March 2013
No, this is not about a Graham Greene novel, just the good old Attic Cafe in Berkhamsted high street. We usually go there for Sunday lunch but last week we tried something daringly different: Saturday tea! Fancying a toasted tea cake with a pot of Earl Grey I placed my order and settled down to the read the paper. Before long the delicious aroma of
March 2013
The village AGM took place in March. Among the various topics discussed were plans for a Safari Supper, the Summer Garden Party and a Village Noticeboard.
February 2013
Here we are at the end of Feb and it’s been such a drab month I have little to report. On the few occasions when the weather did relent, we managed a trip up the Shard and a visit to York for the Viking Festival. York is one of my favourite cities with its medieval streets, its magnificent Minster and its Jorvik Viking Centre. The centre’s underground
February 2013
Not content with rowing the Atlantic, Mill Close resident Graham Witham is now setting his sights on running across the Sahara! Graham, who completed the gruelling sea marathon in 2012, says it will be pale in comparison with his 2014 challenge of completing the desert run in just 7 days.
January 2013
The Marchmont Arms echoed to the sound of chatter and the chink of glasses at the 12th Night party. A gathering of residents old and new had plenty to talk about, from colds to Christmas!
January 2013
Happy New Year! Apart from resolving to eat less bread and more rice, this year I plan to go about and about in the Dacorum area, picking out examples of the good, the bad and the ugly. One building that constantly catches my eye, and for all the wrong reasons, is the cricket pavilion in Hemel. First of all it’s out of all proportion to its setting. How did that get past the planners?
December 2012
Enjoying a cappucino and a croissant at Hemel station (top marks to the ladies from Puccinos on Platform 4) my ears pricked up at the following exchange. Lady customer: ‘Where do you live?’ Puccinos lady: ‘Harrow. Where do you live, Hemel Hempstead?’ Customer: ‘No, Boxmoor’. It was only when we moved to Hemel that we realised the important
November 2012
One of the perks of running a fireworks company is that every year I get to put on a display for the village. This has become a regular feature since we moved here in 2003 and every year it attracts a large audience. Everyone chips in with offers of help, from hot soup and hot dogs to delicious pork and apple rolls. This year is another big success.
November 2012
Another dry night and another big turnout for the annual Piccotts End fireworks party, provided courtesy of Fantastic Fireworks. Nearly 100 villagers, families and friends came to Marchmont Cottage to enjoy all the traditional fare of Bonfire Night – the only thing missing was the bonfire!
October 2012
Seeing that Harry Hill was coming to the Old Town Theatre we quickly booked the last remaining few tickets. Our guests included our friend and neighbour Val Corbett. Unfortunately Val broke her ankle only a few days before the show and the only way she could make it was if the theatre had wheelchair accommodation. This was duly arranged but Val would have to sit in the front row. You can guess what’s coming next!