New weekly advice service comes to Harpenden


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


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


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


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


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


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




















For reference the photograph features:

Richard Nichols - Chair, The Harpenden Trust

Debbie Nichols- Citizens Advice St Albans District (CASTAD)

Lisa Reiner- Partnership Development , Citizens Advice St Albans District

Gill Haynes - Deputy Mayor, Harpenden 

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

Nick Luckett- Chair, Care Fund, The Harpenden Trust

Pat Ring - People Director, The Harpenden Trust


The Ribbon cutting was held in 

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


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

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

 

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

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


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

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

 

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

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













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


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

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

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


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

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


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


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

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

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

Following the meeting Mr Ash-Edwards said:

 

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

 

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

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


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

Police & Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards said:

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


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


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


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

SUNDAY   MARCH 22ND  EASTERN REGION WOMEN'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION.

HARPENDEN TOWN WOMEN        1         WROXHAM FC WOMEN       2             HT  1-1.                     


HarpendenTown Women playing their last home league match of the season in front of a crowd of 100 plus saw them lose eventually to Wroxham Women 2-1 with the winning goal being scored in the final quarter of hour and with it needing VAR as it certainly looked offside but the officials thought otherwise and the goal stood. Anyway back to the match and in the early stages Belle Shannon curled in a lovely free kick from the right which saw the Wroxham keeper Bryony Williams pull off a good save and then Sophia Amanor cut out a square pass on the edge of the box but alas she over hit the ball and though it went passed Williams, Amanor she could not catch to put it into the back of the net.

Rebecca Stephenson then had a low drive saved by Shannon Alderman but in the 13th minute saw her strike again and Alderman could only push the ball out for Rebecca STEPHENSON to pounce on the loose ball and fire it into the back of the net to give the Yachtswomen a 1-0 lead.














Then Sophia Amanor went close when following a poor clearance from Williams saw Amanor try a snapshot which whistled just wide of the far upright. A free kick from Maddie Green for the visitors was well saved by Alderman whilst at the other end a free kick from Belle Shannon was spilled by Williams and Amana Oguntuga following up saw her effort saved Bryony Williams low down to her right.

  Next Rebecca McShane headed on a pass from Chloe Dinsey for Sophia Amanor to latch onto but her firm effort was pushed away by Williams for a corner kick. Nearing the half time whistle saw the Harps finally score an equalizer when Zoe Allen-Thomas hit a long ball forward for SOPHIA AMANOR to latch onto and after holding off a couple of defenders she then brushed Williams aside and then stroked the ball into the unguarded net to make it 1-1 at the break.














Early into the second half saw Jaime Curtain slip the ball to Belle Shannon whereupon she struck an awesome shot that Williams only at the last moment saw her manage to tip the ball over the bar(Tezza behind the goal thought it was heading for the top corner but he was wrong). Then play switched to the other end and Wroxham had two great chances one after the other from Maddie Green and Katie Knights blocked by the legs of the Harpenden players namely Zoe Allen-Thomas and Becca Dowdall. Then Amanor played the ball quickly to Jaime Curtain inside the box but Holly Farrow was on the spot to clear the danger and then later for Wroxham saw Lauren Hailes hit a tremendous strike from the left wing which smacked against the far post and rebounded back into play whilst Curtain shot over following a great move whilst Dowdall made yet another great clearance as play switched from end to end. Sophia Amanor tried a long range low strike which was easily saved by Williams whilst a curling corner kick from Rebecca McShane was headed clear by Katie Green inside the six yard box but then disaster struck as Wroxham scored another goal.














    









Hayley Kindred was sent racing away down the right wing whereupon she crossed the ball into the box for Hannah FULLER to shoot home with all the Harps players calling for offside but the match referee and his assistant thought otherwise so the goal stood to make it 2-1 to the Yachtswomen. They should have made it 3-1 but Fuller headed just over following a corner kick from Rebecca Stephenson with the goal at her mercy.

The Harps started to pile on the pressure to pull that goal back and Belle Shannon had a fine shot at goal saved by Williams when quickly had to deal with a Ellie Deville effort as she broke free in the box following a free kick by Shannon but Deville although well placed saw her effort saved by Williams and then Izzy Hughes had a well struck shot blocked and following up saw Ella Mercer shoot just over the bar and so the Yachtswomen sailed home with all three points with a 2-1 victory. The player of the match for Harpenden was their captain Rebecca Dowdall with Zoe Allen-Thomas, Chloe Dinsey and Kacee Warren all having good games whilst for Wroxham Bryony Williams had a great game along with Rebecca Stephenson and Maddie Green and Hannah Fuller.





























Harpenden Squad:  Alderman, Allen-THomas, Amanor, Dinsey, Dowdall, Ford, Mercer, Oguntuga, Shacklock, Shannon, Warren, McShane, Curtain, Devillie, Hughes, Kabongo(all played).

Wroxham Squad: Williams, Farrow, Robson, K.Green, Gambell, Knights, Stephenson, Alexander, Hailes, M.Green, Fuller. Subs played: Kindred, Loveland, Stanley. Did not play; Wade, Walford.






The Harpenden Town Ladies do not have a fixture next week and they have three league matches to play and two cup finals all away. League Matches, Bowers & Pitsea Ladies 5th April, Wroxham Women 19th April and Watford Ladies Devs 26th April. The two cup finals are both against Stevenage Women; County Cup Final 12th April and League Cup Final 10th May.


