harpenden NOW summer 15

harpenden

NOW

summer 2015

Open Air Cinema Festival of Sport Herts Open Studios

Open Air Theatre Heritage Open Days

All the Fun of the Festivals Summer Fun

What’s on and lots more

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Welcome to summer

Summer’s here and there’s loads going on… so grab a cuppa, sit back, have a flick through harpenden NOW and plan what you’ll be up to.

Just keep your copy handy, so you don’t miss out on the amazing variety of things happening locally. Whatever you decide, make sure you have fun!

Jane & Wendy www.theNOWmagazines.com wendy@theNOWmagazines.com

Open Air Cinema 4

movies under the stars

Festival of Sport 6

running, cycling & swimming

NOW at the Public Halls 12 music, Pongo & more

Planes, Airfix & Codebreaking 18

Shuttleworth, RAF Hendon & Bletchley Park

NOW at the Alban Arena 20 music, films & comedy

Herts Open Studios 24 creativity in action

Summer Fun 26

jousting, scarecrows, kites & more

Heritage Open Days 30

bringing local history to life

NOW for some Music 32 jazz, opera & classical

All the Fun of the Festivals 34

ure you’re To make s edition in the next uch to in t just ge m agazines.co m W O N e th y@ d n we 313 07983 5 88

10th Deadline:

Sept

food & drink galore

Open Air Theatre 42

Shakespeare, Austen & more

What’s on in August 46 & September 48 Index of Businesses 50

accountants to windows & doors

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01727 298007 For more information visit

www.nulookroof.co.uk To Advertise: 07983 588313 wendy@theNOWmagazines.com

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Open Air Cinema Hitchin Lavender Ghost 12th August Gates 7.30pm, film 8.50pm Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore make pottery sexy!

It's 25 years since Ghost was released and it still makes us smile, cry and laugh.

Tickets £6 - £13 Cadwell Farm, Hitchin SG5 3UA 0333 6663366 / 01462 434343 www.sundowncinema.co.uk

Hertford Castle Back To The Future 22nd August, gates 7.30pm, film 8.30pm Relax and enjoy the 30th anniversary of this much loved movie, under the stars.

Last year was a sell out so buy your tickets early!

Tickets £6, 01992 584322

Hatfield House The Luna Cinema presents classic films under the stars in the stunning grounds of Hatfield House. Tickets £13.50, child £9 The Grand Budapest Hotel 27th August 6.30pm A British-German comedy-drama tells the story of a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between WW1 and WW2 and his friendship with a young employee who becomes his most trusted protégé, starring Ralph Fiennes, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Murray and Tilda Swinton.

The Goonies 28th August 6.30pm The Goonies are a bunch of misfit kids who take on some greedy property developers and try to save their neighbourhood by finding the lost treasure map of a 17th century pirate.

Dirty Dancing 29th August 6.30pm Patrick Swayze in one of his most famous roles.

Frances 'Baby' Houseman (Jennifer Grey) is a teenager on holiday with her family, despite their differences in class, age and experience, the couple fall in love. www.thelunacinema.com

Luton Hoo Come and watch some great iconic films, some of which were shot at Luton Hoo, in the stunning grounds of the Estate. Please bring refreshments and enjoy a choice of films.

August: gates 7.30pm, film 8.30pm 30th Aug - Chicago 31st Aug - When Harry Met Sally September: gates 7pm, film: 8.15pm 3rd Sept - Jaws 4th Sept - Moulin Rouge 6th Sept - Mamma Mia 7th Sept - Notting Hill Tickets £13 www.sundowncinema.co.uk

Knebworth House The Luna Cinema presents classic films under the stars in the grounds of Knebworth House.

Gates 6pm, film 7.30pm 11th Sept: Frozen Sing-a-long 12th Sept: Mamma Mia 13th Sept: Back To The Future Tickets £13.50, child £9 www.thelunacinema.com

Please take low back chairs or picnic blankets

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Festival of Sport Sun 13th September 7am - 1pm This fantastic new Festival will be held in Verulamium Park and Westminster Lodge Swimming Pool, and includes triathlons, aquathlons, duathlons, cycle events, 10K and 5K runs and a scootathon for kids.

Entry fee includes race entry, timing chips, finishers T shirt and medal, access to post race nutrition, massage and athlete area, winners trophies and goody bags. Make sure you get involved and take part in what promises to be an amazing day of sport Triathlon Novice - 200M / 10K / 2.5K Sprint - 400M / 20K / 5K The swim leg will be in the Pool. Transition is just a quick sprint away in the Park and the bike leg will be in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside.

Run 10K and 5K Both runs will be in the Park and will be testing, safe and fun.

Cycling 100K Cyclo Sportive Taking you out into the countryside and neighbouring counties. Sportives are suitable for everyone and all standards; so challenge yourself and ‘go long!’

Aquathlon Sprint - 400M / 5K Starting in the Pool, before heading out onto the run leg in the Park finishing in the Sports Village.

Duathlon (Run/Bike/Run) Novice - 2.5K / 10K / 2.5K Sprint - 5K / 20K / 2.5K Standard - 10K / 40K / 5K *Kids - 400M / 1.2k / 400M (ages 7-14) Challenging but providing a distance and standard for all abilities. The Duathlon run legs take place in the Park. The bike leg takes you into the countryside for a fast and enjoyable race. *The kids bike leg will be in the Park, bikes for the kids duathlon will be supplied, or bring your own.

Scootathon (ages 4-8) Scootathons are a fantastic addition to multi-sport events, allowing budding young Olympians to take their first steps in multi-sport eventing. Sign up your son or daughter and put their feet firmly on a sporting path.

The Scootathon involves a 200M Scoot, followed by a 400M cycle, finishing in a 400M run. www.herculesevents.com/ hercules-festival-of-sport-st-albans

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Join the Oxfam Herts Hike Sat 26th September starting from Sandridge Scout Hut at 8.30am.

All routes are circular beginning and ending at Heartwood Forest, with 5 routes to choose from: 3 miles inside Heartwood Forest 5 miles including Nomansland Common 8 miles including through Wheathampstead 14 miles including Ayot St Lawrence 19 miles up to Kimpton This year Oxfam are fundraising for their project in Niger, the least developed country in the world, 75% of which are in severe poverty.

The project provides clean water and sanitation to mothers and children attending malnutrition clinics.

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/Herts-Hike-Oxfam-St-Albans1

www.oxfamstalbans.org

FOOT CARE I provide foot care in the comfort of your own home I am qualified to treat Corns Verrucae Callouses Fungal Nails Cracked Heels Ingrowing Nails Athlete’s Foot Together with Nail Clipping and Filing Experienced in dealing with the Elderly and Dementia sufferers 01582 761390 / 07806 409723 Cherry Aquitaine MCFHP, MAFHP, Foot Health Practitioner

MIND-BODY BALANCE The perfect support for mind-body health and vitality Reiki Courses, Treatment and Consultations in Harpenden Flexible Monthly Teaching of Reiki I II and III

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Get Colour Blasted!

UK registered charity no 297489

Rennie Grove has launched a fantastic new fundraising event which takes place on Sunday 23rd August. Colour Blast is a 5km or 1.5km run where you will be showered with different coloured powders at intervals along the course, turning you into a running rainbow.

Colour Blast takes place at Westminster Lodge, St Albans, at 10.30am and is open to all ages (under 18s must have parental consent and under 16s must be accompanied by an adult).

Adult £20, child £10, family £50 You will be provided with special sunglasses to protect your eyes, but all powder is non-toxic, corn starch based and perfectly safe.

The entry fee covers the costs of putting on the event, so participants are asked to seek sponsorship to support the charity. www.renniegrove.org/colourblast

Sat 12th September 10am - 6pm The Bike 'n Hike is an annual event organised by Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust. The aim is to raise sponsorship, by visiting as many participating churches as possible and getting your sponsor sheet signed at each of them. Half of every cyclist’s and walker’s sponsor money goes to the Trust and half to the church of their choice. The event started in 1992 and over 600 churches take part each year throughout Beds and Herts raising over £100,000 from some 1,000 cyclists, walkers and their generous sponsors. www.b-n-h.co.uk

Charity Fashion Show 17th September doors 6pm, show 7pm If you need something new to liven up your wardrobe this is your chance to see, try on and buy this season’s high street fashions at bargain prices while helping to raise money for your local hospice charity.

