harpenden
Welcome to May
As we look forward to the 80th anniversary of VE Day this month, we’ve included lots of local family events to celebrate this momentous day. It’s also the start of festival season with Summerton Whisky Festival, Roman Open Air Theatre Festival, St Albans Spring Festival and Foodies Festival to name but a few!
To make sure you don’t miss out the magazines are available to read online every month. If you run your own business we‘d love to include you it’s so easy, just book your space online today.
Jane & Wendy @theNOWmagazines
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Out & About
Tulip Fields until 5th May
With over 100 varieties, the fields transform into a rolling kaleidoscope of colour. Tulleys Tulip Fields, St Albans AL4 0PF www.tulipfields.co.uk
Bluebells at Dockey Wood
3rd & 4th May 10am - 4pm
You only pay on these dates, £3.50, child £1.50
Moneybury Hill, Ringshall HP4 1LT www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Mini Millers Stay & Play 2nd & 9th May
10am, 11am, 2pm & 3pm £6, child £2 under 5's
Hands-on play themed on milling, baking & rivers. Mill Green Museum & Mill, Hatfield AL9 5PD www.millgreenmuseum.co.uk
Hatfield House
Food Truck Friday 2nd May 11am - 5pm, free entry
Enjoy great food while listening to local musicians.
Lecture: Jacobean Spycraft & The Gunpowder Plot 2nd May 6pm £50 please book
Join expert historians as they uncover the secrets behind the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Live Music with Zoë Phillips 2nd May 6.30pm - 9pm please book
Local songwriter and vocalist Zoë performs music from dance to ambient piano.
Photography Workshop with Pete Seaward 4th May 1pm £75 please book
A unique experience with the resident photographer offering the opportunity to hone your skills in this stunning natural setting.
Living Crafts 8th - 11th May 10am - 5pm from £10
A festival of art, craft and design with demonstrations, workshops, activities and more.
Slam Dunk Festival
24th May 9am - 10.30pm from £125
One of the UK’s biggest independent Rock Festivals. Hatfield AL9 5HX www.hatfield-house.co.uk
House Highlights Tours
2nd May & 18th June 11am
Take a guided tour of the ground floor and then explore the remaining floors at your leisure. £41 Waddesdon, Bucks HP18 0JH www.waddesdon.org.uk
Bletchley Park
VE Celebration: 1940s Weekend 3rd & 4th May
Enjoy a special weekend of vintage fun with live music, dancing, family activities and demonstrations. So, dust off your dancing shoes or grab a deck chair and celebrate with the family. Book online for reduced costs £17 - £25.50, under 12s free Concert for Codebreakers 10th May 2pm
Delight in an afternoon of music, as performed over 80 years ago for the Codebreakers. Why not dress in your finest vintage attire! £20 includes cream tea Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes MK3 6EB www.bletchleypark.org.uk
Celtic Harmony Camp
3rd May 7pm - 9pm £15
Beltane Storytelling: Queen of Between Hear stories of letting go, squeezing through and moving on. Age 14+
10th May
Introduction to Wild Pottery 10.30am £30
Learn to craft a ‘Beaker’ pot using a hand-building technique by stacking and joining clay coils. Age 11+
Make a Thumb Pot 2pm £8
Make a pot and decorate it with natural materials from the woodland. Age 6+
11th May
An Introduction to Flint Knapping 10.30am £30
Learn this vital skill from Stone Age Britain. Age 12+
Chalk Carving & Cordage Activity 2pm £8
Chalk carving is a practice of shaping chalk using to sculpt an object or feature in the landscape. Prepare nettle stems, making them into cordage by combining the fibres through rolling or plaiting. Age 6+
18th May
Forest School with Nathalie 10.30am £15
Nurture your wellbeing in these creative, family based woodland sessions. Age 4+
Celtic Harmony Camp, Hertford SG13 8NY www.celticharmony.org
Knebworth House
Hertfordshire Garden Show
3rd - 5th May gates 9.30am £21.50, £22
Buy plants, garden furniture, water features and more Ghost Tour & Bat Walk 8th May 6.30pm £30
A house tour featuring ghost stories and a talk from The Herts and Middx Bat Group with specialist equipment to help locate the bats.
