harpenden NOW Feb 14

harpenden February 2014

NOW

Look inside for...

BBC Three Counties Consumer Advice

Harpenden Film Society

St Albans Pancake Race Lambing Day Snowdrop Days Out NOW at the Museums Local Walks

What’s on and more...

read ‘the NOW magazines’ online

promoting local businesses organisations and events since 2006

choose local first To advertise contact 07983 588313 wendy@theNOWmagazines.com

Welcome to February

February is often a month for new things, from making wedding plans to the arrival of newborn lambs and of course the beginnings of spring, with crocuses and snowdrops hopefully appearing everywhere.

Every year we plan to join in the St Albans Pancake Race, and this year is no exception, if we can get our act together we’ll flippin’ well be there this year, so hopefully see you there...

Jane is delighted to have finally sorted out her back garden, and we can’t wait for the summer so at last we can sit out on a nice sunny day working on the magazines together.

And Wendy is looking forward to her husband coming back to work in London after working away for the last 6 months...but might struggle with the remote control handover!

Harpenden Film Society

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films for you

A Whirlwind Weekend

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The International Salvation Army Band

Pet Proofing Your Garden 12 keep cats & dogs at bay

Snowdrop Days Out 14 see them in all their glory

NOW at the Cathedral 18 tours, services & concerts

NOW for a Local Walk 26 step on it!

Flippin’ Good Fun! 28 St Albans Pancake Race

NOW at the Museums 30 gadgets, goggles & a mystery trail

And of course don’t forget if you need a local business pick up your copy of ‘harpenden NOW’ or just read it every month online.

jane & wendy To advertise call 07983 588313 / 291 wendy@thenowmagazines.com

www.theNOWmagazines.com Deadline for March: 10th February

Consumer Advice NOW 32 BBC Three Counties Radio

Lambing Day 36 come & see the new born lambs

What’s on in February 42 & March 44 Index of Businesses 46 accountants to windows & doors

To advertise contact 07983 588313 wendy@theNOWmagazines.com

Harpenden Film Society Friday 7th Feb - Untouchable cert 15 8pm Charity screening in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support Fantastically funny and uplifting subtitled French film, about the friendship that develops between a white middle class disabled man, and his black carer. Tickets are £10 which includes a glass of wine and nibbles. Great cause and a great film!

Tickets from Harpenden Public Halls or by emailing: jac@events-plus.co.uk

Thursday 13th Feb - The Great Gatsby cert 12A 7.30pm Adaptation of the classic novel, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan.

Saturday 22nd Feb - Brave cert PG 3pm

scientific research has shown that singing can also help reduce snoring!

If you suffer from snoring or are fed up at being kept awake by your partner’s nocturnal noises, joining your local Rock Choir could be the answer to uninterrupted sleep. Joining a choir can help boost people’s mental health and wellbeing and, scientific research has shown that singing can also help reduce snoring!

Local Rock Choir leader Abigail Smith explains: “Singing helps to exercise and strengthen muscles in the soft palette, which is where the snoring vibration occurs...We’re always receiving emails and letters from choir members telling us how much being in Rock Choir is helping them to feel happier, increase their confidence and even lose weight. So this is yet another bonus!”

Great Pixar animation about Princess Merida, who is determined to make her own path in life. In defying custom Merida must rely on her archery skills and her bravery to undo a beastly curse.

Tickets £2 for under 16's.

Rock Choir member Dagmar Rathbone says her husband has noticed a difference since she joined Rock Choir: “Apparently my snoring is now quieter, “says Dagmar. “My husband says I’ve gone from a tank to a motorbike!”

Wednesday 26th Feb - The Heat

Abigail runs Rock Choir’s fun, weekly sessions in Hertford, St Albans and Watford.

cert 15 8pm Buddy buddy cop comedy with a difference!

Starring Sandra Bullock and Bridesmaid's Melissa McCarthy as an uptight FBI Special Agent and a foul-mouthed Boston cop who have to take down a ruthless drug lord.

Harpenden Public Halls Members £3.50, £5 for non members www.harpendenfilmsociety.co.uk

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Choir Offers Hope for Snorers!

To book a free taster session or find out more, call 01252 714 276 or visit www.rockchoir.com

Harpenden Window Cleaning • • • •

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Gutter Vac (Gutters Cleaned)

Fully Experienced Window Cleaners Inside Windows Cleaned (if required) Lots of recommendations and references from Harpenden customers Based in Milton Road 07757 499296 01582 450934 www.harpendenclean.co.uk

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 Ironing collection / delivery on request Reliable key-holders Proficient in alarm systems

Phone for a free quotation 01582 750995 07719 657125 www.merrivac.co.uk ~ Taking care of your Home ~

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A Whirlwind Weekend

The International Staff Band of the Salvation Army (ISB) comes to Harpenden for the weekend of 22nd and 23rd February. The ISB, led by Bandmaster Dr Stephen Cobb is the ultimate and premier band of The Salvation Army.

They regularly play around the world touring many countries, and have played at The Royal Albert Hall, Wembley and even the House of Commons.

The whirlwind weekend will start with an amazing and They have spellbinding played at concert at the The Royal High Street Albert Hall, Methodist Church on the Wembley evening of the and even 22nd February the House at 7pm. The of Commons concert is expected to sell out quite quickly, so please get your tickets early. The weekend will continue when the ISB will be leading the Sunday morning service at Harpenden Salvation Army, Leyton Green at 10.15am and then a small concert again at 3.30pm.