All the models are volunteers at Rennie Grove Hospice Care, so come and see them strutting their stuff and enjoy an evening of fun, fashion and fundraising. £10, includes a glass of Pimms.

Places are limited so please call 01727 731028 to book Grove House, St Albans, Herts, AL3 5QX

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Save Money This Summer

Summer Cycling Five Miles to Fabulous Sat 19th September 9.30am Ladies-only easy pace ride with coffee stop using traffic free routes and quieter roads. Make sure you give your bike a once-over and pump up the tyres! Meet at Morrisons, Hatfield Road, by the cycle stands. www.southhertsctc.org

Breeze Champions St Albans and Harpenden both have Breeze Champions, volunteer ride leaders trained by British Cycling. You can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/ BreezeHarpendenStAlbans Breeze rides are for women only, graded as ‘easy’, ‘steady’ or ‘challenging’ There are regular rides from Harpenden on the last Saturday of the month: 29th August and 26th September Meeting place is Caffe Nero in Harpenden, setting off at 9.30am. The ride is about 15 miles in ‘rolling’ terrain northeast of Harpenden and a coffee stop at Emily’s in Whitwell.

Places are limited, so it’s best to prebook www.breezebikerides.com (St Albans rides are yet to be arranged)

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Organised by Harpenden Youth Town Council and Youth Connexion.

The project which runs from 1st July - 31st August offers young people in Harpenden a range of benefits throughout the summer, while giving local businesses the chance to generate additional income through their support and involvement.

Discounts include reduced charges at Harpenden Sports Centre and Swimming Pool, savings on sports clothing and equipment at Good Sports and discounts on food and drink in the Blueberrry Café at Breathing Space.

Discount Card Scheme cards can be obtained from Youth Town Councillors at Sir John Lawes, Roundwood Park and St George’s Schools, the Town Hall and through Youth Connexions at Harpenden Youth Centre, above the library, Harpenden High Street.

Harpenden Youth Town Council is a group of 11-18 year olds who represent youth in the community and volunteer their time to make Harpenden a more enjoyable place to live, as well as representing young people at local events, political debates, Town and District Council meetings, and within schools. They also hold events to raise money for local youth charities and create awareness for local youth issues. New members to the Youth Town Council are always welcome.

01582 768278 01582 760026

Cycling with tea and cake!

Sundays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th August Sundays 9th, 13th, 20th & 27th September The electric bike is a great way to explore the great outdoors. The rides start from Mill Green Mill in Hatfield and visit many locations including Verulamium Park, Gorhambury and Wheathampstead, before returning along the Ayot Greenway to the Mill where a delicious cream tea will be served and you can visit the 18th Century watermill.

Tour starting point: Mill Green Mill, Mill Green Lane, Hatfield, AL9 5PD 10.30am - 2.45pm ÂŁ35 per person / ÂŁ50 per couple with cream tea.

Reserve your place on 01442 927522 www.electricbiketours.co.uk

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NOW at the Public Halls Sat 1st August 7.30pm Buzzcocks £20 One of only a few bands that deserve to be called ‘legendary’, who have been thrilling audiences for over thirty years. Once called ‘the Beatles of punk’, their music blends high-octane guitar, bass and drum power with heartrending personal statements of love they have created a unique catalogue of unforgettable music. www.buzzcocks.com Tues 4th August 2pm Pongo's Party, a brand new Marty MacDonald's Farm Show for 2015 adult £10, child £8 Has everyone forgotten Pongo’s Birthday? Come and help make his party one to remember and join in the biggest pass-the-parcel in town.

Featuring the voices of CBeebies Justin Fletcher and Nicole Davis as Pongo the Pig and Molly-Moo the Cow! 9th - 15th August Musicale Summer Music Festival www.musicale.co.uk Thurs 10th September 8pm Justin Moorhouse £14 Justin is back on the road with his brand new stand-up show “Destiny Calling” doing what he does best - making people laugh!

Fri 11th September 7.30pm Cloudbusting (Kate Bush Tribute) £16 This tribute band is on a mission to bring Kate's music to her thousands of life-long fans, the 5-piece band have been playing to critical acclaim for three years. If you love Kate Bush, you will love this band, whether you sit back and absorb the full audio/visual experience or get up and dance along to your favourite song.

Sat 12th September 8pm Doc Brown £14 Fresh from his sell-out UK tour Of Mic And Men, a starring role in the hit show Law and Order, as well as singing with Ricky Gervais on the Youtube viral Equality Street, Doc Brown is back with his unique take on Life, Love and Lyricism.

Tues 15th September 7.30pm Laurence Jones & Red Butler £11 Laurence was voted "Young Artist of the Year” in the British Blues Awards 2014. Once in a while a young new band comes along that makes you stop, look and listen, this is such a band!

Fri 18th September 7.30pm The Counterfeit 60’s £17.50, U14’s £8 A night of pure sixties magic... relive the sounds of the swinging sixties, as Britain's No. 1 tribute show brings alive the hits of this sensational era.

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Southdown Road, Harpenden, Herts AL5 1PD www.harpendenpublichalls.co.uk 01582 767525 www.harpendenfilmsociety.co.uk

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Arts & Craft Play Station 4th August Saxon Warriors & Princesses Take inspiration from the Saxon Galleries to design and make your own shield or brooch.

11st August Roman Gods & Goddesses In August 55 BC the Romans came to Britain; make your own Roman inspired God Helmet or Goddess headdress.

18th August Mad as a Hatter Discover a Luton tradition and make your own mad, summer inspired hat.

25th August Flying Saucers Design & make your own frisbee with a difference. ÂŁ2.50 per child, 10am - 4pm To book please call 01582 548600 Stockwood Discovery Centre www.lutonculture.com

Bricks in Motion 4th July - 6th Sept Exhibition and activities based around The History of Transport in LegoÂŽ Stockwood Discovery Centre www.lutonculture.com

Teddy Bears Picnic Lydekker Park 1st August 11am - 2pm, free Attractions are likely to include a show by Smartie Artie the children's entertainer, face painting, a bouncy castle and games.

Celebrating its 18th year, Kids Week is back and planning an action-packed month of theatrical fun from 1st - 31st August.

Children aged 16 or under can experience the magic of London theatre and see a fantastic selection of shows for free!

For tickets call Ticketmaster 0844 248 5151 www.kidsweek.co.uk

ART CLASSES FOR KIDS!

Holiday Workshops and Term Time Classes in ST ALBANS

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www.fineart4kids.com

07949 293463

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Willows Summer Spectacular until 1st September A-maize-ing maze, Carrot Carnival, Fergie the Little Grey Tractor and much more...a fun day out for all the family!

Potato Shindig!

5th - 27th September Harvest your free bag of potatoes from Willows Potato Patch and enjoy a full day out of family fun. Enjoy potato arts and crafts, meet ‘Spuddy’ the potato mascot and see him in a special children’s show Willows Activity Farm Coursers Road St Albans, AL4 0PF 0870 129 9718 www.willowsactivityfarm.com

Pick Your Own Fruit Hawkswick Lodge Farm is open this summer; until mid August with strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, blackberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants available through the season.

Opening times Tuesday - Friday: 10am - 6pm Saturday and Sunday: 9am - 6pm Monday: closed 20% pensioner discount on Tuesday afternoons Hawkswick Lodge Farm, Harpenden Road St Albans AL3 6JG 01727 831224

Kid's Summer Gardening Clubs Looking for something different to do with the kids this summer? Why not book a space to join the Head Gardener for a fun morning at one of Luton Hoo Walled Garden Kid's Summer Gardening Clubs!

6th August: Herb Garden Herbs have always been grown to flavour cooking, to be used as medicines, and to scent the home and garden. Come and discover more about these fascinating plants.

Create a scented lavender bag, and plant up a herb container to take home.

13th August: Bug Hunt From moths and butterflies to beetles and millipedes - how many can you find?

Record your finds and make a bug mask to take home. A wonderful way to explore the outdoors.

20th August: Summer Harvest Discover the delicious fruit, vegetables and salads you can grow, and find out about the kitchen gardens of the past, there's plenty of produce to taste and pick to take home.

