harpenden NOW November 13

harpenden November 2013

NOW

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Christmas at Childwickbury

Fireworks NOW! It’s Panto Time!

Memorial Services Photo Competition

What’s on and more

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Welcome to November

November is a time for fireworks, fun and families in front of the fire....whatever you’re up to have a fabulous fun filled month.

As always there are lots of fantastic firework displays happening locally and lots of ideas to get you in the festive mood with the Harpenden Carnival, the Christmas Markets in St Albans, and the magical Christmas lights being switched on in both towns...lots to get excited about as panto season approaches!

It’s also a great time to get trim so you fit into that little black dress, just check out the various fitness options in the magazine this month.

And don’t forget if you need a local business pick up your copy of harpenden NOW or read it online at www.theNOWmagazines.com

jane & wendy to advertise call 07983 588313 / 291 wendy@thenowmagazines.com Deadline for next editions: 10th November

Christmas at Childwickbury

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art, crafts & festive food!

Fireworks NOW!

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sparklers, rockets & catherine wheels

Light Up Harpenden 10 fairs, fun, food & Santa

Music for All 12 opera, jazz, acapella & more

Photo Competition 18 It’s important to save water

On Your Bike Ladies 20 ladies only please!

It’s Panto Time! 22 It’s behind you...

Lest We Forget 28 a day of reflection

The South 30 (The Beautiful South)

NOW in the Garden 38 plant your tulip bulbs

What’s on in November 40 & December 42 Time for Tax Returns 44 do it NOW!

Index of Businesses 46

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Christmas at Childwickbury

On the 30th November and 1st December the Childwickbury Christmas Market will once again be offering its unique and inspiring range of art, crafts and foods to start the Christmas shopping season!

The market is held in the Childwickbury House stable block which is full of charm with its flint walls and red brick Victorian splendour. The stables and tack rooms will be opened up for artists and crafts people selling gifts including wooden toys, stained glass, jewellery, leather work, quilts, pottery, clothing, fabulous hats, table ware, fine art and more.

If you want food gifts then we have Childwickbury Honey, preserves and homemade sweets, Christmas cakes to order and hampers. Hot food and drink will keep you warm and cosy under a covered canopy in the centre of the stables. You can enjoy freshly cooked pizza and top quality organic beef burgers alongside fresh coffee and teas. Local Redbournbury Watermill will also be selling a selection of artisan breads.

And if that’s not enough you can even buy your Christmas tree from the Herts Garden Centre who will have a good selection of real trees available (and their netting machine!) www.childwickburyarts.com

Beautiful selection of jewellery and gifts online at

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Fireworks NOW! Saturday 2nd November Firework Display Kinsbourne Green Common, near St Mary's Church, 9th Harpenden Scout Group, 6pm, adult £6, child £5

OA’s Annual Fireworks Display Woollams Playing Fields, Harpenden Road Gates open at 6pm, display at 7.45pm Family £20, adult £10, concs £5 BBQ, bars and hot drinks, 01727 864476

Redbourn Firework Display Redbourn Common.

Stalls and fun fair from 6.30pm, display at 7pm

Sunday 3rd November Butterfly World Miriam Lane, St Albans Gates open at 4.30pm, display at 6.15pm Food, drinks, BBQ, face painting and fairground rides Tickets £6 from Butterfly World 01727 869203

9th November Crabtree Junior School 6.30pm - 7.30pm Tickets £7 per person and £25 for families.

Gates open at 5.30pm, display at 6.30pm Hot dogs, burgers, soup, toffee apples, coffee.

All money raised goes directly to the school.

Hatfield House Firework Display 80’s themed disco, funfair, hot food and drinks from 5pm, bonfire 6.30pm.

Adult £7, child £3, under 5’s free, cash only

St Albans Verulamium Park See below

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10th November Harpenden Rugby Club See below

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

Free No Obligation Consultation, Measuring & Quotation

Autumn Sale!

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

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

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Light Up Harpenden

Wheathampstead Christmas Lights Up 28th November at 6pm.

Southdown Festive Light Switch On 29th November at 6pm .

Batford Festive Light Switch On 1st December

The Christmas lights herald the countdown to the start of the festive season on Sunday 24th November.

