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HARPENDEN EVENTSpage 9

HARPENDEN CARNIVALpage 8

OUR PLACE page 12

• All Saints Jubilee

• Your Vote Matters

• Batford Springs LNR

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

FORUMHARPENDEN TOWN COUNCIL’S AWARD WINNING QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

C L O S E R T O T H E C O M M U N I T Y

My Mayoral Year

Wildlife Watch

Streetlight Upgrade

MARCH 2015 - ISSUE 152

and

2 HARPENDEN TOWN COUNCIL, TOWN HALL, LEYTON ROAD, HARPENDEN, HERTS. AL5 2LX

Delivering ‘Quality Status’ services

Corporate Objectives• Topromoteandrepresentthecommunity’sviewsandaspirationsatlocal,county,regionalandnationallevel.

• ToservethosewholiveintheTown,workintheTownandvisittheTown.

• TopromotegrowthofCouncilactivitieswherenewservicescanbetakenoneffectivelyandefficiently.

• TostrivetoimprovethequalityoflifeforallresidentsoftheTown.

• Toworkinpartnershipatlocal,county,regionalandnationalleveltopromoteandprovideforthewellbeingoftheTown.

HarpendenTownCouncildeliversawiderangeofservicestothelocalcommunityincluding:

EnvironmentThe management of 15 allotment sites, the sustainable management and maintenance of the Common and other Greens and Recreation areas including Westfield, Porters Hill and Marquis Lane open space, Batford Springs Local Nature Reserve, the Nickey Line, Lydekker Park and car park, and the Parish Paths Partnership. Land assets including the redevelopment of disused allotment sites. Restoration and rejuvenation projects such as Lydekker Pond and Marquis Lane Field.

Community ServicesThe Town Hall and Information Point, Park Hall community building, Harpenden in Bloom, Farmers’ Market, Community safety including CCTV, Restricted Alcohol Zone and lighting. Christmas celebrations (Christmas Carnival, Christmas lights, poster competition, and the window display competition). Provision of public toilets, bus shelters, litter bins, dog bins, notice boards and bicycle stands.

Democratic Representation and ManagementCommittee and Member support, Civic Representation (Town Mayor support), Planning and Development Control. Town Twinning, Youth Town Council, Grant Aid to local organisations, Communications (Forum newsletter, Town Guide and website). Partnership working.

Corporate ManagementAdministrative and Statutory responsibilities.

BUDGET FIGURES 2015 – 16

� Commons,Greens andPlay Areas£353,431• 38.7%

� DemocraticRepresentation£237,906• 26.1%

� CommunityServices

£91,535 • 10.0%� Corporate

Management andAdministration

£138,269 • 15.1%

� Servicingof Loans

£50,120 • 5.5%

� Allotments£25,559 • 2.8% � Park Hall

£16,050 • 1.8%

make pie 100mm widethen brighten coloursextrude by 60, look in options - blend with 150

Park Hall

Allotments

Servicing of Loans

Community Services

Corporate Management and Administration

Commons, Greens and Play Areas

Democratic Representation

TOTAL COUNCIL TAX REQUIREMENT FOR HARPENDEN TOWN COUNCIL FOR 2015/16 = £912,870 (£910,980 FOR 2014/15)

COST PER “D” BAND PROPERTY PER ANNUM = £67.52 (£67.52 FOR 2014/15). THIS IS AROUND £1.30 PER WEEK

A more detailed breakdown is available on the Town Council’s website

Aims and Objectives 2015/16The Town Council has recently set its budget and precept for 2015/16. This years cost per “D” band property is £67.52 which is the same as last year. Initiatives and issues for 2015/16 include:• NeighbourhoodPlanning.• EnhancingtheChristmasLightsacrossallareasofthetown.• ReceivingplanningsupportfromStAlbansDistrictCouncilplanning

department.• AcquiringopenspacelandatFovantCloseandplantacommunity

orchard. • ContinueinthecampaigntoflytheGreenFlagfromtheCommon

for a ninth consecutive year in recognition of this prestigious award.• TocollaboratewithHarpendenRoundtabletostageacombined

Harpenden Carnival and Common Discovery Day. The event is planned for Saturday 6 June 2015.

• FurthervolunteerprojectdaysontheCommontocarryoutworksonvarious areas of the Common as part of the Management Plan for the Common.

• NegotiateanewleasewithHarpendenCricketClub.• ParticipateinLoveParksWeekinJuly/August2015.• InstallnewupdatedinterpretationboardsontheCommonandin

Lydekker Park.• ProducenewleafletsforLydekkerPark.• ProvideacomputerlinkfromtheInformationPointtotheStAlbans

District Planning pages to facilitate the viewing of planning applications via the Planning Portal.

2015marksthe11thanniversaryofHarpendenTownCouncil’sawardingofQualityTownStatus-arecognisedgovernmentinitiativethatisgiveninrecognitionofhighstandardofservicedelivery.TheawarddemonstratesthatHarpendenTownCouncilhastheabilityandexperiencetopromotegreaterco-operationbetweenthetiersoflocalgovernment.ItencouragesStAlbansDistrictCouncilandHertfordshireCountyCounciltoworkincloserpartnershipwiththeTownCouncilforthebenefitofthelocalcommunity.AsadirectconsequencetheTownCouncilhasbeenverysuccessfulinachievingthedevolutionofassetsfromStAlbansDistrictCouncil,andworkingcloselywithHertfordshireCountyCouncilindeliveringtheHighwaysTogetherscheme.

