st albans NOW Jan 25 by wendy robertson

st albans NOW

Happy New Year

Whatever you fancy doing this New Year from Art Classes, Skating, Birdwatching, Walking or Wassailing to a trip to the Theatre or catching a last minute Panto we’ve got it covered. And as always we’ve included lots of local businesses to help you with whatever you need doing. If you run your own business we‘d love to include you it’s so easy, just book your space online today. Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Jane & Wendy

@theNOWmagazines

It’s free to get the magazines each month in your inbox visit www.theNOWmagazines.com to subscribe

Advertising Rates 12 months 3 months

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You can NOW book advertising online Deadline 8th Jan for Feb editions jane@theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588291 www.theNOWmagazines.com

Ever wanted to talk to someone about your career, your development, transitions to portfolio work or a work-related matter and didn't know who to approach? You do now

We're Offering a Coach Me Now Service

Our purpose is supporting you to move forward. You can talk to us for a one-off conversation or we can talk some more, the choice is yours.

We can flex according to what you need when you need it. We can help with a range of situations to enable you to be prepared to be your best, e.g. interview preparation, preparing for a presentation, and perhaps resolving a conflict with a colleague. Ask us, and we can decide together if we can support you. We can offer virtual conversations, and if we're located close by, walk and talks, and coffee and a chat.

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Mediation: A Tale of Communication & Success

Mediation - a word which was not part of day-to-day language a decade ago and a concept largely disregarded by Lawyers as a ‘soft option’, has now become a central feature of family law.

The reason - it is fundamentally about communication between the people it concerns and affects, not the Lawyers or Judges. Family law issues usually concern people who previously happily communicated - they had common goals and interests; and often still love the same people - their children.

Mediation has been placed as the first step to take in resolving family law matters to achieve more positive outcomes.

They had the ability to ‘communicate’, so mutual understanding can still be retrieved and hopefully, revived, leading to far better outcomes in financial matters and longer lasting coparenting relationships - vitally important for children caught in the middle of parental separation. The system has recognised this and put mediation at the forefront of its drive towards Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR). This helps avoid the costs and stress of a Court system where, in default of some formal agreement/settlement, a decision will be imposed and forced on the parents/participants.

By contrast, the objective of mediation is to find where the interests of the participants/parents overlap and aim for tailored outcomes that work for the family, which they can all more contentedly, ‘live with’.

The Court in recent months has gone further than ever before and made NCDR an obligation. Evidence must be shown that it has been properly considered and attempted, not just paid lip service.

Mediation will be the obvious choice in most cases because it is invariably the most cost effective and accessible of the NCDR options available. It is simple in structure and approach, does not require heavy-handed involvement of lawyers and complex processes, but yet remains private and confidential. Mediation allows participants to reflect on their conversations and to seek independent advice before any

provisional agreement is made legally binding. An experienced mediator, or one that has a background in family law, will ensure that decisions reached fall within the Court’s expectations and are legally workable, without needing to attend Court and/or speak to a Judge.

The flexibility of mediation allows it to be structured to address complex backgrounds. Where the issues are complex, it can include professionals such as therapists and psychologists. If there are complex assets such as family businesses, pensions, and/or remuneration packages, it can involve accountants, actuaries and financial advisors. If there are complex legal issues, it can include Lawyers as part of a ‘hybrid mediation’ to advise and support the process, reducing the stop-start nature of instructing Lawyers to argue in correspondence or in costly litigation. Where appropriate, the children can have a voice to ascertain their wishes and feelings in Child Inclusive Mediation.

Mediation has therefore been placed as the first step to take in resolving family law matters, as a way to preserve precious resources and to achieve more positive outcomes.

Claire Howard Senior Associate & Mediator

Che Meakins Legal Director & Mediator

It’s Still Panto Time!