The fun starts at 12 noon to coincide with the monthly Farmers Market making the event a wonderful opportunity to buy Christmas presents for loved ones or some delicious home made Christmas fayre. There will be a procession through the High Street at 3pm and entertainment on stage from 1pm to 6pm. Lots of the shops will be open, so why not mooch about and enjoy the atmosphere with fairground rides, Santa’s grotto and a bouncy castle for the children.

Relax in the many bars and restaurants and enjoy some fine cuisine and watch the world go by. The Town Mayor and the winner of the Town Council Christmas Poster Competition will switch on the lights at 5pm. This year’s event promisses to be bigger and better than ever before.

Make it a date, see you there!

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Harpenden Circle Gift Fair 22nd / 23rd November 9.30am - 4.30pm Harpenden Public Halls In its 39th year, the Gift Fair is a local community event run by the Harpenden Ladies Circle.

All proceeds go to their chosen charities, this year, Parkinsons UK and Herts Young Homeless.

There will be around 50 stalls both local and from far afield, offering an excellent opportunity to start some early Christmas shopping!

Harpenden Ladies Circle will be running a cafe offering home-baked food and a Tombola with some fantastic prizes thanks to the generosity of local businesses. www.facebook.com/ HarpendenCircleGiftFair

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Celebrate ‘The Seasons’ with The Harpenden

Choral Society Come to High Street Methodist Church on Saturday 16th November at 7.30pm and enjoy Haydn’s last great choral oratorio, The Seasons. Written towards the end of his life and regarded by scholars as arguably his greatest work. It celebrates the seasons through the eyes of country folk and will be sung in English with orchestral accompaniment by The King’s Sinfonietta.

Adult £13, student £3 from 01582 419379, online at www.harpendenchoralsociety.org or on the door.

Vibrant VOCES8 ...international award winning octet at the forefront of British acapella, is holding a workshop at Beechwood Park School on 17th November.

Their repertoire ranges from Renaissance polyphony to unique jazz and pop arrangements.

The workshop starts at 10am and will finish with a concert at 4.30pm by VOCES8 and all those who have participated in the course.

Cost £35 including lunch and refreshments; Concert: adult £10, child free.

To book a place call 01582 840333 ex 4 or email l.peck@beechwoodpark.herts.sch.uk

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TO ADVERTISE CONTACT 07983 588313 or wendy@theNOWmagazines.com

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Photo Competition: why it’s important to save water Why not help promote water conservation by entering the Hertfordshire-wide photo competition. Just create a powerful image depicting why it is important to save water. The competition is backed by St Albans City and District Council as part of a campaign to reduce water consumption and protect the environment.

Residents of all ages and abilities can enter. The top three winners will receive shopping vouchers worth up to £75. Their work will also be displayed in a local exhibition and used in Submit water-saving promotions photos across the county. by 5pm on Please include your Friday 22nd name, age, address and November to a contact number and waterphoto@stalbans.gov.uk provide a title for your photograph with a caption of 150 words maximum explaining why it is important to save water.

Cllr Daniel Chichester-Miles said: “Express your creativity and send us powerful photographs that tell us why it is important to save water. ... in St Albans, the average person uses 174 litres per day, compared to a national average of 150 litres or the county average of 162 litres. So lets all work together and use less.

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TO ADVERTISE CONTACT 07983 588313 or wendy@theNOWmagazines.com

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On Your Bike Ladies The last Five Miles to Fabulous women’s morning bike ride for this year takes place on Saturday 16th November starting from Morrison’s, Hatfield Road at 9.30am – meet near the cycle parking. The ride is organised by the local group of the national Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC).

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

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You don’t need to be a member, or book in advance, just turn up with a roadworthy machine, and warm and waterproof clothing. Also some money for the coffee stop. The distance is usually five miles and the route uses traffic free routes and quiet lanes as much as possible. For more information contact Rona on 01727 836470 or to read about previous bike rides visit www.southhertsctc.org.uk/ Cycle/five-miles-to-fabulous.

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It’s Panto Time!

Cinderella The Alban Arena 6th December - 5th January 01727 844488 A spectacular family pantomime starring singing sensation, Gareth Gates, CBeebies star, Andy Day and St Albans’ favourite Bob Golding.

