harpenden April 2019
NOW
Local businesses, what’s on and lots more inside
promoting local businesses, organisations and events since 2006
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Welcome to April As you’ll have noticed the magazine is looking a bit different this month, a new look, same great magazine! There’s lots to do this month from Easter Trails, a Bat Walk and the Mad Hatters Tea Party to Jousting and Bluebell Walks. Make sure you sign up early for the Bubblerush and St Albans Half Marathon, the sooner you do, the sooner you’ll start training and getting fit for summer, while raising money for a good cause. If you run your own business, we’d love to include you, we offer a helpful, friendly service, so just give us a call. The magazines are monthly, if you don’t receive one, pick up a copy in town or read them on our social media pages. Happy Easter!
Jane & Wendy
Walks, Talks & More
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out & about
NOW for some Music
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pop & classical
NOW at The Cathedral 10 Easter services, music & more
Out of Town 12 RAF, Shuttleworth, Bletchley Park
Easter Fun 16 Easter fun for everyone
NOW at The Alban Arena 20 music, ballet & comedy
NOW at the Museums 22
@theNOWmagazines
arts, crafts & more
NOW at the Public Halls 30
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Please get in touch wendy@theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588313
Deadline 10th April for May edition www.theNOWmagazines.com
music, music, music
NOW at The Local Theatres 32 drama, films & more
NOW for some Art 34 paintings, drawings & more
Bats, Dragons & Owls! 40 family fun
What’s on in April 42 & May 44 Index of Businesses 46 accountants to windows & doors
01582 766728 To Advertise: 07983 588313 wendy@theNOWmagazines.com
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Walks, Talks & More
Ashridge Exhibition: Nature Detectives until Feb 2020 Exhibition focusing on wildlife surveying and citizen science. Learn about the fantastic plants and animals that can be found on the estate, before having a go at surveying yourself. Free Gentle Stroll - Signs of Spring 10th April 10.30am Join volunteers to look at Ashridge’s spring wildlife, from emerging buds to blooming flowers. There’s plenty to show that spring is on its way. Meet at the visitor centre. £3 Bluebell Photography Workshop 26th April 10am - 4pm With local photographer Lyndsey Abercromby £99 per adult, please book 01442 851227 Dockey Wood Bluebells 27th & 28th April & 4th & 6th May 10am - 4pm Learn more about this special forestry plantation and the wonderful bluebells that grow there. Charges apply at these times only. £3, child £1 Ashridge Visitor Centre, Berkhamsted HP4 1LT nationaltrust.org.uk
Luton Hoo Walled Garden A Study Day: The Impact of WW1 on a Bedfordshire Estate: Luton Hoo 10th April 10am - 5pm A fascinating day focusing on the impact of WW1 on Luton Hoo Estate. The day also includes lunch and a tour of part of the estate and display boards and is a must for local history buffs and military history enthusiasts alike. "When war broke out in 1914 our country estates were to play a vital role in providing manpower and skills for the armed forces and food for the nation, but this contribution came at a cost". £45, please book info@lhwg.org.uk Spring Open Day 17th April 10.30am - 1pm A wonderful way to welcome the (not-so-secret)
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Walled Garden back into your life after the winter shut down. With historic garden tours, children’s activities and woodland and bluebell walks. £5, child £4 Guided Bluebell Walks through the Estate 17th & 24th April & 8th May 10.30am & 2pm A three mile walk interspersed with historic information, through the carpets of bluebells around this ancient woodland not otherwise open to the public. £5, please book 1582 721443 or office@lutonhooestate.co.uk Talk: Friday Seven - The 3rd Earl of Bute Gentleman or scoundrel? 26th April 10.30am - 12.30pm Tony Evers John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute built the Walled Garden in the 1760's for his botanical collection. The talk promotes the little-known influences of this fascinating man who helped the Dowager Princess of Wales establish the Botanical Gardens at Kew. £5 Open Wednesdays 2nd May - 30th Sept 10.30am - 4pm Enjoy tours of the garden, and Victorian Farm Buildings (extra £3). Purchase seasonal fruit and vegetables, apple juice and Luton Hoo honey and honeycomb from the garden shop, and visit The Wood Yard cafe. £5, under 4’s free There is no entrance to the Walled Garden from the Luton Hoo Estate LU1 4LF lutonhooestate.co.uk
Gorhambury Estate AL3 6AH Talk: The Countess of Verulam - Living at Gorhambury 17th April 10.30am - 12 noon The Countess lived at Gorhambury from 1977 to 2012, during which time she served as High Sheriff and as Lord Lieutenant representing the Queen in Hertfordshire. Enjoy tea and cake in the family dining room and hear about the challenges and delights of living at Gorhambury and how life at this stately home has changed over the years. £15 Please book on 01727 855000
Highfield Park St Albans AL4 0RA Helping Wildlife by Submitting Records of What you See 28th April 2pm - 4pm free Looking at how we can all be ‘citizen scientists’ and not just spot wildlife but submit records of what we have seen. For adults, and accompanied teenagers wanting to learn more about the natural world, starting with a short talk in the Visitor Centre, followed by a guided walk to put into practice what you have learnt. highfieldparktrust.co.uk
To Advertise: 07983 588313 wendy@theNOWmagazines.com
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NOW for some Music Bedford Corn Exchange MK40 1SL The Take That Experience 5th April 7.30pm The Take That Experience bring you all the classic songs you know and love from the 90’s through to the present, including hits Pray, Relight My Fire, Patience, Shine, These Days and Giants. £20 bedfordcornexchange.co.uk
High Street Methodist Church Harpenden AL5 2RU Petite Messe Solennelle 6th April 7.30pm The Hardynge Choir will perform Rossini's last major composition. Scored for chorus, four soloists, two pianos and harmonium. £14, students £7, child free (ticket required) tickets@hardyngechoir.org
Speakeasy to join St Albans Youth Music Theatre as they bring the roar of the 1920’s to St Albans. STAJE in concert 18th April If you love jazz, blues and swing, join this youthful ensemble for an entertaining evening of original arrangements and popular classics. abbeytheatre.org.uk
St Helens Church Wheathampstead AL4 8AA The Crucifixion by John Stainer 14th April 6pm With the church choir in a special service on Palm Sunday. Tenor: Jeremy Hill, Bass: Robert Milner. sth-stp.org
Bedford Esquires MK40 2QG
