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NOW

December 2023

promoting local businesses, events and much more since 2006

www.theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588313 wendy@theNOWmagazines.com

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Welcome to December

Now is the time for Hope, Peace and Love, for thinking of others and for coming together with friends and family, and as we head towards Christmas we hope for all of these things for you.

A big thank you to all our advertisers, readers, and those who have contributed to another very successful year of the NOW magazines.

If you run your own business we’d love to include you in the New Year, it’s so easy, just book your space online today.

Happy Christmas everyone!

Jane & Wendy @theNOWmagazines

Advertising Rates 12 months £33 per edition £40 per edition £49 per edition £84 per edition

3 months £43 per edition 1/4 page £52 per edition 1/3 page £64 per edition 1/2 page £110 per edition Full page

other options are available

You can NOW book advertising online Deadline 4th Dec for Jan editions wendy@theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588313 www.theNOWmagazines.com

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Where’s Santa?

Van Hage Garden Centre

Mead Open Farm

Burston Garden Centre

Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park

until 22nd Dec selected dates Guided by Santa’s little helpers, make your way to meet Santa and receive a special gift.

Please book, £12.50 Great Amwell SG12 9RP www.vanhage.co.uk until 24th Dec selected dates Visit Santa in his magical grotto. £11 St Albans AL2 2DS www.burston.co.uk

Willows Activity Farm

24th Nov - 24th Dec Walk through the magical winter wonderland to find Santa in his Grotto, skate on the ice rink and more. Adult £24 - £31, child £48 - £55 London Colney AL4 0PF www.willowsactivityfarm.com

2nd - 24th Dec A treat for all the family as Santa’s elves welcome you on a magical experience of festive fun. £16 - £25 Enfield EN9 2EF www.leevalleyfarm.co.uk

Paradise Wildlife Park

Weekends 2nd - 20th Dec & 20th - 24th Dec Walk through Santa’s winter wonderland, have your photo taken with him and visit the reindeer.

Broxbourne EN10 7QA www.pwpark.com

Foxholes Farm

Bletchley Park

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre

Turvey House 9th & 10th Dec

25th & 26th Nov & 2nd & 3rd Dec Meet Farmer Christmas, when he’s not looking after the animals he’ll be in his grotto! £3.85, child £9.95 Hertford SG13 7NT www.foxholesfarm.com 25th & 26th Nov 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th & 17th Dec All aboard The Panto Express to meet Santa and enjoy a mini family pantomime. HP22 4BY www.bucksrailcentre.org

Whipsnade Zoo 25th Nov - 24th Dec

Enjoy festive crafts before meeting Santa in his magical grotto and receiving a gift. £15 Dunstable LU6 2LF www.zsl.org

Aldenham Country Park

25th Nov - 2nd Jan Feed the animals, visit the Dance Tunnel, go on an Elf Hunt and meet Santa and Mrs Claus.

Winterfest Farm £7.95, Santa visit £14.95 Borehamwood WD6 3BA www.aldenhamcountrypark.co.uk 4

2nd - 24th Dec selected dates Meet Santa and explore the magical Christmas tree forest with 3D sparkle glasses and more. £36 Leighton Buzzard LU7 9JH www.meadopenfarm.co.uk

3rd, 20th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd Dec Visit Santa and his elves in the Ballroom used by Codebreakers in WW2. £11 Milton Keynes MK3 6EB www.bletchleypark.org.uk Follow the Elf Trail, meet Mrs Claus and Santa, take a ‘sleigh’ (tractor) ride and much more. £25 Bedford MK43 8EL www.turveyhouse.co.uk

Wardown House 9th - 23rd Dec

Meet Santa and his elves and visit Mother Christmas for a festive story. £15, adult £6 Luton LU2 7HA www.culturetrust.com

Knebworth Barns 17th & 22nd Dec

Enjoy a Christmas treat, with a two-course meal crackers and a visit from Santa. £38, child £28 Knebworth SG3 6PY

www.knebworthhouse.com

Round Table Santa Float

Keep an eye out for this charity float, check their Facebook page to find out when it’s visiting your street. @harpendenroundtable

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Out & About

Exhibition: Ballito Bombshells

until 4th Feb free Charting the history of the Ballito Hosiery Mill in Fleetville, from Silk to Steel it was a major local landmark from the 20s to the 60s.

St Albans Museum + Gallery AL1 3DH www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Harpenden Writers 1st Dec 10am - 12 noon Flash fiction competition results and read around, new members and guests very welcome.

