harpenden NOW December 13

harpenden December 2013

NOW

Look inside for...

Where’s Santa

Christmas Music It’s Panto Time!

Get Your Skates on

What’s on and more

read ‘the NOW magazines’ online

promoting local businesses organisations and events since 2006

choose local first To advertise contact 07983 588313 wendy@theNOWmagazines.com

NOW for Some Christmas Music

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Welcome to December

carols for all

A big thank you to all who have advertised in and contributed to the NOW magazines over the last year, and not forgetting our loyal readers. We’ve had an interesting year setting up our new website, trying out interactive print and putting together next year’s festival brochure for Sandridge 900+.

Have a flick through the magazine, there’s so many fun festive events happening locally, there's definitely something for everyone.

We would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and don’t forget if you need a local business pick up your copy of harpenden NOW or read it online www.theNOWmagazines.com

jane & wendy to advertise call 07983 588313 / 291 wendy@thenowmagazines.com

Deadline for next editions: 8th December

Christmas Trees Galore!

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music, mulled wine & mince pies

NOW Where’s Santa? 16 find a Santa near you

Get Your Skates On! 24 dancing on ice

Dashing Through the Streets 25 Jingle Bell Jog & the Reindeer Run

Consumer Advice NOW 26 BBC Three Counties Radio

It’s Panto Time! 26 It’s behind you...

NOW at Dunstable Downs 28 walks & more

Christmas Baking 38 spice up your life

NOW for a Good Read 40 chilling reads

What’s on in December 42 January 44 Index of Businesses 46 accountants to windows & doors

Beautiful selection of jewellery and gifts online at

To advertise contact 07983 588313 wendy@theNOWmagazines.com

NOW for some Christmas Music 5th Dec

16th Dec

The Mechanical Instrument Christmas Special St Albans Organ Theatre, 03003 656565, 2.15pm

World Carols 8pm St John's Church, Harpenden, 0845 475 1664 performed by the Hardynge Choir

A Celebration of Christmas 7pm Marlborough Road Methodist Church, St Albans 07884 231958, adult £13, child £1

7th Dec The Christmas Story 7.30pm St Saviour’s Church, St Albans, 07570 454744, Christmas music from the 16th and 17th century performed on period instruments.

Adult £13, concs £1 Benjamin Britten: Sacred and Profane and Christmas Music 7.30pm St Albans Cathedral, 01727 890256, Adult £14, child £10 Village Voices Christmas Concert 7.30pm St Leonards Church, Sandridge

17th Dec A Traditional Christmas Carol Concert in aid Grove House 7.30pm High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden performed by The Harpenden Choral Society.

An annual concert that has become a Harpenden tradition in its own right. Adult £9, child /students £3 01582 419379 or www.harpendenchoralsociety.org

18th Dec Bach Christmas Oratorio 7.30pm High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden, Amici Voices - Amici Baroque Players £15, concs £5, 01582 462024

8th Dec

21st Dec

Carols By Candlelight 6.40pm Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 621757

Carols On The Hour 11am - 4pm St Albans Cathedral services last 30 minutes, every hour

14th Dec Harpenden Music Makers Charity Christmas Concert 3pm High Street Methodist Church with St George’s School Chamber Choir.

Adult £12, concs £10, students £5.

01582 761528 or on the door. www.harpendenmusicmakers.co.uk

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23rd Dec Charity Christmas Concert 7.30pm Harpenden Public Halls The Lea Singers will be joined by Bold As Brass for Messiah choruses.

Christmas choral favourites, audience carols, mulled wine and mince pies.

Adult £13, child £5 from 01707 377029 or www.WeGotTickets.com

Bespoke Framing Servi Service vice

LEADING ART @ BLOOM 105/107 Victoria Street (Between Stevensons & Cotswolds, opposite Iceland)

St Albans AL1 3TJ

01727 834 391 Bespoke & Ready Mades. Traditional & Contemporary. Canvas Stretching

The widest selection of Frames in the Country!

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Christmas Trees Galore!

St Nicholas Church, Harpenden is holding a Christmas Tree Festival from 10th - 15th December. The church will be adorned with up to seventy lit Christmas trees, sponsored and decorated by community and church groups, schools and local charities. The Festival opens on Tuesday 10th with an evening of musical entertainment, mulled wine and mince pies.

Throughout the rest of the week the church will be open from 11am on Wednesday and 9am Thursday and Friday, when local primary schools will be performing, along with other musical events in the evenings. Cards for Good Causes and Fairtrade goodies will be on sale and Cornelia’s Coffee Shop will be open for refreshments.

On Saturday 14th there will be a Family Day when children can visit Santa, try Victorian style toy making and enjoy the St Nicholas Christmas Fayre.

Sunday 15th sees the closing of the Festival following a Community Evensong with the Luton Gospel Choir.

Tickets £3 in advance from the Church Office or £4 on the door, under 12’s free, and will allow unlimited re-entry for the duration of the Festival. All profits will go to The Children’s Society and other local charities. www.stnicholasharpenden.org.uk

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Christmas Trees & Handmade Wreaths Logs, Kindling, Gas & coal

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NOW in the Garden Make this natural table decoration using flowers and leaves from the garden.

