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”.

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.

SATURDAY MARCH 28TH SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION.

ARLESEY TOWN       0        COLNEY HEATH           2               HT 0-2.



Colney Heath picked up three more points on Saturday after a 2-0 away win at Arlesey Town with both goals coming in the first half through Sachon Edwards and Will Andiyapan with Alex Strazza setting up both goals. The Magpies though they had gone scored in the first minute when Curtis Dibley had shot home from just inside the box but it was ruled offside(VAR needed again).

Myles Shahidi then set up Sachon Edwards but his firm downward header was saved on the line by Jake Ingram and then Will Andiyapan went close with a low drive as the Magpies pressed forward for that vital goal. Next a throw-in on the right by Alex Strazza found Curtis Dibley whereupon he created space for himself to get in a cross-cum-shot which went right across the face of the goal with Ingram scuttling across his goal line to make sure the ball ran out of play. Then Sachon Edwards and Mayar Hajousman worked the ball well for Curtis Dibley to get a stinging shot away which saw Jake Ingam push the ball away around his near upright for a corner kick.

Finally on 23 minutes the young Magpies got the goal they deserved when following good play down the right wing saw Alex Strazz deliver in a peach of a cross for SACHON EDWARDS to send a powerful header past Ingram from twelve yards and into the back of the net to make it 1-0. It nearly became 2-0 when Myles Shahidi found Will Andiyapan 20 yards out whereupon he struck a fantastic curling shot which alas struck the foot of the far post with Ingam well beaten but the ball rebounded back out and was cleared up field.

Then on the stroke of halftime saw Colney Heath open up a two goal lead when when Alez Strazza sent a defence splitting pass through the Arlesey backline for  WILL ANDIYAPAN to run onto whereupon he struck a firm low drive into the far left corner past Ingram to give the young Magpies a two nil lead at the break. During the first period the Colney defence, well led by their captain Jamie Willing kept the Arlesey attack at bay.

  In the second half their were not many chances as Arlesey kept giving away fouls to break the Magpies attacks up and late in the match saw the hosts captain Ezinina Odimgbe shown a second yellow card when he pushed Sachon Edwards over by the far touch line and so the hosts finished the match with ten players but the young Magpies got the result they wanted a 2-0 victory and three points. Squad: McKenzie-Lyle, Strazza, Shahidi, J. Ejjayha, Seeby, Willing, Hajousman, S. Ejjayha, Dibley, Andiyapan, Edwards, Duberry, Mliswa, Burke, Eaton, Williams(all played).


During midweek Colney Heath were at home to Kempston Rovers and won 3-1 with yet again the Magpies scoring two goals during the first half and they open the scoring on twenty five minutes when a free kick into the box by Harrison Burke dropped kindly for JED EJJAYHA who blasted the ball into the back of the net giving the Rovers keeper Oliver Kirkup no chance to make a save. On forty minutes it became 2-0 when Ollie Seeby split the visitors defence with a neat through ball for CURTIS DIBLEY to send a sizzling low strike into the back of the net for a great finish.

In the second half the match was played in gale force winds and driving rain and the visitors pulled a goal back on 75 minutes when following a corner kick from Justin Doss saw Yousef KARIM bundled the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 2-1. The match was being played end to end but it was the Magpies who popped up with the next goal when Oliver Kirkup pushed out a stinging shot from Curtis Dibley right into the path of SACHON EDWARDS who made no mistake from close range to make the scoreline 3-1 to Colney Heath. The Magpies nearly added a fourth goal when Kyrese Williams found Harley Fonti but his goal bound shot was stopped on the line by a good save from Oliver Kirkup.


Squad: McKenzie-Lyle, Eaton, Shahidi, J. Ejjayha, Seeby, Willing, Hajousman, S. Ejjayha, Dibley, Burke, Duberry, Strazza, Williams, Andiyapan, Edwards, Fonti(all played).


Meanwhile on Saturday at home Colney Heath Reserves played Yateley United in the North Division of the Suburban Football League and won 8-2 after they had four nil at the break. Scoring the goals for the young Magpies were HARLEY FONTI with a hat-trick taking his tally for the season to 22 goals. The others were scored by JACOB YAKU, KAIRO ANTHONY, SAM O'HARE, LUCA  BEVIL and BEN PRICE. The goal times were 2, 4, 17, 22, 67, 69, 85 and 89 minutes. For Yateley the scorers were Joshua STRATTON(54) and Frankie WORHINGTON(62). Colney Heath Reserves now sit top of the table six points clear with 37 points whilst Berkhamsted Dev have 31 points whilst the goals difference for the Magpies is 41 whilst for Berko it is 28.  Squad: Lowin, Yaku, Eames-Illingworth, Anthony, Carpenter, Penny, Emiloju, Quinn, Fonti, King, Divine, O'Hare, Benn, Bevil, Wingate, Price(all played).    David Emiloju had a hand in six of the goals(so I am told).



SUNDAY 29TH MARCH EASTERN COUNTIES WOMEN'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE NORTH DIVISION.

