st albans NOW December 13

st albans

NOW

December 2013

Look inside for...

Where’s Santa

Christmas Music It’s Panto Time!

Get Your Skates on

What’s on and more

view ‘the NOW magazines’ online

promoting local businesses organisations and events since 2006

choose local first

ST ALBANS ARTISTIC ROLLER SKATING CLUB Affiliated to the Federation of Artistic Roller Skating

Learn to Roller Skate Properly BOYS and GIRLS The Club has a Newcomers Session at Marlborough School, Watling Street, St Albans, AL1 2QA on Tuesdays from 5 - 6 pm @ ÂŁ5 per skater, with some skates available for hire.

We are looking for new recruits aged 4+ to join us in the New Year Our first session for this class is Tuesday 7th January.

New skaters are taught the FARS Basic Skills Grades and then can work through to Advanced Grades and on to Proficiency Tests.

Our Club skaters range from Beginners to Internationals, and are trained in the three disciplines of Figures (technical side), Free Skating (jumps and spins) and Solo Dance (Tango, Waltz‌..).

07850 105505

01727 830332

maryrose.whiteley@ntlworld.com www.starsskatingclub.com

2

NOW Where’s Santa?

4

Welcome to December

find a Santa near you

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 st albans NOW or read it online www.theNOWmagazines.com

jane & wendy to advertise call 07983 588291 / 313 jane@thenowmagazines.com Deadline for next editions: 8th December

NOW for Some Christmas Music 18 carols for all

Get Your Skates On! 24 dancing on ice

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

Children’s Carols at the Abbey 28 music & fun

NOW at Dunstable Downs 32 walks & more

NOW at Abbey Theatre 38 The Railway Children & The Price

NOW at the Maltings 38 folk, comedy & a fairytale

Consumer Advice NOW 40 BBC Three Counties Radio

It’s Panto Time! 40 It’s behind you...

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

Congratulations to our 5 lucky winners of last months Pizza Express competition.

To Advertise Contact 07983 588291 or jane@theNOWmagazines.com

3

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

4

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

www.theNOWmagazines.com

5

Christmas Card Making Kits ‘Handmade By’ (in conjunction with Wobbly Brushes from Inn on the Park) Christmas Card Making Kits are now ready to buy. Choose from Handprint Santa and Christmas Tree, or Hand/footprint Reindeer and Christmas Turkey.

Only £6.50 for 8 cards, great fun for the children this Christmas.

Contact us via facebook or ross_nicki@hotmail.com for more information.

6

www.theNOWmagazines.com

7

8

www.theNOWmagazines.com

9

Let us Create a Beautiful Floor For You 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

Verulam Fencing • All Fencing Products • Top Quality Fencing • Repair & Maintenance • Fence Painting & Treatment • Gates & Trellis • All work Guaranteed • Free Quotations • Friendly Reliable Local Service Call Nick 07737 284711 nick.morgan87@googlemail.com

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

Free

No Obligation

Consultation, Measuring & Quotation

Winter Sale!

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

Teresa & Kevin Buckler

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

10

www.theNOWmagazines.com

11

St Albans Cycle Campaign...

Contact PLC SECURITY for advice on keeping your home secure

020 8868 1367

12

sales@plcsecurity.com

...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!

Nick The Handyman All aspects of Property Maintenance

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

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

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

www.theNOWmagazines.com

13

AXI M UM SECURITY SYSTEMS LTD.

We Install Quality Systems for • Burglar Alarms • CCTV • Access Control We also service, upgrade and maintain existing alarm systems

For a free estimate and consultation please contact us www.maximumsecuritysystems.co.uk

14

I & B ELECTRICAL Free Quotes & Competitive Prices ♦PAT

Testing Lights & Sockets ♦Carbon & Smoke Detectors ♦Rewires & Fuse Boxes ♦Security Lighting ♦Additional

Periodic Inspections & Testing carried out by our independent NAPIT registered engineer Local to St Albans

01582 864138 / 07720 089269

daytime

We are a family run business with over 35 years experience in home security and crime prevention

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

evening (6 - 9.30pm)

0800 612 1350

www.theNOWmagazines.com

15

A Wheelie Special Christmas ‘Alloy Wheel Refurbishment and customisation like no other, helping you have a wheelie special Christmas’ Successful business team John and Amanda Tice have recently joined the nationwide franchise The Wheel Specialist, opening their own unique business in St Albans. The business specialises in exclusive alloy wheel repair and customisation services. Their services range from a total wheel refurbishment of damaged or corroded alloys, diamond cutting to colour changing in a wide range of finishes.

