harpenden NOW May 19

harpenden May 2019

NOW

Local businesses, what’s on and lots more inside

A member of the

promoting local businesses, organisations and events since 2006

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Welcome to May As always we’ve filled the magazine with lots of local events for all the family, remember don’t just look on the What’s on pages, you’ll find there are many other different events included throughout the magazine. Make sure you have a good look through so you don’t miss anything. There’s everything from Bluebell Walks at Luton Hoo to The Gin-Tology Experience at Bletchley Park and a Wild Medicines Walk to an Upcycling and Repair Fair at the Sustainability Festival.

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. Don’t forget to mention harpenden NOW when calling our advertisers.

Jane & Wendy

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get fit & active

NOW for some Music

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jazz, rock & classical

NOW at the Public Halls 16 films & music

Sustainability Festival 18 all about the environment

Herons, Walks & More 22 out & about

Wildlife & More 28 hedgehogs & plants

NOW at The Cathedral 30

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Advertising Rates 1/4 page 1/3 page 1/2 page Full page

Cycling, Golf & More

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

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other options are available

Please get in touch wendy@theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588313

Deadline 10th May for June edition www.theNOWmagazines.com

trees, tours & talks

NOW at The Alban Arena 32 music & comedy

NOW at The Local Theatres 36 drama, dance & music

Lemurs, Dogs & Bats! 38 family fun

Out of Town 40 RAF, Shuttleworth & Bletchley Park

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

Open every day from Easter

01582 766728

To Advertise: 07983 588313 wendy@theNOWmagazines.com

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Sprint £50 / Standard £60 / Sprint Relay (per team) £75 / Standard Relay (per team) £85 Aqua-Bike Sprint £45 / Aqua-Bike Standard £55 activetrainingworld.co.uk

Kundalini Yoga

Cycling, Golf & More

26th May 10am - 11.30am Laura and Findlay Hinde have over 20 years’ experience teaching yoga. They set up The Yoga Hall in St Albans and run classes in Hatha Yoga, Pranayama Meditation, Raja Yoga and Kirtan Chanting. Kundalini yoga is a transformative practice which moves us energetically to greater awareness. Bringing balance to the mind, body and soul, it’s a path for everyone who wants the skills to successfully cope with the challenges of modern daily life. £16, please book 07974 653661 Gorhambury House St Albans AL3 6AH

Cycling in Herts

Abbey View Golf Society

With lots of cycle routes to explore, visit these websites to find out more.

If you’d like to cycle with others on a social basis or prefer women only rides letsride.co.uk For routes to do on your own or with friends hertfordshire.gov.uk South Herts Wednesday Evening Rides 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th May 7.30pm Starting from St Albans War Memorial AL1 3HG Rides are between 15 & 20 miles long at a brisk pace, with destination arrival time of 9pm.

It’s essential that you have front and rear lights, puncture outfit, tyre levers, pump and spare tube.

Bring a guest entry form if not a member of the CUK/CTC. Call for more information 07746 821781 cyclinguk.org Five Miles to Fabulous Ladies Bike Ride 11th May Part of the Sustainability Festival Meet at 9.30am by the cycle stands at Morrisons, Hatfield Road, St Albans. Wear suitable clothing, bring a roadworthy bike and money for coffee.

Experience the joy of sustainable transport. southhertsctc.org.uk

Pedal of Honour Charity Bike Ride 11th May Starting at the Alford Arms in Frithsden, then onto the Russell Arms in Buttlers Cross, then The Old Queens Head at Penn, crossing the Thames for a grand finale and BBQ at the Royal Oak in Marlow.

Register to get involved pedalofhonour.com

Hertfordshire Triathlon Spring 26th May 7.30am Back for its fifth year, this event organised by Active Training World, will feature sprint and standard distances. The standard distance triathlon includes the Herts Club Championships, and is open to everyone.

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A friendly golfing society open to men and women of all abilities, they meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the 9 hole Abbey View Course in Verulamium Park. If you’re looking for some fun golf, good exercise and a great bunch of people then why not try the Abbey View Golf Society.

Westminster Lodge, St Albans AL1 2DL abbeyviewgolfsociety.co.uk

Inflatable 5k 22nd June 9am The UK’s best Inflatable obstacle course has got even bigger, bouncier and more incredible. It now has up to 15 mega-sized obstacles, making this the biggest Inflatable 5k obstacle event ever created.

Herts County Showground, St Albans AL3 7PT ukrunningevents.co.uk

To Advertise: 07983 588313 wendy@theNOWmagazines.com

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‘love’ inspired by the Old Testament Book, ‘Song of Solomon’ performed by The Music Makers Choir of Harpenden. Featuring works by Eric Whitacre, Howard Skempton, Anthony Brummel, Thomas Tallis,, Paul Mealor and Jon Ireland. £15, concs £12 / £6 on the door or from ticketsource.co.uk/musicmakers

Dagnall Street Baptist Church

NOW for some Music The Radlett Centre WD7 8HL Jazz at the Movies 8th May 7.30pm A unique jazz group interpreting movie themes and soundtrack songs from classic films including The Pink Panther, Gilda, Kiss Me Deadly, From Russia With Love, The Servant, One Touch Of Venus, The Fabulous Baker Boys, and many more. Rich with anecdote, song and swing, JATM have become a regular sell-out at Ronnie Scott’s and many other jazz clubs throughout the UK. £18 Rock for Heroes 10th May 8pm Bringing the perfect combination of Rock and Pop artists across the eras, fundraising in support of Help for Heroes. Performed by a full live rock band and superb singers, with music from artists such as Dire Straits, Status Quo, Queen, David Bowie, Spandau Ballet, Bryan Adams, Elton John, AC/DC and more.

You won’t see a bad wig here; this isn’t a tribute act it’s simply paying tribute to the legends in music. £22 radlettcentre.co.uk

St Albans Organ Theatre AL1 5PE Chris Stanbury in Concert 11th May 7.30pm One of the UK's most versatile young keyboard musicians, from playing jazz and classical piano to a mighty theatre or classical pipe organ. Chris holds various prestigious musical qualifications from the London College of Music including Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees.

Musical Sunday Afternoon 12th May 2.15pm Demonstrations of the mechanical instruments. stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk

St John’s Church Harpenden AL5 1DJ Song of Songs 11th May 7.30pm An evening of glorious choral music on the theme of

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St Albans AL3 5EE Spring Concert 11th May 7.30pm With St Albans City Band and London Metropolitan Brass Community Band. Music will include pieces themed to the season as well as some favourite film and show music. eventbrite.co.uk Come and join your Local Band The Band are a friendly group of players and are currently looking for Cornets, Flugel Horn, Euphonium, Baritone, Eb / Bb Bass and Percussion players although all players are welcome. They have their own Bandroom and rehearse on Wednesday nights, 8pm - 10pm under the baton of professional Musical Director John Campbell. Please get in touch if you are interested in joining. stalbansband.co.uk

St Saviour's Church Sandpit Lane, St Albans AL1 4DF English Classics 11th May 7.30pm St Albans Symphony Orchestra Vaughan Williams: The Wasps Overture and Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis Elgar: Symphony No.1 Adult £16, £11, student £5, child £1 saso.org.uk Amadeus Chamber Orchestra 18th May 7.30pm With Joel Sandelson - conductor, Jennifer Wigram leader and soloist Michael Wigram - cello.

