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Harpenden population 32,500+

Harpenden’s 3 GP Surgeries registered patients = 43,274.

What’s going on??

A chance visit to the NHS Choices web site on May 6 revealed the following registered patient numbers:

Village Surgery = 15,983

The Elms = 14,749

Davenport House = 12,542

SO if the numbers are accurate where do all these people live? (Redbourn and Wheathampsted have their own surgeries.

OR are the numbers duplicated OR are they simply out of date?

WELL, on average GP Surgeries are funded at £136 per patient so the numbers generate high income.

THE average number of patient visits per year is 7 giving a cost per visit of £19.42.

YES it’s obvious that very young patients and elderly patients have more than the average number of visits.

These figures do not cover the prescription costs.

AND YES we know averages disguise the actual numbers BUT something is amiss?

WITH more and more homes bing built in Harpenden how will GP Surgeries cope with this  influx?

More to come on this story.

New Garden Town planned close to Harpenden

A massive project described in detail in ‘A Spatial Vision’

Hemel Garden Communities (HGC) is an ambitious development programme that will transform Hemel Hempstead and create attractive and sustainable new neighbourhoods and communities to the north and east of Hemel Hempstead, through the delivery of more than 11,000 new homes ( That will be 30,000 + people) and 10,000 new jobs by 2050. Many of these jobs will be in Hertfordshire Innovation Quarter, a new business park with a range of facilities including flexible office and industrial spaces, and a variety of amenities to serve the local community.

The whole project will be part of a Dacorum Borough Council scheme on land within their boundary. providing a variety of benefits to Hemel Hempstead.

These include new high-quality homes, of which 40 per cent will be affordable. New neighbourhoods will be set around vibrant local centres, green spaces and play areas, all easily accessed on foot. Sustainable travel such as walking, cycling and public transport will be given priority as we target a greener, healthier environment, which includes open spaces as well as new country and district parks.

A priority for Hemel Garden Communities is to accelerate a shift to public and active transport and increase the share of journeys taken by cycling and walking, and providing high quality infrastructure to support the creation of new homes and jobs.

HGC partners – Dacorum Borough Council, St Albans City and District Council, Hertfordshire County Council, Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership - are working with The Crown Estate and other landowners to deliver the HGC programme.

Phillipa Zieba (right) has been appointed to the role

of Programme Director.  Phillipa brings with her a

wealth of experience, from her previous role as

Head of Planning at Hammerson, with a strong

track record of delivering masterplans and a range

of high profile mixed-use projects. Cllr Chris White,

Chair of the HGC Delivery Board (also Council

leader of SADC)

said: “I am delighted that we have recruited someone of Phillipa’s calibre to the role of programme director and welcome her to the team.

ONE KEY CHALLENGE (of which there are many)

Although Hemel’s neighbourhoods will be used as model for growing and regenerating the town, certain aspects of them will need to be significantly modified to meet twenty-first century challenges. The challenges to be met are tackling car dependency, responding to large portions of the housing stock aging at the same time, and diversifying local centres. Development of new neighbourhoods will also need to ensure that places and communities are integrated with each other and with established neighbourhoods.

Read ‘A Spatial Vision’ and you will be amazed at the detailed progamme already devised. The Spatial Vision is a high-level document that provides a series of aspirations for the future of HGC.

  Hemel Garden Communities Spatial Vision (PDF 11MB).

THE BIG QUESTIONS

How will this affect Harpenden?

How will this affect SADC’s Local Plan?

Follow Harpendia for answers

GP Surgery Phone call Scam

READ BELOW TO ENSURE YOU DON”T BECOME A VICTIM

Dear Victim

I am writing to let you know of an active phone call scam where when you answer the phone it has a recorded voice that appears to be from the NHS or your local surgery.  The message informs you that your details at the surgery are out of date and that unless you update them you will be removed from their list. The message then encourages you to go to a link or press a number button that takes you to where you will be requested to give your details. THIS IS A SCAM.