Cinderella & The Glass Slipper until 1st Jan

Prepare to be swept off your feet in this enchanting production. £23, child £21 Beam Theatre, Hertford SG14 1PS www.beamhertford.co.uk

Sleeping Beauty until 3rd Jan

Dazzling choreography, stunning sets, uplifting live music, glamourous costumes (for most of the cast members!) and, of course, plenty of audience participation. £20 - £25

Radlett Centre WD7 8HL www.radlettcentre.co.uk

Sleeping Booty! until 4th Jan

Sleeping Beauty's adult-only alternative. £29 - £33 Campus West, WGC AL8 6BX www.campuswest.co.uk

Sleeping Beauty until 5th Jan

Promising belly laughs and a whole lot of magic. £18 Campus West, WGC AL8 6BX www.campuswest.co.uk

Beauty & The Beast until 5th Jan

Hilarious fun-filled family pantomime, starring TV legend Joe Swash. From £15 Grove Theatre, Dunstable LU4 5GP www.everyonetheatres.com

Peter Pan until 5th Jan

Join Peter Pan in this high-flying adventure, starring the strictly sensational Craig Revel Horwood as Captain Hook! From £13 Milton Keynes Theatre MK9 3NZ www.atgtickets.com

Cinderella until 12th Jan

Fun-filled family panto, starring Samantha Womack (EastEnders) as the fairy, alongside St Albans Legends, Bob Golding and Ian Kirkby as the Wicked (but very funny) step-sisters. £18 - £36.50 Alban Arena, St Albans AL1 3LD www.everyonetheatres.com

New Adventures of Peter Pan until 19th Jan

Soar to Neverland in this high-flying pantomime adventure. £20 - £34

Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage SG1 1LZ www.everyonetheatres.com

Dick Whittington 23rd - 26th Jan

Performed by The Hurst Children’s Theatre Group, and packed with dancing, wonderful songs and lots of audience participation. £18 Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden AL5 2FR www.everyonetheatres.com

Harpenden Blinds

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see our main advert on the inside back cover

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If you would like to discuss a project, please get in touch 01727 323411 www.dowergroup.com/design-studio/ enquiries@dowergroup.com

Out & About

Intergenerational Choir

Tuesdays 12.45pm - 1.30pm term time

Inclusive choir for all, just turn up. 01582 768278

The Salvation Army Hall, Leyton Green, Harpenden www.harpenden.gov.uk

‘Find the Letter’ Competition until 5th Jan

Find Mr Jingles the Snowman in the Christmas displays, write down the letters he’s holding, and use them to guess the festive word. 5 winners will receive a £10 gift voucher. Free, ages 0 - 11 Aylett Nurseries, St Albans AL2 1DH www.aylettnurseries.co.uk

Christmas Tree Collection

The Hospice of St Francis is providing this hassle-free service, just leave your Christmas tree outside your house on the weekend of the collection. For a donation, your tree will be recycled, and all money raised will contribute to the £6 million+ the Hospice needs every year to fund its free care. Over the last 7 years this service has raised a tree-mendous £146k, enough to fund the community nursing service for almost 5 months or the Inpatient Unit nurses for 3 and a half years! www.stfrancis.org.uk

New Year's Day Breakfast

1st Jan 10am, 10.30am & 11am

Soak up the relaxed atmosphere and enjoy a heartwarming breakfast, served with a breath-taking view from Bedfordshire’s highest point. £13.50, child £6.50, please book Dunstable Downs Visitor Centre, Beds LU6 2GY www.nationaltrust.org.uk

St Albans City Walks

Historic St Albans

1st, 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th Jan 11.15am

Ghosts & Ghouls

9th & 23rd Jan 7.30pm £6, please book online www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk

Winter Wednesdays Tea & Talks

1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th Jan

Refreshments 10.30am, talks 11am £10

Choose from the following talks:

 A history of Luton Hoo Walled Garden

 Conservation at Luton Hoo Walled Garden

 The Women’s Land Army 1914-1919

 Successes and setbacks in the Walled Garden in the 20th century

 Luton Hoo opens to the public 1947-1950 Luton Hoo Walled Garden LU1 4LF

www.lutonhooestate.co.uk

Wassailing 4th Jan 4.30pm - 6.30pm

A gathering to serenade and praise the trees in the Cell Barnes Orchard ensuring a bountiful apple harvest for 2025. Decorate yourself with ivy, leaves and feathers and bring something to make a noise like a musical instrument or a pot and spoon and a torch.