Mozart: Symphony no 35 in D (Haffner) K385 Haydn: Cello concerto no. 2 in D Beethoven: Symphony no 1 £15, child £3 online or at the door amadeuschamberorchestra.org.uk

Aldwickbury School Harpenden, AL5 1AD Harpenden Concert Band: Stories Through Music 19th May 4pm A varied programme including narrated performances of Tubby the Tuba and Peter and the Wolf; Concert Band classics Molly on the Shore by Percy Grainger and Holst's Second Suite in F; concluding with Paul Lavender's epic Jurassic Park Soundtrack Highlights.

Free, donations given to local charities @HarpendenConcertBand

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Spring Fair 18th May 10am - 3pm Cakes, Toys, Books, Plants and Bric-a-brac High Street Methodist Church Hall The Children’s Society Reg charity 221124

Dying Matters Awareness Week 13th - 19th May Are we ready for death?Many people haven’t thought about wills, funeral planning, organ donation, or the emotional aspect of being ready for death. We can only know the answer if we start to have the conversation. And those conversations don’t stop in our private lives. Are we ready to volunteer at a local hospice, to support a bereavement charity, or to do what we can to help others? There is a theme for each day which will hopefully generate specific conversation with family and friends, and give us a chance to ask questions or share things that aren't often covered in depth.

Mon: Funeral costs / Tues: Memorialisation Weds: Grieving for a pet / Thurs: Support for those who are estranged from/have no family / Fri: Diversity and inclusion at the end of life. Visit the website to find out more or join in the conversation on social media dyingmatters.org @dyingmatters

Harpenden Street Food Social 11th May 4pm A little monthly festival held on 2nd Saturday of every month, with amazing fresh food, a bar and easy going music for everyone, fun for all the family. @HarpendenStreetFoodSocial

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

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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The Train A Pilgrim Odyssey

by Allan Ramsay

Allan Ramsay, an electrical engineer living with his wife Christina in St Albans, has published two books on electrical subjects, and this is his first novel.

A train headed for Hell with all humanity on board, most oblivious to their fate. An ancient document called ‘The Message’ offers the only alternative. It tells of a great King who will one day bring world peace. Most passengers dismiss it. Believers must journey to the End Section, which will be detached at Calvary Junction and re-routed to King's City to meet the returning King. Believers Simon Seeker and Paul Comforter journey to the End Section, experiencing many trials en route. They then discover that the End Section is comprised of two carriages, each containing passengers with widely differing ideas of what ‘The Message’ is. Must they make a terrible choice? It's the glories of King's City or the horrors of Hell for all eternity. The stakes could not be higher.

Available from Waterstones and Amazon for £8.99

Art & Music UHArts Form and Flux 30th April - 11th May Free Art and Design Gallery AL10 9AB 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.

Sonic Herts 7th - 17th May College Lane Campus, Hatfield AL10 9AB The University of Hertfordshire’s annual music festival run by students and staff, open to all. please book online De Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra – Spring Classics Concert 12th May 7.30pm Weston Auditorium, Hatfield AL10 9EU Rossini’s Barber of Seville Overture and Haydn’s Cello Concerto, partnered with Brahms’ mighty Symphony no.1. please book £18, concs £15 / £8 uharts.co.uk

Nude Tin Can Gallery Exhibition: St Albans Exposed 11th - 30th May St Albans AL1 4JS Part of the Sustainability Festival.

This very local exhibition encompasses aspects of sustainability including: Health and Happiness, Equity and Local Economy, Culture and Community and Sustainable Materials. The Gallery aims to provide a creative journey by connecting local artists to local residents and visitors via original artwork. The theme is ‘St Albans’ and visitors can expect classic and traditional alongside abstracts and the conceptual as well as sculptures that have been created using reclaimed and recycled materials. nudetincan.com romykelleherart.com

Childwickbury Art School An introduction to Drypoint printing with Ali Yanya, who is a regular exhibitor at the Childwickbury Arts Fair and is much in demand as a teacher and lecturer. aliyanya.com Print-room on the Childwickbury Estate, St Albans.

Courses in May, August and October christianekubrick.com 01727 859495

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Make Friends, Have Fun and Learn New Skills Children and teenagers can make friends, have fun and develop new skills every week at a Stagecoach session but did know that Stagecoach By the end they you Harpenden also runs a will be more summer Holiday Workshop.

confident, more socially aware and fitter!

The workshops are designed for 7-16 year olds (9.30am 4.30pm daily), with Liz in Harpenden also offering workshops for youngsters aged 4-6 years old (10am - 1pm). No previous dancing, singing or acting experience is needed and there are no auditions, all that’s needed is the willingness to give it a go!

high quality, fun performing arts lessons to children and teenagers. Our professional teachers work with each student to improve their confidence in all three disciplines.

As soon as they arrive your child will start making friends, having fun and learning some great new skills! By the end of the workshop they will be more confident, more socially aware and fitter! A highlight of the week is the showcase when the participants can exhibit their new-found singing, acting and dancing skills to family and friends.

For term time performing arts classes at your nearest Stagecoach school see advert below. Liz at Harpenden is also offering Stagecoach Holiday Workshops, so contact her to find out more and Stagecoach has years of experience in delivering to book a place today!

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confidently curious about their world at a time when anxiety affects so many. We explore this challenge with a sensory musical version of The Tempest. Ages 7 and under, fully inclusive for those with special needs TotFest 2019!

Young Herbert’s Horrors 26th May 29th May 11.30am & 2.30pm £7 Ages 4 - 9 12 noon - 5pm years 6 months - 5 years Young Herbert is a little horror. Living on a boat A unique, fun and should be the ideal life for a wannabe pirate, but interactive programme the boat’s grounded until Herbert can learn to tidy of events, from giant painting canvasses and his cabin, eat his greens and be more polite. A miniature fairground rides, to live performances big storm brews up when he is sent home from from the The Flying Seagull Project and school and Mum calls on Great Uncle Albatross Glastonbabies. Plus a creation zone, a baby navy captain and scourge of all pirates - to warn rave, bubble workshops, science classes, crazy him of the dangers of rebellion. golf, drama workshops, story zone, tots race Sourpuss track, bounce land and messy play. A chance for 30th May 11.30am & 2.30pm £7 Age 3+ families with young children to try out new things When shut out of the house Sourpuss feels lost and have fun. and confused, but the beautiful garden soon Hitchin Priory SG5 2DL intrigues him. pinkbearevents.com Watch his journey of discovery and enjoy learning the secrets of the great outdoors. From buzzing Stockwood Discovery Centre bees to a chirpy robin, stinky rubbish and vibrant Be Not Afeard flowers, this heartwarming puppet show is a feast 29th - 31st May 11.15am & 2.15pm £5 for little eyes.

Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises, sounds, and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not. How Stockwood Discovery Centre LU1 4LX lutonculture.com do we help our children grow the skills to be

Fun for The Kids

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Kimpton May Festival

NOW at the Public Halls Toyah 3rd May 7.30pm £22.50 A unique chance to experience Toyah with a live band performing her hit singles and classic songs.

Film: The Favourite 8th May 2pm & 8pm £5 In the early 18th century, a frail Queen Anne (Oscar winner Olivia Colman) occupies the throne, and her close friend, Lady Sarah, governs the country in her stead.

Film: Stan & Ollie 21st May 2pm & 8pm £5 The true story of Hollywood’s greatest comedy double act, Laurel and Hardy. A heart-warming look at what would become the pair’s triumphant farewell tour.

