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.

SUNDAY 6TH APRIL EASTERN REGION WOMEN'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION.

BOWERS & PITSEA LADIES        0         HARPENDEN TOWN WOMEN        3           HT 0-3.


Travelling to Essex on a bright and warm sunny day saw the Harpenden Town Women play Bowers & Pitsea Ladies in a ERWFL Premier Division fixture and the Lady Harps returned with all three three points after an excellent display throughout the match and with three different goalscorers plus every player could have been named player of the match.

Harpenden playing with the very strong wind in their backs saw them set their stall out early on with Ellie Deville making a good run into the box whereupon she was blocked by Danielle Styles and then Ella Mercer saw her strong shot go just wide of the far post after being deflected by defender for a corner kick. Rebecca McShane swung the corner kick over only to see Mercer's header go just over the crossbar but in their very next attack saw the Harps take the lead. Lucy Ford played the ball down the right wing for Ellie Deville to run on to and after going around a Bowers defender with ease saw Deville pull the ball back for SOPHIA AMANOR to promptly drill the ball low past Hope Smith from ten yards to make it 1-0 to the Harps.

Harpenden soon went 2-0 up when Chloe Dinsey played the ball inside to Sophia Amanor who quickly laid it off to Ella Mercer only to see Hope Smith pull off a good save by pushing the ball around the near upright for a corner kick. Rebecca McShane took the kick and she curled the ball into the back post whereupon CHLOE DINSEY raced in to meet the ball and send a powerful header high into the roof of the net from only a couple of yards out to make the scoreline 2-0. Following yet another McShane corner kick saw Becca Dowdall head the ball just over the bar and then Mercer went close with a free kick whilst for Bowers saw Maizi Garwood have her firm effort well saved by Shannon Alderman at her near post. Amana Oguntuga cutting in from the right saw her curling-cross-shot go very close which Olivia Billson cleared away for a corner. Rebecca McShane once again curled the corner kick into the box whereupon Erin Shacklock saw her shot pushed over the crossbar by a good save from Hope Smith.

Then Shacklock slipped the ball Sophia Amanor who looked up whereupon she struck a stinging shot that was pushed up in the air by Smith the Bowers keeper and in rushed AMANA OGUNTUGA  and bravely rose up to head the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-0(where was her Mum to see this well taken goal). The hosts tried to hit back but Amelie Johnson shot was well saved by Alderman just before the break.

At the start of the second period saw the swirling wind die down and the both teams could control the ball on the deck and Seryan Kabongo who had come on for Amanor at half time went close with a low strike that flew just wide of the near upright whilst following yet another well taken corner from Rebecca McShane saw Becca Dowdall have two efforts in the space of a couple of seconds blocked inside the six yard box to deny the Harps a fourth goal. Ellie Deville had a shot saved after being set up by a good ball from Kabongo but play quickly switched to the other end whereupon both Ashtyn Newley and Ruby Kilden had efforts well saved by Shannon Alderman to stop Bowers pulling a goal back.

Rebecca McShane corner kicks were causing all kinds of problems in the Bowers box and Ella Mercer went close with a header at the far upright as did Izzy Hughes quite a few minutes later. Play was switching from end to end and it was the turn of Bowers to go very close with a cracking shot from Kim Green being pushed behind for a corner kick following a great save from Shannon Alderman whilst Neave Wilson blocked a shot from Amy Powells and so the score remained at 3-0 to Harpenden for a great result and revenge for the Harps 4-3 defeat earlier on in the season. Player of the match for the Harps was Ellie Deville who never stopped running throughout the whole of the ninety minutes whilst Kacee Wilson had a great game at the back.  Well done Ellie. For Bowers & Pitsea saw Danielle Stillitoe get the nod for player of the match with their keeper Hope Smith having a brilliant game in between the sticks.

Once again I must thank Izzy Hughes for a lift to the match along with Rebecca McShane and Ellie Deville we have become known as the Four Musketeers and as they say the Four Musketeers ride again!

Squad: Alderman, Warren, Dowdall, Ford, McShane, Dinsey, Shacklock, Mercer, Oguntuga, Deville, Amanor, Willson, Kabongo, Henry, Hughes(all played).