27th August: Seed Gathering There are so many flowers that are easy to grow from collected seed! Learn how to extract seeds and prepare them for storage. Make your own packets of seeds to plant at home or to give as unique gifts.

Spaces are limited and must be pre-booked, £10 per child, 4-10 years.

Children must be accompanied by an adult www.lutonhooestate.co.uk

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skills early in life does wonders for character building and confidence. It gives young people the edge over competitors, whether they are auditioning for a part in a show or in any area of life where they’ll need to communicate, to use their voice and work as a team - life skills that they just can’t be without these days.

Enrol now for our two-week taster sessions held at the beginning of each term, with the next intake in September. Mandy and Liz have a wealth of knowledge and experience in running their schools and your child could be experiencing the fun for themselves each week during term-time.

Stagecoach is open to children of all abilities, there is no audition process.

Book your child's place today!

Stagecoach is Britain’s largest part-time theatre Liz Blower harpenden@stagecoach.co.uk school offering quality training in drama, dance and www.stagecoach.co.uk/harpenden singing to young performers aged 4 - 18 years. The Mandy Vazquez stalbans@stagecoach.co.uk fact that Stagecoach has rolled into almost every www.stagecoach.co.uk/stalbans town within the last few years is a clear indication of its popularity; there are currently over 600 WHAT WE OFFER Dancing, singing, acting, Stagecoach schools throughout the UK! stage craft, increased confidence, performance The classes offer a bridge between school and skills, projection, presentation skills, team work, full-time training, a chance for a child to follow their articulation, rhythm, creativity, communication, dreams, but at the same time keeping their feet vocal training, performance opportunities, firmly on the ground. It’s a well-known fact that a nurture, poise, written reports, Ofsted-style good knowledge and foundation in performance annual inspections, fully trained DBS-checked coaches…AND ABOVE ALL FUN!

Enrolling NOW for the Autumn Term!

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NOW at Shuttleworth Wings & Wheels Airshow Sun 2nd Aug Bringing together vintage aircraft, historical vehicles and motorcycles from the Collection. There will be a full flying display, and plenty of opportunities to photograph some interesting vehicles of all ages, shapes and sizes, with wings and without!

Gates: 9am Airshow: 2pm Adult £28, under 16 free.

Flying Proms Sat 15th Aug See our aircraft in air display sequences to a backdrop of classical music performed by the 50-piece National Symphony Orchestra and a thrilling firework display.

Gates: 12 noon, Airshow: 7pm, Fireworks: 9.45pm ‘Eurovision Revisited’ Sun 16th Aug Revisit British Eurovision hits, featuring original recording artists: • Brotherhood of Man and Bobby G’s Bucks Fizz and tributes to: Sandie Shaw • Lulu • Abba Cliff Richard • The Shadows Gates: 1pm Show: 3pm Adult £35, child £12 ‘The Secret Garden’ Thurs 20th Aug Alive with music and song and specially designed puppets, The Secret Garden promises to capture the spirit of summer.

Gates: 5.30pm, show: 7pm Adult £14 concs £10 This is an outdoor event Pageant Airshow Sun 6th Sept A show all about the aircraft and vehicles that make up the Shuttleworth Collection. Many were collected personally

by Richard Shuttleworth or have been preserved in his memory. The airshow will showcase why it’s important to keep these historic aircraft airworthy.

Gates: 9am Airshow: 2pm, adult £28, under 16 free Aeromodellers’ Festival of Flight Sat 26th - Sun 27th Sept Annual event for enthusiasts and spectators alike, with competitions and trade stands. All disciplines of scale models and non-scale can fly (10kg max weight). BMFA B certificate is required to fly on the RC flightline.

Gates: 9am Flying: 10am - 5pm, adult: £10, under 16 free The Shuttleworth Collection Old Warden Aerodrome SG18 9EP 01767 627 933 www.shuttleworth.org

Bright Sparks

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NOW at RAF Hendon First World War Airfix Make and Take 1st - 7th August Come and enjoy an Airfix ‘make and take’ workshop. Take on the Red Barons Albatros or fight your way to victory with the classic British Sopwith Pup. All paints, glue, instructions supplied with each Airfix kit. £3 per kit Model a Spit 25th - 31st August 11am - 1pm / 2pm - 4pm 7+ To commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain the museum will be holding a full week of Spitfire kit making. Come along and let your creative flair help you make and paint your very own model Spitfire to take home. £3 per kit Scaling Down Reality 28th August 1pm Simon Owen, lead Researcher at Hornby Hobbies Ltd gives an insight into the fascinating world of Airfix and how they take an iconic aircraft of the Battle of Britain and scale it down to produce perfect replicas for today’s modellers.

Covering a range of topics including the history of the company and the production process, don’t miss out on this opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes at Airfix HQ. Free entry but please reserve a ticket, book online. www.rafmuseum.org.uk

27th July - 30th August 9.30am - 5pm Come and explore Bletchley Park, Codebreaking, World War 2 and E-Safety.

Enjoy different activities each day with craft and spy workshops, children's guided tours, trails, quizzes and handling collections. Have fun while learning about the Home of the Codebreakers! Visit once, paying full admission and then use your Annual Season Ticket to return week after week.

Adult £16.75, 12 -16 years £10, family £38.50 under 12’s free Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes MK3 6EB www.bletchleypark.org.uk

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NOW at the Alban Arena The Tiger Who Came to Tea £11 1st August 1.30pm / 4.30pm 2nd August 10.30am / 1.30pm The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger!

Following a smash-hit West End run and an Olivier Award nomination, the tea guzzling tiger is back on the road in this delightful family show, featuring magic, sing along songs and clumsy chaos….expect to be surprised.

The Man Called Monkhouse 2nd August 8pm £10 Simon Cartwright in the part he was born to play.

Alone in his cramped study among thousands of show business artefacts, film stock and memories, the comedian’s comedian ponders his life. The technician. The obsessive. The smile. The tan. The cuff. The wink. The sincerity of the man called Bob Monkhouse. This brand new solo play is an hilarious and poignant delve into the life of one of this country’s best loved and possibly most misunderstood comedians.

Mister Maker 19th September 10am, 1pm, 4pm 20th September 10am, 1pm £13.50, U16 £10 Come and join your ultimate arts and craft hero Mister Maker, for his first ever live theatre tour!

Tons of arty fun for all the family!

Summer Showcase 8th August 6.30pm £15, £10 Students from the Living the Dream School of Performing Arts, perform street dance, contemporary dance, acting, musical theatre and singing. The whole production is put on by young people who want to make a difference through the arts, have fun, grow in confidence and talent, and feel empowered to believe in themselves and their dreams.

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - 30 Plucking Years 23rd September 8pm £22.50, concs £21.50 Eight Ukuleles, Sixteen Hands,Thirty Two Strings, Sixteen Million Minutes, One Billion Seconds, Thirty Years. They play ukuleles, they sing, they say funny things, they whistle, but they bring a lot more to the table than that: indefinable magic and atmosphere of all round good humour, light heartedness, well being and joy.

Film: London Road (15) 2nd & 3rd Sept 7.30pm 3rd Sept 1.30pm £7, concs / matinee £5 This extraordinary film documents the events that shook Suffolk in 2006, when the quiet rural town of Ipswich was shattered by the discovery of the bodies of five women, starring Olivia Colman, Kate Fleetwood, Anita Dobson and Tom Hardy,

La Traviata 24th September 7.30pm £31 / £29 Music by Giuseppe Verdi sung in Italian with English surtitles. Featuring an impressive cast and accompanied by a live Orchestra with over 30 musicians.

Keith Barry: Brain Hacker 26th September 8pm £17.50, ages 12+ We Are Younique Keith Barry is a world renowned hypnotist and is 5th September 6pm £13.50 Ireland’s biggest touring entertainment star. Due to Taking the stage for the 3rd year, this is set to be become a household name as part of ITV’s new the biggest and best dance and musical theatre Saturday night entertainment format “You’re Back in show of the year! With a vibrant mix of street dance, the Room” lyrical dance, musical performances and singing, The Alban Arena, St Albans there is something for everyone.