Highfield Park, Hill End Lane, St Albans AL4 0RA

www.highfieldparktrust.co.uk

St Albans South Signal Box

12th Jan 2pm - 5pm

Visit the largest preserved Midland Railway signal box in the UK open to the public and next to a main line railway. See signalling demonstrations, operate working signals, a point and more. Free

5 Ridgmont Road, St Albans AL1 3AJ

www.sigbox.co.uk

Books On The Hill

Breakfast Book Club 12th Jan 10am

Afterhours Book Club 29th Jan 7pm

Discussions will be around books you love or are currently reading, so if you love to talk about books why not join in. For adults, £11.55

Classics Book Club 30th Jan 7pm

Classics speak of universal themes such as love, loss, friendship and hope. This new book club has chosen to explore Persuasion by Jane Austen for January, to lift your spirits! £11.55

Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 1ER

www.books-on-the-hill.co.uk

Herts Wildlife Trust

Winter Tree Identification Workshop 14th Jan 10am - 3.30pm

Learn how to identify trees in their winter state using bud and twig characteristics, then walk around Hertford Heath to put into practice the morning's learning and identify the trees. Bring a packed lunch, for adults, £13 Hertford Heath SG13 7PW

Guided Walk: An Amble Around Astonbury 17th Jan 10am - 1pm

Walk off the winter blues, while taking in the wildlife and views of Astonbury and the surrounding countryside. Wellies advised, for adults and children ages 10+. Free, but donations welcome Astonbury Wood, Aston SG14 3RY

www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

Repair Fair

18th Jan 2pm & 15th Feb 5pm

Take along your faulty electrical items and worn, torn fabrics. The team of skilled amateur fixers will do their best to put them right or offer advice. You may even learn how to repair things yourself. Please book Quakers Meeting House, Harpenden AL5 1PD

www.sustainablestalbans.org

NOW for some Entertainment

The Horn

Imagine The Beatles 4th Jan 2pm

Beatles tribute playing a special retrospective from the Cavern years to the 'Let It Be' final rooftop concert. £15 Sabbotage 4th Jan 9pm

The UK’s leading Black Sabbath tribute band. £15 90's & Britpop Night 10th Jan

Featuring covers band Popscene! Free Big Love UK 18th Jan 9pm Fleetwood Mac tribute with the stunning voice of Lynn Clare. £18

Victoria Street, St Albans AL1 3TE www.thehorn.co.uk

Event Cinema

Girl From the North Country 7th Jan 7pm

It’s 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota, when we meet a group of wayward travellers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse filled with music, life and hope. This beautiful Broadway production is brought to life by an extraordinary company of actors and musicians. £15

Royal Ballet & Opera: Tales of Hoffman 15th Jan 6.45pm & 19th Jan 2pm

Through the haze of the years, a poet remembers the women he loved, but as memory and fantasy becomes increasingly blurred, will he find the enigmatic Stella before it is too late. £22.60

Campus West, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX www.campuswest.co.uk

The Radlett Centre

American Four Tops Motown 8th Jan 7.30pm £32

With hits from Reach Out and Baby I Need Your Loving to Loco in Acapulco, Bernadette and more.

The Elvis Years 9th Jan 7.30pm £29.50

With hits including That’s Alright Mama, Suspicious Minds, Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog and many more.

A Tribute to Sting & The Police starring The Rozzers 10th Jan 7.30pm £26.50

From Roxanne and Every Breath You Take to Fields of Gold and Englishman in New York, all reproduced with stunning authenticity and vocal accuracy.

