New weekly advice service comes to Harpenden


Citizens Advice St Albans District and the Harpenden Trust are pleased to announce the launch of a new weekly advice service in Harpenden.


In partnership with the Harpenden Trust, Citizens Advice St Albans District is expanding its services in Harpenden, giving local people another way to access the advice and support that it provides.


From September, a drop-in service will be available every Wednesday from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the Harpenden Trust Well Bean Community Café, located directly above the Co-op on Southdown Road.


At these sessions, local people will be able to meet a Citizens Advice adviser, who will discuss their problems with them and help them to find a way forward.


Citizens Advice’s help is free and confidential and it can help with a wide range of issues, including welfare benefits, housing, debt, and other money problems, consumer rights and family matters.


As part of this expanded service, Citizens Advice will be working with Harpenden Trust front-line volunteers, including befrienders and home visitors, to share useful knowledge about people’s rights and entitlements which can be passed on to people in need. It will also build relationships with other charities and organisations supported by the Trust.




















For reference the photograph features:

Richard Nichols - Chair, The Harpenden Trust

Debbie Nichols- Citizens Advice St Albans District (CASTAD)

Lisa Reiner- Partnership Development , Citizens Advice St Albans District

Gill Haynes - Deputy Mayor, Harpenden 

June Chapman- Chief Executive, Citizens Advice St Albans District (CASTAD)

Nick Luckett- Chair, Care Fund, The Harpenden Trust

Pat Ring - People Director, The Harpenden Trust


The Ribbon cutting was held in 

The Well Bean Café, Harpenden Trust Halls , 130 Southdown Road , Harpenden AL5 1PU


Richard Nichols, the Chair of the Harpenden Trust, said:

“The Harpenden Trust has been supporting individuals, families and community organisations in the Harpenden area for more than 75 years. We are delighted to be able to host this expansion of Citizens Advice’s service in Harpenden.

 

June Chapman. Chief Executive of Citizens Advice St Albans and District, said:

“We are very excited to be working with the Harpenden Trust to expand our support for the people of Harpenden. There is lots of evidence that receiving good advice on issues such as benefits, housing and debt has a positive effect on people’s mental well-being. So, it makes perfect sense for us to have a presence in the Well Bean Café.”


Gill Haynes, Harpenden’s Deputy Mayor, added "I think this is a brilliant initiative".

Oct. E-scooters being confiscated and destroyed by police in Hertfordshire

 

E-scooters illegally ridden on the streets of Hertfordshire are being confiscated and destroyed by the police, the Chief Constable has assured the Police and Crime Commissioner.

PCC Jonathan Ash-Edwards asked the Chief Constable Charlie Hall about the enforcement of the laws around the electronic scooters during his monthly Accountability and Performance meetings.













In the discussion, which is broadcast live on the internet, Mr Hall said that action is being taken against riders who are breaking the law by using them on public roads and pavements.


Mr Ash-Edwards said: “E scooters are primarily on the agenda today because they have driven probably the largest amount of correspondence into my office over recent months compared to any other topic.

“There are particular community concerns from residents about the use of these scooters in town centres, specifically from blind people and those with disabilities, around the of impact of people whizzing around town centres.”

Asked for clarification on the legality of using E-scooters the Chief Constable replied: “It's not unlawful to sell these scooters. These scooters can only be used on private land but they are not lawfully to be used on public roads, pavements, or other pedestrian areas, and there is a reason for that is.


“An E-scooter is something called a mechanically propelled vehicle and effectively it becomes classified as a motor vehicle. You can only lawfully use a motor vehicle on the road if it fits certain criteria, and that would include it needing to be insured and taxed. It will need to have passed certain safety testing regimes set by the Department of Transport and as there is no such regime, as a result it is unlawful to use E-scooters on a public road.”

When questioned about what the police are doing about them being ridden in dangerous ways in public Mr Hall replied: “Firstly, we recognise the danger both to the individual riding these scooters, and we have in Hertfordshire dealt with a handful of cases where people have come off these and of course quite significant injury to themselves, so that there's definitely a risk to the people riding these.


“But I think many members of the public would equally rightly identify the risk to other road users, or particularly pedestrians, and we've had some examples of injuries have been caused to members of the public by people riding E scooters as well. So we absolutely recognise the need to bear down on this where it is happening.


“Our broad approach is to look, to educate and encourage people to comply with the law in the first place. We think that has some benefits and is a reasonable policing response to this. We've also worked inside schools and colleges.