The Christians and Guests 19th April Renowned for an endless string of soulful yet socially Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young aware hits in the 80s and early 90s; Forgotten Town, 6th April 7.30pm Ideal World, Born Again, Harvest for the World, A Tequila fuelled party night with the best in Tex Mex What’s in a Word, Hooverville and many more. £25 thechristianslive.com Border. Los Pacaminos features Paul Young, Drew Barfield, Mark Pinder, Steve Greetham, Jamie Watford Colosseum WD17 3JN Moses and Melvin Duffy (UK's premier pedal steel player). A party night to get you up on your feet. £18 UB40 - 40th Anniversary Tour "For The Many" 21st April 8pm lutonculture.com Featuring UB40s five founding members Robin Hertford Theatre SG14 1PS Campbell, Brian Travers, Jimmy Brown, Earl David Baddiel's ANiMALCOLM The Musical Falconer and Norman Hassan. Fans can expect to 6th & 7th April hear the bands greatest hits, including One In Ten, Sat 2pm & 7pm, Sun 11am & 3pm Kingston Town, (I Can’t Help) Falling in Love With A vibrant, energetic and gloriously funny musical You and Red, Red Wine. Age 14+ from the award-winning Story Pocket Theatre. Midge Ure - Songs, Questions and Answers Combining physical theatre, puppetry and 25th April 7.30pm outstanding storytelling to bring Baddiel's Midge talks about his 40-year professional career, wonderfully comic story to the stage. Ultravox, solo work and Band Aid. He will be hertfordtheatre.com performing songs from Ultravox, alongside his solo work, and there’ll be a chance for the audience to Carillon Chamber Choir pick a song. St John’s Church Harpenden AL5 1DJ I Talk Too Much: An Evening of Chat and 7th April 6pm Music with Francis Rossi 27th April 7.30pm St Saviour’s Church St Albans AL1 4DF The legendary Status Quo lead singer shares 14th April 6pm free secrets of his 50+ years in rock’n’roll. He will talk Heinrich Schütz St Matthew Passion about his mishaps and adventures of life on the road Conducted by David Ireson with one of the most loved bands ever, and will be with Rogers Covey-Crump (Evangelist) signing copies of his album and book. and Will Houghton (Christ) watfordcolosseum.co.uk Abbey Theatre AL1 2DL
Luton Central Library LU1 2NG
Bugsy Malone 11th - 13th April Anyone who is anyone, get down to Fat Sam’s
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01582 864138 / 01727 453019
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NOW at the Cathedral
Talk: Alban: How a Romano-British Martyr Became an Anglo-Saxon Saint 4th April 7.30pm £10 John Rutter: Magnificat and Requiem Leonard Bernstein: Chichester Psalms 6th April 7.30pm St Albans Bach Choir. A blend of Biblical Hebrew verse and Christian choral tradition. From £15 Tower Tours 6th & 27th April 10am, 11.30am, 1pm, 2.30pm 7th April 2pm, 3.30pm 24th April 11am, 12.30pm This tour takes you all the way to the top of the Norman bell tower and out onto the roof for the most spectacular views. £9.50 Passiontide Service 7th April 6.30pm A powerful meditative service of music, poetry and prayer, marking the start of Passiontide. Sung by the Abbey Girls Choir and men of the Cathedral Choir. Talk: The Dream of the Rood: An Anglo-Saxon vision of the Crucifixion 10th April 8pm £10 Animal Fun! 11th April 10am - 12.30pm Springtime and Easter are linked to a variety of animals. See how many you can find around the Cathedral. Get creative and make some animal models, and enjoy a taste of the special Easter chocolate fountain! Lunchtime Organ Recital 17th April 12.30pm Marko Sever, Organ Scholar, St Albans Cathedral. Free. St Albans Chamber Choir with Wormser Kantorei Golden Jubilee Celebration 27th April 7.30pm Celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the association between St Albans Chamber Choir and the Wormser Kantorei from St Albans’ twin town of Worms. From £15
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Easter Services 14th April - Palm Sunday Procession 9.30am Meet by the Clock Tower to walk to the Cathedral. Bring a branch or greenery to wave as you walk. Francis Pott's 'Christus' 3pm Performed byTom Winpenny, Assistant Master of the Music. Free 15th - 17th April Address and Compline 8pm 18th April - Maundy Thursday Chrism Eucharist 11am A sung Eucharist with the clergy and lay ministers and the blessing of the holy oils. Maundy Eucharist 8pm This service includes the washing of the feet of 12 people followed by stripping decoration from the altars. A vigil of prayer is kept until midnight. 19th April - Good Friday Pre-school Children’s Service 10am Three Hours Devotion 12 noon - 1.30pm: Preaching of the Passion 1.30pm - 3pm: The Liturgy of Good Friday 20th April - Easter Eve Evensong 4pm Sung by the men of the Cathedral Choir. Easter Vigil 8pm This first service of Easter begins quietly in darkness, but ends in joyful light and noise. 21st April - Easter Day 9.30am: Parish Eucharist Sung by the Cathedral Choir. 11.15am: Matins Sung by the Cathedral Choir. 3.30pm: Evensong Sung by the Abbey Girls Choir and men of the Cathedral Choir. 22nd April - Easter Monday Easter Monday Pilgrimage Walk to the Cathedral from across the diocese to gather together in the Cathedral from 2pm. Service starts at 3pm. stalbanscathedral.org
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Visit The House 14th April 9.30am - 12.30pm The House will be open to let you explore the Bletchley Park rooms, the grounds and see other areas not Author Jack Copeland on Alan Turing normally open to public. £5, child £1 6th April Afternoon Tea Lecture 1: Alan Turing: Computing Pioneer 14th April 1.30pm, 2pm & 2.30pm Codebreaker 12 noon - 1.30pm Enjoy afternoon tea in the grand setting of Hear Turing’s remarkable story: his universal The House. £30, child £15 computing machine of 1936, his vital wartime ‘Bring a Picnic’ Bank Holiday Garden Tour Codebreaking work at Bletchley Park, and his 22nd April 11am impact on the development of electronic Enjoy a guided tour and experience a rare computers after the war. opportunity to picnic in the garden. Lecture 2: Turing and the Birth of £8.50, concs £7.50, child £2 Artificial Intelligence 3pm - 4.30pm Mad Hatter’s Tea Party As early as 1951, Turing was predicting that 28th April 11am - 4.30pm intelligent computers could take control of human Down the rabbit hole into the Swiss Garden in affairs within a millennium. Copeland describes time for tea. Plus Maypole and Morris dancers, the evolution of Turing’s thinking on Al, from his crafts, magic, and a Punch & Judy show. Be wartime investigations of the concepts of machine entertained by Alice in Wonderland characters in intelligence and learning, to his 1948 manifesto of the fairy-tale surroundings. Bring your own Mad computer intelligence, and on to his famous Hatter picnic and dress up if you can, mad hats Imitation Game, whose successful execution at the very least! would, Turing claimed, show that human-level Al £12, child £3 had arrived. From £22.50 Shuttleworth, Old Warden Aerodrome, Bletchley Park, Bucks MK3 6EB Beds SG18 9EP bletchleypark.org.uk shuttleworth.org
Out of Town
Shuttleworth Spring Walk & Lunch with the Head Gardener 12th April 10.30am - 2pm Listen to the garden’s story and learn how it’s cared for today. Highlights include swathes of Daffodils, Rhododendrons, Spring flowering shrubs, and Alpine plants in the Rock Garden. Then chat to members of the garden team over lunch. Age 16+ £30 Workshop: Easter Floristry 13th April 10am - 1pm Make an Easter floral arrangement with spring flowers as a gift for someone special. All materials and refreshments provided. Age 16+ £35
