Category Archives: News

Villagers invited to chip in to speed up broadband

March 2021
Fed up with snail-slow broadband speeds, a village resident is leading a campaign to crowd fund a high speed fibre connection. Riverbank IT expert John McDermott (pictured) has been working with BT’s Open Reach, the service provider, to cost up the scheme.

He says:  ‘With so many more people working from home as a result of the pandemic having a good broadband speed is essential.

‘Installing fibre would cost about £225,000 but with government subsidies the figure comes down to about £22,000 or £165 per household.’

Watch out for tell-tale sign of dog-snatchers, village warned

March 2021
Villagers haven been warned to watch out for strange markings that might be a signal to dog-snatchers. There have been a spate of thefts during the pandemic and one trick used by culprits is to leave a mark in bright coloured paint on a tree or bush outside a house where there is a dog.

New street lights not such a bright idea says resident

February 2021
New streets lights have been installed in the village but they are not to everyone’s liking. The low energy LED lights are meant to be more environmentally friendly than the old halogen variety. However one resident says they are much brighter than the old ones and are staying on longer.  

‘I do hope they eventually go out, as they have stayed on all night since they changed them,’ said Carly Smith at the Boar’s Head. ‘Not good for light pollution and the wildlife.

‘I have to say prefer the old ones.’

Village hit by ‘stinker’ of another housing plan

February 2021
A plan for 400 houses on the other side of the Leighton Buzzard Road has been received by Dacorum Council. Documents lodged with the planning dept show a large development between Galley Hill and the Pumping Station.

Residents Association secretary Michael Nidd says the plan is not a planning application but a ‘scoping document’ to test the temperature. In other words, how will the council and local residents react to it. 

‘It’s currently grazing land, and would, if granted, further encircle Piccotts End,’ said Mr Nidd. ‘It’s a stinker.’

‘Little rascal’ Phoebe is a village first

January 2021
New arrivals in Piccotts End are never more welcome than when they come in a little bundle of joy! So we offer our warmest congratulations to Kate and Ian Keevil of Wall Cottage, proud parents of baby Phoebe. She was born in October and her mum has already labelled her ‘a little rascal’! We believe she is the first village baby in at least a decade. At last some cheering news on these grey days of lockdown.

Have your say in development plan that threatens village

January 2021
Dacorum has recently published details of its new local plan, part of which will have far-reaching consequences for Piccotts End.

Michael Nidd, our residents’ association secretary, is urging everyone who wishes to make their feelings known during the consultation process to do so before the closing date of February 28th.

Welcome to Sam and Andy

December 2020
A warm welcome to Sam and Andy Ramsden who have just moved to the village. They are the new owners of Astley House, No 138, previously owned by Tim & Julia Blinko. Sam is a barrister and Andy is a solicitor and they come to Piccotts End from south London via roots in South Africa. ‘We’re looking forward to getting to know everyone in the village and the area better as we are newcomers to Hertfordshire, although I have family close by in Bucks’ Sam told us.

Celebrating Christmas with carols and champagne

December 2020
It was Christmas with a difference, but residents found novel ways of celebrating despite the Coronavirus lockdown. Following a Christmas Eve ringing of bells, at 11am on Christmas morning many tuned in to a virtual carol recital performed by our musicians Jane McClelland and Simon Lillystone. Hark the Herald Angels Sing and O Little Town of Bethlehem rang out across a dozen homes with residents joining in the festive spirit.

Bells ring out as village lights up for Christmas

December 2020
Piccotts End was a picture of lights and echoed to the ring of bells on Christmas Eve. Determined not to let Covid ruin the festive season, villagers pulled out all the stops on decking homes with some amazing displays of twinkling lights and illuminated reindeer. And at 6pm Riverbank residents, accompanied by Holly Cross at Piccotts End Farm, rang bells and made merry. Annette Harrison, social secretary of the Residents Association and a Riverbank resident, said ‘Everyone has made special effort to brighten up their homes for Christmas and the bell-ringing made for a great atmosphere. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas.’

Christmas best wishes to all residents

December 2020
PERA chairman David Stanier and his committee would like to wish all the Piccotts End residents a safe and happy Christmas time. He writes ‘It is sad we have have had to abandon our regular social activities this year, but given half a chance next year will be better. Early in the new year we intend to hold a Covid-19 safe Annual General Meeting to enable all of us to mull over our thoughts for the future.’