To book tickets contact Jeremy on 07774 312960.

Adults £8, under 16’s £5, family £25.

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Domestic Appliance Repairs

before

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after

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Special Offer 3 piece suite & lounge cleaned for £99 January only

Professional Carpet, Curtain and Upholstery Cleaners

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Fully trained and insured 18 years experience Safe for children and pets Chemical free techniques are used Approved by David Lister Interiors and Delightful Designs Silk/Persian/Arabic rugs and leather upholstery also cleaned Free quotations or friendly advice Local family run business Stain removal/anti allergy and dust mite treatments

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We even move the furniture and put it back for you!

Fast drying times, you can walk on carpets straight away.

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Old Times 17th - 19th February ‘Old Times’ will be the first play by Harold Pinter presented by the society in its 67 year history. Set in a farmhouse in the early 1970s, the play explores the relationships and memories of three characters relating back to the 1950s and their time in London. With Pinter’s interest in power relationships it is no surprise that it shifts from one to another throughout the play and in this way he keeps us gripped by the beguiling properties of the eternal triangle.

Memorial Hall, Marford Road, Wheathampstead, 8pm Tickets £8 from Manor Pharmacy, Wheathampstead & Harpenden wheathampsteaddramaticsociety.co.uk

CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

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St Albans MusicCity

15th - 23rd March

Immerse yourself in the twilight leafy metropolis that is St Albans MusicCity!

St Albans has a rich musical history and continues to foster a vibrant scene. This is a celebration of that scene which encompasses everything from traditional folk, blues and jazz through to indie, metal and pop across all the key music pubs and venues in the district!

As part of St Albans MusicCity 2014 The Pioneer Youth Centre will be hosting a special celebratory (all ages) gig on the opening Saturday followed by an after-show gig at The Horn. The Pioneer Youth Centre will also be the subject of a complimentary exhibition at The Museum of St Alban, for the whole of March, celebrating their integral role in the St Albans Music (and skateboard) scene, from The Zombies to Enter Shikari and beyond.

MusicCity will remind you of the variety and quality of local music venues and promoters who make St Albans such an amazing city all year round!

There will be opportunities to join in workshops and open mic sessions as well as special events around the district.

Programmes can be picked up at all participating venues and from the Tourist Information Centre or downloaded at www.stalbans.gov.uk/musiccity www.lemonrock.com/musiccity For further information contact grae.wall@leisureconnection.co.uk Voices photographed at Pioneer Youth Centre

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L.C. WESTON FUNERAL DIRECTORS The Only Independent Funeral Directors and Monumental Masons In The Area Personal attention Home arrangements available 14 Leyton Road Harpenden 01582 712865 (24 hours)

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with as unfortunately they tend to do their ‘toileting’ along the edges of their territory, making your garden a prime target area.

If this is a problem the more bare soil there is, the There’s always a lot to say about more likely a cat will start to use it as a loo! small pests such as greenfly and Ground cover planting is essential and you could so forth, but early in the year it’s use temporary annual flowers to fill in gaps between some of the bigger ‘residents’ longer term planting. If you find these too are which can drive you around the scuffed up then cover newly planted areas of bend. I’m talking about cats and bedding with an arch of chicken mesh or sticks with dogs. What can you do to ensure taut string tied between them. Obviously this will that you continue to garden look messy but can be removed promptly once the happily, successfully and safely, plants have rooted and started to establish, the despite the fact the garden is electronic cat deterrent ‘Cat-Watch’ works well too. visited by cats and dogs.

Mulching materials can cause problems and despite You may need to consider what the label says the cocoa shell mulches seem actively fencing off one part of the garden for your to attract cats. Generally speaking soggy mulches dog, and trying to keep another area completely dog or anything with a strong smell tend to deter cats, as free. If you have a problem with “trespassing” dogs, they hate digging in moist material. Take extreme you will of course need to mend broken fence care if dogs use the garden as cocoshell mulches panels and block access, if this won’t resolve the can prove fatal to them. Mulches made of large problem then you can try a deterrent such as ‘Foxpebbles or stones also tend to keep them at bay, Watch’. but smaller diameter gravel or shingle seems to be Sometimes a few strategically planted dense and quite attractive to some cats. prickly shrubs such as pyracantha may help to deter Areas of freshly sown seed are best protected either digging paws. Obviously you don’t want to cause by chicken mesh or sticks and string. Remember to the animal harm, but something sharp, prickly or keep the string taut at all times, as there’s a slight simply very dense can act as a good deterrent to risk that birds could become entangled in it.

by Pippa Greenwood unwanted cats. Neighbour’s cats are trickier to deal

Pet Proofing Your Garden

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THE FLOWER SCHOOL “Come and be Creative with Flowers” Let florist Anita Lindeman teach you how to make stunning arrangements with beautiful flowers and foliage in a calm relaxed atmosphere.

SPRING WORKSHOPS FOR 2014 Spring Hand Tied Aqua Pack Bouquet Thurs 6th Feb 7.30pm - 9.30pm Flower School £35 Vintage Cup Cake and Buttonhole Thurs 20th Feb 10 -12pm Flower School £35

MAKE FLOWERS FOR MOTHERS DAY Thurs 27th March 7.30pm - 9.30pm Victorian Schoolroom £35 Fri 28th March 10 -12pm New House Park £35 Create something really special for yourself or your Mum (why not bring her along too).

