harpenden NOW May 23

Welcome to May

This month there’s so much going on locally, so we’ve squeezed in as much as we can on our events pages, from Coronation Celebrations, Concerts and Comedy to Camouflage Creatures, the County Show, Cathedral Events, Kings Wardrobe Trail, Kimpton May Festival, 10k’s and much much more!

As always please mention harpenden NOW when you call any of the advertisers. If you run your own business we’d love to include you, it’s so easy just book your space online today!

Jane & Wendy

@theNOWmagazines

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Providing help to those that need it in and around the home, from simple tasks to assisting with outings, companionship and offering respite to carers who may simply need a break.

Tailor made assistance with independent living

NOW for the Kids

Whipsnade Zoo

Easter Fun with Pip and Posy until 9th May

Join Pip and Posy in their world of play and exploration and follow a family-friendly trail to discover the amazing animals at the Zoo.

Please book

Top Trumps 27th May - 4th June

Grab your super Top Trumps card at the entrance, then look out for the giant Top Trumps cards to play against, there'll also be themed talks about the top traits of the featured animals.

Ages 5 - 9

Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable LU6 2LF www.whipsnadezoo.org

The King’s Wardrobe

24th April - 24th May free

A fun interactive trail to celebrate the Coronation. Scan the QR codes found around the city, which tell the story of the animal kingdom and the coronation of Sir Lawrence the Lion. Meet 10 of the King’s friends on the augmented reality trail and reveal what each of them suggests the king wear for the crowning – they’re not all sensible! On completing each challenge, take a selfie with the character’s animal costume on and once the trail is complete, download the story as a free e-book, visit www.enjoystalbans.com for the trail map.

The Radlett Centre

The Smeds and the Smoos

2nd May 1.30pm & 4.30pm & 3rd May 11am & 1.30pm £15

A new show based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler with music, laughs and interplanetary adventures for everyone.

Dragons and Mythical Beasts

23rd & 25th May 4.30pm & 24th May 1.30pm & 4.30pm £14.50

Calling all brave heroes! Enter into a magical world of myths and legends in this fantastical new show for all the family.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

29th May 1pm & 4.30pm £16.50

Hilarious and spectacular pantomime style show with some of the very best performers, top circus

and speciality acts as well as all the ingredients of a great family show.

The Little Mermaid: An Underwater Musical Adventure!

31st May 4pm & 1st June 11am & 2pm

Expect lots of fun, singing and dancing, sparkling scenery, beautiful costumes and a chance to meet the characters afterwards. £16.50 & £14.50

Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL

www.radlettcentre.co.uk

I Spy With My Little Eye

6th May 2.30pm £12

Molly and Bingo the puppy are having a birthday party and you're invited! There'll be a treasure hunt, sing-along songs and lots of games, including Molly's favourite, I Spy With My Little Eye!

www.sandpittheatre.co.uk

Kids Rule!

27th May - 4th June 10am - 5pm

Get ready for a right royal knees-up to celebrate the King’s coronation with hands-on activities and fresh-air family fun. Wrest Park, Silsoe MK45 4HR www.english-heritage.org.uk

Dino Week 27th May - 4th June

There are 5 roaming Dinosaurs to meet around the farm. Also explore the Giant’s Rock-Climbing Wall, the Sky Trail High Ropes and huge Jumping Pillows, Go Karts, JCB Digger Village and lots more.

Mead Open Farm, Billington, Beds LU7 9JH www.meadopenfarm.co.uk

Dino-ventures Half Term Fun

29th May - 4th June

Enjoy some ROAR-some family fun with Dinosaurs to meet, fossil finding fun in the giant sandpit, a Dino Hunt, Jurassic arts and crafts and the Puddle Play Park.

Willows Activity Farm, London Colney AL4 0PF www.willowsactivityfarm.com

Camouflage Creatures

30th & 31st May 10.15am, 11am & 2.30pm £2

From stripes and spots to colour transformations, discover how animals use camouflage to hide and explore the wonderful colours and patterns that result, then create your own camouflage creature to take home.