“We have certainly looked to target that advice into places where we know people are constantly using E scooters. This year so far we've seized 22 E scooters, last year it was over 30 and the year before that it was also 30. So we're seizing those sorts of numbers of these scooters and they are being disposed of.

“I think ultimately it needs further support from government legislation to really make it very clear what position is on the use of these E scooters.”

Following the meeting Mr Ash-Edwards said:

 

“I know that the illegal and dangerous use of e-scooters on pavements in town centres is a concern for many residents. Due to the way the police deal with this challenge, the public won’t always see the follow up and intervention at a later stage where there is evidence. The starting point is to educate people about the law, which is sensible, but I am pleased that this can also lead to enforcement and seizures where appropriate.”

 

Dec. Hertfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner strongly opposed to Government’s plans to scrap Jury trials

Hertfordshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner has expressed his strong opposition to the Government’s proposal to abolish Jury trials in all but the most serious cases, as announced by Justice Secretary David Lammy to Parliament yesterday.


Jonathan Ash-Edwards (above) has warned that the move risks undermining centuries-old principles of justice, weakening public confidence and damaging the legitimacy of the criminal justice system.

Police & Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards said:

“The right to be judged by a jury of your peers has been a safeguard in the criminal justice system for hundreds of years. It is a fundamental constitutional protection, not an inconvenience to be swept aside at the whim of a Minister.


“Juries provide important transparency and independence from the state. They increase the chance of a defendant being judged by someone who understands their life. And they ensure that justice is seen to be done fairly.


“A number of years ago, I was called to serve on a jury. I saw firsthand the inefficiencies and delays in the Court system that have a significant impact on victims. But none were the jury’s fault – 12 men and women turned up on time every day and did their civic duty.


“Instead of dismantling historic British liberties, the Government should open Courts that currently sit empty some days and fix the inefficiencies within the system that let victims, witnesses and people working in the criminal justice system down”.

SUNDAY MARCH 8TH BEDS & HERTS WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE.

HARPENDEN TOWN WOMEN COLTS       2          MILTON KEYNES WOMEN'S 1ST       0                 


Harpenden Town Women Colts picked up three points against Milton Keynes Women's 1st with a 2-0 victory after two second half goals both of which were screamers from outside the box from Jaime Curtain and Edith Perryer respectively giving the MK keeper Libby Lan no chance to make a save.

It took a bit of time for the Harps Colts to settle down but when they did they created lots of chances with firstly Jaime Curtain going close and then Jessica Curtis shot narrowly wide after cutting in from the right and then Curtis had another effort which crashed into the side netting. Then Marlena Lessig took a long throw-in which found Edith Perryer and after some brilliant close control saw her send a brilliant shot that flew just wide of the near upright. Next up Cathrine Lord headed over the crossbar whilst Chloe Waxham shot narrowly wide following a good pass Neave Wilson who with Marlena Lessig were having a brilliant game at the back earlier into the match.
















  


Then MK Women created a few chances with firstly Nicole McMahon seeing her cracking strike well saved by Charlotte Colbert-Green who then had to block with her outstretched legs after a firm low drive from Alica Lewis-Vivas. Next Edith Perryer shot just wide of the far post and whilst Jess Curtis put over a good ball from  the right whereupon Courtney Ward sent a header just wide and so the scoreline remained 0-0 at the break.
















   


Early into the second half saw the MK number eleven Alicia Lewis-Vivas have a firm drive saved by Colbert-Green and then following a great run by Courtney Ward  for Harps saw her shoot narrowly wide of the far post whilst also Neave Wilson pushing up into attack had a great shot saved by Libby Lan. Then Jess Curtis and Jaime Curtain played a great one-two which saw the latter have her fierce strike tipped around the near post by a good save from Libby Lan. Jaime Curtain then had another two efforts saved by Lan whilst Edith Perryer shot just over the crossbar following a good move down the left. Then came the goal the Harps Colts were waiting for and it came from the boot of JAIME CURTAIN who let fly from 25 yards and the ball flew low into the bottom left hand corner despite Libby Lan getting a finger tip on the ball(her own words to me after the ball went in). A few minutes later it was 2-0 when Jaime Curtain slipped the ball to EDITH PERRYER who from 30 sent a great lofted shot over Libby Lan and into the back of the net for another fine finish(the MK keeper said to me afterwards, I am not that tall to stop that one from going in with a smile on her face).