Friends Meeting House, Southdown Road AL5 1PD www.harpendenwriters.com

Mill Green Museum

Christmas Carol Escape Room 1st Dec - 3rd Jan Your team will take on the roles of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other characters, as ghosts guide you through this classic tale in search of the true meaning of Christmas. £25 - £27 www.welwyn.pierpressure.co.uk Warm Spaces - 1st Dec Knit and Natter 1pm - 8th Dec Mindful Colouring and Board Games 1pm - 15th Dec Christmas Past 1pm - 22nd Dec Christmas Biscuit Decorating 1pm Christmas Crafts - 2nd Dec Natural Straw Decorations 2pm - 15th Dec Recycled Book Christmas Tree 10am - 16th Dec Willow Woven Stars 2pm Mill Green Museum & Working Mill, Hatfield AL9 5PD www.millgreenmuseum.co.uk

Dunstable Downs

Breakfast with the Elves 2nd & 3rd Dec 9am, 9.30am, 10am & 10.30am Join in the festive fun, meet the elves, do some Christmas colouring and enjoy breakfast with a winter view. Please book 0344 249 1895 Christmas Family Trail 15th - 23rd Dec 11am - 3pm Enjoy this family friendly festive trail. Child £3 Festive Stroll with Santa Paws Competition 19th Dec 10.30am - 1pm Enjoy a festive dog walk led by volunteers, with a prize for the most festively dressed pooch! Just turn up at the visitor centre and the group will leave together. £3, child £1.50, under 5's free Twixmas' - Post Christmas Gentle Stroll 29th Dec 10.30am - 1pm Just turn up at the visitor centre and the group will leave together. £3, child £1.50, under 5's free Whipsnade Road, Beds LU6 2GY www.nationaltrust.org.uk 6

Ashridge House

Afternoon Tea 3rd, 10th & 22nd - 24th Dec Homemade delicious cakes and savouries, with a festive twist. £42.50, u12’s £27.50 Carol Service 18th Dec An intimate carol service in the chapel, celebrating Christmas through song. Please book The Nutcracker: A Magical Family Adventure 19th - 24th Dec An immersive and enchanting adventure through Ashridge House with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince. Children can also meet Father Christmas and receive a gift. £25.50 Berkhamsted HP4 1NS www.ashridgehouse.org.uk

St Albans City Walks

Historic St Albans 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st Dec 11.15am Ghosts & Ghouls 7th & 15th Dec 7.30pm Walks cost £6, please book online www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk

Christmas Wreaths Workshops

4th, 10th & 13th Dec 3.30pm - 6pm £45 With the head gardener, all materials and equipment provided, price includes tea, coffee and mince pies. Please book. Luton Hoo Estate Walled Garden, Woodyard Coffee Shop LU1 4LF www.trybooking.co.uk/49015

Sustainable St Albans AGM

6th Dec 7.30pm Everyone welcome for the annual AGM, to review the projects for the year and offer members a chance to ‘ask the trustee’.

Harpenden Council Chamber, Leyton Road AL5 2LX

Christmas Party Nights

8th, 15th & 16th Dec Enjoy a glass of prosecco on arrival, a festive 3-course dinner, release your inner kid in the huge indoor soft play and dance the night away with the live band ‘Jukebox’ and DJ on the LED dance floor.

Adults only £49.95 Mead Open Farm, Billington, Beds LU7 9JH www.meadopenfarm.co.uk

Stockwood Illuminated 15th - 23rd Dec

Visit this winter light celebration, weave your way on a self-guided tour through the illuminated pathways, set against the backdrop of the beautiful gardens at Stockwood Discovery Centre. Please book Luton, Beds LU1 4LX www.culturetrust.com

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It’s Panto Time!

Sleeping Beauty 29th Nov - 21st Jan

Enjoy a mesmerising blend of music, laughter, breathtaking special effects and a treasure trove of surprises.

Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage SG1 1LZ www.gordon-craig.co.uk

Cinderella 30th Nov - 31st Dec

Cinderella wants to party ‘like its 1999’ but her stepmother has other ideas! Watford Palace Theatre WD17 1JZ www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

Beauty and the Beast 2nd - 31st Dec

Enjoy dazzling choreography and glamourous costumes (for most of the cast members!) and of course lots of audience participation.

Radlett Centre WD7 8HL www.radlettcentre.co.uk

Robin Hood 6th Dec - 3rd Jan

With song, dance, archery and adventure, it’s sure to delight the whole family. Campus West, WGC AL8 6BX www.campuswest.co.uk

Sleeping Beauty 8th - 3st Dec

With a sprinkling of magic and lots of audience participation.

Watersmeet Theatre WD3 1EH www.watersmeet.co.uk

Jack and the Beanstalk 8th - 31st Dec

Starring EastEnders’ Steve McFadden and promising hilarious comedy and stunning sets.

The Grove Theatre, Dunstable LU4 5GP www.grovetheatre.co.uk

The All New Adventures of Peter Pan 8th - 31st Dec

With Coronation Street Legend Chris Gascoyne as Captain Hook, CBeebies’ Maddie Moate as Tinkerbell and St Albans’ favourite Ian Kirkby as Mrs Smee. Alban Arena, St Albans AL1 3LD www.alban-arena.co.uk

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 8th - 31st Dec With Strictly winner Ore Oduba, Coronation Streets’ Wendi Peters and the much loved Bob Golding.

Royal & Derngate, Northampton NN1 1DP www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Beauty and the Beast 9th - 30th Dec

Expect spectacular scenery, glittering costumes, amazing special effects, plenty of audience participation and Harpenden’s pawfect panto pooch. Eric Morecambe Centre AL5 2FR www.the-emc.co.uk

Cinderella 9th Dec - 14th Jan Join Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, with laugh-out-loud comedy and plenty of boos and hisses.

