st albans NOW May 21 by wendy robertson

Pick p u me m ’ I E FRE

st albans May 2021

NOW

promoting local businesses, organisations and events since 2006 www.theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588291 jane@theNOWmagazines.com

Welcome to May

Like you, we’re excited to be getting out and about again, now that places are opening up and we can all have a haircut, enjoy seeing friends and family and have a pint in the pub garden in the sunshine. As always, we’ve included a selection of local businesses from Bathing Mobility to the Women’s Institute. If you’re interested in advertising, we’d love to hear from you. The magazines are monthly and if you don’t have a copy handy, you can always find them on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Jane & Wendy

@theNOWmagazines

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

3 months £43 per edition 1/4 page £52 per edition 1/3 page £64 per edition 1/2 page £110 per edition Full page

other options are available

Please get in touch

jane@theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588291

Deadline 8th May for June edition www.theNOWmagazines.com

Presentation Skills Coach 1 to 1 Virtual Coaching Specialising in Effective communication Presenting techniques How to be successful at virtual meetings Interview techniques Personalised coaching plan to meet your individual needs For more information or to book a free consultation please contact Alicia on aliciamariacoaching@gmail.com 07957 583629

www.theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588291 jane@theNOWmagazines.com

Out & About Please check websites for changes

Local Markets

St Albans Vegan Market 2nd May 10.30am - 4pm St Peter’s Street AL1 3DH Inside Out Pop Up Markets 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th May 11am - 5pm George Street, High Street and Market Place Local retailers and market traders St Albans Farmers Market 9th May 8am - 2pm St Peter’s Street, St Albans St Albans Vintage Market 16th May 9am - 3pm St Albans City Centre Harpenden Farmers Market 23rd May 10am - 2pm High Street, Harpenden

Hatfield House

Tudor Legacies 3rd May 11am - 4pm Come and meet some fascinating historical figures, with a living history group of Tudor enthusiasts. Bee Keeping Experience 9th & 23rd May Discover the secrets of one of the most important and fascinating creatures on the planet. All protective equipment will be provided. £150, age 16+ www.hatfield-house.co.uk

Luton Hoo Walled Garden

Open Wednesdays from 5th May 10.30am - 4pm Produce and plants from the garden will be available to buy. The garden is looking lovely as the gardeners and conversation team have all been very busy. Please book, £5 Luton Hoo Walled Garden LU1 4LF 01582 721443 www.lutonhooestate.co.uk

Wrest Park

Archaeological Store Tours 10th May 11am, 12.30pm & 2pm Join the Collections Team to discover over 153,000 historical artefacts spanning over 2,000 years of England’s history. Please book Wrest Park MK45 4HR www.english-heritage.org.uk

Sustainable St Albans

Creating a Green Recovery - From What is to What if? 10th May 7.30pm online free Many of us know it is necessary, but how do we actually go about ensuring a Green recovery? Why not join our speakers who will tell you about pressure from citizens and industry action. 4

Film & Discussion - Kiss the Ground 24th May 8pm online free One of the biggest problems is right under our feet: the soil. This film awakens us to the possibilities of regeneration. Watch it, then join in the discussion. Playing Out 28th May 10.30am free online Find out how to apply to close your road for a one-off street party or regularly for children’s play. www.sustainablestalbans.org

Markyate Plant Sale 15th May

To order hanging baskets please call 01582 943133 Markyate Baptist Church AL3 8JB www.stfrancis.org.uk

Wheathampstead 10K & 2K 16th May 10am Raising funds for Beech Hyde Primary and Nursery School. Entries are accepted in advance only. Marford Playing Fields, Wheathampstead www.runabc.co.uk/wheathampstead-10k-2k

Hertfordshire Triathlon 23rd May Start 7am

Featuring sprint and standard individual triathlons, both with relay and aquabike options. Starting with an open water lake swim before heading out onto a rural, bike course. Why not sign up online today. Stanborough Lakes, Welwyn AL8 6DQ www.activetrainingworld.co.uk