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RAF London First World War Flying Machines 25th April A fantastic opportunity to get up close to aircraft such as the Royal Aircraft Factory SE5A or the Bleriot XXVII. These astounding early machines tell the story of the development of flight from aerial reconnaissance to the protection of civilian populations and ground troops during the WWI. A small number of people will also be able to access the Albatros D.Va Replica. £10, Albatros access ticket £15 RAF Museum London, Hendon NW9 5LL rafmuseum.org.uk
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NOW at UHArts Film: Elstree Originals: Who Framed Roger Rabbit? 2nd April 7pm Enjoy the first days of Spring at this outdoor pop up film screening. Based on the 1981 novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit?, and set in Hollywood in the late 1940s, it follows a private detective attempting to clear the name of Roger Rabbit, following accusations that he’s murdered a wealthy businessman. College Lane Campus Al10 9AB Rhythms of the City 9th April 12 noon Free Join UK's premier samba percussion squad Rhythms of the City as they present hi-octane percussion music played on Brazilian drums and traditional instruments, augmented by infectious dancing in Rio-carnival style and traditional costumes by dedicated samba dancers. Promenade from the Forum to Art & Design Gallery Ballet Black: Triple Bill featuring INGOMA 13th April 7.30pm Ingoma, a fusion of ballet, African dance and singing portrays a milestone moment in South African history and imagines the struggles of black miners and their families in 1946. Ballet Black is an intimate duet, an original, lighthearted work by Sophie Laplane, also a premiere, completes the Triple Bill. Weston Auditorium Al10 9EU The Tide Jetty 25th April 7.30pm Two brothers, Tucky and Nathan grow up on the banks of Breydon Water alongside tomboy, Eliza. The three of them are inseparable. As they grow older the inevitable happens… Eliza turns into a woman and they both fall for her. But tragedy tears the trio apart and years later it is time to discover the truth of what really happened… Roe Hill Hall AL10 8EY uharts.co.uk
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Event Cinema National Theatre Live: All About Eve 11th April 7pm Starring Gillian Anderson and Lily James. The story of Margo Channing, true star of the theatre. The spotlight is hers, always has been. But now there’s Eve. Her biggest fan. Young, beautiful Eve. The golden girl, the girl next door. But you know all about Eve…don’t you…? RSC Live: As You Like it 17th April 7pm Come into the forest; dare to change your state of mind. Rosalind is banished, wrestling with her heart and her head. With her cousin by her side, she journeys to a world of exile where barriers are broken down and all can discover their deeper selves. Director Kimberley Sykes (Dido, Queen of Carthage) directs a riotous, exhilarating version of Shakespeare's romantic comedy. The Royal Opera House Live: Faust 30th April 6.45pm Experience the decadence and elegance of 1870s Paris in David Mcvicar's spectacular production of Goundo's best-loved Opera There are many versions of the story of Faust, who trades his soul with the Devil for youth and power, but Gounod’s opera remains one of the most constantly enthralling. Michael Fabiano stars as Faust, with Diana Damrau as his beloved Marguerite and Erwin Schrott as the diabolical Méphistophélès. Virtuoso leading roles, a large chorus, sensational sets, ballet and an ecstatic finale make this the epitome of theatrical spectacle. CW Entertainment, Campus West, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX cwentertainment.co.uk
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Museum, come and find them and see why they might be hiding underneath the aircraft. Get a chocolate prize when you find them all. £3 per child RAF Museum London, Hendon NW9 5LL rafmuseum.org.uk
Easter Fun Paradise Wildlife Park 6th - 21st April Enjoy a day packed with fun-filled family activities. From the Big Easter Egg Hunt and the new Lion Pride Habitat to the life size, roaring, moving Dinosaurs and the new Dinosaur Creche, where you can get up close to baby dinosaurs. Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne EN10 7QA pwpark.com
Ashridge Easter Crafts 8th - 12th April 10am - 4pm Make bird feeders at the visitor centre, to welcome back migrating birds to your garden. Child £2 per craft Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 15th - 22nd April 10am - 4pm Follow the path through the woods and welcome the Easter Bunny’s feathered party guests to his big Easter bash. 15th - 18th £3 / 19th - 22nd £5 Ashridge Visitor Centre, Berkhamsted HP4 1LT nationaltrust.org.uk
Shuttleworth Easter Craft Activities 8th & 9th April 10am, 11am, 1pm & 2pm Sow seeds in a pot you have decorated, make Easter-themed bookmarks or a daffodil, all in the Swiss Garden. £1 plus Garden entry Perilous Parachutes 10th - 12th April 10am, 11am, 1pm & 2pm Construct a cunning contraption to protect an egg on its perilous plunge from above! £1 per child plus normal entry Shuttleworth, Old Warden Aerodrome, Beds SG18 9EP shuttleworth.org
RAF London Animal Easter Trail 8th - 22nd April 11am - 3pm The Easter Bunny has lots of animal friends in the
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Highfield Park Easter Bunny Hunt 10th April 10.30am - 2pm £3 Follow the trail around the park and find a number of painted animals, which will lead to the mysterious blue Easter Bunny. Children will be given a sheet with questions about the hidden animals, a great way to encourage young children to explore their local park and the great outdoors. Highfield Park, St Albans AL4 0RA highfieldparktrust.co.uk
Harpenden Common Annual Easter Fun Fair 18th - 22nd April
Harpenden Town Football Club Harpenden Easter Egg Hunt 19th April 1pm - 4 pm An afternoon of family fun on Good Friday with an Egg Hunt for younger children and an Easter Challenge for juniors. Rothamsted Park, Harpenden AL5 2EF
Claydon House Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 19th - 22nd April 11am - 4pm Discover what it takes to look after the house and follow the clues to claim your chocolate prize. £2.50 Bucks MK18 2EY nationaltrust.org.uk
Bletchley Park Easter Weekend Activities - D-Day: People 19th - 22nd April 11am - 3.30pm 6th June, 1944. In hindsight, a momentous day – but what was it really like for different people at the time? Find out about a soldier, a commander, a codebreaker and an evacuee on the Homefront. Activities included with admission. Easter trail with a chocolate treat £2. Age 5-14 years Bletchley Park, Bucks MK3 6EB bletchleypark.org.uk
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Fun for The Kids In The Night Garden Live 6th & 7th April Sat 1pm & 4pm, Sun 10am & 1pm Join Igglepiggle as he looks for his friends in the Night Garden by following their funny sounds. See your favourite characters brought to life with full-size costumes, magical puppets, and enchanting music. Watford Colosseum WD17 3JN watfordcolosseum.co.uk
British Schools Museum
