harpenden NOW April 16

harpenden

NOW

April 2016

A Hidden Gem April ‘appenings!

St Albans Shakespeare Festival NOW at the Public Halls NOW at the Local Theatres

NOW at the Cathedral

What’s on and lots more read ‘the NOW magazines’ monthly promoting local businesses, organisations and events since 2006

choose local first 1

A Hidden Gem St Albans Organ Theatre features a fascinating collection of unique self-playing musical instruments and two theatre pipe organs.

Originally the Collection was owned by Charles Hart, who towards the end of his life, expressed a desire that it was to remain available to the public and so set up a charitable trust, which is run entirely by volunteers.

Charles’ tradition of Sunday opening still continues as he wanted everyone to enjoy these unique instruments. Currently the Theatre is open every second Sunday from March to November, 2pm - 4.30pm. There are also regular Theatre organ concerts and special events including Vintage Afternoon Teas.

You can vote for St Albans Organ Theatre throughout April at Waitrose, St Albans in their monthly community fund draw, when funds are allocated to charities / organisations according to the public votes.

Volunteer help is always needed with running the Organ Theatre, with a range of interesting opportunities available, so why not get in touch and see how you can become involved.

For more details please visit www.stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk or email info@stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk

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Welcome to April

It’s all about Shakespeare this month with lots of NOW at the Public Halls events planned to commemorate the 400th music, comedy & films anniversary of his death, from a Street St Albans Shakespeare Festival Extravaganza to concerts and of course plays, 400th anniversary events and even Stagecoach Theatre School will be Birds & Bees performing one of his much loved plays. bees & herons There are still lots of Easter activities to do with the children over the school holidays, so they can NOW at Luton Hoo Walled Garden talks, tours & more work off all those chocolate eggs!

You’ll see from our front cover we’re looking NOW at the Alban Arena forward to seeing carpets of bluebells this month, music, comedy & more please have a look at the ‘Save the Bluebell’ April ‘appenings! appeal from Heartwood Forest on page 24 and festivals, fetes & more make sure you tread carefully if you go and NOW for Some Music see them. sonnets, songs & Shakespeare Don't forget, if you need something doing NOW for a Walk or Two choose local first, and as always we’d love to walks for everyone hear from you with news of events and what's Do Something For Charity happening locally. why not get involved Enjoy the read NOW at the Local Theatres Jane & Wendy dance, drama & music www.theNOWmagazines.com wendy@theNOWmagazines.com NOW at the Cathedral dition 07983 588313 music, tours & more next e

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

Spring Plants

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NOW at the Public Halls The Three Degrees 7th April 7.30pm £25 Well known for their soulful voices, beautiful gowns, fabulous stage shows and known worldwide for the songs ‘When Will I See You Again’ and ‘Take Good Care Of Yourself’. They’ve toured continuously for over 40 years, and can genuinely claim to be the longest running female vocal group in history with no sign of slowing down!

His Way! The Frank Sinatra Story with Robert Habermann 14th April 2pm £12 / £10 Presenting songs and the story of Frank Sinatra, from band singer to recording his most famous songs and albums including ‘Come Fly with Me’, ‘My Way’ and many more.

Rewind 16th April 8pm £14 Cool tunes from Pop to Indie.

Jethro 28th April 7.30pm £19.50 This promises to be a memorable evening of hysterical nonsense, as we peek into the circus lurking deep within the mind of probably, the greatest comic storyteller ever to grace the stage. Jethro beguiles and befuddles his audience with the endless stream of irreverent twaddle that has created a comedy genius.

The Simon & Garfunkel Story 29th April 7.30pm £18 The fascinating tale of how two young boys from Queens, New York became one of the world’s most successful music duo’s of all time. Starting from their humble beginnings as 50’s Rock n Roll duo ‘Tom & Jerry’, ‘The Simon and Garfunkel Story’ takes you through the songs and stories that shaped them, the dramatic split, their solo careers and ending with a stunning recreation of the legendary 1981 Central Park reunion concert.

Craig Campbell 30th April 7.30pm £15 An internationally acclaimed comedian, and one of stand-ups most charismatic performers with hilarious tales of globetrotting adventure never failing to impress. Craig has performed all over the world from New Zealand to Iceland and Kazakhstan and Vietnam (proudly Vietnam's first ever stand-up). Don’t miss this new show from Canada’s funniest export!

Harpenden Film Society 6th April Suffragette cert 12A Stars Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan, Anne Marie Duff and Helen Bonham Carter. Stirring historical drama showing the fight for women to get the vote.

An absolute must see!

21st April Amy cert 15 Astonishing documentary about the life and death of the singer Amy Winehouse. Features unseen footage and unheard songs.

A heartbreaking portrayal of an amazing talent, in her own words.

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Harpenden Public Halls, Southdown Road, Harpenden www.harpendenpublichalls.co.uk 01582 767525 www.harpendenfilmsociety.co.uk

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St Albans Shakespeare Festival This year marks the 400th anniversary of the death of the greatest and most famous playwright in history. Running until June, the Festival celebrates Shakespeare’s legacy through a variety of artistic media. Many events will take place at the Maltings Arts Theatre, home of OVO theatre company, the Festival organisers.

Hold Off The Earth 29th March - 2nd April 8pm Maltings Arts Theatre

By Stephen Tomas – after Shakespeare’s Hamlet the King of Denmark is dead. Home for the funeral, his son Hamlet finds preparations underway for his mother’s marriage to his uncle, Claudius. Drawing on the earliest editions of Hamlet, this is an original and radical reimagining of Shakespeare’s most famous play.

Songs of Shakespeare 8th & 9th April 8pm St Saviour’s Church, St Albans Join local Baritone Julian Godlee and his cellist brother Rickman for an evening inspired by the poetry and songs of the great bard.

The Tempest 16th April 8pm Maltings Arts Theatre A magical blend of traditional music and storytelling of The Tempest. The beautiful sounds of melodeon, harp, whistle and fiddle intertwine, while the two storytellers keep you spellbound.

Merry Regiment of Women

by Rae Shirley 22nd & 29th April 8pm Maltings Arts Theatre Performed by Breakaway Theatre Company.

Lady Macbeth is angry with Shakespeare; she’s fed up with women not having any decent roles and she’s going to do something about it. She can’t do it alone, so she calls a meeting of the female characters she can find – Desdemona, Cleopatra, Kate the ‘Shrew’, Juliet and her Nurse (“See, Shakespeare doesn’t even give her a real name!”). Together they will make him see the error of his ways. and they are not short of ideas and opinions, which they are only too happy to voice! Things get more chaotic when the meeting is gatecrashed by some of those pesky male characters.

Street Theatre Extravaganza 23rd April Various locations around St Albans On the 400th anniversary of his death, OVO takes to the streets to perform some of the Bard’s most famous scenes and speeches. From Henry V and Hamlet to the bawdy humour of Tweflth Night, the passion of Romeo and Juliet, and more. Come and enjoy the words, the language, the tragedy, and the comedy that is Shakespeare’s fantastic legacy to us all.

Shakespeare Unmasked 9th April 4pm Maltings Arts Theatre A mask workshop for ages 8+ with Trestle Arts.

A fun introduction to Shakespeare using Trestle’s Half Masks. From the fairies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream to the witches in Macbeth, become one of the Rarely Performed characters and take a playful approach to the 30th April 8pm language. No need to know the plays to take part!