St Albans Jumble Trails

Enjoy a Jumble Trail adventure, either register as a seller and clear your clutter, or follow the map as a buyer grabbing yourself a bargain while supporting the local community. It’s free to register as a buyer and just £4.99 to have a stall, a map is provided with the registered locations. Visit the website to confirm you will be taking part, then on the day, set up your sale in your garden. Core times are 10am - 3pm. Upcoming events: 23rd May St Albans (South) 30th May St Albans Villages (South) www.jumbletrail.uk

Women's Safety - Open Conversation 25th May 7.30pm via Zoom With Daisy Cooper MP and Soroptimist Women's Group. www.sigbi.org/st-albans

Herts County Horse Show 29th - 31st May Instead of the County Show, enjoy this event celebrating all things horse and country. Booking essential Herts County Showground Redbourn AL3 7PT yourticketbooking.com

Herts Half Marathon / 10K 6th June

Half Marathon 9am / 10K 9.30am This popular ‘road closed’ run starts and finishes in front of Knebworth House, with the course taking you around the beautiful surrounding rural roads. Entry includes a medal, t-shirt and refreshments. Half Marathon £34, 10K £28 www.hertshalf.com

www.theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588291 jane@theNOWmagazines.com

07500 801192

www.theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588291 jane@theNOWmagazines.com

DJ&M Plumbing Services Ltd We care about your small jobs too! ● Electric and Power Showers Fitted ● 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 01727 764217 07830 159010 info@djmplumbing.co.uk www.djmplumbing.co.uk see our main advert on the inside back cover

www.theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588291 jane@theNOWmagazines.com

Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re a burden

We live in an aging society, and it’s a fact of life that our needs change as we get older. Why then, do we sometimes feel like a burden if we ask for help in our later years? Age UK carried out research into why people struggle in later life and found that older people often feel excluded, or exclude themselves, from the world around them. This was due to the following: feeling their lives didn’t hold as much worth; feeling the benefits of making a change were outweighed by the effort; and not knowing how to change things. We all have bad days, but if you’re struggling every day with household tasks like paying bills or using the bathroom, or your emotions are getting the better of you, then it’s time to act. Talk to someone, or call Age UK’s Advice Line on 0800 678 1602 (8am - 7pm). When it comes to making changes in your home, people often only seek help because of a slip or fall. They worry that adding grab rails or a walk-in bath won’t look very nice or will be expensive. At AHM Installations, they speak to customers every day who have taken the first step of asking for advice. They can guide you through the process of updating your bath or shower, whatever the budget. When you’re ready, call their family-run team on 01727 648674. Discounts offered for military veterans and those with dementia.

01727 648674

The Harpenden Shutter Company We Supply & Fit Beautiful Wooden Plantation Window Shutters Specialising in Bay Windows

Free No Obligation

Consultation, Measuring & Quotation

Spring Sale 25% off Shutters

20% off all Blinds Awnings Poles & Curtains

Teresa & Kevin Buckler

01582 461639

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

We supply

Laminate Engineered Solid Wood Carpet Vinyl Safety Flooring We only deal with the highest quality brands such as Kahrs, Quickstep, Elka, and Polyflor. Our Fitters are Professionally Qualified, and we offer a Free Sample Service, Free Brochures, Free Quotes, and In-House Appointments.

Call us now for a free quote

sales@dunstableflooring.co.uk Find us on

www.theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588291 jane@theNOWmagazines.com

of Swan Lake for our times. £13.50, £10 www.sandpittheatre.co.uk

Out & About Please check websites for changes

Drive in Cinema

Enjoy classic movies on the big screen at Knebworth House from the comfort of your car. Please book 8th & 21st May Grease 9th & 24th May Pretty Woman 10th May Jaws 11th & 17th May Back to the Future 12th May Notting Hill 13th May Pulp Fiction 14th & 26th May Dirty Dancing 15th & 22nd May The Greatest Showman 16th May Bohemian Rhapsody 19th & 25th May Jurassic Park 20th May Star Wars: A New Hope 23rd May Rocketman Knebworth House SG1 2AX www.lunadriveincinema.com

