16 Mar 2024
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This time: Richard Scott, Harpenden Liberal Democrat Town Councillor. He is perhaps best known as the Chair of Harpenden for Europe, the pro-Remain campaign group he co-founded in 2018.
What was your first job?
I worked as a kitchen hand at the Chariot restaurant in Brentwood, Essex in the summer of 1987 after my O Levels. I got the job after walking the length of the High Street looking for work. I started out peeling potatoes, mopping floors and cleaning out the freezer. By the end of the summer I was working on the front desk of the Chariot’s take away serving customers and managing the till.
I still remember being handed my first week’s wages in a small brown envelope by the Head Chef. Landing my first job without any help from my parents, working as part of the kitchen team and earning my own wages over the summer, was a big confidence boost for me as a 16-year-old.
Which day of your life would you like to relive?
A four-way tie between my wedding and the births of my children. It’s hard to think of anything else that comes close.
What object would you save if your house was on fire?
Obviously assuming that my family are safe and out of harm’s way… I have an original framed photo of my late parents on their wedding day in 1969 (see below). I take time to look at it every day and it means a lot to me. It would have to be that.
What’s your famous Harpenden pub?
That’s a tough one. There are some terrific pubs and restaurants in Harpenden and I know how hard the staff and management have to work to keep their businesses going in difficult times.
The Harpenden Arms serves a great pint of Peroni and they have a lovely reception room upstairs which we’ve used regularly for Harpenden for Europe and Lib Dem events. The Cock Inn and Red Cow are good, friendly locals too.
Most inspirational Harpenden person – living or dead?
I’m going to cheat and nominate Carl Cheevers the Town Clerk and the rest of the team at Harpenden Town Council. Since being elected as a Lib Dem Town Councillor in May 2023, I’ve really enjoyed working with Carl and the Town Council staff. They are hugely dedicated, knowledgeable and hard-working. We are very lucky to have such a great team serving our community.
What’s your favourite place to have breakfast in Harpenden?
Okka do a lovely club sandwich on toasted granary. I can usually get a table there for breakfast or lunch. Coffee and fresh orange juice is good too.
What’s your favourite hidden gem in the district?
The Oxfam bookshop on Station Road in Harpenden. I love collecting and reading biographies and books on history and politics. This shop is a real treasure trove with very friendly and helpful staff. There’s always something interesting to read and buy in there. I’ve just finished reading a biography of the Apple design legend Jony Ive that I bought there for two quid!
Are things getting better or worse?
I’m usually a glass half-full person but I have to say the evidence points to things having got a lot worse in the last ten years. However, there is hope on the horizon.
We’re now (with luck) in the final months of 14 years of this Conservative government. I’m ashamed to admit that I voted Conservative in 2010. I made a mistake and I’m deeply sorry. Since then, and particularly since 2015, the Conservatives have divided and damaged our country with their culture wars, the Brexit disaster and their obsessive campaigns to undermine our national institutions.
On the international front, Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has reminded us of the importance of European solidarity and maintaining a strong mutual defence against hostile foreign powers such as Putin’s Russia. Bizarrely, the Harpenden and Berkhamsted Conservatives have selected a former Russian lobbyist as their candidate for the next General Election. Talk about not being able to read the room.
This year we will have the opportunity to bring about change, start work on repairing the damage and put our country back on the right track. I hope we take it.
How long could you survive a zombie apocalypse?
That depends on whether they can run or just shuffle! I’m a big fan of ‘The Walking Dead’, and have studied the show’s survival tactics extensively. If the zombies are “shufflers” then I will have a decent game plan with a few tricks up my sleeve….
Dogs or cats?
Dogs. Especially labradors. That’s very “Harpenden”, isn’t it?
