September 2026
Residents voted this year’s Safari Supper the best yet. More than 20 took part in the popular culinary merry-go-round in which participants host meals for a group of mystery guests before moving on to another house to spring a second surprise. Special thanks to Carole Cohen, who organised such a splendid event, and to Margaret Stanier for hosting the finale.
August 2026
Tributes have come from all parts of the village following the death of Lady Val Corbett. Val passed away earlier this month after a short and unexpected illness. She always tried to keep her age a secret but was believed to be about 84, according to her daughter Polly, pictured here on her wedding day with Val. Val lived in the village for more than 50 years and was married to the former Hemel Hempstead MP Robin Corbett, who was later
June 2026
After nearly 40 years in the village, our former PERA secretary, Marilyn Hughes, has said goodbye. Marilyn, who lived in Mill Close, was s stalwart of village events during the Millennium years, organising everything from summer garden parties to safari suppers. She is pictured here with her daughter Amy and husband Derek during the London Olympics in 2012 when they were officials for Hertfordshire during swimming events. Sadly,
May 2026
villagers gathered at the revamped Marchmont Arms for the annual spring coffee morning. But it was more of a coffee moaning as the unseasonally cold weather brought out the hats, coats and talk of climate change, what climate change! PERA’s chairman, Simon Lillystone, welcomed everyone and said he looked forward to another year of social events.
April 2026
Michael Nidd was a larger than life character in all respects and it is with great sadness we report his passing at the age of 81. Michael, who lived with his wife Pat at the Old Bakery, dedicated himself to village causes from the moment he and Pat moved to Piccotts End in 1976.
December 2025
Village volunteer Melanie Mackney is one of the leading lights behind the launch of a new repair cafe which has opened at Grovehill Community Centre. Local residents can bring along their small electrical items, phones and laptops, bicycles even typewriters to be repaired. The shop is open on the first Saturday of every month and has already delighted residents who had their favourite tops, lamps and radios brought back to tip top condition. Two mobile phones which had problems with sound and displays were repaired and a laptop with a battery bracket rattling around inside was fixed.
November 2025
We haven’t even had Christmas yet but our busy social committee are already planning their exciting 2026 calendar of events. Top of the list is the return of our Safari Supper, where residents can meet each other in their own houses over a meal. Next year year’s supper will be held on Saturday February 7th and the organisers hope that many Piccotts End residents of all ages will take part.
November 2025
You couldn’t ask for a bigger compliment than to find yourself being played by a leading actress in a movie directed by Danny Boyle. But that’s the accolade accorded to veteran village resident Joyce Lear.
November 2025
The annual village fireworks display proved another big hit as residents gathered in the garden of Marhcmont Cottage for an evening of bangers and flash! Food in the form of hot dogs were cooked up by PERA chairman Simon Lillystoine and his wife Jane, and hot soup was handed out by Annette Harrison and her husband Paul. Harriet Twigger and her daughter Cecilia did a fantastic job collecting entrance money and selling raffle tickets.
The village Scarecrow and Harvest Festival drew a good crowd of villagers to enjoy the many autumn fruits, flowers, cakes and scarecrows on display. Showing a keen interest in the alcoholic entries, the event judge Lady Val Corbett, of No 96, pictured here with Pippa Vincent of the Mill House, picked Pippa’s creation as the winner. ‘It’s never too early to have a drink,’ said Val as she admired Pippa’s Gin & Lemon cake.