Jack and the Beanstalk Harpenden Public Halls 13th - 22nd December 01582 767525 Starring Tiswas’ Sally James, CBBC Newsround’s Hayley Cutts and Ernie Almond from BBC 3 Counties Radio.

Beauty And The Beast Hawthorne Theatre 21st - 31st December 01707 357117 A sumptuous family Christmas Show, with lavish costumes, songs, humour and some great panto-style audience interaction, it’s sure to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step!

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 22

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Lest We Forget Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday in November, is the day traditionally put aside for people across the nation to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave Service men and women who gave their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today.

Sunday 10th November War Memorial, St Peter's Street 10.20am, St Albans Mayor (robed) and District Councillors, Parish Councillors and Honorary Aldermen in attendance in processional order.

War Memorial, Church Green, Harpenden 10.50am, parade from The Royal British Legion in Leyton Road at 10.40am to Church Green in the centre of town.

Monday 11th November Remembrance Day - Two Minute Silence, St Albans Cathedral 11am 10th / 11th Walks: Street War Memorials Visit each of the memorials and hear the story behind some of the names. Meet St Albans Tour Guides in front of the Old Town Hall at 11am, adult £4, child £2. Tickets from the Tourist Information Centre 01727 864511.

Light up a Life The Luton and Dunstable Hospital invites you to join in with their Light up a Life campaign this Christmas!

Buy a light as a gift for someone or dedicate one in memory of a loved one.

All proceeds will go to the Prostate Cancer Unit at the Hospital. Lights are £5 or £10 for 3. If you buy one as a gift for someone, they will receive a card with your special message or if you purchase one in memory of a loved one, you will receive a letter of dedication. The tree will twinkle outside the hospital for everyone to appreciate. The Switching On ceremony is on Monday 2nd December at 6pm with festive music and refreshments afterwards, everyone is welcome! To buy your lights please call Sarah on 01582 718 289 or visit www.ldh.nhs.uk/fundraising and download a form.

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Bouncy Castle Hire from just £50!

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(The Beautiful South) Bedford Corn Exchange30th November at 7.30pm Formed in 1988 The Beautiful South had a string of hit singles such as Rotterdam, Don’t Marry Her, Perfect 10, Old Red Eyes Is Back and Number One single A Little Time. Their greatest hits album, Carry On Up The Charts, was one of the fastest-selling albums in UK history, entering at Number One and staying there for weeks, becoming one of the country’s most popular albums ever. After 20 years, ten studio albums, five greatest hits compilations, thirty-four chart singles, 15 million record sales worldwide and performing in front of millions of fans, when time was called on The Beautiful South in 2008, not everyone was ready to leave the party.

Dave Hemingway and Ali Wheeler, lead singers with the band – along with departed songwriter Paul Heaton – were having too much fun to get out the pipe and slippers, and so The South was formed. Joining the duo were fellow mainstays from the original touring band: keyboard wizard Damon Butcher and the potent horn section of Gaz Birtles and Tony Robinson that brought so much to the live shows. Dave Hemingway’s musical career stretches back into the Eighties. He became a founder member of The Beautiful South after the demise of The Housemartins.

Right from the off, The Beautiful South seemed to defy the normal logic associated with pop bands, not least for the fact that they stayed together for 20 years. Over the life of the band, they produced many self-penned hits and had several number one albums.

The South continue to supply new, fresh, caustic pop on their debut album ‘Sweet Refrains’, which was released a year ago to critical acclaim. 2013 will see them performing their new songs along with many of the Beautiful South hits. The South may not be so Beautiful anymore, but they certainly have history. And the future looks bright…

Tickets are £22.50 in advance www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk 30

St Albans Bouncy Castles 07721 011 539 01727 87 22 13 www.stalbansbouncycastles.co.uk

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The 2014 Harpenden Trust Calendar is now available for purchase at the Trust Centre, 90 Southdown Road, at Harpenden Town Hall, Leyton Road and at News 4U, Station Road. You can also buy one at the Trust Stall at the Harpenden Christmas Market on 24th November. All money raised by calendar sales will go towards the Care Fund of the Harpenden Trust which helps families and individuals in crisis.

