st albans NOW Nov 21

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st albans November 2021

NOW

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Welcome to November

We’ve got all sorts this month, from firework displays, and Christmas fairs and markets to lots of music and theatre to keep you entertained. Like most charities The Poppy Appeal, Rennie Grove and Herts Young Homeless are in need of our help, have a look through the magazine to see how you can raise funds.

As always whatever you do or whoever you call please let them know you found them in the NOW magazines.

If you run your own business we’d love to include you we offer a helpful friendly service so just give us a call.

The magazines are monthly, if you don’t have a copy handy, you can always find them on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Jane & Wendy

@theNOWmagazines

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Deadline 8th Nov for Dec edition www.theNOWmagazines.com

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Bernard Hughes who wrote the music. Isabel's classmates think it’s hilarious when her tummy rumbles in class, until they visit the zoo and her growling tummy saves them from an escaping tiger £8, child £2, under 2s free. www.saso.org.uk St Saviour’s Church, St Albans AL1 4DF

St Albans Organ Theatre Concert

NOW for some Music

13th Nov please book www.stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk

Noble Jacks 4th Nov 8pm £18 Hailed as the finest purveyors of folk-influenced Americana, with their high-energy footstompin’ rhythms.

The Jam’d 6th Nov 9pm £12 With a reputation for being the finest tribute to The Jam, this will be an unforgettable, authentic performance.

Chubby & The Gang 7th Nov 7pm £14 This five-piece band are balanced by two energies, for every moment of punk imperfection, there’s an intricate flurry of detail.

Declan Welsh & The Decadent West 9th Nov 8pm £8 Declan, a songwriter and poet from Glasgow creates music that’s direct and has a message of humanity.

Ren Harvieu 18th Nov 8pm £16 British vocalist Ren is a darkly enigmatic singer who mixes 60s pop, soul and modern alt-rock.

Hayseed Dixie 23rd Nov 8pm £18.50 Known as creators of the musical genre Rockgrass.

Legal Jam 27th Nov 9pm £14 Tribute to Pearl Jam. The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans AL1 3TE www.thehorn.co.uk

The Christmas Oratorio by JS Bach 13th Nov 7.30pm With St Albans Bach Choir, Sinfonia Verdi, Andrew Lucas - Conductor, Rowan Pierce - Soprano, Ben Hulett - Tenor and Matthew Brooke - Bass.

Organ Concert: Mark Brafield 17th Nov 12.30pm Free organ recital.

G4 Christmas 27th Nov 7.30pm With timeless classics such as When A Child is Born, Silent Night and All I Want For Christmas. www.stalbanscathedral.org

The Horn

St Saviour's Church

Voix de Vivre 6th Nov 7.30pm Festival and folksong, including music by Brahms, Byrd, Parry, MacMillan and Holst. £16.50, concs £14, students £5 www.ticketsource.co.uk/voix de vivre The Lark Ascending 13th Nov 2pm A family friendly concert with St Albans Chamber Choir, including a retelling of the children’s story Ferdinand the Bull, The Lark Ascending, Everyday Wonders, The Girl from Aleppo, The Prophet and more. £15, student £5, child £1 www.stalbanschamberchoir.org.uk St Albans Choral Society 20th Nov 7.30pm A performance of Rossini’s life enhancing Petite Messe Solennelle and Anton Bruckner’s beautiful three motets for unaccompanied chorus.

In advance £18, on the door £20, child £3 www.ticketsource.co.uk/st-albans-choral-society Concerts for Children 21st Nov 2pm & 3.30pm St Albans Symphony Orchestra play a number of pieces including Isabel’s Noisy Tummy, narrated by 4

St Albans Cathedral

Eric Morecambe Centre

The Alter Eagles 13th Nov 7.30pm £18.50 A tribute to one of the greatest American rock bands of all time, with songs like Hotel California, Lyin’ Eyes, New Kid in Town and more.

Wishbone Ash 17th Nov 8pm £27.50 In 2002, founder members Andy Powell and Ted Turner were voted among the top 20 guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine, and they still perform over 150 shows a year.