Maltings Arts Theatre Shakespeare the Poet Think you know your Shakespeare? Can you tell you 15th April 8pm Philario from your Philemon? In which play does Maltings Arts Theatre Cupid appear? Test your knowledge with OVO’s Ver Poets have devised a series of readings and finest actors and raconteurs as they lead you in a commentaries on Shakespeare's major poetical journey of discovery. works including some that are little known. Raunchy, Maltings Arts Theatre, St Allbans mystical, cynical, lyrical, satirical, quizzical, the www.maltingsartstheatre.co.uk poems contain mysteries that 400 years of intense www.stalbansshakespeare.co.uk scholarship have failed to crack. Come and discover a different side to Shakespeare.

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01727 298 007

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Shakespeare or Musicals?

On 23rd April we remember Shakespeare on the 400th anniversary of his death and what better way to celebrate by performing one of his best loved plays, ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’ with Stagecoach Harpenden.

To add to the excitement we’re doing an open air performance at Sir John Lawes School. Imagine the fun you could be having each Saturday preparing for one of Shakespeare's classics! We are looking for lovers, mechanicals and fairies; it could be you!

Following on from the end of term fun, we have our first summer holiday workshop in Harpenden to look forward to at the end of July. Although schools are 'out for summer', we will be diving back into the education system by exploring the musical giants that are 'High School Musical', 'Glee', 'Fame', 'Grease', 'Matilda', 'St Trinians' and more!

Call Principal, Liz, to book your place for either next term's Shakespeare fun, or the summer holiday workshop now!

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Plus it’s all go at Stagecoach St Albans too!

Our Stage 3s (12-18 year olds) will be doing a showcase of the hit musical, ‘Legally Blonde’.

This famous musical was recently brought back to life in the West End, with Sheridan Smith as Elle and it is sure to be a hit with our talented students.

In our Early Stages classes (4-7 year olds), it’s Presentation term and we are heading down to the farmyard in ‘Little Red Hen’!

So book your place now to make new friends and be part of the fun! You never know, you might just become the next budding star of Stagecoach Theatre Arts.

Play in the Parks Free sessons for 3 -12 year olds, just turn up!

Under 8’s must be accompanied by an adult.

5th & 12th April 12 noon - 2pm Rothamsted Park, by the Rose Gardens 6th & 13th April 9.15am - 11.15am Marford Road Playing Fields, Wheathampstead AL4 8AY 7th & 14th April 12 noon - 2pm Marquis Lane Open Space AL5 5AA www.activestalbans.com

Horrid Henry Storybook Making 7th April 3pm - 4.30pm What has Horrid Henry been up to now? You decide!

Create a storybook to take home. Ages 5 -11, ÂŁ3 per family, please book at the library or by calling 01707 281533.

Harpenden Library, High Street www.libraries.hertscc.gov.uk

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Five Miles to Fabulous 2nd April & 7th May Both from Morrisons, Hatfield Road at 9.30am, meeting by the cycle stands. These are easypaced, women-only rides. The leader selects the route based on weather, group preference and any interesting themes or events on the day of the ride. You will cycle for a bit, have a coffee stop and ride back. In spite of the ride name, it’s often more than five miles, usually nearer ten!

Saturday Saunters 9th April to Redbourn 4th June to Shenley Both meeting at Morrisons cafĂŠ at 9.30am, these are morning rides covering about 20 miles at a relatively easy pace, about 10mph and include a coffee stop. More information about these and longer, faster rides on Sundays and Wednesdays can be found at www.southhertsctc.org.uk

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Greens House and Gardens Having serviced the local area for many years, the GHG family team have built up a steady gardening round, and are adding to their route rapidly. Some customers prefer a bi weekly lawn cutting programme and this too can be accommodated. Their customers return every year, and soon it will be ‘that time of year’ again when the grass starts growing and GHG are now taking bookings for customers who wish to be added to the grass cutting list.

Whether it’s assistance with weeding, planting, lawn care, jet washing, fencing, landscaping, shed bases, paving, or gutter maintenance, GHG can help.

Greens House and Gardens is a local company that provides a reliable service for the maintenance and management of your garden.

Whether it be a weekly lawn cut, or total garden makeover, Greens House and Gardens can make an impact!

They are now installers for fabulous Tuin summerhouses and sheds and home offices, and can provide everything from the base construction, erection and even the electrics!

Just call Roger on 07949 969446 or 01582 400408 and they will be happy to pop round to give you a free estimate for your garden needs.

GREENSHOUSE & GARDENS Fencing, Supply and Installation Gutter Clearance and Repair Power Washing Summerhouse and Shed Bases Sheds and Summerhouses Supplied and Erected Decking Landscaping Gardening, Tree, Hedge and Plant Care Property Maintenance Qualified Electrician Fully Insured

Call Roger 07949 969446 or 01582 400408 12

GARDEN MACHINERY SALES Stockists of the COBRA range of garden machinery Including the new 16 inch, rear roller, cordless electric mowers with Li-ion batteries

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Free delivery on orders over ÂŁ10 within the AL5 area Townsend Lane Harpenden AL5 2RH 01582 713083 info@townsendnursery.com

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Birds & Bees

Getting a Buzz out of Bees Action to help reverse the decline of bees and other pollinators is being undertaken in the St Albans District. The insects are vital to agriculture, wildlife and the natural environment, but the numbers have decreased sharply in recent years.

Through pollination, they help plants and crops reproduce to ensure the food supply is maintained.

The decline is the result of a number of factors including disease, loss of habitat, harmful chemicals such as pesticides and a reduction in wildflowers.

St Albans City and District Council has launched a number of low-cost initiatives to help boost bee numbers including the creation of meadow areas for bees to nest in parks and green spaces.

They have also promoted green areas in new developments along with the planting of beefriendly trees and shrubs.

Trees with flowers that are attractive to pollinators are also being planted in public spaces and the use of chemicals and pesticides on Council land has been reduced.

Heron Nursery The Grey Herons have staked out their nests and are starting to lay eggs. For protection, Herons breed in groups known as ‘Heronries’, where multiple nests are built in the same trees, and chicks hatch around the same time.

A nest can be seen in the middle of Verulamium Park, St Albans, where you can watch the whole spectacle unfold by standing on the side of the lake near the ‘Fighting Cocks Inn’ and looking across to the aptly named ‘Heron Island.’

Once eggs are laid, Heron parents take turns to sit on the nest and incubate the eggs. Then after 3-4 weeks the punky-haired youngsters start to hatch, and it’s not long before they start ‘branching’ which

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Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Association, are being encouraged to assess pollinator decline so it can be monitored.

Attempts to educate young people about the issues have included a Best Pollinator Friendly Garden prize in the annual Schools In Bloom competition.

Herts Spring Convention 2nd April 12.30pm - 5pm Christchurch, 110 Parkway, WGC AL8 6HN An event not to be missed with interesting talks and a variety of stalls from hive construction demonstrations to honey competitions and more.

Talks Interesting Times at the BBKA (British BeeKeepers Association) by Doug Brown East Anglian Research Student Programme

by Wally Thrale, Bedfordshire Bee Keeping Association Bees in the City an on-going study looking at the effects of urbanisation of honeybee health and behaviour by Liz Samuelson www.hertsbees.blogspot.co.uk

Bee Coffee Morning 19th April Chenies Manor, Bucks Enjoy a talk with the founder of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, followed by a tour of the Physic Garden, £8.

01494 762888 www.cheniesmanorhouse.co.uk means climbing around in the tree tops. This is a great time to bring your binoculars for a closer look.