The Simon and Garfunkel Story 24th May 7.30pm £19.50 The West End hit tells the story of Paul and Art, from their humble beginnings as ‘Tom & Jerry’ through to their massive success, dramatic break up and finishing up with a stunning recreation of their 1981 Central Park reformation concert.

Eleanor Conway: Walk of Shame 2 25th May 7.30pm £12 Following her critically acclaimed debut and 100 date global tour, award winning Eleanor Conway brings her hotly anticipated sequel to the stage.

The Quireboys Unplugged 30th May 8pm £16 Enjoying a revival, selling out venues around the world, including the recent headline show at The 2200 capacity London Forum in 2018, The Quireboys are also taking in The Monsters of Rock Cruise, HRH AOR VI, Sweden Rock and Stonedeaf festivals.

Harpenden Public Halls AL5 1PD 01582 767525 harpendenpublichalls.co.uk

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3rd - 6th May This is the largest May Festival in Herts with a host of new events and a theme of ‘Cartoons’ designed to appeal to all ages.

The Festival will play host to a diverse range of entertainment such as an art show, fun run, festival procession and music night featuring a Madness and an Oasis tribute band.

The focal point of the weekend is the procession which ends in the main arena where the May Queen and her attendants hold court.

Commenting on the festival, chairman John Hills said: “We are excited at the prospect of the May Festival in the village and I’m delighted that the theme should be something that will appeal to all ages.”

Along with hosting a fantastic time for locals and those who come to visit Kimpton, the event also helps to raise much needed funds for groups that operate in and around the village. This year it’s hoped that in excess of £15k will be raised for good causes.

Looking ahead John said: “We have always shown what a great festival this is and this year will be no exception. We have a movie night for the Friday and along with our dog show, auction and maypole dancing - the whole weekend will be a treat for all the family.”

For more information and to buy tickets for events such as the Friday Wine Tasting or the Kimpton Music Night visit kimptonmayfestival.co.uk

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Over 100 public events across St Albans, Harpenden and the villages all about sustainable living and the environment. Most events are free.

Sustainable Clothes Swish - Clothes Swap 11th May Premier Inn, Adelaide Street, St Albans AL3 5BH Drop off up to 8 good quality items 12.30pm 1.30pm, get a token for each item, then at 2.30pm spend the tokens. Adult clothes only.

Co-operative Food-Growing Open Day with FoodSmiles 11th May 1.30pm - 4.30pm Hammonds End Farm, Harpenden AL5 2AY Tour and cakes, look around this friendly community project, you may even want to join! foodsmilesstalbans.org.uk Climate Emergency Open Mic Night 13th May 7.30pm Harpenden Arms AL5 2TR We have a climate emergency, what can we do?

Share your thoughts at this Open Mic Night. Dave Hampton, Carbon Coach, will kick off the session.

Free but please book at meetup.com/Our-PlanetOur-Future-continues-at-the-harpenden-arms Wild Medicines Walk 14th May 7.30pm Meet: Plough and Harrow, Harpenden AL5 1PR Wild medicines are everywhere; Lucy Blunden, medical herbalist, shows you the wealth of health at your feet. £7 Upcycling & Repair Fair 18th May 10.30am - 3pm St Luke’s Church, St Albans AL1 5QJ Bring broken electricals, electronics, clothes, jewellery, and they will help repair them.

Craft stalls, pre-loved clothing and furniture.

Community Sports Day 18th May 9.30am - 5.30pm Nuffield Health, Highfield Park Drive AL4 0AH Free family day of fitness, food and fun.

Market Takover 19th May 11am - 5pm St Albans Market, St Peters Street Stalls, music, food and activities all aimed at helping you reduce your carbon footprint.

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Charity Pub Quiz 20th May 8pm The White Lion, Sopwell Lane, St Albans AL1 1RLN Get together a team and enjoy an evening of fun while raising funds for Earthworks. £2 Table Top Games and Vegan Buffet 25th May 7.30pm URC Church, Homewood Rd, St Albans AL1 4BH Have fun playing nostalgic, traditional games from way back including; dominoes, chess, battleships, Guess Who and Jenga! Vegan buffet included. BYOB. £8, please book 01727 753661 Symondshyde Ancient Woodland Walk 26th May 10am-1pm Meet: Nomansland Car Park, St Albans AL4 9FH A stroll around the beautiful Sandridge countryside, visiting Nomansland Common and Symondshyde Ancient Woodland.

Film: Metamorphosis: a Poem for the Planet 26th May 6.30pm The Odyssey Cinema, St Albans AL1 1PQ The film uses stunning images to capture the true scale of the global environment crisis, including opportunities for transformation with a bold new vision for humantiy. £6.50 / £5 Waste Watchers Crafty Cafe 28th May 10am - 11.30am High Street Methodist Church Hall, Harpenden Have fun making crafts from recycled materials.

Ages 5 - 11, must be accompanied by an adult River Dipping in the River Lea 29th May 2pm - 3.30pm Batford Springs Bring the kids, put on your wellies and come down to the River Lea and see why it’s so special.

Free, but please book at harpenden.gov.uk Sustainable Picnic with Bamboo Mama 1st June 12 noon - 2pm Verulamium Park Come along for a community picnic with the kids, can you make it without producing any rubbish? sustainablestalbans.org #SustFest19

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

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

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Museums & Mills St Albans Museum + Gallery St Peters Street AL1 3DH Museum Treasure Hunt £4.99 Receive cryptic clues to your phone via text and embark on a treasure hunt around the museum.

Discover little known facts and features and learn more about the fascinating objects on display.

Exhibition: Toy Story: The Us in Museum until 9th May There are many ways to look at a museum object and this exhibition explores the design ideas and heritage context behind some of the toys and games in the Museums’ collection.

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.

Exhibition: Wigram’s Wanderings until 19th May Free Mayor of St Albans in the 1920s, Edgar Wigram was an architect and painter. This exhibition explores his love of travel around Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Wigram’s wanderings by bicycle in the early 1900s took him from Venice to the Rhine and from the Alhambra to Aleppo. With Wigram as a good humoured guide explore a world before mass tourism took hold.

Barbara Hepworth: Artist in Society 1948 - 53 until 8th Sept Following a decade of preoccupation with landscape, Hepworth moved naturally between abstraction and the figure in the years 1948 - 53, capturing the human form across drawing and sculpture. Finding inspiration in the movements of people in Venice’s St Mark’s Square to dancers in her Trewyn Studio and medical teams performing operations, this exhibition introduces sculptures, drawings and archival material, reuniting works that

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have not been seen together since they were first created. Presented in partnership with UHArts. #TapChat: What Type of Water User Are You? 18th - 23rd May Part of Sustainable St Albans Discover how much water you use at home, share your water using habits, play water saving games and take a photo at the #TapChat seaside board, Affinity Water’s interactive installation. Free, drop in Exhibition: The Pickling Project 23rd May - 1st Sept Following a period of intense and urgent conservation, a collection of fascinating animal and plant specimens preserved in fluid will be on display. This exhibition explores a previously unknown and neglected part of the Museums’ natural history collection and shines a light on the processes taken to look at it. Discover weird and wonderful creatures and learn more about how this important collection was saved from the brink. Free stalbansmuseums.org.uk

National Mills Weekend 11th & 12th May This is the annual festival of our milling heritage, providing a fantastic opportunity to visit mills, many of which are not usually open to the public. Until the advent of the steam engine, wind and watermills provided the only source of power for many different processes – from making flour, paper, cloth to hammering metal and extracting oils.