Seminar: Lord Lytton, India & the Challenges of Imperial Defence 16th May 10am - 5pm £40, £20
Includes lunch and tour of the House.
Bluey & Bingo 30th May
Appearances between 10.30am & 3pm £21.50, £22
Includes access to the Park, Gardens, Adventure Playground and Dinosaur Trail.
Knebworth House, Stevenage SG1 2AX www.knebworthhouse.com
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NOW at the Museums
Harpenden Museum
Exhibition: Harpenden in WW2 29th April - Sept
Open Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 11am-3pm
Drawing on the Museum’s archives to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Even before war began in 1939, gas masks were being distributed, trenches dug and air raid wardens appointed. Harpenden formed Home Guard platoons in 1940 and prepared for invasion. A secret listening post was established, and also a prisoner of war camp. The Land Army ploughed up the Common. Free
Public Lecture: My Year as High Sheriff of Hertfordshire by Annie Brewster 27th May 8pm £5
EMC, Rothamsted Park AL5 2FR www.harpenden-history.org.uk
St Albans Museum + Gallery
Wild About Hertfordshire until 6th July free
Celebrating the flora, fauna and habitats of our county.
World War II Commemoration 10th May free
Celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with wartime songs at 12 noon & 2pm, and there will be a new exhibition about the history of World War II in St Albans.
Art Exhibition 14th May 10am free drop in Hertfordshire ME/CFS Support Group support people living with chronic illnesses, see creative work from their members and find out more about the group.
Talk: Discovering where the wild things are: 150 years of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society 14th May 7pm, £10, zoom £6
Shop Small Pop Up St Albans 17th May
Locally created and designed jewellery, homeware, candles and more.
The Alphabet of the Norse People - Clay Workshop 27th & 28th May 10.15am, 11.30am, 1.30pm & 2.45pm £7.50, for families with children age 5+
Birds & Bugs Modelling 29th May 10.15am 11.30am, 1.30pm & 2.45pm £8.50
Visit 'Wild about Hertfordshire' exhibition then make a creature from polymer clay. You will need to bake your model at home, so bring a plastic container to carry your creature home. For families with children age 5+
St Peter’s Street, St Albans AL1 3DH www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk
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NOW for some Entertainment
Abbey Theatre
The Cripple of Inishmaan
25th, 26th & 29th April - 3rd May 8pm
27th April 2.30pm £14
You’ve heard of the man with no name? well, here’s the man with no shame. £31.50 age 16+
The Alban Arena, St Albans AL1 3LD www.everyonetheatres.com
A darkly comedic play set on an Irish island in the 1930s, following Billy, a young man with a disability, who struggles for acceptance in the community. Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 2DL www.abbeytheatre.org.uk
The Alban Arena
A Chorus Line 29th April - 3rd May
Tues-Fri 7.30pm / Sat 1pm & 6pm from £16
This musical follows 17 dancers auditioning for a coveted spot in a Broadway chorus.
Chris McCausland: Yonks! 4th & 5th May £32.50
Another masterclass in stand-up comedy. age 16+
Guenther Steiner Unfiltered Live
8th May 7.30pm from £36.50 age 14+
An event no Formula 1 fan can afford to miss.
Livewire the AC/DC Show
9th May 7.30pm £27.50 age 14+
Relive those classic concerts on this ‘Highway to Hell’. That’ll be the Day 14th May 7.30pm from £29.50
A journey through music history from the 50s - 80s.
Kai Widdrington - Evolution
15th May 7.30pm from £40.50 age 8+
See this ‘Strictly’ star dazzle you with breathtaking choreography and an incredible cast of dancers.
Big Girls Don’t Cry 16th May 7.30pm £34.50
Enjoy this internationally-acclaimed tribute to Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons.
In the Night Garden Live
20th & 21st May from £19 age 6 months +
With Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends
Nish Kumar: Nish, Don’t Kill my Vibe 22nd May 7.30pm from £24.50 age 14+
With jokes on climate collapse & being a British Indian man not voting for a British Indian prime minister!