THREE WEEK SPRING FLORISTRY COURSE 7.30pm - 9.30pm Starts 27th Feb £90 Flowers and foliage provided each week Just bring yourself! The course is on three Thursday evenings in the calm, relaxing atmosphere of the Victorian Schoolroom at Childwickbury, using stunning spring flowers!

07906 655641 anita.lindeman@ntlworld.com www.theflowerschoolstalbans.co.uk

Gardens4u Landscaping & Maintenance Great Prices on all the below: Landscaping Fencing Hedge Trimming Garden Clearance Stump Removal Shed Bases & More....

Free Estimates

www.gardenswww.gardens-4-u.co.uk 07584 576211 www.theNOWmagazines.com

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Snowdrop Days Out

February is a month filled with hope, and not just for romantics. As the days lengthen we gardeners take heart, as snowdrops herald the beginning of spring, their tiny nodding flowers peeking through the frozen soil.

It’s also the ideal time to plant snowdrops, which are best planted with their leaves intact, soon after flowering in February or March. Set them out in groups in sun or part shade, ideally beneath deciduous trees, where the soil won't become waterlogged.

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To see snowdrops in all their glory, visit one of these local open gardens, where you can enjoy these wonderful flowers in beautifully landscaped grounds.

Some of the gardens also sell snowdrops, or you can by them from specialists, such as Avon Bulbs 01460 242177 www.avonbulbs.co.uk Benington Lordship 08701 261709 beningtonlordship.co.uk This breathtaking garden just outside Stevenage is famous for its huge drifts of rare and unusual snowdrops, which cover most of the moat and grounds around the Norman castle and house.

Open daily from 8th Feb - 2nd March 12-4pm. (photograph taken by A Kersting) Myddelton House 08456 770 600 visitleevalley.org.uk The Alpine Meadow and Rock Garden at Myddelton House in Enfield, Middlesex, are covered with snowdrops from February to March.

Open daily 9.30-4.30pm.

Chippenham Park 01638 721416 chippenhamparkgardens.info Just beyond Cambridge, a visit to Chippenham is well worth the drive, with acres of woodland and lakeside gardens carpeted with snowdrops and other spring bulbs. Open weekends in February from 11-4pm

by Zia Allaway at The Garden Room. Learn more about plants and garden design at Zia’s gardening workshops in Harpenden.

andrew@arlandscapes.co.uk

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M&M Decorating Fully qualified City and Guilds Over 11 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 mobile: 07743 333065

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Matthew Hayden 01727 835244 07970 720911

Refurbishing, Improving or Extending Your Home?

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I & B ELECTRICAL Free Quotes & Competitive Prices ♦PAT

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0800 612 1350

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What a catch!

Nick The Handyman All aspects of Property Maintenance ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Just before the New Year in Verulamium Park we spotted a group of people by the stream and wondered what was going on, so went to take a look and were amazed to see a beautiful kingfisher perched on a branch the other side of the stream. It didn’t seem at all shy of all the onlookers and then delighted us by diving in and catching this fish. photo kindly sent by Alison Shirley

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Kitchen Fitter Tiling & Carpentry Fencing & Roofing General Brickwork Patios & Driveways Electrical Repairs Painting & Decorating, Inside & Outside No Job too Small Free Estimates References Available Friendly & Reliable Service 07737 284711 nick.morgan87@googlemail.com

Harpenden Blinds

Let us Create a Beautiful Floor For You

We Supply & Fit All Types of Blinds Awnings & Shutters Curtains Tracks & Poles Specialising in Bay Windows

We Supply and Fit Solid Wood, Engineered Wood, Laminate and Vinyl • Various designs including parquet, herringbone and borders • Re-sand existing floors (95% dust-free)

Free No Obligation Consultation, Measuring & Quotation

Winter Sale!

25% off Patio Awnings 20% off all Blinds Shutters Poles & Curtains

80% of our Work is from Customer Recommendation Fully Insured For a free consultation 01707 373336 07834 412105 info@creativewoodflooring.co.uk www.creativewoodflooring.co.uk Teresa & Kevin Buckler

1 Claudian Place, St Albans Showroom: 12 Garden Ct WGC AL7 1BH

01582 461639 kevin.buckler@fit-ex.com www.fit-ex.com/hertfordshire 20 Bewdley Close Harpenden

Bespoke Framing Servi Service vice

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NOW at the Cathedral Epiphany and Candlemas Carol Service 2nd Feb 6.30pm A beautiful service of music and readings, sung by the Abbey Girls Choir and men of the Cathedral Choir.

More to Explore: The Tower 2nd Feb 3pm Our extremely rare Norman crossing tower comes under the spotlight.

Take a close look at its structure and its restoration.

Lunchtime Organ Recital 12th Feb 12.30 Timothy Ravalde, Assistant Organist, Chichester Cathedral Free, with retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds.

Family Discovery Morning - Wear and Tear 20th Feb 10am - 12.30pm The oldest parts of the Cathedral are over 900 years old.

Come and explore how the building has fared over that time.