Explore mills that produced, or still produce these products, some restored to working order, some derelict, some still working commercially. spab.org.uk/mills/national-mills-weekend Redbournbury Watermill & Bakery 11th May Bakery Mill Shop & Museum: 9am - 5.30pm 12th May Stall at St Albans Farmers Market: 9am Mill Shop & Museum open: 12 noon - 5.30pm The Watermill will be open to visitors with milling demonstrations and the Crossley Oil Engine running.

Redbournbury Lane, St Albans AL3 6RS redbournburymill.co.uk

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telescopes trained on Heron Island where there should up to 9 nests with chicks, plus 2-3 Little Egret nests. Everyone is welcome to take a look and catch the action around the heronry as adults top up the nests with sticks, defend their nest space and, as the weeks progress bring food for the chicks whose fluffy heads can sometimes be seen poking above the nests.

Herons, Walks & More

Gorhambury Estate

Architectural History and Refurbishment 1st May 10.30am - 12 noon An overview of the architectural and social history of the house and an update on the progress of the current refurbishment. £15 The Gardens History and Tour 8th May 10.30am - 12 noon Ashridge Listen to a brief history of the gardens before taking Exhibition: Nature Detectives a guided tour of its seasonal highlights. £15 until Feb 2020 Focusing on wildlife surveying and citizen science. Living at Gorhambury 15th May 10.30am - 12 noon Learn about the plants and animals that can be Enjoy tea and cake in the family dining room and found on the estate, before having a go at hear about the challenges and delights of living at surveying yourself. Free Gorhambury and how life here has changed over Gentle Stroll - Bluebells the years. £15 1st May 10.30am - 12.30pm Join volunteers for a stroll through the woods to see Refurbishment Project One Year On and Site Tour 22nd May 10.30am - 12 noon the bluebells. Meet at Ling Ride car park, off An update on the progress of the current Beacon Road. HP4 1NF £3 refurbishment project, followed by a tour of the Bluebell Walks * house. £15 2nd May 6pm - 7.30pm The Gorhambury Tour on Film 4th May 10.30am - 12.30pm 29th May 10.30am - 12 noon Join the rangers to see the bluebells at this A video tour showing the 18th century rooms of the spectacular time of year, £8, child £5 house as they were laid out until recently, followed Dawn Chorus * by a Q & A session. £8 4th May 5am - 7am Gorhambury Estate, St Albans AL3 6AH Experience early morning bird song with the gorhamburyestate.co.uk rangers on hand to help identify calls, breakfast included, £15, child £10 Luton Hoo Walled Garden Dockey Wood Bluebells Open Wednesdays 4th & 6th May 10am - 4pm 2nd May - 30th Sept 10.30am - 4pm Learn more about this special forestry plantation Enjoy tours of the garden, and Victorian Farm and the bluebells that grow there. £3, child £1 Buildings (extra £3). Buy seasonal fruit and vegetables, apple juice and Luton Hoo honey and Half Term Trail and Crafts honeycomb from the garden shop, and visit The 27th - 31st May 10am - 4pm Wood Yard cafe. £5, under 4’s free Complete the trail, learn more about woodland Guided Bluebell Walk folklore and make a tree craft. £3 * please book 01442 851227 8th May 10.30am & 2pm Ashridge Estate, Berkhamsted HP4 1LT A three mile walk interspersed with historic nationaltrust.org.uk information, through the carpets of bluebells around this ancient woodland not otherwise open to the Verulamium Park public. £5, please book 01582 721443 or Weekends until 12th May 11am - 3pm office@lutonhooestate.co.uk Volunteers from RSPB St Albans will have Luton Hoo Estate LU1 4LF lutonhooestate.co.uk

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Bedding Plants Water Softener Salt Free delivery on orders over ÂŁ10 within the AL5 area Townsend Lane Harpenden AL5 2RH 01582 713083 info@townsendnursery.com

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We Love Plants! display. We’ve even set up six of our favourite trends for you to view, complete with furniture, conveniently located on the A405, patios and accessories. near J21a of the M25. The Our specialist buyers of business started with our nurseries, over 60 years ago, and homewares, house plants and garden care travel far and wide to our garden centre has been on bring you new, high quality site for over 40 years. products at value for money. If We love plants! It’s our heritage you’re looking for gifts, you’re and it’s where we excel. Most of sure to find the perfect item in our our plants are sourced from the range of candles, clothing, food UK and actually a large number and cards, and we’ll even gift come directly from our on-site wrap it for you.

Nurseries. That means we have a We’re also really proud of our higher control over the quality of our plants, and we’re reducing our restaurant, where we offer high quality, home cooked food in a overall carbon footprint. lovely environment. Plus don’t Our plants team are always on forget to visit our onsite Aquatics hand to pass their extensive centre, where we stock a wide knowledge onto our customers. range of water features, Our new 2019 garden furniture, aquariums and all you need for Weber and Landmann BBQs, your pond - including the fish! chimineas, garden power and burston.co.uk solar power ranges are now on

Burston Garden Centre is a family run business,

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Wildlife & More

Markyate Plant Sale 18th May 10am This family-friendly, horticultural-heaven is held in a private family garden, and has been supporting the Hospice of St Francis for 23 years raising nearly £100,000. Among the myriad of flowers and shrubs, there will be home made cakes and refreshments, live music, fun for the children, and a host of raffle prizes to be won.

64 High Street, Markyate AL3 8HZ

Earthworks

Hedgehog Awareness Week 5th - 11th May Organised by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), this week aims to highlight the problems hedgehogs face and how you can help them. They are asking you to make a space for hedgehogs in your garden, in the form of a log pile or wild area (this will provide a buffet of creepy crawlies). Visit the website for a free downloadable plan to build a hedgehog home. Other simple things we can do to help: - Leave gaps in boundary fences and walls - Move piles of rubbish before burning them - Check carefully before mowing or strimming - Ensure netting is kept at a safe height - Check compost heaps before digging in - Stop or reduce use pesticides or poisons - Cover drains or deep holes - Ensure there is an easy way out of ponds BHPS Chief Executive, Fay Vass, said “We would love to see what you have done for Hedgehogs during the week. Send us pictures of the event you organise or of the hedgehog space you create, using #hedgehogweek. It’s a great excuse to get the kids away from their screens and out in to the garden, get them to create a sign declaring your garden a Hedgehog Friendly Space or maybe a name plaque for the hedgehog home!”

BHPS is hoping to raise £1k, you can donate at justgiving.com/campaign/HAW19 britishhedgehogs.org.uk

Herts and Middx Wildlife Trust

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Discover Hedgehogs in Harpenden 29th May & 19th June 2pm - 3pm Learn about the fascinating lives of hedgehogs with an expert from Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary. Learn basic hedgehog facts, where they live, what they eat, problems facing them and why they’re in decline, and get advice on how to help them in your garden. £8, child £6.

Children must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Please book hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

Plant Sale and Open Garden 18th May 12 noon - 4pm Part of the Sustainability Festival. With lots of plants and handmade crafts on sale, plus tea and cake, Visitors will be encouraged to take part in an activity using principles of sustainability. It’s free and family and dog friendly Earthworks, Hixberry Lane, St Albans AL4 0TZ

Small Blue Butterfly Project Public Launch: 26th May 10.30am Greenwood Park Community Centre, Tippendell Lane, St Albans AL2 3HW Butterfly Conservation have been awarded funding to create a new home for butterflies in Greenwood Park. A new area of chalk meadow will be planted to encourage the Small Blue, Small Copper, Brown Argus and Common Blue.