Milton Keynes Theatre MK9 3NZ www.atgtickets.com

Rapunzel 16th - 31st Dec

An action packed, magical musical adventure, where people live in giant old boots and tall towers, and frog boys rap about enchanted ponds and girls with long hair battle more than split ends!

The SandPit Theatre, St Albans AL4 9NX www.sandpitpanto.co.uk

Blue Panto: Robin - Keep On Riding! 20th - 30th Dec

A saucy take on the tale, guaranteed to turn you a shade of Will Scarlett! Campus West, WGC AL8 6BX www.campuswest.co.uk 8

St Albans The Flooring Professionals You Can Trust KC Flooring Specialists Ltd are experts in all types of flooring

Visit our Local Showroom KC Flooring Specialists LTD 200 Watford Road, Chiswell Green, St Albans AL2 3EB

01727 869 692

www.kcflooring.co.uk

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01727 224802 M & M Decorators

Fully qualified City and Guilds Over 25 years experience All interior and exterior work undertaken Specialist in all types of wallpaper All work finished to a high professional standard Free quotations at competitive prices Matthew Hayden 01582 270715 01727 867660 07970 720911 mandmdecs@gmail.com mandm_decorators 10

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RTI AUTO SERVICES LTD

Specialist in Vehicle Servicing and Maintenance

MOT ONLY £35

Find us on Facebook

When Booked with a Full Service

@rtiautoservicesltd

− Servicing (all vehicles) − MOT’s − Tyres − Batteries

− Air Conditioning − Bodywork Repair − Remapping − Wheel Alignment

− Wheel Refurbishment − Timing Belts − Exhausts − Diagnostics

Free Vehicle Collection

Nutwood (Left Hand Gate), Down Green Lane, Wheathampstead AL4 8EB

Contact Robert Innes 07596 454 550

Friendly, Reliable, Independent Business 12

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www.arlandscapes.co.uk

A local family business offering regular, occasional and one off gardening and maintenance services Lawn Mowing I Hedge Cutting Weeding I Garden Clearance Fencing I Power Washing/Sealing Turfing I General Maintenance + Much more…

Contact us now for a free quote!

01582 529429 I 07854 449371 info@detailgardening.co.uk DetailGardening

www.detailgardening.co.uk

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Crown Reducing  Stump Grinding Hedge Trimming  Dead Wooding Felling & Dismantlement Seasoned Firewood  Pollarding Tree Reports Fully Qualified & Insured Staff Local Authority Approved Contractor

Offering New Services: Garden Clearance and Tidy Up Regular Garden Maintenance Tree and Shrub Pruning Hedge Cutting Planting Fencing and Patios including Repairs and Cleaning Water Features and Ponds All Aspects of Hard Landscaping

Please call 01727 757463 07747 692153

www.lanwarnelandscapes.co.uk

Christmas Trees

Logs, Kindling & Coal Winter Pansies & Winter Baskets 5 mins from Harpenden Town Centre

East Hyde LU1 3TS 01582 766728

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NOW for the Kids Festive Streets

Get together with your neighbours to decorate your windows. Sign up online for a free Festive Streets information pack and bring cheer to your neighbourhood. www.sustainablestalbans.org

Gingerbread Trail

the Arctic. Age 5+ £1 Tring Natural History Museum HP23 6AP www.nhm.ac.uk

Oaklands Zoo

3rd Dec 10am & 1pm The St Albans campus is home to a range of livestock, a fully functioning equine yard and the Habitat Centre, housing various animals including marmosets, lemurs, rabbits, aquatics and reptiles. Why not go along and get to know some of them. Please book, £7 Oaklands College AL4 0JA www.eventbrite.co.uk

until 23rd Dec Pick up a free trail map from St Albans Museum + Gallery, then head out around the festive streets, looking for 10 Gingerbread sculptures in Christingle Service shop windows. Write the names on your Trail 3rd Dec 4.30pm Sheet then pop it into Santa's post-box in the Museum in St Peter’s Street. 3 lucky winners will Children’s service in aid of The Children’s Society. receive a £50 Gift Card.

St Nicholas Church, Harpenden AL5 2TP

Christmas Competition: Find the Letter

Christingle Service

until 7th Jan Find Mr Jingles the Snowman in the Christmas displays, write down the letters he’s holding, then use them to guess the festive word.

5 lucky winners will win a £10 gift voucher.

Free activities for children, no booking required Aylett Nurseries, St Albans AL2 1DH www.aylettnurseries.co.uk

Christingle Service

Christmas Elf Cadet Training

2nd & 3rd Dec 10.30am - 3.30pm Have you ever wondered how Santa delivers so many gifts in one night? Well, now you can discover the secret, he brings in the experts, the RAF. Why not train to become one of the RAF’s finest Elf Cadets. Learn how to load the sleigh, pick the right aircraft for the job, map a route for Santa and lots more. Training combines the best of the RAF and a great big dollop of festive fun, all within the Museum hangars.

