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…
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…
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…
The village has lost another of its oldest residents. Gladys Kulikowski, who lived at 101 for more than 50 years, has died at the age of 99. Val Corbett, a fellow resident and lifelong friend, paid this tribute in her eulogy at Gladys’s funeral. ‘This is the second funeral for a resident of Piccotts End,…
A Piccotts End resident is calling for a petition to demand a crossing over the Leighton Buzzard Road. Michael Taylor, who lives at Riverbank, is asking villagers to join him with a petition after an unproductive meeting with ward councillor Ron Tindall. Mr Taylor said he had complained about the issues of animals killed by…
While the village Book Club’s usual meetings have not been possible under Covid restrictions it hasn’t cramped their literary deliberations. Thanks to Zoom the club has been turning the pages more often than ever. As well as a bi-monthly discussion members have been choosing short stories for the months in between. Summer titles have included…
Friends and neighbours gathered for an alfresco farewell to popular village musicians Tim & Julia Blinko. Tim, who is Professor of Music at the University of Hertfordshire, and Julia, who sings with the Bach Choir, are moving to Dorset. They will be accompanied by Julia’s mother Pip to a dream home in Shaftesbury. ‘We’ve loved…
Judy Wade, village veteran and HELLO!’s royal correspondent for 27 years, has died at the age of 81 after a short illness. A trailblazing woman journalist, she reported on royal births, deaths and marriages and crossed the globe on royal tours until her retirement in 2015. Known for her colourful outfits and larger than life…
For many it’s a Thursday night ritual and residents in the black and white cottages have been regulars from the start. Thanks to photographer Steve Casey of No 52 who was there to record the latest occasion.
Riverbank residents didn’t let lockdown dampen their spirits on VE Day. Safely spaced in the communal gardens they marked the 75th anniversary enjoying tea and cake on a beautiful, sunny Bank Holiday Friday.