Hertsmere engineer goes above and beyond

An operations engineer for Hertsmere Borough Council went above and beyond his call of duty to help a Shenley mum in need. First time mum, Lucy Barnett was bringing her five-month-old baby to be weighed when she accidently dropped her car keys into a gully. She said: “It was pouring with rain and I was on my own with my five-month baby. I was panicking – I couldn’t leave the car unlocked, but I couldn’t stay in it with no heating to warm the baby.” She then phoned Ashleigh Tennant who took the agitated call and explained that it was not in Hertsmere Borough’s protocol to help with such matters and referred her onto Highway maintenance. But human nature took over and after a conversation with his manager he decided he couldn’t leave the damsel in distress: Ashleigh said: “When I put the phone down, I felt compelled to help this lady. I spoke with my manager and asked if I could pop out to help Lucy. I have a partner and baby daughter myself and I would like to think someone would do the same for them if needed”. Ashleigh was back in the office within 20 minutes to resume his normal duties. Only, word had got around of his heroic act and he cringes at colleague’s efforts to embarrass him. He modestly added: “It’s funny but so embarrassing; I go bright red when my colleague does the superman pose every time I walk into the room. I’m not enjoying the attention, it was nothing really, just happy to help”.