Child £5, please book RAF Museum London NW9 5LL www.rafmuseum.org.uk

Polar Bear Trail 2nd Dec - 3rd Jan

Go on a polar expedition around the galleries to find 12 lost polar bears hiding among the displays, and discover what other animals live in 18

9th Dec 5.45pm Service for children and young families.

St Stephen’s Church, St Albans AL1 2PT 10th Dec 3pm Children’s service in aid of The Children’s Society St John’s Church, Harpenden AL5 1DJ

Christmas Circus

16th - 31st Dec 11am, 1pm & 3pm With new acts including Kikin the Clown, stacking chairs and cube manipulation, hula hoops and aerial hoop, comedy trampoline antics, foot-juggling, audience participation and lots more. £8, family £28 Van Hage Garden Centre SG12 9RP www.vanhage.co.uk

Tracking Santa

Every year on Christmas Eve, in a programme set up in 1965 by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, you can track Santa as he leaves the North Pole and delivers presents to children around the world. Visit the website from 1st December and watch the countdown to Santa’s launch. www.noradsanta.org

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NOW for some Entertainment Exhibition: Hat Antics

until 19th Jan 10am - 5pm free An exhibition of hat artworks inspired by the collections at Wardown House Museum and The Hat Works in Stockport.

Hat Works, 47 Guildford Street, Luton LU1 2NQ www.culturetrust.com

Eric Morcambe Centre

Start Me Up! @ The Ultimate Civic Disco 1st Dec 7pm The Christmas ‘start up’ party of the year with 2Tone, the UCD Band and the fabulous 10 piece local soul legends SoulFish. £20, £25 Christmas for Everyone - Christchurch Carols 17th Dec free Family Carols 10.30am, Carols by Candlelight 7pm Hosted by Christchurch Harpenden.

FestiveLea 21st Dec 8pm An evening of popular carols and some beautiful (and occasionally silly) numbers for choir, presented by the Lea Singers. Proceeds from the raffle will go to The Harpenden Trust. Please book EMC Rothamsted Park, Harpenden AL5 2FR www.the-emc.co.uk

singing at St Albans City Station in aid of the Women's Refuge. Everyone is welcome. www.sigbi.org/st-albans

The Ballad of Rudy 5th - 24th Dec 2pm

In this story Rudy doesn't have a red nose, it's his talent for exciting new music that sets him apart from all the other Reindeer. Funny, warm and with a big heart, this show has live music, original songs and lots of imagination guaranteed to have you mesmerised from start to finish. Please book The Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE www.oldtownhall.co.uk

Christmas Concert 7th Dec 7.30pm

In aid of Harpenden charity the AT Society with carols, seasonal songs and readings performed by the Magic Voices and the Choir of Crabtree Junior School. Bar serving mulled wine from 7pm £12 in advance, £15 on the door, child £5 St John’s Church, Harpenden AL5 1DJ www.atsociety.org.uk

A Christmas Carol 7th - 23rd Dec

A seasonal, outdoor promenade experience in the atmospheric Roman Theatre of Verulamium. You’ll be immersed in the action as you’re led around the site

by Charles Dickens, meeting Scrooge, The Cratchits, Tiny Tim, The Fezziwigs and a few ghosts and ghouls who will try to point Ebenezer on a better path. All washed down with mulled wine, hot chocolate, seasonal snacks and lashings of Christmas cheer.

Magnificat 2nd Dec 7.30pm Please book £25, child £15 With Voix de Vivre and Amadeus Chamber Orchestra Roman Theatre of Verulamium, St Albans AL3 6AE JS Bach: Magnificat and Cantata BWV 50 www.ovo.org.uk Schönberg: Friede Auf Erden Knut Nystedt: Immortal Bach Christmas Charity Concert 9th Dec 3pm Bartók: Romanian Folk Dances Join the Music Makers Choir, with Aldwickbury £20, students/unwaged £5 School Chamber Choir for Christmas songs and St Saviour’s Church, St Albans AL1 4DF audience carols, then stay and enjoy mince pies. www.vdv-dev-23.timsawers.com Supporting St Albans Hygiene Bank with a bucket collection at the end. £10, child free Christmas Carols & Cake 2nd Dec 2pm High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden AL5 2RU Award winning choir Caritas Harmony will perform a www.ticketsource.co.uk/musicmakers short Christmas Concert. A Christmas celebration not to be missed. Tickets includes a hot drink and cake.

St Albans Organ Theatre Retiring collection to support The Hospice of Organ Concert with Chris Powell St Francis. £10 9th Dec 3pm High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden AL5 2RU Mechanical Instrument Christmas Special 10th Dec 3pm Shake Rattle and Sing!