01727 844488 www.alban-arena.co.uk www.weareyounique.co.uk

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We also do traditional roof construction. If you would like to make structural changes to your roof or need a new roof constructed - we can help.

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NOW at the Local Theatres Maltings Arts Theatre: Neville’s Island

by Tim Firth, Holly Road Productions

7th & 8th, 14th & 15th August 7.30pm £10 / £7.50 Four members of middle management go on a training weekend but after a disastrous misdirection from their leader they end up trapped on an island and that's when things really start to go wrong. Expect laughs, birds and a sausage! www.maltingsartstheatre.co.uk

Abbey Theatre: Entertaining Angels

by Richard Everett Company of Ten

18th & 19th, 22nd - 26th September 8pm / 20th September 2.30pm Grace, a vicar’s wife for most of her life, is coming to terms with widowhood. However, her new-found freedom is short-lived. Not only does she have to relinquish her home to the new vicar, but a revelation by her eccentric sister Ruth, forces Grace to confront the truth about her marriage. www.abbeytheatre.org.uk

Hawthorne Theatre: Romeo and Juliet LIVE Event Cinema by The Royal Ballet

22nd September 7.15pm adult £19, concs £14 www.hawthornetheatre.co.uk

Shaws Corner Androcles and the Lion 30th August 2pm - 4pm, free A script in hand reading of one of Shaw's most engaging plays.

A weedy tailor, a lame lion and roaring Romans meet in the arena. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

01442 737790

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01582 864138 / 01727 453019

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Open Studios Silver Anniversary 5th - 27th September Back in 1990, the stargazing telescope, Hubble was launched while closer to home, the popular Herts Open Studios arts festival began - an event that has been celebrating Hertfordshire’s creative stars ever since.

Every year around 200 artists and craftspeople living or working in Hertfordshire, have opened their studio doors in this popular county-wide event.

Organised by Herts Visual Arts, it introduces artists to the general public, galleries and other enterprises, bringing an awareness of the diversity of talent available throughout the county. Artists demonstrate their creativity in action, which is often viewed by members of the public as being one of the most valuable aspects of the event.

Interaction with visitors can be a catalyst for new ideas and can build confidence, so visitors are encouraged to talk to artists about their work or even have a go themselves.

Artists demonstrate their creativity in action

Penny Bird concentrates on landscape, portrait and nature photography. During Open Studios at weekends, portraits will be demonstrated alongside the post processing of images. Katy Cook’s artwork is inspired by landscapes, animals and natural forms. Lesley Pollock’s original jewellery is handmade in silver and gold, with precious and semi precious stones, all inspired by forms, shapes and patterns from nature. Opal Seabrook creates unique, one off handmade

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stained glass mirrors, fusion tables, 3D wall art and jewellery. Sue Wookey’s unique watercolour paintings are inspired by nature, symbols, dreams and inner journeys.

The New Maynard Gallery in Welwyn Garden City will also be showcasing painting, sculpture, printmaking, glass, photography, ceramics, textiles and jewellery by participating artists from until 5th September; 9am - 9pm. It promises to give a real flavour of the artists we have in Hertfordshire and the type of quality we can expect to see during Herts Open Studios.

There's a chance to meet some of the artists before the Festival: Sat 15th August - The Rose & Crown pub, Sandridge: a pop up event from 12 noon Sun 23rd August - The Herts Open Studios Stall, Harpenden Farmers Market 10am - 2pm Sat 29th August - The Herts Open Studios Stall, St Albans Market near the Town Hall Pick up a brochure from libraries, museums and tourist information offices or visit www.hvaf.org.uk

Summer Sale!

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Summer Jousting

Butterfly World Ant Week 1st - 7th August Sat 1st: Ant Storytelling, Sand Art Sun 2nd: Stick Puppets Mon 3rd: Ant Masks Tues 4th: Ant Models Weds 5th: Make an Ant World Thurs 6th: Ant Printing Fri 7th: Dizzy Wizzy Ant Adventure Show Family Fun Day Mon 31st August Butterfly Treasure Hunt: all day Insect Handling Sessions: 11am / 1.30pm / 3pm free Come and see the creepy crawly insects and get the chance to hold stick insects, cockroaches and snails.

Ant World Talks: 12 noon / 2pm / 3.30pm free Watch in wonder at the enormous leaf cutter ant colony and see them march along ropes and branches bringing food back to their ‘micro city'.

Craft Activities: 10.30am - 12 noon, 1.30pm - 3pm, £2 Face Painting by The Paintertainer: 12 noon - 3pm, £4

Sun 9th August The Knights of Arkley will be jousting in front of Knebworth House with the turrets and towers providing a spectacular backdrop to the action. Costumed knights on majestic warhorses will gallop at full tilt across the arena in a fantastic display of horsemanship.

Knights demonstrate their skills in hand to hand combat to the delight of the crowds who are encouraged to cheer, and jeer, their favourite knights. Jousting displays will be at about 12.30pm and 2.30pm (depending on the weather).

There is no additional charge to see the jousting which is included in the Park and Gardens admission ticket, £9.50 per person.

So why not come and enjoy a day at the Park, Fort Knebworth and the Adventure playground, the delightful Gardens and Dinosaur trail as well as the jousting. You can also try some archery with The Green Dragon Bowmen at a charge of just £2 for 6 arrows.

Knebworth House www.knebworthhouse.com

Other Summer Holiday Activities Butterfly Nectar Feeders, Stained Glass Butterflies, Bee Activities, Butterfly Hangers and much more, just visit the website for more information www.butterflyworldproject.com

Carvings in the Gardens until 31st August Knebworth Carvers, the Park's resident chainsaw artists will be exhibiting a selection of sculptures in the Gardens of Knebworth House this summer. The carvers use wood from the Estate, from trees that have died or had to be felled as they were dangerous.

There will be carving demonstrations on most afternoons, please check with the Gift Shop for times.

There will be over 100 sculptures of various sizes including seating, figurative, fantasy and wildlife, all of which can be purchased, allowing you to take home a unique souvenir of Knebworth.

There is no additional charge to see the exhibition, which is included in the Gardens and Park admission.

Knebworth House www.knebworthhouse.com

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Sunday 2nd August 10.30am - 4.30pm Kite Making Competition, Tombola, Children's Entertainment, Fun Fair, Kite Shop, Food and Drink, Trade Stalls and more.

Adult £2.50, child free Therfield Heath, Royston SG8 5BG www.roystonkitefestival.com

Family Fun with the Scarecrows Fri 21st August 12 noon - 5pm Sat 22nd August 10am - 6pm Sun 23rd August 10.30am - 5pm Every year around 5,000 visitors enjoy the Scarecrow Festival where the residents of Flamstead build up to 120 scarecrows, which are placed around the village.

Visitors make their way around the village and vote for their favourite scarecrows, returning to the village hall where there will be Morris Dancing, Punch and Judy, a Brass Band, an art exhibition, Craft Stalls, Cream Teas and a Food and Beer Festival in the pubs.

Each year the Festival raises funds for the Hertfordshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre and the Friends of St Leonard’s (FOSL).

There will be a free car park and free buses to take less able-bodied people around the village. www.flamstead-herts.co.uk

St Albans Beach Courts

Hertford Castle Sun 2nd August, doors open at 12.30pm Don’t miss this annual Rock Festival, come and enjoy live bands, musicians and acoustic acts performing in the Castle grounds. Food stalls and McMullen’s pop up bar will be available for refreshments

Come and try something new by booking a session on the Beach Volley Ball Courts in Verulamium Park, St Albans.

The courts are open from 9am to dusk until early November.

Courts can be booked and equipment hired from Abbey View Golf and Track Facility, close to Westminster Lodge car park 01727 868227 abbeyview@1Life.co.uk www.1life.co.uk

events@hertford.gov.uk 01992 552885 Hertford Castle, Hertford, Herts SG14 1HR Twitter - @Rockatthecastle

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NOW at Rye Meads Wild Wednesdays 9.30am - 3.30pm

NOW for a Walk and more Hertfordshire Health Walks Free, guided, local walks. Just turn up!