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before

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 after

~ Taking care of your Home ~

Harpenden Window Cleaning • • • •

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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

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NOW in the garden As winter approaches, I shake off the blues by reaching for my spade and thinking of spring. November is the best time to plant tulip bulbs, and if you pop them in a pot or in the ground now, you’ll be rewarded with a blaze of colour in April and May next year.

Tulips are easy to grow if you have light, sandy soil and a sunny spot, where they will flower well. If your soil is sticky clay and difficult to dig, either work in a bag or two of horticultural grit before planting or plant in containers.

For the best results, plant the bulbs about 20cm (8in) beneath the soil surface in bold groups. If you’re planting in the garden, dig a large, deep hole, and then space the bulbs, pointed end facing up, about 10cm (4in) apart at the bottom. Carefully replace the soil, and firm gently to remove any air pockets.

Pots are just as easy to plant up. Select large containers and plant the bulbs in John Innes No 2 compost mixed with some horticultural grit. After planting, place your containers on ‘pot feet’ so that water drains through easily, because if there’s one thing tulips hate it’s waterlogged soil!

Here are my top 5 favourite tulips for you to try: Angélique The peony-like blooms resemble bowls of raspberry ice cream.

Flowers in May. Artist A confection of pink and green blooms with pointed petals.

Flowers in April/May. Ballerina Try these richly coloured lily-flowered tulips en masse in a border.

Flowers in May Queen of Night Partner these elegant dark purple blooms with forget-me-nots. Flowers in May. Turkestanica Use these tiny tulips in an alpine or gravel garden. Plant the smaller bulbs about 12-15cm (5-6ins) deep. Flowers in late March/April.

by Zia Allaway, join Zia at her gardening workshops in Harpenden 07770 780 231 www.ziaallaway.com/workshops

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andrew@arlandscapes.co.uk

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT 07983 588313 or wendy@theNOWmagazines.com

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What’s on in November 40

1st The Hollies The Alban Arena, 7.30pm, £27.50 Fashion Show at the Abbey St Albans Cathedral, a night of glamour down the longest catwalk in England, 6.45pm Folk at the Maltings Concert Maltings Arts Theatre, £10, concs £8, 8pm 2nd - 10th Fireworks Displays see page 6 5th Demonstration: ‘Christmas Advent-ure’ Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 621757, The Harpenden Floral Decoration Club, 2pm 6th Cancer Research Charity Fashion Show Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 621757 6th & 28th Abbey by Night Tour St Albans Cathedral, 01727 890213, explore the Cathedral by candlelight, 8pm & 8.30pm, £12, includes drinks 8th Les McKeown’s Legendary Bay City Rollers Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 621757, 7.30pm, adult £19.50, concs £17.50 9th St George's Christmas Fayre see page 10 Requiem St Saviour's Church, St Albans, 07884 231958, St Albans Choral Society, 7.30pm, adult £18 / £15, child £1 Music Medley see page 12 9th & 10th Indoor Craft Market The Old Town Hall, St Albans, Sat 10 - 4pm, Sun 9.30 - 2.30pm 10th & 11th Walks: Street War Memorials see page 28 12th Talk: Plants & People in Southern Greece Harpenden Horticultural Society, Roundwood Park School, 01582 761222, 8pm, £3 13th & 27th Spooky Walks meet at St Albans Old Town Hall, 01727 864511, 8pm, adult £4, child £2 14th - 23rd Wuthering Heights Abbey Theatre, St Albans, 01727 85861 15th Charity Race Night Harpenden House Hotel, 01582 463662, 7.30pm, £20 with food 15th - 17th Art Exhibition Harpenden Public Halls 16th Grand Vintage Fair Jubilee Centre, Catherine Street, St Albans, 10 - 4pm Sixty’s Gold The Alban Arena, St Albans, 01727 844488, Gerry & The Pacemakers & more