With no local alloy refurbishment business to match John’s high standards, he previously travelled all the way to The Wheel Specialist branch in Southampton to have his wheels refurbed. He was so impressed with the service

he received he decided to buy the business!

This is when John recognised the need for a quality wheel specialist in the local area, he is confident his new business venture is a service St Albans will love.

This superior service will be available with a same day service, 12 month guarantee and for a fraction of the price of replacement wheels. You can get also purchase TWS Gift Vouchers and give your loved ones something they’ll really love this Christmas.

Are your wheels in need of a specialist touch?

Give them a call on 01727 220023 or go to www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk for an instant online quote.

DJ&M Plumbing Services Ltd We care about your small jobs too! ● Electric and Power Showers Fitted ● Ball Valves and Overflows ● Blocked WC’s, Sinks, Baths and Basins ● Repair/Renew Stopcocks and Taps ● Plumb in Washing Machines

and Dishwashers ● Repair Leaking Pipes ● Outside Taps

Dean Herrington 01727 764217 07830 159010 info@djmplumbing.co.uk www.djmplumbing.co.uk see our main advert on the inside back cover

16

www.theNOWmagazines.com

17

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

18

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

Hertfordshire's First Leading Prestige Vehicle Marketing Agency

Similar Urgently Required

Similar Urgently Required

We urgently require your Prestige, Sports, Classic, Kit or Supercar for awaiting buyers

Key benefits Unrivalled local vehicle marketing

√

Maximum vehicle exposure

√

V5 cherished number plates transferred and retention arranged

Please call Jerry Nolan now for more information on 01727 800180 or 07572 721039 email me at info@nolanprestige.co.uk

Similar Urgently Required

√

√

Fixed fees on a no sale, no fee basis

√

A family run business

√

This is not part of our business, it’s our only business

√

Best prices achieved

√

Our aim is 100% customer retention

Similar Urgently Required

nolanprestige.co.uk

www.theNOWmagazines.com

19

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

JB TV SERVICES EST 1960

REPAIRER OF LCD/PLASMA TV/VIDEO/AUDIO/DVD

• REPAIRS TO ALL

MAKES & MODELS • AUTHORISED REPAIRER OF

SONY, JVC, PANASONIC TV/VIDEO/DIGITAL/TUNING/ FREEVIEW INSTALLATION & SET UP

07961 420535

20

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!

www.theNOWmagazines.com

21

before

after

Linda & Karen Cleaning Services

CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

• 28 Years Experience • Simple Honest Pricing • Friendly and Reliable • Service You Can Trust

CLEANING COMPANY Carpets - Upholstery - Oriental Rugs Leather Cleaning and Recolouration Carpet Repairs - Anti Dust Mite Soil Protection - Hard Floors Amtico Floors - Stain Removal Call for an Appointment

01582 418777

22

www.theNOWmagazines.com

23

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

24

Listen out for Santa Our Christmas float is coming to a road near you soon. Watch out for Santa and his helpers. You can see where he’ll be going by visiting www.stalbansroundtable.org.uk Remember to tweet when you see him: #sartsanta or @SARoundTable Please note that these routes are subject to change. We have worked very hard on these routes and we try our best to cover as many roads and get Santa to visit as many places as possible. However, Santa’s Sleigh is quite old and may not make it everywhere and those Reindeer and Elves can be temperamental, too.

So we promise to try as hard as we can but we may not make it to all places we plan to come to - you should however be close enough to hear Santa and catch a glimpse in most places along our route. Enjoy!