Highfield Park Mondays 9.30am & Tuesdays 1.30pm Charters Health Club Car Park, Hill End Lane AL4 0DB Wheathampstead Tuesdays 10.30am East Lane public car park behind The Bull AL4 8BL Verulamuim Park, St Albans Wednesdays 12th & 26th August 7pm Meet outside Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre Batchwood Wednesdays 5th & 19th August 7pm Meet at Batchwood Hall Carpark AL3 5AX Hatching Green Thursdays 10.30am Redbourn Lane, Harpenden AL5 2JP on road parking only Greenwood Park Fridays 2pm Greenwood Park Community Centre, Tippendell Lane, Chiswell Green, St Albans AL2 3HW Heartwood Forest Sunday 16th August 10.30am Meet at Heartwood Forest Carpark AL3 6JB 01992 588433 www.hertfordshirehealthwalks.org

Visit Ashridge Wild About Ashridge Club Get closer to nature with the National Trust team on Wednesdays and Fridays during the holidays from 10.30am - 3pm. Outdoor fun adventures, whatever the weather.

Archaeology Walk Thurs 27th August 6pm - 8pm Join our regional Archaeologist for a walk around Ringshall and Dockey Wood and discover its history. £8 / £5, please book Chilterns Countryside and Food Festival Sun 13th September 10am - 4pm Come along to our annual festival to celebrate the different crafts, industries and wildlife associated with the Chilterns countryside. Enjoy a day of mouth-watering local produce stalls, fascinating craft displays, forestry demonstrations and children's activities in the meadow behind the Visitor Centre. £4 / £1

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Ashridge Visitor Centre, Berkhamsted HP4 1LT www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate 01442 851227

Join our summer club each week over the holiday to go wild and learn about nature, have fun and get outdoors. Children will be looked after by a qualified Learning Officer and her team and must attend for the whole day.

Ages 6-12 only. Please book and bring a packed lunch.

29th July Dragons and Damsels and other Winged Things Look into the exciting world of strange mini creatures in and around the pond, discovering dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies and looking at their life cycles.

5th August - Science in Nature The themes are colours in nature, making plant cocktails, rain and weather, and the water cycle at Rye Meads and how it feeds a wetland.

12th August - Dangerous Deadly Predators!

Peer into the pond to find who hunts who, and the weird ways they have of eating each other.

Focus on birds of prey and how they are adapted to be fast and hunt their prey, and look at owl pellets to see who was on their menu.

19th August - Giving Nature a Home!

Nature in our community is threatened by people. All creatures need to be given a safe home to live in where they can feed, sleep, have babies and bring up their young. See how this happens in different habitats from ponds and lagoons to bushes and even in the ground!

Build a home for the creatures in your garden.

26th August - All about Birds Grab your binoculars and come bird watching!

Which species will you find and do you know how to identify them? Talk about what birds eat and play the hungry birds game.

21st August 11am - 1pm Messy Welly Nature Safari and Picnic Bring your favourite animal and a picnic, and join us on a wild safari round the reserve! Show your animals their wild friends and enjoy lunch together before making souvenirs to take away.

Booking required. For under 5’s accompanied by an adult. Older siblings welcome. £4.50, under 12 months free.

For further details or to book please contact debs.allbrook@rspb.org.uk 01992 708383 Rye Meads, Ware, Herts SG12 8JS www.rspb.org.uk

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Heritage Open Days 10th - 13th September Celebrating what makes local communities and neighbourhoods special.

By stimulating curiosity and discovery, the event connects people with their local places and helps foster a sense of belonging and pride. Every September for one weekend, St Albans allows you to visit many of the museums and attractions free, and to explore buildings normally closed to the public. It’s a chance to discover the architectural treasures and enjoy tours, events and activities that bring local history and culture to life.

Bridgewater Monument, Ashridge Estate Sat 12th September 12 noon - 4.30pm free Climb the 170 steps for a beautiful panoramic view from the top. Opening is weather dependant. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Hertford Castle Sun 13th September 12 noon free Come and explore the basement, dungeons, Robing Room and Downshire Suite. The Castle lawn will host a medieval encampment, medieval battles, falconry and much more. And while you’re there why not enjoy the photo trail where buildings will be exhibiting historic photographs from the past. www.hertfordcastle.co.uk Marlborough Road Methodist Church Open Day Sat 12th September The Church will be open from 10am - 4pm with music, self-led tours and history displays. www.mrmc.org.uk Mill Green Museum Sun 13th September 11am - 5pm Take a look behind the scenes and tour the museum's fascinating object stores with their knowledgeable staff and volunteers. Light lunches and cream teas 12.30pm and 4pm, adult £3.50, free www.welhat.gov.uk St Albans Cathedral Sat 12th & Sun 13th September From exciting Tower Tours to fun Family Trails, there are free events to suit the whole family. www.st albanscathedral.org St Albans Signal Box Sat 12th & Sun 13th September 10am - 5pm.

Along with the usual demonstrations of signalling and opportunities to operate the signals in the signalman’s garden, there will be a miniature steam railway to ride on plus visits from small traction engines to give trips up and down Ridgemont Road. This year there will be a visit from The Herts Home Guard so come and see what the real ‘Dads Army’ was like. Tea and coffee will be served in the beautiful garden. www.tlr.ltd.uk/sigbox www.heritageopendays.org.uk

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Be Inspired

by Open Food Gardens For both beginners and experienced food gardeners, Transition St Albans invites you into other people's gardens for ideas on growing fruit and vegetables, new garden design, and to chat to the gardeners themselves!

Tues 11th August 3 - 5pm 104 Marshalwick Lane, St Albans AL1 4XE A large garden growing fruit and vegetables, established shrubs, plants and trees. Soft fruits includes a jostaberry, raspberries, blackberries and rhubarb. Vegetables include parsnips, sea kale, purple sprouting broccoli, courgettes, squash, oca and more. The garden has several composters and water butts and many features to attract birds and other wildlife.

Sun 13th September 3 - 5 pm 2 The Almonds, St Albans AL1 1UZ This informal garden has flowers to attract insects, a pond and a bog garden. Extensive use is made of recycled materials; there are several water butts, compost bins and re-used containers for food growing. Parking near the house is limited; bikes can be parked on the drive. It makes a lovely afternoon out - bring a friend along!

Wheelchair access to both gardens is restricted Guide dogs only www.transitionstalbans.org.transitionstalbans.org

Hitchin Lavender Come and walk through the 25 miles of lavender rows while picking your own fresh flowers. In addition to the lavender they grow sunflowers and have a wildflower area. The farm has some spectacular views of rural Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire and there are many interesting walks nearby. Inside the 17th century barn you can enjoy lunch and home made cakes as well as treating yourself to your own lavender plant to take home.

It’s open until September, why not go along and enjoy this special place.

Cadwell Farm, Ickleford, Hitchin SG5 3UA 01462 434343 www.hitchinlavender.com

A Wide Range of Seasonal Plants NOW Available 31

NOW for some Music Madame Butterfly Weds 9th September 7.30pm Puccini's heart breaking story of 'Madame Butterfly', performed by Heritage Opera.

Cio Cio San, the Nagasaki geisha, and her faithful wait for the husband who marries, then deserts her - Lieutenant Pinkerton of the United States Navy.

Adult £30, £28, concs £5 www.heritageopera.co.uk

Chamber Music Festival

Amadeus Chamber Orchestra Sat 26th September 7.30pm Beethoven Violin concerto Brahms Symphony no.4 Soloist: Benjamin Baker (violin) Conductor: Simon Thompson Leader: Jennifer Wigram St Saviour's Church Sandpit Lane, St Albans AL1 4DF www.amadeuschamberorchestra.org.uk

Summer Jazz Concert

Sat 29th August Thurs 24th - Sun 27th September Bring a picnic and The theme is "Vienna, the city of music" and over enjoy an evening of entertainment with the fantastic four days come and journey through the four pillars jazz band, Five Star Swing. of Classicism; Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and This wonderful night of live music under the stars is Schubert, as well as works by Mahler, Schoenberg, becoming a Butterfly World tradition!

Webern, and the composer in residence, Charlotte 7.30pm, £12.50 Bray. There will be a number of eminent artists from www.butterflyworldproject.com previous years, as well as new guests including Stephen Cleobury and the Choir of Kings College Cambridge. They will perform Mozart’s Requiem for the final concert at the Old Palace, preceded by an enlightening talk hosted by Sir Nicholas Kenyon, "Mozart: Man, Myth and Music".