320 Camp Road, St Albans AL1 5PE 4th Dec 5.30pm - 7pm www.stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk Soroptimist local women's group, will be festive 20

Maltings Theatre

Christmas with The Herts Big Band 9th Dec 8pm Join the award winning Herts Big Band and guest artist Peter Long for a night of jazz and plenty of festive cheer with some excellent arrangements of Christmas songs and carols. £13.50, concs £10 Baby Broadway Christmas 22nd Dec 4pm The whole family can sing and dance along to seasonal show tunes from hit musicals and wellknown songs from Christmas films, all performed by West End singers. Expect bubbles, bells, flying babies and puppetry! £13.50, child £4.50 Maltings Theatre, St Albans AL1 3HL www.ovo.org.uk

Peter Pan and Me 9th - 24th Dec

A fun adventure story for small people with big imaginations. Michael, the youngest of the Darling children has grown up. He’s always wondered about his childhood memories of flying in the night sky, and a far-away island of pirates, mermaids, fairies and Peter Pan! Join Michael as he tells his story about the boy who never grew up. £11, child £9 Hat factory Arts Centre, Bute Street, Luton LU1 2EY www.culturetrust.com

A Christmas Celebration 10th Dec 7.30pm With St Albans Choral Society John Francis Brown - Hertfordshire Carols, James Macmillan - O radiant dawn, plus carols and Christmas readings.

Malborough Road Methodist Church, St Albans AL1 3XG www.choralsociety.com

before, with a slew of silly-singalong-sea-shanties, plenty of preposterous pirates and dozens of doubloons. All in celebration of Lamphouse Theatre’s 10th anniversary. £13, concs £11 Trestle Arts Base, Russet Drive, St Albans AL4 0JQ www.trestle.org.uk

Carols in the Park - A Big Sing

16th Dec 4pm Enjoy carols, mulled wine and mince pies.

Highfield Park, Hill End Lane, St Albans www.highfieldparktrust.co.uk

St Albans Clock Tower

Traditional Christmas Carol Singers 16th Dec 12 noon - 2.30pm Beautiful acapella voices bringing Christmas cheer.

Festive Funky Hooping! 20th Dec 12pm - 2.30pm An interactive walkabout encouraging you to get into hoop spinning and join in with the Christmas spirit.

High Street, St Albans

The Lion the Witch & the Wardrobe

16th, 17th, 23rd, 27th & 28th Dec 2.30pm & 5.30pm 21st & 22nd Dec 7.30pm Join the Pevensie children as they set out on an adventure to save Narnia from everlasting winter. £15, concs £13, under 13’s £9 Westminster Lodge, St Albans AL1 2D www.abbeytheatre.org.uk

Christmas in Blue 18th Dec 8pm

An evening of festive jazz and Christmas close harmony with the Hardynge Choir, also featuring the ever-popular Richard Hills on the organ.

In support of the Hospice of St Francis.

Harpenden Mayor's Carol Concert £16, students £8, child free 0845 475 1664 12th Dec 6pm Enjoy a traditional sing-along concert with choirs from St John's Church, Harpenden AL5 1DJ www.hardyngechoir.org Sir John Lawes, Harpenden Academy and Katherine Warington School, in aid of local charities: Harpenden Christmas Music Day! Mencap and Herts Young Homeless. £6, child free 22nd Dec 9am - 11.30am & 12pm - 2.30pm jane.juby@harpenden.gov.uk 01582 463 662 A fun filled music day, with activities, games and St Nicholas Church, Harpenden AL5 2TP music ensembles. All instruments welcome.

Ages 7 - 14, £25, to book please email Grimm Tales themusicfactorylondon@gmail.com 15th - 23rd Dec 8pm & 23rd Dec 2.30pm St Nicholas School, Harpenden AL5 2TP Full of deliciously dark twists and turns, the tales come to life in all their glittering, macabre brilliance, a Dancing Christmas Tree & delight for children and adults alike. the Lairy Fairy 22nd Dec 12noon - 2.30pm Barn Theatre, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6ST There’s a Christmas Tree on the loose, dancing to www.barntheatre.co.uk cheesy Christmas tunes, and sneaking up on you to nab a piece of your mince pie! But fear not the Lairy Treasure Island 16th Dec 2.30pm & 8.30pm Fairy is there to keep everything under control.

This is Treasure Island as you’ve never seen it www.theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588313 St Albans wendy@theNOWmagazines.com Town Centre 21

Hatfield House

Out of Town Waddesdon

Christmas Fair 22nd Nov - 17th Dec The Manor will be transformed into a fantastical and festive wonderland with new displays in the house and light projections on the Manor façade inspired by three classic tales. Go on a magical adventure as you enter the wondrous world of Alice in Wonderland, find the Snow Queen’s kingdom and fly with Peter Pan to Neverland.

Grounds from £10, grounds & house from £16.50 Christmas Afternoon Tea 22nd Nov - 1st Jan 12.30pm - 5pm Treat yourself to a selection of savoury treats and sweet fancies. Please book £32.50, child £17.50 Winter Cellar Tour & Tasting 24th Nov & 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd Dec 2.30pm £15 Enjoy wine tasting and a tour of the historic cellars, while learning the history of wine production that interweaves the three wine producing arms of the Rothschild family.

Waddesdon HP18 0JH www.waddesdon.org.uk

Shuttleworth

Shuttleworth in Lights 24th Nov - 17th Dec £13.50, child £8 See the Swiss Garden lit up in spectacular new ways, then take the illuminated trail through over 100 years of aviation and automotive history; from the WW1 aircraft that soared above no-man’s land to those that have starred in Hollywood blockbusters, steam engines, buses, motorbikes, carriages and much more.