Blancmange 18th Nov 7pm £22 This British electronic band started in the 80s with their mix of synthesizers and surrealism, with singles such as Living On The Ceiling and Don't Tell Me. Stone Foundation 20th Nov 7pm £18.50 With a blend of Rock 'n' psychedelic Soul they’re fast becoming a compelling live attraction.

The Foundations 25th Nov 7.30pm £23 Formed in the 60s the band’s had worldwide success with hits like Baby, Now That I've Found You and Any Old Time You're Lonely And Sad. Harpenden Record Fair 27th Nov 10am - 4pm free With music for all tastes in all formats.

Rothamsted Park, Harpenden AL5 2HU www.the-emc.co.uk

The Creation by Haydn

20th Nov 7.30pm With Harpenden Choral Society £15, child £5 01582 419370 tickets@harpendenchoralsociety.org High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden AL5 2RU

Lea Singers

27th Nov 7.30pm With Brahms Requiem, Parry's joyful anthem I was Glad and a short Nocturne written during lockdown by singer-composer Kim Porter. £15, concs £5 St Nicholas Church, Harpenden AL5 2TP www.leasingers.co.uk

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Remember Them Harpenden

14th Nov Remembrance service, see website for details www.harpenden.gov.uk

RAF Museum London

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14th Nov 10.40am A commemorative service followed by readings and a performance by the North London Military Wives Choir. Free www.rafmuseum.org.uk

St Albans Cathedral

Weekend Wisdom: For Remembrance 14th Nov 1.30pm See and hear about the memorials in the Cathedral, from times of war and peace, and learn more about the stories of the people and lives they commemorate. Please book, free www.stalbanscathedral.org

100 Years of the Poppy Appeal

Remembrance is part of the fabric of our shared history, and today it continues to unite people from all backgrounds and generations. 100 years on, your support is as vital as ever as the impact of Covid-19 continues to leave some people supported by the Royal British Legion in urgent need of help. Every person, every donation and every poppy counts. Get involved and raise much needed funds.

Poppy Run There will be 5k runs taking place across the country during October and November. Choose to run, jog or walk the course – the event is open to all ages and abilities, including the dog!

11/11 Challenge Take on this challenge inspired by the 11th day of the 11th month by baking 11 cupcakes, running up 11 flights of stairs or knitting 11 poppies for 11 friends – the choices are endless!

Poppies in the Post In 2020 face-to-face collections were cancelled, and the impact was a shortfall of over £20 million.

This year volunteers will be back in action. If you would like to help, you will be sent a pack of 20 poppies to give to your friends and family in return for a donation.

National Poppy Appeal Launch: 28th Oct Armistice Day: 11th Nov Festival of Remembrance: 13th Nov Remembrance Sunday: 14th Nov www.britishlegion.org.uk

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Teresa & Kevin Buckler

01582 461639

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

Fireworks Galore

Verulamium Park 6th Nov gates 6pm This years display will be accompanied by music from the Bond films.

Tickets online or via the Cathedral Verulamium Park, St Albans www.stalbanscathedral.org Crabtree School 6th Nov gates 5.30pm Harpenden AL5 5PR

Cassiobury Park 6th Nov gates 6pm

With music, competitions, live performances, funfair rides, bungee trampolines and a bouncy slide.

Cassiobury Park, Watford WD18 7LG www.watfordbigevents.co.uk/cassioburyfireworks

Tring Park Festival of Fire 6th Nov 6pm

Display set to popular classics, plus food and drink stalls, a guy competition and children’s rides.

Tring Park Cricket Club HP23 6HA www.tringfireworks.co.uk

London Colney 7th Nov gates 5pm

Firework display, food and drink stalls along with fun fair rides and games.

Morris Way Playing Fields, London Colney AL2 2JP www.ticketsource.co.uk/london-colney-fireworks

Beech Hyde School 7th Nov

Firework display, with all proceeds going to the school.