Plants have always played a big part in Christmas festivities. The holly and ivy we sing about in photo by Brian North traditional carols have been used for centuries to bring fresh leaves and colour into homes at this cold and dark time of year. They were even used in pre-Christian times at winter solstice festivals to ward off evil spirits and celebrate nature. Other plants connected with the festive season are rosemary, known as the ‘remembrance herb’ and used to remember the birth of Jesus, and laurel, which was worn on the head as a wreath to mark successes.

These hardy evergreens also brighten up the garden at Christmas time. Hollies come in many sizes and shapes, but only female plants produce berries. And those with variegated leaves, such as Ilex altaclerensis 'Golden King' and Ilex aquifolium 'Handsworth New Silver', add even more sparkle to a wintry scene. Laurel is ideal for hedging, and ivy can be used to cover a garden fence or post, where it’s black winter berries will provide invaluable food

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Brighten up your home with seasonal leaves and berries

for birds. While holly, ivy and laurel all grow happily in shade, find a sunny spot for rosemary, and plant it near a path where its tantalising scent will be released as you brush past the leaves. Studies by researchers from the University of Northumbria have shown that rosemary’s scent may also help improve memory – so its traditional association with remembrance seems to be well-founded.

I also use evergreens, berries and winter flowers from the garden to make beautiful Christmas decorations, such as wreathes, swags and table displays, which all make lovely personalised gifts too. To find out how to make these natural decorations why not come along to one of my Winter Wonderland workshops?

Combine rosehips, rosemary, cones, cinnamon sticks and dried oranges and limes to make a pretty Christmas swag.

by Zia Allaway 07770 780 231 www.ziaallaway.com/workshops

andrew@arlandscapes.co.uk

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before

Enjoy your free time and let us do the hard work for you General household and office cleaning Moving in / out cleans Experienced in elderly or housebound clients Ironing collection / delivery on request Reliable key-holders Proficient in alarm systems

Phone for a free quotation 01582 750995 07719 657125 www.merrivac.co.uk after

~ Taking care of your Home ~

Harpenden Window Cleaning • • • •

Fully Insured High Access

Gutter Vac (Gutters Cleaned)

Fully Experienced Window Cleaners Inside Windows Cleaned (if required) Lots of recommendations and references from Harpenden customers Based in Milton Road 07757 499296 01582 450934 www.harpendenclean.co.uk

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CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

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01582 418777

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We Wish all our Customers a Warm and Happy Christmas

Get your chimney swept in time for Santa!

The sponsored SleepOut at St Albans Cathedral is an annual event to raise homeless awareness and this year it will be supporting 8 local homeless charities.

Come and spend a sponsored night sleeping out under the stars around the outside of the Abbey on 6th December from 9pm - 7am.

In previous years SleepOut has raised over ÂŁ30k. Last year 270 sleepers spent the night under the stars, among them 2 Mayors, 2 Deputy Mayors and an MP. Why not get involved this year and raise even more money for charity. www.abbeysleepout.org

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Let us Create a Beautiful Floor For You

M&M Decorating Fully qualified City and Guilds Over 11 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 01727 835244 07970 720911

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We Supply and Fit Solid Wood, Engineered Wood, Laminate and Vinyl • Various designs including parquet, herringbone and borders • Re-sand existing floors (95% dust-free)

80% of our Work is from Customer Recommendation Fully Insured For a free consultation 01707 373336 07834 412105 info@creativewoodflooring.co.uk www.creativewoodflooring.co.uk 1 Claudian Place, St Albans Showroom: 12 Garden Ct WGC AL7 1BH

SIMPLY JOBS Handy people to know!

Home maintenance by courteous, reliable, mature staff.

Decorating, electrical work, plumbing and all general home maintenance work. · No job too small · No call out charge · Fully insured · Trustmark approved

01582 767201 www.simplyjobsharpenden.co.uk

Domestic Appliance Repairs Washing Machines ● Dishwashers Tumble Driers ● Electric Ovens * No Callout Charges * * All Makes Repaired * * Honest & Reliable Advice * * Full Electrical Safety Tests * * Evening & Weekend Appointments * * All Work Guaranteed * We Wish All our Customers a Very Happy Christmas Leigh Hibon daytime 07841 652496 evening 01582 842764 www.ldhdomesticappliancesrepairs.co.uk 90 Trowley Hill Road, Flamstead AL3

Nick The Handyman All aspects of Property Maintenance ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Kitchen Fitter Tiling & Carpentry Fencing & Roofing General Brickwork Patios & Driveways Electrical Repairs Painting & Decorating, Inside & Outside No Job too Small Free Estimates References Available Friendly & Reliable Service 07737 284711 nick.morgan87@googlemail.com

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NOW Where’s Santa?

Up to 24th Dec Santa's Spectacular Grotto & Festive Farm Fun Willows Farm Village www.willowsfarmvillage.com Visit Santa; join in the Nativity story, festive wood ride, reindeer hunt, synthetic ice rink & indoor play barn.

Adult £8.25, child £16.25, under 2s £8.50 30th Nov & 1st Dec Come & Visit Father Christmas Ashridge Estate www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate Gift & Christmas craft session (bring old clothes) Booking essential, adult £2, child £6 30th Nov-24th Dec Christmas Rides, Attractions & Magical Snow Show Gullivers Land www.gulliversfun.co.uk Get creative in Mrs Christmas’ kitchen & become an honorary elf!

1st, 4th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 14th, 15th, 18th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd Dec Santa Specials Leighton Buzzard Steam Railway www.buzzrail.co.uk 25 minute ride in a festively decorated steam train.