The Herts & Middx branch of Butterfly Conservation is working with local organisations to save the Small Blue, the UK’s smallest butterfly which is rare in Hertfordshire, with the strongest remaining colony found in Chiswell Green. Find out more at the short presentation followed by a walk round the site.

For more information call 07768 154324

01582 864138 / 01727 453019

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NOW at the Cathedral

Exhibition: Alban Roadshow 2nd - 6th May See art work inspired by the Cathedral and its history created by students from Oaklands College’s Design Department.

Cathedral Choir Fundraising Concert 6th May 1pm Raising funds for their forthcoming tour to Loreto, Italy. Free, retiring collection.

Guided Tree Tour 11th May 2.30pm & 12th May 2pm Part of the Sustainability Festival. Accompany an expert guide on a tour of the grounds and discover the amazing history of some of the city’s oldest trees. Find out the special uses of some trees and those which have a royal connection. £3, child free Herts Musical Memories 12th May 2pm All are invited to watch, listen or join in with this vibrant singing session for those living with dementia, their carers and their families. The session incorporates gentle seated exercises to music, voice and breathing exercises and an eclectic mix of songs. Stop and support this local charity that run weekly sessions throughout Hertfordshire, it promises to be a fun, therapeutic afternoon, guaranteed to raise a smile.

Lunchtime Organ Recital 15th May 12.30pm Francesca Massey, Durham Cathedral. Free

St Albans International Organ Festival Recital 18th May 5.30pm Philip Scriven, UK. Free Talk: Destructive Creation in Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ 22nd May 7.30pm Exploring the rich parallels between Shelley’s original 1818 text and the Christian scriptures, teasing out the novel’s warnings about the desolation that results from the sin of pride.

Tower Tours 25th May 10am, 11.30am, 1pm & 2.30pm Climb the 211 steps up to the top of the oldest Cathedral tower in Britain and experience fantastic views of St Albans. £9.50 The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God: C.S. Lewis, Narnia, and the Planets 29th May 7.30pm Scholars have laboured to show that the Chronicles of Narnia have an underlying symbolic coherence, but none of these theories have reached general acceptance. Tutor, Dr Michael Ward believes that the answer lies in medieval cosmology. £10 An Exciting Environment 30th May 10am - 12.30pm Part of the Sustainability Festival. An environmental activity morning, where you can learn how recycling and nature have helped to shape the Cathedral over the last 1700 years.

There will also be environmentally themed arts and crafts activities. stalbanscathedral.org

Museums At Night Weekend 15th - 19th May Twice a year all UK museums, galleries and heritage sites open their doors after hours to showcase their treasures in unexpected ways, in an event organised by publisher Culture24. It’s a social experience, where visitors can get involved, delve deeper into fascinating subjects and perhaps enjoy a cocktail or two with friends.

You will find a number of local events included within the magazine. museumsatnight.org.uk

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NOW at the Alban Arena Our House 30th April - 4th May 7.45pm / Sat 2.30pm £17.50 Madness musical by the St Albans Musical Theatre Company.

Rich Hall’s Hoedown 7th May 8pm £17 Hall’s precision dismantling of the tenuous relationship between two countries is as freewheeling and deadly accurate as ever.

Remembering The Movies 8th May 7.30pm £42.50, £37.50, £28.50, £25 Fall in love again with classic movie songs and dance routines, as Strictly Come Dancing’s favourite couple celebrate the history of the movies.

Charlie Landsborough 9th May 7.30pm £24 Known as the UK’s premier country music singer, Charlie’s gigs are a night of beautiful ballads, folk, blues, country, rock ‘n’ roll, pop, gospel and anthems.

An Audience with Paul Gascoigne 10th May 7.30pm £28, £30, £35 Some comedy, an auction for signed memorabilia and Paul Gascoigne’s life story!

The Great British Swing Dance Show: Shake That Thing!

11th May 7.30pm £22.50 The most musical, exciting and entertaining song-and-dance show in the UK. That’ll Be The Day 12th May 7.30pm £26.50, £24.50 Featuring live music performances, this entertaining Rock & Roll spectacular blends classic hits from the 50s, 60s & 70s, with bags of hilarious comedy!

Russell Kane: The Fast & The Curious 14th May 8pm £20 Comedian, presenter, actor, author and scriptwriter Kane is best known for BBC Three’s Stupid Man, Smart Phone and the host of three series of BBC Three‘s Live At The Electric.

Al Murray: Landlord of Hope and Glory 15th & 16th May 7.30pm £27.50

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Marvel at the majesty of our green and pleasant land.

A land globally renowned for our culture, history and places, like the world-famous Salisbury Cathedral.

The Dreamboys 17th May 7.30pm £21.50 - £27.50 An action packed show from start to finish.

Reginald D Hunter: Facing the Beast 18th May 8pm £23 Reginald’s searingly honest material has garnered him a popular fan base that spans the generations Leo Sayer: Just a Boy at 70 19th May 7.30pm £34, £32.50 Leo and his band bring you energy, exuberance and a hit packed show.

Glenn Hughes with special guest Laurence Jones 20th May 7.30pm £30 The former bassist and singer of Deep Purple, promises a dynamic, homage to his time in Deep Purple, one of music history’s most influential rock and roll groups.

St Albans Funk 25th May matinee £19.50, evening £29.50 Soul Music Disco 1.30pm / Main Show: 2pm Hello Sailor Soul Disco: 7.20pm / Main Show: 8pm Soul & Funk After Party: 10pm A new show showcasing observations on life and world events told through new original moving and powerful Soul & Funk Songs with some musical surprises.

An Audience with Liverpool Legends 28th May 7.30pm £30, concs £29 The ultimate evening of Liverpool legends with John Aldridge, Ronnie Whelan and Steve McMahon, hosted

by Jed Stone.

Jools Holland 29th May 7.30pm £40, £31 Jools with The Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.

Henning Wehn: Get On With It 30th May 8pm £19.50 This show is a much needed call to arms. Listen, everyone: stop pondering and hand-wringing. Instead get on your bike and put your face to the grindstone!

01727 844488 The Alban Arena AL1 3LD alban-arena.co.uk

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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, £10.

Civic Centre, Berkhamsted HP4 3HD stfrancis.org.uk

Wheathampstead 10k and 2k Family Fun Run 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 schools. The 10K is a challenging off-road course with outstanding scenery, it’s time chipped and trophies will be awarded to the first 3 placed male and female runners and medals given to all finishers.

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 morning ends with a BBQ and children’s entertainment, to make a great morning out with the family.

Twitter @Wheaty10K facebook.com/wheaty10k

St Albans Charity Cycle Ride 19th May Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this event has raised over £1m for a variety of charities. It’s a fun event, suitable for everyone from families to cycling fanatics, with 10, 20, 30, and 40 -mile fully-marshalled routes taking you through beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, mainly on quiet country lanes. Starting and ending at Oaklands College. The ride, organised by the Rotary Clubs of St Albans are supporting some great charities this year including Alzheimer’s Research UK, SECONDARY!st, and The Counselling Foundation, you can support any registered charity you just need to provide the charity name and number.