Lost in Music 24th May 7.30pm £34 age 14+
A musical disco journey with songs from Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Sister Sledge and more.
Rude Science
29th May 11.30am & 3pm £19.50 age 5 -14+
Expect enormous bottoms, snot cocktails, vast whoopee cushions, pee-powered fireworks and more.
Brian Bilston & Henry Normal
30th May 7.30pm from £22 age14+
Described as the Banksy of poetry and X’s unofficial poet laureate.
Julian Clary - Fistful of Clary 31st May 7.30pm
Barn Theatre
I Love you, You’re Perfect, Now Change 2nd - 10th May 8pm & 10th May 2.30pm
A hilarious modern love musical.
Comedy at The Barn 16th May 8pm
A Night at the Musicals 17th May 8pm
Enjoy music from some of the classics.
90th Welwyn Drama Festival 19th - 24th May 8pm
From gripping drama to light-hearted comedy, every night promises something special.
The Crocodile 28th - 31st May 8pm
A hilarious and surreal play about celebrity art.
Welwyn Garden City AL8 6ST
www.barntheatre.co.uk
Radlett Centre
Live At The Radlett 2nd May 7.30pm £22.50
Featuring Rachel Parris, Josh Pugh and Steve Bugeja. ABBA Forever 3rd May 7.30pm £30.50
Considered one of the best live recreations of ABBA.
Nearly Elton 9th May 7.30pm £29.50
The ultimate tribute show to Elton John.
Totally Tina 11th May 7.30pm £33
Award-winning Tina Turner spectacular.
Bing's Birthday 13th May 4pm & 14th May 10am, 1pm & 4pm £19.50,child £17.50
Live show packed with fun, laughter and surprises!
The Galliard Wind Ensemble 15th May 7.30pm £20
With pieces by Rossini, Mozart, Ravel, Holst and more.
Craig Fairbrass 21st May 8pm £35 - £125 age 18+
An evening with this actor, producer and screenwriter.
Sun Records 22nd May 7.30pm £28
Revisit the recording studio and record label that gave us Elvis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and many more.
Ministry of Science 27th May 11am & 3pm £18, £17
Expect 20ft liquid Nitrogen clouds, exploding oxygen and hydrogen balloons, fire tornados and more.
Puppet Spectacular Glow Show 28th May 2pm
With humour, music & glow-in-the-dark visuals. £15
Pop Princess 30th May 1pm £21
A show where beautiful princesses become pop stars. Go Your Own Way 31st May 7.30m £29
Spellbinding tribute to Fleetwood Mac, with hits Don’t Stop, Gold Dust Woman, Little Lies and many more.
The Radlett Centre WD7 8HL www.radlettcentre.co.uk
Old Town Hall Arts Centre
It Is I, Seagull 2nd May 8pm £16
A hilarious exploration of self-esteem, joy, failure, opera and space travel.
Knightmare Live 10th Anniversary Tour
3rd May 8pm £19
Smash hit comedy show of this cult 90s TV classic.
Dad’s Army Radio Show 7th May 2.30pm & 8pm £25
Two actors, two microphones and over 25 characters.
Michelle Shaughnessy: Too Late, Baby 16th May 8pm £15 A show for anyone who thinks it's too late to achieve their dreams, it probably is!
Matt Winning & Glenn Moore 17th May 8pm £14
Climate change comedy and one of the best and most prolific joke writers in the country.
A Small Enclosed Room with Alfie Murphy 21st May 8pm £12 age 14+ Autistic artists Cian Binchy and Anna Constable bend the lines of fantasy, as they try to figure out how to be in the world.
Scott Bennett - Blood Sugar Baby 23rd May 8pm £18 age 16+ Scott tells the true story of how his daughter fell ill with a rare genetic condition.
Sand 24th May 8pm £14
Dylan is living with dementia, but Heather is not going to let him go easily, as they rediscover a joy that will keep them connected for whatever the future holds.