Adult £8, 2-12 years £8.50, under 2s £4 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd Santa's Grotto Notcutts Garden Centre www.notcutts.co.uk Tea & breakfast with Santa, post box & cards available to write to Santa...he'll even reply!

Booking recommended 7th & 8th Dec 11-4pm Christmas Carousel Capel Manor Gardens www.capelmanorgardens.co.uk Santa, carol singing, roast chestnuts, festive crafts, face painting & more.

7th, 8th, 14th & 15th Dec 10.30am, 11.45am & 1.30pm Father Christmas Trail Hatfield Forest www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatfield-forest Magical trail through the woods to Santa’s grotto.

Booking essential. £6.50 per child

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8th & 15th Dec (Grotto also on 22nd Dec) Dunstable Downs Christmas Market and Santa's Grotto Bazaar with carol singers, tastings, craft stalls & Santa’s magical grotto.

8th 15th & 22nd Dec 12 - 4.30pm Sunday Lunch with Santa Knebworth House Enjoy a 2-course festive lunch served in the barns with a gift from Santa. Booking essential, adult £22.50, child (up to 13) £9.50, 01438 813825 15th, 21st & 22nd Dec 10-5pm Farm-tastic Santa Lee Valley Park Farms www.visitleevalley.org.uk/go/farms Meet Santa & his reindeer & take an Alpine adventure toboggan run First child £18, additional children £10, adults free 20th & 21st Dec 10.30am (Fri only), 12.30 & 2.30pm Santa Cruise Lee Valley Boats www.leevalleyboats.co.uk Mulled wine, mince pies & carols on this one hour cruise with Santa, £8.50 per person 21st Dec 11-1.30pm Brunch with Santa Essendon Country Club www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/shop Buffet brunch, entertainment & face painting, book online. Child £15. adult food voucher £5, adults not eating, free.

24th & 25th Dec Santa to your Door Santa will deliver your presents, chat to your children & may even sing a few festive songs.

Call the Santa hotline on 020 8959 1045 or email info@adamantsparties.co.uk 27th Dec 10-12 noon Woodland Trust Santa Hunt www.woodlandtrust.org.uk Wick Wood, Marshals Drive, St Albans.

Collect 5 tokens along the pathways & exchange them for a choccy treat. For toddlers to teens, 50p

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Children’s Carols at the Abbey Christingle Service Sunday 8th Dec 3pm Children and adults alike love this enjoyable service, which ends in candlelight.

Family Carol Concert Saturday 14th Dec 3pm Pre-concert entertainment for children from 2.15pm, adults £5, child £1

Crib Service Christmas Eve 3pm A popular and lively service lasting no more than an hour, for children and young families. Children visit the crib in the Cathedral and join in singing carols.

Knitivity This unique nativity scene with metre-high, hand-knitted characters will be travelling around local businesses, landmarks and churches in St Albans from the end of November, helping to make the Christmas story accessible and fun...look out for them you never know where they’ll be!

St Albans Cathedral www.stalbanscathedral.org

Outstanding Montessori in Harpenden “A truly unique and very special place” a current parent

www.artisans.uk.com 07795 510 130 info@artisans.uk.com

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I & B ELECTRICAL Free Quotes & Competitive Prices ♦PAT

Testing ♦Additional Lights & Sockets ♦Carbon & Smoke Detectors ♦Rewires & Fuse Boxes ♦Security Lighting Periodic Inspections & Testing carried out by our independent NAPIT registered engineer Local to Harpenden daytime 0800 612 1350

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evening (6 - 9.30pm)

07861 398 288 01707 262771 www.ib-electrical.co.uk

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L.C. WESTON FUNERAL DIRECTORS The Only Independent Funeral Directors and Monumental Masons In The Area Personal attention Home arrangements available 14 Leyton Road Harpenden 01582 712865 (24 hours)

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Get Your Skates On! Sandringham School Winter Wonderland 7th Dec 11am-6pm The Ridgeway, St Albans, 01727 370067 Festive amusements, Christmas market and ice skating.

Free entry, skating £5 www.sandpittheatre.co.uk Hyde Park Winter Wonderland up to 5th Jan (closed Christmas Day) 10am-10pm Santa Land, ice skating, Magical Ice Kingdom, Giant Observation Wheel, Zippos Circus, Christmas markets, food, live music.

Visit website for prices/tickets for individual attractions www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com Ice at the Tower of London up to 5th Jan (closed Christmas Day) Located in the moat, the ice rink is set within the magnificent fortress battlements.

Adult £13.50/£11.50, under 16s £9.50/£9, family £38/£36 www.toweroflondonicerink.com Natural History Museum Ice Rink up to 5th Jan (closed Christmas Day) 1,000 square metre ice rink.

Adult £13.50/£11.50, under 12s £9/£8, family £38/£31 www.nhm.ac.uk Planet Ice Leisureworld, Hemel Hempstead, 08458 725 799 www.planet-ice.co.uk Open daily. ‘Learn to Skate’ courses also available.

Skate at Somerset House up to 5th Jan (closed Christmas Day) Lessons also available, visit website for dates.