Herons don’t always have it easy, harsh winters cause frozen lakes, meaning they can’t find fish, and so they often take them from garden ponds. Many of their waterways are polluted and this can lead to starvation as well. Although the fully grown Heron only has to fear humans and foxes, the juveniles are at a high risk of being predated while they are still vulnerable. It is estimated that only a third survive into their second year. In contrast, the oldest living Heron was 25 years old!

The Heron is a fascinating bird who deserves to be protected, and while the RSPB will not, as in previous years, be in the Park this year, they urge you to go and enjoy the show, and if you feel like it, get in touch to let them know how the group is getting on!

by Debs Allbrook, RSPB Rye Meads photo by Debs Allbrook www.RSPB.org.uk

Photograph Wildlife for a Day Professional wildlife photographer, Tom Mason is offering a day of wildlife and nature photography at Rye Meads Nature Reserve. He knows the reserve like the back of his hand and will be an excellent guide as you walk around.

He’ll be focusing on the key skills needed to help you improve your photography, and will answer all your questions. Just bring your camera and lunch and enjoy a great day out.

Tom hopes to offer courses in St Albans in the future so watch this space.

Photography Workshop 10th April 10am - 3pm RSPB members £30 Non members £40 Please book as spaces are limited 01992 708381 or debs.allbrook@rspb.org.uk To see more of Toms’ work visit www.tommasonphoto.com Rye Meads Nature Reserve Stanstead Abbotts SG12 8JS www.rspb.org.uk/ryemeads

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Harpenden Bowling Club The Club invites beginners and existing players to come and try their hand at bowling. 2015 was a particularly successful season for the Club when for the first time in their 108 year history, they reached the National Championship finals in both team and individual events. They ensure that players of all abilities and ages are welcomed by the club and that everyone gets to compete at a level they are comfortable with.

Why not go along to an open session (wearing casual clothes and flat soled trainers) on Sun 1st May 10.30am - 5pm Tues 3rd May 5.30pm - 7.30pm Spenser Road, Harpenden AL5 5NN For further additional information please visit www.harpendenbowlingclub.co.uk

NOW at Luton Hoo Walled Garden The 2016 ‘Open Day’ season begins at Luton Hoo Estate Walled Garden with the Annual Fair for Plant Heritage (Herts and Beds) on 23rd April from 11am - 3pm, entrance is £3 and tours of the garden can also be taken for an extra £2.

Open Wednesdays begin on 4th May from 10.30am - 3.30pm until the end of September.

This is an opportunity to see the volunteers, both gardeners and conservationists at work.

The garden has been revived by this enthusiastic team of volunteers and a wide range of research has been undertaken since the beginning of the project in 2001.

A £5 entry fee includes a guided tour of the garden as well as a tour of the Victorian farm buildings. Plants and produce from the garden will be on sale including Luton Hoo honey.

There will be illustrated talks available for groups with topics covering the gardens history, Hoo’s Farms, Hoo’s Who, and Lord Bute who built the Walled Garden in the 1760’s with landscape designer Capability Brown. This year is the latter’s 300th anniversary and a Study Day will take place on 11th May which will uncover details about the unusual design of the garden and the botanical collection which it contained. Cost £35.

Luton Hoo Walled Garden, Luton Beds LU1 3TQ 01582 721443 www.lutonhooestate.co.uk .

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To Advertise: 07983 588313 wendy@theNOWmagazines.com

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NOW at The Alban Arena The Magic of Motown 1st April 7.30pm Join the party as this show celebrates its 10th birthday by honouring the 50th anniversary of chart -topping single Reach Out I’ll Be There as well as more than 36 other classics.

Mash It Up!: Reggie ‘N’ Bollie & More 2nd April 12 noon X-Factor runners up will be joined on stage by Rough Copy, Andy Abraham and Gabz all mashed together in a show, by DJ Michael Andre.

Chas & Dave 2nd April 7.30pm Celebrating their 50th Anniversary by recording their first original album in 27 years, a mixture of vintage rock & roll songs and new renditions of their rockney classics.

Mission Impudseyble 4th April 3pm & 6.30pm 5th April 1.30pm & 4.30pm Britain’s newest secret agent is off the leash….and ready for action! A new interactive spy adventure suitable for the whole family.

Gordon Buchanan 7th April 7.30pm Highly acclaimed wildlife cameraman and presenter of The Polar Bear Family and Me hosts an evening of exciting personal recollections, and lets you into his world of weird, wild and wonderful wildlife.

Liza Pullman Sings Hollywood 9th April 7.30pm A musical journey celebrating the golden age of Hollywood and beyond. From As Time Goes By to Moon River, through Hitchcock, the romantic comedy and even the American western.

Mister Maker 11th April 1pm Join your ultimate arts and craft hero for his first ever live theatre tour!

Chris & Pui 13th April 11am & 2pm CBeebies’ favourite double act is coming to town!

Film: Hail, Caeser! Cert 12A 13th & 14th April 7.30pm £7, concs & matinees £5 A Hollywood fixer in the 1950s works to keep the studio’s stars in line.

Richard Herring 15th April 8pm He is now settled down with a wife and baby. So does responsibility come with its own terrors? Is there any system that will guarantee us eternal bliss or is life just a vale of tears and our only option is to laugh in its face?

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Shalamar 16th April 7.30pm Performing live with classics such as A Night to Remember, I Can Make You Feel Good, Friends and I Owe You One. Sean Lock 18th April 8pm Every three years this comedian writes and tours with a new stand-up show. Come and see what he’s blithering on about this time. Ages 15+ Tap Factory 19th April 7.30pm Dazzling dance spectacular and cirque experience with the world’s best Tap Dancers and international musicians, blending the art of dance, percussion, comedy, and cirque acrobatics.

Russell Kane 20th April 8pm Famed for his critically acclaimed tours Russell has been performing sell-out shows across the globe and he’s now back with a new show!

A Touch of Class 22nd April 8.15pm Strictly Come Dancing favourites Ian and Natalie perform a dance showcase spectacular designed to dazzle and wow you.

Swan Lake 23rd April 2.30pm Vienna Festival Ballet Music by Tchaikovsky. One of the best known love stories, with lavish costumes, stunning scenery, international stars, and the glorious music from Tchaikovsky make this a show not to be missed.

Fiddler on the Roof 26th - 30th April 7.45pm & Sat Matinee 2.30pm Presented by St Albans Musical Theatre Company Based on Sholem Aleichem stories by special permission of Arnold Perl. www.alban-arena.co.uk 01727 844488

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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 ~ Taking Care of Your Home ~

Handy Tips Oven spills: sprinkle salt on fresh spillages, making them easier to wipe up, and keeping lingering odours at bay.

Combat cooking fumes: mix 3 tbsp of white vinegar and 1 cup of water, and boil for several minutes, vinegar is acidic and odours are alkaline, so the former will neutralise the latter.

Bananarama: separate bananas before placing in your fruit bowl, left joined they go brown quicker.

Flexible vacuum: suck up hard-to-reach gunk under your fridge by inserting an empty paper towel roll into the end of your vacuum and bend or flatten it, to reach those tricky areas.

Reopening envelopes: If you seal an envelope too soon, place it in the freezer for an hour or two and voila, the envelope will unseal easily.

Getting rid of ants: put small piles of polenta where you see ants, they’ll gobble it up, return ‘home’ and won’t be able to digest it, nasty but effective!