Adult £22, youth £5, senior £10 Late entry fees (after 10th May) Adult £27, youth/senior £15 Enter on the Day Adult £30, youth/senior £20 saccr.co.uk

Into The Groove 16th May 8pm Boogie the night away to your favourite 80s hits while raising money for homelessness and women's refuge. Send your playlist requests to get into the groove all night long. Money raised from ticket sales will go to Crisis and Refuge.

The Barn @ The Horn, St Albans AL1 3TE intothegroovestalbans@gmail.com @intothegrooves2

UK registered charity no 297489

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Spring Special 25% off Shutters 20% off all Blinds, Awnings, Poles & Curtains

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NOW at the Local Theatres The Barn Theatre AL8 6ST Kindertransport 26th April - 4th May Starting in 1938 thousands of Jewish children were sent away from Nazi controlled Germany to seek safety in other countries. They were unaccompanied, travelling on trains and ferries, and took a huge chance that they would be cared for by kind-hearted strangers. Most never saw their parents again. The play tells the story of mother and daughter, Evelyn and Faith, as Faith prepares to leave home. The dynamic of the mother and daughter relationship is beautifully observed.

Boudica 31st May - 8th June Roman Britain, AD 61. Boudica, Queen of the Iceni, is exiled for trying to claim her rightful title. Furious, she raises an army to fight the Romans but with the odds against them, failure means annihilation. At what point do the heroes become the oppressors? barntheatre.co.uk

Luton Central Library Kite 9th May 7pm - 8pm A poignant love-song to the wind, freedom and the joy of play. Stuck in her Grandma's obsessively tidy flat, a recently orphaned girl discovers a kite which comes to life and takes her on a wild adventure.

Age 7+ The Man Without a Past 10th May 7.30pm An eclectic community living in abandoned shipping containers is thrown upside down when a man with no memory arrives. They begin to help him to find his feet, but the surprise rediscovery of his past puts his new life in jeopardy. Part-melancholic love story, part-deadpan comedy. Age 12+ Morgan & West’s Utterly Spiffing Spectacular Magic Show for Kids 11th May 230pm A mountain of mysterious magic, a hatful of hyperreality, and of course a truck full of tricks and tea.

Mixing brain boggling illusion and old fashioned tom-

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foolery, Morgan & West present a show for all the family, where magic and silliness abound! Age 5+ Duckie 12th May 2pm Reimagining of The Ugly Duckling, with a message of respect and self-acceptance at its core. Familyfriendly glamour take centre stage as cabaret star Le Gateau Chocolat breaks out of his shell as Duckie. A tale of identity and belonging. Age 3+

Wheathampstead Dramatic Society Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead AL4 8AY The Herd 23rd - 25th May 8pm A funny, but heartfelt play about a family dealing with Andy who is severely disabled and whose 21st birthday is coming up. His mother is organising the party; communicating with Andy’s carer endlessly; coping with her aged parents, dealing with her daughter and her boyfriend and then, on top of everything her ex-husband turns up. Given he walked out when Andy was young, she is not pleased to see him. A bit like Abigail of the famous party, Andy himself never appears in the play! This is the first play by the award winning actor, Rory Kinnear. wheathampsteaddramaticsocirty.co.uk

Abbey Theatre AL1 2DL Things I Know to be True 3rd - 11th May Touching, funny and bold, this tells the story of a family through the eyes of four grown-up siblings and the danger of unarticulated emotions.

An Evening with Mr WS Gilbert and Mr Arthur Sullivan 17th May St Albans Chamber Opera presents a cornucopia of music and lyrics from these great 'Savoyards'.

Modern Dance for Beginners 21st - 25th May A comical yet poignant reflection on commitment, fidelity, love, marriage and sex.

Lily and the Bear 30th May Lily and Bear play pirates, discover the joys of sharing and invite families to sing along and take part. abbeytheatre.org.uk

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Lemurs, Dogs & Bats!

A Booming Bank Holiday 4th - 6th May 10am - 5pm Come and sample the life from the last 3 centuries.

From the 18th century there will be demonstrations from living history groups firing cannons and muskets. From the 19th century, there’s a Victorian Classroom - let’s see if you can survive it! From the 20th century there’s a street party in full swing reenacting the end of WW2 with a singalong. Plus tours of the Rocket Vault with real Cold War rocket scientists who worked here when it was a Top Secret research establishment. In the present 21st century, meet Professor Nitrate to enjoy extracts from shows and hands-on science experiments.

Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey EN9 1JY royalgunpowdermills.com

Woburn Safari Park Gekko 5th May Drive around the Road Safari then head down to the Mammoth Play Ark to see Gekko from TV series PJ Masks, at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

Lemur Charity Weekend 25th - 27th May Join in the fun and games, to help raise money for the Association for the Study and Conservation of Lemurs. Lemurs are threatened in their natural habitats, in Madagascar, this charity works to help protect them from possible extinction.

Skye from Paw Patrol 26th May Skye will be at the Mammoth Play Ark at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm – don’t forget to bring your cameras!

Normal admission costs apply for all events Woburn Safari Park MK17 9QN woburnsafari.co.uk

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NOW at Knebworth Hertfordshire Garden Show 4th - 6th May 9.30am - 5pm Over 100 exhibitors selling garden furniture, water features, hot tubs, tools and sculptures. There will be a craft pavilion, brass band, children’s rides and floral displays in the marquee with medal winners from Chelsea.

Afternoon Tea 5th May 2pm - 4:30 pm Treat yourself to afternoon tea in Knebworth Barns.

Please book, adult £28, child £12.50 DogFest 11th & 12th May 9.30am - 5pm Join Professor Noel Fitzpatrick and Clare Balding to celebrate all things canine, from Dog Diving, Flyball, Hay Bale Racing and the Big Dog Dig to the Great Dog Walk and the Fun Dog Show.

Ghost Tour & Bat Walk 16th & 17th May 7pm - 10pm Part of Museums at Night Weekend. With a house tour featuring ghost stories and a talk from the Herts and Middlesex Bat Group. Please book £23 Decorative Salvage & Vintage Fair 25th & 26th May 10am - 5pm If you are an architect, designer or just looking for unique pieces for your home and garden, this feast of treasure is for you. £10 Dino Adventure 27th May 11am - 5pm Aspiring palaeontologists and brave explorers can conquer the dinosaur trail, travelling back in time to face the 72 life-sized dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures. Complete the trail quiz and claim your reward, trail sheets £1. The Wildlife Rangers will offer a hands on experience with snakes, lizards and tortoises.

Enjoy a day in the Park for games and picnics, and the Adventure Playground with Fort Knebworth, £10.

House admission extra: adults £4, concs £3.50.

Please book Knebworth House SG1 2AX knebworthhouse.com

en furniture, water ulptures. There will be a en’s rides and floral edal winners from

n Knebworth Barns.

12.50

m and Clare Balding to Dog Diving, Flyball, og Dig to the Great Dog

Brambleton Model Railway Open Day 11th May 2pm - 5.30pm Open days are a great way to show the public what the club is all about. It provides a chance to run the railway as it was originally intended, while giving visitors a chance to see a great variety of rolling stock (O gauge circuit) and live steam narrow gauge (16 mm). off Highfield Oval, Harpenden, AL5 4BX brambleton.org.uk

Marvellous Mammals 31st May 9.30am - 11.30am Get up close and personal with some of the small mammals found in Harpenden and learn about the tracks and signs left by these little critters.