FailFailFailFailWin! 29th May 11.30am £12, £10
A circus show about not hiding all the ‘try’s’ you did that failed. Followed by a ‘have a go’ circus workshop.
Professor Slug’s House of Bugs
30th May 11.30am & 2pm £12 age 3+
Interactive show with colourful puppets, catchy songs, and info about the wonderful world of bugs.
An Evening of Burlesque, Comedy & Cabaret
30th May 8pm £25 age 18+
A seductive journey into the world of showgirls.
Pure Floyd 31st May 8pm £25
The ultimate Pink Floyd tribute experience.
Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE www.oldtownhall.co.uk
The EMC
The Worst Princess 3rd May 1.30pm & 4pm £15
With laugh-out-loud comedy, cool puppets, sing along pop anthems and a dazzling larger-than-life dragon.
The Nick Ross Orchestra - The Glen Miller & Rat Pack Era 10th May 7.30pm £31.50
With the classic big band sound of the 40s & 50s.
Renaissance Cassoni - Wedding Chests and the Art of Marriage in 15th Century Florence 15th May 10.30am With Arts Society Harpenden Area
ABC - An Intimate Evening with Martin Fry 29th May 7.30pm £34.50 age 14+
An evening of stripped-back music and conversation.
Lee Mead - The Best of Me 30th May 7.30pm £31.50
Featuring Lee who starred as Joseph in Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and his live band.
Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden AL5 2FR www.everyonetheatres.com
The South 4th May 7pm £30.25
Members of The Beautiful South playing all their hits. The Horn, St Albans AL1 3TE www.thehorn.co.uk
The Culture Trust
Hat Factory Arts Centre LU1 2EY
Duck 8th May 7.30pm £12, £10 ages 12+
A play about adolescence, the pressures of sporting competition and finding your identity.
Tommy Sandhu: Live 17th May 7.30pm £18
Expect cheeky and hilarious content as Tommy explores his life, marriage, fatherhood and career.
The Skids + Special Guests 24th May 7.30pm £25
Scottish punk band with hits including Into the Valley, Masquerade and Working for the Yankee Dollar.
Wardown House, Museum & Gallery LU2 7HA
Music in the Museum 18th May 2pm £16.50
Enjoy a repertoire for violin and viola through compositions of Mozart, Beethoven, Handel and more. www.culturetrust.com
St Albans Symphony Orchestra
10th May 7.30pm £5 - £18, child £2
Arthur Sullivan’s Overture di Ballo / Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1 / Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.2
St Saviour's Church AL1 4DF www.saso.org.uk
Marvellous Movies 11th May 4pm £18, child £8
A journey through music used in films and adverts. UH Arts, Hatfield AL10 9EU www.uharts.co.uk
Jubilate! 17th May 7.30pm £18, £10, child free
Join Harpenden Music Makers Choir and Reading
Phoenix Choir for an evening of choral music.
High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden www.musicmakerschoir.wordpress.com
Amadeus Chamber Orchestra
17th May 7.30pm £18, child £1
Lennox Berkeley - Divertimento in Bb / RodrigoConcierto de Aranjuez / Beethoven - Symphony No. 6
St Saviour’s Church, St Albans AL1 4DF www.amadeuschamberorchestra.org.uk
Northern Soul 17th May 8pm £10 age 18+
DJs playing the original sets from 1975 -1978. The Pioneer Club AL3 5AY www.pioneerclub.co.uk
Twelfth Night 30th May 7pm £18, child £10
With The Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Rothamsted Manor www.rothamstedenterprises.com
A great way to meet new people
No need to read music
No auditions
Not for profit
Harpenden
Salvation Army Hall AL5 2TG
Wednesdays 10.45am - 12.15pm
Wheathampstead
Mead Hall AL4 8BP (free parking)
Mondays 1.30pm - 3pm
Roman Theatre Open Air Festival
Here’s a preview of the incredible music and theatre on offer this summer at the festival - book your tickets now to experience unforgettable shows in the stunning setting of the Roman Theatre. View the full line-up at www.ovo.org.uk
Les Misérables 6th - 21st June
Presented by OVO
Think you know Les Mis from the famous Cameron Mackintosh musical? Be prepared for a gripping and timeless ensemble drama. Set in a time when riot and revolution were in the air, this epic story of love, injustice and atonement is as relevant now as it ever was. Jonathan Holloway makes his directorial debut for OVO with this actor -musician led revival first produced in 1997 at the Edinburgh Festival.