From £7.50 www.somersethouse.org.uk/ice-rink Skate Van Hage up to 6th Jan (closed Christmas Day) Great Amwell, 01920 870811 Real ice rink. Sessions start on the hour and last 45 mins. www.vanhage.co.uk

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Watch out for Santa Santa will be visiting the streets of Harpenden on 4th and 18th December with Harpenden Round Table. Last year they raised over £6,600 so make sure you watch out for him and his helpers and help him raise even more than last year. www.harpenden.roundtable.co.uk

Give a Gift this Christmas Luton and Dunstable Hospital invites you to ‘Give a Gift this Christmas’ to patients spending Christmas Day in hospital.

Gifts are kindly donated by our supporters using our Amazon wish list as a guide to inspiring ideas! There are lists for our female patients, male patients, teenagers and children with all items under £10 and the majority under £5. It’s set up so all gifts are delivered straight to us, so you don't need to worry about dropping them off!

Please visit www.amazon.co.uk and search for ‘Luton and Dunstable Hospital’ in the wish lists section!

For further information please call Sarah on 01582 718 289

Dashing Through the Streets Sunday 8th Dec Jingle Bell Jog & Reindeer Run Join us for some fun, festive fundraising events for all the family.

Reindeer Run 11am start, £7.50 per person, £10 on the day (includes reindeer ears and medal) The 1.5km Reindeer Run sees hundreds of eager younger runners wearing reindeer ears and flashing red noses running through the streets of St Albans, accompanied by their parents and grandparents!

Jingle Bell Jog 11.30am start, £15 per person, £20 on the day (includes a Santa suit and medal) Registration and Santa suit /reindeer ear collection from Waterend Barn, St Peters Street, St Albans. The 5km Jingle Bell Jog is a spectacular sight when adults and children over 13 dress in Santa suits for their race around the city’s streets.

With festive music from Heart Radio, there’ll be a great atmosphere as we pull together to help keep families facing the challenges of life-limiting illness together throughout the festive season and beyond. www.renniegrove.org

out for Santa

4th and 18th December den Round Table. Last year over £6,600 so make sure you r him and his helpers and help en more than last year. harpenden.roundtable.co.uk

Santa Dash Sunday 15th Dec 10am Riverside - Hemel Hempstead Sprint, saunter or scoot your way into the festive spirit at our sixth annual Santa Dash!

However, you choose to dash the 2.5 miles through the streets of Hemel Hempstead, we promise lots of Christmassy fun for all your friends and family. www.stfrancis.org.uk/santadash

We Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year Jane & Wendy ‘the NOW magazines’

Christmas

unstable Hospital invites you to his Christmas’ to patients ristmas Day in hospital. ly donated by our supporters azon wish list as a guide to s! There are lists for our female e patients, teenagers and all items under £10 and the er £5. It’s set up so all gifts are aight to us, so you don't need to

and search d Dunstable Hospital’ in the wish

NOW where’s Santa?

The ‘Norad Tracks Santa Programme’ was set up in 1955. They believe that Santa Claus is alive and well in the hearts of people around the world. Visit the website from 1st December to begin the official countdown to Santa’s launch! www.noradsanta.org

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Consumer Advice NOW Jonathan Vernon-Smith is the Sony Award winning mid-morning show presenter for BBC Three Counties Radio. During his consumer hour he helps listeners with their consumer problems and now shares his advice here with you.

How to buy safely on the Winter-Web The internet has been with us since the mid 90s and while it has brought some fantastic benefits, it has created some headaches as well.

The fact the entire world is accessible in our homes is a wonderful thing, but it’s worth noting that there are lots of internet companies, particularly those in other countries that provide a less than desirable service.

The most important thing is to avoid buying items from dodgy internet companies in the first place. It sounds simple, but you’d be amazed how many people still find some weird company online that nobody’s ever heard of and hand over hundreds of pounds. They are then amazed when they find themselves out of pocket without the goods they’ve ordered. So, always make sure you research the internet company you are planning to buy from. Find out where they’re based, look for a UK telephone number, check reviews and complaints about them so you know exactly who you’re dealing with. Make sure their delivery timeframe will ensure your gifts arrive in plenty of time for Christmas.

Make sure you’re paying a sensible price. If a company is selling an item at a ridiculously low price,

there’s usually a reason why.

Often the items are fake.

Always pay for goods by credit card when buying over the internet. You are not protected by the consumer credit act unless you’re paying over £100, but you’re still more likely to get your money back using a credit card rather than debit card, cheque or bank transfer.

I would go so far as to say you should NEVER buy goods from a company that asks you to transfer money directly into their account.

If you decide you’re going to buy Christmas presents from an online auction site like ebay, it’s worth familiarising yourself with their safety advice. You generally have fewer rights when buying goods in this way, particularly if they’re second hand. Paying by Paypal and ensuring that you NEVER collect items in person will go some way to protecting yourself. Only buy from highly rated sellers, based in the UK. It is worth remembering that when you buy new items over the internet, you are protected by the distance selling regulations. Because you haven’t had the chance to see the item in the flesh, you have 7 days from delivery to change your mind and send it back for a full refund. Unless the company specifies their returns postage policy, they are liable for the postage too. Make sure you order things online in plenty of time to allow for this, after all, you don’t want unhappy friends and relatives whose presents are NOT under the tree!

To hear more why not tune into The JVS Show weekday mornings from 9am.

It’s Panto Time!

Cinderella The Alban Arena 6th Dec - 5th Jan 01727 844488 A spectacular family pantomime starring singing sensation, Gareth Gates, CBeebies star, Andy Day and St Albans’ favourite Bob Golding.