7th April Experience a Victorian lesson in the gallery classroom. Don't be late and pay attention! Included in admission price Queen Street, Hitchin SG4 9TS britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk
Herts LitFest
A programme of children’s events presented by Hertfordshire Libraries. Book online at your local library or Hatch-a-saurus call 01707 281533. 9th - 11th April 10.30am, 11.15am & 2.30pm Tom Palmer Explore the world of egg-laying animals, from dinosaurs to birds. 8th April 4.15pm £5 See dinosaur specimens and create your own hatching dinosaur St Albans Library * to take home. Age 5+. £2 Football reading game - half, football Natural History Museum, Tring HP23 6AP nhm.ac.uk reading quiz, half penalty shootout. Woburn Safari Park Fun and games for boys and girls. 14th April - Meet Rubble from Paw Patrol Comic Art Workshop 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm 2.30pm & 3.30pm 11th April 21st April - Meet Peppa Pig 10am - 12.15pm & 1.30pm - 3.45pm 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm 2.30pm & 3.30pm Harpenden Library £5 Enjoy your drive around the road safari seeing all your favourite Create your own cartoon character wild animals, then head down to the decking of the Mammoth Play and story with Beano artist Kev F Ark in the Foot Safari to see these much-loved characters - don't Sutherland. Age 8+ forget to bring your camera! Buy a special event ticket to enjoy all Junk Robots the usual fun in the Park and you’ll be given a free ticket for a time 15th April 2.30pm - 4pm £2 slot to meet Rubble or Peppa Pig. Marshalswick Library * Woburn Safari Park, MK17 9QN woburnsafari.co.uk Create a robot out of packaging while learning about recycling. Knebworth Ages 5 - 11 Easter Trail 19th & 20th April 11am - 5pm Zoolab Follow the Easter Trail symbols hidden around the garden, within the Edwardian maze and among the trail of 72-life sized dinosaurs. 15th April 10.30am £2 Hatfield Library * Complete the trail sheet to claim an Easter surprise. £1 per child We’re going on an animal hunt to Easter Medieval Jousting meet an array of amazing animals. 21st & 22nd April 11am - 5pm Age 5+ Jousting displays 12.30pm & 2.30pm Lights, camera, LEGO The turrets and towers of Knebworth House provide a spectacular backdrop to the costumed knights on majestic warhorses galloping 16th April 2.30pm - 4pm across the arena in a fantastic display of horsemanship. Cheer and Welwyn Garden City Library jeer the Knights of Arkley as they demonstrate their skills in hand-to Using stop motion animation on a -hand combat. Try some archery with The Green Dragon Bowmen, tablet, make your own Lego movie. Ages 5 - 11 cost £2 for six arrows. Visit the Park and formal Gardens, playground with Fort Knebworth and 72 life size dinosaurs. £10 Wow! Said the Owl Knebworth House SG1 2AX 17th April 11am - 12 noon £2 knebworthhouse.com St Albans Library * Based on the book by Tim Hopgood, It's a Squash and a Squeeze listen to a story, then using recycled 20th & 21st April 12 noon - 1.30pm newspapers, help make an owl to An interactive storytelling workshop with singing, movement and display in the library. Ages 3 - 6 games as you explore Julia Donaldson's classic book, 'A Squash *Children must be accompanied and A Squeeze'. There’ll also be an Interactive Easter trail inspired by an adult by another of her stories, 'What The Ladybird Heard'. Ages 3 - 6 hertfordshire.gov.uk Hatfield Park Farm, Hatfield House AL9 5HX 18hatfieldparkfarm.co.uk
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NOW at the Alban Arena
Figure, Freedom, Faith and many more. ZOG 16th - 18th April £14.50, £12.50 From the team behind Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales ZOG promises to be roaring fun for all ages. Live at The Alban Arena 1st April 7.30pm £25 Conrad Anker - Hold Fast: A celebration of the biggest and best comedians on Yosemite to Everest to Maru the UK circuit. Contains adult themes and language. 19th April 7.30pm £19 Julian Clary: Born to Mince One of the greatest mountaineers of our time, Conrad 3rd April 7.30pm £25, concs £23 will talk all things mountaineering, including the 1924 Don’t miss it, this might be the final mince. Mallory and Irvine Everest expedition. Big Girls Don’t Cry 4th April 7.30pm £26, £24 Heather Small 21st April 7.30pm £28.50 The iconic sounds of Frankie Valli and The Four An evening of stunning vocals and great songs. Seasons recreated by a phenomenal cast and live Heather was one of the seminal British voices of the band on this 10th Anniversary Tour. 1990s. The Counterfeit Stones 5th April 8pm £25 Dear Zoo 23rd & 24th April £14 Described as Rolling Stones’ hooky masterpiece. Based on Rod Campbell’s best-selling book, this Packed with big hits, retro fashion and vintage guitars. show unfolds with puppets, music and lots of 80’s Mania 6th April 7.30pm £23 audience interaction. Featuring the music of 25 chart-topping pop stars The Illegal Eagles including: Duran Duran, Human League, Culture 25th April 7.30pm £25.50, £23.50 Club, Wham!, Madness, Madonna, Spandau Ballet, Featuring all the classics including Hotel California, Adam Ant, Soft Cell, Kim Wilde and many more. Take it to the Limit, Lyin’ Eyes and many more. Rock & Roll Revolution 7th April 7.30pm £20 The Sensational 60s Experience Award-winning band The Bluejays take you on a 26th April 7.30pm £28.50 journey through the fabulous fifties. The most explosive 60’s show touring the UK. An Evening with Aggers 8th April 7.30pm £23 Vienna Festival Ballet presents: Coppelia A trip down memory lane, recounting tales from a 27th April 2.30pm £24, £21, £16 career on the field and in the box. A magical and comical classic that warms and 100 Years of the WI with Gyles Brandreth entertains from start to finish. 9th April 2pm £17.50 The Ultimate Civic Disco presents… The Ultimate Everyone is invited to join Herts WI for a hilarious Thriller Night 27th April 7pm £16 roller-coaster ride around the world. Dance the night away to music from the King of Pop The Solid Silver 60s Show and videos and TV clips from the 70’s 80’s and 90’s, 10th April 7.30pm £32.50, £30.50 with the big screen videotheque. 60’s favourites Peter Noone, Brian Poole and Dave Our House Berry with Vanity Fare unite for the Solid Silver 60s. 30th April - 4th May £17.50, concs £16.50 Tommy Tiernan: Paddy Crazy Horse Performed by St Albans Musical Theatre Company, 11th April 8pm £20 with Madness favourites such as Our House, Baggy Using high theatricality and lots of sweary language, Trousers, My Girl, The Wings of a Dove and more. this is a fast paced celebration of what’s wild, wrong and wonderful about being alive right now. 01727 844488 Fastlove: A Tribute to George Michael The Alban Arena AL1 3LD 13th April 8pm £28 alban-arena.co.uk Direct from the West End with hits including Father
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NOW at the Museums
Hands on with Hepworth * 10th & 17th April 10.30am & 2pm £2 Be inspired by Barbara Hepworth’s famous sculptures and drawings and, as a family, create your own crafty masterpieces to take home. Tots Tales * 11th April 10.30am, 11.45am & 1.30pm £3 plus admission A story, craft activity and a museum hunt inspired by a different story each month. Ages 2 - 4 years, please book.