Tring Natural History Museum HP23 6AP www.nhm.ac.uk

Professor Slug's House of Bugs

31st May 11.30am & 2pm

This interactive show is packed with colourful puppets, catchy songs and educational information about the wonderful world of bugs. Age 3+, £9

Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton LU1 4LX www.culturetrust.com

NOW for some Entertainment

Abbey Theatre

Separate Tables

4th May 7.30pm Charity performance, all proceeds to Herts Young Homeless, £15

5th, 6th & 9th - 12th May 8pm & 13th May 2.30pm

Set in a slightly shabby hotel in Bournemouth, two separate stories of love and loss are played out before the genteel residents. £13, £12

Cinderella / 00 & His 7 19th May 7.30pm

Performed by The London Ballet Company. This double-bill performance offers magic, comedy and drama in new versions of a well-known classic and an entertaining spy spoof.

Abbey Theatre, St Albans AL1 2DL 01727 857861 www.abbeytheatre.org.uk

The Radlett Centre

Live At The Radlett 5th May 7.30pm £18.50

A superb line-up of 3 comedians off the telly: Maisie Adam, Luke Kempner and Glenn Moore.

An Evening with Frank Bruno MBE

12th May 8pm £35

Arguably Britain's most loved Sporting Icon, and the ex WBC World Heavyweight Champion, listen to Frank discussing his life before, during and after his incredible career as a professional boxer.

Angela Barnes - Hot Mess 13th May 7.30pm £17.50

Angela Barnes (Mock The Week, Live at the Apollo and more) Stories and jokes from a gloriously down -to-earth, straight-talking and extremely funny comic.

Tony Stockwell, Psychic Medium

16th May 7.30pm £22.50

Compelling, amazingly detailed and always humorous.

Gary & Robbie 17th May 7.30pm

Two of the finest international tribute artists come together for an unforgettable evening of Barlow, Williams and Take That Classics.

Sounds of the 70’s - The Zoots

18th May 7.30pm £25

An unforgettable live show, with the sounds of Abba, T.Rex, Queen, Bowie, Dolly Parton, The Rolling Stones and other amazing 70s legends! And music from Grease, Saturday Night Fever and more.

Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL www.radlettcentre.co.uk

The Eric Morecambe Centre

Lost in Music - One Night at The Disco

5th May 7.30pm £31.50

Enjoy a musical journey straight to the heart of disco!

Relive songs from Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sister Sledge, Chic and more.

Paul Young Behind The Lens Tour

6th May 7.30pm £81.50, £46.50, £31.50

See Paul Young who broke into the big time 40 years ago with hits such as Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home) and Everytime You Go Away.

G4 11th May 7.30pm £59.50, £27.50, £25

Following X-Factor fame, G4 continue to mesmerise audiences, with their unique style.

Magic of Motown 12th May 7.30pm £33.50

With classics from Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Supremes, Four Tops, Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson and more.

How Many Colours in the Rainbow

18th May 10.30am

The Arts Society Harpenden Area meeting. There’s a sense of thinking there is one colour theory, but over history many have contributed from Aristotle to Goethe, and Newton to Joseph Albers. Hear about some of the theories and colour charts they produced.

Steve Harley Acoustic Band 20th May 7.30pm £34

Widely considered one of the most charismatic performers on stage, this original Cockney Rebel shows no sign of slowing down!

Sweet Caroline - A Tribute to Neil Diamond

26th May 7.30pm £29.50

Starring Gary Ryan, as seen on Stars in Their Eyes, in a musical journey featuring 50 years of some of the greatest songs ever written.

Legend - The Music of Bob Marley

27th May 7.30pm £29.50

Celebrating this musical icon, combining his superb, distinctive vocals with flawless musicianship, and a supremely talented cast.