Local Theatres

Abbey Theatre Endgame 18th - 22nd May A timely revival of Beckett’s bleakly comic masterpiece. Four characters, spanning three generations, are all ‘locked down’ together facing death in a comfortless world. £13, £12 Westminster Lodge AL1 2DL 01727 857861 www.abbeytheatre.org.uk Hertford Theatre Horrible Histories 20th - 22nd May The horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in! £15.50, ages 5+ www.hertfordtheatre.com Maltings Theatre Roman Theatre Open Air Festival Bringing live performance back to St Albans with 14 shows, 8 companies and 69 performances of theatre, opera and music. Find the full programme on the website, it all kicks off in May with... Peter Pan 28th May - 27th June OVO presents a musical version of JM Barrie’s classic play, told with their customary irreverence and wit. With magic, mischief, music and makebelieve, and just a sprinkle of fairy dust. Roman Theatre of Verulamium AL3 6AE www.maltingstheatre.co.uk Sandpit Theatre Film: Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake 29th May 7pm A passionate and contemporary performance 14

The Radlett Centre Peter Pan - Tiny Mites 29th May A one woman show to have you singing and dancing your way through this big adventure. Elaine Delmar - The Lady and her Music 30th May A cabaret style show that will blow away the lockdown blues. The Radlett Centre WD7 8HL www.radlettcentre.co.uk

Shuttleworth

Premiere Drive In Display 2nd May 10am - Gates Open / 2pm - 5pm Flying With thrilling air displays from historic aircraft. Park in your own box with enough room to set up a picnic alongside. Explore the Shuttleworth site and then return to your space to enjoy the air display. The Great British Drive In Cinema 7th - 9th & 21st - 23rd May / 28th May - 5th June See some of your favourite films on the big screen, while enjoying a selection of street food. With favourites such as The Greatest Showman, Harry Potter and Grease and a selection of classic titles including Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines and Dambusters. Trees of the Swiss Garden Tour 12th May 10.45am Join the Head Gardener on this guided tree trail, includes light refreshments, £20 Spies and Intrigue Evening Drive In Air Show 15th May See air displays from historic aircraft and walk around the Swiss Garden. Park in your own box with enough room to set up a picnic alongside. Swiss Garden at Night with Live Music Garden opens 6pm, music 7.15pm 22nd May Kylie Tribute - Becky Bennet 29th May Acoustic Pop and Indie - Nick Moyster www.shuttleworth.org

St Albans Museum + Gallery

Lockdown Life 17th May - 4th June The people of St Albans have responded to the challenges of living in lockdown in creative, compassionate and innovative ways. This exhibition shares the artworks, photographs, limericks, films and memories created by them. Behind the Mask 17th May - 5th Sept Join Trestle Theatre Company as they celebrate their 40th Anniversary. Charting its history and showing the extraordinary theatre and education work they have created. The exhibition will encompass past shows, the development of their engaging mask sets and the wonderful stories of those working with Trestle now. Town Hall, St Peter's Street AL1 3DH www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Local St Albans Plasterer M&M Decorators Fully qualified City and Guilds Over 20 years experience All interior and exterior work undertaken Specialist in all types of wallpaper All work finished to a high professional standard Free quotations at competitive prices Matthew Hayden 01582 270715 01727 867660 07970 720911 mandmdecs@gmail.com mandm_decorators

Jason Moffat All Aspects of Plastering Reliable Clean Trusted Very High Standard Plastering in St Albans for over 20 Years For Any Advice or a Quotation Please Call Today

07955 555 120 183 The Ridgeway St Albans AL4 9XE

01727 224802 www.theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588291 jane@theNOWmagazines.com

www.theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588291 jane@theNOWmagazines.com

Home Visiting

Chiropody Practice

Corns * Hard Skin * Fungal Nails Thickened / Ingrowing Nails Nail Cutting * Verrucas Diabetic Feet

Julia Reading

BSC (Hons) MChS HCPC Registered Podiatrist 17 Years Experience

For an appointment please call

07746 472781

www.theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588291 jane@theNOWmagazines.com

St Albans Bowling Club

Keep Active, Stay Healthy, Make New Friends - Play Bowls!