The Big Clay Event 13th April 11am - 4pm, free Join Dacorum and Chiltern Potters Guild for this messy, making day. Work with experienced potters and help sculpt famous St Albans buildings such as St Albans Museum + Gallery the Clock tower and the old Town Hall in clay. St Peters Street AL1 3DH Expert potters will demonstrate a range of Museum Treasure Hunt £4.99 techniques including Receive cryptic clues to your phone via text and throwing on a wheel embark on a treasure hunt around the museum. and Matthew Wilcock, Discover little known facts and features and learn winner of the first Great more about the fascinating objects on display. Pottery Throw Down Exhibition: Wigram’s Wanderings will be there. until 19th May Free St Albans in 2069 Mayor of St Albans in the 1920s, Edgar Wigram 19th - 22nd April was an architect and painter. This exhibition 11am - 4pm, free explores his love of travel around Europe, North Help the Hertfordshire Africa and the Middle East. Wigram’s wanderings Association of by bicycle in the early 1900s took him from Venice to the Rhine and from the Alhambra to Aleppo. With Architects and the Wigram as a good humoured guide explore a world Museum + Gallery create the St Albans of before mass tourism took hold. the future. Use your imagination and Lego building Barbara Hepworth: Artist in Society 1948 - 53 skills to predict how the city will look in 50 years. until 8th Sept Build futuristic buildings and spaces fit for the Following a decade of preoccupation with residents who will live our city in 2069. landscape, Hepworth moved naturally between Museum Minis * abstraction and the figure in the years 1948 - 53, 30th April 10.30am & 1.30pm £3 capturing the human form across drawing and A story, craft activity and a museum hunt inspired sculpture. Finding inspiration in the movements of by Barbara Hepworth and her work. people in Venice’s St Mark’s Square to dancers in her Trewyn Studio and medical teams performing Ages 2 - 4 years, please book operations, this exhibition introduces sculptures, drawings and archival material, reuniting works that Verulamium Museum have not been seen together since they were first St Michael’s Street AL3 4SW Make a Mosaic * created. Presented in partnership with UHArts. 16th April 10.30am -11.15am Exhibition: Toy Story: The Us in Museum Be inspired by the wonderful mosaics on display 5th April - 9th May and create a coaster, Easter bunny or egg with There are many ways to look at a museum object professional mosaicist, Audrey Montet to take and this exhibition explores the design ideas and home. Age 6+ heritage context behind some of the toys and games in the Museums’ collection. * Children must be accompanied by an adult stalbansmuseums.org.uk Students from the University of Herts have worked together with museum staff and volunteers to discover how they might be designed today in our complex and difficult world.
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Incredible Edible St Albans Come and grow! Help to plant and maintain the open-to-all community food gardens. No experience needed, all welcome. For more information email incredible@foodsmilesstalbans.org.uk Incredible Edible Civic Centre St Albans 14th April 1pm - 4pm Incredible Edible Russell Avenue St Albans 27th April 10am-1pm foodsmilesstalbans.org.uk
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NOW at the Public Halls Moya Brennan - The Voice of Clannad 2nd April 7.30pm £25 The voice of Clannad brings an intimate and heartwarming night of sublime, award-winning Celtic music inspired by her traditional Irish heritage. Hazel O’Connor 6th April 8pm £20 The first major female star of the 80s, award winning singer-songwriter Hazel O’ Connor will be accompanied by virtuoso saxophonist Clare Hirst and Sarah Fisher on keyboards and vocals. Film: Mary Poppins Returns 9th April 2pm £5 The Wizard of Oz 10th April 2.30pm & 6pm £16.50, concs £14.50 With children’s TV favourite Barney Harwood as Scarecrow and Emmerdale’s Sapphire Elia as Dorothy. Chantel McGregor 12th April 7.30pm £15 Chantel’s stunning live performances have demonstrated that she has the ability to perform rock for the new age, played by a musician with effortless virtuosity. Harpenden Record Fair 13th April 10am - 4pm free 1000s of records, memorabilia, rarities and more. The Little Mix Show 17th April 7pm, £15, child £12 This iconic 5 star show brings us the full Little Mix experience, with all their biggest hits plus dance contests, giveaways and a meet and greet. Dreadzone 21st April 8pm £20 One of the most energetic, exciting and powerful live bands to emerge from the post-rave scene, Dreadzone are still going strong after 25 years. Film: Colette 23rd April 2pm & 8pm £5 Cilla and the Shades of the 60s 30th April 7.30pm £19.50 This stunning review of the life of Cilla Black soars its way through the 60s. With Victoria Jones and featuring all the hits, this is an unforgettable show that brings audiences to their feet. Harpenden Public Halls AL5 1PD 01582 767525 harpendenpublichalls.co.uk
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NOW at the Local Theatres The Radlett Centre WD7 8HL Pinocchio 6th April 11am & 2.30pm Enjoy Immersion Theatre’s vibrant re-telling of Pinocchio, packed with comedy, audience interaction, and an original score guaranteed to have you singing along. You'll have a whale of a time, no strings attached! radlettcentre.co.uk
The Sandpit Theatre AL4 9NX Film: Avengers: Infinity War 6th April 3pm Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers unite to battle the evil Thanos. £5 Film: Mamma Mia Singalong Double Bill 6th April Promises to get you on your feet, singing to all your favourite Abba songs. Both films £7, one film £5 Film: Rembrandt 14th April 3pm The film documents a landmark exhibition at both London’s National Gallery and Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum Gallery, while interweaving Rembrandt’s life story. £5 sandpittheatre.co.uk
Booster Cushion Theatre Company and join Peter on his journey to Neverland, in this comical, interactive theatre show. Age 4 - 9 years There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly 11th - 13th April 11am & 2pm Join the People's Theatre Company as they bring one of the best loved nursery rhymes to life. This show has been written for grown ups to enjoy with their children, relive this tale with sing along songs, animal characters and lots of family fun. The Princess and the Pea 15th April 11.30am & 2pm This much loved Hans Christian Anderson tale is told with simple puppets, and children are encouraged to add their voice and energy to the unfolding story. Ages 4+ £5 Shh… Bang! 17th April 2.30pm £7 A visual, non-verbal, dance-theatre performance, playfully exploring silence and noise. A special journey, learning to feel the noise and see the sounds around you. Age 3+ LOL (Ladies of Laughter) with Noreen Khan 27th April 7.30pm £12, concs £10 An evening of comedy with some of the UK's top female comedians Shazia Mirza, Esther Manito and Glenda Jaxson. Age 16+ lutonculture.com
High Street Methodist Church Harpenden AL5 2RU Witness for the Prosecution 11th - 13th April 8pm High Street Players production of Agatha Christie’s exciting courtroom drama. £10 hsplayers.org.uk
Abbey Theatre AL1 2DL The Rats & A Small Step for England 24th - 27th April An intriguing double bill featuring one chilling play from Agatha Christie and one hilarious satire from playwright Peter Hale. abbeytheatre.org.uk
The Barn Theatre AL8 6ST
Kindertransport 26th April - 4th May Starting in 1938 thousands of Jewish children Luton Central Library were sent away from Nazi controlled Germany to St George's Square, Luton LU1 2NG seek safety in other countries. They were Metamorphosis 4th & 5th April 7.30pm unaccompanied, travelling on trains and ferries, and A haunting re-imagining of Kafka's absurd tale using took a huge chance that they would be cared for by state-of-the-art make up and prosthetic effects to kind-hearted strangers. Most never saw their present Gregor's transformation in a journey that will parents again. The play tells the story of mother both transfix and chill audiences. Age 12+ and daughter, Evelyn and Faith, as Faith prepares to leave home. The dynamic of the mother and Peter Pan and Captain Cook daughter relationship is beautifully observed. 8th April 11.30am & 2.30pm barntheatre.co.uk Fly into an imaginative and absurd Neverland with
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Big Art Showcase 12th April - 1st June An amazing collection of both 2D and 3D work by Herts Visual Arts members. The annual showcase offers a window into the world of their hugely talented artists and artisan makers from around Hertfordshire. There's bound to be something for everyone, including painting, drawing, ceramics, glass, textiles and more. New Maynard Gallery, WGC AL8 6BX hvaf.org.uk
The Eclectic Generation