Mission Statement:To promote the area as a place to live, a place to work, a place to visit and a place to invest.

3Telephone:01582768278•E-mail:[email protected]•Website:www.harpenden.gov.uk

Delivering ‘Quality Status’ services MY MAYORAL YEAR by Mary MaynardWhen I started my Mayoral year last May, I was delighted to have the opportunity and privilege to get closer to the community in Harpenden and to find out what makes this Town tick. I have got closer and I know now what the ‘beating heart’ of our community really is. It is the volunteers who give up their time and expertise to help the young, the infirm and needy and the elderly. They are the unsung heroes of Harpenden and I would like to talk about them (without naming names of course) and what they achieve.

Harpenden is a young town, with a quarter of the population under 16, so let’s start with youth. Our community offers fantastic opportunities for young people to learn, grow and have fun. I have been to many events with the Cubs, Brownies, Scouts and Cadets (Sea, Air, Army and Police). Generations of our children join these groups and as well as learning all sorts of useful things (how to make a rocket out of a cola bottle is my personal favourite) they pick up values which will stay with them for life, from being helpful and kind (for the littlest ones) to the importance of team work, application and perseverance. These young people do a lot for the Town, from attending Remembrance events, to brightening up our January with the immensely popular Gang Show, to the Cubs delivering Christmas cards for our older residents. The volunteers who support them do a fantastic job and I was impressed by their commitment, energy and enthusiasm. We are lucky to have them.

In any community, there are people who need our help. Physical or mental illness can strike anywhere at any time. One of my Charities, Home Start, specifically helps families with young children cope through difficult times. The other, Community Meeting Point, is a Harpenden Charity offering support to people whose lives have been affected by mental illness. It has been a privilege to help these charities by running fund-raising events through the year. These included the Mayor’s Quiz, a Café Jeera Curry Night, the Christmas Musical Dinner, and (with a nod to my own country of origin) a Burns Night. Many other Charities work in Harpenden and it was a pleasure to attend and support many of their events. In particular, the Daylight Club does a great job providing a friendly social club for adults of working age with physical disabilities. Their Christmas party was great fun. Again, at the heart of these organisations, is the volunteers who work

for them. It is particularly humbling to see how their members, often with their own problems, step up to help others.

Harpenden also has a high proportion of elderly residents and it was a pleasure to visit local old folks homes and the Seniors Club and talk to some of our oldest residents. A real highlight was welcoming the first residenttoLeaSprings.Ednaandthestaffmade me very welcome and we had a jolly afternoon. The Christmas Party laid on by Batford residents for their local elders was another highlight. Loneliness is a scourge of old age and the volunteers who work in a variety of organisations locally to provide companionship and good cheer are to be commended.

Finally, what marks out a Mayor’s Year are the major events in the Town. The Summer Carnival, Larks in the Park, the Highland Gathering, Discovery Day, Classics on the Common, Armed Forces Day, Remembrance Sunday, the Food and Drink Festival, and the Christmas Carnival. I have vivid memories of these events, all of which, of course, are run by volunteers. My two top memories? Facing the massed rank of pipers in Rothamsted Park and fighting the instinct to step back as they marched towards me. Standing on the stage at the Christmas Carnival and watching the delight on the faces of the children as we switched on the Christmas lights. It has been a fantastic year and the message I would like to leave you with is: volunteer, have fun, make a difference.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS 2014/15• TransferredParkHall

Community Hall from St Albans District Council to the Town Council, which is a key asset to the Town.

• Developedatoddler’splayarea at Porters Hill Park.

• Carriedoutmaintenanceworks to the Lydekker Park pond.

• PurchasedlandatMarquisLane to be used to extend the Batford Springs Local Nature Reserve.

• SuccessfullystagedaFood and Drink festival in conjunction with the September Farmers Market.

• ProvidedanenhancedChristmas Carnival event with the reintroduction of a walking and vehicular procession.

• ResponsetoStAlbansDistrict Council Draft Strategic Local Plan.


Larger than Life - Jonathan Veira comes to HarpendenJonathan Veira is a unique performer, a superbly talented singer/comedian who is capable of performing songs of great diversity to an incredibly high standard. His intimate one man show is coming to High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden on Friday 27 March at 7.30pm.

This concert is part of Jonathan’s ‘Larger than Life’ tour. Instead of performing Verdi, Britten or Donizetti on the opera scene, as he did to critical acclaim, he is now just as likely to be found singing Billy Joel or Gospel.

Jonathan Veira’s One Man Show is distinctive because he is so much more than just ‘the voice’. He is a superb comic raconteur, whose anecdotal story telling has people of all generations rocking with laughter.