 








There were further chances from Neave Wilson, Edith Perryer and Jess Curtis whilst for MK Women saw both Sinead Walsh and Alicia Lewis-Vivas have good shots saved by Charlotte Colbert-Green the Harps keeper. For the Harpenden Colts saw Eleanor Josse being named player of the match whilst Eleanor Bland was named player of the match for the visitors.


Squad: Harpenden: Colbert-Green, Bracey, Wilson, Lessig, Curtis, Waxham, Josse, Dante, Perryer, Curtain, Chester, Smylie, Whittle, Woodford, Lord, Ward(all played).

Squad: MK Women: Lan, Young, Holland, Smith, Briggs, Devereux, Hunter, Bland, Guess, Walsh, Lewis-Vivas, McMahon, Launn, Brooks, Sirett(all played).


Photos by Mikayla Carr


The Harpenden Town Men played two matches and during the week on Tuesday evening saw them lose 4-2 away to Dunstable Town after they had been 2-0 up. Scoring for the Harps were HENRY JONES and GEORGE IRONTON whilst for the hosts saw Plamedi Kobo BOMOLO score a hat-trick with Luka LODDER scoring Dunstable's fourth goal.   Next up on Saturday saw them travel to Aylesbury Vale Dynamos and come back with all three points after a 3-1 victory with GEORGE DEVINE scoring two goals whilst GEORGE IRONTON netted in between Devine's both goals. Scoring for the Dynamos was Jake BALDWIN.


Terry Edwards.   FOOTBALL AS IT'S MEANT TO BE.


Scroll down for more match reports

Feb. A new home for Harpenden police officers

Harpenden’s neighbourhood policing team is moving to a new base in the town centre this month. The move will enhance joint working with the Town Council and ensure residents continue to benefit from a visible, accessible local police presence.


Hertfordshire Constabulary and the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Office have worked closely with Harpenden Town Council to co-locate the neighbourhood policing team at the Town Hall in Leyton Road. The move keeps officers at the heart of the community while supporting modern, efficient ways of working and better value for money for taxpayers.

District Neighbourhood Inspector Paul Caro said: “Moving to the Town Hall ensures our new hub remains in the town centre. 


“My team spend most of their shifts out and about engaging with the public and dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB). The new location will be a base for them to complete paperwork and make calls.”

He added: “We already work closely with the town council to deal with crime and ASB and being in the same building is a real positive, as shown by our co-location at St Albans Civic Centre district council offices.”

Police & Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards said: “This is a positive move to strengthen local policing in Harpenden, continue joint working with the Town Council and improve value for money for taxpayers. Neighbourhood policing officers will be based in Harpenden, engaging with the public, responding and solving crime and keeping the town and surrounding rural areas safe”.


Cllr Beth Fisher, Town Mayor of Harpenden, said “I am delighted that we’ve been able to work with the police to bring their team to the Town Hall, where they can remain close to the Harpenden community in our town centre location. We are committed to helping our communities feel safer and facilitating accessible services. Harpenden Town Council plays an active role in the partnership with local police and we are looking forward to continuing this work and addressing the concerns of local people.” Residents can contact their local officers directly at harpenden@herts.police.uk and make an appointment to see them. If you know the name of your local officer, you can email them directly using this format - first.surname@herts.police.uk


You can also contact your

officers via our website and

report incidents online

at www.herts.police.uk/report.

In an emergency,

always dial 999.

Feb 11. The Deputy Mayor, Cllr Kirsti Wenn, visits the Harpenden in World War 1 exhibition in Harpenden’s Museum in the Park


Cllr Wenn said, “The exhibition is a wonderful tour of how WW1 impacted Harpenden, something very few of us see when we study History.  Looking back through the excellently curated story it was surprising to me that Harpenden, with only a 6,000 population then was host to 4,000 soldiers, using the town as a training camp. 


“That must have had a profound effect on Harpenden, and when you add to it that some 200 of Harpenden’s own young men died on the battlefield.  Also, sadly likely that one in eight of the soldiers passing through did not return.  That puts our current day to day life challenges somewhat into perspective.


“I would like to encourage anyone who has not seen it to  pop in. Congratulations to the volunteers who have put on a fabulous presentation.”

Harpenden was used as a training camp for troops coming from the midlands down towards the southern ports.

Nationally 80% of 18–41-year-old men were called up. Overall British military deaths are quoted as 866,000; civilian deaths 16,000. That is nearly 2% of the population.  Overall, deaths, both sides, in WW1 are quoted as about 35m.

