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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.”

 

Are you looking for an independent property agent based in Harpenden who can help you find a home and guide you through the whole process from start to finish without any hassle?

Well, I met that unique person in Gail’s

just recently.

CAROLE BRATT is the agent you’ll be

hearing about here now. Carole has lived

in Harpenden for over 40 years and worked

in the property market for 30 years so she

knows the market inside out.

Finding a home is a laborious process.

Attending viewings and narrowing your

search from the mass of properties that

agents indiscriminately send you can be draining. Carole prizes herself on understanding a client brief so she will have a good idea about where the search is best focused.

She knows all the tricks of the trade estate agents will use in order to secure a higher price from buyers. Carole can negotiate on your behalf so a deal can be done quicker and with a better outcome. Having one person to deal with is a big bonus.

When it comes to selling Carole will devise a marketing strategy to reach the target market at a evidenced price to encourage potential buyers. She will attend viewings to check the suitability of buyers and most importantly, Close the Sale before taking actions on the necessary legal issues.

Having met Carole for the first time I found her friendly and easy manner made for an almost instant rapport. Her knowledge of Harpenden was quickly apparent delivered in a professional but modest style. A day or so after our meeting the Government announced changes for the Housing market on the long going issue of Gazumping.

I asked Carole for her comments:

The Government’s proposed housing reforms represent some of the most significant

changes the property sector has seen in years. Through my work with industry bodies and government forums, including RICS and MHCLG, I advised at a senior level and I have been closely involved in discussions around how policy changes translate into practical outcomes for buyers and sellers.

In markets such as Harpenden, success will depend on striking the right balance between housing delivery, market realities, professional standards and maintaining confidence throughout the buying and selling process.

There remains a considerable way to go before the detail is finalised, but reform is undoubtedly overdue. The current system is too often inefficient and frustrating for everyone involved in a transaction, from buyers and sellers to the professionals working to support them.

The challenge now is ensuring that

change delivers meaningful

improvements without creating

unintended consequences.

You can contact Carole on email:

carole@moveli, Instagram & Facebook:

@carolebrattproperty or

mobile: 07812 965363

(Right) Carole recently at The

Harpenden Collective.

JULY 16 St Albans And Dacorum Councils To Merge As New Unitary Authority

Hertfordshire will be divided into four new unitary authorities as part of Local Government Reorganisation, and St Albans will be merged with Dacorum under the new structure.

The Government initiative will replace the current two-tier system of St Albans district council and Herts county council with unitary authorities by April 2028.

SADC’s preferred approach was for the county to be divided into West Herts (Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans, Three Rivers, Watford) and East Herts (Broxbourne, East Herts, North Herts, Stevenage, Welwyn Hatfield), but this was rejected in favour of four different authorities.

Local experts considered this to be the least likely option for the county, but ultimately the decision was outside their hands.

A new unitary authority of North West Hertfordshire will bring together the places currently served by Dacorum and SADC into a single council for the west of the county.

The new council will cover around 312,000 people – roughly the same size as a London borough – taking in Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, Harpenden, Berkhamsted and Tring, as well as the surrounding villages and countryside.

There will be 79 councillors representing 41 wards, with elections to a shadow council in May 2027 and the new authority going live in April 2028.

Mike Hobday, leader of the SADC Labour Group of councillors responded: “We are delighted at the Government’s decision to link St Albans and Dacorum Councils to form one of four new unitary councils in Hertfordshire.

“This is a long overdue change. At the moment, vital services are unnecessarily split between district and county councils. The district collects waste and tte county disposes of it. The district is responsible for parking, but the council owns the roads. The district provides housing for people in need, who get social care support provided by the county council. The new unitary councils will stop the frustrating confusion and buck-passing that inevitably takes place between the councils.

“Four unitaries is the right number for Hertfordshire. We need a council which is small enough to be local, but large enough to be efficient. Labour councillors supported this option as part of the debate at St Albans Council. And six out of 11 Hertfordshire councils supported this option.

“The merger of St Albans and Dacorum councils strikes the right balance. A larger unitary – such as one covering the whole of West Hertfordshire – would have felt very distant from local residents – just as the county council is now. The St Albans-Dacorum merger will provide a council that is aware of the aspirations and needs of local communities. 

“The proposal will also save money – it will reduce the numbers of councillors and council managers. Hertfordshire will move from 11 senior management teams down to four. We will also see financial efficiencies as the merged councils start to work together. 

“St Albans will benefit from the knowledge and expertise that Dacorum officers and transferred county council officers will bring – and likewise Dacorum will benefit from St Albans’ capabilities.

Sept 27.  BiG WIN  for HARPENDEN TOWN WOMEN.

27TH SEPTEMBER EASTERN REGION WOMEN'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP 2ND ROUND.