Open Days - All Welcome - 23rd May 10am - 1pm & 29th May 10am - 4pm St Albans Bowling Club, the oldest bowls club in St Albans, founded in 1903, is located in the delightful setting of Clarence Park. It has historical links with Sam Ryder, who bequeathed a silver cup to the Club long before he discovered golf. We have a mixed membership of nearly 90 and are always eager to welcome new members of all ages, genders and abilities. Bowls is gaining in popularity as it’s easy to learn, and no longer perceived as an older person’s sport. Free coaching for prospective members is available with all equipment provided. We hope the worst of the pandemic is behind us and would like to invite anyone interested in learning more about the sport and the Club to join us on our Open Days, (please bring flat shoes) subject to the easing of covid restrictions. The club house will be open for refreshments (if allowed). Individual visits outside of these dates can be arranged if they are inconvenient. The season runs from April to September, with single gender and mixed matches being played, ranging from competitions within the Club to matches against other clubs and competitions at county and district level. For those who prefer a less competitive game, there are informal sessions called “roll-ups” to be enjoyed during the week. For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Colin or Clare 01727 854129 or recruitment.training@stabc.co.uk

W lun e als ch o trip es & enjoy s to the get atre her

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

Come and Join Kingsbury WI And Make Some New Friends We meet every 3rd Tuesday 9.45am - 12 noon Dagnall Street Baptist Church Hall We have a Book Group, a Scrabble Group, Very Interesting Speakers and 2 or 3 Outings Every Year You will be given a very warm welcome For more information please call Pat Legerton on 01727 822157

Lawn Mowing I Hedge Cutting Weeding I Garden Clearance Fencing I Power Washing/Sealing Turfing I General Maintenance + Much more… Contact us now for a free quote!

01582 529429 I 07984 244494 info@detailgardening.co.uk DetailGardening

www.detailgardening.co.uk

Working from home and need a space to call your own?

A member of the

www.refurbsandroofing.co.uk email: dean.w.1@hotmail.com www.theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588291 jane@theNOWmagazines.com

Let’s all live more sustainably and protect our natural environment. Here’s a taste of events taking place in St Albans, Harpenden and the villages. Please check website for changes St Albans Sustainable Market 23rd May 11am - 4pm St Peter’s Street, St Albans AL1 Introduction to Permaculture - Garden Tour 23rd May 1pm - 4pm Incredible Edible Garden, Civic Centre AL1 3LD Self-guided Science Trail Around Rothamsted Research 23rd May - 6th June 7am - 7pm Rothamsted Research AL5 2JQ Workshop: How to Make Vegan Wax Wraps 25th May 7.30pm & 1st June 2.30pm online Walk: Spring Butterflies in Heartwood Forest 29th May 11am Helping Wild Hedgehogs 29th May 2pm online Rock Around the Common 29th May - 6th June Colney Heath Common & Nature Reserve AL4 0NS Eco Fun at St Peter’s Church AL1 3HG 30th May 1pm - 4pm Solar Streets Solar Panels Q&A 30th May 6pm online How to Grow & Use Ginger & Fenugreek 1st June 11am CDA Community Garden AL4 0TZ RSPB Walk: From Redbournbury Mill 1st June 6pm Climate Change, The Decisive Decade 3rd June 5.30pm online Film: 2040 4th June 8pm St Pauls Church AL1 4JP & online Concert: Singing the Birds & the Bees 6th June 1pm St Albans Cathedral AL1 1BY www.sustfest.org

E-bikes are awesome, we're yet to meet anyone who disagrees!