The Upbeat Beatles 11th Jan 7.30pm £28

Performing to sell out venues for over 20 years, earning a reputation as the Beatles finest tribute.

Jenny Eclair: Jokes, Jokes, Jokes! (Tour Preview) 15th Jan 7.30pm £19

Warning: Punk poetry, animal impressions and baritone nursery rhyme singing may feature.

Back to Bacharach 16th Jan 7.30pm £28.50

Experience his finest hits from West End vocalists and the sensational Magic Moments Orchestra.

Think Floyd 17th Jan 7.30pm £31

Performing Pink Floyd tracks Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, The Division Bell and many more.

Omid Djalili: Namaste 21st & 23rd Jan 7.30pm £29.50

See Omid bow to his inner anger, unleashing a torrent of comedic vitriol upon the current state of this dangerously messed up planet.

Live at The Radlett 24th Jan 7.30pm £20

With Jen Brister, Rhys James and Carl Donnelly.

Beyond the Barricade 25th Jan 7.30pm £29

Enjoy numbers from The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story, The Lion King, Blood Brothers, Miss Saigon, Hamilton and more.

The Clare Teal 5 26th Jan 7.30pm £29

Exhilarating swing from this award winning jazz vocalist and some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians. Evening with Tony Adams 29th & 30th Jan 8pm £50 - £250

An exclusive superstar speakers’ event with the Arsenal Legend and one of the greatest defenders in the history of the Premier League.

Aldenham Ave WD7 8HL www.radlettcentre.co.uk

Abbey Theatre

STAJE in Concert 9th Jan 8pm

STAJE (St Albans Jazz Ensemble), a collective of local musicians and vocalists showcase the diversity of Jazz music, from Big Band Swing, Latin and Jazz-Funk to Soul. £15, child £12.50

Dick Whittington

11th Jan 2.30pm & 7.15pm, 12th Jan 12.30pm & 6pm

The Hurst Children’s Theatre Group present a show packed with dances, songs and lots of audience participation. £16, £13, £9

Ladies’ Day

24th Jan - 1st Feb 8pm & 26th Jan 2.30pm

Hilarious comedy following the fortunes of ladies as they take advantage of Royal Ascot’s shift to York Racecourse for one year only. £14, £12

Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 2DL www.abbeytheatre.org.uk

Old Town Hall Arts Centre

Town Mouse & Country Mouse

11th Jan 11.30am & 2pm

An enchanting story from Aesop's much loved tale told with puppetry, music and magical design. Age 3+ £12, child £10, family £40

Daria Kulesh: MotherLand 31st Jan 8pm £18

Haunting, enigmatic folk songs of the past and present. Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE www.oldtownhall.co.uk

The EMC

Harpenden & Wheathampstead Gang Show

14th - 18th Jan From £12

Annual award-winning spectacular of song, dance and comedy as 143 Scouts perform their socks off.

Buddy Holly and The Cricketers! 31st Jan 7.30pm

All Holly’s hits and classics played live on stage by five amazing young actor-musicians.  £27.50

Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden AL5 2FR www.everyonetheatres.com

Barn Theatre

The Revlon Girl

17th - 25th Jan 8pm

Eight months after the Aberfan Disaster, four women secretly invite a representative from Revlon to give a presentation and demonstration to their bereaved mothers support group. A heart-wrenchingly sad, but funny, thought-provoking story.

Jazz at the Barn: Lewis Sallows 31st Jan 8pm

This local musician, improviser and composer is a saxophonist of great quality and talent. Welwyn Garden City AL8 6ST www.barntheatre.co.uk

The Alban Arena

Peter Andre starring in The Best of Frankie Valli 17th Jan 7.30pm £47.50

A spectacular celebration of timeless music from one of the biggest selling groups of all time. This nostalgic musical journey pays tribute to the life and career of those four boys from Jersey, who started singing under a streetlamp but soon became one of the most recognised groups in history.