Beech Hyde School, Wheathampstead AL4 8TP

Local St Albans Plasterer 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

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Local garden designer and landscaping team win their second gold medal at BBC Gardeners' World Live Hana Leonard of Secrets of the Garden Ltd and Armstrong Landscapes Ltd teamed up again to build another show garden at BBC Gardeners' World Live show at the NEC Birmingham this August.

The garden, called 'On Your Bike!', a playful exhibit focused on recycling, upcycling and, of course, cycling, received a huge amount of interest from the public and TV crew alike.

The colourful planting caught Carol Klein's eye and Adam Frost had a great time exploring the little gazebo made of bike wheels and the recycled rubber velodrome.

Hana says: 'The inspiration for the show garden came from the content of our shed. My husband is a keen cyclist and as his bike supposedly needs updating every 6 months, we seem to collect all sorts of bike parts that are just laying around. A show garden was a perfect place to make them useful again.

The landscaping crew did such a great job bringing my ideas to life! Without their construction skills, excellent delivery and eye for detail it wouldn't have been possible to impress the judges so much. My own team worked hard on the planting and for a short period we all created a beautiful yet fun space that was not only awarded a Gold Award but also draw kids in to play and inspired adults.' The garden, sadly without its creators, can been seen on the iPlayer on BBC2, Gardeners' World, episode 23.

Armstrong Landscapes Ltd Redding Lane, Redbourn AL3 7PS 01582 967487 www.armstronglandscapes.co.uk

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NOW for some Art Winterscapes

Nov & Dec Vibrant and beautiful artworks created by local artists at outside pop-up public art exhibitions.

The community arts initiative with Collective Gallery aims to enhance the city centre and make art inclusive for all, giving people joy in the most unexpected of places.

City Centre, Parklets, Museum Railings

Flow and Change Sculpture Walk 4th Nov 1pm A walk encouraging you to look at change of scene inspired by the current exhibition ‘In Pursuit of Flow’. Please book, free UHArts, Art + Design Gallery, Hatfield AL10 9AB www.uharts.co.uk

St Albans Cathedral

The Leaves of the Trees 5th - 25th Nov A reflective memorial to the effects of the pandemic made up of 5000 leaves giving the impression of autumn leaves fallen from the trees, symbolising the past but also hope for the future.

Art Pads & Architecture 8th Nov 6pm Practice your drawing skills and be inspired by the Cathedral’s stunning architecture, hidden nature motifs and stained-glass windows.

The St Albans Young Singers will provide a beautiful soundtrack to help your creativity flow.

This is not a tutor-led session, please bring your own equipment. www.stalbanscathedral.org

The Bolshoi Ballet: Spartacus

7th Nov 3pm £18.75 - £19.75 Live on Screen A spectacular tour de force of a ballet, born at the Bolshoi Theatre. Campus West, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX www.campuswest.co.uk

Verulamium Museum

Workshop: Wreathing Willows 20th Nov 11am Join Kate Bretherton, creator of The Remarkable World of Trees exhibition, and create a wreath from willow branches and other natural materials.

Bring leaves and twigs and be inspired by the Roman festival of Saturnalia. Ages 5-11, £5 St Michael's Street AL3 4SW www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Learn to Sketch Birds of Prey

23rd Nov 2pm - 3.30pm online Online tutorial on how to observe and sketch birds. Local artist, Martin Gibbons will show you how to begin field sketching a bird of prey by going through the basics of shape, form, depth and adding detail. Aimed at adults www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk 10

A Remarkable Tudor Woman

Mistress of Gorhambury: Lady Anne Bacon, Tudor courtier and scholar This new publication from local author Deborah Spring reveals the life of a remarkable Tudor woman, and her place in the story of the sixteenth century.

Lady Anne Bacon was mistress of the estate of Gorhambury, St Albans, from 1561 until her death in 1610. Educated, connected and astute, she lived through the upheavals and reverses of four Tudor reigns and served both Mary I and Elizabeth I at court. Committed to religious reform, she was a translator of key works of the English Reformation.

