Category Archives: News

Thumbs up for the Safari Supper!

October 2017
This year’s Safari Supper was another big success, thanks to all the villagers who cooked up a treat for their guests. More than 20 took part, including Lynne Riley, Jonathan Culverhouse and Val Corbett, entertaining surprise guests with starters and main courses. The popular event ended at the Medieval Cottages for dessert and more social chat. Special thanks to the organisers Margaret Stanier and Carole Cohen, and to Karen Murphy and Alison Wright for the use of the cottages.

Village cheers the big race

September 2017
Villagers turned out to cheer on cyclists as the Tour of Britain zoomed through Piccotts End.  The international event, with more than 100 riders taking part including British riders Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas, set off from Hemel on Stage 7. The race started in the town centre, taking riders through the Old Town, along Piccotts End Road and into the village before turning right on to the main road for the 120-mile race to Cheltenham.

Sign here to stop speeding motorists

September 2017
Village resident Judy Wade is behind a new campaign to stop the increasing number of cars speeding through the village. Judy, who lives at No 95, has started a petition to hand to the Council.

End of the road for Marchmont Fields

August 2027
Dacorum Council has signed the death warrant for Marchmont Fields. The land adjoining Grovehill to halfway down Link Road has been ‘released’ from the Green belt and a massive housing programme will begin shortly. Despite representations from PERA (pictured here) and other organisations the council has taken the easy option of digging up acres of green space to fulfil part of the Government’s housing programme. Some 350 houses and a traveller site will be built on the land where the weekly car boot sale currently takes place.

Goodbye to heavy lorries, we hope!

August 2017
The Leighton Buzzard road, notorious for the number of HGVs thundering through each day, is soon to have a weight limit imposed. Herts County Highways have confirmed that a section of the A4146 is to be downgraded from an A road to a B road, the B440, and will  have a limit of 7.5 tonnes (your medium sized lorry) between Water End and the Link Road roundabout.

Summer BBQ is music to our ears!

July 2017
The summer BBQ was blessed with music and sunshine. It was a warm and sunny 1st of July as villagers were welcomed with a glass of Pimms, kindly provided by our hostess Miriam Smith at her home Gone to Ground. Then it was the turn of village musicians to entertain with a recital of chamber music.

It’s a sign of the times!

May 2017
No we’re not talking Harry Styles but the smart new village sign welcoming  visitors and residents! It’s the handiwork of Riverbank’s Paul Harrison, who dismantled the old sign outside the Marchmont Arms and gave it a good clean and a lick of paint. Thanks Paul! Great job.

Deer oh deer!

May 2017
PE resident John Baldwin captured the moment a deer ran past his house this week.   John, who has CCTV installed on his property, said: ‘It was 10.45am Thursday morning a deer was recorded running through Piccotts End towards the Marchmont Arms.’ It’s not clear if the deer called in for a beer but if it wants to survive life on the road it needs to brush up on the Highway Code!

Brunch is a big hit!

May 2017
Residents enjoyed a sunny morning with coffee and croissants at the summer brunch at the Marchmont Arms. ‘It was lovely to see many people come along to chat and exchange family news,’ said social secretary Annette Harrison. Guests included Holly Cross from Piccotts End Farm, pictured here with young handful Hector!

AGM update

April 2017
PERA extends a very warm welcome to our newest resident, Melanie Mackney. Melanie, who works in Cabin Crew for British Airways, has just moved to Riverbank from Wigginton Bottom, where she lived for the last ten years. She said she had been lured to Piccotts End by the river! ‘I’m looking forward to being a part of the residents association & am keen to learn more about the village and surrounding area.’ Melanie added: ‘ I like walking so you may see me around followed by a little black & white cat who likes walking too.’