If you receive such a call, put the phone down, and to set your mind at rest, call your surgery to check your details. Please be wary.

Across Hertfordshire in 2025, Hertfordshire Constabulary received 5,278 reports of fraud with a total loss of £34 million.  Fraud is when trickery is used to gain a dishonest advantage, which is often financial, over another person. Cybercrime is any criminal act dealing with computers and networks.

To report an incident of cybercrime or fraud and for further information visit the Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) website here UK's Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud - Report Fraud.

March. Update on Harpenden district neighbourhood priorities’

Progress is underway to address the latest St Albans district neighbourhood priorities, which were agreed last month, in response to issues raised by local residents.

Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) work alongside district partners to focus on solving long and short-term neighbourhood issues, such as anti-social behaviour, theft, speeding and drug-related crime

They set local policing priorities every four months, providing a specific focus on the issues that residents have raised via surveys, alongside an analysis of data.

Harpenden and rural

You said: Tackle anti-social behaviour around local parks, including drinking alcohol, smoking drugs and abusive behaviour.

We did:

•Proactive patrols around the parks and work with partner agencies including Harpenden Town Council.

•We have identified a group of young people causing anti-social behaviour in parks and in the town. The Community Safety Unit will be making contact with parents.

•We will continue to monitor, engage and deal with any incidents.

You said: Tackle speeding in Harpenden and Sandridge.

We did:

•Speed enforcement checks have been conducted on Luton Road, Redbourn Road, Marford Hill, St Albans Road and Lower Luton Road.

•A man was given a traffic offence report for doing 44mph in a 30mph in Marford Road in Wheathampstead on Monday (23 February). The driver may be sent on a drivers’ improvement course, fined, given points on his licence or could be summonsed directly to court.

1. •We will continue to go out at different times and days to catch anyone speeding. The presence of officers reminds drivers to slow down.
   

END

May 11. Annual Town Meeting at Park Hall

After the official opening by Cllr Beth Fisher a series of Awards of Merit 2026 were made in recognition of outstanding work in the community.

Alison Bourke – in recognition of her work on the Station Road railway tunnel mural.

Brigid Brennan – in recognition of her longstanding work for the Harpenden Child Contact Centre.

Sue Hobley – in recognition of her longstanding work for and as Chair of the Macmillan Harpenden Branch Fundraising Committee.

Debbie Knight – in recognition of her work as Chairman of The Harpenden Art Club and a co-ordinator for Herts Visual Arts, responsible for Open Studios in Harpenden.

Mark Deacon – in recognition of his longstanding service to the community of Harpenden through his work for the Harpenden Lions, as a local Primary School Governor and as an Assistant Church Warden.

New circular walking and cycling route around Harpenden encourages sustainable and enjoyable travel.

As part of its key objectives to promote environmentally friendly living, health and wellbeing and the Town's green spaces, Harpenden Town Council has launched the ‘The Harpenden Green Loop’; a convenient and attractive walking and cycling route around the Town.

The Harpenden Green Loop connects various existing paths, open spaces and trails to make a complete 15km (9.3mile) route which can either be walked or cycled in its entirety or in sections.  You can access it at a number of points and discover new areas of Harpenden, whether you are already familiar with its beautiful green spaces or you are visiting and want to explore the area.

Signage is easy to follow, and a map is available to either download online (www.harpenden.gov.uk/loop) or you can visit the Town Hall for a printed version.

The “Loop” is a great way to travel around Harpenden, get out and about and take in the natural beauty of its green spaces including Harpenden Common, the unique habitats of Batford Springs Local Nature Reserve, sites of local historical interest such as the Nickey Line, and smaller parks and play areas.  The Town Council is also promoting a Half Loop option for those wanting to visit the High Street for refreshments, public toilets and shopping.

The Town Council’s aim is to appeal to a wide variety of users, from cyclists and ramblers to dogwalkers and families on a day out.  Introduction of The Harpenden Green Loop follows a public engagement survey conducted last summer to find out what people wanted from a Green Loop and how they might use it and the valuable feedback received was taken into account when planning the route and designing the map.