NEXT UP FOR THE HARPENDEN TOWN WOMEN IS THE HERTS COUNTY CUP FINAL AT THE COUNTY GROUND LETCHWORTH KO 2-30PM WHERE THEY WILL PLAY STEVENAGE WOMEN FC.  DATE 12TH APRIL, COME ALONG AND SUPPORT THE HARPS LADIES AND MAKE A REAL NOISE TO CHEER THEM ON TO VICTORY.


In the ERWFL Division North saw Colney Heath Ladies win 2-1 away at Thetford Town Ladies with goals from OLIVIA CORBETT and CALLY SALTER  with the winner in the second half.  Squad: Poolman, Joseph, Williams, Simou, Lerwill, Oliver, Gifford, C. Salter, E. Salter, Phillips, Corbett, Aubrey, L. Hancock, Pinkham(all played)





SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE ROUND-UP.

Over Easter weekend the three local teams in the Spartan South Midlands League Colney Heath, Harpenden Town and London Colney only managed to pick up one point between them in the four matches played with Colney Heath managing a 0-0 draw away at Crawley Green.


Firstly, the Colney Heath match saw them having numerous chances in the first half with Curtis Dibley having the best chance of all but he failed to put his chance away when clear in front of goal and his shot was easily saved by Cameron Groom. He then had a couple of more chances go close whilst Jed Ejjayha headed just wide after a free kick from Will Andiyapan and then Sam Ejjayha headed just over following a free kick from Andiyapan yet again whilst for Crawley saw Joe Beardon find the back of the net for them but it was ruled out for him being in an offside position. In the second half Curtis Dibley saw his stinging strike pushed around the near post by a good save from Broom after he was set up by a good pass Mayar Hajousman and from the resulting corner kick taken by Andiyapan saw his curling ball punched clear by Groom from right under the bar. As the half progressed saw the Magpies go in search of that vital goal and Sachon Edwards had a shot blocked as did Curtis Dibley and then in another attack saw Alex Strazza brought down well inside the box but no penalty kick was forthcoming and then Harrison Burke had a shot beaten away by Groom at his far post.


For Crawley Green saw Bailey Knight fire in a low drive which saw the Magpies keeper Renell McKenzie-Lyle tip around his near upright to keep the score at 0-0. Very late in the match saw Colney Heath have bad luck after Harrison Burke's fine shot was pushed away by Groom and Koby Duberry following up saw his effort hit the foot of the post and rebound back out and then in the last seconds of the match Curtis Dibley nearly broke the back of the as his shot was hit with tremendous power but alas it whistled past the far upright by only a couple of inches and then the final whistle blew for the match to end at 0-0. A point on the road but it easily could have been three.

 

Meanwhile Colney Heath Reserves won the North Division of the Suburban Football League with a 1-0 away win over St. Albans City FC Academy with a goal from BEN PRICE which was set up by a neat through ball from Harley Fonti. Squad; Lowin, Bevil, Wingate, Eames-Illingworth, Carpenter, Penny, Quinn, Chikontwe, Fonti, Cafferty, Price, Gorman, Johnson, Myers, O'Hare, Shodeinde(all played).


Harpenden Town who were playing at home Kings Langley went down 1-0 to a goal scored by George HUGHES in the first minute and although the Harps had most of the play in the second half with Jon Clements, Elliot Bailey, Ryan Plowright and Harry Andic(Becca McShane's favourite player) all having shots saved the closest they came to scoring was in the last minute when the Harps keeper Connor Freeman came up for a corner kick and saw his goalbound header cleared off the line for Kings Langley to claim all three points.

Squad: Freeman, Carberry, Agambar, Joyce, Heald, Baker, Al-Seadi, Spaul, Clements, Andic, Plowright, Austin, Asclough, Turay, Lopez, Bailey(all played).

















































In division one of the Spartan South Midlands League saw London Colney lose firstly 3-2 away to Rushden & Higham United with goals from Kamaai GUMBS and Andoni AMPHLETT whilst in their second game this time at home saw them lose 2-1 to Letchworth Garden City Eagles with Dhorian BITALO netting for the Blueboys this time.


FORTHCOMING FIXTURES THIS WEEKEND SATURDAY 11TH APRIL, COLNEY HEATH ARE AT HOME TO THE FA VASE FINALISTS COCKFOSTERS FC KO 3PM.

HARPENDEN TOWN ARE AT HOME ON THE SAME DATE TO AFC WELWYN  KO 3PM.


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