Jack and the Beanstalk Harpenden Public Halls 13th - 22nd Dec 01582 767525 Starring Tiswas’ Sally James, CBBC Newsround’s Hayley Cutts and Ernie Almond from BBC 3 Counties Radio.

Beauty And The Beast Hawthorne Theatre 21st - 31st Dec 01707 357117 A sumptuous family Christmas Show, with lavish costumes, songs, humour and some great panto-style audience interaction, it’s sure to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step!

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t card when buying over ected by the consumer g over £100, but you’re ney back using a credit eque or bank transfer.

uy Christmas presents

hen buying goods in this

NEVER collect items in otecting yourself. Only

hen you buy new items

lesh, you have 7 days mind and send it back for

e liable for the postage

you don’t want unhappy esents are NOT under

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Harpenden Blinds We Supply & Fit All Types of Blinds Awnings & Shutters Curtains Tracks & Poles Specialising in Bay Windows

Free No Obligation Consultation, Measuring & Quotation

Check Your TYRES Before the SNOW Comes!

Winter Sale!

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Merry Christmas From Big D’s

20% off all Blinds Shutters Poles & Curtains

Teresa & Kevin Buckler

01582 461639 kevin.buckler@fit-ex.com www.fit-ex.com/hertfordshire 20 Bewdley Close Harpenden

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Julia Reading BSC (Hons) MChS, HPC Registered Podiatrist

I Treat The Following Foot Conditions Corns * Callous * Fungal nails Ingrowing toe nails * Verrucas General foot health advice For an appointment please phone

07746 472781 / 01582 760200 Southdown Chiropody Practice Southdown Clinic, 136a Southdown Road

Mondays & Fridays Tuesdays pm

Home Visits Available

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NOW at Dunstable Downs Walk Off Christmas 26th Dec 11- 1pm Over indulged this Christmas?

Walk off all those extra calories with our countryside team over Dunstable Downs. Enjoy the spectacular views and fresh air as you enjoy a healthy, strenuous guided walk. Please dress appropriately. Dogs on leads welcome. Not suitable for children under 14yrs. Booking advisable, tickets £2 plus £2 car parking.

Christmas Bazaar Sundays 8th & 15th Dec Santa’s Grotto also on 22nd Dec Bags of festive happenings, mince pies and mulled wine, seasonal craft and local produce stalls, carol singers, live music and Santa!

Help us Deck the Halls!

Saturday 7th Dec 11 - 3pm Join us to create festive Christmas tree decorations and lend a hand transforming the Centre into a Christmas wonderland. Then after all that hard work take a leisurely walk on the Downs and enjoy the fantastic scenery.

New Year’s Resolution Walk

Wednesday 1st Jan 11am-12.30pm Will your New Year’s resolution be to get outdoors more?

If so then join us for a breath of fresh air on this one and a half hour walk led by one of our rangers. The route will be picked on the day depending on the weather, please dress appropriately. Tickets £2 per person, booking essential, car parking £2.

To book: 01582 500920 / dunstabledowns@nationaltrust.org.uk

Dunstable Downs LU6 2GY 01582 500925

NOW for a local walk Enjoy the countryside on your doorstep with the popular ‘St Albans, Harpenden & Villages Health Walks’. Led by trained volunteers the walks take place whatever the weather, cater to all ages and abilities and are a fantastic way to get more active, have a good natter and improve general wellbeing. Best of all they are completely free! The following walks are planned for the coming months: Wheathampstead Meet at the public car park behind The Bull, East Lane, AL4 8BL Tuesdays 10.30am Hatching Green Hatching Green, Redbourn Lane, Harpenden, AL5 2JP (on road parking only) Thursdays 10.30am Mackerye End Meet at the public car park behind The Bull, East Lane, AL4 8BL Saturday 4th January, 1st February and 1st March, 2pm For more information on Hertfordshire Healthwalks please visit www.hertslink.org/cms/healthwalks

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Christmas Baking Lebkuchen This richly spiced traditional German festive biscuit provides a grown up alternative to gingerbread.

Slathered in rich dark chocolate and studded with sweet cherries, these are chewy and sweet, with a spicy kick.

Perfect with a cup of strong black coffee.

100g ground hazelnuts 70g almond flour 350g plain flour 3 tbsp cocoa powder 2 tsp cinnamon 2 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp mixed spice 3 tsp ground ginger tsp salt

tsp baking powder tsp baking soda 150g dark brown sugar 225ml clear honey 50g butter 3 medium sized eggs 200g glacé cherries 300g dark cooking chocolate

Preheat the oven to 170 degrees. Prepare all dry ingredients and sift together in a large bowl until combined. In a separate bowl, combine honey, sugar and butter, and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add one egg at a time to the mixture and beat until well mixed. Gently fold the sugar mixture into the dry ingredients. The mixture will be sticky and dense.

Add glacé cherries into the lebkuchen mixture until evenly distributed.

Prepare a large tray with greaseproof paper. Place heaped teaspoon sized portions across the tray, with plenty of space around them. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

The biscuits will rise and be firm to touch, with a little softness to pressure. Remove and allow to cool overnight.

Once cooled, prepare the coating by crumbling the chocolate in a large bowl, over hot water. Stir until the evenly melted, and of a smooth, glossy consistency.

Dip each biscuit into the chocolate mixture. You can either dip the front surface only, coat half a biscuit, or submerge the entire thing! (You may need more chocolate to do this for the entire batch.)