The EMC, Rothamsted Park, Harpenden AL5 2FR www.the-emc.co.uk

The Alban Arena

Calling Planet Earth 5th May 7.30pm £28

A New Romantic Symphony that goes on a journey through the 80s with songs from Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Ultravox, OMD and more.

Simon Brodkin: Screwed Up Overview

6th May 8pm £24

Fresh from his sold-out, Edinburgh Fringe run and becoming the most viewed British comedian of all time on TikTok, this world-famous prankster is back with an outrageous new stand-up show. Age 14+

Dave Gorman 10th May 7.30pm £29

The man behind hit TV shows Modern Life Is Goodish and Are You Dave Gorman? is back with a brand new live show, Powerpoint To The People.

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac

11th May 7.30pm £46.50, £36.50 and £31.50

The world’s finest tribute to this much loved band.

The Searchers ‘Thank You’ Tour

13th May 7.30pm

The last chance to see this truly legendary band. £31

An Evening with Anton Du Beke and Friends

17th May 7.30pm £45.50, £42.50

Expect a fab-u-lous evening of song, dance and laughter, as this Strictly legend and judge, takes to the stage with a live band, guest singer and his dancers.

Tiger Lillies 20th May 8pm £24.50 Age 14+

The Grammy nominated Godfathers of alternative cabaret present their most famous songs alongside new surprises, expect dark and deviant theatrics.

Anything for Love 25th May 7.30pm £30

No.1 recording artist, Steve Steinman, brings you his new show with over 25 of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman’s greatest hits in this 30th Anniversary Tour.

Babatunde Aléshé: Babahood

26th May 8pm £15 Age 16+

Join the multi award winning star of Celebrity Googlebox as he talks about family and fatherhood.

Don’t Stop Believin 27th May 7.30pm £27.50

One way, or another, nothing’s gonna stop us now in this new, feel-good show of the year with a crazy, crazy night of non-stop, singalong favourites.

The Little Mermaid

28th May 2pm & 5pm adult £15.50, child £13.50

Expect fun, singing and dancing, all brought to you by a fantastic and energetic company of wonderful performers in this brand-new adaptation.

In The Night Garden

31st May 1pm & 4pm & 1st June 10am & 1pm

Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in this fun-filled live show. From £16.50 Civic Centre, St Albans AL1 3LD

www.alban-arena.co.uk

Barn Theatre

Calendar Girls by Tim Firth

5th - 13th May 8pm & 13th May 2.30pm

Closer by Patrick Marber

31st May - 3rd June 8pm

Welwyn Garden City AL8 6ST www.barntheatre.co.uk

Sunbirds 7th May

The Beautiful South’s co-founder Dave Hemingway returns with his new band Sunbirds.

The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans AL1 3TE www.sunbirds.co.uk

St Albans Organ Theatre

Theatre Organ Concerts 7th & 13th May 3pm

Sunday Opening 14th May 3pm

www.stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk

Summer Concert 13th May 7.30pm

With the St Albans Symphony Orchestra performing

Stravinsky’s Symphonies for Wind Instruments, two arias from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, and Five Songs for Liane, concluding with Mendelssohn’s fifth Symphony. £18, £13, child £2

St Saviour’s Church, St Albans AL1 4DF www.saso.org.uk

Serenade to Music 13th May 7.30pm

Music Director Olivia Tait and the Music Makers

Choir of Harpenden, present an evening of inspiring choral music, featuring works by Vaughan Williams, Gerald Finzi, William Gardiner, Edward Bairstow, Amy Beach and Edward Elgar. £17, £8 High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden AL5 2RU www.musicmakerschoir.wordpress.com

Live Cinema

National Theatre Live: Best of Enemies

18th May 7pm

David Harewood (Homeland) and Zachary Quinto (Star Trek) play feuding political rivals in James Graham’s (Sherwood) award-winning new political thriller, filmed live in London’s West End.

Exhibiton on Screen: Tokyo Stories

23rd May 8.30pm & 28th May 4pm

Spanning 400 years of incredibly dynamic art, from the delicate woodblock prints of Hokusai and Hiroshige, to Pop Art posters, contemporary photography, Manga, film and brand-new artworks created on the streets.