16th The Evening Primrose St John’s Church, 01582 761528, Harpenden Music Makers Concert, 7.30pm, adult £12, concs £10, student £5 Concert: The Seasons page 12 Christmas Fair Methodist Church Hall, High Street Harpenden, in aid of Cancer Research UK, crafts, gifts, cakes & face painting, 10 - 4pm Christmas Oratorio St Albans Cathedral, 01727 890256, St Albans Bach Choir, 7.30pm, £25, £20, £10 www.stalbansbachchoir.org.uk 17th Tree Planting at Heartwood Forest see page 30 Wedding Fayre Sopwell House, St Albans, 01727 750411, 11am - 4pm St Albans Christmas Lights Switch On St Peters Street, 5.30pm The Stylistics The Alban Arena, 01727 844488 20th Display: Sudan St Mary's Church, Childwickbury, Harpenden & District Philatelic Society, 8pm, visitors welcome, 01582 762284 21st Festive Event Burston Nursery, North Orbital Road, 01727 832444, free entry & parking, 2 - 6pm 22nd An Evening in Celebration of Benjamin Britten Maltings Arts Theatre, 8pm, £10, £7.50 22nd & 23rd Harpenden Circle Gift Fair see page 10 23rd Dance Organ Day St Albans Organ Theatre, 03003 656565, 11am, £12, includes lunch The Spotlight Ball Brocket Hall Golf Club, Harpenden Spotlight on Africa, 7pm www.hsoa.org.uk 23rd & 30th Tree Week Walk Dunstable Downs, Chilterns Gateway Centre, 01582 500925, 2 hour guided stroll for National Tree Week, 11am, £2 24th Harpenden Christmas Carnival see page 10 26th ‘Films of old Harpenden’ Redbourn Local History, Harpenden Public Halls, Local History Society, 8pm 28th Wheathampstead Christmas Lights Up 28th Nov - 21st Dec St Albans Christmas Market see page 10 29th Southdown Christmas Lights Switch On see page 10 30th Nov - 1st Dec Indoor Craft Market The Old Town Hall, St Albans, Saturday: 10 - 4pm, Sunday: 9.30 - 2.30pm

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What’s on in December

1st Batford Lights Switch On see page 10 3rd Meeting: Winter Solstice Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 621757, The Harpenden Floral Decoration Club, 2pm Talk: Royal Central London Parks Harpenden Horticultural Society, Roundwood Park School, 01582 761222, 8pm, £3 7th Benjamin Britten: Sacred & Profane & Christmas Music St Albans Cathedral, 01727 890256, 7.30pm, adult £14, child £10 The Christmas Story St Saviour's Church, St Albans, St Albans Chamber Choir, 07570 454744, 7.30pm, £13, concs £1 Songs In The Key Of Lee Maltings Arts Theatre, a mix of iconic songs by local singer Fenella Lee, 8pm, £10, concs £7.50 8th Carols By Candlelight Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 621757 Indoor Craft Market The Old Town Hall, St Albans, 9.30 - 2.30pm 8th & 15th Christmas Bazaar Chilterns Gateway Centre, Dunstable Downs, 01582 500925 10th A Victorian Christmas Maltings Arts Theatre, 8pm, £10, £7.50 11th - 15th Christmas Tree Festival St Nicholas Church, 10th: Grand Opening 14th: Children's Day of special events, adult £5, child free 13th - 22nd Jack & the Beanstalk see page 22

14th Christmas Carol Concerts St Albans Cathedral, St Albans Bach Choir Family Carol Concert: 3pm, adult £5, child £1 Carol Concert: 7pm, adult £10, concs £5 Charity Carol Concert Harpenden Music Makers, High Street Methodist Church, 01582 761528, 3pm, £12, concs £10, students £5 Christmas Theatre Organ Concerts St Albans Organ Theatre, 03003 656565, 2.30pm & 7.30pm, £10 with mince pies 15th Tree Planting at Heartwood see page 30 The Mechanical Instrument Christmas Special St Albans Organ Theatre, 03003 656565, 2.15pm, £5.50 A Celebration of Christmas Marlborough Road Methodist Church, St Albans, 07884 231958, £13, child £1, 7pm 16th World Carols St John's Church, Harpenden, 0845 475 1664, Hardynge Choir, 8pm 20th - 29th The Railway Children Abbey Theatre, St Albans, 01727 857861, 7.30pm 20th & 21st Hansel & Gretel St Albans Chamber Opera, The Maltings Arts Theatre, 01727 858307, £14, 7.30pm 21st Carols On The Hour St Albans Cathedral, services last 30 minutes, every hour, 11am - 4pm 26th George & The Dragon various locations in the City Centre, 01727 864511, by St Albans Mummers www.stalbansmummers.org.uk Walk off Christmas Dunstable Downs, 01582 500925, booking advisable, a healthy, strenuous guided walk, £2 & £2 car parking