Place dipped biscuits on a tray and allow to cool and harden. Store in an airtight container. These can be kept uncoated for up to a month in an airtight container, so are ideal to make ahead of the festive rush, to be dipped in chocolate later on.

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Mini Christmas Cakes For the cake 250g butter, softened 250g dark muscovado sugar 4 medium eggs, beaten 350g plain flour 2 tsp ground mixed spice ½ tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground cloves zest of 1 lemon, finely grated 800g mixed dried fruit 100g glace cherries, rinsed, dried and chopped 100g chopped mixed nuts For the decoration 750g marzipan Icing sugar, for dusting 4 tbsp apricot jam, warmed and sieved Mixed coloured glace cherries, walnut halves, Brazil nuts and chopped dried apricots Preheat the oven to 150C/300F/gas 2. Grease and line the base and sides of a 20cm square cake tin with a double thickness of greased, greaseproof paper. Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and cream together until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs. Sift together the flour and spices then fold into the creamed mixture. Fold in the lemon zest, dried fruit, glace cherries and nuts and mix thoroughly.

Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin and smooth the surface. Use the back of a metal spoon to make a slight dip in the centre (this will help to give an even rise). Bake in the preheated oven for 3¼ - 3 ½ hours or until firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin.

When the cake is completely cold, use a sharp knife to cut it into 9 smaller square cakes.

Brush the sides of each cake with a little apricot jam. Divide the marzipan into 9 pieces. Dust a surface lightly with icing sugar and roll each piece out to a strip long enough to go around each cake. Wrap the strips around the cakes pinching the ends together to seal. Top each cake with a selection of cherries, nuts and apricots.

DJ&M Plumbing Services Ltd We care about your small jobs too! ● Electric and Power Showers ● Ball Valves and Overflows

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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

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NOW for a Good Read Tom Jones once sang ‘Baby, it’s Cold Outside’, so as December descends why not curl up in front of the fire with our selection of books that will chill you to the bone…one way or another

Into Thin Air John Krakauer Sometimes the most extraordinary stories we read are those that are true. This is certainly the case in Krakauer’s account of 24 hours of hell at the top of Mount Everest. With photos documenting the scale of the ‘murderous storm’ that bore down on Krakauer and his fellow climbers, it’s clear to see why five lost their lives. Dealing with the guilt that comes from surviving such a disaster whilst others didn’t, Krakauer’s writing is incredibly compelling and the retelling of the 1996 disaster will leave you gasping.

Cold Mountain Charles Frazier This is a story of two people: injured Civil War veteran Inman, and Ada, the woman who waits for him. To reach her, Inman must leave his hospital bed and walk the long way home to Cold Mountain. Of course, his epic journey means he encounters many a strange character along the way. Ada, meanwhile, has her own internal struggles to contend with as she battles with her upbringing and the future that Cold Mountain represents. This brilliant and beautifully-written book is one everyone should read at least once in their lifetime.

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Snow Falling on Cedars David Guterson With his hauntingly beautiful descriptions of the wild nature of America’s Pacific Northwest, Guterson’s story of a murder soon reveals itself to be one of a complex love triangle. It’s 1954 and well-respected local fisherman, Carl Heine is found dead in one of his own fishing nets. Local Japanese-American, Kabuo Miyamoto is accused of killing him. In the grip of a terrible snowstorm, the town of San Piedro is forced into dealing with its recent history, and a wave of Anti-Japanese sentiment following World War 2. To complicate the matter, the local newspaper reporter is in love with Kabuo’s wife. If the snow falls and covers everything, is all forgotten?

In Cold Blood Truman Capote It’s 1959 and a Kansas family is brutally murdered. This hugely controversial book focuses on their two killers: Perry Smith and Dick Hickock. Whilst there’s little doubt that the killing of a husband and wife, along with their two children, is despicable, Smith and Hickock come across as alarmingly normal and recognisable. Capote has written a very clever true crime work of non-fiction, brought to us in the style of a novel. The whole thing is a bit disturbing really...and at the same time, you just can’t put it down.

The Spy Who came in from the Cold John le Carré Spymaster le Carré’s thriller has stood the test of time with reading audiences continuing to be gripped by the powerful combination of love and betrayal that would leave Daniel Craig running crying to his mummy. Set in 1960s Berlin, spy Alex Leamas is basically ready to throw in the towel. Of course, ‘one final assignment’ always spells disaster ahead. Is this really a case of ‘mission impossible’ and will he live to walk away from this one?

Frozen in Time Ali Sparkes One for the younger readers, a novel about two children who are ‘frozen in time’. Freddy and Polly were put into cryonic suspension in the 1950s by their father. But the experiment was only meant to be for a couple of hours; something went drastically awry.

Enter Ben and Rachael, who unwittingly uncover the human ice-lollies. Suddenly it looks like the summer holidays aren’t going to be so dull after all.

St Albans Cycle Campaign ... ...invite you to their winter Public Meeting on the evening of 12th December at St Albans Civic Centre, off St Peter’s Street. As well as a guest speaker, there will be news on local provision for cycling. For example, celebration of the resurfacing of the Alban Way and looking ahead to the St Albans Green Ring. Until 12th December the District Council is offering the public the chance to give their views on sections of the Green Ring - look up the Consultation section of the Council website.

Please look out for publicity for start time and details of the guest speaker or keep an eye on the St Albans Cycle Campaign website www.stacc.org.uk You don’t have to be ‘a cyclist’ to come along, everyone is welcome and there will be mince pies!