Thank ABBA For The Music

18th Jan 7.30pm £29

Expect iconic hits including Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Super Trouper, Waterloo, Take A Chance On Me, Voulez-Vous and many more. As always ABBA and 70’s fancy dress is optional…but encouraged!

Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf 22nd & 23rd Jan 7.30pm £32

Can the beast inside us all be silenced with the silver bullet of Lee’s unprecedentedly critically acclaimed style of stand-up?

21st Century Tennessee 24th Jan 7.30pm £29

A night of incredible tunes and authentic Nashville vibes, featuring songs such as: When It Rains It Pours, Before He Cheats, Chicken Fried, Need You Now, Waggon Wheel, Last Night and Tennessee Whiskey. Taylormania 25th Jan 3pm & 7.30pm £31

This award-winning extravaganza with Katy Ellis, self

obsessed ‘Swiftie’, her incredible live band and dancers promises to deliver one of the most authentic recreations of a Taylor Swift show you will ever see.

An Evening with Aggers 30th Jan 7.30pm £34.50

Get ready to be bowled over by cricket legend Jonathan Agnew, with stories from his illustrious career both on and off the field.

T-REXTASY 31st Jan 7.30pm £29.50

Performing for over 20 years this is the only band endorsed and approved by Marc Bolan’s family and original ex-members of T.Rex.

The Alban Arena, St Albans AL1 3LD www.everyonetheatres.com

Messiah Free Open Rehearsal

20th Jan 7.30pm

With The Hardynge Choir, all welcome, see website for further details.

St Helen’s Primary School, Wheathampstead AL4 8AN www.hardyngechoir.org

Lucy Porter 24th Jan 8pm

Lucy’s back with a show all about regrets - disastrous dates, professional calamities, ruined friendships, parenting fails, and she’s describing all her mistakes, why they happened, and pondering how her life would have turned out if she’d acted differently. £20

Hat Factory Arts Centre, Luton LU1 2EY www.culturetrust.com

Amadeus Chamber Orchestra

25th Jan 7.30pm

Arnold - Serenade for Small Orchestra

Haydn - Symphony No. 103 'Drum Roll'

Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 5 'Emperor'

With Andrew Blankfield on piano. £18, child £1

St Peter's Church, St Albans AL1 3HG www.amadeuschamberorchestra.org.uk

Watford Palace Theatre

Ben Elton: Authentic Stupidity 25thJan 7.30pm

The undisputed godfather of modern stand-up is back on the road. £32.50 - £130

Bring Your Own Baby Comedy 29th Jan 11.30am

Featuring the funniest comedians from TV and the circuit telling grown up jokes in a baby-friendly environment. £12 - £17

Russell Kane: HyperActive 30th Jan 8pm

This tour comes with a safety warning: wear strong underwear, pants will be spoiled. Russell is highenergy, high-octane, and hyper-active! £30 - £120

Watford Palace Theatre, Clarendon Road WD17 1JZ www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

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

Lawn Mowing I Hedge Cutting

Weeding I Garden Clearance

Fencing I Power Washing/Sealing

Turfing I General Maintenance + Much more…

info@detailgardening.co.uk

DetailGardening www.detailgardening.co.uk

All Aspects of Tree Work including Stump Removal

Fruit Tree Specialist

Garden Clearance & Fencing

St Albans Based 35 Years Experience

Contact Chris 01727 844243 07518 626938

chris.futurenature@gmail.com

“Always leaves a clean and tidy site”

Out of Town

Child Heroes Christmas Trail until 5th Jan

Find out what your favourite Roald Dahl heroes, like Matilda and Charlie, have got for Christmas, find their stockings to earn a hero’s stamp at the end. Free with Museum admission

Roald Dahl Museum, Bucks HP16 0AL www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Waddesdon

Christmas at Waddesdon until 5th Jan Wed - Sun plus 30th & 31st Dec / excludes 23rd - 26th Dec

