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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.”

 

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.

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.

Aug 16.  HARPENDEN TOWN WOMEN SNIPPETS.

SUNDAY 16TH AUGUST EASTERN REGION WOMEN'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION.

ATLETICO LONDON WOMEN  3  HARPENDEN TOWN WOMEN   2         HT 0-2.

STARTING THEIR SEASON OFF WITH AN AWAY MATCH AT ATLETICO LONDON WOMEN SAW HARPENDEN TOWN WOMEN GO IN AT THE BREAK WITH A 2-0 LEAD BUT THE SAME THING HAPPEN AS LAST SEASON WHEN THE HARPS WERE LEADING AT HALF TIME AND IN THE SECOND HALF SAW THE HOSTS SCORE THREE GOALS TO WIN THE MATCH. LAST SEASON IT WAS 5-3 AND THIS SEASON IT WAS 3-2 AND IN BOTH GAMES THE HARPENDEN TOWN LADIES SHOULD HAVE GOT SOMETHING OUT OF THEM.

AFTER HAVING A MOST OF THE ATTACKING PLAY EARLY ON THEY WERE REWARDED WITH A GOAL WHEN FOLLOWING SOME GOOD BUILD UP SAW SOPHIA AMANOR PLAY THE BALL TO JORDAN ROCKALL WHO QUICKLY SLIPPED IT INTO THE PATH OF NANCY TUCKER WHO INSTANTLY UNLEASHED AN UNSTOPPABLE SHOT PAST ALEX BAKER THE ATLETICO KEEPER WHO WAS ROOTED TO HER LINE TO MAKE IT 1-0 TO THE HARPS LADIES.

NEXT LILLY KELLY HAD A LOW SHOT SAVED WHILST CHLOE FARRELL WITH A STINGING STRIKE SAW HER EFFORT CLIP THE OUTSIDE OF THE FAR POST AND COME BACK INTO PLAY AND WAS HACKED CLEAR. JORDAN ROCKALL THEN HAD ANOTHER EFFORT SAVED AFTER BEING SET UP BY A GOOD PASS FROM LEAH SHELLARD DOWN THE RIGHT WING.

FOR ATLETICO SAW HANNAH JENKS-LANDEN HIT A LONG RANGE SHOT THAT STRUCK THE TOP OF THE BAR AND GO OVER WHILST BROOKE HAYLOCK WENT CLOSE FOR THE HOSTS. HARPENDEN TOWN LADIES THEN MADE IT 2-0 WHEN LEAH SHELLARD PLAYED THE BALL TO CHLOE DINSEY WHO INSTANTLY PLAYED IT THROUGH FOR JORDAN ROCKALL TO RUN ONTO AND AS ALEX BAKER CAME QUICKLY OFF HER LINE TO BLOCK HER JORDAN ROCKALL CALMLY LOFTED THE BALL OVER HER HEAD AND INTO THE BACK OF THE NET TO GIVE THE HARPS LADIES A TWO GOAL LEAD. NOT LONG AFTER THIS SAW THE VISITORS LOSE THEIR SKIPPER BECCA DOWDALL WHEN SHE WENT OFF WITH A BROKEN WRIST AFTER FALLING AWKWARDLY ON IT AS SHE WENT TO WIN THE BALL AND THE GAME SEEMED TO CHANGE AFTER THIS WITH AMMARAH ALI FOR THE HOSTS SHOOTING JUST OVER THE CROSSBAR AND THEN THE HARPS KEEPER ELIZABETH WAGSTAFFE MADE THREE GREAT SAVES TO STOP ATHLETICO FROM PULLING A GOAL BACK AND SO THE SCORE LINE REMAINED AT 2-0 TO THE HARPS AT HALF TIME.

            EARLY INTO THE SECOND PERIOD ATLETICO PULLED A GOAL BACK WHEN THEY WON A PENALTY WHICH BROOKE HAYLOCK NEATLY DESPATCHED PAST WAGSTAFFE TO MAKE IT 2-1 NOW.  FOR THE HARPS CHLOE DINSEY FIRED IN EFFORT WHICH FLEW JUST WIDE OF NEAR POST WITH BAKER SCRAMBLING ACROSS HER AND RELIEVED TO SEE IT GO JUST PAST NEAR UPRIGHT. WITH THE HOSTS NOW PUSHING FORWARD LOOKING FOR THE EQUALISER SAW THEM NEARLY CAUGHT OUT AS POOR PASS FOUND SOPHIA AMANOR ON THE EDGE OF THEIR BOX UNMARKED BUT SHE RUSHED HER SNAP SHOT AND IT WENT JUST OVER THE CROSSBAR.