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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What’s on in December

up to 21st St Albans Christmas Market in the Cathedral Grounds, 10 - 6pm 1st Batford Lights Switch On 4.30 - 7pm 2nd Othello The Western Auditorium, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, 01707 281127, adult £10, child £6 3rd Dancing Queen Watford Colosseum 0845 075 3993, 7.30pm, £19.50 / £18 Meeting: Winter Solstice Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 621757, The Harpenden Floral Decoration Club, 2pm Talk: Royal Central London Parks by Head Gardener at Woburn Abbey, Martin Towsey, Harpenden Horticultural Society, Roundwood Park School, 01582 761222, 8pm, £3 5th A Celebration of Christmas see page 4 Town Mayor’s at Home Park Hall, 11am 3pm, craft stalls, wine tasting & more, £5 Film: It's a Wonderful Life cert U Harpenden Public Halls, 8pm www.harpendenfilmsociety.co.uk 6th SleepOut at the Cathedral see page 12 6th Dec - 5th Jan Cinderella see page 26 7th Winter Wonderland see page 24 Benjamin Britten: Sacred & Profane & Christmas Music see page 4 The Christmas Story see page 4 Songs In The Key Of Lee Maltings Arts Theatre, a mix of iconic songs by local singer Fenella Lee, 8pm, £10, concs £7.50 7th & 8th Christmas Carousel Capel Manor Gardens, 10 - 4pm www.capelmanorgardens.co.uk Christmas Gift Shopping Frithsden Vineyard, near Ashridge, 12 - 5pm www.frithsdenvineyard.co.uk 8th Jingle Bell Jog see page 25 Christingle see page 18 Carols By Candlelight see page 4 Indoor Craft Market The Old Town Hall, St Albans, 9.30 - 2.30pm Christmas Fair Ashridge Estate, 10 - 4pm, free 8th & 15th Christmas Bazaar see page 34 10th A Victorian Christmas 42 Maltings Arts Theatre, 8pm, £10, £7.50

10th - 15th Christmas Tree Festival see page 6 11th Union J Watford Colosseum 0845 075 3993, 7.30pm, £29.50 / £27.50 Walk: Ghosts & Ghouls meet in front of St Albans Old Town Hall, 8pm, adult £4, child £2 13th - 22nd Jack & the Beanstalk see page 26 14th Christmas Carol Concerts St Albans Cathedral, St Albans Bach Choir Family Carol Concert: 3pm, adult £5, child £1 Carol Concert: 7pm, adult £10, concs £5 Charity Carol Concert see page 4 Christmas Theatre Organ Concerts St Albans Organ Theatre, 03003 656565, 2.30pm & 7.30pm, £10 with mince pies 14th & 15th Christmas Music at Knebwoth www.knebworthouse.com 15th Tree Planting at Heartwood 10 - 3pm www.woodlandtrust.org.uk 16th World Carols see page 4 18th Bach Christmas Oratorio see page 4 19th & 20th Hansel & Gretel St Albans Chamber Opera, The Maltings Arts Theatre, 01727 858307, £14, 7.30pm 20th - 29th The Railway Children Abbey Theatre, St Albans, 01727 857861, 7.30pm 21st Carols On The Hour see page 4 21st - 31st Beauty & the Beast see page 26 23rd Charity Christmas Concert see page 4 24th Crib Service see page 18 26th George & The Dragon various locations in St Albans City Centre, performed by St Albans Mummers www.stalbansmummers.org.uk Walk off Christmas see page 34 27th Christmas Walk Ashridge Estate, 10am, adult £7, child £5 28th & 29th Engineering Open Weekend Shuttleworth, Old Warden Park www.shuttleworth.org 30th Children’s Papercraft Activity Frogmore Mill, Apsley, Hemel Hempstead, 11am & 1.30am www.frogmoremill.com

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What’s on in January

1st Walk: A City Revealed meet outside St Albans Old Town Hall, tickets from Tourist Info Centre, 01727 864511, adult £4, child £2, 11am Mill Open Day Redbournbury Mill, 01582 792874, 11-4pm, mulled wine & mice pies Music from the Movies St Albans Cathedral St Albans Symphony Orchestra, music from James Bond, Star Wars, Spiderman & Schindler's List, 7pm, £20, £16, £12 www.saso.org.uk New Years Resolution Walk see page 34 7th - 11th Harpenden Gang Show Harpenden Public Halls, www.hwgangshow.org.uk 9th Staje in Concert Abbey Theatre, St Albans, 01727 857861, music from the popular jazz, funk, soul & blues big band, 8pm 11th Organ Recital by David Baskeyfield St Albans Cathedral, 5.30pm, free, retiring collection in aid of the IOFS 11th - 12th St Albans Model Railway Exhibition, The Alban Arena, 10-6pm www.cmra.org.uk/stalbans 12th Walk: Around the Historic Market Place starts from The Museum of St Albans 3pm, tickets from Tourist Info Centre, 01727 864511, adult £4, child £2 18th Brambleton Model Railway Club Exhibition Harpenden Public Halls, 10.30am - 5.30pm, adult £4, child / senior citizens £2.50 18th Jan - 16th March British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013, Stockwood Discovery Centre, collection of photos of winning photos, free

22nd Tour: the Abbey by Night St Albans Cathedral, 01727 890213, tour around the candlelit venue by monks & historical characters who bring to life the building's remarkable history & highlights, 8pm & 8.30pm, £12, includes drinks reception 23rd - 26th Puss in Boots see page 12 24th Royal Marines Band Concert: The Band & Corps of Drums H.M. Royal Marines Portsmouth, The Alban Arena, St Albans, 01727 844488, 7.30pm Occupy the Museum Verulamium Museum Which object in the exhibition do you like the most?