Harpenden Common AL5 1PG harpenden.gov.uk

end. With a house tour k from the Herts and ook £23 Fair

or just looking for d garden, this feast

rave explorers can lling back in time to and prehistoric iz and claim your dlife Rangers will offer a es, lizards and tortoises. es and picnics, and the Knebworth, £10. £4, concs £3.50.

bworth House SG1 2AX knebworthhouse.com

Ensonglopedia of Animals 26th May 2.30pm Twenty-six animal songs, one for each letter of the alphabet. Get to grips with fascinating facts about extraordinary echinoderms, distressed damselflies, crazy corals, batty birds and amazing arachnids.

Expect the unexpected. And expect it to rhyme. This is the brand-new show from John Hinton, multiaward-winning creator of the 'Scientrilogy' of musical comedies about Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein and Marie Curie. Ages 5 - 105. £12, concs £10 Trestle Arts Base, St Albans AL4 0JQ trestle.org.uk

Luna Cinema Luna Cinema is returning to Harpenden Common 17th May: The Greatest Showman: 18th May: Bohemian Rhapsody 19th May: Mamma Mia Here We Go Again all films showing at 7.30pm Harpenden Common AL5 1DT thelunacinema.com/harpenden-common

Hatfield House Livings Crafts 9th - 12th May 10am - 5pm Hundreds of designers promoting the best of British crafts. With lectures, demonstrations and practical workshops, glassblowing, weaving, jewellery, fashions, ceramics and entertainment.

Chamber Music Festival 13th May 7.30pm - 10pm An evening of music with sounds from the musical archives of Hatfield House, with music by Fauré, Saint-Saëns, Byrd, Tallis, Dowland and Ravel.

Artists include the Navarra Quartet, Guy Johnston (cello), John Mark Ainsley (tenor), William Whitehead (organ), William Vann (piano) and members of the Hertfordshire Chorus.

Slam Dunk 26th May 12 noon - 11pm With 8 stages and over 40 bands, perfect for lovers of pop-punk and rock music alike, with headline act - All Time Low. Hatfield House AL9 5HX hatfield-house.co.uk

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Out of Town

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Shuttleworth

RAF London

Birdsong Walk 1st May 2pm - 3.30pm Stroll through the Swiss Garden and lakeside Woodland Walk, listening out for birdsong and hopefully seeing some popular birds along the way. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring binoculars if possible. Free with garden admission. £8.50, concs £7.50, child £2 Talk: Herbs: Cultivation & Use through the Ages 3rd May 10.30am - 12.30pm Looking at samples, identifying herbs, recipes to try at home and a quiz with a herby prize.

Age 16+ £10 ‘Bring a Picnic’ Bank Holiday Garden Tours 6th & 27th May 11am Enjoy a guided tour of the garden, find out a bit more about its history and recent restoration, and take a rare opportunity to picnic in the garden.

Free with garden admission. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. £8.50, concs £7.50, child £2 MayFly 11th & 12th May For lovers of model flying, ModelAir MayFly uniquely offers radio controlled, free flight, and Control Line flying. Watch the action, or bring your own and take part. Dogs on leads welcome.

May Evening Airshow 18th May 12 noon Part of Museums at Night Weekend. See the Edwardian aircraft, unlike any found elsewhere in the UK, they really must be seen flying! Take a free Swiss Garden tour, a free vintage bus ride and get up close to a selection of the aircraft on the airfield. Why not stay over at Shuttleworth’s camping facilities, and enjoy a weekend of entertainment with discounted entry to The Collection and Swiss Garden on non-event days.

Late: Gin and Swing 9th May A night of all things 40s and vintage. Enjoy a live swing band, dance demonstrations and lessons on a selection of Gin cocktails.

Open Air Cinema 24th & 25th May Taking place on the airfield surrounded by the aircraft hangers. Bring a blanket and get comfy in front of a big screen for a night of move magic.

There will be a bar and selection of food on sale.

Movies to be announced soon.

Doors 7.30pm, films 9pm RAF Museum London, Hendon NW9 5LL rafmuseum.org.uk

Bletchley Park

The Gin-Tology Experience 17th & 18th May 6pm £33.50 Part of Museums at Night Weekend. Discover the history of this quintessentially British drink, starting with an after-hours tour of Bletchley Park, followed by a musical introduction to the history of gin and a chance to create your own G&T from a range of 40 gins. Plus a comedy musical performance exploring the history of gin, and live music with vintage songs from the 1920’s - 1950’s. Over 18s Family Activities - D-Day: Deception Plans 28th - 30th May 11am - 3.30pm It’s the early hours of 6th June 1944. Numerous deception plans have been put into place to fool the enemy and protect Allied troops. In the role as a codebreaker, can you intercept and decipher German communications in order to decide if the plans have been successful and whether it is safe to proceed with D Day? The Allied deception strategy for D-Day was one of the most successful ever conceived. Find out what it was really like for the interceptors, the codebreakers and the intelligence officers through Shuttleworth, Old Warden Aerodrome, this immersive activity.

Beds SG18 9EP Ages 7-16 years, accompanied by an adult shuttleworth.org Bletchley Park, Bucks MK3 6EB bletchleypark.org.uk

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What’s on in May 42

1st Let’s Talk About Dementia page 34 2nd & 4th Bluebell Walks page 22 3rd Harpenden Writers Meeting Friends' Meeting House, Southdown Road, 10am-12noon, £4 Paul Young ‘35 Years of No Parlez’ PT2 Watford Colosseum Toyah page 16 3rd - 6th Kimpton May Festival page 16 4th Dawn Chorus page 22 Craft Fair St Albans Organ Theatre, 11am, free 4th - 6th A Booming Bank Holiday page 38 Hertfordshire Garden Show page 38 5th 50 Things Club Chiltern's Gateway Centre, LU6 2GY, 2pm - 4pm nationaltrust.org.uk Victorian Lessons British Schools Museum, Hitchin SG4 9TS britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk 7th Rich Hall’s Hoedown page 32 8th Mapdance The Sandpit Theatre AL4 9NX dance-theatre, humour & intricate choreography, 7.30pm, £7 sandpittheatre.co.uk Remembering The Movies page 32 Gorhambury Gardens History & Tour page 22 9th - 12th Living Crafts page 39 10th Rock for Heroes page 6 An Audience with Paul Gascoigne page 32 11th Brambleton Model Railway Open Day page 39 Open Allotment & Tea Party Sandridge Road Allotments AL3 5HS, 2pm - 4pm Song of Songs page 6 11th & 12th DogFest knebworthhouse.com page 38 National Mills Weekend page 20 11th May - 1st June Sustainability Festival 2019 page 18 12th Wheathampstead 10k page 34 Bubblerush 5k fun run stfrancis.org.uk Herts Musical Memories page 30 14th Talk: How to be a 21st Century Gardener Roundwood Park School, 8pm harpendengardeningsociety.org