THEN ATLETICO DREW LEVEL WHEN FROM WAY OUT ON THE LEFT WING SAW AMMARAH ALI HIT A FREE KICK WHICH SAILED OVER THE HEAD OF WAGSTAFFE AND INTO THE FAR RIGHT CORNER TO MAKE 2-2, GAME ON NOW. LATE INTO THE MATCH SAW THE HOSTS WIN ANOTHER SPOT KICK  FOR A VERY HARSH HANDBALL AND ONCE AGAIN BROOKE HAYLOCK STEPPED UP TO CONVERT IT TO GIVE ATLETICO LONDON A 3-2 LEAD AND SHE NEARLY HAD A HAT-TRICK WHEN SHE HIT A FINE SHOT WHICH HIT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BAR AND CAME BACK OUT.

HARPENDEN TRIED TO GET BACK INTO THE GAME AND SOPHIA AMANOR WENT VERY CLOSE AS SHE WATCHED HER LOW STRIKE TRICKLE ONLY INCHES WIDE OF THE FAR POST BUT IT WAS NOT TO BE AND SO THE HARPS WENT DOWN 3-2. PLAYER OF THE MATCH FOR THE HARPS WHO ELSE CAN IT BE BUT ELIZABETH WAGSTAFFE THE VISITORS KEEPER WHO PULLED OFF NUMEROUS BRILLIANT SAVES THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE OF THE MATCH WHILST NANCY TUCKER, KACEE WARREN , LUCY FORD AND CHLOE DINSEY ALL PLAYED WELL ALONG WITH THEIR INJURED SKIPPER BECCA DOWDALL.

TEAM: WAGSTAFFE, WARREN, FORD, DOWDALL, DINSEY, TUCKER, ROCKALL, AMANOR, SHELLARD, KELLY, FARRELL. SUBS PLAYED; SCHELHASE, KABONGO, HENDY, BURTON. DID NOT PLAY; MERCER.T

NEXT SUNDAY THE HARPENDEN TOWN WOMEN ARE AT HOME TO BOWERS & PITSEA,  KICK-OFF 2-30PM.

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

PHOTOS BELOW BY AARON DERBY

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. 

Further presentations  for the Plaque and another Letter of Commendation will take place during August

                    COLNEY HEATH SNIPPETS.

FRIDAY 14TH AUGUST FA VASE FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING .

CANNONS WOOD FC      3      COLNEY HEATH      3   FT   HT 0-1      COLNEY HEATH WIN 4-2 ON PENALTIES.

COLNEYTRAVELLING TO ESSEX TO PLAY CANNONS WOOD IN THE 1ST ROUND QUALIFYING ROUND OF THE FA VASE SAW COLNEY HEATH SQUANDER A 3-0 LEAD TO BE PEGGED BACK AT 3-3 AND SAW THE MATCH GO TO PENALTIES WHICH SAW THE MAGPIES WIN 4-2.

AFTER ONLY SIX MINUTES PLAY SAW COLNEY HEATH TAKE THE LEAD FROM THE PENALTY SPOT AFTER WILL ANDIYAPAN WAS TRIPPED INSIDE THE BOX BUT HE QUICKLY GOT UP TO DESPATCH THE RESULTING SPOT KICK AND MAKE IT 1-0 TO THE MAGPIES. SAM EJJAYHA THEN HAD A GREAT STRIKE SAVED BY THE HOME TEAMS KEEPER KRISTER OZOLS WHILST GEORGE SMALL SHOT INTO THE SIDE NETTING. FOR WOOD SAW ROWAN LARRINGTON HAVE A LOW DRIVE SAVED BY RECENT SIGNING KEEPER TOM MORRELL. CURTIS DIBLEY THEN SHOULD HAVE SCORED FOR THE MAGPIES BUT HE BLASTED THE BALL OVER THE BAR FOLLOWING A LOW CROSS INTO THE BOX FROM MYLES SHAHIDI WHILST TEDDY JONES CUTTING SAW HIS LOW SHOT SAVED BY OZOLS. CANNONS WOOD WERE CREATING A FEW CHANCES BUT OLLIE SEEBY AND SAM EJJAYHA DONE WELL TO CLEAR THEIR LINES.