Which one do you hate? free, 6pm - 9pm 25th Amadeus Chamber Orchestra Concert St Peter’s Church, St Albans, Haydn, Frank Bridge & Mozart, 7.30pm, adult £12, concs £9 on the door or from 01727 864511 25th & 26th Residents First Weekend St Albans Cathedral, tower tours, family trials www,stalbanscathedral.org London Indoor Games Lee Valley Athletics Centre, athletics competition open to all, £7 per event www.visitleevalley.org.uk 28th Talk: ‘The History of Luton Hoo Estate’ Harpenden Public Halls, by Len Fowler, Harpenden Local History Society, 8pm 31st Concert: O Duo Beechwood Park School, Markyate, 01582 840333, percussion duo featuring leading percussionists; Owen Gunnell & Oliver Cox, adult £15, concs £10 www.wegottickets.com Ultimate Elton & The Rocket Man Hawthorne Theatre, Welwyn Garden City, you simply won’t find a closer tribute to Sir Elton John, 7.30pm, £18 www.hawthornetheatre.co.uk

Don’t Bin It Please!

Christmas Appeal envelopes will be dropping through the doors of most Harpenden houses this month. The money collected in these envelopes provides more than 30% of the total income of the Care Fund which carries on the Trust’s traditional role of helping individuals and families in our community. Without it we would have to cut back on our activities.

Please give generously and if possible complete the Gift Aid declaration on the back of the envelope. as we can claim a further 25% of whatever you put in the envelope back from the Government .

If you are out when our collector calls please drop off the envelope at the Trust Hall, 90 Southdown Road or Barclays Bank, Harpenden or Jelley’s Meats, Southdown. Thank You

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Pine

Lights

Ham Roast Yule

Sled

Toast Sauce Bread Sleigh Lord Eggnog

Candy Magi Inn Party Toys Gift Cards Green Crib Surprise Noel Shepherds

Answer on page 46

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Index of Businesses

Accountants Hicks TaxAssist Accountants Aerial Installations Concorde Aerials Harpenden Digital Services Bicycle Repairs Cycletech Hertfordshire Blinds Harpenden Blinds Cabinet Makers Sequoia Bespoke Car Body Repairs Prestige Paint Shop Ltd Car Sales Nolan Prestige Car Servicing / Repairs M Chapman Auto Services Ltd Charity Grove House Hospice Children’s Art Classes FineArt4Kids!

Chimney Sweep Poppins Chimney Sweep Chiropodist Julia Reading

23 22

Flooring 20 Creative Wood Flooring 21 Funeral Directors LC Weston Funeral Directors 41 Gardening / Landscaping 28 AR Landscapes Ltd Garden Life Landscapes 5 Gardening Workshops Zia’s Gardening Workshops 30 Garden Nursery / Centre Bridge Valley Nursery Burston Garden Centre 31 Gas K25 30 Gifts ASHQ.co.uk 36 Health / Fitness / Slimming Lighter Life 18 Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Classes The Fit Lab 12 Hearing Services The Hearing 33 Healthcare Practice

Cleaning Big Yellow Cleaning Company 10 Domestico back cover Harpenden Power Wash 15 Merrivac 10 Murray’s Cleaning Services 11

Indian Restaurant Shapla Restaurant

23 14

23 9 9 8 7 7 39 3 35 32 33

Pet Care Personal Petcare

6

Picture Framing Bloom

5

Plasterer A. Merson Plastering Plumbers DJ&M Plumbing Services Ltd Prestige Plumbing & Heating Services Pond Maintenance Women With Waders

12 39 & 47 39 6

Property Maintenance Green’s House & Gardens Mr Handyman Nick The Handyman Simply Jobs

13 13 15 15

School Abbot’s Hill School

19

Security Maximum Security Systems

21

Ticket Sales Great Tickets Ltd

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Tree Surgeons Fircroft Tree Services.co.uk

9

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Tyre Fitting Big D’s Tyres

28

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Window Cleaner Harpenden Window Cleaning

10

Windows & Doors AA Window Repairs Cloudy2Clear Markyate Windows & Doors

27 29 28

Kindergarten Artisans Kindergarten

18

2

Computer Repairs Ken Hodson

41

Outdoor Clothing & Camping Gear Complete Outdoors

Counselling / Sex Therapy Michael Stock

33

Oven Cleaning Ovenmaster

10

Dance & Drama Penny Waterman School of Dance Stagecoach

17 17

Painters & Decorators CB Decorators M & M Decorating

14 14

Domestic Appliance Repairs Leigh Hibon

15

Electricians I & B Electrical MLC Electrical Selmon Electrical Services

20 20 21

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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Financial Management AMR Financial Management

DJ&M PLUMBING SERVICES LTD ●

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Complete Bathroom, Cloakroom and Shower 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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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

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our Clients

Fully Licensed 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 £9.95 Tuesdays and Wednesdays

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01582 467676 / 469191 Easy Parking Available www.theNOWmagazines.com

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