Mental Elf 10th Dec Hosted by Mind BLMK with lots of Christmas fun and an exclusive route around the grounds, each entrant will receive a victory medal and other goodies. This unique event focuses on bringing people together, not only to fundraise, but to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing. It’s accessible to all ages and abilities, and of course, Christmas fancy dress is very much encouraged!

Biggleswade SG18 9DT www.shuttleworth.org 22

Fantastical Christmas Revels 30th Nov - 31st Dec 1pm - 7pm Step into the realm of Tudor festivities hosted

by Elizabeth I in a journey through time and tradition, where yuletide merriment meets regal majesty. £28, child £14 Christmas Tudor Banquet 1st Dec 6.30pm A feast fit for a King, traditional Tudor music, wine and mead, and immersive story telling on Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and many more historical figures. £96 Hatfield AL9 5HX www.hatfield-house.co.uk

Your Christmas Party

1st - 21st Dec selected dates Knebworth Barns is the perfect place for your festive celebrations, these shared party nights include a glass of prosecco, 3 course dinner and disco. £69 www.knebworthhouse.com

Christmas at Bletchley Park

1st Dec - 2nd Jan Have yourself a very vintage Christmas, with stunning 1940s decorations, festive food and more.

Family Activities 16th, 17th, 20th & 22nd Dec Make-do and mend by creating decorations and gifts, including woolly hats and stained glass decorations or test your logic skills in the location puzzle to deliver cards to the Codebreakers. Ages 5-14 28th - 30th Dec Fun-filled activities inspired by the exhibition, The Art of Data. How can we use art to help us understand the world around us? Try mapping out clues to solve a Bletchley Park puzzle. Create your own paintings and bracelets and add to the community artwork. £35.50, ages 12-17 £17, under 12s free Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes MK3 6EB www.bletchleypark.org.uk

Christmas at Wrest Park

1st Dec - 1st Jan 4pm - 8.30pm A new, interactive light trail with a host of light installations designed to fit in with the natural surroundings, expect the unexpected as you immerse yourself in a world of seasonal sparkle and festive cheer, with surprises around every corner, and festive food, warming cocktails and pictureperfect moments to add to this exciting new spectacle. Please book Wrest Park, Silsoe, Beds MK45 4HR www.english-heritage.org.uk

Nativity Crib Festival

2nd & 3rd Dec 11am - 5pm See the beautiful, medieval, church filled with Nativity Crib sets. Last year there were 260 cribs made from an array of materials - such as Nescafe pods or banana leaves! They come from as far away as New Zealand and Alaska, but what makes them so special are the stories telling us why they are important to the families that own them.

St Ippolyts Church, Hitchin SG4 7PE

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NOW at the Cathedral

Graffiti Artist in Residence: Community Drop-In 2nd Dec 11am - 12.30pm Find out more about graffiti art and contribute to the making of a Renaissance collaborative project. All ages, free The Snowman Tour 2nd Dec 3.15pm & 6.30pm prices vary A special performance featuring two much-loved and iconic animated films, The Snowman and Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers, with live accompaniment from an outstanding professional orchestra.

The Carol Concert

by The Hospice of St Francis 3rd Dec 3pm A magical afternoon of carols and Christmas readings, with performances from talented local choirs, thoughtful festive readings and plenty of audience participation.

Advent Procession 3rd Dec 6pm A beautiful candlelit service combining readings and music to mark the start of the season of Advent. The service sees the choir start in the Quire, and slowly progress to the West End in the Nave, and finally to the Nave altar.

Willow Carol Concert 5th Dec 7.30pm Carols sung by the Hertfordshire Chorus in aid of local charity the Willow Foundation. £15.50 - £19.50, child £9 The Vikings: Vandals or Victors of St Albans? 6th Dec Uncover a story of Viking rampage and discover why St Albans was likely a natural target for their attacks.

St Albans Bach Choir Carol Concerts 9th Dec 3pm - Family Concert suitable for children 7pm - Carol Concert Two concerts of Christmas music performed by Embassy Brass, James McVinnie on the organ and St Albans Bach Choir.

Christingle 10th Dec 2.30pm A service using a special symbol, a decorated orange, to explore the story of God’s love for the world at Christmas.

Carols on the Hour 16th Dec 11am - 4pm Services on the hour, every hour.

Live Nativity Trail 16th Dec 12 noon - 3pm Experience the Nativity of Bethlehem right here in St Albans!

Parish Eucharist with Nativity 17th Dec 9.30am All are welcome Organ Meditation - Messiaen's La Nativité du Seigneur 19th Dec Tom Winpenny, Assistant Master of Music performs La Nativité du Seigneur, Oliver Messaien's evocative Christmas organ cycle.

Lessons and Carols 21st Dec & 22nd Dec 7.30pm Incredibly atmospheric and beautiful services, opening with the choir singing Silent Night as candlelight spills through the cathedral.

Crib Services 24th Dec 1pm & 2.30pm These services welcome children and families and are the perfect break from Christmas shopping.