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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

Fully Licensed and Air Conditioned

Good Food and Good Service Come and enjoy Authentic Indian and Bangladeshi Cuisine Cooked Daily with Fresh Meat, Chicken and Vegetables from Local Suppliers

Special Gourmet Nights £9.95 Tuesdays and Wednesdays

FREE HOME DELIVERY on orders over £10 with 4 mile radius

15% Discount on collected orders over £10 The Council Hygienist has scored this restaurant very highly

2 Grove Road, Southdown, Harpenden, AL5 1PX

01582 467676 / 469191 Easy Parking Available

Visit our NEW website www.theNOWmagazines.com

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Time for Tax Returns HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are in the process of writing to taxpayers to remind them they need to file their 2013 tax return by 31st January 2014 (or 31st October 2013 if submitting a hardcopy).

But despite HMRC’s best endeavours, taxpayers often put off preparing their tax return until the festive winter period. This really doesn’t leave very long to file and pay any tax before the January deadline and it’s easy to get distracted by the celebrations.

Here are a few good reasons to do it early.

Tax payments aren’t accelerated If you file your tax return early, you are only obliged to pay any tax liability by the normal due dates: • 31st January 2014 (balance and the first payment on account- if applicable); • And 31st July 2014 (second payment on account- if applicable).

...But refunds are accelerated If you file your tax return before the filing deadline, you should receive any tax refund you are due fairly soon after it’s submitted; HMRC do not wait until 31st January to pay you.

Accountants If you plan to use an accountant be aware that some firms charge you a premium if you deliver your records to them close to the deadline.

Contacting HM Revenue & Customs Trying to get hold of HMRC can be difficult around the tax return deadline. Avoid leaving your tax affairs until December or later; just in case you need to speak with them and can’t get through.

If you are due a tax refund, you’re also likely to experience a longer turnaround time if you file your return during their peak times.

Penalties

HMRC have changed the penalty regime for late tax returns, and they are now significantly more than they used to be. For example, the initial £100 penalty used to be reduced if you paid the tax on time or was capped to your tax liability.

Cash flow management But the penalty is automatic.

Filing your tax return and calculating any tax liability arising, allows you the time to start saving And if your tax return is more than three months late, £10 daily penalties accumulate up to a for the bill and to manage your cash flow. If you maximum of £900. A penalty of the higher of pay your tax bill late, HMRC will charge you £300 or 5% of your tax due is then charged if interest and possibly even late payment your return is 6 months late and again if it penalties.

If your tax liability is under £3,000 and you submit becomes over 12 months late. All of these your tax return by 30th December 2013, you can penalties are in addition to one another; rather than in place of. So penalties for late tax returns opt to have your tax liability collected through can top over £1,600. your tax code. It could simply be deducted from your wages or pension each week/month.

Tax Credits

Time If your affairs have changed and you have say, losses or a significant amount of additional income, then preparing your return early can pay dividends because it gives you the time to consider any tax planning opportunities which could lead to tax savings. Having plenty of time to prepare your return reduces the risk of errors. It also allows time for bank statements to be collected and any other financial documents you may need to file the return.

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If you are in receipts of tax credit or benefits, your claim needs to be renewed annually by 31st July, which involves letting the Tax Credit Office know your income.

For a free consultation call 01582 760154 or email harpenden@taxassist.co.uk www.taxassist.co.uk/harpenden

THE FLOWER SCHOOL “Come and be Creative with Flowers” Let florist Anita Lindeman teach you how to make stunning arrangements with beautiful flowers and foliages, in a calm relaxed atmosphere. Delicious refreshments included at Childwickbury workshops.