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Harpenden Window Cleaning before ● ● ● ●

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Fully Gutter Vac Insured (Gutters Cleaned) High Access Fully Experienced Window Cleaners Inside Windows Cleaned (if required)

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Lots of recommendations and references from Harpenden customers Based in Milton Road 07757 499296 01582 450934 www.harpendenclean.co.uk

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Pear and Ginger Tiramisu Trifle

Musical Wisdom Back in the 80s Gary Holt, trained drummer and percussionist and Karl Whitworth, classically trained guitarist and vocalist, were part of G.I. Orange, a band that recorded and toured a gold album and had a series of hit singles in Japan, outselling such names as Madonna, Duran Duran and A-ha. They also toured the UK with David Essex and Bucks Fizz.

This strong musical partnership is now back and they have compiled a new collection of musical wisdom, bringing together the experience and knowledge gained from a lifetime of music, business and the study of spiritual and personal development in their latest album 12.

Karl works in many local primary and secondary schools as a guitar teacher and Gary is a local businessman.

Are you searching for inner peace and happiness?

Wondering who exactly you are?

Do you question your purpose in life?

Big life changes you crave could be easily within your grasp, thanks to the simple but effective power of song. This fabulous new album delivers key messages selected from the teachings of the best speakers, philosophers and experts in selfdevelopment.

So, how does it work?

First of all, 12 offers wonderful listening to those who desire the guidance delivered by the messages in the songs, but also to those who just want to hear good music.

The album is not only a joy to listen to but will interest, fascinate, motivate and guide the listener through key messages within the lyrics. www.12music.co.uk

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I’ve long said that the best home cooking needn’t be complicated. Often the tastiest recipes are just simple twists on much-loved classics. This recipe, created by food writer and blogger Ren Behan, meets all of these criteria. Easy to prepare, it looks great and tastes wonderful. It also misses photo: Ren Behan out the coffee which is a bonus for anyone who has to avoid caffeine.

Makes 4-6 glasses or one medium-sized trifle bowl 3 large free-range eggs, yolks and whites separated 100g caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract 250g tub Mascarpone 2 very ripe pears 250ml sherry ½ packet Ginger Snap Biscuits or Ginger Cake 100g grated dark or white chocolate for sprinkling dusting of cocoa powder (optional) The ingredients combine better at room temperature Whisk the egg yolks, caster sugar and vanilla together in a bowl with an electric whisk for around 5 minutes until the mixture is pale and fluffy. Add the tub of Mascarpone and mix until smooth.

In another bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. With a metal spoon, fold the egg whites into your egg and Mascarpone mixture.

Have a large trifle bowl or six small glasses ready.

Peel, core and finely slice the pears.

Pour the sherry into a small bowl, dip in six ginger biscuits and then place one in each glass, or lay them flat across the bowl, working quickly so that the biscuits don’t get too soggy.

Add a few slices of pear on top of the biscuits. Next, spoon some of the creamy mixture into your glasses/ bowl. Repeat the layers until all the mixture is used up.

Cover with clingfilm and refrigerate, preferably overnight. Just before eating, sprinkle with the grated chocolate, dust with cocoa powder and serve.

Nick Coffer

Hear Nick Coffer’s Weekend Kitchen on BBC Three Counties Radio on Sunday mornings at 11am, and weekdays at midday join him to hear local guests with great stories to tell, and music for your early afternoon.

Easter Cookery Course 6th & 7th April 10am - 5pm Join us at The Stables Restaurant where Head Chef Martin West will take you on a journey under the sea to discover the tricks of preparing delicious seafood that will wow your dinner guests.

Learn how to prepare, cook and serve lobster, discover the fine techniques behind filleting a whole fish and find out how to shuck oysters properly and safely.

To finish, taste what you’ve made with a carefully selected glass of wine. £35 per person, includes all ingredients To book your place call 01727 737357 The Stables Restaurant Oaklands College St Albans Campus, Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL4 0JA www.oaklands.ac.uk

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April ‘appenings!

Kimpton May Festival 29th April - 2nd May ‘Animal Magic’ is the theme of this year’s Festival with four days of fun filled events including an Art Show, Junior Disco, Wine Tasting, Procession, Arena Events, Craft Fair, Quiz, Music Night and much more….

Kimpton SG4 8RB www.kimptonmayfestival.co.uk

Real Tennis Hatfield House 14th April 6.30pm Watch some top level Real Tennis players in action and then have a go at the original Racquet sport yourself!

Before the match the two Hatfield professionals, Jon Dawes and James Law will take any spectators new to Real Tennis onto the court to explain the rules and give a brief talk on what it’s all about. At 7pm they will go head to head in an exhibition match.

After the match Jon and James will give anyone who wants to play a chance to hit some balls with them on court. £20 01707 273391 / hhtc@gotadsl.co.uk www.hatfield-house.co.uk

The Railway Children 12th April 11am & 2pm Image Musical Theatre returns with this wonderful adaptation of E Nesbit's classic.

Giving the audience a chance to join in and up to 10 children the opportunity to perform on stage, this show is family entertainment at its best. Learn the songs and actions before you arrive via the website and immerse yourself in the rhythm of the Railway.

For ages 5+ The Radlett Centre Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL www.radlettcentre.co.uk

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Knebworth House East of England Food Festival 16th & 17th April 10am - 5pm A celebration of all that’s good to eat and drink.

Adult £9.50, family £34, includes entrance to the Gardens and Park.

Afternoon Tea in Knebworth Barn 17th April 2pm Enjoy a delicious traditional Sunday afternoon tea.

Adult £26, child £20 (up to 13 years), includes admission to the Gardens and Park 01438 813825 Hertfordshire Garden Show 30th April - 2nd May A wide variety of exhibitors, including some of the best nurseries and specialists from across the region.

Talk to the growers and choose from a huge range of quality plants. It’s a great way to get your garden ready for the new season, with plenty of fresh ideas for inspiration. Entrance to the Show is included in the Knebworth Park and Gardens admission price. www.knebworthhouse.com

Save the Bluebells The Woodland Trust has kick-started a new campaign at Heartwood Forest, Sandridge to help prevent the delicate bluebell, an ancient woodland plant and a much-loved sign of spring, from being trampled by visitors, as less and less of them are coming into bloom. The Woodland Trust wants to raise awareness of this issue, in the hope that people will keep to the paths when visiting their local woods and green spaces. Find out how you can help on 12th & 24th April at Heartwood. www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/heartwood

St Albans Electric Bike Tours

Kinsbourne Common Fete 23rd April 12 noon - 3pm Celebrating St George's Day Jointly organised by St Mary's Church & 9th Harpenden Scout Group BBQ - Afternoon Tea - Cakes - Plants Bottle Tombola - Crockery Smash Raffle - Art & Craft Demonstrations Pioneering - Marshmallow Toasting Face Painting - Bouncy Castle Jam Jars - Beat The Goalie - Lucky Dip - Sand Art Biscuit Decorating - Chocolate Game & Much More!

Kinsbourne Common, Harpenden Next to St Marys Church

3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th April 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th May 10.30am - 2.45pm Cycling with tea and cake!

The electric bike is a great way to explore the great outdoors.

The rides start from Mill Green Mill, Hatfield and visit many locations including Verulamium Park, Gorhambury and Wheathampstead, before returning along Ayot Greenway to the Mill. £40 per person, £60 per couple includes cream teas Mill Green Mill, Hatfield, AL9 5PD www.electricbiketours.co.uk

St George's Festival 23rd & 24th April 10am - 6pm Witness gallant St George taking on his arch nemesis in England's most legendary battle.