Choral Vespers on Christmas Eve 24th Dec 5pm A traditional service with a Christmas flavour.

Midnight Mass 24th Dec 11pm Christmas Day Eucharist 8am Parish Eucharist 9.30pm Choral Eucharist 11.15pm Carols on Boxing Day 4pm New Year's Eve Eucharist 8am & 10am Carol Service 4pm

St Albans Cathedral AL1 1BY www.stalbanscathedral.org 26

Senior Citizens 10% off all prices Dry Cut Wash & Cut Blow Dry Cut & Blow Dry Blow Dry After Treatment Restyle & Finish Shampoo & Set Cut & Set Perm from

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Caring & Sharing

Hospice Winter Warmer Donation Drive 25th Nov - 31st Dec 10am - 4pm Getting a new coat for Christmas, if so why not St Albans Postbox Toppers donate your old one, Ashridge House will have a They are made by volunteers with love, donation drum in the courtyard by The imagination and at no cost. All money received is Bakehouse where you can donate coats and paid directly to charity. This years’ charity is good quality accessories, like scarves and Cancer Hair Care, a Hertfordshire based charity, gloves. These will be sold in the Hospice shops that supports children, young people and adults or given to those in need this winter. throughout their cancer hair loss journey. Just The Courtyard, Ashridge House, visit the website to see a map of topper locations Berkhamsted HP4 1NS and to donate. www.stalbanspostboxes.org.uk Wear it Festive Pick a date that works for you, and wear any Compassionate Café Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care is launching festive garment to work or school, from snowman socks to full-on festive frocks! Spread a little a new Compassionate Café, run in partnership extra joy and get friends, colleagues or school with Harpenden Trust at its Well Bean Café, above the Co-op, Southdown Road. The Café is mates to join in while supporting The Hospice.

Simply donate £1 via the website now open on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, for residents from the AL5 area, providing Did you know that just £84 could pay for a space for local people affected by bereavement Christmas lunch for 12 patients on the In Patient Unit, complete with mince pies, mulled wine and or any kind of loss to meet others by coming crackers. Your support could really help patients together for a cuppa and a chat. and their families smile this Christmas. www.renniegrovepeace.org www.stfrancis.org.uk

Rennie Grove Peace

Workshop: Christmas Wreath Making 6th Dec Join head gardener Sue Hobley at Grove House or if you can't make it on the day, why not sign up to the virtual workshop, get some friends over and enjoy a glass or two of mulled wine and get creative joining in from home. £40 Grove House, Waverly Road, St Albans

Big Festive Quiz of the Year

Download this years’ festive family quiz during December for a Christmas themed challenge. £5 www.renniegrovepeace.org

The Hospice of St Francis

Wild Christmas Charity Run 9th Dec registration 9.30am - 10am A family friendly guided run open to everyone.

The 2k route will have festive activities along the way, with the 8k route taking in some beautiful local trails, while guides will provide tips and fun local info en-route. With mince pies, mulled wine and a prize for the best fancy dress. £20, child over 13yrs £5 Berkhamsted Cricket Club HP4 1HE

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Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity

Light Up a Life 22nd Dec This special ceremony raises funds for the Special Care Baby Unit at Bedford Hospital and the NICU Parents’ Accommodation at the L&D, with the lighting of the hospitals’ Christmas trees lights. Lights costing £5 or three for £10 can be purchased as a gift, or in memory of a departed relative or friend.

Give a Gift Most patients go home for Christmas Day, but the Charity works hard to brighten the day for those staying in hospital, you can help too by buying a gift directly from the Amazon Wishlist at www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/charity/givea-gift-appeal General Volunteering You could be a part of a wonderful volunteering team, roles include companionship, shop trolley rounds and admin-based activities, kick-start the process now and email voluntary.services@ldh.nhs.uk for Luton & Dunstable Hospital or for Bedford, email voluntary.services@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs

www.theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588313 wendy@theNOWmagazines.com

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07500 801192

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DJ&M Plumbing Services Ltd We care about your small jobs too! ● Electric and Power Showers Fitted ● Ball Valves and Overflows ● Blocked WC’s, Sinks, Baths and

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products made by local crafts people including jewellery, candles, preserves and gin, perfect for a bit of Christmas shopping. Please book Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles HP8 4AB www.coam.org.uk

Christmas Markets & Fairs Cards for Good Causes until 17th Dec

Charity Christmas cards, gifts, decorations, wrapping paper and advent calendars.

-Harpenden United Reformed Church, Vaughan Road AL5 4ED - St Albans Museum + Gallery, St Peters Street www.cardsforcharity.co.uk

The Barn

until 23rd Dec Thursdays - Sundays 10am - 5pm A treasure trove of gifts, paintings, jewellery, accessories and much more, in a warm and friendly atmosphere, pop along and treat yourself or shop for some special gifts.

Home Farm, Wheathampstead AL4 8RQ

Southdown Lights and Lanterns

1st Dec 5.30pm - 7.30pm Lights switch on 6.15pm With stalls, Santa's grotto, carols, fun fair, a lantern parade and more.