Free, but donations gratefully received Abbey by Night Tour 26th Feb 8pm and 8.30pm See St Albans Cathedral in a whole new light on this unique, atmospheric tour which gives you the rare chance to explore it by candlelight. As darkness descends, you will be guided around the candlelit venue by monks and historical characters who bring to life the building’s remarkable history and highlights. The tours last approximately one hour and start with a drinks reception 15 minutes before the tour start time in the Abbot's Kitchen at the Cathedral.

Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban 01727 890283 www.stalbanscathedral.org

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DJ&M Plumbing Services Ltd We care about your small jobs too! ● Electric and Power Showers ● Ball Valves and Overflows

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WC’s, Sinks, Baths and Basins ● Repair/Renew Stopcocks and Taps ● Plumb in Washing Machines and Dishwashers ● Repair Leaking Pipes ● Outside Taps Dean Herrington 01727 764217 07830 159010 info@djmplumbing.co.uk

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WE’VE MOVED! THE ULTIMATE GARDENING EXPERIENCE

LANDSCAPING, MAINTENANCE & MOWERS

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LANDSCAPING DESIGN & BUILD labour on all mower services GARDEN MAINTENANCE when you mention this advert & GRASS CUTTING MOWERS: SALES SERVICING & REPAIRS √ √ √ √

Second-hand petrol mowers with 3 months warranty & parts We also buy petrol mowers New Mowers sold Hayter, Honda & Mountfield Very competitive prices

NOW AT: Unit 2 Irradion House Southdown Industrial Estate Harpenden AL5 1PW jane@pandbservices.co.uk 01582 765522 www.pandbservices.co.uk Due to our continuing success, we have moved to better premises in a more central location in Harpenden.

We now offer so much more, including garden and property management, a full landscape service as well as our efficient cost effective mower sales and repair service.

With over 30 years experience we provide a high quality landscaping service. Fencing, decking, turfing, patio and driveways, a complete makeover for your garden, including planting of trees and shrubs.

Our qualified team also specialise in

maintenance contracts, grass and hedge cutting, garden clearance and tidy up.

We have a new fully functioning workshop where we service and repair all types of mowers including ride on mowers, and repair most garden machinery.

We also sell new and second hand mowers.

"What a wonderful job you have done for us. You have totally transformed my garden and left us with something that is breath taking! Thank you very much" Mr Harmer

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NOW for a local walk Enjoy the countryside on your doorstep with the popular ‘St Albans, Harpenden & Villages Health Walks’. Led by trained volunteers the walks take place whatever the weather. Best of all they are completely free!

Wheathampstead Tuesdays 10.30am Meet at the public car park behind The Bull, East Lane, Wheathampstead, AL4 8BL Hatching Green Thursdays 10.30am Hatching Green, Redbourn Lane, Harpenden, AL5 2JP (on road parking only) Mackerye End Saturdays 1st Feb, 1st March and 5th April, 2pm Meet at the public car park behind The Bull, Wheathampstead Greenwood Park Fridays 2pm Meet outside Greenwood Park Community Centre, Tippendell Lane, Chiswell Green Bricket Wood Sunday 16th March, 10.30am Moor Mill Pub car park, off Smug Oak Lane, Bricket Wood Heartwood Forest Sunday 16th Feb and 27th April 10.30am Meet in Heartwood Forest car park, High Street, Sandridge www.hertslink.org/cms/healthwalks

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Julia Reading BSC (Hons) MChS, HPC Registered Podiatrist

I Treat The Following Foot Conditions Corns * Callous * Fungal nails Ingrowing toe nails * Verrucas General foot health advice For an appointment please phone

07746 472781 / 01582 760200 Southdown Chiropody Practice Southdown Clinic, 136a Southdown Road

Mondays & Fridays Tuesdays pm

Home Visits Available

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St Albans Pancake Race Tuesday 4th March 12 noon St Peter’s Street

Flippin’ Good Fun!

We are looking for teams of 4 people! If you would like to take part or know a business or community group that would, please email: ann.austin@stalbans.gov.uk

Pancake Facts ♦ Over a lifetime an average person will eat 7,300 eggs. ♦ Brits will eat 52 million eggs on Pancake Day, that’s 22 million more

than on a normal day. ♦ Just about every country has its own version of the pancake,

such as: buckwheat flour galettes of Brittany; sweet Cretan tiganítes of Greece; Moroccan semolina baghrir and Russian buckwheat-flour blinis. ♦ In the village of Olney, Shrove Tuesday has been celebrated with a pancake race since 1445. It is said the tradition began when one harassed wife heard the shriving bell and ran off to church, still clutching her frying pan. ♦ The largest pancake ever tossed measured 15 metres in diameter. ♦ The world record for pancake flipping is 349 flips in two minutes.. ...join in the St Albans Pancake Race and try to beat the record!

Stress/Depression/Anxiety

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NOW at the Museums 24th January - 13th April Exhibition: Gadgets and Goggles Weird and wonderful inventions dating from Queen Victoria to the 1950’s, free.

Museum of St Albans 6th February 7.30pm Lecture: The Wallplaster at Roman Verulamium Please book Verulamium Museum, £8 22nd February 11am - 4pm Murder at Verulamium Museum: Who Killed the Curator?

An interactive murder mystery trail through the museum for families.

Verulamium Museum, £5 per group 2nd March 2pm The Well-dressed Governess with costume historian Gillian Stapleton.