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.

out for Santa

as float is coming to a road near you h out for Santa and his helpers. You ere he’ll be going by visiting

to tweet when you see him:

that these routes are subject to have worked very hard on these we try our best to cover as many et Santa to visit as many places as owever, Santa’s Sleigh is quite old t make it everywhere and those nd Elves can be temperamental, too. ise to try as hard as we can but we ke it to all places we plan to come to d however be close enough to hear atch a glimpse in most places along

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. 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 St Albans pulls together to help keep families facing the challenges of life-limiting illness together throughout the festive season and beyond. www.renniegrove.org 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

Dunstable Hospital invites you to this Christmas’ to patients hristmas Day in hospital. dly donated by our supporters mazon wish list as a guide to as! There are lists for our female ale patients, teenagers and h all items under £10 and the der £5. It’s set up so all gifts are raight to us, so you don't need to

and search nd 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

www.theNOWmagazines.com

25

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

26

Beautiful selection of jewellery and gifts online at

www.theNOWmagazines.com

27

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

28

www.theNOWmagazines.com

29

30

Thursdays 'Special Offers' Any Colour, Cut & Blow-Dry' only £55 Daily Brow Bar

£5 OFF Moroccanoil Stockist

Dry Cut £14 Wash & Cut £18 Cut & Blow-Dry £27 Gents £12 Under 12’s £8 Colouring Half Head Foils £40 Full Head Foils £55

With our graduate stylist Kelsey

Come and have a Mince Pie in our warm cosy salon

22 High Oaks St Albans 01727 857118 www.chestnuthair.co.uk Facebook - chestnut hair

www.theNOWmagazines.com

31

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!

New Year’s Resolution Walk

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.

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: Highfield Park Charters Health Club car park, Hill End Lane, opposite Spar, Mondays 9.30am, Tuesdays 1.30pm Greenwood Park Meet outside Greenwood Park Community Centre, Tippendell Lane, Chiswell Green, Fridays 2pm Bricket Wood Moor Mill Pub car park, off Smug Oak Lane, Bricket Wood, Sundays 19th January, 16th March, 10.30am Heartwood Forest Meet in Heartwood Forest car park, High Street, Sandridge Sunday 16th February 10.30am For more information on Hertfordshire Healthwalks please visit www.hertslink.org/cms/healthwalks

32

www.theNOWmagazines.com

33

34

www.theNOWmagazines.com

35

Humpty Dumpty The nursery rhyme of Humpty Dumpty will be familiar to many. Opinions differ as to whether Humpty Dumpty is simply word play or refers to a real event, and if so, where? Some people claim that it refers to an event in the Civil War. In 1648 the Royalists were besieged within the walls of Colchester where it is said a one-eyed gunner ‘Thompson’ placed himself and his saker (small cannon) on the top of the tower of a church just behind the wall - “St Mary-at-the -walls”. He fired on the Parliamentarian forces who were laying siege to the town. Finally the Parliamentarians were able to hit the church, and part of the tower along with Thompson and his gun came tumbling down. In recent times local folklore has attached this story to that of the nursery rhyme character Humpty Dumpty.

Eventually Colchester surrendered and the Royalist troops rounded up. It is as this point that St Albans enters the story, as some of the Royalist troops were brought to St Albans and held in St Peter’s Church.

The glass in the windows was removed to provide them with air. St Albans was pro Parliament but in spite of this the townspeople took pity on the prisoners and contributed to the cost of feeding them. Unlike a fairy tale there was no happy ending. The prisoners were eventually taken from the town to be sold into slavery to work as galley slaves on Venetian ships, or

36

work on sugar plantations in the West Indies.

So how much of this is true? There was a siege at Colchester and the tower of St Mary-at-the-walls was damaged in the siege. The defeated Royalists were brought to St Albans. What is disputed is if the story inspired the nursery rhyme. Of course it could be a riddle and Humpty is really an egg .......well it is the pantomime season!

Elizabeth Eastwood, City & District of St Albans Tour Guide

www.theNOWmagazines.com

37

NOW at Abbey Theatre

NOW at the Maltings Folk @ The Maltings Spanish Civil War Statue Memorial Benefit 6th Dec, 8pm, £10, concs £8 A special evening to raise funds for a statue by local sculptor Frank Casey of Tom Watters, the last surviving British veteran of the Spanish Civil War. Tom lived in St Albans after his return from Spain and died last year at the age of 99. Local duo na-mara will be performing their songs about the Spanish Civil War and the Britons who fought fascism in Spain in the 1930s, joined by Linda Fryd and other local singers.

Songs in the Key of Lee 7th Dec, 8pm, £10, concs £8 A sell-out at the Blue Room in London, St Albans singer Fenella Lee brings an exciting and eclectic mix of iconic songs to the Maltings. Think Sondheim and Coward, Dylan and Winehouse, and a dash of Kate Bush on the side. Humour and heartbreak and everything in between...