Southdown Parade, Harpenden Christmas Market with local stall holders 4 - 8pm The Engineer, St John's Rd, Harpenden AL5 1DJ

Christmas Creative Market

2nd Dec 11am - 4pm Unique handmade gifts from local businesses.

St Albans Museum + Gallery AL1 3DH www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Christmas Celebrations

2nd Dec 12pm - 5pm Indoor Christmas Market, short family films, live nativity and activity area. The Vineyard Church, Brick Knoll Park, St Albans AL1 5UG

Hertfordshire Christmas Fair

2nd & 3rd Dec 10am - 4pm Celebrating all good things for Christmas from food and drink to arts, crafts and gifts, enjoy browsing, sampling and buying.

Hertfordshire Showground, Redbourn AL3 7PT

Festive Weekend

2nd & 3rd Dec 10am - 4pm Learn about how Christmas was celebrated in the past and see some of the Museum’s historic buildings traditionally decorated for Christmas.

There will be a small artisan Christmas market and the Museum’s shop will be full of handmade 34

Standalone Farm Christmas Market

2nd, 3rd, 9th & 10th Dec See the farmyard turned into a magical festive market with food stalls, mulled cider, live music, children’s festive activities and some of the animals might even make an appearance!

Letchworth Garden City SG6 4JN www.standalonefarm.com

Redbourn Christmas Market

3rd Dec 11am - 5pm With over 100 stalls selling beautiful crafts and gifts by local artists, food stalls, a local brewery, mulled wine and mince pies and the chance to see Father Christmas and his elves!

Cumberland Gardens & Village Hall, Redbourn High St AL3 7GH www.redbournchristmasmarket.com

Shuttleworth Christmas Market

9th & 10th Dec 10am - 4pm free entry A variety of local food, craft and gift stalls.

Biggleswade SG18 9DT www.shuttleworth.org

St Albans Market Days

13th - 16th & 20th - 24th Dec In the run up to Christmas the market will be open on these days. www.stalbans.gov.uk/markets

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Effective low cost advertising that really works!

12 months 1/4 page £33 per edition 1/3 page £40 per edition 1/2 page £49 per edition Full page £84 per edition

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Enjoy your free time and let us do the hard work for you General household and office cleaning Moving in / out cleans Experienced in elderly or housebound clients Reliable key-holders Proficient in alarm systems

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Index of Businesses Accountants

14

Hicks

Electrician

St Albans Sparks

33

Flooring

Blinds & Shutters Harpenden Blinds Shuttercraft

35 35

9

KC Flooring Specialists Ltd

Footcare

29

Feet First

Building

AJR Building Services Eco Tiffin Greenfield Projects Open Plan Solutions

33 35 Front Cover 32

Car Body Repairs

Prestige Paint Shop Ltd

Car Servicing / Repairs RTI Auto Services Ltd

12

Charity

Rennie Grove Peace - Rudolph Run

Chimney Sweep

Home Sweep Home

Christmas Pop Up Shop Village & Co

Computer Repairs Ken Hodson

36

Garden Nursery

17

3

AR Landscapes Ltd 16 Detail Gardening & Maintenance 16 Lanwarne Landscapes Ltd 17 Woburn Heating

3

Image Mobile Hairdressing Oxona Healthcare Spire Harpenden Hospital

27 27 24 & 25

Hearing Services 37 36 37 38

Hearing Healthcare Practice

Home Care

The Project at Home 19 19

31 7 29

Abbots Care Caring Connections

Interior Designers

Painters & Decorators CB Decorators M & M Decorators

Back Cover

Locksmiths

Lock Around the Clock Locksmith Services

10 11

Pest Control

36

Plumber

DJ&M Plumbing Services Ltd

33 & 39

The 50 Plus

Roofing

GJ Smith Roofing Maximum Security Systems Ltd

Singing Club

Clover Singing Club

Slimmimg Lighter Life

Solicitors

Abbey Law Rayden Solicitors

Tree Surgeons

Fircroft Tree Surgery Ltd

Windows

Cloud 9 Glazing

Wine School

Hertfordshire Wine School

Ken Hodson

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Security

Local Computer Hardware and Software Repairs Upgrades and Advice for Home and Business ● ● ●

23 10 10

Property Maintenance

Gardening / Landscaping

Healthcare

Dance & Drama Penny Waterman School of Dance Stagecoach

Austin’s

Hairdressing

Cleaning

A&R Roof & Hard Surface Cleaning & Restoration Ltd Merrivac Molly Maid

2

Gas & Heating Engineer 28

Home Counties Loft Ladders

The Verminator

Funeral Directors

Bridge Valley Nursery 12

Loft Ladders

We have made every effort to ensure that any material published in harpenden NOW is correct and can accept no liability for any errors or delays in publication or distribution, harpenden NOW accepts no responsibility for its advertisers.

11 39 5 14 15 26 13 27

DJ&M

PLUMBING SERVICES LTD ●

●

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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

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 Electrical

Dean Herrington

07830 159010

info@djmplumbing.co.uk

01727 764217

www.djmplumbing.co.uk

Wishing all our Clients a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year

W lun e also che en trip s & t joy h s to e get atre her

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