LEYTON ORIENT WOMEN   0   HARPENDEN TOWN WOMEN  6     HT 0-2.

  HARPENDEN TOWN WOMEN TRAVELLED THE SHORT DISTANCE TO CHESHUNT FC TO PLAY LEYTON ORIENT WOMEN IN THE ERWFL IN THE SECOND ROUND OF THE LEAGUE AND FOLLOWING A CRACKING MATCH SAW THE HARPS WOMEN WIN 6-0 AFTER THEY HAD 2-0 AT THE BREAK. SCORING THREE OF THE GOALS WAS SOPHIA AMANOR WHICH TAKES HER TALLY TO TEN FOR THE SEASON WITH THREE OTHER PLAYERS ALL SCORING A GOAL EACH.

DESPITE HAVING A LOT OF POSSESSION IN THE FIRST HALF THE HARPS LADIES COULD NOT GET THE BREAKTHROUGH UNTIL THE 40TH MINUTE WHEN FOLLOWING A GREAT CORNER KICK FROM REBECCA McSHANE SAW SOPHIA AMANOR HEAD THE BALL POWERFULLY INTO THE BACK OF THE NET TO MAKE IT 1-0. FIVE MINUTES LATER IT BECAME 2-0 WHEN SOPHIE HENDY PLAYED THE BALL THROUGH TO SOPHIA AMANOR WHO QUICKLY FINISHED THE MOVE OFF WITH A SIZZLING SHOT FOR HER SECOND GOAL OF THE MATCH. DURING THE FIRST PERIOD LILY AUNGIER AND AMY YELDHAM FOR LEYTON DID HAVE SOME SHOT ON TARGET BUT THEY WERE COMFORTABLY DEALT WITH BY KEEPER DAISY JECKELL.

FOR THE HARPS SAW REBECCA McSHANE HIT THE CROSSBAR WITH A GREAT STRIKE WHILST LILLY KELLY, SERYAN KABONGO AND SOPHIA AMANOR ALL WENT CLOSE BUT THEY FOUND THE LEYTON KEEPER FELICITY TATUM IN GOOD FORM BY MAKING SOME FINE SAVES..

THE SECOND HALF WAS ONLY FOUR MINUTES OLD WHEN THE HARPS LADIES TOOK A THREE GOAL LEAD WHEN FOLLOWING YET ANOTHER BRILLIANT CORNER KICK FROM REBECCA McSHANE SAW ONCE AGAIN SOPHIA AMANOR RISE UP TO SEND A HEADER INTO THE BACK OF THE NET TO COMPLETE A EXCELLENT HAT-TRICK

.

ON 55 MINUTES IT BECAME 4-0 WHEN LILLY KELLY WITH A FINE INDIVIDUAL EFFORT FOUND THE BACK OF THE NET FROM TWELVE YARDS WHILST REBECCA McSHANE NEARLY ADDED A 5TH GOAL BUT HER LOW DRIVE WAS WELL SAVED BY FELICITY TATUM THE ORIENT KEEPER. THE HOSTS TRIED TO GET BACK INTO THE MATCH AND BOTH LIBBY KEELER AND DANIELLE HINDLEY WENT CLOSE BUT ON 65 MINUTES THE HARPS SCORED A FIFTH GOAL. JORDAN ROCKAL MADE ONE OF HER DAZZLING RUNS TOWARDS GOAL WHEREUPON SHE SLIPPED THE BALL INSIDE TO CHLOE FARRELL WHO INSTANTLY STROKED THE BALL HOME FROM TEN YARDS TO MAKE IT 5-0 NOW

.

WITH ABOUT FIVE MINUTES TO GO THE SCORELINE BECAME 6-0 WHEN THIS TIME IT WAS DANIELA MONASTERO WHO MADE A GOOD RUN TOWARDS GOAL BEFORE SHE PLAYED THE BALL OUT TO THE RIGHT TO JORDAN ROCKALL WHO INSTANTLY STRUCK IT LOW INTO THE FAR CORNER TO COMPLETE THE SCORING. PLAYER OF THE MATCH OF COURSE MUST GO TO SOPHIA AMANOR FOR HER THREE GOALS AND REBECCA McSHANE FOR HER BRILLIANT DISPLAY IN MIDFIELD AND NANCY TUCKER AND CHLOE DINSEY IN DEFENCE. FOR LEYTON ORIENT IT WAS THEIR KEEPER FELICITY TATUM WHO GOT THE NOD FOR HAVING A GREAT GAME.

NEXT SUNDAY THE LADIES ARE AWAY TO CHELMSFORD CITY LADIES IN THE WOMEN'S FA CUP KO 2PM.

SQUAD: JECKELL, WARREN, DINSEY, KABONGO, TUCKER, AMANOR, HENDY, McSHANE, KELLY, BURTON, MONASTERO, SHACKLOCK, ROCKALL, FARRELL, SEARS, COOK(ALL PLAYED).