Please book Verulamium Museum, £10

6th March 7.30pm Lecture: Gadgets With Maurice Collins, collector and owner of the artefacts on show in the current exhibition ‘Gadgets and Goggles’ at the Museum of St Albans.

Please book Verulamium Museum, £8 8th March 10am - 5pm Community Book Fair An opportunity for community groups to fundraise by selling used books, free to participate and to buyers.

Verulamium Museum 22nd March 7pm - midnight Steampunk Ball With Steampunk Band ‘Ghostfire’ Museum of St Albans, £15

Museum of St Albans Hatfield Road 01727 819340 Verulamium Museum St Michael's Street 01727 751810 www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Chapel memorial windows rescued Stained glass World War I memorial windows from Wheathampstead’s demolished Folly Methodist Chapel have been donated to St Albans Museums Service after being found on eBay. An anonymous donor saw the windows for sale on the auction site after the chapel was demolished in 2006 and bought them to save for the future.

The names of 12 men who lost their lives during World War I are shown on the windows, they are: S Bandy, C Carter, F Gray, M Harrison, H Izzard, H Lawrence, G Minal, A Munt, A O'Dell, G Pearce, G Upton-Roberts and H Wilson. The inscription along the bottom of the windows reads: “Their Names Liveth For Evermore 1914-1918” The memorial windows will be displayed this summer in the temporary exhibition at the

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Museum of St Albans to mark the centenary of the First World War. The windows came from Wheathampstead’s Folly Chapel which was built in 1887 and used for over 100 years as a Methodist chapel and Sunday School. The chapel closed in 2004 and the windows were taken out of the building before it was demolished.

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Consumer Advice NOW Jonathan Vernon-Smith is the Sony Award winning mid-morning show presenter for BBC Three Counties Radio. During his consumer hour he helps listeners with their consumer problems and now shares his advice here with you.

Knowing when to go to court!

Thankfully most consumer disputes can be settled through effective and firm dialogue. If not, there are programmes such as mine that offer assistance for those finding it difficult to resolve their consumer complaint.

Some cases just cannot be resolved, no matter how hard one or both parties try. It’s for these cases that the small claims court can be very helpful.

Firstly, DO NOT RUSH TO COURT. In my experience, judges often look unfavourably at customers who are seen to take a company to court too quickly. It makes the consumer look

Spring Circus at Van Hage Saturday 15th - Sunday 23rd Feb Roll Up, Roll Up the Circus will be back this Spring. Enjoy the new acts of John Lawson's Circus for 2014. Tickets £6 per person, under 2's free and are required to sit on parents laps. Non-allocated seating, on a first come first serve basis.

Van Hage Garden Centre Great Amwell, Pepper Hill, SG12 9RP 12 noon, 2pm & 4pm

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unreasonable which never bodes well, always try to resolve the complaint between yourselves first.

Consider the small claims court your last resort and it’s essential to have kept a record of your conversations and correspondence.

When you reach the conclusion that (within 6 years of the dispute and for amounts up to £10,000) the company or tradesman is not prepared to resolve the problem, you must write a letter of intention. Make it clear in the letter that you have tried hard to offer them opportunities to resolve the problem and that you would like to offer them one final opportunity.

Allow them one month from receipt of the letter to respond, and make it clear that if you do not hear from them, you will lodge papers with the small claims court. Send the letter recorded delivery and ensure they have received it and signed for it.

If they still show no interest in resolving the dispute, then you have an important decision to make. Will you go through with your threat of court action or not? If you decide on the former, you must go into it with your eyes open. You can always lose as well as win, however it may not cost you as much as you may think. The fee is dependent on how much you are suing for, but this will be outlined when you proceed with the action. If you are successful, the defendant will have to pay your costs as well as the amount you are claiming for.

It is also worth noting that you do not need a lawyer as it’s relatively straight forward, and as long as you’ve been reasonable and sensible in your dealings with the company or tradesman, you stand a good chance of getting a favourable judgement.

In many cases, mediation is offered as a way of agreeing a course of action. The result of this is not legally binding, and most often I would advise you to proceed with this where offered. It doesn’t prevent you progressing a case to a judge if unsuccessful.

However, turning it down can made you look unreasonable.

If things go your way, the judge will award in your favour and will request that the defendant pays you a sum of money (either the whole of the amount you’re seeking, or a proportion of it). They will be given instructions as to how to pay it, and if they fail to do so, you can instruct county court bailiffs to recover the money. You can also escalate the case to the high court for a further fee and instruct the high court enforcement officers to chase your money.

Taking a company to court can be a daunting prospect, and I would always suggest obtaining advice from your local citizens advice bureau who will give you tailor-made advice on your specific case.

Why not tune in weekdays from 9am at BBC Three Counties Radio.

www.theNOWmagazines.com

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NOW at the Maltings

NOW at the Alban Arena Peppa Pig’s Big Splash 5th Feb 1pm & 4pm / 6th Feb 10am & 1pm All-singing, all-dancing adventure, full of songs, games and muddy puddles!

Rock ‘n’ Roll Paradise 7th Feb 7.30pm A spectacular rock ‘n’ roll show where the music plays the leading role!

Hold Off The Earth - an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet 6th - 8th / 13th - 15th Feb 8pm £12.50 Peppermint Muse Theatre Co presents a bold, haunting re-imagining of Shakespeare’s play.