An immersive experience inspired by the tale of Sleeping Beauty with light projections on the Manor façade, a light trail in the gardens and lots more. Waddesdon Bucks HP18 0JH www.waddesdon.org.uk

Natural History Museum Tring

Rudolph Christmas Trail until 5th Jan

Help Father Christmas round up his reindeer after their holidays. Search the galleries and track them down using clues from the postcards they sent from their travels. All ages, £1 per trail

LEGO® Build the Change Nature-Friendly Habitat Build 28th Dec & 4th Jan 10.30am & 2pm

Welcoming all builders of the future. Help build a LEGO® bricks habitat, where animals, people and nature can feel at home. Free with admission

Tring HP23 6AP www.nhm.ac.uk

Christmas at Whipsnade Zoo until 6th Jan

From family friendly activities to festive animal fun, animal talks and holiday surprises. Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable LU6 2LF www.whipsnadezoo.org

Hertford Children's Christmas Trail

21st Dec - 4th Jan

Follow the trail map to find knitted characters hiding in Town Centre shops and shop windows, to win a £30 gift voucher. Visit the website to download the trail map www.hertford.gov.uk

John Lawson’s Magical Circus

21st - 24th Dec & 27th Dec - 5th Jan

An entirely human cast, featuring amazing new acts and exciting routines in an enthralling fun-filled show for all the family. £8.50, family £30

Van Hage Great Amwell, Ware SG12 9RP www.bluediamond.smart-tickets.co.uk

Bletchley Park Family Activities

28th - 30th Dec & 2nd & 3rd Jan 11am - 3.30pm

Find out if you could have been a Codebreaker by completing puzzles, playing games, testing your skills and challenging your friends and family.

Ages 5-14, accompanied by an adult Milton Keynes MK3 6EB www.bletchleypark.org.uk

IWM Duxford

Scramble! The Summer of 1940

28th Dec - 23rd Feb 11am & 1.30pm

Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays

Go 'behind the ropes' and learn about the history of the aircraft and aircrew who fought in the skies over France and Britain. From Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires to a Bristol Blenheim and the last airworthy Curtiss Hawk-75, a guide will take you up close to the exhibits and aircraft and explore the stories behind the summer of 1940. £15, child £10 Duxford in a Different Light: Scramble!

25th Jan 3.30pm

You will be able to photograph the 'Scramble!' Summer of 1940 Spotlight Exhibition, as well as aircraft in the AirSpace hangar that will be illuminated. £50, for adults www.iwm.org.uk

Guided Walk: Wednesday Wander

1st Jan 12 noon £6

See the diversity of wildlife that call the reserve home at this time of year and learn more about Rye Meads, or simply enjoy exploring nature in a social setting.

Rye Meads, Hoddesdon, Ware SG12 8JS

Let’s Do This

ChilternsWinter 10k 4th Jan

Great for those new to running or those getting back into it, the course explores the stunning Chiltern Hills. Go for the scenery and the coaching tips.

Aldbury HP23

Countryto Capital Ultra 43 4th Jan

Kick-start the New Year with this ultimate challenge in stunning winter surroundings. Great for experienced runners, the route begins in the Chiltern Hills before going onto the Grand Union Canal and ending in Little Venice.

Shoulder of Mutton, Wendover, Aylesbury HP22 6EJ

Run theSun 19th Jan

Run with the sun as it rises and sets on a crisp winter day. Being a timed event rather than a distance one, means you can dictate how far, fast or slow you want to run. You can walk, run or jog your way around the 5k route.