 

The exhibition runs to the end of April. The Museum, in the Eric Morecambe Centre, Rothamsted Park, on the lower floor, is ordinarily open 11am-3pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.  A smaller display on WW1 is also available during February only in the Foyer 10am-2pm on Mondays to Saturdays.



SATURDAY 7th MARCH SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION.

WINSLOW UNITED      4        COLNEY HEATH       2

Playing away to the high flyers Winslow United saw Colney Heath losing at one stage 3-0 but they fought back to eventually lose 4-2 with Winslow being reduced to ten players when they had their captain Ryan Freshwater sent off after bringing down Sachon Edwards just outside the box late on. Winslow should have been down to nine after their keeper Jake Strange also brought down Sachon Edwards just outside the box but he was only shown a yellow card which the match referee admitted after the match that he had made a mistake. Both times Edwards was clear on goal as he was proving to be a real thorn in their side after he had come as sub midway during the second half.


    After only a few minutes play saw Shimron Eaton slip the ball through to Curtis Dibley and he saw his fine low strike pushed around the near post for a corner kick following a good save from Jake Strange who then had to punch clear the corner kick from Mayer Hajousman. Then a free kick from Ollie Seeby saw Alex Strazza head the ball just wide whilst Sam Ejjayha saw his shot saved at the foot of the near upright as the young Magpies pressed forward in search of a goal.


   For Winslow saw Harry Scott have an effort saved by Renell McKenzie-Lyle whilst a few minutes later saw them take the lead when Ethan FLANAGAN headed home a cross from the right wing. Flanagan then next had a header strike the crossbar following another ball in this time from the left but then Winslow made it 2-0 when they won a penalty which was duly despatched by Aaron KING into the bottom left hand corner. After Flanagan had another effort blocked, Winslow then scored again when a corner kick taken by Scott Valentine was headed home at the near post by Ethan FLANAGAN for his second goal of the match

.

With the Magpies seemingly down and out they then popped up with a fine goal themselves when Kyrese Williams played the ball to CURTIS DIBLEY who went around a defender and promptly despatched the ball into the far left corner past Jake Strange to make the score at the break 3-1 to the home side.

In the second period saw Harrison Burke have a couple of efforts saved whilst Alex Strazza went close with a header following a decent ball in from the right by Shimron Eaton whilst at the other end saw Aaron King have a low drive saved by McKenzie-Lyle whilst the Magpies went close when Ollie Seeby touched the ball just wide following a free kick from Charlie McDonald.


After this bit of pressure from Colney Heath saw Winslow break and win a corner kick which was put into the box by Scott Valentine for Ryan FRESHWATER the Winslow captain to head home to make the scoreline 4-1.  Sachon Edwards who had not long been on had one shot blocked and another go narrowly wide of the far upright and then he raced clear and was promptly brought down outside the box by the Winslow keeper Jack Strange who only received a yellow card when later the referee said it should be red. SACHON EDWARDS got his reward later when tapped home a loose ball after Jack Strange had pushed out a stinging shot from Curtis Dibley which now made the score 4-2.


Once again Sachon Edwards was in the thick of things when he raced clear and once again he was brought down just outside the box but this time the culprit the Winslow captain Ryan Freshwater was shown a straight red card so they went down to ten players. Edwards took the free kick himself and after a couple of touches from Sam Ejjayha and Curtis Dibley saw Jack Strange jump on the top of the ball to stop sneaking over the line. In the closing stages of the match Winslow were glad of the full time whistle as the Magpies mounted attack after attack as they seemed to be the fitter of the two teams with David Emiloju, Curtis Dibley and Sachon Edwards causing all kinds of problems for the Winslow back line as Colney Heath were putting a lot of pressure on and going close on a few occasions in those few minutes of the match.

Squad: McKenzie-Lyle, Eaton Strazza, Williams, Seeby, J.Ejjayha, Hajousman,  McDonald, Dibley, S.Ejjayha, Burke, Anthony, Edwards, Small, Emiloju, Shahidi(all played).


Meanwhile Colney Heath Reserves had a good win away to Corinthians Casuals Development in the Suburban Football League Shield Group C Stage which saw the young Magpies win 4-2 after they were 1-0 down at the break and also saw them go down to ten players after Charlie Bolding picked up two yellow cards one of which was for the Sin Bin. KOBY DUBERY and HARLEY FONTI put the Magpies 2-1 up with assists from Jacob Yaku for both of them whilst Victor KING scored an equaliser for the Casuals and he also scored their first goal as well.