As a widow, she ran Gorhambury alone for thirty years and supported the radical puritan preachers of St Michael’s and Redbourn. Her opinion of the townsfolk of St Albans was typically forthright: ‘tippling, taverning and drunken idleness and gaming... is almost this town’s profession’.

Married to Sir Nicholas Bacon, Elizabeth I’s Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, she was the mother of Francis Bacon, statesman under James I and a leading English philosopher.

The author, Deborah Spring, formerly a publisher, she now researches and writes about sixteenth century history and garden history. £6.50 www.stalbanshistory.org

07500 801192

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gifts and much more. As usual, the Market will be offering unique gifts of high quality for sale so why not start your Christmas shopping here. Freshly cooked food, drinks and mulled wine will be also available all weekend.

Childwickbury Estate, St Albans AL3 6JU www.childwickburyarts.com

Feeling Festive

Christmas at Paradise

6th Nov 10am - 5pm & 7th Nov 10am - 4pm Enjoy the sights, tastes and smells of Christmas while browsing stalls full of gifts, homewares, crafts and festive food and drinks.

Oaklands College, Hatfield Rd, St Albans AL4 0JA www.eventbrite.com

Weekends from 27th Nov Daily 18th Dec - 24th Dec Wander through a winter wonderland and festive fairy light tunnel to meet Santa and his reindeer, and have your photo taken with him. The Park will be decorated ready for Christmas, including a 20ft Christmas tree. Entry is included with day tickets Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne EN10 7QA www.pwpark.com

Christmas Tree Lights

Redbourn Christmas Market

St Albans Festive Gift Fair

20th Nov The switching on of the Christopher Place lights, the perfect place for a spot of festive retail therapy.

Christopher Place, St Albans AL3 5DQ

St Albans Christmas Cracker

21st Nov 12 noon - 6pm Switching on of the St Albans Christmas lights, and fun for all the family at the Street Festival with entertainment, rides and festive market stalls.

St Peter’s Street, St Albans

Nutcracker Trail

21st Nov - Christmas Day On this fun Christmas trail try to find the nutcrackers hidden around St Albans town and the wider district.

Free trail maps available from the town centre.

Hertford Christmas Gala

26th - 26th Nov Fri 3pm - 8pm / Sat & Sun 11am - 7pm The first Christmas market within the spectacular grounds of Hertford Castle. With an array of market stalls, including homeware, crafts, jewellery and much more. There will also be entertainment and festive treats to warm you up.

The Castle, Hertford SG14 1HR www.hertford.gov.uk

Winter Market

27th Nov 10am - 4pm Start your Christmas shopping with beautiful gifts, good food, warm drinks and fun for everyone. All proceeds go to support Hospice care. Entry £2 Berkhamsted Cricket Club, Castle Hill HP4 1HE www.stfrancis.org.uk

Childwickbury Christmas Market

27th & 28th Nov 10am - 5pm The beautifully restored 19th century horse-stalls and tack rooms provide a unique setting for a variety of Christmas gifts including fine art, stained glass, jewellery, quilts, clothing, tableware, ceramics, food 12

28th Nov 11am - 5pm free Celebrating authentic and quality local produce, with over 90 stalls including crafts and gift ideas to get your festive shopping under way. Cumberland Gardens will be transformed into a winter wonderland, with a variety of musical talent to get you in the festive mood.

Cumberland Gardens & High Street, Redbourn www.redbournchristmasmarket.com

Harpenden Christmas Carnival

28th Nov 12 noon - 6pm The festivities will include Santa's grotto, a funfair, a Young Enterprise Trade Fair, main stage events and entertainment, the Farmers' Market and a procession travelling down Sun Lane, along the High Street and up Vaughan Road from 3pm. Lights switch on at 5pm High Street, Harpenden AL5 2RU www.harpenden.gov.uk

Santa’s Grottos

Van Hage 5th Nov - 24th Dec Guided by Santa’s little helpers, make your way to meet him to receive a special gift. Book online, £12 Van Hage, Great Amwell SG12 9RP www.vanhage.co.uk Burston Garden Centre 20th Nov - 24th Dec Visit Santa in his magical Christmas grotto.