BOTH DARNELL BROMFIELD AND SOMFECHI UKONUWENT CLOSE FOR THE WOOD WHILST A WILL ANDIYAPAN CURLING CORNER KICK STRUCK THE FOOT OF THE NEAR POST AND WENT OUT OF PLAY AND THEN A BRILLIANT ONE-TWO BETWEEN DAVID EMILOJU AND CURTIS DIBLEY SAW THE LATTER SHOOT NARROWLY WIDE OF THE FAR POST WITH THE CANNONS WOOD KEEPER ROOTED TO HIS LINE.

EARLY INTO THE SECOND PERIOD THE MAGPIES WENT 2-0 UP ON 47 MINUTES WHEN A WILL ANDIYAPAN CURLING CORNER KICK DROPPED FOR JED EJJAYHA TO DRILL THE LOOSE BALL HOME. A FEW MINUTES LATER IT BECAME 3-0 WHEN CURTIS DIBLEY WON THE BALL AND GOT TO THE LINE AND PULLED THE BALL BACK FOR WILL ANDIYAPAN TO SLOT THE BALL PAST KRISTER OZOLS FOR A FINE FINISH AND TAKE HIS TALLY TO TWO FOR THE MATCH.

SURELY COLNEY HEATH COULD NOT THROW A THREE GOAL LEAD AWAY BUT THE HOSTS THOUGHT OTHERWISE AND ON 67 MINUTES WHEN ALEX BALISANI MADE A RUN INTO THE BOX AND LAID THE BALL OFF TO NOAH ADEJOKUN WHO SCORED FROM CLOSE RANGE TO MAKE IT 3-1. FOR THE MAGPIES SAW HARRISON BURKE HAVE A SHOT BEATEN AWAY WHILST FOR THE HOSTS ADEJOKUN SHOT AFTER BEING WELL PLACED. THEN ON 75 MINUTES ALEX BALISANI MADE IT 3-2 WITH A FINE SHOT AND THEN DEEP INTO TIME ADDED ON ALEX BALISANI STRUCK AGAIN TO MAKE IT 3-3 AND SEND THE HOME FANS WILD.

SO TO THE DREADED SPOT KICKS; WILL ANDIYAPAN, RANDY BULAKIO, SAM EJJAYHA AND HARRISON BURKE ALL PUT THEIR PENALTIES AWAY FOR THE MAGPIES WHILST FOR CANNONS WOOD ALEX BALISANI AND ROWAN LARRINGTON CONVERTED THEIRS BUT TIMOTHY MONSHEJU AND NOAH ADEJOKUN MISSED THEIRS FOR COLNEY HEATH TO WIN 4-2 AND MEET BASILDON TOWN IN THE NEXT ROUND.

TEAM: MORRELL, JONES, SHAHIDI, SEEBY, J. EJJAYHA, O'HARE, SMALL, S. EJJAYHA, DIBLEY, ANDIYAPAN, EMILOJU. SUBS PLAYED: BULAKIO, BURKE, TURVILLE, HAJOUSMAN. DID NOT PLAY; EDWARDS.

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

Aug 6. Harpenden Photographic Society Announces

members’ success at 37th Photography Competition Exhibition at Lauderdale House

Two members of Harpenden Photographic Society (above) have achieved success in Lauderdale House's 37th Photography Competition, with their winning entries now on display at the renowned Tudor house in Waterlow Park, North London.

HPS member James Singler ARPS, an accomplished freelance photographer, writer and local school teacher, won the Open Category. He was then awarded overall winner and has won his own exhibition at the venue next year.

Tender and understated, his winning image BREAK FROM THE SHOP was taken within the streets of San Cristobal.(below left)

"Curiosity plays an important part in the creation of my work," he said at the award ceremony. "Being able to look for and see a story unfold allows me to meet fascinating people in different parts of the world. Travelling across Mexico created a huge portfolio of work for me."

This autumn's RPS Travelog magazine will feature James's work on Oaxaca's July festival, the Guelaguetza - an honour that will further his recognition within the freelance photography field.

HPS member Helen Ogleby was runner-up in the Cherished Memories Category with her image STRONGMAN FAMILY. (Above right)

Helen commented:

"I was introduced to Lauderdale House by a family friend who wanted to see my images hanging on the wall at their local gallery. Entering their competition has helped me build confidence and is a highlight of my summer."

The winning photographs from James and Helen will continue to be part of the Lauderdale House photographic exhibition in Highgate until 24th August, on display in the Lower Gallery during gallery opening times.

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