The Cricketers Pub, Weston, Hitchin SG4 7DA www.letsdothis.com

Wedding Show 19th Jan 11am -3pm

Showcasing Shuttleworth House, Old Warden Park, Swiss Garden and the Collection. Shuttleworth, Biggleswade SG18 9DT www.shuttleworth.org

Wedding Showcase 26th Jan 11am - 1pm

The perfect venue and inspiration for your special day. Knebworth House SG3 6PY www.knebworthhouse.com

NOW at the Museums

St Albans Museum

+ Gallery AL1 3DH

Exhibition:

Maria Meyer: Thingchronicity until 9th March

Exhibition: Catching the Chain until 25th April

Inspired by the Museum's cells and courtroom this explores the history of criminal justice and the ways local communities have dealt with crime from the Iron Age to today. Messy Monday Mornings

6th, 13th, 20th & 27th Jan 10.15am - 11.45am

Creative activities for under 5’s, £6.50

Museum Minis 10th Jan 10am & 11am

Activity and a museum treasure hunt. Age 2 - 4, £6.50

Introduction to Oral History 11th Jan 11am

Oral histories are recorded interviews with people who have experienced particular events, places or time periods, learn how to collect them. Free, please book

Talk: Doubly Deviant Women? 17th Jan 7pm

Exploring cases from London's Old Bailey court and asking how and why attitudes to female felons changed during the Georgian period. £10, Zoom £6

Exhibition: Outsiders 17th Jan - 15th March

A documentary photography project capturing a snapshot of homelessness in modern Britain. Free Researching Your Caribbean Family History 25th Jan 11am Free

Corruption in St Albans! 28th Jan 7pm

This is how the Prime Minister referred to the electoral scandal that enveloped St Albans in the mid 1800s. See a recollection of key moments, including the debates in Parliament which led to St Albans losing both its MPs for 34 years, and to the passing of the Corrupt Practices Act designed to deal with the issue nationally. Taking place in the courtroom where the Parliamentary Commission heard evidence .£10 www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Verulamium Museum St Albans AL3 4SW

Exhibition: Mapping an Uneven Path: Stories of Health & Disability at Verulamium until 23rd Feb

Tots Tales 24th Jan 10am & 11am

Fun sessions for ages 2- 4, £6.50 www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Harpenden Museum

Late Victorian & Edwardian Harpenden

January - March Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 11am - 3pm

A display showing the growth and everyday life of Harpenden from the coming of the railways in the 1860s to the advent of WWI in 1914, when the village moved to being a town and the population tripled to

6,000. This will be illustrated and explained from the History Society’s fascinating historic archives of original photos, maps, documents and individual memories Downstairs at the EMC, Rothamstead Park AL5 2FR www.harpenden-history.org.uk

NOW at the Cathedral

Music From Stage & Screen 1st Jan 7pm

New Year Celebration concert with St Albans Symphony Orchestra performing: Williams - Flying Theme from ET / Bliss - Things to Come Bernstein -The Magnificent Seven / Moross - The Big Country Shostakovich - Romance, from The Gadfly Burgon - Brideshead Revisited / Goodwin - The Trap Williams - Superman / Bizet - Carmen extracts Rossini - Barber of Seville / Sullivan - Pineapple Poll extracts / Rogers & Hammerstein - South Pacific & Oklahoma / Williams - Star Wars.

£18 - £30, child/ student £5

The Museum of the Moon 3rd Jan - 14th Feb

See Luke Jerram's spectacular moon installation measuring seven metres in diameter and featuring 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the moon’s surface.

Pink Floyd by Candlelight

16th - 18th Jan 7.30pm

The ultimate tribute to Pink Floyd, made even more special by the Museum of the Moon’s, spectacular installation displayed during the show. £10 - £60

Sanctuary Supper 20th Jan 6pm

Enjoy a dinner of authentic dishes from around the world and hear the stories behind them. Since last January, asylum seekers who are part of the Cathedral community have been preparing dishes from their home countries to serve each month in the Abbot's Kitchen.

Roman Festival Week

21st - 24th Jan 10am - 2.30pm

Ideal for KS2 pupils, this immersive experience features a carousel of three interactive workshops, and the chance to meet a Roman Soldier. £9.25

Abbey by Night 22nd Jan 8pm

Be transported back to the medieval abbey as you encounter fantastic stories of the past by candlelight. Watch history come to life in this truly unique experience. £20

Jazz in the Moonlight 25th Jan 7.30pm

A stellar evening of jazz under the Moon, led by musician and composer Tim Boniface. £10 - £30

St Albans Cathedral AL1 1BY www.stalbanscathedral.org

Get Your Skates on!