Please book Burston Garden Centre, St Albans AL2 2DS www.burston.co.uk Bletchley Park 27th & 28th Nov & 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th 18th - 23rd Dec 10am - 3.30pm £9.50 A unique vintage grotto, meet Santa in the beautifully decorated Mansion, where children will receive a gift. But Santa has lost some toys, can you help find them by following a free trail, and break a secret code. Please book 01908 272673 Bletchley Park MK3 6EB www.bletchleypark.org.uk

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NOW at the Local Theatres

Abbey Theatre

Private Lives by Noel Coward 4th - 13th Nov 8pm & 7th Nov 2.30pm A sophisticated comedy of manners. Amanda and Elyot are newly-weds, although not to each other, on this occasion. The recently divorced couple find The Maltings Theatre themselves honeymooning in adjoining suites at the Vinegar Tom same hotel with their new spouses. Before long, their 28th Oct - 6th Nov passionate relationship is rekindled. But can this A renowned “witch-finder” arrives in a village held by volatile pair ever find a way to make a success of a grip of superstition and slander, and it’s not long marriage to each other. And how will their new before almost every woman in the village has the partners deal with this potentially explosive situation. finger of suspicion pointing at them. This bold musical £13, concs £12 drama was first performed in 1976 and continues to 4th Nov Charity Night with Soroptimist St Albans resonate today. By turns beautiful, brutal, funny and Women's Group. £13 in aid of the local women’s moving, this electric fusion of seventeenth century refuge. www.sigbi.org/st-albans/private-lives folklore and modern folk-rock contains strong The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee language and disturbing scenes. £19 16th - 20th Nov 7.45pm & 20th Nov 2.30pm Hedda Gabler Presented by St Albans Musical Theatre Company.

16th - 27th Nov Six awkward teenagers learn that winning (and Playful, unpredictable, funny, free spirited and losing) isn’t everything as they vie for the spelling dangerous, there is no other character in drama like championship of a lifetime. This gut-bustingly funny Hedda Gabler. Experience Ibsen’s startlingly musical offers a rollicking ride, as some very smart resonant masterpiece brought to life in this thrilling misfits try to spell their way to the championship. new production, as fresh and shocking today as when £18, concs £16 it was originally produced over a century ago.

The Femmes Festive Concert £19, child £15 27th Nov 8pm Maltings Shopping Centre, St Albans AL1 3HL Oozing with Golden Age Hollywood glamour, this trio www.ovo.org.uk of starlets will bring you the glory of the 40s, as they infuse classic vintage numbers with recent hits, Sandpit Theatre expect everything from Frank Sinatra to Britney Old McDonald and the Three Pigs Plus Spears. £13, concs £12 30th Oct 11.30am www.abbeytheatre.org.uk A colourful and fun interactive show, full of props, pop ups and audience participation. Children can sing and take part as the animals on the farm. £7, £5 High Street Players Bracken Moor Film: Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser 12th & 13th Nov 7.30pm & 14th Nov 2.30pm 31st Oct 7pm Set in the 30s, this is a tale of lost friendship and a An exclusive view of the V&A exhibition. This cinema shared history of tragedy. £10 event will bring to life the magical world of Alice’s Katherine Warington School, Harpenden AL5 5FH Adventures in Wonderland from manuscript to a www.hsplayers.org.uk global phenomenon. £16, £13 Film: Raphael Revealed Barn Theatre 7th Nov 3pm The Audience This exhibition celebrates the life and work of 12th - 20th Nov 8pm & 20th Nov 2.30pm Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino. Marking the 500th Set between 1952 and 2013, The Audience imagines anniversary of his death with over 200 masterpieces, the weekly unrecorded meetings the Queen holds including paintings and drawings. The film covers his with her Prime Minister. We meet eight PMs, from life in Rome, and includes footage of Nero’s Golden Eden to Cameron, and Her Majesty’s relationship House that Raphael visited. More than just a painter, with each is revealed, as well as her eye-opening he was one of the most extraordinary artists of the thoughts on her younger self and her fears for the Renaissance but is often misunderstood or future, now more poignant than ever. mythologised. £8, £6 www.thebarntheatre.co.uk www.sandpittheatre.co.uk 14

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Caring & Sharing

they might be able to support you.