Further goals from JACOB YAKU and HARLEY FONTI for the Magpies saw them go on and win 4-2 with assists from Koby Duberry and Harley Fonti. Colney Heath now sit top of Group C on 9 points whilst Casuals sit in second spot on three points. Colney Heath also sit in top spot of the North Division on 28 points whilst Berkhamsted Development are in second place on 25 points, the Magpies have a better goal difference of plus 29 whilst Berko have plus 17.  Squad: Lowin, Bevil, Yaku, Eames-Illingworth, Wingate, Penny, Duberry, Bolding, Fonti, Quinn, King, O'Hare, Shodeide, Price, Johnson, Onabule(all played).



  

TERRY EDWARDS .      FOOTBALL AS IT'S MEANT TO BE.

The Thomas D Wright exhibition at Molasses House in Harpenden was almost complete as a couple of his paintings needed a few final touches.

Thomas returned and added the last few dramatic touches.

SEE THEM NOW IN STATION ROAD Friday and Saturday

 

Click back to the Front Page

My wife and I were privileged to have a private viewing of the panels in February this year. They are incredibly beautiful and still in remarkable condition for their age.


A single image can change the face of History

Portrait imagery was the key aspect of the programme. Images whether painted or photographed could have an incredibly powerful influence on the population. Examples featuring Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, and Margaret Thatcher were used to demonstrate this power. Clever or deceptive dependent on your personal position.


Saving the Cottages for the Nation

The current owner, Ms Murphy, from Hertford, explained that she and business partner Alison Wright bought two adjoining cottages, which house the mural between them, specifically to find a way for the paintings to be brought into public ownership.

"The panels should be in the care of the nation - we are committed to finding a way of doing it."

"They are so rare that the paintings must be preserved for both present and future generations, as a sign of those past beliefs and turbulent times," he said.

"We have been pursuing this aim for a number of years and have now launched a public appeal as the only way to preserve them for posterity."

The owner added that if the money couldn't be raised, they would have to apply for a change of use to residential.


Hopefully Simon Schama’s programme will awaken the local Herts authorities to take action now.


Ron Taylor. Editor. Harpendia.com


Hemel’s hidden treasure featured by Simon Schama on BBC TV’s ‘The Face of Britain’

Simon Schama visited Piccott’s End Cottages to show an important aspect of the history of British portraiture, revealing some beautiful and compelling images that demonstrate their eternal power.















Defacing religious paintings

The cottages in Hemel were a resting place for Pilgrims on their journey from Ashridge to nearby St Albans Abbey in the 1530’s. The interior wall panels had been painted extensively with religious murals reflecting imagery of the Christ, the Virgin Mary, and Saints. Scenes include Jesus's baptism, St Catherine of Alexandria, St Peter and St Margaret. During the Reformation the faces of Jesus, Mary and the Saints were obliterated (defaced- see below) to make the images powerless in the sight of anyone who visited the cottages. At some time post Reformation the panels were covered by linen and NOT seen again until 1953.

If you like Brioche style bread then CHALLAH from Zuckermaus will be a new taste experience.

It’s made from enriched dough with sesame seeds and poppy seeds giving a light crust with a soft texture inside. Toast it and spread with butter for a taste sensation.(Challah is fixed in Jewish cuisine being eaten on ceremonial occasions and holidays)

The range of cakes from Zuckermaus Artisan Bakery is pretty amazing as you will have seen on earlier reports.

This  time it was another test for my taste buds.


Starting with Cinnamoned Apple cake. This had 2 layers of Bramley apples encased in a dairy free cake glazed with apricot jam.


Next to taste was Austrian Applestrudel. Homemade filo pastry, bramley apple slices marinated in cinnamon, sugar, flaked almonds and raisins. Warm it in the microwave and serve with custard or cream.


Finally and my favourite,  Linzer cake, named after a town in Upper Austria. Ground almond, cloves and cinnamon in the base with a layer of red currant jam, topped with a pattern and flaked almonds. Very like Bakewell tart.

ORDER NOW:

http://www.zuckermausbakery.com

Phone: 07766072772

Free deliveries in Harpenden, St Albans and surrounding villages


September, Local journalist Charlotte Bateman investigates Charity Shops in Harpenden