Royal Opera House: The Sleeping Beauty

24th May 7.15pm & 28th May 2pm

Be swept away by Tchaikovsky’s ravishing music and Oliver Messel’s sumptuous fairytale designs with this true gem from the classical ballet repertory. Campus West, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX www.campuswest.co.uk

Amadeus Chamber Orchestra Concert

20th May 7.30pm

Sibelius Pélleas et Mélisande Suite

Strauss Horn Concerto no.1

Haydn Symphony no.104 (London)

In advance £15, on the door £18, child £3

St Saviour’s Church, Sandpit Lane AL1 4DF www.amadeuschamberorchestra.org.uk

Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club

22nd May & 19th June 8pm

See the return of some old favourites and some rising stars, treat yourself to an uplifting start to the week, early booking is advised.

The Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE www.oldtownhall.co.uk

A local family business offering regular, occasional and one off gardening and maintenance services

Lawn Mowing I Hedge Cutting

Weeding I Garden Clearance

Fencing I Power Washing/Sealing

Turfing I General Maintenance + Much more…

Contact us now for a free quote!

01582 529429 I 07854 449371

info@detailgardening.co.uk

DetailGardening

www.detailgardening.co.uk

National Garden Scheme

Sunnyside Rural Trust 13th May 11am - 4pm

Two Waters Road, Hemel Hempstead HP3 9BY

Visit this Green Flag award site accessible from the Grand Union Canal, is also a plant nursery growing peat free perennial and annual bedding plants. They have an orchard, quiet space and market garden, growing vegetables to sell in the farm shop and café. £7

The Manor House 20th May 11am - 5pm

Ayot St Lawrence, Welwyn AL6 9BP

Visit this 6 acre garden set in mature landscape around an Elizabethan Manor House (not open). With a walled garden, glasshouses, fruit and vegetables, rose and herb beds and topiary specimens, and a temple pond garden surrounding the house. £7.50

15 Gade Valley Cottages 28th May 1.30pm - 5pm

Dagnall Road, Great Gaddesden HP1 3BW

Visit the medium sized sloping rural garden with a patio, lawn, borders and pond with paths leading through a woodland area. Seating offers views across the beautiful Gade Valley, plus acers, hostas and ferns, dahlias, iris, crocosmia and phlox. £4.50

43 Mardley Hill 29th May 1pm - 5pm

Welwyn AL6 0TT

Visit this garden created by plantaholics packed with unusual plants, with a focus on foliage and a long season of interest, with white-stemmed birches, woodland planting, a naturalistic stream, a bog, a chicken house, potted exotics, and home-grown plants for sale. £5 www.ngs.org.uk

Out & About

Kimpton May Festival 28th April - 1st May

This years theme is Rock, Pop and Superstars, with an art show, wine tasting, a procession, maypole dancing, a Samba band, dog show, fancy dress, 5 a-side football, children’s activities and much more. www.kimptonmayfestival.co.uk

Hertfordshire Garden Show

29th April - 1st May

With goods for sale including garden furniture, water features, hot tubs, sculptures and more. Tickets include access to Knebworth Park, Gardens, Adventure Playground and Dinosaur Trail. Knebworth House, Stevenage SG1 2AX www.knebworthhouse.com

Ashridge Estate

Bluebells at Dockey Woods

Charges apply on: 29th April-1st May, 6th-8th & 13th & 14th May 10am - 4pm £3, child £1.50

See how the woodland is managed to protect the bluebells while you enjoy this spring spectacle. Parking in Dockey Wood is limited, if you can, park in the main car park and follow the trail from the Visitor Centre. Dockey Wood, Berkhamsted HP4 1NF

Ranger Led Walk: Protecting Bluebells

4th May 10.30am

Enjoy the bluebells on this 3 hour walk and learn about the conservation work being undertaken to protect them. £8, child £6, please book