Mark Morriss Live 8th June
Best known as the lead singer of The Bluetones, Mark has spent much of the last three decades as a live performer. With six Bluetones albums, 14 top 40 singles, and four albums as a solo artist. This is an unmissable evening of musical brilliance.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
27th June - 13th July Presented by OVO
Get ready for Shakespeare… with a disco twist! This entertaining, musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy features hits from Gloria Gaynor, The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, and more - played by a live band under the stars.
Get Yer Ukes Out: It’s Rolling Stones Night 29th June Presented by Ver Players
Following sell-out performances of their Pink Floyd-inspired ‘Dark Side of the Uke’ and their tribute to The Beatles, Ver Players come together again for an evening of Rolling Stones music.
Hamlet 14th - 20th July
Presented by The Pantaloons, with their signature anarchic style on Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy. Expect live music, audience interaction, comic turns and tragic twists.
Big Band Explosion: The Sounds of the Century 16th July
Presented by Hertfordshire Big Band.
Join the county’s premier award-winning jazz orchestra for an exploration of one of the most influential music genres of the past century.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 29th July - 2nd Aug
Presented by Act 4, this fast-paced musical comedy set in Rome in 2000BC promises laughout-loud moments and unforgettable songs.
The Great Gatsby 8th - 24th Aug
OVO’s brand-new adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless narrative brings you the glamour, decadence, and tragedy of the Jazz Age. Featuring a live jazz pianist, be prepared to be immersed in the hedonistic roaring 20s world of excess, fantasy, and ‘the great American dream’.
Our Friends Electric: 80s Live Band 10th Aug
Relive the unforgettable sounds of the eighties with Our Friends Electric, as they pay tribute to the synthesizer-driven sound of the era, expect seminal classics from The Human League, Duran Duran and more.
Lord of the Flies 28th - 31st Aug
With intense performances and a fresh, new energy OVO Youth Ensemble brings a raw, thought-provoking take on this timeless classic, exploring themes of leadership, morality, and the darkness within us all.
www.ovo.org.uk
Out & About
Chiltern Open Air Museum
Spinning Demonstrations
3rd May 10.30am - 4.30pm
May Day Merriment 4th & 5th May 10am - 5pm
With dancing, swordplay, gunpowder and more!
Flint Knapping Demonstrations
10th May 10.30am - 4.30pm
Blacksmith Demonstrations
11th May 10.30am - 4.30pm
Hear the clink of the hammer hitting metal as the blacksmith works in the traditional Victorian forge.
Chair Making Demonstrations
24th May 10.30am - 4.30pm
Roman Gladiators 25th & 26th May 10am - 5pm
Prepare to be amazed as the Gladiators take to the stage and engage in fierce combat. £16, £15, £11
Napoleonic Living History Weekend
31st May & 1st June 10am - 5pm £16, £15, £11
Thrill at the musket, cavalry & artillery displays that will transport you to the heart of Napoleonic warfare. COAM, Chalfont St Giles, Bucks HP8 4AB www.coam.org.uk
Shuttleworth House
Spring Motorcycle Sale
3rd May: Viewing / 4th May: Sale 10am
An auction of classic and contemporary motorcycles
Season Premiere Air Show 11th May 9am £30
See historic aircraft, visiting aircraft from across the globe, vintage vehicles on parade, enjoy vintage bus rides and more. Camping available 7th - 12th May
Military Air Show 31st May 9am £42, child free Celebrate those who have given their service on land, in the air, and at sea. See military vehicles and aircraft, historical re-enactments, interact with air defence machinery & hear from those who used it. Camping available 28th May - 2nd June Shuttleworth, Biggleswade SG18 9DT www.shuttleworth.org
Blossom Day 4th May free
A day celebrating nature and blossom. Shenley Walled Garden, Radlett WD7 9DW www.shenleypark.co.uk
Sunday at the Mills
4th & 18th May 11am - 4pm
Step back in time and explore the fascinating history of the historic gunpowder factory.
Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey EN9 1JY www.royalgunpowdermills.com
Wrest Park
National Dawn Chorus Day 4th May 5am
Wander round the grounds on your own or join a guided dawn chorus and bird spotting walk. The café will be open and you can stay to enjoy Wrest Park for the rest of the day. £15, child £9
Half Term Fun & Games 24th May - 1st June 10am - 5pm £16.80, child £10.40
Hands-on activities in the fresh air.
Wrest Park, Silsoe, Beds MK45 4HR www.english-heritage.org.uk
Herts Wildlife Trust
Discover the Dawn Chorus 4th May 5am
Enjoy an walk around Thorley Wash and hear the birdsong from sedge warblers, chiffchaffs, reed buntings and more. For adults and older children
Spellbrook, Bishop's Stortford CM22 7SE
Introduction To Butterflies Walk 22nd May 12 noon
Take a guided walk across Albury Nowers spotting butterflies. There’ll be steep ground and stiles.
Off Northfield Road, Tring HP23 5QW
Guided Walk: Bat Walk 24th May 8.30pm
A short talk from The Herts and Middx Bat Group with specialist equipment to help locate the bats. For adults, families and ages 8+
Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage SG2 0BL
www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk
Buckinghamshire Railway Centre
Dinosaur Day
5th May £14.50, £13.50, child £10.50
The dinosaurs are back and you can see them outside the visitor centre throughout the day. There’ll also be steam train rides, the Railway Museum, model trains, rides on the miniature railway (£1.50) and more.
Steam, Classic & Country Fair
17th & 18th May £14.50, £13.50, child £1
See steam, traction, static and miniature engines, classic bikes, cars, tractors, fire engines, buses and trucks on display. Plus lots of family fun and games, including ponies and a dog show.
Quainton Road Station, Aylesbury HP22 4BY www.bucksrailcentre.org
VE Day at Highfield Park
8th May 7pm - 10pm
Check website for details.
St Albans AL4 0DY www.highfieldparktrust.co.uk
In Conversation with John Connolly
8th May 7pm £5
Connolly’s Charlie Parker novels have been thrilling readers since 1999, hear him speak on the publication day of his latest book, Children of Eve. St Albans Library, The Maltings, St Albans AL1 3JQ www.hertfordshire.gov.uk
Out & About
Hertford Castle
VE Day 80 8th May from 5.30pm free
With live music, fish and chips, crêpes and a bar, there’ll be plenty to enjoy as we commemorate this shared moment of celebration with the nation. Bring blankets and chairs, the Beacon will be lit at 9.30pm.
Eco Fest 11th May from 12 noon - 4pm free Garden games and junk modelling, pedal to make a smoothie, test ride an e-bike, craft stalls and details on money saving ideas and carbon reduction.
Tour: Within these Walls 14th May 6.30pm £5
Learn about the Castle's amazing history, from William the Conqueror to the present day.
The Castle SG14 1HR www.hertford.gov.uk
Rennie Grove Peace
Question of Sport 8th May 6pm £130
Show off your sports knowledge at this quiz & dinner. Sopwell House, St Albans AL1 2HQ
Mental Health World Cup 10th May £10
The UK's largest 5-a-side charity football event. Watford FC, Vicarage Road WD18 0ER
Mike Hodge Golf Day 15th May 12 noon £120 per person, teams of 4.
Aldwickbury Park Golf Club, Harpenden AL5 1AB
NGS Open Garden 26th May 12pm - 5pm adult £5
Stroll around this beautiful garden and enjoy a slice of homemade cake. 43 Mardley Hill, Welwyn AL6 0TT Earth, Wind & Fire Complete three events: the 18mile Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge in September (Earth), a daredevil skydive in May, June, July or September (Wind) and a firewalk over hot coals in November (Fire). Those taking part will be supported by the charity to work together and motivate each other to reach a minimum fundraising target of £812.