The Musicale Young Artists’ Chamber Orchestra will also be there, performing Strauss Waltzes in the courtyard alongside market stalls and other festive entertainments.

The Old Palace, Hatfield House www.hatfieldhousemusicfestival.org.uk

Herts Jazz Festival 18th - 20th September 2015 sees the fifth Herts Jazz Festival with all gigs in the main theatre and free sessions in the foyer at lunchtime, early evening and after hours. “Herts Jazz Festival is everything a weekend jazz festival should be. The venue is excellent and it’s customer-friendly, with decent food and plenty of relaxed chatting space.” Peter Vacher, London Jazz News

Friday 18th 8.30pm - 11pm Loose Tubes £25/£22, concs £10 11pm - 12.30am After hours in the foyer - Bryan Spring Trio Free Saturday 19th 11.30am -12.30pm Dennis Rollins' Velocity Trio £12/£10/£5 1pm - 2pm Alan Barnes Quintet £15/£12/£5 2pm - 3pm Lunch in the foyer - Nat Steele Trio Free 3.15pm - 4.30pm The Three Tenors £15/£12/£5 5pm - 6.15pm Maltese Connection £15/£12/£5 6.15pm -7.30pm Dinner in the foyer - Jim Mullen Organ Trio Free 7.45pm -10.15pm Claire Martin Quartet £20/£18/£10 10.30pm -12am After hours in the foyer – Brian Kellock Trio Sunday 20th 11.30am -12.30pm Herts Youth Jazz Ensemble Free 1pm - 2pm Fionna Duncan Trio £15/£12/£5 2pm - 3pm Lunch in the foyer - Nikki Iles & Karen Sharp Free 3.15pm - 4.30pm Leon Greening Quartet £15/£12/£5 5pm - 6.15pm Julian Arguelles Tetra £15/£12/£5 6.15pm - 7.30pm Dinner in the foyer - Chris Eldred Trio Free 7.45pm -10.15pm Big Band Britannia: the music of Tubby Hayes and Stan Tracey £25/£22/£10

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Weekend Pass £110 / £99 / £45 Saturday Pass £60 / £55 / £25 Sunday Pass £55 / £50 / £20 Hawthorne Theatre Welwyn Garden City 0300 3039 620 www.hertsjazzfestival.co.uk www.hawthornetheatre.co.uk

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Harpenden Beer Festival 11th & 12th September The Old Cock Inn is busy getting ready for the 5th Harpenden Beer Festival, and this year it promises to be even bigger and better than ever with 70 real ales, perrys and ciders. Food will be available all day and live music from Whos Ya Daddy & the Alligators.

Admission £5 including Festival glass For more information call The Old Cock Inn 01582 712649

Hatfield House Food Festival 5th & 6th September 10am - 5pm Food lovers and families will be able to enjoy the delights of Hatfield House while visiting the Festival Village teaming with local food and drink. There’ll be handmade British food gifts, charcuterie, artisan cheesemakers, local eateries, bakers, wines and beers, wood oven pizzas, fruit and vegetables, chillies, sauces and pickles, sweets, juices as well as produce from around the world including Italy, Spain, Vietnam, India, Germany and the Mediterranean as well as many more!

A Food and Drink Theatre will hold cookery demonstrations, children’s cookery workshops and talks from food and drinks experts. This, combined with a Children’s Activity Zone and traditional hay bale Picnic Areas means there will be something for all foodies and families in this magnificent setting. www.fantasticbritishfoodfestivals.com www.hatfield-house.co.uk

22nd September - 5th October The Festival showcases the fantastic range of food, drink and produce available throughout St Albans District. With so many eateries providing fabulous food and delightful drinking holes, it’s a great time to try something new or different, opening with the Harpenden Food Court on Sunday 27th September and finishing with a Finale Street Festival in St Albans with Chef’s Theatre on Sunday 4th October.

Sample the warmth and hospitality of St Albans with special offers and events, including cooking demonstrations, wine tasting, cocktail master classes and more.

Voting for your favourite establishment is open until 16th August, so make sure your favourite is included! www.enjoystalbans.com

St Albans Beer & Cider Festival The premier event in the Hertfordshire drinkers calendar will be back in town from 30th September - 3rd October

Festival entertainment Each evening on the main stage the customary auction of breweriana takes place with all proceeds going to charity so have some fun and make a bid!

On Friday 2nd October Roger Protz, one of the world's leading beer writers and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, will host a beer tasting event.

On Saturday 3rd October enjoy a solo appearance by John Otway before taking part in the beer-related quiz. Then watch England vs Australia in the Rugby World Cup live on the big screen followed by the Madness Tribute One Step Behind.

Come and enjoy a pint or two with us The number of real ales on offer runs into hundreds, with a huge variety of beers available in cask, complimented by bottle-conditioned beers, beers from around the world and a vast selection of real ciders and perrys.

The Alban Arena, St Albans www.stalbansbeerfestival.org.uk

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grows fast and has wonderfully rich purple-green leaves.

If you want more than just foliage, the bulbous Eucomis bicolour has out-of-this world greenish yellow flowerheads, giving it the common name ‘pineapple plant’. Another favourite is the Angel’s Trumpet. These gorgeous looking plants may be Why not recreate a typically tropical summer feel in poisonous but the flowers of Brugmansia (previously your garden. The temperatures may not be quite the known as Datura) take some beating, choose white, same as on an exotic holiday, but it’ll certainly help yellow or cream and enjoy their perfume and elegant make your garden seem warmer, and it’ll last a lot looks. Although not hardy if grown in a pot it can be longer than the classic two week trip. kept in the garden during all but the worst weather A tropical oasis might be well suited to an and then brought out again once it warms up. urban garden, where temperatures are Lush, large Don’t forget vertical surfaces such as trellis, often warmer and conditions more sheltered leaves will walls and fences as they too can be given a and protected, but even if your garden gets floral and foliage makeover. Cover with help create passion flowers, ornamental vines or the its fair share of frosts you can still use a mixture of tender and hardy plants all of a rainforest pretty Cobea Scandens commonly known as which have that exotic feel. Plant closely or cup and saucer plant. or exotic the fill ‘gaps’ with temporary plantings of less Then add a few dramatic features, perhaps a atmosphere Trachycarpus fortunei palm in open ground or hardy tropical looking plants and create that dense, lush look which spells tropical a pot, statue or garden ornament. Partially paradise. hidden with some lush foliage they help to add to the Lush, large leaves will help create a rainforest or jungle-like atmosphere. exotic atmosphere and you could even grow a There are plenty of tropical-effect plants to choose miniature banana called Musa ‘Basjoo’, which shows from including: tree ferns, phoenix palms, yuccas, a good degree of hardiness. Indian shot plants, also cordylines, Gunnera manicata, Rheum palmatum, known as Cannas are fast growing too. For very bold, cycads, citrus (including lemons, calamondin orange colourfully striped foliage and orange flowers try and other fruiting varieties) and bamboos.

Canna ‘Tropicana’, or for a larger than life effect try So the potential is there to create a holiday paradise the banana Ensetes ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ which without leaving home, all you need now is a deck chair and a cocktail or two!

Create a Tropical Paradise

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Bigger and Muddier than Ever!

Registration is open for The Hospice of St Francis’ Mud Pack Challenge II taking place in the beautiful grounds of Ashridge House on Sunday 18th October.

Promising lots of muddy fun, the challenge involves crawling, wading and climbing through the 190-acre gardens and woodland negotiating wet and muddy obstacles along the way.

There are two distance options of 5km or 10km, new muddy obstacles, including The Mound and The Swamp, a special Spectator Squirting Zone and a super snazzy lime green technical sports T. Fran Martin, Events Manager at the Hospice said: “We are so excited about Mud Pack II, the sequel! With over 600 participants last year, local people showed us that they love the chance to do an exciting new challenge which is a little out of the ordinary – but most of all to have fun!