The St Albans Gang Show 12th - 15th Feb 7.30pm, Sat matinee 2.30pm Be prepared to be blown away by the talent of our young people in St Albans.

Film: Animat’s Belleville Rendezvous Reanimated cert 12A 21st Feb 7pm £10 Presented by St Albans Film Festival and UHArts When her grandson is kidnapped by the French mafia during the Tour de France, Madame Souza and her dog Bruno team up with the Belleville Sisters, an aged song-and-dance team to rescue him.

Faustus 1st March 2pm / 7.30pm £11 / £9 When a brilliant but arrogant academic, gets the opportunity to learn more about magic and the universe than any of his peers, it seems a chance too good to miss. But the price for such wisdom and riches is a high one – his soul. Packed with dancing, singing, and a 1940’s jazz inspired soundtrack, an energetic and memorable production.

Maltings Arts Theatre, St Albans www.maltingsartstheatre.co.uk www.ticketsource.co.uk/ovo 0844 8700 887

NOW at Abbey Theatre The Two Gentlemen of Verona

by William Shakespeare Company of Ten 27th Feb - 8th March 8pm Matinée: 2nd March 2.30pm Valentine and Proteus, two inhabitants of Verona, each seek the woman of their dreams. What follows is a scintillating kaleidoscope of a play which keeps the audience entertained throughout. Can there be a happy ending? With more twists than a lover’s knot, this play has humour, hidden identity and even a dog!

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Abbey Theatre Westminster Lodge, St Albans 01727 857861 www.abbeytheatre.org.uk

The Straits 16th Feb 7.30pm This unmissable evening of music is a must, for anyone who appreciates great musicians.

Chris and Pui Roadshow 20th Feb 11am & 2pm Please help Chris and Pui (CBeebies’ Show Me, Show Me) find Old MacDonald’s animals, and Humpty, The Duke of York, King Cole and Little Bo Peep along the way.

Beth Nielsen Chapman 21st Feb 7.30pm Returns with a tour in support of her new album ‘Uncovered’. (pictured) Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy 22nd Feb 7.30pm Said to be the finest drummer in the Rock field.

Carl Palmer’s stunning band “The ELP Legacy” play the best of Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

Fairport Convention 23rd Feb 7.30pm Hailed as the originators of British folk-rock music and one of Britian’s best-loved bands.

Jason Manford First World Problems 25th & 26th Feb 8pm Everybody’s favourite northern comedian with a wealth of comedy anecdotes, misunderstandings, and audience banter.

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain 28th Feb 8pm A funny, virtuosic, twanging, awesome, footstomping obituary of rock and roll, and melodious light entertainment in a collision of post-punk performance and toe-tapping oldies.

The Alban Arena 01727 844488 www.alban-arena.co.uk

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February Frolics 15th - 23rd February Come and see newborn lambs every day at Willows Farm during this special lambing event with a fun-packed programme for halfterm, including: farmyard animals, adventure play and Tristan the Runaway Tractor. We also have plenty of undercover activities with The Farmyard, JCB Young Drivers Zone, Captain Chicken's Egg Dodge, Toddler Town and Woolly Jumpers indoor play barn. See lamb bottle feeding and win a prize by helping Bo Peep find her lost sheep!

Coursers Road London Colney 0870 1299718 www.willowsfarmvillage.com

ART CLASSES FOR KIDS!

Holiday Workshops 36

www.fineart4kids.com

07949 293463

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Half-term crafts @ Mill Green Museum Tuesday 18th - Thursday 20th Feb 10am, 11.15am, 1.15pm and 2.30pm Tues - Dragon Puppets, Weds - Clay Dragons, Thurs - Dragon Prints.

For ages 4+, no booking required, £3 per child.

Mill Green Museum, Mill Green, Hatfield, AL9 5PD

Outstanding Montessori in Harpenden “A truly unique and very special place” a current parent

www.artisans.uk.com 07795 510 130 info@artisans.uk.com 38

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February 1972 - a month to remember

25th Feb Members of the National Union of Mineworkers voted to end their strike in return for a twenty per cent pay increase.

1st Feb France requested the extradition of Klaus Barbie after Nazi hunter Beate Klarsfeld found him living in Bolivia. He was convicted in 1983 and died in prison four years later at the age of 77.

3rd Feb The Curse of Tutankhamen claimed another victim - allegedly. As the boy king’s mask was being placed on a plane in Cairo, to be flown to Paris, the museum’s Director of Antiquities died, surely proof of a curse many said...

4th Feb The Iran Blizzard, the worst blizzard in history, began. Over the next few weeks it killed more than 4,000 people, burying villages under as much as 26 feet of snow.

8th Feb A state of emergency was declared throughout the UK due to the coalminers’ strike and dwindling stocks of coal.

15th Feb A US patent was granted to Willem J Kolff for the invention of the world’s first artificial heart.

17th Feb Prime Minister Ted Heath narrowly won a vote in the House of Commons on whether or not to join the ‘Common Market’, after throwing all his toys out of the pram and ‘threatening’ to resign.

17th Feb The VW Beetle became the most popular car in history on production of the 15,007,034th model. The previous record, 15,007,033, had been held by the Ford Model T. 21st Feb Richard Nixon became the first US president to visit Communist China.

23rd Feb Elvis and Priscilla Presley separated.

They had married on 1st May 1967 at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas.