PHOTOS by Freddie Clark


FORTHCOMING FIXTURE SUNDAY 22ND MARCH, HARPENDEN TOWN WOMEN AT HOME TO WROXHAM FC WOMEN KICK OFF, 2PM. ADMISSION   ADULTS  £6  CONCESSIONS £3.  CASH OR CARD TAKEN ON THE GATE.


Meanwhile The Harpenden Town Women Colts drew 2-2 away to London Lions Ladies after being a goal down at the break in a Beds & Herts Women's Football League division  fixture with EDITH PERRYER  and ELLA CLEMENT scoring the goals for the Colts. Scoring for London Lions were Natasha Kingsley and Talia Rosen.

Squad: Colbert-Green, THomas, Lessig, Bracey, Dante, Curtis, Mills, Renwick, Henry, Smylie, Perryer, Chester, Josse, Gay, Clement(all played)


ALSO> in the Premier Division of the ERWFL saw St Albans City Ladies pick up three great points with a 2-0 victory away at Haringey Borough Women with goals from Millie CONSTANTINE and Scarlett ROBB whilst Renea Jarrett was named player of the match.



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


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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 14TH MARCH SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION.

COLNEY HEATH        2        HARINGEY BOROUGH        4            HT 1-2.
















For the second Saturday running saw Colney Heath put in a fantastic display against another of the top two's teams and this time it was Haringey Borough who are in top spot of the Premier Division of the Spartan South Midlands football league and once again the young Magpies played some lovely football and at one stage saw the visitors hanging on but in the end they snatched all three points with two late goals to win 4-2 when a 2-2 draw would have been a fair result.


    Early into the match saw Sachon Edwards fire a effort right across the face of the goal whilst a free kick from Matthew Young for Haringey was headed just wide by the visitors number eleven Jonathan Hippolyte and play quickly returned up to the other end when a Harrison Burke free kick for the Magpies was headed past the far upright by a couple of inches. Next up a curling corner kick from Charlie McDonald nearly curled in but the Haringey keeper Dillion Barnes did well to catch it under the bar. On 27 minutes the Magpies had numerous chances to clear the ball but they did not and Leonardo Pola made a fine run down the left and crossed the ball low across the box for Jordan HIPPOLYTE to fire home from close range to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

Then Hippolyte had a shot saved whilst for the young Magpies saw Sam Ejjayha shoot just over whilst Curtis Dibley had a firm low drive saved by Barnes who then minutes later hit a long kick forward which saw Hippolyte latch onto but Renell McKenzie-Lyle pulled off a good save to stop it becoming two nil. Then on 41 minutes saw the Magpies score an equaliser when Sachon Edwards made a surging run into the box following a good pass from Curtis Dibley whereupon Edwards was brought by the Haringey keeper Dillion Barnes for a penalty to be awarded and a yellow card for Barnes. Up stepped SACHON EDWARDS to take the resulting spot kick which saw him sending the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 1-1 and in doing so he sent Barnes the wrong way  for a well taken penalty.


     The joy was short lived as Haringey won a corner kick which Matthew Young took and once as earlier Colney Heath could not clear their lines and Jonathan HIPPOLYTE following a goalmouth scramble scored from close range to make it 2-1 to Haringey.

    The second half was only five minutes old when the young Magpies nearly drew level when Harrison Burke cut in from the left only to see his well struck shot tipped around the far post by a good save from Dillion Barnes. Then a curling cross in from Alex Strazza saw Sam Ejjayha get a firm header on to the ball only for Barnes to somehow push the ball up and stop it crossing over the line and he quickly recovered to catch the ball to make sure it didn't go in. After making a few changes the young Magpies scored an equalising goal on 75 minutes when Myles Shahidi did well down the left and swept over a low cross into the six yard box whereupon Dillion Barnes pushed the ball out only for CURTIS DIBLEY to pick the loose the ball up and smash it into the roof of the net to make it 2-2.


     Young Kory Duberry came on and he had two shots on goal, one was blocked whilst the other saw Barnes make a good save whilst a dangerous Sam Ejjayha cross was pushed over the bar at the last moment by a good save from Barnes. With time running out and a 2-2 draw seemed on the cards saw Haringey spoil the party when they scored two late goals both on the break and scored by Adrian CLIFTON but the second one, play should have been stopped as there were two balls on the pitch both of which were around the Magpies box to make the final score 4-2 to Haringey Borough. Once again it was a brilliant performance from the young Magpies but they didn't get the result they richly deserved.



Team: McKenzie-Lyle, Eaton, Strazza, Willing, J. Ejjayha, Seeby, S.Ejjayha, McDonald, Dibley, Edwards, Burke. Subs: Small, Duberry, Andiyapan, Williams, Shahidi(all played).





























Colney Heath Reserves were away to Penn & Tylers Green U23's in the North Division of the Suburban Football League and they returned with a 4-1 victory which now sees them open up a six point lead at the top of the table and goal difference of plus 32.. Scoring the goals were HARLEY FONTI 2(tally for the season 17), FREDDIE QUINN and FINN

EAMES-ILLINGWWORTH with assists from Harry Price, David Emiloju and Ben Price.



Squad: Lowin, Bevil, Wingate, Yaku, Anthony, Eames-Illingworth, Penny, Quinn, Emiloju, Onabule, Fonti, Hall, Shodeimde, Johnson, Price, King(all played).

  



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