Moneybury Hill, Ringshall HP4 1LT www.nationaltrust.org.uk

May Day Merriment

30th April - 1st May 11am - 4pm

Traditional Elizabethan May Day with dancing & music

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park HP8 4AB

www.coam.org.uk

Wild Writing Workshop

1st May 10am - 4pm £36, age 16+

Join writer Helen Moore for a nature writing workshop. Home Farm Glamping, Elstree WD6 3AZ

www.homefarmglamping.com

Luton Hoo Walled Garden

Open Wednesdays from 3rd May 10.30am - 4pm

Explore this fascinating Capability Brown designed walled garden, take a tour of the garden and historic service buildings. £7.50, child £1, under 5’s free Art in the Walled Garden from 3rd May Artists are invited to draw inspiration from the unique structures and beautiful plants in the Garden, includes entry to the annual art exhibition and monthly sessions from visiting artists. Season ticket £30, day entry £7.50

A Midsummer Night’s Dream 26th May 7pm

Join the HandleBards in this hilarious, high-octane production. £19.50, child £12.50, under 10’s free www.handlebards.com

Luton Hoo Estate, Luton LU1 4LF 01582 721443 www.lutonhooestate.co.uk

St Albans Cathedral Exhibition: Threads through Creation

3rd May - 11th June

Be enchanted by 12 large-scale and colourful embroideries while you look, imagine and question the Book of Genesis in a completely different way. Free Service of Thanksgiving to Celebrate the Coronation 6th May 10am - 5.30pm

A screening of the Coronation, followed by a community lunch, drinks and a sing-a-long. Free, £5 donations on the door are welcome

IOF Concert: Mona Rozdestvenskyte

20th May 5.30pm, free

More to Explore Tour: Flowers and Plants in the Cathedral 21st May 1.30pm

The Cathedral is full of flowers, in stone, in wood, in glass and, of course lots of real ones. This tour gives you a chance to admire them all. Free, please book

Queen by Candlelight

22nd, 23rd & 25th May 7.30pm

A live cast of West End singers, accompanied by a live rock band, experience the music of Queen as you have never heard it before. £60 - £10, please book

George Michael by Candlelight 26th May 7.30pm

A sing-along show with Rory Phelan, backing singers and a live band. £10 - £45, please book

St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard AL1 1BY www.stalbanscathedral.org

Harpenden Writers 5th May 10am - 12 noon

Annual Writing Competition Results meeting. Members free, guests £4, all welcome

Friends' Meeting House, 12 Southdown Road, Harpenden AL5 1PD www.harpendenwriters.com

Hatfield House

Living Crafts 5th May 8am - 5pm from £6

A celebration of creativity with designer-makers showcasing glassblowing, willow weaving and stone carving and more.

Slam Dunk Festival (South)

27th May 9am - 10pm

The UK’s biggest independent Rock Festival. Hatfield House AL9 5HX www.hatfield-house.co.uk

Wildlife Trust

Dawn Chorus Walk 6th May 7.30am

Join nature-enthusiast Steve Halton on this early morning walk to hear the bird song. £5

Blow's Downs Nature Reserve, Beds LU6 4AE

Coronation Oak Walk 13th May 10.30am

An illustrated guided walk and talk; hear about Panshanger’s Royal connections and visitors. £5 Panshanger Park, Hertford SG14 2NA www.wildlifebcn.org

Out & About

Redbourn Fun Run 7th May 9am - 2pm

Take part in the 1k (£6) 3k (£9), 5k (£11) or relay races (£12). Redbourn Leisure Centre AL3 7PP

www.redbournfunrun.co.uk

King's Coronation Festival

Hertford Castle 7th May 12 noon - 4pm

With music, entertainment, garden games, food and drink stalls and a children's 'Kings & Queens' fancy dress competition. Free but donations to the Mayor of Hertford's Charity Appeal Fund are welcome

Hertford Castle, Castle Street SG14 1PX

www.hertford.gov.uk

Shuttleworth

Season Premiere Air Show 7th May gates 9.30am, flying display 2pm, adult £35

Enjoy historic aircraft taking to the skies in an action-packed, dramatic air display.