Rennie Grove Peace www.renniegrovepeace.org
Charity Plant Stall 10th May 9am - 12 noon
Selling perennials, veggie plants, dahlias, seedlings and houseplants. All proceeds to The Children's Society, payment by cash, cheque or card.
The Concourse (opposite Boots), Harpenden
VE Day Dance 10th May 7.30pm £20. Join in the VE Day celebrations, dancing the evening away to vintage sounds, 1940s dress is encouraged. St Albans Cathedral www.stalbanscathedral.org
Lambing Weekend
10th & 11th May 10am - 4pm £15, child £8
Experience the joys of spring on a working farm, meet new lambs, enjoy activities, live entertainment, and connect with nature in this fun, interactive setting.
Oaklands College, St Albans AL4 OJA www.oaklands.ac.uk
Natural History Museum Tring
Sketch & Scribble 10th May 2.30pm free
Have you ever looked closely at the colours on a butterfly’s wing? See specimens and practice your artistic skills at this fun drawing session. Please book
Behind the Scenes Tour 22nd May 2.30pm £10
See the remarkable world-renowned bird collection. Pollinator Heroes
27th & 28th May 10.30am & 2pm free, drop-in
Meet some of the buzzing, bold and beautiful pollinating insects and animals vital for the survival of plants that support so much of our wildlife.
Bioblitz 29th May 10am free
Record what animals and plants are on-site through pond dipping and mini-beasting.
Tring HP23 6AP www.nhm.ac.uk
IWM Duxford
Victory In Europe 10th May £36, child £18
Celebrate VE Day and see the role aviation played in achieving victory in Europe during WW2.
Tours: AirSpace Mezzanine daily until 31st May 11am & 1.30pm £10
See over a century of British and Commonwealth aircraft from WW1 to the present day. Please book, this event doesn't include museum entry Cambs CB22 4QR www.iwm.org.uk
RAF London
VE Day Celebration 10th May from 10am free Marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, with bunting workshops, live music, swing dancing and more. Dress in 1940s fashions to be in with a chance to winning a prize.
Second World War Week 24th May - 1st June
- Tours: D-Day, The RAF Story 11am & 2pm £10 25th, 27th, 29th, 31st May & 1st June
- Aircraft Access: Meteor & Vampire 24th - 28th May 11am & 2pm £6, Age 8+
- LEGO Spitfire Big-Build 29th & 30th May
- D-Day Weekend 31st May & 1st June
RAF Museum, London NW9 5LL www.rafmuseum.org.uk
Plant Sale 11th May 11am - 1pm
Cuttings, vegetables and flowering plants will be available to buy. Proceeds to the theatre. Abbey Theatre, Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 2DL www.sustainablestalbans.org
Ashwell at Home 11th May 11am - 5pm
See treasures unearthed from the Saxon settlements and stories of the great plague scratched into the church walls, basket weaving, medieval dance, walking talks and potters and painters and more. £10, in advance £8, child free Ashwell, nr Jcn 10 of A1(M), Herts SG7 5NY
www.ashwellathome.org.uk
Out & About
Dunstable Downs
Black to the Trails 11th May from 9am
Designed by Black Trail for those who want to do their bit to diversify UK trail running. It’s an inclusive event for everyone no matter what your ability. 1K £6 / 5K £12 / 10K £17 (child free) or the new Scotch Bonnet 10K £22. Please book
Chiltern's Walking Festival: History of Whipsnade Tree Cathedral 18th May 10.30am £3, child £1.50
Taking you on a circular route to the Tree Cathedral, with fun facts about the landscape, nature, and habitats along the way. Please book Whipsnade Road, Dunstable www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Shaw’s Corner
Art Course: Introduction to Illustration 12th May 12.30pm £47.50
Perfect for beginners and improvers, as you’re guided through creating a beautiful image of the house. Please book 01908 714483
House Tour: Masterpieces at Shaw's Corner 17th May & 19th June 5.30pm £15 please book Hear stories behind the work and lives of 6 artists. Ayot St Lawrence AL6 9BX www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Brambleton Model Railway Open Day 17th May 2pm - 5.30pm £4, child £2
See the railway as it was originally intended, with a variety of rolling stock and live steam narrow gauge. Highfield Oval, Ambrose Lane, Harpenden AL5 4AX www.brambleton.org.uk
Summerton Whisky Festival 17th May
Explore a world of incredible whisky and discover new favourites. See page 4
The Lower Red Lion, Fishpool Street, St Albans
Hospice of St Francis
Plant Sale & Open Gardens 17th May 10am - 3pm
A choice of bedding plants, perennials, vegetables and more. Enjoy a slice of homemade cake and learn about the stunning gardens with tours from the expert volunteer gardening team.
