WHAT’S ON

from Axis magazine May 2023 issue

by Axis Magazine

News and events from Hoddesdon town centre

THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO GO

Hertfordshire County Show offers a weekend of entertainment

There are equestrian, livestock, horticulture and craft competitions along with a packed schedule of entertainment of which highlights this year include the Ben Atkinson Sport Horses, the Wye Valley Axemen and the ever-popular Dinky Derby Shetland racing.

Hertfordshire County Show takes place on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th May, bringing two days of agricultural fun and entertainment for the whole family. The annual event, run by the Hertfordshire Agricultural Society, started as a ploughing match in the grounds of Hatfield House in 1879, becoming a full county show seven years later and, after being held in a number of locations, has been settled at the County Showground at Redbourn since 1962.

It aims to raise awareness about local agriculture and associated skills and trades and to support local businesses, services and enterprises.

There are more than 450 shopping stands offering everything from equestrian goods and farming equipment to lifestyle products that range from firepits and hot tubs to sports cars!

In the Made in Hertfordshire Marquees local artisan producers and crafters demonstrate and sell their goods while an Etsy Hertfordshire Marquee allows local Etsy members to sell handmade products and vintage goods. And the Food Hall offers the chance to buy gourmet cheeses, craft gins, beers and whiskys. The show is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm and daily tickets cost £23 for adults, £11 for children, £20 for seniors, £52 for a family (2+3) and £20 for students and can be bought online at hertshow.com.

More great events for your diary

Living Crafts

Living Crafts takes place at Hatfield Park from Friday 5th to Monday 8th May. This festival of contemporary crafts showcases the best of British craftsmanship and features small creative businesses and individual artisans as well as music from brass and jazz bands and food and drink stands. The event runs daily from 11am to 5pm and tickets include admission to Hatfield Park and Gardens. Advance prices are £10 adults, £9 seniors and £6 children. livingcrafts.co.uk

Herts Book Festival

The second Herts Book Festival takes place this month, in the grounds of Hertford Castle on

Saturday 13th May between 10am and 3pm. The free admission festival celebrates books and local authors and features a local author market, author panels, writers’ workshops, a book exchange (bring one, take one) and live storytelling for children. hertsbookfestival.org

Sunshine on Sele Sunshine on Sele is a new exhibition at Hertford Museum that looks at the development of Sele Farm Estate in the town and what it is like to live there today. Originally farmland sold out of the Panshanger Estate, Sele Farm was developed in the 1950s into a close-knit community with its own unique identity and the exhibition tells the stories of many of the pioneers who made Sele Farm their home. It runs from Saturday 6th May to 27th August at the museum in Bull Plain, Hertford.

Ware garden opens to public Ware resident Peter Laing opens his garden in Hoe Lane to the public on Sunday 28th May as part of the National Gardens Scheme. This plantsman’s garden features many unusual plants and has been created over 30 years by Peter. It’s at The Pines, 58 Hoe Lane, Ware SG12 9NZ and visitors may use nearby Hertford Rugby Club car park, also in Hoe Lane. The garden will be open from 2-5.30pm. Visit ngs.org.uk.

MAY

SEVEN DRUNKEN NIGHTS