NOW for some Art UHArts Exhibition: Social Disruption until 13th April An innovative exhibition addressing the perils of excessive social media use in an emotive, engaging and sometimes playful way. Through a series of bold installations and printed material, it seeks to empower its audience with the knowledge to engage with social media in a way where we control it, rather than it controlling us. A feedback wall, which will be made into a book, asks you to share views on the rise of social media and its hyper-normalisation as an everyday, sometimes all day, activity. Form and Flux 30th April - 11th May Free Artist Simeon Nelson presents a showcase of drawing, documentation, maquettes and sculptural fragments, underpinned by his abiding engagement with process philosophy, which sees things as events in a world of constant flux. UHArts, Art and Design Gallery, Hatfield AL10 9AB uharts.co.uk
The Open Door 2nd - 13th April Hare & Co - Niki Bell Paintings and drawings (see right) 16th April - 4th May Chalfont Artists Spring Show An eclectic collection of works in a diverse range of media. Berkhamsted HP4 1HU upstairsgallery.co.uk
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13th - 25th April Romy Kelleher is a local portrait artist, with great promise. Her exhibition will feature a number of large original paintings (pictured above). Currently studying in Liverpool she'll be returning home this Easter for the duration of her show. Romy will also feature in Sky Arts - Portrait Artist of the Year, which will be airing this Spring. Nude Tin Can, St Albans AL1 4JS nudetincan.com romykelleherart.com
Photography Exhibition 27th April 10am - 4.30pm free entry Harpenden Photographic Society (HPS) will be showing the work of local photographers, whether you love landscape, portrait, macro, street, sport or natural world, you will find it all in this exhibition! They are always keen to welcome new members, so if you’re interested in joining the society, HPS members will be on hand to answer any questions. Now in its 83rd year, HPS caters for all abilities, from beginners to advanced photographers. They’re a lively and growing club of around 60 active members. Meetings are twice a month from September to June, with a varied programme and visiting speakers. High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden harpendenphotographicsociety.co.uk
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Cycling, Hedgehogs & More Herts & Middx Wildlife Trust Discover Hedgehogs 10th & 17th April 2pm - 3pm Harpenden Learn about the lives of hedgehogs; where they live, what they eat, the problems they face and why they’re in decline, with an expert from Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary. Get practical advice on how to help them in your garden, and learn basic care and handling. Meet a rescue hog (if one is available and happy to be handled) and see how they are being nursed back to health before being released. £8, child £6, children must be accompanied by a paying adult Spring Smartphone Safari 24th April 2pm - 4pm St Albans Learn to use your smartphone to take wildlife photos with professional photographer Jeanette, starting in the Trust's wildlife garden and then in Verulamium Park. Finish at the Inn on the Park cafe, where Jeanette will explain how to use the free apps available. £15 Wildlife Gardening Workshop 28th April 11am - 2pm St Albans Learn about wildlife gardening in the Trust’s wildlife garden. Discover the best plants and habitats that will help to encourage a variety of wildlife to your garden, such as bees, butterflies, amphibians and hedgehogs. Suitable for all, free, donations welcome. Please book hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/events
Countryside Management Services Train to be a ‘Volunteer Rights of Way Surveyor’ 12th April Countryside Management Services (CMS) are looking for volunteers who love walking in Hertfordshire’s countryside and are willing to go an extra step to survey Rights of Way as they go. After training, volunteers will be asked to choose a Parish to ‘adopt’ and walk to check its paths. For more information contact Miriam.Linforth@hertfordshire.gov.uk The Great British Spring Clean 22nd March - 23rd April Why not organise a litter pick in your local area and join in The Great British Spring Clean, to help keep our environment in great shape. Register your activity or join in with a local event online at keepbritaintidy.org Could You Lead Evening Walks This Summer? CMS 36 are aiming to offer an evening walk in their walk
programmes across the county, so those working during the day have the opportunity to walk too. If you’re interested in leading evening walks please email healthwalks.cms@hertfordshire.gov.uk hertfordshire.gov.uk
Cycling in Herts With lots of cycle routes to explore, visit these websites to find out more. To cycle with others on a social basis letsride.co.uk For women only rides letsride.co.uk/breeze For routes to do on your own hertfordshire.gov.uk
Five Miles to Fabulous Ladies Bike Ride 13th April & 11th May Meet at 9.30am by the cycle stands at Morrisons, Hatfield Road, St Albans. Gentle paced, ladies only ride with a coffee stop. Bring a roadworthy bike and money for coffee, please wear suitable clothing, new riders welcome. southhertsctc.org.uk
Wednesday Evening Cycle Rides 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th April 7.30pm All rides start from St Albans War Memorial AL1 3HG, and are 15 - 20 miles long at a brisk pace with a destination arrival time of about 9pm. It is essential that you have front and rear lights (preferably 2 sets), a puncture repair kit, tyre levers, a pump and a spare inner tube. Please also bring a completed guest entry form if not a member of the CUK/CTC, which you can download from cyclinguk.org
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Do Something for Charity Let’s Talk about Dementia 1st May 7.30pm Join The Hospice of St Francis to talk about dementia. Speakers include Dr Tammy Angel, Clinical Director of Elderly Care at West Herts Hospitals Trust and The Hospice’s Medical Director, Dr Sharon Chadwick, who will address issues such as planning ahead so you get the care you want, and how palliative care teams can help to support you. Open to all, including health care professionals, £10. Civic Centre, Berkhamsted stfrancis.org.uk
Wheathampstead 10k and 2k Family Fun Run
Grove Hospice campaign. It may be dad’s bangers and mash, granny’s shepherd’s pie or an evening shared with friends over a take-away. We all have fond memories of mealtimes with loved ones - so what better way to grow those memories than by sharing a meal and making a donation at the same time to help local people access hospice at home care when they need it. Taking part is as easy as pie, simply: Pick your menu and invite your friends and family round. Ask your guests to donate whatever they can afford for their meal. Donations will go towards Rennie Grove Hospice Care, which relies on supporters to fund its nursing care and support for local patients and families confronted with cancer and other lifelimiting conditions. Visit the website for ideas and suggestions for your event renniegrove.org/tasteofhome
12th May The 10k starts at 11am and the 2k Family Fun Run starts at 10am from Marford Playing Fields This annual event raises funds for Beech Hyde primary and nursery school has become a favourite among local runners. The 10K is a challenging off-road course, and with its outstanding scenery and friendly village setting this is a popular run with all levels of runners. There are 800 places available in the 10k and 600 in the 2k fun run. On the day late entries for the 2K is open 8.45am - 9.40am. There are no entries on the day for the 10K. The 10k is time chipped and trophies will be awarded to the first 3 placed male and female runners and medals given to all finishers. The morning ends with a BBQ and children’s entertainment, to make a great morning out with the family. Twitter @Wheaty10K facebook.com/wheaty10k
Taste of Home Dig out that well-thumbed familyfavourites recipe book and cook up a memorable meal to share with family and friends as part of a new Rennie
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Bats, Dragons & Owls! Horrible Histories: Brand New Barmy Britain 13th & 14th April Sat:1.30pm & 7pm, Sun 11am & 3pm We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! Would you be shaken or stirred by Richard III? Mount a mutiny against King Henry VIII. See Mary Tudor knock the spots off Mary Queen of Scots! Will Queen Elizabeth I endure her terrible teeth? Would you be hanged by King James I for being a witch? Peep into the world of Samuel Pepys and help Georgian detectives find the headless man. Take a trip into the night with the night soil men and discover how to survive the first ever train ride. It's the history of Britain with the nasty bits left in. Broadway Theatre, Letchworth Garden City SG6 3DD broadway-letchworth.com
Chiltern Open Air Museum Both events have themed family crafts and activities included in cost of admission. Spring Spectacular 9th April 11am - 3.30pm Village Fete 16th April 11am - 3.30pm Easter Lambing 19th & 20th April Take part in fun family crafts, meet the spring Oxford Down lambs born at the Museum, explore the traditional Chilterns farm and lambing fold, and learn about the lambing traditions of the Victorian Chilterns. COAM, Chalfont St Giles HP8 4AB coam.org.uk
St George's Day Parade 28th April 2pm Local Scouting and Guiding troops will be parading through Harpenden town centre in honour of St George's Day.