Discover the man behind the myth as you immerse yourself in the story of England at the biggest St George's Day celebration in the country. Cheer for the Victorian teams in the gymkhana display; gasp as the lances shatter in the medieval joust; marvel as feathers fly in the Edwardian falconry; experience the highs and lows of life in wartime Britain; and chortle at the cheeky jester. Plunge yourself into the sights, smells and sounds of this historical extravaganza.

Wrest Park, Silsoe, Luton MK45 4HR www.english-heritage.org.uk

Chiltern Open Air Museum Women’s Suffrage Movement 16th & 17th April Pummeling policemen and fighting, quite literally for the Vote! In the early 20th century Newland Park, a Georgian style house set in the 550 acre estate next to the Museum site, was a refuge for suffragettes.

Now, following last year’s hit film ‘Suffragette’, you can learn about these brave women and see them in action. Watch physical demonstrations showing how a team of Edwardian ladies were able to protect the leaders of the Women’s Suffrage Movement from arrest, armed with only determination, cunning and training in the martial art of Jiu-Jitsu.

Springtime Lambs 23rd & 24th April Come and meet the spring lambs and explore the traditional Chilterns farm and lambing fold, learn about the lambing traditions of the Victorian Chilterns and take part in fun family craft activities.

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles www.coam.org.uk/whats-on

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NOW for some Music Don Giovanni 20th April 7.30pm The compelling tale of one man's rampage through the hearts and minds of every woman he meets, taking no prisoners, and living every day as though it was his last, until finally he is confronted with the terrifying consequences of his own debauchery.

Sung in Italian with English subtitles and piano accompaniment.

Heritage Opera return to Hatfield House after their sell-out production of Madame Butterfly last Summer.

The Coach House Restaurant will be open until the start of the performance.

Adult £30 / £28, concs £15 The Old Palace, Hatfield House 0161 402 3272 www.heritageopera.co.uk www.hatfield-house.co.uk

Shakespeare: If Music be the Food of Love 23rd April 8pm Music Makers Choir presents a concert of beautiful music ranging from Shakespeare’s lifetime (Tallis, Byrd, Gibbons) to more recent musical settings of his songs and sonnets by Vaughan Williams and George Shearing. Adult £10, concs £6 Our Lady Of Lourdes Church Rothamstead Ave, Harpenden 07834 484989

Shakespeare’s World in Concert 23rd April 7.30pm Celebrate Shakespeare in Song with Harpenden Choral Society’s special concert marking the 400th anniversary of the Bards’ death, featuring settings of songs from the plays and Shakespeare’s contemporaries and other music inspired by his work.

From the compelling intricacies of Elizabethan madrigals to Bernstein’s lyrical re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet - West Side Story, and selections from Verdi’s magnificent operatic version of Macbeth, this concert celebrates the musical variety and influence of Shakespeare’s world. Conducted by Musical Director John Andrews, with piano accompaniment by Vivien Powles and solos by soprano Charmian Bedford and lutenist Lynda Sayce.

Adult £15, child / student £5.

01582 419379 tickets@harpendenchoralsociety.org St Nicholas Church, Harpenden

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Shakespeare Songs and Sonnets 23rd & 24th April 10.30am - 2.30pm Step into Arcadia, a galaxy of blossom, breeze and poetry, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the end of Shakespeare's life. Stroll through the lawns and the meadows as Tudor singers find harmony with songbirds to delight you. Be spellbound by actors and poets who will recite the Bard's sonnets to you as you explore the West Gardens of Hatfield House. £10, with admission to the Park and West Garden.

West Garden, Hatfield House www.hatfield-house.co.uk Woodwind Extravaganza 24th April 10am - 4pm Does your child play a woodwind instrument? If so why not come along to a fun-packed playing day.

For ages 7-13, suitable for flute, recorder, oboe, clarinet, saxophone and bassoon players of Grade 1 and above. The day will include full wind band sessions, improvisation and tips. Please book £20. j.lodge@beechwoodpark.herts.sch.uk Beechwood Park School, Markyate AL3 8AP

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NOW for a Walk or Two Hertfordshire Walking Festival

A Walk in Barn Owl Country 24th April 10am - 12 noon Great Green, Pirton, Herts Join local volunteers to find out about the secret life of barn owls and why this area of outstanding natural beauty is perfect for them to raise their young. They fly mostly at dawn and dusk but you may get a chance to see one during the day. www.hertsdirect.org/walking

Hertfordshire Year of Walking is set to culminate in an exciting and diverse Walking Festival for the month of May showcasing the best Hertfordshire has to offer from nature trails, singing jaunts, pub Hertfordshire Health Walks history walks, bird walks and more. www.hertsdirect.org/walking Free, guided, local walks. Just turn up!

Highfield Park 50 Things Walks Mondays 9.30am Tuesdays 1.30pm 3rd April & 1st May 2pm - 3pm Charters Health Club car park, Hill End Lane Grab your wellies and join the Rangers for a family AL4 0DB walk. Complete some of the '50 things to do before Wheathampstead you're 11 ¾’ on the way and collect stickers and Tuesdays 10.30am & Saturday 2nd April 2pm scrapbooks when you get back. Free.

East Lane public car park behind The Bull AL4 8BL Dunstable Downs www.nationaltrust.org.uk Hatching Green Thursdays 10.30am Redbourn Lane, Harpenden AL5 2JP (park on road) RSPB Walk Greenwood Park Fridays 2pm Greenwood Park Community Centre, Tippendell Harpenden Lea Valley Walk Lane, Chiswell Green, St Albans AL2 3HW 3rd April 8am - 10.15am Led by local RSPB volunteers Heartwood Forest Sunday 17th April 10.30am Meet by the River Lea bridge, near the Marquis of Meet at Heartwood Forest car park AL3 6JB Granby Pub. Free, £1 donation welcome 01992 588433 www.hertslink.org/cms

Ashridge Walks

Signs of Spring 12th April 2.30pm - 4.30pm Join knowledgeable volunteers for a gentle stroll near the visitor centre looking at Ashridge’s huge variety of plants and trees. £3, no need to book.

Clipper Down Walk 28th April 5pm - 7pm Explore Clipper Down’s medieval and pre-historic archaeology with regional expert Gary Marshall.

Adult £8, child £5, booking essential.

Dawn Chorus Walk 30th April 5am - 7am Experience early morning bird song with Rangers who will be able to help identify them, bring binoculars. Adult £15, child £10, includes breakfast, booking essential.

Ashridge, Ringshall, Herts HP4 1LT 01442 851227 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate

Dawn Chorus & Breakfast Walk 24th April 5am prompt Meet at YWAM, off Ambrose Lane, Harpenden.

A three mile walk around Westfield Woods and the Nickey Line, where you will hear and see local birds, finishing with breakfast in the YWAM café at 8am.

Cost £6, book by 17th April on 01582 765443 or 01582 763560.

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Walking Football is coming back to Harpendens Astroturf in Rothamstead Park on Monday’s at 11.30am lasting one hour.

The game is simple, it’s 5-a-side football with strictly NO running, NO slide tackles, NO hard tackles and NO diving.

Anyone can play, no matter your age or skill level.

The first session will be free and any sessions after that will cost £3.

For more information please contact Rob Allwood 01727 819253 / 01582 767722 rob.allwood@1life.co.uk

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Do Something for Charity Muddy Mucker 10th April Chiswell Green St Albans Sign up and test your strength, stamina and team work in a gruelling five mile muddy obstacle challenge in aid of Rennie Grove Hospice.

