including one by veteran village resident Mrs Mary Wiedman. But not long later, while I was out planting up the Piccotts End village signs, to my amazement a car drew up, a young couple got out, walked over the road to the
May 2014
Villagers have sent ‘get well soon’ messages to Professor Stanley Hartland who has recently come out of hospital. Stanley, pictured here in his days as a chemical engineer, is the husband of PERA committee member Ena and on behalf of all in the village we send her and Stanley our very best wishes.
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,