December 2023
Chasing cheap petrol prices seems a bit of a fool’s game. But it’s surprising how many people do it, me included. Why drive 10 miles to find petrol that costs a few pence less when the saving is swallowed up by the cost of getting there. But since Asda took over the old Co-op garage at Cupid Green, I have no need to drive any further. At 137p a litre it’s cheaper than even Tesco
October 2023
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!
August 2023
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.
July 2023
I first remember seeing John Motson at the Hollybush in Redbourn at least 20 years ago. He lived in Harpenden at the time and was a regular there, minus his famous trademark sheepskin coat.
Being a football fan I was rather excited to come across him some years later holding court at the Crown & Sceptre at Briden’s Camp.
June 2023
It’s said that life copies art, so maybe that’s the reason a stretch of the Leighton Buzzard road looks like it’s had a brush with a can of green paint this week
May 2023
Last weekend’s street party was such a success that many residents are saying ‘let’s have another one next year!’ It’s a lovely idea and judging by the popularity of the Coronation event, with nearly 100 villagers, families and friends in attendance, would be well supported. The trouble is, we’ve had a Jubilee and a Coronation in the space of a year, what’s left to celebrate?
March 2023
You’d have been lucky to find anywhere open for breakfast before 9am in these parts. And if you want the full English you’d either have to cook it yourself or go to a motorway service station. But all that is changing as cafes, pubs and restaurants…
December 2022
Piccotts End is aglow with Christmas lights at this time of the year. It’s always worth a trip down the road to see who’s put on the most spectacular show. From colourful tree arrangements to a modest festoon nearly everyone is joining in the Christmas spirit.
November 2022
Piccotts End is teeming with musical talent, including Jane and Simon Lillystone on the classical front and contemporary composer Paul Borg. Alongside them I’ve discovered another musical maestro living below the village radar. You rarely find him at home…
October 2022
There is always a new tale about Piccotts End you’ve never heard before. At this week’s Harvest Festival I chanced to meet Alf Holland, the man behind the wall. The wall in question is the one that surrounds Park View Farm. Alf has been its owner since 1988…