However, they can be expensive. You can buy an amazing E-bike with an unlimited budget but as you’re buying a whole bike, only a fraction of the cost is actually spent on the "E" elements. This is where Matt Purssey of St Albans started his journey. When researching E-Bikes he noticed that most feature traditional components but have a motor and battery fitted. A top of the range E-Bike with a middle motor and long-range battery does however represent a significantly higher cost. After researching this for himself and his wife, Matt discovered that conversion kits are available that rival the performance and range of the expensive E -Bikes in the shops. Although an extensive knowledge of bike mechanics and the right tools are required (with no promise of an easy fit). Matt was armed to accept the challenge. After Eupgrading both their bikes to high performance Middle Motor E-Bikes, the results were absolutely jaw dropping. Most bike owners are not comfortable with stripping down and then re-building their bike to this extent, especially with no support or warranty. This was an option only previously available to enthusiasts. After being asked many times from other cyclists where they purchased their bikes. Matt set up a business E MY BIKE Ltd offering a UK E-Bike conversion service upgrading standard bikes to high spec and safe E-Bikes. This concept has been very successful and Matt is now inundated with new orders. With workshops in St Albans, Stevenage and Cambridge, they are fast becoming a popular alternative to the typical E-Bike. E MY BIKE is a service led Installation, Repair and Maintenance provider for high quality, safe, reliable and powerful Middle Motor E-bike Systems. Available for the bike that you already own. See advert on page 29

New Greens Book Shed

This new free local community library allows people to take a book to read, and then return or exchange it for another. It’s open 24/7 for anyone local to use, giving everyone the benefit of books, including those who can’t easily travel to a library or book shop. The project is run by local community volunteers and is located at Christchurch, High Oaks, St Albans AL3. There are also days when books can be donated. www.facebook.com/groups/newgreensbookshed

www.theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588291 jane@theNOWmagazines.com

Index of Businesses Bathing Mobility AHM Installations Ltd Bathing Mobility Advisory Service Bowling Club St Albans Bowling Club

10 5 23

Building Complete Refurbishment & Roofing Open Plan Solutions

25 6

Car Servicing / Repairs M Chapman Auto Services

Charities The Hospice Lottery Rennie Grove Hospice Care

27 31

Children’s Art Camps ArtShed! Chiropodists Julia Reading Kathy Witchard

7 19 19

Cleaning Domestique MollyMaid WeCleanAnyProperty.com

21 21 20

Conservatory Roof Solutions Nu-Look 9 Cycling E-My-Bike.co.uk

Dance & Drama Penny Waterman School of Dance Stagecoach

Education Kumon

Electrician Alban Electrical Services Flooring Dunstable Flooring & Kitchens Ltd KC Flooring Specialists Ltd

11 Front Cover

Garage Doors Garolla

Garden Centre Vanstone Park

Gardening Detail Gardening & Maintenance

Healthcare Spire Harpenden Hospital 16 & 17

Painters & Decorators CB Decorators JR Professional Painting, Decorating & Maintenance M & M Decorators

30 15

Plasterer Jason Moffat

Plumber DJ&M Plumbing Services Ltd

8 & 31

Presentation Skills Coach Alicia

Roofing GJ Smith Roofing

Shutters The Harpenden Shutter Company

Singing Club Clover Singing Club

Hearing Services Hearing Healthcare Practice

Hot Tubs MSpa

Slimming Lighter Life Back Cover Vision Weight Consultancy 19

Locksmiths Lock Around the Clock Locksmith Services

Tree Surgeons Fircroft Tree Surgery Ltd

10 11

Windows & Doors Cloud 9 Kings Windows

12 12

Women's Institute Kingsbury WI

Loft Ladders Home Counties Loft Ladders

3 20

JR Professional Painting, Decorating and Maintenance Interior and Exterior Fabric Lining Wallpapering and Lining Flat Packs Sockets, Switches and Bathroom Fans Handyman Services Respectful to Your Home

07415 890131 mrjohn69@hotmail.co.uk We have made every effort to ensure that any material published in st albans NOW is correct and can accept no liability for any errors or delays in publication or distribution, st albans NOW accepts no responsibility for its advertisers .

DJ&M

PLUMBING SERVICES LTD ●

Complete

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Bathroom, Cloakroom, Shower Room and Kitchen Installations ●

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Local Family Run Business, Over 35 Years Experience

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Honest and Reliable Service

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Free Consultation/ Quotation for all Enquiries

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Tiling Plastering Electrical

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Discounts on all Bathrooms & Kitchens 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 01727 764217

info@djmplumbing.co.uk

www.djmplumbing.co.uk

www.theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588291 jane@theNOWmagazines.com