Mum-of-two, Caroline Atkins, has signed up for the second year running with her son James. They did last year’s event on their own, but this time round, 23 friends are joining them as team "Paul's Mucky Mudders,” and they’re all taking part in memory of Caroline’s late husband Paul, who passed away at the Hospice in June last year. "Last year James and I did it on our own and it was such good fun! We loved the way that it wasn’t competitive, that you could go at your own pace and have a mud fight if you wanted,” says Caroline, a Guide Leader with the 2nd St Albans Guides.

“But this year, we thought that we could have even more fun if we entered as a team - so we have and we’re raring to go!”

The event is open to anyone with a basic level of fitness and is perfect for ages 15+.

Places are limited so don’t delay, sign up now at www.stfrancis.org.uk/mudpack. You are asked to raise a minimum sponsorship of £50 to help the Hospice raise the £4.7m it costs every year to fund its free care for people living with life-limiting illnesses - 80% from voluntary donations.

01442 869555 cathy.salmon@stfrancis.org.uk www.stfrancis.org.uk

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Open Air Theatre

Knebworth House

Taming of the Shrew Thurs 6th August gates 6pm, starts 7pm Shakespeare in the Everyone wants to marry mild-mannered Bianca.

Park - Twelfth Night No-one wants to marry her acid-tongued older Sun 9th August 4pm sister Kate. Their father won’t let anyone marry Join the Lord Bianca until a husband can be found for Kate, but Chamberlain’s Men to no-one knows anyone mad enough to take her on. see Shakespeare’s best Until Petruchio comes to town…

-loved romantic Sparks are guaranteed to fly in Shakespeare’s comedy, a tale of love, rumbustious battle-of-the-sexes comedy. longing and laughter Adult £13.50, child £9.50, family £40 and mischief, mayhem Three Musketeers and mistaken identity.

Thurs 13th August Adult £16, child £10 gates 6pm, starts 7pm Pride & Prejudice All for One, and One for All! Young Weds 26th August 7pm D’Artagnan is desperate to join presented by The Athos, Porthos and Aramis as an Pantaloons’, Jane Austen's elite Musketeer of the King’s Guard. witty and romantic To prove himself he plunges masterpiece is one of the headlong into a thrilling adventure to best-loved stories of all restore the Queen’s honour, survive time, dealing with some of the machinations of scheming the most important Cardinal Richelieu, race the clock to questions in life. save the hapless Mme Bonancieux and cross Adult £12.50, child £10 swords with the deadly Milady de Winter. Set against a sweeping panorama of 17th century Robin Hood: The Musical France at war, this production is a whirlwind of Sun 30th August 3pm Come and enjoy a fun-filled picnic with your family excitement, broad comedy and ingenious story-telling. while watching this hilarious show. Children can Romance! Swashbuckling! Intrigue! Murder! come dressed in their best Sherwood fashion.

Betrayal! Revenge…! It’s got the lot! for ages 3 -12, adult £12.50, child £10 Adult £13.50, child £9.50, family £40 www.hatfield-house.co.uk www.knebworthhouse.com

Hatfield House

Please take low back chairs or picnic blankets

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NOW at the Museums Museum of St Albans Wrapped, Packed and Ready to Go! until 31st August The Museum closes its doors for the last time in September ready for its move to the Town Hall. Over the summer they’ll be packing up and you can see them at work Wednesdays Saturdays.

Museum Creators 17th & 24th August 10.30am - 12.30pm With the Museum being packed away there are lots of empty cases to fill with your own creations! Design and make your own museum piece, please book, £6

Verulamium Museum Archaeology Apprentices 16th August 2.15pm & 3.15pm Join in a simulated archaeology dig. Help peel back layers of time to see what people in the past have left behind and discover what you can learn from the finds, ages 5 -11, free.

Children must be accompanied by an adult The Treasures of Sutton Hoo 18th August 10.30am - 12.30pm Hear about the amazing discovery made by archaeologists at Sutton Hoo – an Anglo Saxon ship full of treasure! You can then make your own beautiful model boat, please book, £6 Roman Coins 19th August 10.30am - 12.30pm Hear about the discovery of a hoard of Roman coins, just a few miles from the museum. Go on a coin treasure hunt and make your own coin necklace and badge, please book, £6 The Mildenhall Treasure 25th August 10.30am - 12.30pm Listen to this brilliant Roald Dahl story and design and create your own Roman treasure, please book, £6 The Wicked Lady 26th August 10.30am - 12.30pm Who was she? What happened to her?

Come along and find out and make an embellished picture, please book, £6 Verulamium Museum St Michaels Street Museum of St Albans Hatfield Road www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk

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NOW at the Cathedral Family Discovery Mornings Thursdays 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th August 10am - 12.30pm, free Fascinating trails packed with activities, followed by a fun craft session, for ages 3-11.

6th: Angels There are over 200 angels in the church, can you spot them all?

13th: Good King, Bad King Celebrate the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta with our royal trail.

20th: The Rhythm of Life Music is everywhere in the Cathedral! Let us help you find out more.

27th: Summertime Let’s celebrate summer with this trail all about animals and nature to be found in the Cathedral.

Tower Tours - enjoy the best views in town! £8 Tours take you all the way to the top of the Norman Bell Tower via the north transept gallery, the ringing and bell chambers, before your final climb onto the tower roof.

Sat 8th Aug 10am, 11.30am 1pm, 2.30pm Weds 12th Aug 11am, 12.30pm Weds 26th Aug 11am, 12.30pm Children’s Arts & Craft Workshops Mondays 10th, 17th & 24th August Sessions: 10.30am & 2pm, £6 or £10 for 2 Workshops packed full of fun! Explore the Cathedral, unlock its historical secrets and create a work of art to take home, ages 7-11 10th: Scary Saxons Learn how the Saxons built and opened the first monastery here, and discover where the Saxon parts of the building remain on a fun treasure hunt.

17th: Vicious Vikings Did the Vikings ever visit St Albans? Consider the evidence for the daring Viking raid to steal the bones of Alban.

24th: Nasty Normans Find out how and why the Normans built our fantastic Cathedral hundreds of years ago.

Please book online or call 01727 890290 More to Explore Tour Sun 30th Aug: Delicate Window Tracery, 3pm Enjoy learning from the experts on this free fascinating tour.

Sunday Afternoon Organ Concert Sun 16th August 3pm free Andrew Lucas, Master of the Music, St Albans Cathedral.

The Sixteen’s 2015 Choral Pilgrimage Sat 5th Sept 7.30pm pre-concert talk 7pm £30, £25, £12 Organ Recital St Albans International Organ Festival Sat 19th Sept 5.30pm Christophe Mantoux, France, free www.st albanscathedral.org

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What’s on in August 46

27th July - 21st Aug Lugnasa Summer Camp Celtic Harmony Camp, Hertford SG13 8NY 01438 718543 step into the Iron Age & enjoy a great day out in ancient Britain, 10am - 5pm www.celticharmony.org 1st Teddy Bears Picnic see page 14 Buzzcocks see page 12 1st & 2nd The Tiger Who Came to Tea see page 20 1st - 7th Ant Word see page 26 First World War Airfix Make & Take see page 18 1st - 31st Kids Week see page 14 2nd The Man Called Monkhouse see page 20 Royston Kite Festival see page 27 Rock at the Castle see page 27 4th Pongos Party see page 12 4th & 6th Make Your Own Roman Keyring Verulamium Museum, St Albans, 2pm - 4pm, ages 3 - 11 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th Terrific Tuesdays Chiltern Open Air Museum, 11am - 4pm www.coam.org.uk 4th - 27th Summer Holiday Activities Verulamium Museum www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk 6th Taming of the Shrew see page 42 7th & 8th / 14th & 15th Nevilles Island see page 22 8th Summer Showcase see page 20 9th Shakespeare in the Park see page 42 Summer Jousting see page 26 11th Open Food Gardens see page 30 12th Romeo & Juliet The Old Palace, Hatfield House, 7.30pm www.hatfield-house.co.uk 12th - 16th Sundown Outdoor Cinema Hitchin Lavender www.sundowncinema.co.uk 13th Three Musketeers see page 42 15th Flying Proms see page 18 15th & 16th Knebworth Country Show www.knebworthhouse.com

