Get in the swing... and try something new

My grandson was six years old when I took him to his first golf lesson. Nothing serious, just a group of youngsters, boys and girls, looking to try something new. He went on to develop a very tidy swing, and represented Aldwickbury Golf Club in many junior team competitions.

But it wasn’t just about playing golf. It was about learning respect (for your opponent), courtesy and discipline – qualities that should stand him in good stead as he navigates his teenage years. And most of all, it was about having fun and forging lasting friendships.

One of the coaches who helped to guide him through his ‘golfing adventure’ was Louis Downie, now a PGA Golf Professional at Redbourn Golf Club. In this issue, Louis, and his fellow golf pro James Sawford, explain why you too should discover the joy of golf. It’s a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. And it also has health and wellbeing benefits. Did you know that on a regular 18­hole course, most players will walk between four and five miles… burning up to 2,000 calories. Now that’s a New Year resolution worth keeping.

There’s plenty of good golf clubs locally to try, including Mid Herts, which currently has a special membership offer running (see page 17).

MiMagazine also sat down for a chat with Beth Bradley, President of Redbourn WI, who tells us why she enjoys reading a good crime novel, why Brad Pitt would be the perfect dinner party guest, and why her favourite drink might surprise you.

And with Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter arriving in quick succession, make sure you book early at one of our many local pubs, restaurants, tea rooms and golf clubs to treat your loved ones and family.

Paul Jacques Editor paul­jacques@ntlworld.com

St Albans Round Table is delighted to announce the grand total raised by the Santa Float during December. This is an all­time record and will help a lot of local charities. Thank you St Albans, London Colney and Redbourn.

A new official portrait of The King is being made available free of charge to town, parish and community councils from this month to hang in public buildings. The portrait was taken at Windsor Castle last year by photographer Hugo Burnand to celebrate the new reign. All public authorities, including schools, police forces and fire and rescue services, can apply under the scheme organised by the Cabinet Office.

Local computer charity comes to a place near you

Do you have a fear or dislike of technology or devices, especially computers? It’s a surprisingly common concern and, in fact, it’s quite possible that we all suffer at least a small amount of nervousness when confronted with new technology.

Computer Friendly is a ‘not for profit’ registered local charity, wanting to help adults in St Albans and surrounding areas to feel included and less isolated by being better skilled on digital devices to meet the demands of the ever increasing online world.

The charity has been in existence since 2002 and has around 50 volunteers performing various roles, from admin to technical experts. With decades of computer/digital experience behind them, the friendly technical experts can assist with your needs. Computer literacy is a core part of contemporary life and they want to ensure everybody has the opportunity to be a part of it.

There are various ways that Computer Friendly can help you to get to grips with computers, tablets and smartphones and other digital devices and get hands­on help and advice, including scheduled courses and one to one sessions, or you can visit one of their many, free drop­in sessions.

The chair of trustees, Tony Bourke, is keen to increase Computer Friendly’s reach into the community by offering drop­ins in as many locations as possible. The reach has already increased with the offering of nine drop­in centres in St Albans and surrounding areas. The village of Flamstead has been served since 2018, and the very latest offering at The Parish Centre in Redbourn commenced in January this year.

The Flamstead team, ably led by Barry Bines, are available at Leonards Church on the first Wednesday of each Month between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

The drop­in team in Redbourn is led by Ian Caldwell, and they would love to see you and chat. So come on down to The Parish Centre on a Monday afternoon between 2.30pm and 4.30pm.