24th Feb Twenty eight men on board a Russian submarine were killed when fire broke out while it was submerged. Twelve survivors were trapped inside the vessel for three weeks as it was towed from the Arctic Ocean to the Kola Peninsula.

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Three of the best-selling singles this year were: Telegram Sam - T Rex I’d Like to Teach The World To Sing - The New Seekers Have You Seen Her - The Chi-Lites Other 1972 facts: √ The Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Jesus Christ Superstar made its West End debut √ The BBC quiz programme Mastermind was first broadcast √ The first episode of Emmerdale Farm, a soap opera set in rural Yorkshire, was aired on ITV √ Petrol was about 35p a gallon √ The average cost of a house was £7,300

Check Your TYRES Before the SNOW Comes!

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What’s on in February 42

24th Jan - 13th April Exhibition: Googles & Gadgets see page 30 2nd Walk: Harpenden Lea Valley (RSPB) 01582 715420, meet on bridge nr Marquis of Granby Pub, Crabtree Lane, 8am - 10.15am, free 4th Floral Demonstration: ‘Safari’ Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 621757, Harpenden Floral Decoration Club, 2pm, all welcome 5th & 6th Peppa Pig’s Big Splash see page 34 7th Film: Untouchable see page 4 Rock ‘n’ Roll Paradise see page 34 8th Sarah Millican Watford Colosseum www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk Gerry Cross the Mersey Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 767525, 7.30pm, £17.50 / £15.50 Snowdrops Benington Lordship see page 14 11th Talk: ‘The Spring Flowers of South Africa

by Peter Sheasby Botanist & Photographer, Roundwood Park School, 8pm, £3 www.harpendengardeningsociety.org 12th - 15th The St Albans Gang Show see page 34 13th Film: The Great Gatsby see page 4 14th C’mon Everybody Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 767525, Rock & Roll music tribute show, 7.30pm, £18.75 / £16.25 15th Carillon Chamber Choir St Peter’s Church, St Albans, a programme of music & readings, 7.30pm, adult £14, concs £12, 01582 763774 Charlie & Lolas Extremely New Play Weston Auditorium, University of Hertfordshire, 01707 281127, 11am / 1.30pm / 3.45pm Faure Requiem St Peters Church, St Peters Street, St Albans, Carillion Choir 01582 763774, £14 / £12 Coffee & Yummy Cakes from the Soroptimist women's group, Wesley’s Coffee Shop, in aid of St Albans & Hertsmere Women’s Refuge, 10am -12.30pm www.sigbi.org/st-albans 15th - 23rd Van Hague's Circus see page 32 February Frolics see page 36 16th The Fabulous Johnny Cash Road Show The Radlett Centre, 01923 859291, the only

show endorsed by the Cash family, 8pm, £18.50 / £17.50 Kidnapped Hawthorne Theatre, WGC, 1.30pm & 5pm, adult £15, child £12 www.thehawthornetheatre.co.uk Walk: 2nd Battle of St Albans 1461 around the site of one of the most dramatic battles of the Wars of the Roses, meet at 11.30am outside the St Albans Tourist Information Office, St Peters St The Straits see page 34 17th - 19th Old Times see page 8 17th - 21st Holiday Skates RollerCity, WGC, 1pm - 2.30pm / 3pm - 4.30pm, £6.75 www.rollercity.co.uk 18th Wow! This Show is Magic!

Hawthorne Theatre, WGC, 2.30pm, £12 www.thehawthornetheatre.co.uk 18th - 20th Mill Green Museum Half Term Crafts see page38 19th Dancing for Fun British Schools Museum, please book 01462 420144, maypole dancing & English country dancing, child £3, 10am -12 noon www.hitchinbritishschools.co.uk Displays beginning with C or D St Mary's Church, Childwickbury, St Albans Harpenden & District Philatelic Society, visitors welcome, 8pm p.mellor@btinternet.com 20th Family Discovery Morning see page 18 Chris & Pui Roadshow see page 34 22nd Murder at Verulamium Museum: Who Killed the Curator? see page 30 Film: Brave see page 4 22nd & 23rd The International Staff Band of the Salvation Army see page 6 25th & 26th Jason Manford: First World Problems see page 34 26th Tour: Abbey By Night see page 26 Walk: Ver Valley from St Albans (RSPB) 01582 764226, half day bird watching, meet by Verulamium Museum, St Albans, 9.45am Film: The Heat see page 4 27th St Columba’s College Open Afternoon page 37 27th Feb - 8th March The Two Gentlemen of Verona see page 34 28th The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain page 34

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What’s on in March

4th St Albans Pancake Race see page 28 Floral Demonstration: Kyoko Regan "Dream came True" Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 621757, Harpenden Floral Decoration Club, 2pm 7th Womens World Day of Prayer: Theme Egypt 10.30am: St Johns Church, Harpenden 7.45pm: Crabtree Church, Harpenden Harpenden Village Rotary Club Quiz of Quizzes St Georges School, 7pm Rothamsted International Film Club: The Man Who Never Was Fowden Conference Centre, Rothamsted Research, 01582 762919, 7pm, £4 8th Open Singing Day with The Lea Singers: Brahms Requiem St George's School, 01707 377029, 11am - 5pm Community Book Fair see page 30 Harpenden Art, Crafts & Antiques Fayre Harpenden Methodist Church, 10 - 4pm Abbot’s Hill School Open Day see page 39 Strauss & Mendelssohn St Albans Cathedral, St Albans Symphony Orchestra www.saso.org.uk 9th Lambing Day see page 36 International Women’s Day Verulamium Park, St Albans, led by Soroptimist women's group on bridge over the boating lake, 2pm www.sigbi.org/st-albans Mike & The Mechanics The Alban Arena, 01727 844488 15th Tree Planting at Heartwood Forest page 46