Registration is £30, with a minimum sponsorship of £50 or £65 without raising sponsorship. Your entry fee includes a T-shirt and water en-route. Team entries are encouraged and it promises to be tough, but great fun! www.renniegrove.org/muddymucker

Bubble Rush 17th April This exciting, familyfriendly event is coming to Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead. Organised by The Hospice of St Francis and open to all the family you can run, walk, crawl or dance your way through Bubble Stations as you are blasted by cannons blowing out crazycoloured Bubbles, covering you in safe, frothy, foam. There are no age restrictions and the 5km route is child friendly. www.stfrancis.org.uk/bubblerush

UK registered charity no 297489

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Gary Rackley High Quality Decorator Interior & Exterior

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Insurance Work Undertaken Established 26 Years City & Guilds Qualified 01923 460701 07721 624326 garyrackley@hotmail.co.uk

Matthew Hayden 01582 270715 07970 720911

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NOW at Shuttleworth

NOW at RAF London The Spitfire Experience

Classic Motor Show 3rd April Hundreds of pre and post war era classic vehicles as well as iconic cars of the 80s will be on display for the 5th Classic Rally and Autojumble. Judges will be looking for class winners and ‘Car of the Show’.

There will be a live arena featuring motoring heritage from the 1940s - 1980s as well as a selection of trade and Autojumble stands and craft stalls.

The Model Club will be putting on two flying displays and will be on hand to chat about their hobby.

Come and meet ‘OSCAR’, Bedfordshire’s simulator safety car!

Adult £20, concs £17.50, child free Tickets include The Collection and The Swiss Garden ‘Design Your Garden’ Workshop 9th April Learn the basics of garden design and pick up expert tips from RHS and Chelsea Flower Show award winning garden designer Philippa Pearson. Using the Swiss Garden as a base for looking at garden layout and landscape design, the workshop will include practical sessions and lunch.

Please book as spaces are limited, for ages 16+ National Garden Scheme Open Day 24th April 9.30am - 5pm The Swiss Garden will be open as part of the National Garden Scheme Open Day with a colourful plant fair.

Adult £8, concs £7, child free The Shuttleworth Collection Beds SG18 9EP 01767 627 927 www.shuttleworth.org

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16th, 23rd, 24th & 30th April 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st & 28th May 11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm Climb inside the Spitfire MK16 and take the pilot’s seat, learn about the aircraft and see what it would have been like to fly this amazing plane. This is a once in a lifetime experience, please take note of access restrictions before buying your tickets: You must be physically fit to climb a small number of steps to get into the cockpit, wear trousers and flat shoes with good grip.

You can take photos once inside the cockpit, but please only bring a camera that can be put into a pocket or one with a strap.

This new experience is led by our team of volunteers. £22.50 RAF Museum London NW9 5LL 020 8205 2266 www.rafmuseum.org.uk

Herts Motorcycle Run and Show 1st May This year’s 60 mile Motorcycle Run starts at the Herts Police HQ, Stanborough Road, Welwyn Garden City and finishes at the Motorcycle Show, North Weald Airfield, Epping, Essex CM16 6AA home of Herts Air Ambulance.

The event opens at 9am and the Run leaves at 10.30am.

The Show will include trade stands from various motorcycle dealers, activities and the opportunity to try out the latest demo bikes.

The Herts Air Ambulance helicopter will be present subject to operations, for people to see and meet the crew.

Please note ‘L’ plate riders can’t take part due to the route being on motorways.

Min age: 18 years, rider only £10, rider + pillion £15 To register and for more information please visit www.hertsairambulance.uk.com

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Harpenden Writers

Status Menswear Closes After 50 Years Status Menswear which has been trading in Vaughan Road since 1966 providing Menswear and Formal Hire for the local community, are sad to announce they are closing down due to higher rents and the growing popularity of on-line shopping.

Owner Tony Doyle, tells us a bit about its history “The shop then, Peters Menswear opened in 1966 was run very successfully by my brother, Peter. We changed the name to Status Menswear in 1984 as we wanted to give the shop a more corporate image, Peter then retired and I continued to run the shop with his occasional help covering holidays. We introduced ‘formal hire’ in 1996 which now accounts for around 50% of the business and continues to show growing demand within the Harpenden area, so we plan to continue this side of the business from home, and will be able to offer internet prices to our customers due to our lower overheads” Tony will continue to offer the ‘Peter Posh Formal Hire’ ranges and pure wool custom made suits on a mobile basis via local Wedding Fairs and direct to customers homes. So if you require an outfit for Ascot, a wedding or other formal event please do not hesitate to call Tony on 07799 494002.

They are offering 10% off Hire Prices for summer weddings if you book hire suits or custom made suits for this summer by early May when the shop will finally close.

Harpenden Writers are a group of published, established and aspiring writers, who produce work very varied as to subject and style, whether in poetry, prose, drama or articles. Serious or frivolous, autobiographical or wildly fanciful, all styles of writing are acceptable.

Members read their work to the group from time to time, when those who wish it may receive constructive criticism and advice. This can be great fun, and encourages the diffident new writer. An internal competition for prose and poetry is held every year. Members are also encouraged to take part in outside competitions.

The programme includes lectures on all aspects of writing. A few go on to study for higher academic achievement.

Meetings are held 10am -12 noon on the first Friday of each month (except August) at the Friends Meeting House, 12 Southdown Road Harpenden.

1st April: Winners of prose and poetry competitions to be announced.

6th May: Read Around - optional theme ‘Travelling’ New members and visitors are always welcome.

An atmosphere of friendliness characterises the group and makes it special. For further information please call 01582 760564 or visit www.harpendenwriters.com

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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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Spring Special!

25% off Shutters 20% off all Blinds, Awnings, Poles & Curtains

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NOW at the Local Theatres Weston Auditorium

Abbey Theatre

Interlopers by Permindar Kaur until 7th May A new body of work by this highly regarded British artist, including a dramatic new installation spanning the glass front of the Gallery space. Black, faceless teddies have been released, climbing, travelling, exploring and perhaps considering escape.

Combining the innocence of cuddly toys with an underlying threat or vulnerability. Free Art and Design Gallery College Lane Campus, St Albans

Our House by Tim Firth 7th - 9th April 7.30pm 9th April 2.30pm St Albans Youth Music Theatre present a fun and energetic musical based on hits by Madness, in which hero Joe faces a simple matter of wrong versus right: stay and face the music, or run away.

Shhh! Family Dance Workshop 2nd April 12.30pm - 1.30pm Take to the stage in a one-hour family dance workshop before the afternoon performance – no experience necessary!

Join members of the cast for a fun interactive dance session that will get all the family moving, £3.

Shhh!

2nd April 4pm A feel-good show for all the family. This is a magical and entertaining tale of libraries, literature and love, where books come to life and the community comes together. C-12 Dance Theatre present this exciting contemporary dance production perfect for bookworms and dance fans alike.

Adult £10, concs £7 & £5.

Weston Auditorium de Havilland Campus, Hatfield AL10 9EU 01707 281127 www.herts.ac.uk/artsandgalleries

by Jez Butterworth

Hawthorne Theatre The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 6th - 8th April 6.30pm & 7th April 2pm Presented by Splitz. When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy and her dog Toto are whisked away in their house to the Wonderful Land of Oz. Adult £14, concs £9 16th April 7.45pm Clare Hammond – Piano Welwyn Garden Concert Club presents the fifth of six Chamber Music Concerts.