Battersea Power Station until 5th Jan

Mon-Fri 11am - 9pm & Sun 10am - 10pm

Skate around the rink, with all the fun of the fair and a 30ft Christmas tree twinkling in the middle. From £16, child from £10.50 www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk

Brent Cross until 5th Jan

London’s newest ice skating pop-up will be adorned with festive garlands, wreaths and fairy lights, the 6,781 square foot space can accommodate 150 skaters at a time. £15 www.brentcross.co.uk

Hampton Court Palace until 5th Jan 9.30am - 9pm

Slip and slide around the ice, gaze up at Henry VIII’s 16th century pad and wonder what he’d make of all this, or just keep your eye out for the palace’s rumoured ghosts. Head to the café after to warm up with hot chocolate, mulled wine and mince pies. £18 - £21, child £13 - £15.50 www.hamptoncourtpalaceicerink.co.uk

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland until 5th Jan 10am - 10pm

Home to the biggest outdoor ice rink in the UK, surrounding the Victorian bandstand and lit up by more than 100,000 lights. £11.50, child £8.50 plus Winter Wonderland entry www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

JW3 until 5th Jan

Mon - Fri 12pm - 6.45pm & Sun 11am - 6.45pm

This Jewish arts, culture and community centre, has a 200-square-metre space under a canopy in the piazza, so you can hit the ice come rain or shine.

£18 - £19.50, child £12 - £14

www.jw3.org.uk/icerink

Somerset House until 12th Jan 9am - 10.45pm

Glide around the ice, gazing upon the Georgian architecture and 40ft Christmas tree, you’ll feel like you've skated onto a movie set!

£15- £26.50, child £10 - £15

www.somersethouse.org.uk

Canary Wharf until 23rd Feb 9am - 9.45pm

Skate around the 1,200 square metre arena, under a canopy so not even the unpredictable British weather can spoil a sesh here. There’ll also be a ringside bar and themed DJ nights. £13.95

www.icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk

All About the Birds

Herrings Green Farm

Alpaca & Owl Experience for Two 18th Jan 10am & 26th Jan 1pm

Under the instruction of the keepers, you’ll be introduced to the herd of alpacas, and then head out across the fields with them. There’ll be plenty of time to take photos and ask questions. Then meet and handle a Barn Owl, Eagle Owl, Scops Owl and more, experience their silent flight as they glide into your gloved hand. £59 for two, age 14+

Eagle & Kite Experience for Two 18th Jan 1pm & 1st Feb 10am

Meet and handle a spectacular American Bald Eagle, Blue Chilean Eagle, Bateleur Eagle, and even fly some of them in this memorable experience as they glide into your gloved hand. Then enter the Kite enclosure where you can meet, handle and feed them too. £69 for two, age 14+

Herrings Green Farm MK45 3DT www.birdsofpreycentre.co.uk

Talk: The Naming of Birds

20th Jan 11am

Learn the reasons behind the names of various birds, examining how their appearances, calls and behaviours have influenced their titles, and uncover intriguing historical anecdotes that have shaped the way we refer to these feathered creatures. Free Forest Centre, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Beds MK43 0PR www.marstonvale.org

Big Garden Birdwatch

24th - 26th Jan

Sit back, relax and watch your garden birds while taking part in the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. In 2024, over 600,000 people took part. Once you register, you’ll be kept updated with top tips on how to get ready for the best Birdwatch ever. It’s easy to take part, simply watch the birds in your garden or local park for one hour, and record what you see. Only include birds that land, not those flying over. Count the highest number of each species you see at any one time. Then go online and tell the RSPB what you’ve seen. Even if you didn’t see anything at all, let them know as its all useful information. www.rspb.org.uk