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Wild Woods Day 17th April 9.30am & 1pm Spend the day in the woods, learn more about the trees and woodland around you and how to make natural crafts using wood working tools and. Bring a picnic and have lunch in the woods. Harpenden Common, Harpenden AL5 harpenden.gov.uk
Wardown House Museum & Gallery Tots Tales 2nd April 9.30am £4 Enter the museum before it’s open to public and step into a world of fantasy and imagination, as you join the friendly museum staff for a special, cosy storytelling session in the museum’s library. House Tours for Kids 9th & 10th April 11am - 11.45am This new fun horrid-history interactive tour is just for kids - so no adults allowed! Discover the fun stories behind the house and explore the rooms in a new light. Age 8 -11 years, £5 The Adventures of Pom 11th April 10am, 11.30am & 2.30pm A visual and sensory exploration of the Greek Myth, Persephone. Using music, moving images and puppetry, this show will inspire and delight children from a few weeks old to adults. Age 4 months - 3 years, £5 Music in the Museum: Jazz 14th April 2pm - 4pm Jazzcotech presents the Chris Maddock Quartet, featuring Chris's original compositions and arrangements. £7 Music in the Museum: Inspired by Bach 28th April 2pm - 4pm One of the UK's foremost cellists, Sebastian Comberti has been inspired by Bach from a very young age. The Bach Cello Suites explore the full range of human emotion and in this concert Sebastian continues his exploration of the works themselves and shows how they have inspired composers through the ages. Wardown House, Museum and Gallery, Luton LU2 7HA lutonculture.com
Stockwood Discovery Centre
Hatfield House Lady Salisburys Annual Coffee Morning & West Garden Preview 2nd April 10am - 12 noon Preview the Park and Gardens before they open for the season. Browse stalls including home produce, plants, second hand treasures and a raffle. All proceeds will be donated to Breaks Manor Youth & Community Centre Improved Security and St Etheldreda’s West End Project. Opening Weekend 6th April 11am - 4pm Celebrate the start of the season with Easterthemed entertainment and activities in the Stable Yard. There will be live music and free activities including Easter cup-cake decorating, Easter egg decoration demonstrations, meet the lambs (11am - 1pm), storytelling and crafts (1.30pm & 2.30pm, £5), an Easter egg hunt and much more. Hatfield House, AL5 9AE hatfield-house.co.uk
Great Brick Safari 6th April - 2nd June Set off on an exciting journey of discovery, uncovering unbelievable LEGO brick beasts and mammoth LEGO brick mammals. From a jumbo elephant that weighs a tonne of bricks to a giant gorilla that’s built for life in the jungle. Along the way you’ll find some interactive activities for the whole family to enjoy. Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable LU6 2LF zsl.org
Wow! It’s Night Time 8th - 10th April Mon: 11.30am & 3pm / Tues & Wed: 10.30am The curious little owl is back and ready to discover the wonders of night-time, from the big, bright moon to the bats in the sky and the foxes deep in the forest. Little Angel Theatre present this sequel to Wow! Its Night Time. Age 2 - 5 years. £7
Exhibition: Focus on Fashion 12th April - 21st June 10am - 5pm Take a journey through time and women's fashion, with this unique opportunity to see the museums' collection of ladies' costume. Walk among mannequins modelling fashion from the past 250 years, including a bodice worn by Queen Victoria. The Sand Dragon 15th April 11.30am & 2pm Using an exciting mix of puppets and music, Theatrix Arts performs this magical story based on the book. Ages 3 - 7, £7 Also create your own Sand Dragon puppet in a workshop after the show for an extra £1 A Dragon’s Tale 17th April 11.30am & 2.30pm Using an exciting mix of puppets and music, Theatrix Arts performs this magical story based on the ancient legend of the Lambton Worm. Ages 3 - 7. £7. Create your own dragon puppet in a workshop after the show for an extra £1 Stockwood Discovery Centre LU1 4LX lutonculture.com
Family Bat Walk 11th April 7.30pm Find out about the nocturnal residents that dominate the skies. Learn how to use a bat detector and listen out for the calls of the bats you wouldn't normally be able to hear. Free but please book Batford Springs Nature Reserve, Harpenden AL5 5AQ FaceBook: Batford Nature Reserve
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What’s on in April 42
2nd Harpenden Floral Decoration Club Harpenden Public Halls, Christine Long: Loosely around the Solar System, 01582 621757, 2pm Moya Brennan - the Voice of Clannad see page 30 3rd Julian Clary: Born to Mince see page 20 5th Harpenden Writers Meeting Friends' Meeting House, Southdown Road AL5 1PD, 10am-12noon, £4 harpendenwriters.com 5th April - 9th May Exhibition: Toy Story: The Us in Museum see page 22 6th Hatfield House Opening Weekend page 41 Los Pacaminos with Paul Young see page 8 Film: Mamma Mia Singalong Double Bill see page 32 Come & Sing with Bob Chilcott St George's School, for all singers aged 10+ no sight-singing experience needed, hosted by The Lea Singers, 10am -5pm, £25, concs £15, families £50 leasingers.co.uk 6th, 7th & 13th Easter Wreaths Workshops Inn on the Park, Verulamium Park, St Albans, 1pm - 3pm, £40 6th - 22nd Easter Fun Events see page 16 7th Heinrich Schütz St Matthew Passion see page 8 8th - 17th Burstons Easter Children’s Activities see page 29 Herts LitFest for the Kids see page 18 8th - 18th Play in the Parks see page 17 10th The Solid Silver 60s Show see page 20 Gentle Stroll: Signs of Spring see page 4 10th & 17th Discover Hedgehogs see page 36 11th Family Bat Walk see page 41 Exhibition: D-Day: Interception, Intelligence, Invasion Bletchley Park, from 9.30am bletchleypark.org.uk 12th April - 21st June Exhibition: Focus on Fashion see page 41 13th The Big Clay Event see page 22