The Railway Children

by E Nesbit, adapted by Mike Kenny Company of Ten Main Stage 20th, 23rd and 27th Dec, 7.30pm / 21st, 22nd, 28th and 29th Dec, 2.30pm and 5.30pm Three children leave their home in prosperous Edwardian London to live in the country with their mother after their father is falsely accused and imprisoned. The railway becomes the centre for many exciting adventures and fascinating new friends are made along the way. This adaptation has won many plaudits from audience members both young and old. Funny, clever and moving, this is the perfect stop for all the family this Christmas.

The Price by Arthur Miller Company of Ten Abbey Theatre Studio 23rd Jan - 1st Feb, 8pm Matinee: 26th Jan, 2.30pm Two estranged brothers meet at their childhood home to agree a price for the furniture of their late father with Solomon, a shrewd antiques-dealer. As the brothers reminisce, conflicting memories of the past ignite tension and bitterness, and they are forced to question the much wider cost of life itself, where every decision comes at a price. The Price was nominated for two Tony Awards, including best play.

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

38

A Victorian Christmas 10th Dec, 8pm, £10, concs £7.50 Join this acclaimed historical entertainment company for a fun and festive celebration of the Yuletide with music, song, stories and drama from the time of Dickens and Hardy. Guaranteed to delight and enthral audiences of all ages.

Flanders & Swann Unplugged 13th & 14th Dec, 8pm, concs £7.50 A delightful evening of homage to the wit and comic genius of Michael Flanders and Donald Swann.

Hansel & Gretel 19th & 20th Dec, 7.30pm £14 Engelbert Humperdink’s charming and delightful opera Hansel and Gretel, full of wonderful tunes, lots of magic and drama. Directed by John Heath with Simon Haynes on piano and performed by members of the SACO principals and chorus. www.ticketsource.co.uk/ovo 0844 8700 887

www.theNOWmagazines.com

39

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!

40

card when buying over ected by the consumer over £100, but you’re ney back using a credit eque or bank transfer.

uy Christmas presents

en buying goods in this

hen you buy new items

e liable for the postage

you don’t want unhappy esents are NOT under

www.theNOWmagazines.com

41

What’s on in December 42

up to 21st St Albans Christmas Market see page 28 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 5th A Celebration of Christmas page 18 Mechanical Instrument Christmas Special see page 18 6th Folk at the Maltings Concert Maltings Arts Theatre, 8pm, £10, concs £8 SleepOut at the Cathedral see page 26 6th Dec - 5th Jan Cinderella see page 40 7th Evening Standards at Christmas Abbey Theatre, 01727 857861, songs from the Great American Songbook by The Project www.theproject.biz 8pm Winter Wonderland see page 28 Benjamin Britten: Sacred & Profane & Christmas Music see page 18 The Christmas Story see page 18 Songs In The Key Of Lee see page 39 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 Indoor Craft Market The Old Town Hall, St Albans, 9.30 - 2.30pm Christmas Fair Ashridge Estate, 10 - 4pm, free Sunday Afternoon Organ Recital Tom Winpenny, St Albans Cathedral, 5.15pm, free 8th & 15th Christmas Bazaar see page 32 9th Shake, Rattle & Sing St Albans City Station Soroptimist women’s group carol singing from 6pm www.sigbi.org/st-albans 10th A Victorian Christmas Maltings Arts Theatre, 8pm, £10, £7.50 10th - 15th Christmas Tree Festival St Nicholas Church, Harpenden 10th: Grand Opening /14th: Children's Day adult £5, child free

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 40 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 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 A Celebration of Christmas Marlborough Road Methodist Church, 07884 231958, £13, 7pm Tree Planting at Heartwood see page 46 The Mechanical Instrument Christmas Special St Albans Organ Theatre, 03003 656565, £5.50 17th Christmas Carol Concert in aid of Grove House see page 18 19th & 20th Hansel & Gretel see page 39 20th - 29th The Railway Children Abbey Theatre see page 38 21st Carols On The Hour St Albans Cathedral, see page 18 21st - 31st Beauty & the Beast see page 40 23rd Charity Christmas Concert see page 18 24th Crib Service see page 28 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 32 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

Justin Leon Garden Maintenance All Aspects of Gardening Undertaken

Including Decking Overhaul Patio Washing & Repair Also offering Painting and Decorating