15th - 23rd St Albans MusicCity see page 8 19th Display: Aspects of Bavaria St Mary's Church, Childwickbury, St Albans Harpenden & District Philatelic Society, visitors welcome, 8pm p.mellor@btinternet.com 20th The Secret World of Charles Dickens Abbey Theatre, St Albans, 01727 857861, Ian Keable, winner of The Magic Circle’s prestigious Comedy Award, performs the favourite magic tricks of Charles Dickens & divulges the spooky practices of Victorian psychics, 8pm 22nd Steampunk Ball see page 30 Cycles of Life Brahms ‘Requiem’ & Jonathan Dove's ‘The Passing of the Year’ performed by The Lea Singers, St Nicholas Church, 7.30pm www.leasingers.co.uk 24th Butterfly World Reopens 10am - 5pm every day until November 24th - 29th Crazy For You Harpenden Public Halls, Harpenden Light Operatic Society 25th - 29th Cosí Fan Tutte Abbey Theatre, St Albans, 01727 857861, St Albans Chamber Opera, considered to be Mozart’s best music, 7.30pm / 29th Mar 2.30pm 29th Hardynge Choir Concert High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden, 7.30pm Fund Raising Auction The Wadley Hut, Watford Road, St Albans, bric a brac & book sale: 9.30am auction viewing: 12 noon, sale: 1pm

Ken Hodson Local Computer Hardware and Software Repairs Upgrades and Advice for Home and Business • • • • • • •

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No fix, no fee for all repairs – you have nothing to lose!

Low hourly rate Most repairs carried out in your home, if not the computer will be picked up and delivered back to you Problems with Windows / Applications / Games / Internet / Networks fixed Friendly training and instruction available in plain English Advice given on upgrades – many older computers can be upgraded at a fraction of the cost of a new machine Upgrades of hardware and software 07974 156743 / 01582 794723 enquiries@kenhodsoncomputerservices.co.uk www.kenhodsoncomputerservices.co.uk

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Index of Businesses

Electricians I & B Electrical MLC Electrical Selmon Electrical Services

Accountants Hicks TaxAssist Accountants

11 10

Aerial Installations Concorde Aerials Harpenden Digital Services

19 Fancy Dress & Dancewear 19 FunZone

Bicycle Repairs Cycletech Hertfordshire

Financial Management 26 AMR Financial Management

Blinds Harpenden Blinds Builders & Refurbishment David Lewis Inside Out Cabinet Makers Sequoia Bespoke Car Body Repairs Prestige Paint Shop Ltd Car Servicing / Repairs M Chapman Auto Services Ltd Care Advisory Services Westcott Charity Grove House Hospice Children’s Art Classes FineArt4Kids!

Chimney Sweep Poppins Chimney Sweep Chiropodist Golinska Foot Care Julia Reading Cleaning Big Yellow Cleaning Company Carpet Brite Domestico Harpenden Power Wash Merrivac Murray’s Cleaning Services

16 Flower Arranging Workshops 17 The Flower School Funeral Directors 20 LC Weston Funeral Directors 41 Gardening / Landscaping AR Landscapes Ltd Garden Life Landscapes 41 Gardens4U P & B Services 43 Gardening Workshops Zia’s Gardening Workshops 43 Garden Nursery / Centre Burston Garden Centre 36 Gas K25 6 Health / Fitness / Slimming Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Classes 26 27 The Fit Lab Hearing Services The Hearing Healthcare Practice

Indian Restaurant Shapla Restaurant

Counselling / Sex Therapy Michael Stock

Insurance NFU Mutual

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Kindergarten Artisans Kindergarten

Domestic Appliance Repairs Leigh Hibon

12 3 21

13 Plasterer A. Merson Plastering

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Plumbers 11 DJ&M Plumbing Services Ltd Prestige Plumbing & Heating Services 15 Pond Maintenance 15 13 Women With Waders 24 Property Maintenance Green’s House & Gardens 14 Mr Handyman Nick The Handyman

23 & 47 23

47 Schools Abbot’s Hill School St Columba’s College 23 Security Maximum Security Systems 29 Tree Surgeons 27 Fircroft Tree Services.co.uk

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16 16

21 Picture Framing Leading Art @ Bloom

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Hot Tubs A5 Hot Tubs

Computer Repairs Ken Hodson

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11 Photographers I & W Photography

21 Flooring Creative Wood Flooring

8 7 9 5 5 5

Oven Cleaning 18 Ovenmaster 19 18 Painters & Decorators CB Decorators M & M Decorating 38 Pet Care Personal Petcare

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Tyre Fitting Big D’s Tyres

17 18 20

39 37 22 15 40

Wedding Show The Luxury Wedding Show

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Window Cleaner Harpenden Window Cleaning

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Windows & Doors AA Window Repairs back cover Cloudy2Clear Markyate Windows & Doors 38

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at Heartwood Forest

www.woodlandtrust.org.uk 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.

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