Adult £17, concs £5 Fame: The Musical 29th & 30th April 7.30pm & 30th April 2.30pm RARE Productions, the UK’s largest youth musical theatre company present this popular musical show.

Hawthorne Theatre, Campus West, WGC AL8 6BX www.hawthornetheatre.co.uk

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Parlour Song 22nd & 23rd & 26th - 30th April 8pm 24th April 2.30pm Hertfordshire-born playwright Jez Butterworth creates a world of paranoia set in a housing estate near St Albans. While Joy finds diversion in a loveless affair, her husband, the demolitions expert Ned, wants to know why his possessions keep disappearing. And what’s the weird next-door neighbour Dale got to do with anything?

Abbey Theatre, St Albans 01727 857861 www.abbeytheatre.org.uk

Trestle Arts Base With a Little Bit of Luck 25th April 7.30pm presented by Paines Plough and Latitude Festival Nadia is swept up in one hot summer’s night of love that promises endless possibilities. Drinking, dancing, hope, ambition, lust, greed...and decisions that will determine the rest of her life.

Rhythmically underscored by a live mix of old school UK Garage, award-winning writer Sabrina Mahfouz explores the legacy of a cultural movement that defined the hopes of a generation. adult £12, £10 Trestle Arts Base, St Albans AL4 0JQ 01727 850950 www.trestle.org.uk

Redbourn Players The Secret Tent by Elizabeth Addyman 28th - 30th April 7.30pm It opens on a happy domestic scene, Chris Martyn is preparing to attend an old boys’ reunion and his wife Ruth is visiting the cinema with her friend while her mother-in-law baby-sits. When Ruth fails to return home, the police are called and Chris has the traumatic experience of having to identify his murdered wife. This play is renowned for its intense atmosphere; we defy you to guess the conclusion!

Adult £9, concs £7 Redbourn Village Hall 01582 622667 www.redbournvillage.org.uk

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NOW at the Cathedral More to Explore Tours Join our knowledgeable Cathedral Guides for a fascinating tour which reveals some of the building’s hidden gems and little known secrets.

Queen Eleanor: She of the Crosses 3rd April 3pm Free Women in the Abbey 1st May 3pm Free Lecture: God, the Big Bang and Stephen Hawking 6th April 7.30pm Canon Scientist, the Revd Prof David Wilkinson, will describe current models of the origin of the universe and reflect on the theological questions which will naturally arise. £6

Family Discovery Morning Cosmic Costumes - 1700 years of fashion!

7th April 10am - 12.30pm Learn about clothes and fashion since the time of St Alban. See what it’s like to wear the clothes of a Saxon, a Tudor, or even a Roman soldier, for ages 3 - 11. Arrive before 11.30am to complete all activities. Meet in the North Transept. Free The Sixteen Pilgrimage 2016: The Deer’s Cry 9th April 7.30pm, pre-concert talk 7pm Music by Byrd , Arvo Pärt and Tallis Conductor: Harry Christophers £30, £25, £12, concs half price Exhibition: Revelation Threads 19th April - 5th June Spectacular display of textile art created by artist Jacqui Parkinson, showing images from the book of Revelation. Raising issues of life and faith, good and evil, death and judgement, resurrection and a

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new Heaven and a new Earth, it has been designed as a set of fourteen panels which will be on display around Cathedral.

Lunchtime Organ Recital 20th April 12.30pm Jonathan Vaughn, Assistant Organist, Wells Cathedral. Free, retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds Tower Tours 30th April & 28th May 10am, 11.30am, 1pm, 2.30pm Taking you to the top of the Norman Bell Tower, North Transept Gallery, ringing and bell chambers, and out onto the tower roof. £8, please book.

Classical Greats 30th April 7.30pm St Albans Choral Society Haydn - Te Deum in C, Hob Xlllc: 2 Mozart - Ave verum corpus, K618 Mozart - Symphony No 40 in G minor, K550 Beethoven - Mass in C, Op 86 with Orchestra Nova George Vass (conductor); Daisy Brown (soprano); Rebecca Afonwy-Jones (mezzo soprano); Ben Alden (tenor); Michael Bundy (baritone) £25 - £12, child £5 Become an Official Explorer of the Cathedral Whenever you visit, with our Children’s Explorer Guide you can find out more about Saint Alban, follow a fun trail around the Cathedral and learn fascinating facts as you go. £1

01727 890290 www.stalbanscathedral.org

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and Dishwashers ● Repair Leaking Pipes ● Outside Taps

Dean Herrington 01727 764217 07830 159010 info@djmplumbing.co.uk www.djmplumbing.co.uk

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What’s on in April 42

2nd Chas & Dave see page 18 Soroptimist Women's Group Quiz Night Homewood Road Church Hall, St Albans, 07884 185925, fish & chip supper, in aid of International Peace Initiatives, 7.15pm, adult £12.50, child £8 www.sigbi.org/st-albans An Evening with Ian Waite & Camilla Dallerup Campus West, Welwyn Garden City, 8pm, adult £26, concs £23 2nd & 3rd Bricktraders Inn The Park, Verulamium Park, St Albans AL3 4SN buy, sell, trade & create with Lego, 10am - 5pm www.bricktraders.co.uk 3rd Classic Motor Show see page 32 4th - 8th Easter Holiday Drama Workshops Harpenden Salvation Army Hall, 3-6 & 7-12 yrs www.hurstchildrenstheatregroup.co.uk 4th, 5th & 7th Holiday Workshops Tring Natural History Museum HP23 6AP activities for ages 5+ www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/tring 5th ‘An Artist's Palette’ by Alison Mount Harpenden Floral Decoration Club, Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 621757, all welcome, 2pm 6th & 7th Easter Cookery Course see page 23 6th - 8th The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Campus West, Welwyn Garden City, £14, concs £9 7th Horrid Henry Storybook Making see page 9 The Three Degrees see page 4 7th - 9th Our House see page 36 8th Herts WI Fashion Show Wheathampstead Memorial Hall, 7pm 9th Wheathampstead Open Spaces Volunteers Devils Dyke, Wheathampstead,10am, contact Parish Office for more info 10th Muddy Mucker see page 30 Wildlife Photography Workshop see page 15 12th Talk: Distinctive Containers: Spring & Autumn Roundwood Park School, Harpenden Gardening Society: £3, 8pm www.harpendengardeningsociety.org 12th & 24th Save the Bluebells see page 24