07789 961233

www.theNOWmagazines.com

43

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 7th - 11th Harpenden Gang Show Harpenden Public Halls www.hwgangshow.org.uk 9th Staje in Concert Abbey Theatre, 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 Jan - 16th March British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013, Stockwood Discovery Centre, collection of photos of winning photos, free 19th Lanwarne at Burston see page 41

22nd Tour: the Abbey by Night St Albans Cathedral, 01727 890213, candlelit tour bringing the buildings remarkable history to life, 8pm & 8.30pm, £12, includes drinks reception 23rd Jan - 1st Feb The Price see page 38 24th 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, 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

NOW for a Good Read Into Thin Air John Krakauer Sometimes the most extraordinary stories are those that are true. This is 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 him 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 while others didn’t, his writing is compelling and the retelling of the 1996 disaster will leave you gasping.

44

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 hols aren’t going to be so dull after all.

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. In his epic journey he encounters many a strange character along the way. Ada, meanwhile, has her own internal struggles to deal. This brilliant and beautifully-written book is

one everyone should read at least once in their lifetime.

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 wellrespected 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?

www.theNOWmagazines.com

45

Index of Businesses

Accountants TaxAssist Accountants

39

Aerial Installations Concorde Aerials

15

Alloy Wheels The Wheel Specialist

17

Art Classes Creative Space FineArt4Kids!

Beauty Skin & Tonic Bicycle Repairs Cycletech Hertfordshire Cabinet Makers Sequoia Bespoke Cafe Molen’s Car Sales Nolan Prestige Carpentry / Joinery Chris Smyth

6 6 3 12 21 47

10

Computer Repairs Doctor Software Counselling / Sex Therapy Michael Stock Dance & Drama Penny Waterman School of Dance Stagecoach

20 31

5 5

22

Painters & Decorators CB Decorators M & M Decorating

13 13

Photographers GP Photography

30

Picture Framing Bloom

21

Plasterer A. Merson Plastering

26

20

Electricians Alban Electrical Services I & B Electrical MLC Electrical

15 14 15

Fencing Verulam Fencing

10

Flooring Creative Wood Flooring

10

Garden Centre Burston Garden Centre

41

Gardening / Landscaping Garden Life Landscapes Justin Leon Lanwarne Landscapes

43 43 41

Pond Maintenance Women With Waders

43

Gas K25

16

Property Maintenance Mr Handyman Nick The Handyman

14 13

Gifts ASHQ.co.uk

27

Glassware Repairs Chipped Glassware

Roller Skating Club St Albans Artistic Roller Skating Club

2

20

School Abbot’s Hill School

7

19

Cleaning Big Yellow Cleaning Company 22 Daily Poppins 27 Domestico back cover Domestique 26 Linda & Karen Cleaning Services 22 Molly Maid 22 Murray’s Cleaning Services 23

Oven Cleaning Ovenmaster

Domestic Appliance Repairs Leigh Hibon

Hairdressers Chestnut Professional Hairdressing Emma Bouchier Health / Fitness / Slimming Intelligent Pilates Lighter Life Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Classes The Fit Lab Hearing Services The Hearing Healthcare Practice Outdoor Clothing & Camping Gear Complete Outdoors

Plumber DJ&M Plumbing Services Ltd

16 & 47

31 31

Security Maximum Security Systems PLC Security

14 12

33 34

Shutters The Harpenden Shutter Company

10

Ticket Sales Great Tickets Ltd

45

Tree Surgeons Fircroft Tree Services.co.uk

43

37

TV Repairs JB TV Services

20

29

Windows & Doors AA Window Repairs Cloudy2Clear Markyate Windows & Doors Sash Restorations Ltd

8 11 9 9

35 36

at Heartwood Forest

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

46

DJ&M PLUMBING SERVICES LTD ●

●

●

●

Complete Bathroom, Cloakroom and Shower Installations

●

●

●

Local Family Run Business, Over 30 Years Experience

●

●

Honest and Reliable Service Free Consultation/ Quotation for all Enquiries

●

Tiling Plastering Electrical

●

Discounts On All Bathrooms Supplied

Electric and Power Showers Ball Valves and Overflows Blocked WC’s, Sinks, Baths and Basins Repair/Renew Stopcocks and Taps Plumb in Washing Machines and Dishwashers Repair Leaking Pipes Outside Taps

Dean Herrington 07830 159010

info@djmplumbing.co.uk

01727 764217 www.djmplumbing.co.uk

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our Clients

www.theNOWmagazines.com

47