Saved from a ducking!... "Derided, snubbed and sometimes completely ostracised, Hazell refused to alter his opinion [in favour of enclosing Berkhamsted Common]. Indeed, on the morning after the famous midnight raid on the fences, he rode to the Common and remonstrated with the navvies, demanding to know who had inspired the attack. He soon had reason to regret his forthrightness; the navvies threatened him with a ducking in the canal unless he stood drinks all round! Peace was bought - at a price: So down went Brownlow's railings, And down went Hazell's beer. Hazell made himself unpopular, but he was an astute business man and made a small fortune." (Beorcham, Berkhamsted Review, May 1949) The building known as "Hazell's Folly"... (fb)

VE Day 1995 - spam sandwich anyone?... French waitresses at the Mange Tout cafe [now back to the Five Bells]... High Street packed with people all day... street performers and a Scottish dancing display...parties for children in Northchurch with plenty of red, white and blue and a lot of flag waving... spam sandwiches and cake made to the old economy recipes at the British Red Cross Evergreen Club. (Hemel Hempstead Gazette, 11 May 1995). (fb)