Just fill in the short referral form online. Free 01442 869555 www.stfrancis.org.uk

Ladies Champagne Afternoon Tea 11th Nov 2pm Enjoy an afternoon with inspirational speaker Caroline Jones talking about her love for fashion and giving styling tips. There will also be a pop up shop, all money raised will provide precious hours of care for patients with a life-limiting illness. Table of 6: £180 St Michael's Manor, St Albans AL3 4RY 01727 731028 Light up a Life Service 28th Nov 4pm An uplifting service where you can come together with friends and family to celebrate the life of a loved one.

There will be readings, music, poems, a moment for reflection and the switching on of the tree lights. The service will also be recorded and can be watched online from 5th December.

Grove House, Waverley Road, St Albans AL3 5QX www.renniegrove.org

The Blue Cross

Rennie Grove Hospice Care

Home-Start Herts

Licence to Thrill 19th Nov 7pm Annual fundraising event. £65 St Michael's Manor, St Albans AL3 4RY www.home-start.org.uk

The Blue Cross rehoming centre in Kimpton has reopened, operating on an appointment only basis. The new centre includes 20 kennels, 5 puppy pens and 29 cat pens, with a mother and kitten unit, an indoor rabbit space and rooms for small pets.

If you’re looking to rehome an animal, please visit the website to see the pets available or if you need to find a new home for a pet please call 0300 777 1490. www.bluecross.org.uk

Centre 33

Volunteers are needed to provide practical support for rough sleepers in St Albans, on weekday mornings, evenings and Saturday lunchtimes, just email volunteers@Centre33.org Donations of food, toiletries, clothes, blankets and sleeping bags, to find out current needs and where to drop them off email: information@Centre33.org www.centre33.org

Herts Young Homeless

St Albans Sleepout 19th Nov Taking place at Oaklands College, it’s hoped to raise £30k this year, so grab your pals and pillows for a night of sleeping outside and supporting vulnerable young people. With music, entertainment, workshops and seeing what life is like for some homeless people, this will be the most memorable thing you’ll do this winter.

This will be both a physical and virtual event. Sleepers are asked to sleep on cardboard, or if you’re taking part at home then you can do so in a tent, on an outside bench or on floors or sofas.

A Zoom event will be streamed live from the college to create a community feel for those taking part at home. www.hyh.org.uk/sleepout-at-home

The Hospice of St Francis

Shop For Good An exciting online shop with well-being, eco, sustainability at its heart. www.shop-for-good.org.uk Books For Good Looking for a quirky gift? If so why not sign up yourself or a friend to ‘Books For Good’ subscription and receive one beautifully wrapped pre-loved book every month.

Self Referral If you, or someone you know, is living with cancer or a life-limiting illness such as a heart, lung, kidney or neurological condition 26

UK registered charity no. 297489

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Oughtonhead Common 25th Nov 9.30am free A morning visit to an RSPB site near Hitchin where wintering passerines will be settling in. Meet in the playing field car park at the end of the first turning right off Burford Way, Hitchin.

Grid Ref166/TL 176308. Leader Trevor Storey ww2.rspb.org.uk

Out & About Rothamsted Manor

Sustainable St Albans

COP 26 Open Mic Night 9th Nov 7.30pm Take part in this evening of shared ideas about climate change and the current state of affairs in the second week of COP 26. There’ll be an introductory talk followed by an open mic session.