13th Volunteer Centre Session Harpenden Library, find out about volunteering, 9.30am - 12.30pm Forgeries St Albans, Harpenden & District Philatelic Society, St Mary's Church, Childwickbury, 01582 762284, 8pm 13th - 15th Visiting Hour see page 37 16th Volunteer Open Day Shaw’s Corner, recruiting volunteers, 10am - 2pm, book on 01438 820307 16th & 17th East of England Food Festival see page 24 19th Adult Art Classes Sandridge, summer term of Start Art, (11 weeks daytime) all abilities, learn, improve & enjoy, 07845 663633 20th Don Giovanni - Mozart see page 26 Messy Welly Club: Chicks & Nests Rye Meads Nature Reserve SG12 8JS 01992 708381, outdoor play for under 5’s, 10.30 - 11.30am www.rspb.org.uk/ryemeads 23rd Kinsbourne Common Fete see page 25 Street Theatre Extravaganza see page 6 23rd & 24th Shakespeare Songs & Sonnets see page 26 St Georges Festival see page 25 24th Songbook Collective Bedford Esquires, 7.30pm with the members of the Paul Weller Band, £16 in advance www.seetickets.com 26th Talk: F H Crittall: Metal Windows & Modernism

by Adam Smith, Harpenden Local History Society, Harpenden Small Public Hall, 8pm 28th Winter Journey Tring Natural History Museum HP23 6AP learn about Captain Scott's fateful last expedition, 7pm - 8pm, £4.50, booking required, suitable for adults www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/tring 29th April - 2nd May Kimpton May Festival see page 24 30th Classical Greats see page 38 Archaeology Apprentices Verulamium Museum, St Albans, 01727 751810, come & sort out our finds trays & reconstruct broken objects free, ages 5 - 11, 2.30pm - 4.30pm 30th April - 2nd May Hertfordshire Garden Show see page 24 30th April - 1st July Exhibition: Hertfordshire Heroines Hertford Museum www.hertshiddenheroines.org.uk ]

01582 864138 / 01727 453019

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What’s on in May

ure de Dante’

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1st Beltane Summer Festival Celtic Harmony Camp, Hertford SG13 8NY live music, fire breathing, bushcraft & owl displays, 10am - 5pm, £10, under 2s free Mad Hatters May Day Festval The Shuttleworth Collection, Beds SG18 9EP www.shuttleworth.org Volunteer Centre Session Harpenden Library, find out about volunteering opportunities 2nd May Day Celebrations British Schools Museum Hitchin, maypole dancing & more, 10.30am 12.30pm, free www.britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk 3rd A Box of Delights by Jane Ellis Harpenden Floral Decoration Club, Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 621757, all welcome, 2pm 5th - 8th Living Crafts Hatfield House, 10am - 5pm, adult £8, concs £7 / £3.50 www.hatfield-house.co.uk 7th Roy G Hemmings ‘The Sound of Philadelphia’ Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 767525, with original Drifters band member, 7.30pm, £15 8th Songs of Praise with Pam Rhodes St John’s Church, Harpenden, 6.30pm Brahms Piano Concerto Weston Auditorium, de Havilland Campus, 01707 281127, De Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra, adult £20, concs £6 - £15, 7.30pm www.herts.ac.uk 9th Adult Art Classes Sandridge, summer term of Start Art, (9 weeks daytime) all abilities, learn, improve & enjoy, 07845 663633 Chamber Music Festival Launch Concert Hatfield House, 7.30pm, £15 - £35 www.hatfieldhousemusicfestival.org.uk 10th Talk: The Gardens of Ireland Letta Jones, Harpenden Gardening Society, Roundwood Park School, £3, 8pm www.harpendengardeningsociety.org 12th The Icicle Works Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 767525, 7.30pm, £17.50 Somewhere in England Roe Hill Hall, Briar’s Lane, Hatfield, wartime story of the arrival of American GIs in East Anglia, adult £7, concs £5, 7.30pm www.herts.ac.uk 13th Movie Night: Spartacus Verulamium Museum, 01727 751810, please book, £5, 7pm 13th - 15th & 17th - 21st Twelfth Night Abbey Theatre, St Albans, 01727 857861

14th Elgar Symphony No.2 Workshop St Saviour's Church, Sandpit Lane, St Albans, St Albans Symphony Orchestra, 7.30pm Christian O’Connell Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 767525, follow his journey from teenage mixtape maker to award winning DJ, 8pm, £15 Day Trip to Guilsborough NGS Gardens & Coton Manor with Harpenden Gardening Society please book www.harpendengardeningsociety.org 14th World Food Festival outside The Howard Centre, WGC, AL8 6HA live music, entertainment, fine food, craft stalls & cooking demos, 11am - 4pm 14th & 15th Aeromodellers Weekend www.shuttleworth.org 15th Mayors City Sprint Marathon www.renniegrove.org 18th Messy Welly Club: Bugs & Beetles Rye Meads Nature Reserve, Stanstead Abbotts SG12 8JS 01992 708381, outdoor play for under 5’s, 10.30 - 11.30am www.rspb.org.uk/ryemeads 19th Mike Hodge Golf Day Aldwickbury Park Golf Club Harpenden, in aid of Rennie Grove, 01582 760244 19th - 21st Ladies in Retirement The Memorial Hall, Marford Road, Wheathampstead, horrifying murder play www.wheathampsteaddramaticsociety.co.uk 21st Markyate Plant Sale 64 High Street, Markyate, AL3 8HZ, in aid of The Hospice of St Francis, 10am 22nd Wheathampstead 10Kwww.wheathampstead10k.co.uk 24th Sex, Crime, Punishment & Philanthropy Harpenden Public Halls, stories from the Rothamsted diaries of John Bennet Lawes, Harpenden Local History Society, 8pm 26th Specimen Stories Tour Tring Natural History Museum HP23 6AP learn about Walter Rothschild & hear the amazing stories behind the specimens, for adults, 7pm - 8pm, £4.50, please book Buddy Holly & The Cricketers Harpenden Public Halls, 01582 767525, 7.30pm, £18.50, concs £17 28th & 29th American Air Show IWM Duxford CB22 4QR story of American & British collaboration over 100 years, 8am - 6pm www.iwm.org.uk Herts County Show The Showground, Redbourn 31st Viking Invaders Verulamium Museum, 01727 751810, holiday activities for 6 - 11 years, £6 please book, 10.30am - 12.30pm & 2pm - 4pm

www.theNOWmagazines.com

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Index of Businesses

Accountants Hicks TaxAssist Accountants

45 45

Adult Art Classes Start Art!

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Domestic Appliance Repairs Leigh Hibon

Aerial Installations & Repairs Concorde Aerials

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Fencing Verulam Fencing

Beauty Lavender & Stone Templespa

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Bicycle Repairs Cycletech Hertfordshire

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Oven Cleaning 8 Ovenmaster

Dance & Drama Stagecoach

Financial Management AMR Financial Management

35

Building Services Brockhall Building Services

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Car Body Repairs Prestige Paint Shop Ltd

11

Car Servicing / Repairs M Chapman Auto Services Ltd

Gas K25

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Charity Traid

Glassware Repairs Chipped Glassware

30

Chiropodist Kathy Witchard

Hearing Services Hearing Healthcare Practice

29

Indian Restaurant Shapla

Cleaning Domestique Merrivac Mobile Maid Services Murray’s Cleaning Services

21 20 20 20

Insurance NFU Mutual

Computer Repairs Ken Hodson

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Kindergarten / Nursery Artisans Redbourn House Day Nursery

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Organ Theatre St Albans Organ Theatre

Conservatory Roof Solutions Nu-Look

Gardening / Landscaping AR Landscapes Ltd Garden Life Landscapes Greenshouse & Gardens Supagrass

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Garden Centre / Nursery Bridge Valley 3 Burston Garden Centre Townsend Nursery 13 & back cover

Blinds Harpenden Blinds

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Pond Maintenance Women With Waders

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Property Maintenance The 50plus

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17 13 Roofing 12 K & D Flat Roofing 15 Security Maximum Security Systems 41 Shutters Just Shutters 23 Tree Surgeons Fircroft Tree Surgery Ltd 27 Tyre Fitting Big D’s Tyres 23 Window Cleaner Harpenden Window Cleaning 5 Windows & Doors AA Window Repairs 9 Cloudy2Clear Kings Windows 9 Sash Restorations Ltd 2

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