Christmas Door Wreath Workshops £28 Fri 6th December Thurs 12th December Sat 14th December Thurs 12th December

10 - 12.30 New House Park 10 - 12.30 The Flower School 10.30 - 12.30 Childwickbury 7.30 - 9.30 pm The Flower School

Christmas Table Design Weds 18th December

£30

10 - 12 noon The Flower School

New 4 Week Spring Flower Course for 2014 Four Thursday evenings at Childwickbury starting early February see website for more details

Cost includes all flowers, materials and refreshments

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

Visit our NEW website www.theNOWmagazines.com

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Index of Businesses

Accountants Hicks TaxAssist Accountants

41 Back Cover

Aerial Installations Concorde Aerials Harpenden Digital Services Bicycle Repairs Cycletech Hertfordshire Blinds Harpenden Blinds Bouncy Castle Hire St Albans Bouncy Castles Building / Refurbishment JMH Building Contractors Cabinet Makers Sequoia Bespoke

Financial Management AMR Financial Management

Gardening / Landscaping 30 AR Landscapes Ltd Garden Life Landscapes 33 Gardening Workshops Zia’s Gardening Workshops

Chiropodist Julia Reading Cleaning Big Yellow Cleaning Company Domestico Harpenden Power Wash Merrivac Murray’s Cleaning Services

36 37 35 35 36

Car Sales Nolan Prestige Car Servicing / Repairs M Chapman Auto Services Ltd Charity Grove House Hospice Children’s Art Classes FineArt4Kids!

Chimney Sweep Poppins Chimney Sweep

31 31 31

Personal Trainers Alice Harvey

18

Pet Care Personal Petcare

36

Photography I & W Photography Top Photography

13 13

39 39

Picture Framing Bloom

45

38

Plasterer A. Merson Plastering

34

41

Flooring 29 27 Creative Wood Flooring 27 Flower Arranging Workshops The Flower School 45 20 Funeral Directors LC Weston Funeral Directors 41 8

29 Garden Nursery / Centre Bridge Valley Nursery Burston Garden Centre 14 Gas K25 15 Gifts ASHQ.co.uk 14 Health / Fitness / Slimming BarreWithAmanda.co.uk 43 Intelligent Pilates Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Classes 22 The Fit Lab ThePilatesWorkshop.co.uk 34 Hearing Services The Hearing Healthcare Practice 20

Car Body Repairs Prestige Paint Shop Ltd

Painters & Decorators CB Decorators M & M Decorating N.S. Decorating

47 3 16 4 25 19 21 19 24

23 43

Interior Designer Lorraine Vaughan

8 22

Computer Repairs Ken Hodson

42

Outdoor Clothing / Camping Gear Complete Outdoors 11

Counselling / Sex Therapy Michael Stock

20

Oven Cleaning Ovenmaster

Domestic Appliance Repairs Leigh Hibon

29

Electricians I & B Electrical MLC Electrical Selmon Electrical Services

26 26 27

16 & 47 17

36

Property Maintenance Green’s House & Gardens Mr Handyman Nick The Handyman Simply Jobs

32 32 33 33

Security Maximum Security Systems

26 2

Tree Surgeons Fircroft Tree Services.co.uk

39

Tyre Fitting Big D’s Tyres

18

Window Cleaner Harpenden Window Cleaning

35

Windows & Doors AA Window Repairs Cloudy2Clear Markyate Windows & Doors

35

Ice Skating Van Hage Garden Centre 15th November - 6th January Great Amwell www.vanhage.co.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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Pond Maintenance Women With Waders

Ticket Sales Great Tickets Ltd

Indian Restaurant Shapla Restaurant

Kindergarten Artisans Kindergarten

Plumbers DJ&M Plumbing Services Ltd Master Bathrooms Ltd Prestige Plumbing & Heating Services

9 7 8

DJ&M PLUMBING SERVICES LTD ●

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Complete Bathroom, Cloakroom and Shower Installations

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Local Family Run Business, Over 30 Years Experience

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Honest and Reliable Service Free Consultation/ Quotation for all Enquiries

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Tiling Plastering Electrical

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Discounts On All Bathrooms Supplied

Electric and Power Showers Ball Valves and Overflows Blocked WC’s, Sinks, Baths and Basins Repair/Renew Stopcocks and Taps Plumb in Washing Machines and Dishwashers Repair Leaking Pipes Outside Taps

Dean Herrington 07830 159010 info@djmplumbing.co.uk

01727 764217 www.djmplumbing.co.uk

YOUR LOCAL

PLANT CENTRE Please call

01582 766728 for seasonal opening times

Autumn Bedding Plants

Winter Tubs & Baskets Logs, Kindling, Gas & Coal TO ADVERTISE CONTACT 07983 588313 or wendy@theNOWmagazines.com

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