Bennets Club, Leyton Rd, Harpenden AL5 2HU Harpenden Sustainability Market 21st Nov If you’re interested in having a stall please email: markets@sustainablestalbans.org www.sustainablestalbans.org

The Murder at Goodbottom Manor 6th Nov 7pm The Great Drawing Room will be set for a night of murder, mystery, intrigue, fun and delicious food and drink. This is a tantalising hotpot of dastardly cunning and delicious deceit. Enter the world of Lord Park & Winter Walks Goodbottom for his highly exclusive birthday bash 18th Nov - 23rd Dec 11am - 3pm adorned by the glitterati of high society. But watch out Hatfield Park, Hatfield House for the guest no-one was expecting - death! £60 www.hatfield-house.co.uk www.rothamstedenterprises.com

St Albans Vegan Market 7th Nov 10.30am - 4pm St Peter's Street AL1 3DH

RSPB Events

Harpenden Lea Valley Walk 7th Nov 8am Guided walk along the River Lea identifying local birds. Meet on the footbridge over the River at the junction of Crabtree Lane and Marquis Lane.

Cost: optional £1 donation to the RSPB Talk: Iceland and Back 10th Nov 8pm Brian Nobbs will take you to Iceland to look at the birds and their habitats ranging from Brunnich's Guillemots and Puffins on the lava cliffs to Rednecked Phalaropes, divers and Slavonian Grebes on the lakes and Harlequin Ducks on the streams.

Compare their breeding and wintering grounds and examine migration routes. Please book, £3.50 Stanborough Centre, Watford WD25 9JL Talk: The Women Who Saved the Birds 17th Nov This online talk shines a light on the intriguing story of women's love affair with plumage and of the brave eco feminists who fought back on behalf of the birds.

Moving from a polite Victorian tea party to an egret hunt in a Florida swamp; from a suffragette 'monster rally' to a feather girl's dusty workshop, you'll be taken back in time to a world where every woman, of every class wore a hat. Please book £3.50 Coach Trip to RSPB Frampton Marsh 21st Nov This reserve, adjacent to the Lincolnshire Wash, is home to waders and rare, wintering raptors including the short-eared owl, merlin and hen harriers.

Stevenage 7.50am, Hitchin 8am, Letchworth 8.15am RSPB Frampton Marsh, Lincs PE20 1AY £16, child £8, please book 28

Photography Night Shoot

19th Nov 5pm - 9pm An evening shoot with the fantastic collection of WWI Aircraft. The backdrop for photographs will be the historic Hangar which dates back to 1912. £45 RAF Museum London www.rafmuseum.org.uk

Lightopia

19th Nov - 2nd Jan This never-before-seen illuminated trail will feature stunning, multi-sensory interactive lights and installations, creating a winter wonderland bursting with colour. Get ready for a truly magical, festival of light experience.

Crystal Palace Park, London SE19 2GA www.london.lightopiafestival.com

Shuttleworth

Shuttleworth in Lights – A Festive Special 25th - 28th Nov 5.30pm onwards Share an after-dark adventure with your friends and family on an illuminated trail in an enchanting world of light and colour. £15, child £5 www.shuttleworth.org

Orange the World

25th Nov - 10th Dec Join St Albans Soroptimists women's group to ’Orange the World to End Gender Based Violence’, Last year they turned the St Albans Museum + Gallery orange, and will do so again this year to get more people involved in this time of activism around the world. Why not join in, put an orange light in your window, put up orange balloons or wear orange and share the photos on social media? www.sigbi.org/st-albans/orange21

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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 30

Future Nature

All Aspects of Tree Work Garden Clearance Fencing and Grass Cutting Always leaves a clean and tidy site St Albans Based 35 Years Experience

Contact Chris 01727 844243 07518 626938 chris.futurenature@gmail.com

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NOW for the Kids Stick Man

2nd - 4th Nov A touching, funny and original adaptation of this story. What starts off as a morning jog becomes quite the misadventure for Stick Man: a dog wants to play fetch with him, a swan builds a nest with him, and he even ends up on a fire! How will Stick Man ever get back to the family tree.