Town Mayor, Cllr Kirsti Wenn, said ‘The Harpenden Green Loop is a fantastic way to see the best of Harpenden, we hope it will appeal to residents and visitors alike. I thoroughly enjoy a long walk and exploring areas of Harpenden.  Being outdoors in all weathers is good for the soul, and a great way to reconnect with what is important.  I can’t wait to walk the full Loop and add it in to my charity walking Mayorathon starting this month. It’s also a brilliant option for people wanting to travel sustainably from home, school or work.  I encourage anyone who would like to explore, to try The Harpenden Green Loop and enjoy the many benefits of walking or cycling outdoors.  I may even see you on it one day.’

All the details, including a map and numbered directions can be found at www.harpenden.gov.uk/loop.

Harpenden neighbours strike gold at world marmalade awards after silver success last year

Two Harpenden neighbours have gone one better this year after winning gold at the prestigious Dalemain World Marmalade Awards just 12 months after both picked up silver awards in the same international competition.

Adrian and Katharine, who live just doors apart on a quiet Harpenden cul-de-sac, have turned a friendly neighbourhood rivalry into global success after earning top honours at what is widely regarded as the world’s biggest and most prestigious marmalade competition.

Held annually at Dalemain Mansion in Cumbria’s Lake District, the awards were founded in 2005 and have grown from a small local competition into a globally recognised event that attracts entries from across the world, including Japan, Australia, Brazil, Taiwan and beyond. This year’s competition received an incredible 3,400 entries from around the globe, making Adrian and Katharine’s gold awards even more impressive.

The awards are about far more than marmalade. Every homemade competition entry helps raise money for Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland, with organisers saying the event was created to celebrate community, encourage cooking and support small artisan producers. The annual festival also sees thousands of marmalade jars displayed throughout the historic mansion, alongside tastings, talks, demonstrations and award presentations.

Last year, Adrian and Katharine celebrated winning silver awards and joked that their “quietly competitive” rivalry would continue.

Armed with refined recipes, plenty of determination and another batch of carefully prepared citrus creations, both returned to this year’s competition hoping to improve on their previous success and ended up scoring 20 out of 20 taking home gold awards.

“We were absolutely delighted,” said Katharine. “Winning silver last year was such a lovely surprise, but to come back and win gold against thousands of entries from around the world feels great.”

Adrian added: “There was definitely a bit of friendly pressure after last year. Once you’ve won silver, you want to see if you can go one better but we never expected this.”

Their award-winning marmalade once again began with ingredients sourced from Carpenter’s Nursery, where they picked up the fruit that helped launch their now award-winning hobby.

What started as a fun pastime has now made Adrian and Katharine internationally recognised marmalade makers and earned their street an even stronger claim to the unofficial title of “Marmalade Mews.”

After silver last year and gold this year, neighbours are already asking the obvious question: what happens next?

Whatever it is, breakfast in Harpenden has never looked better.

June. St. Albans Council to make permanent use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition vehicle to improve parking enforcement.

A high-tech vehicle used to improve parking enforcement in St Albans District and Harpenden has greatly boosted productivity, a report has revealed.

Now Councillors have agreed to purchase an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) car for permanent use after a successful 15-month trial.

The spotter vehicle has been operating in the District since March last year, scanning the number plates of cars parked in areas with restrictions.

An instant, real-time check can be made to see if a parked car has the required permit or ticket and alerts a Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) to any infringements.

The CEO can then issue a Fixed Penalty Notice Fine on an offending vehicle to deter other motorists from also parking illegally.

A report on the outcome of the trial was given to a meeting of the Public Realm Committee of St Albans City and District Council on Thursday 11 June.

Councillors were told the ANPR vehicle allowed the parking enforcement team to monitor 690 locations around the District every day.

That was a 60% increase on the previous figure and the equivalent of having an extra four CEOs on patrol.