17th Flower Arranging Day Sainsbury’s, Harpenden Evening Floral Group, 9.30am - 4pm 17th & 18th The Gin-Tology Experience page 40 17th - 19th Luna Cinema Harpenden Common, 7.30pm thelunacinema.com 18th May Evening Airshow page 40 Markyate Plant Sale page 28 Reginald D Hunter: Facing the Beast page 32 19th St Albans Charity Cycle Ride page 34 Leo Sayer: Just a Boy at 70 page 32 Bugs & Beetles & What They Feed On Highfield Park, St Albans AL4 0RA, 2pm - 4pm, £4, please book highfieldparktrust.co.uk Outside the Box Court Theatre, Pendley, Tring HP23 5QY challenging the conventions surrounding death, 6pm courttheatre.co.uk 23rd Dancing with Flowers All Saints Church Hall, Station Road AL5 4UU, Harpenden Evening Floral Group, 7.30pm 23rd - 25th The Herd page 36 24th The Simon & Garfunkel Story page 16 25th Eleanor Conway: Walk of Shame 2 page 16 25th & 26th Herts County Show hertsshow.com 26th TotFest 2019! page 15 Small Blue Butterfly Project Launch page 28 Shalamar Watford Colosseum, 8pm Hertfordshire Triathalon Spring page 4 27th - 31st Half Term Trail & Crafts page 22 28th An Audience with Liverpool Legends page 32 Talk: The Rothamsted Bees & Me by Peter Tomkins, Harpenden Public Halls, 8pm 29th Discover Hedgehogs in Harpenden page 28 Jools Holland see page 32 29th & 31st Children’s Activities at Burston page 26 30th Henning Wehn: Get On With It page 32 The Quireboys Unplugged page 16 31st May - 8th June Boudica page 32

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What’s on in June 44

2nd Canine Capers Ashridge Estate HP4 1LT ProDogs team demonstrate agility with their cocker spaniel & have a go with your own pooch 3rd - 8th

By Way of Murder Abbey Theatre AL1 2DL 4th Talk: Traditional Treasures British Schools Museum SG4 9TS britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk 8th Patron's Concert St Albans Organ Theatre, 7pm 8th & 9th Art on the Common Harpenden Common Sat: 10am - 5pm / Sun: 11am - 5pm 9th Luxury Wedding Show see back cover St Albans Half Marathon page 2 Tour de Vale Charity Bike Ride tourdevale.com Musical Sunday Afternoon St Albans Organ Theatre, 2pm 13th One Night Of Queen Watford Colosseum, performed by Gary Mullen & The Works 15th Bocadillos Musicales! St Saviour's Church, St Albans AL1 4DF, 01582 832312, music through the ages from Spain & Latin America, Carillon Chamber Choir, 7.30pm, £15, child £5 Lea Singers - Summer Soirée Academy St Albans, Shenley Lane AL2 1AF Latin, a cappella & swing music for choir, 7.30pm, £20, concs £15, with fizz & canapés leasingers.co.uk Legally Blonde: The Musical The Sandpit Theatre, St Albans AL4 9NX with Spotlight Youth Theatre, 2.30pm & 6.30pm, £12, £9.50 15th & 16th Special Children's Day ZSL Whipsnade Zoo zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo 16th Fun Ride Ashridge Estate, ride your horse through some of Ashridge’s most beautiful landscapes, please book 01442 851227, 9am - 12pm, £20, child £10 19th Discover Hedgehogs in Harpenden page 28 20th - 22nd & 27th - 29th The Tempest Inn on the Park AL3 4SN breakawaytheatre.com 21st Charity Runway Race Luton Airport LU2 9LY run 4.342k on the runway in support of Macmillan Cancer Support, 3.30am - 5am, £20 plus booking fee eventbrite.co.uk 21st - 29th The Red Shoes The Barn Theatre AL8 6ST

menacing cabaret where anything is possible & nothing is probable 21st - 30th St Albans Roman Festival: Discover the Story! a community, city-wide event, with Roman-film showings, themed menus, historical walks & talks, plays, performances & more stalbanscathedral.org 21st June - 13th July Roman Theatre Festival ovo.org.uk 22nd The Alban Pilgrimage Alban Fest Abbey Orchard, St Albans 12 noon - 6pm, free Inflatable 5k page 4 St Albans Choral Society: Vivaldi Gloria St Saviour’s Church, St Albans, with Haydn’s Little Organ Mass & works by Mozart, 7.30pm choralsociety.com Sunset Safari Whipsnade Zoo 6pm zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo Making History Abbey Theatre AL1 2DL highenergy show packed with something for everyone 23rd Alban Street Festival City Centre, St Albans, live music & street entertainers, 12 noon - 6pm British Light Music Concert Weston Auditorium AL10 9EU, De Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra, 7.30pm, £18, concs £15, child £8 Garden Party Ashridge House HP4 1NS, children’s entertainment, music, 1pm - 5pm 24th Young People’s Puppet Theatre St Albans Cathedral, 7.30pm: The Crossing Place 8.30pm: A Grim Day Out, £5 25th Talk: The Restoration of St Albans Abbey Harpenden Public Halls, 7.30pm 26th - 28th Hard Copy Abbey Theatre AL1 2DL French play in translation about bullying 29th Smartphone Safari Verulamium Park, learn how to take photographs of the flowers, trees & landscape, over 18’s only, 4pm - 6pm, £15 30th Larks in the Parks 12 noon - 5pm Batford Springs AL5 5AA Fleetville Recreation Ground AL1 4LQ Victoria Playing Field AL3 5JH Caledon Community Centre AL2 1PU The Marlborough Club AL1 2EF 30th Film: Van Gogh & Japan The Sandpit Theatre, St Albans AL4 9NX, 3pm

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Index of Businesses Accountants Hicks

Conservatory Roof Solutions Loft Ladders 5 Home Counties Loft Ladders 17 Nu-Look

Adult Art Classes Start Art!

Dance & Drama 12 Penny Waterman School of Dance Stagecoach

15 Author 14 Allan Ramsay: The Train - A Pilgrim Odyssey 12 Domestic Appliance Repairs Leigh Hibon 41 Bicycle Repairs Cycletech UK 9 Electricians Anderton Electrics 31 Blinds Harpenden Blinds 35 Fencing Verulam Fencing 27 Building / Refurbishment Brighton Beautiful 43 Finance AMR Financial Management 47 Complete Refurbishment & Roofing Front Cover Open Plan Solutions 45 Garage Doors Garolla 9 Car Body Repairs Garden Centre / Nurseries Prestige Paint Shop 13 Bridge Valley Nursery 3 Burston Garden Centre 26 Car Servicing / Repairs 24 M Chapman Auto Services 13 Townsend Nursery Charities Parkinson’s UK The Harpenden Trust Traid Charity Events St Albans Half Marathon Children’s Art Camps ArtShed!

Chiropodist Kathy Witchard Cleaning Domestique Merrivac Computer Repairs Ken Hodson

Gardening / Landscaping 35 AR Landscapes Ltd 47 Detail Gardening 34 & Maintenance Green Edge Gardens Greenshouse & Gardens 2 Hairdresser Image Mobile Hairdressing 7 Hearing Services Hearing Healthcare 11 Practice Home Care 19 Right at Home 19 Locksmith Lock Around the Clock 10

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Oven Cleaning Ovengers

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Painters & Decorators CB Decorators M & M Decorators

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Pest Control Wasp Guys

23

Plasterers A Merson Plastering

33

Plumbers DJ&M Plumbing Services Ltd 41 & 47 Stopcocks Women Plumbers 41 Roofing GJ Smith Roofing

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Security Harpenden Alarms Ltd Maximum Security

29 29

Tree Surgeons Fircroft Tree Surgery Ltd

25

23 Venue Hire 47 27 The Harpenden Trust 25 Wedding Show Luxury Wedding Show Back Cover 10 Will Planning Westminster Wills Ltd 17 8 Windows & Doors Cloud 9 Kings Windows 11

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