Herts Book Festival
Spring Garden Lane HP4 3GW
Hemel Hempstead 10k 18th May
New chip timed 10k with full road closures. Open to runners of all abilities. Take advantage of the Hospice places at a special rate (£25, including free running top), while raising funds for the Hospice’s care. Riverside, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1BT www.stfrancis.org.uk
17th May Beam, The Wash, Hertford SG14 1PS 18th May Southern Maltings, Ware SG12 7BS
With talks and readings from adult and children’s authors, an opportunity to hear the stories behind the books. Meet with authors, purchase their books and even get them signed. www.hertsbookfestival.org
St Albans Spring Festival 18th May 11am
A celebration in the town centre of food, well-being, community spirit, sustainability, activities and entertainment, food from around the world, games, sports, arts and crafts, roving theatre, live music, drum workshops, Whizz Bang science show and more. There’ll be road closures from 6am - 9pm in St Peter’s Street, High Street, Chequer Street, Victoria Street and Civic Close. Please walk, cycle or use public transport if you can. www.enjoystalbans.com
Herts County Show 24th - 25th May
A fun weekend showcasing local farming, agriculture, crafts, trades and lots more. From £25, child from £12 Herts County Showground, Redbourn AL3 7PT www.hertsshow.com
Stockwood Discovery Centre
Toads Troublesome Car Workshop
28th May £6 ages 3-7
Make your own car from recycled materials. Wind in the Willows
29th May 11.30am & 2pm £7.50 age 3+
This storytelling fun will capture young imaginations as everyday objects become shiny motorcars, beautiful boats and warring weasels!
Luton LU1 4LX www.culturetrust.com
Foodies Festival, St Albans!
30th May - 1st June £27, chil £8
A star-studded line-up of celebrity and award-winning chefs and chart-topping music stars. £21, child £6 Oaklands College, East Drive AL4 0HS www.foodiesfestival.com
Wilds House Plant Fair
31st May 10am - 4pm entry £2.50
Browse a selection of traders and artists, and support a fantastic cause with 25% of proceeds going to Crohn's & Colitis UK. Bring your own plants or cuttings to swap at our Swap Shop!
Instagram @WildsHousePlantFair
Jubilee Centre, Catherine Street, St Albans AL3 5BU
Great Oak Walk 31st May 10.30am free
A guided stroll with an expert history volunteer around the beautiful Panshanger Great Oak and Orangery, while learning about the history of the Park. Panshanger Park, Hertford SG14 2NA www.panshangerpark.tarmac.com
Tour de Vale Charity Bike Ride 8th June
Passing through villages in Bucks and Oxfordshire. With entertainment from Bucks Radio and a BBQ. Funds raised will help disabled children and adults take part in sport at Stoke Mandeville Stadium.
25k £20 / 75k £27.50, child £5 / 110k £35, child £5 Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Bucks HP21 9PP www.wheelpower.org.uk
● Bathrooms, Shower Rooms, Cloakrooms and Kitchens from Design to Completion
● Local Family Run Business, Over 40 Years Experience
● Honest and Reliable Service
● Free Consultation/ Quotation for all Enquiries
on all Bathrooms & Kitchens supplied
● Electric and Power Showers
● Repair/Renew Stopcocks, Taps and Outside Taps
● Blocked WC’s, Sinks, Baths and Basins
● Leaking Pipes and Overflows
● Washing Machines and Dishwashers Installed
Tiling
Plastering