The presence of the highly visible vehicle, emblazoned with ANPR markings, on the District’s streets was also likely to deter motorists from breaking the rules.

An increase in compliance improves road safety, particularly around junctions, crossings and high‑demand areas where inconsiderate parking can obstruct visibility or pedestrians.

During the trial, only two complaints were received from residents and both had misunderstood the purpose of the vehicle.

The Committee agreed to the report’s recommendation to permanently lease one of the electric vehicles by a procurement process at a cost of around £35,000 a year and the purchase of an additional £4,600 charger.

Councillor Helen Campbell, the Committee’s Chair and Lead for Parking, said after the meeting: “The Committee was impressed by how the ANPR vehicle has greatly improved the efficiency and productivity of parking enforcement.

“The vehicle has become a well-known sight across the District and a reassurance to residents that Controlled Parking Zones and on-street parking bays are being closely monitored.

“The vast majority of motorists park legally, but unfortunately a tiny minority fail to comply with the rules and even park in a way that endangers the safety of others.

“There are good safety and environmental reasons for parking restrictions and the ANPR vehicle is helping us to deter people from breaking the rules. It is a real game changer.

“Having the vehicle on permanent patrol will help our parking team better manage the limited amount of kerb space there is in busy areas. Our residents often ask my fellow Councillors and me for tougher enforcement – this initiative shows we have listened and acted.”

June 12. NEW photography exhibition at the Eric Morecambe Centre! by Steve Collins.

Showcasing 40 of his award-winning black and white images taken over the last 10 years.

The exhibition is titled Looking at the Black and White World.

(I was trying to think up a title for the exhibition…I just kept hearing Elvis Costello’s Black and White World from the Get Happy album in my head.  “I was looking at the black and white world. It seemed so exciting”))

Anyway, there’s a dropbox link below with the press release in various formats, plus the flyer, plus an album of images.

JUNE 12. Work is to begin this month on a further Local Plan (LP) for the long-term sustainable growth of St Albans District.

St Albans City and District Council is on track to adopt a new LP next month after more than three years of work.

However, during the plan-making process the Government made major changes to national planning policies including the methodology for assessing housing need.

As a consequence, it has now instructed the Council to begin work by the end of June on an LP that conforms to its revised guidelines. The Council is one of 39 local authorities instructed by the Government to do this.

The first stage will be the publication of a timetable, including key dates, with the goal of completing the LP by 2029.

A report on the requirement to start work on a new LP was given to a meeting of the Council’s Planning Policy and Climate Committee on Tuesday 9 June.

Councillor Paul de Kort, the Committee’s Chair and Council Leader, said after the meeting: “It may seem strange that we are embarking on the creation of another Local Plan just as we are due to adopt our first one since 1994 which takes us up to 2041.

“However, we have no option but to do this as it is an instruction from central Government.

“We were well aware that revisions to national planning policies were on the cards, but it was essential that we continued to work on the LP that we are on track to adopt next month rather than abandon it.

“We needed to get this LP in place to deliver more infrastructure, more managed green spaces, more affordable homes, better transport provision and to help protect us from speculative planning applications by developers.

“Moreover, if we didn’t push ahead, the Government was threatening to step in and write the LP instead. It was in the best interests of our residents that the LP was produced by locally-elected representatives with a feel for the District rather than distant Whitehall officials.”

One other complication is that the Council is scheduled to be abolished in the spring of 2028 and replaced by a new unitary authority before the next new LP can be completed.

Cllr de Kort added: “Again, reorganisation is an issue that is out of our hands. We simply need to get on with the work of devising the next new LP and then hand it over to the new authority to complete.”

The LP scheduled for adoption next month allows for the building of 15,000 new homes in the District at carefully selected sites. This figure conformed to Government guidelines at the time and includes 1,200 social rent properties.

It also provides for £750 million of new infrastructure including eight primary schools, four secondary schools, improvements to public transport, locations for thousands of new jobs, green spaces and health facilities.