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

The Old Town Hall

The Mighty Kids Beatbox Comedy Show 13th Nov 2.30pm An interactive show, where the worlds of comedy and beatboxing collide with electrifying results. Pick up beatboxing tips to impress your friends, make mind-blowing music, win prizes and laugh through your pantaloons. With award-winning comedian Jarred Christmas and world champion beatboxer Hobbit.

The Wind in the Willows 27th Nov 11.30am & 2pm Mole yearns for adventure; Rat adores boats and Badger likes peace and quiet. Into their lives bursts Toad who loves fast cars and just can't seem to help getting into trouble. Finally, Mole's adventure begins.

But can the animals reform Toad's character and evict the squatters from his ancestral home to restore justice to the world.

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

Hogwarts in the Snow

13th Nov - 16th Jan Explore one of your favourite sets in the snow as the Forbidden Forest undergoes a wintery transformation. The enchanting Great Hall will be dressed with wreaths, garlands and trees topped with witches on miniature broomsticks. The long dining tables will be dressed as they were for the seasonal feast in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, complete with flaming Christmas puddings.

Leavesden WD25 7LR www.wbstudiotour.co.uk

Luton Library Theatre

Spontaneous Potter Kidz 20th Nov 2pm An entirely improvised wizarding comedy play, based 32

on suggestions from young witches, wizards and their families, with live musical accompaniment.

Robin's Winter Adventure 21st Nov 11.30am & 2pm An uplifting tale of change, bravery and friendship told with puppetry, poetry, music and magical design.

A young boy's incredible journey with a feathered friend. Maybe facing his fears will turn out to be the greatest adventure of all. Age 3+ St George's Square, Luton LU1 2NG www.culturetrust.com

Christmas at Whipsnade Zoo

weekends from 20th Nov & daily 18th - 24th Dec Meet Father Christmas along with some of the best company the animal kingdom has to offer, some festive magic, and his cheeky elves. Every child meeting Santa will receive a gift.

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

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Index of Businesses Art Classes GDS Art School

10

Bathing Mobility Bathing Mobility Advisory Service

5

Gardening Future Nature

31

Healthcare Spire Harpenden Hospital

22 & 23

Hearing Services Hearing Healthcare Practice

24

Home Care Visiting Angels

35

Building Complete Refurbishment & Roofing Open Plan Solutions

30 11

Car Servicing / Repairs M Chapman Auto Services

13

Charities Rennie Grove Hospice Care - Rudolph Run Traid

Locksmiths Lock Around the Clock Locksmith Services

21 21

27 26

Loft Ladders Home Counties Loft Ladders

17

Christmas Market Childwickbury Arts Christmas Market

Front Cover

Cleaning Domestique WeCleanAnyProperty.com

16 16

College Oaklands College

20

Conservatory Roof Solutions Nu-Look

9

Dance & Drama Penny Waterman School of Dance Stagecoach

33 33

Education Kumon

32

Electrician Alban Electrical Services

21

Flooring KC Flooring Specialists Ltd Garage Doors Garolla

Back Cover 13

Garden Centres The Hertfordshire Garden Centre Vanstone Park

18 & 19 29

Painters & Decorators CB Decorators M & M Decorators Pest Control The Verminator

7 7 31

Plasterer Jason Moffat

7

Plumber DJ&M Plumbing Services Ltd Recruitment Visiting Angels

16 & 35 25

Roofing GJ Smith Roofing Maccabees Roofing

3 2

Shutters The Harpenden Shutter Company

6

Singing Club Clover Singing Club Soft Furnishings Sue Smyth

25 3

Tree Surgeons Fircroft Tree Surgery Ltd

31

Windows & Doors Cloud 9 Kings Windows

15 15

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Call Jane or Wendy 07893 588291 / 313 www.theNOWmagazines.com

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 .

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New flooring showroom now open in Chiswell Green, St Albans KC Flooring Specialists Ltd are experts in all types of flooring Authorised retailers of Karndean Hugh Mackay carpets Elements London carpets

KC Flooring Specialists LTD 200 Watford Road, Chiswell Green, St Albans AL2 3EB 01727 869 692

www.kcflooring.co.uk 36