13th - 25th Exhibition: The Eclectic Generation page 34 15th The Princess & The Pea see page 32 17th Spring Open Day at Luton Hoo see page 4 19th The Christians see page 8 19th & 20th Easter Lambing see page 40 Easter Trail at Knebworth see page 18 19th - 22nd St Albans in 2069 see page 22 21st UB40 40th Anniversary Tour see page 8 Heather Small see page 20 Dreadzone see page 30 21st & 22nd Easter Medieval Jousting see page 18 24th Spring Smartphone Safari see page 36 25th Floral Demonstration: Out of the Woods All Saints Church Hall, Evening Floral Group, 7.30pm, 01582 761277, all welcome Midge Ure Songs, Questions & Answers see page 8 26th April - 4th May Kindertransport see page 32 27th Vienna Festival Ballet presents Coppella see page 20 St Albans Chamber Choir with Wormser Kantorel Golden Jubilee Celebration page 10 I Talk Too Much see page 8 Harpenden Photographic Society Exhibition see page 34 27th & 28th Watercolour Workshops paint Ashridge bluebells with artist Liz Rogers, includes materials & refreshments, 1pm - 4pm, £30, please book 01442 851227 28th Mad Hatters Tea Party see page 12 Wildlife Gardening Workshop see page 36 28th & 30th Harpenden Bowling Club Open Days see opposite page 30th Cilla & the Shades of the 60s see page 30 Talk: From Fact to Film to Fiction with Dr Jane Hawking - former wife of Prof Stephen Hawking Harpenden Public Halls, 7.30pm
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What’s on in May
3rd Harpenden Writers Meeting Friends' Meeting House, Southdown Road 10am-12noon, £4 Paul Young ‘35 Years of No Parlez’ PT2 Watford Colosseum Toyah Harpenden Public Halls, 7.30pm, £22.50 4th Dawn Chorus Ashridge Estate, 5am -7am, please book 01442 851227, £15, child £10 7th Rich Hall’s Hoedown The Alban Arena, 8pm 8th Remembering The Movies The Alban Arena Mark Todhunter, Head Gardener - Gorhambury Gardens History & Tour Gorhambury House, 10.30am, £15, please book 01727 855000 11th Brambleton Model Railway Open Day Harpenden AL5 4BX, 2pm - 5.30pm The Music Makers Choir of Harpenden Concert St John’s Church, Harpenden AL5 1DJ, 7.30pm, £15, concs £12, £6 Foodsmiles Site Open Day Hammonds End Farm, Harpenden AL5 2AY, 1.30pm - 4pm 11th May - 1st June Sustainability Festival 2019 sustainablestalbans.org 12th Bubblerush see page 39 Plot 31 Community Garden Open Day Holcroft Road Allotments, Tallents Crescent Harpenden, AL5 5BP 2pm - 4:30pm 15th & 16th Al Murray: Landlord of Hope and Glory The Alban Arena, 7.30pm, £27.50 17th - 19th Luna Cinema Harpenden Common 7.30pm
18th Markyate Plant Sale stfrancis.org.uk Reginald D Hunter: Facing the Beast The Alban Arena, 8pm, £23 Spring Fair High Street Methodist Church Hall, Harpenden, 10am - 3pm 19th Leo Sayer: Just a Boy at 70 The Alban Arena 23rd Floral Demonstration: Dancing with Flowers All Saints Church Hall, Evening Floral Group, 7.30pm, 01582 761277, all welcome 23rd - 25th The Herd The Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead , Wheathampstead Dramatic Society 24th The Simon and Garfunkel Story Harpenden Public Halls, 7.30pm, £19.50 26th Shalamar Watford Colosseum, 8pm 27th - 31st Half Term Trail & Crafts Ashridge Visitor Centre HP4 1LT, 10am - 4pm, £3 28th An Audience with Liverpool Legends The Alban Arena, 7.30pm, £30, concs £29 29th Jools Holland The Alban Arena, 7.30pm, £40, £31 29th & 30th The Tiger Who Came To Tea Watford Colosseum watfordcolosseum.co.uk 30th Henning Wehn: Get On With It The Alban Arena, 8pm, £19.50
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Dance & Drama 35 Penny Waterman School of Dance 17 Stagecoach 2 36 Domestic Appliance Repairs Leigh Hibon 13 21 Education 11+ Summer Courses 17 43 Electricians Anderton Electrics 9 15 11 Fencing Verulam Fencing 26
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37 Finance AMR Financial Management 30 37 Garage Doors Garolla 30 38
Charity Events Hospice of St Francis Bubblerush 39 St Albans Half Marathon Back Cover Children’s Art Camps ArtShed! Front Cover Chiropodist Kathy Witchard
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Cleaning Domestique Merrivac Mobile Maid Services
33 35 35
Computer Repairs Ken Hodson
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Oven Cleaning Ovengers
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Painters & Decorators CB Decorators M & M Decorators
23 23
Plasterers A Merson Plastering
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Plumbers DJ&M Plumbing Services Ltd 13 & 47 Stopcocks Women Plumbers 13 Property Maintenance The 50 Plus
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Roofing GJ Smith Roofing
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47 Security Maximum Security
Garden Centre / Nurseries Burston Garden Centre 29 Tree Surgeons Bridge Valley 3 Fircroft Tree Surgery Ltd Townsend Nursery 27 Venue Hire Gardening / Landscaping The Harpenden Trust AR Landscapes Ltd 26 Detail Gardening Will Planning & Maintenance 28 Westminster Wills Ltd Green Edge Gardens 28 Greenshouse & Gardens 27 Window Cleaners Harpenden Window Cleaning Hearing Services Windows & Doors Hearing Healthcare Practice 45 Cloud 9 Kings Windows Home Care Right at Home 33 Lawn Maintenance Lawn Science
9 29 30 31 21 7 21
24 & 25
Locksmith Lock Around the Clock
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Call Jane or Wendy 07893 588291 / 313 www.theNOWmagazines.com
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DJ&M PLUMBING SERVICES LTD ●
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Complete
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Bathroom, Cloakroom, Shower Room and Kitchen Installations
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Local Family Run Business, Over 35 Years Experience
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Honest and Reliable Service Free Consultation/ Quotation for all Enquiries
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Tiling Plastering Electrical
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Electric and Power Showers Ball Valves and Overflows Blocked WC’s, Sinks, Baths and Basins Repair/Renew Stopcocks and Taps Plumb in Washing Machines and Dishwashers Repair Leaking Pipes Outside Taps
Dean Herrington 07830 159010 01727 764217 info@djmplumbing.co.uk
www.djmplumbing.co.uk
To Advertise: 07983 588313 wendy@theNOWmagazines.com
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