COLNEY HEATH LADIES       0         HISTON LADIES       1      HT 0-0.

Playing at home to the league champions Histon Ladies saw the Lady Magpies turn in a terrific performance in that they only lost 1-0 when the match should have ended all square after they were not awarded a stone walled penalty late in the match when Anna Simou was bundled over in the box following a great surging run to get in there and just as she was about to shoot at goal she was bundled off the ball and not in a ladylike fashion as went sprawling onto the pitch.

In the early stages of the match saw firstly Sabrina Ghosh have a stinging strike pushed away by a great save from Katie Poolman who then did the same to efforts from Ella Marden and Evie Nicholls whose both efforts looked like they were heading for the back of the net. At the other end the Histon keeper Keeley Robinson did well to stop Amy Phillips from scoring after a good ball in from the right by Olivia Corbett whilst play quickly switched to the other end and Laura Leyland headed just over following a corner kick from Ella Marden.

Amy Phillips then had a firm header saved by Robinson yet again with Anna Gifford supplying the cross whilst for the visitors Tash Collins sent a shot just over the bar but the Lady Magpies were in control at the back with Abbey Williams, Anna Simou and Sophie Joseph breaking up their Histon attacks and Anna Gifford spreading the ball away from the danger area. In the second period early on Olivia Corbett made a great run down the left whereupon she squared the ball across to Ellen Salter whose shot was beaten away at the near post by a good stop from Keeley Robinson and then Ellen Salter played in a lovely ball to her sister Cally Salter who low effort was well saved by Robinson. Then Anna Gifford shot narrowly wide of the near upright following a good move down the right wing whilst a curling free kick from Cally Salter was punched clear by Robinson as the Colney Heath Ladies were putting the visitors under a lot of pressure.

  Histon though came back into the game when out of the blue after after a quick break saw them take the lead when Sophie Hopkin played the ball to Evie NICHOLLS who skipped around a defender and promptly drill the ball past Katie Poolman and into the roof of the net for her 37th goal of the season and make it 1-0 to Histon on 76 minutes. Then came the late drama as the Lady Magpies were not awarded a penalty when Anna Simou with her driving run into the box was bundled off the ball by a harsh challenge which sent her sprawling on the pitch and then in the final minute or two of the match Cally Salter nearly pulled off which would have been a great equalising goal but her looping long range effort went over the head of the keeper Keeley Robinson but alas struck the top of the crossbar and with a great sigh of relief coming from the Histon bench as they couldn't wait for the final whistle. All of the Colney Heath Ladies played brilliantly and gave their all, well done to all of you. The player of the match went to Anna Gifford who kept driving her teammates forward whilst for Histon saw Evie Nicholls get the nod.


Team: Poolman, Joseph, Williams, Simou, Lerwill, Oliver, Gifford, C. Salter, E. Salter, Phillips, Corbett. Subs played: Simmonds, Ray-Smith. Did not play; Slade, Anscomb.




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

SATURDAY 28TH MARCH SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION.

CRAWLEY GREEN        1        HARPENDEN TOWN         5          HT 0-4.













Harpenden Town, playing away to Crawley Green picked up all three points with a comfortable 5-1 victory after they had led 4-0 at the break. A goal from MEHDI MAYAH got the ball rolling for the Harps and this was followed by two from JON CLEMENTS and one from HARRY ANDIC to see them go in at the break 4-0 up. In the second half  Bailey KNIGHT pulled one back for Crawley to make the score 4-1 but the Giggling Squid man of the match JON CLEMENTS struck again to complete his hat-trick in the 74th minute to make the final score to Harpenden 5-1.
















This forthcoming Saturday (April 4)   Harpenden Town are at home to Kings Langley KO 3pm.


Above PHOTOS by Freddie Clark



SUNDAY 29TH MARCH BEDS & HERTS WOMEN'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE.

WOBURN & WAVENDON WOMEN        4          HARPENDEN TOWN WOMEN COLTS        4

Away to Woburn & Wavendon Women saw the Harps Town Women Colts return with a point after a high scoring match which finished in the end at 4-4. With only a minute to go the Colts were leading 4-3 but Woburn popped up with a dramatic late equalising goal which was scored by Grace LEWIS. Scoring for the Colts was super sub ELLA CLEMENT with a superb hat-trick which took her tally to 23 goals for the season so far whilst the Colts fourth was scored by SASHA CHESTER. Scoring for Woburn were Jodi McCLELLAND, Princess MGBEMERE and Casey CHAPMAN. Making her debut for the Colts was Evie Dullaghan-Stone who went on to have a sound game.

Squad: Bracey, Curnow, Smylie, Lessig, Dante, T. Thomas. Whittle, Rennick, Chester, Perryer, Curtis, Mills, Waxham, Clement, Dullaghan-Stone(all played).


THIS FORTHCOMING SUNDAY  ( April 5 ) SEE THE HARPENDEN TOWN WOMEN FIRST TEAM PLAY AWAY TO BOWERS & PITSEA LADIES KO 3PM IN THE ERWFL PREMIER DIVISION.


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

 

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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