.

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

Photos by Freddie Clark

Harpenden Society Awards 2025      July 27th 2026.

Presentations to worthy winners of the Harpenden Society 2025 Awards commenced last week with :

Letter Of Commendation to Harpenden resident Sue Hobley,

In recognition of, more than 40 years' volunteer working for Harpenden & District Macmillan Cancer Support, as as active member of the charity's committee, for most of that time as its chairman.

You were one of the original trustees for the Runcie Day Care Hospice, now known as the Rennie Grove Peace Hospice, helping raise funds for the hospice's Macmillan Building. 

You have combined charity work with enthusiastic interest in gardening, having run the Grove House garden volunteer teams for 25 years. It should be added that, appropriately, in a horticultural connection, you ran a wedding flower business from home for some 50 years. Other charities in which you  has been involved, in the 54 years since you and your  husband Jim moved to Harpenden, include the Children's Society, the Natural Childbirth Trust and the Open Door mental health charity.

Pictured with Awards secretary Ron Taylor in her beautiful garden.

Also presented with a Letter Of Commendation to Harpenden resident was Mike Hodge.

In recognition of more than two decades of outstanding fundraising and service to the local community. Through golf events, musical performances, busking, leadership roles and voluntary work, you have raised in excess of £300,000 for a wide range of charities, always with a smile on your face and a kind word for others.

Having established your successful business in Harpenden in 1992, you ran it for 25 years, providing employment for many local residents. Throughout that time, you combined your professional achievements with a selfless commitment to supporting your community, giving generously of both your time and energy.

The scale of the funds you have raised, together with the countless hours you have devoted to so many worthy causes with the unfailing support of your wife Sarah, is truly remarkable. The positive impact you have made on the lives of local residents and their families will be felt for many years to come. Please keep bringing us sunshine!

Pictured with Awards secretary Ron Taylor in their beautiful garden.

And a presentation of a Certificate of Merit to Harpenden based ARTICHOKE BAKE & MORE

In recognition of how your business has transformed the previous Schoolwear shop into a full service retail bakery with a coffee bar. Not just a regular bakery, but one that makes breads to their own recipes and bakes them daily on the premises. Plus a range of their own pastries, cakes and desserts that are unique in flavour and freshness. Perfect for your home or to enjoy inside and out with a coffee made by their own barista or a chilled drink. ARTICHOKE BAKE AND MORE have made a positive impact to the retail trade in Leyton road.

Artichoke owner Seda (right) pictured with Aysegul (left) and Awards secretary Ron Taylor. 

Harpenden Society Awards 2025. Sept 16

Final award presentation to Derek French of Banking Hub fame.

The Harpenden Society are proud to award Derek French the Society’s Letter of Commendation for the effort and energy he has put into campaigning for the provision of Banking Hubs in communities where the High Street banks have closed down all the branches, not just in our local community, in Harpenden but across the country.

His involvement in the Campaign for Community Banking services for almost 20 years and beyond, focused on lobbing banks and government to slow the rate of closures and developed a well-researched alternative neutral, shared facility for a community, which became the model for banking hubs, and which was finally adopted by the industry in 2022.

He has deservedly become a national figure on the issue of banking hubs, both in the press and other media, but also had time to lobby our own Harpenden Town Council to get behind an initiative to deliver an interim banking hub for the town based in the Council offices. This was as a precursor to the opening of a permanent presence on the High Street, which finally opened on June 26

The Society  has been a vocal supporter of his efforts on behalf of the residents of Harpenden to get the High Street banking hub up and running. 

The Banking Hub is a shared banking space, funded collectively by the banks. It provides a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions, Monday to Friday. It also offers a community banker service where customers can talk to their own bank about more complicated issues.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26TH SAW HARPENDEN TOWN PLAY AT HOME TO AFC WELWYN IN A LEAGUE MATCH AND AFTER 15 MINUTES A GOAL FROM NOYAN TAJBAKHSH GIVE THE VISITORS A 1-0 LEAD. ON 41 MINUTES ZACHARY THOMAS SCORED A DRAMATIC EQUALISER FOR HARPENDEN TO MAKE THE SCORE AT HALF TIME 1-1.

INTO THE SECOND PERIOD SAW THE HARPS TAKE A 2-1 LEAD WHEN HENRY JONES NETTED A FINE GOAL ON 63 MINUTES BUT SEVEN MINUTES LATER IT BECAME 2-2 WHEN SAMUEL ADETIBA SCORED A SECOND GOAL FOR AFC WELWYN.

