Pabely, I'm also old enough to remember the Court Line 1-11's blasting off one after the another (they always left in numbers) especially at around 2am! They managed 4 separate waves of flights per day in the early 70's as most were only going to Palma, Alicante, Ibiza etc and other short hops.
Come to that I can remember the Connies roof-hopping with an engine out, but that's another topic!
I lived in Harpenden during those days and still make regular return visits. Yes, lots of Harpenden residents work at LTN and use the airport. I still travel up from the west country to use the airport myself (usually for a ZB flight), and I still take a bike ride up to the runway sometimes!
Not all the Harp. residents are Ladacan supporters by any means.