Special Operations Evening Show 20th May, gates 2pm, flying display 5.30pm, adult £32.50

See historic icons of aviation in the air, unique heritage vehicles on display, re-enactments and more.

Behind-the-scenes Tour and Lunch

25th May 10.30am £60

Shuttleworth, Biggleswade, Beds SG18 9DT

www.shuttleworth.org

Workshop: Make a Roman Oil Lamp

8th May 10am, 11.30am & 1.30pm £5 age 4+

Verulamium Museum, St Albans AL3 4SW

Brambleton Model Railway Open Day

13th May 2pm - 5.30pm £4, child £2

Access off Highfield Oval, Ambrose Lane, Harpenden www.brambleton.org.uk

Farm to Fork Dining Experience 13th May

An evening of fine dining while learning about the history and future of sustainable food. £70

Rothamsted Manor, Harpenden AL5 2BG www.rothamstedenterprises.com

Sustainable St Albans

Repair Fair 13th May 2pm - 5pm

St Albans District Fixers will try to mend your textiles and electrical items.

Quaker Meeting House, Harpenden AL5 1PD

Our Planet Our Future: The Ants and the Grasshopper 16th May 7.30pm free Film screening, followed by a group discussion.

The Plough and Harrow, Harpenden AL5 1PR

Harpenden Sustainability Market

21st May 10am - 3pm

Eco providers and sustainable food stalls, interiors,

fashion, repair and reuse and more.

Harpenden Common www.sustainablestalbans.org

Bubble Rush 14th May

In aid of The Hospice of St Francis. Walk, run, dance, jog or toddle through the foam. Register today.

Drift Limits Racetrack, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2RR www.stfrancis.org.uk

St Albans Museum + Gallery

Talk: A Roman Palace at Verulamium and Other Stories 16th May 6.30pm £10 (7pm zoom £6)

Hear about methods used to uncover the archaeology of Verulamium and recent finds, including a Roman palace discovered last year.

Exhibition: Time for Tea from 19th May free

Exploring tea from leaf to cup through objects and archives from the Museums collections, looking back at tea houses and cafés of the city.

Paint Your Own Mug

27th May 11am, 12.30, 2pm, 13.30pm £7.50

Age 10+, adults without children welcome St Peter’s Street, St Albans AL1 3DH www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk

An Evening with Zoe Jasko 18th May 7.30pm

Join Zoe, author of 'What the Wind Saw: Short Stories from the Heart of Hertfordshire' for an evening of literature, Hertfordshire, and wine! £5

Harpenden Library, 27 High Street AL5 2RU

Wheathampstead 10k 21st May

10k - 11am & 2k family fun - 10am

Raising funds for Beech Hyde Primary School. www.wheathampstead10k.co.uk

Brewfest 26th - 28th May

Beer and music festival with over 100 of the best craft beers from around the country, street food, cocktails and live music. From £12.50 St Albans City FC, Clarence Park, St Albans www.eventbrite.co.uk

Herts County Show 27th & 28th May

Celebrate Hertfordshire’s finest farming, food, entertainment and shopping. The Showground, Redbourn AL3 7PT www.hertsshow.com

1940s Week 27th May - 4th June

See history brought to life and learn about WW2, from bunkering during the Blitz, to rationing and the fighter planes that fought in the Battle of Britain. Please book RAF Museum London NW9 5LL www.rafmuseum.org.uk

Steps for Pets

Step up to the challenge and walk 300,000 sponsored steps during May to help the Blue Cross help sick, injured and homeless pets. Take on the challenge today! www.bluecross.org.uk

Tour de Vale 11th June

Fantastic charity bike ride with 3 routes (25k, 75k or 110k), starting on the track at the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, and taking you through beautiful Bucks countryside. www.tourdevale.com

Index of Businesses

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