15th - 23rd Dr Who Exhibition British Schools Museum, Hitchin, 01462 420144, 10am - 2pm, £2 16th Eurovision Revisited see page 18 Princesses & Pirates Dress-up Day Leighton Buzzard Railway www.buzzrail.co.uk 18th The Treasures of Suton Hoo Verulamium Museum, St Albans, 01727 819340, childrens activity, 10.30am -12.30pm, please book, £6 18th - 23rd Shrek the Musical Milton Keynes Theatre, ages 5+ www.atgtickets.com 20th Sopwell Nunnery Bat Walk Join the Countryside Management Service & Ware Bat Group for an evening guided walk to see & hear local bats & other wildlife, meet at the wooden bridge entrance to Sopwell Nunnery, opposite the ruins, off Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, bat detectors provided, bring torches, please book www.hertslink.org/cms The Secret Garden see page 18 21st Jazz Inn The Park see page 33 21st - 23rd Flamstead Village Scarecrow Festival see page 27 22nd Film: Back to the Future Hertford Castle, page 4 23rd Rennie Grove Colour Blast see page 8 25th & 27th Badge Making Verulamium Museum, 2pm - 4pm, ages 3 - 11, £1 25th - 31st Model a Spit see page 18 26th The Wicked Lady Verulamium Museum, St Albans, 01727 751810, craft activity, 10.30am - 12.30pm, please book, £6 Pride & Prejudice see page 42 27th - 29th The Luna Cinema - Open Air Cinema 27th The Grand Budapest Hotel 28th The Goonies 29th Dirty Dancing Hatfield House, 6.30pm www.hatfield-house.co.uk 30th Androcles & the Lion see page 22 Robin Hood: The Musical see page 42 30th & 31st Classic Motor Show & Vintage Fair Knebworth House www.knebworthhouse.com 31st Family Fun Day at Butterfly World see page 26

Fully Licenced 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 £10.95 Tuesdays and Wednesdays

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

10% Discount on all 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

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47

What’s on in September

5th Book 'em Girls Soroptimists Charity Bookstall, St Albans Market www.sigbi.org/st-albans 5th & 6th Hatfield House Food Festival see page 34 5th - 27th Herts Open Studios see page 24 6th Pageant Airshow see page 18 50 Things Walk Chilterns Gateway Centre Dunstable Downs, LU6 2GY join the Rangers for a family exploring session, tracking wild animals & making wild art, just turn up, 2 - 3.30pm, free 10th Justin Moorhouse see page 12 Loch Ness Monsters Tring Natural History Museum HP23 6AP, make a clay Loch Ness Monster, under 5s, 11am & 2pm, £2 10th - 13th Heritrage Open Days see page 30 11th Cloudbusting see page 12 11th & 12th Harpenden Beer Festival see page 34 12th Bike n’ Hike see page 8 Brambleton Model Railway Club Open Day Highfield Oval, Ambrose Lane, Harpenden, 2pm - 5pm, see the railway run as it was intended, adult £2, child £1.50 Doc Brown see page 12 The Grand Vintage Fair Jubilee Centre, Catherine Street, St Albans, retro relics & kitsch collectibles & upcycled furniture, 10am - 4pm 13th Wedding Fayre Stockwood Discovery Centre, 11 - 3pm, free

Autumn Craft & Murphy Radio Day Mill Green Museum, Hatfield, AL9 5PD children's activities, handmade craft & local beer, 11am-5pm, adult £3.50, child free www.welhat.gov.uk Tri-Force Triathlon Hertfordshire Sports Village, Hatfield, 400m pool swim, 20km bike ride, 5km www.tri-force.co.uk/triathlon-hertfordshire Open Food Gardens see page 30 Festival of Sport see page 6 Sunday Tea Dance Bricket Wood Social Club, Oak Avenue, AL2 3LQ 07956 366449, social dancing, swing, jive & ballroom, partner not required, licensed bar, 3pm - 6pm, £7 www.swingsters.co.uk Musical Sunday Afternoon St Albans Organ Theatre, Camp Road AL1 5PE a live musical performance of the various instruments, 2.15 - 4.30pm, adult £5.50, concs £4 & £2.50 www.stalbansorgantheatre.org 17th Charity Fashion Show see page 8 18th - 20th Herts Jazz Festival see page 32 19th & 20th Mister Maker & The Shapes Live see page 20 22nd Romeo & Juliet see page 22 22nd Sept - 5th Oct St Albans & Harpenden Food & Drink Festival see page 34 23rd Lockdales Valuation Day Wheathampstead Memorial Hall AL4 8AY 12.30 - 4.30pm, free www.lockdales.com 25th Jazz Inn the Park see page 33 26th Oxfam Herts Hike see page 6

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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Computer Friendly

Do you feel a little lost in this fast moving age of text messaging, digital photography, email and the Internet?

If so then Computer Friendly is for you. We're a charity offering advice and courses to help you keep pace with the technology of today.

Harpenden Library

4th September 1pm – 3pm £10 iPad Internet & Email 7th September 9.15am - 10.15am Free 1st Steps/Assess/Surgery 7th September 1pm – 3pm £40 iPad Beyond Internet & Email

Harpenden Indoor Bowling Club

1st September 10.45am – 12.45pm £10 Internet & Email 16th September 1pm – 3pm £32 Filing and Finding

www.theNOWmagazines.com

49

Index of Businesses

Accountants Hicks TaxAssist Accountants

45 47

Aerial Installations Concorde Aerials

23

Beauty Lavender & Stone Bicycle Repairs Cycletech Hertfordshire Blinds Harpenden Blinds Building & Refurbishment Laurence Cox Car Body Repairs Prestige Paint Shop Ltd Car Servicing / Repairs M Chapman Auto Services Ltd Charity Traid Children’s Art Classes FineArt4Kids!

Chiropodist Kathy Witchard

7 11 25 21 13 13 8 14 7

Cleaning Big Yellow 43 Harpenden Power Wash Services 41 Merrivac 43 Mobile Maid Services 42 Murray’s Cleaning Services 43 Complementary Health Mind-Body Balance Computer Repairs Computer Friendly Ken Hodson Conservatory Roof Solutions Nu-Look

7 49 48

Dance & Drama Penny Waterman School of Dance Stagecoach

5 17

Dog Sitting Wagging Tails

29

Domestic Appliance Repairs Leigh Hibon

21

Electricians MLC

22

Financial Management AMR Financial Management

45

Foot Care Feet First

Gas K25 Hearing Services The Hearing Healthcare Practice Hot Tubs A5 Hot Tubs Indian Restaurant Shapla Insurance NFU Mutual

3

Petcare Personal Petcare

29

Plasterer A. Merson Plastering

22

Plumbers DJ&M Plumbing Services Ltd Girlie Plumbing

19 & 51 19 29

Propertry Maintenance The 50plus

19

Recruitment Agency KA Marketing

45

Removals Akers Stephens

41 41

Retirement Homes McFarland Park & Leisure Homes

51

Roofing K & D Flat Roofing

21

School St Columba’s College

15

Security Maximum Security Systems

23

9

Tree Surgeons Fircroft Tree Surgery Ltd

33

5

Tyre Fitting Big D’s Tyres

11

Window Cleaner Harpenden Window Cleaning

40

Windows & Doors AA Window Repairs Cloudy2Clear Kings Windows Sash Restorations Ltd

41 39 38 38

31 31

Gardening / Landscaping AR Landscapes Ltd Garden Life Landscapes Greenshouse & Gardens Supagrass The Garden Tidy Vanessa Blain Garden Design

25 25

Pond Maintenance Women With Waders

6

Garden Centre Bridge Valley Burston Garden Centre

Painters & Decorators CB Decorators M & M Decorating

37 36 37 35 33 35 19

47 Back Cover

Kindergarten Artisans

15

Oven Cleaning Ovenmaster

43

Family Barn Dance

Saturday 19th September 7.30pm - 10.30pm Harpenden Common Golf Club in aid of Harpenden Mencap Grab your partner by the hand for this fundraising family event Join us for an evening of live music from the Moonshine band & dancing taught by a live caller Hot Dog Supper / Cash bar available / Raffle prize draw Adult £12, 10 -16 years £10 events@harpendenmencap.co.uk 07961 015272

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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DJ&M PLUMBING SERVICES LTD ●

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Complete

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Bathroom, Cloakroom, Shower Room and Kitchen 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

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