WITH THE CLOCK RUNNING DOWN AND A DRAW SEEMED ON THE CARDS BUT THEN WITH TWO MINUTES TO GO SAW THE HARPS WIN THE MATCH 3-2 WHEN HENRY JONES FROM JUST OUTSIDE THE BOX LET FLY WITH A TERRIFIC STRIKE THAT FLEW INTO THE BACK OF THE NET FOR THE WINNING GOAL.

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

Photos by Freddie Clark

Colney Heath Snippets

ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26TH SAW COLNEY HEATH TRAVEL UP TO NEWPORT PAGNELL TOWN TO PLAY IN A LEAGUE MATCH AND AFTER 90 MINUTES SAW THEM RETURN WITH ALL THREE POINTS AFTER A FINE 2-0 VICTORY. THE MAGPIES WERE ON THE ATTACK STRAIGHT FROM THE KICK-OFF AND RANDY BULAKIO WENT VERY CLOSE WHEN HE SAW LOW SHOT CLIP THE FOOT OFF THE FAR UPRIGHT AND REBOUND OUT AND THEN BULAKIO HAD ANOTHER EFFORT WHICH WAS BLOCKED ON THE LINE BY ALEX COLLARD THE NEWPORT  SKIPPER. THEN HARRISON BURKE HAD TWO SHOTS ON TARGET BOTH OF WHICH WERE SET UP BY SOME GOOD PLAY FROM WILL ANDIYAPAN BUT EACH TIME THE HOME TEAM'S KEEPER FINLAY PENISTONE-WALKER PULLED OFF A COUPLE OF GOOD SAVES.

FOR THE HOSTS SAW JACOB WILLIAMSON HAVE A LOW DRIVE WELL SAVED BY THE MAGPIES KEEPER TOM MORRELL WHILST OLLIE SEEBY FOR THE VISITORS HEADED JUST OVER FOLLOWING A WILL ANDIYAPAN CORNER KICK. RIGHT ON THE STROKE OF HALFTIME SAW THE MAGPIES TAKE THE LEAD WHEN HARRISON BURKE CUT INTO THE BOX FROM THE LEFT AND AFTER BEATING TWO PLAYERS HE INSTANTLY SHOT LOW INTO THE BACK OF NET  TO GIVE THE VISITORS THE LEAD.

EARLY INTO THE SECOND PERIOD IT BECAME 2-0 WHEN WILL ANDIYAPAN SAW HIS STINGING SHOT PUSHED AWAY BY A GOOD STOP BY FINLAY PENISTONE-WALKER BUT RANDY BULAKIO WAS QUICKEST TO REACT ON TO THE LOOSE BALL AND BURIED IT INTO THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER TO GIVE COLNEY HEATH ALL THREE POINTS.

ON MONDAY EVENING COLNEY HEATH PLAYED AWAY TO AFC WELWYN IN THE 2ND ROUND OF THE PREMIER DIVISION CUP AND AFTER ONLY NINE MINUTES PLAY SAW THE MAGPIES TAKE THE LEAD WHEN FOLLOWING A GOOD BUILD UP SAW ALEX STRAZZA WHIP THE BALL OVER FROM THE RIGHT WING WHEREUPON CURTIS DIBLEY ROSE UP TO HEAD THE BALL BACK ACROSS THE GOAL AND INTO THE BACK OF THE FOR A GREAT FINISH. WILL ANDIYAPAN AND THEN CURTIS DIBLEY THEN BOTH HAD STRIKES ON GOAL WHICH WENT VERY CLOSE WHILST AARON BENN HAD A FIRM DRIVE WELL SAVED LOW DOWN.

ON 48 MINUTES COLNEY HEATH WENT 2-0 UP WHEN CURTIS DIBLEY PLAYED THE BALL OUT WIDE TO WILL ANDIYAPAN WHO SKIPPED AROUND A DEFENDER WHEREUPON HE PUT OVER A LOW CROSS WHICH WAS SWEPT HOME AT THE BACK POST BY AARON BENN FOR YET ANOTHER FINE FINISH. ON 65 MINUTES IT BECAME 3-0 WHEN THAT MAN AGAIN WILL ANDIYAPAN WENT ON A SOLO SURGING RUN FROM THE HALFWAY LINE AND AFTER BEATING THREE PLAYERS HE CALMLY PULLED THE BALL BACK TO CURTIS DIBLEY WHO FOUND THE BACK OF THE NET VIA THE INSIDE OF THE FAR POST TO SEE THE MAGPIES INTO THE 3RD ROUND OF THE PREMIER DIVISION CUP.

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

TUES SEPT 29

FOLLOW UP REPORT ON HARPENDEN TOWN MEN.

Harpenden Town men took on Wormley Rovers at home in a league match, winning 4 -1. Henry Jones scored a glorious Hat Trick whilst Sam Doolan popped up with the fourth goal

Harpenden now sit second in the league table,.

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.

September, Local journalist Charlotte Bateman investigates Charity Shops in Harpenden