Recently praised in The Independent for his brilliant performance – ‘larger than life and utterly credible’, and by The Arts Desk for being ‘a comic (bass) baritone now in his vintage prime’ - international opera star Jonathan Veira is no stranger to venues that hold thousands of people.

The benefiting charity is Azalea, which is a Luton based project that aims to serve and support women and children caught in sexual exploitation. Tickets are £12 and available from Tel: 01582 762259, online at www.highstreetevents.ticketsource.co.uk, email: [email protected] or website: www.jonathanveira.com

Poppy AppealThe Harpenden Branch of The Royal British Legion would like to sincerely thank the people of Harpenden and District who donated to the 2014 Poppy Appeal. To date we have raised £23,534.08 which will enable The Royal British Legion to continue its vital work to make a difference to the lives of Servicemen and Women, Veterans and their loved ones. We would also like to thank all those who helped with the collections and hope that you will continue tohelpincomingyears.“LIVEON–TOTHEMEMORYOFTHEFALLENANDTHEFUTUREOFTHELIVING”

Hertfordshire Year of Walking 2015The Hertfordshire Year of Walking is 2015. This campaign is a celebration of all the fantastic walking opportunities the county has to offer and aims to get more people in Herts active by encouraging residents to walk for fun, fitness and for function. Whether that’s a sociable walk with friends at the weekend, a brisk walk to get their heart pumping, or a short walk to the shops leaving the car behind - every step counts! Building on the success of the Hertfordshire Year of Cycling, the project aims to tackle inactivity in the county by encouraging more people to walk as a means of achieving the UK Chief Medical Officers’ recommendation of 150 minutes moderate intensity exercise per week. As a low-impact form of exercise walking offers many options for progression – you canstartslowlyonflatandevenground, over short distances and gradually build up your speed, incline and distance.

How you can get involved:• Makeapledgetowalkmorein

2015 – www.hertsdirect.org/walking - and we’ll keep you up to date with all the walking opportunities, events and advice to keep you motivated.

• BookontooneoftheFREEwalking events coordinated by the Countryside Management Service, called Walks & More - www.hertsdirect.org/walksandmore

Contact the Hertfordshire Year of Walking team by emailing us at [email protected] – we’d love to hear about the walks you’ve been on across the county and see pictures of your adventures!

Annual Town meetingTo be held on Monday 30 March 2015 in Park Hall, Leyton Road from 7.00pm. This meeting gives the public an opportunity to speak to Councillors and Officers about matters of concern; there will also be the presentation of the Award of Merits and a Question and Answer session. Tel: 01582 768278.

Harpenden Trust Appeal Thank YouThank you so much Harpenden for digging deep in to your pockets and so enable us to raise over £44,000 including a tax reclaim from HM Revenue and Customs of over £7,000.“‘We are delighted,” Appeal Organiser Graham Westwell said.EveryChristmasweaskthe people of Harpenden to contribute generously to the Appeal and, again this year and despite the tight economic conditions people have supported us. It’s difficult to express just howgratefulweare.Everypound

donated makes a difference for we rely on the Appeal to raise over 40% of the funds that are spent on providing help to families and individuals in Harpenden. The demand is increasing and this coming financial year we have budgeted for a spend of over £90,000. The whole of the Appeal monies goes to families and individuals.

As ever our 220 volunteer collectors, too, deserve a special mention for braving the wet weather to deliver and collect the envelopes.”

The Trust Community Fund, which is separately funded, continues to help organisations in the Town and is very much open to applications for assistance.

THANK YOU AGAIN

The Harpenden Trust can be contacted by Tel: 01582 460457, Email: [email protected] or Web: www.theharpendentrust.org.uk

Citizens Advice BureauThe Harpenden office located on the First Floor of the Town Hall in Leyton Road, Harpenden is now open for free independent advice on Monday and Thursday 10.00am – 1.00pm. Tel: 03444 111 444 or Tel: 0300 3300 350 from a mobile.

Harpenden and District Local History SocietyMounts quarterly exhibitions in Park Hall, Leyton Road from 2.30pm – 4.30pm on the first Saturday of March, June, September and December. For further information or membership enquiries contact Miss Parrott on Tel: 01582 764359 or Mr Casey Tel: 01582 712998.

News in brief

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THE LARK ASCENDING– A FASCINATING PROGRAMME OF ENGLISH INSTRUMENTAL AND CHORAL CLASSICS

IfyoulovethemusicofPurcell,Handel,ElgarandVaughanWilliams then you are in for a treat at The Hardynge Choir’s next concert at High Street Methodist Church on Saturday 28 March at 7.30pm.The title piece, by Vaughan Williams, will be played by violinist Nazrin Rashidova, a rising star described by a former principal of The Royal Academy of Music as ‘one of the most talented musicians to have walked through its doors in 40 years.” The other instrumental piece continues the pastoral theme – Handel’s Organ Concerto No. 13 in F major, nicknamed ‘The Cuckoo and the Nightingale’ and played by the choir’s Musical Director, Rufus Frowde, Organist of The Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace. These two works will be interspersed withchoralclassicsbyElgar;GreatistheLord,Op.67andGive Unto the Lord, Op 74, the concert ending with the magnificent ‘Come Ye Sons of Art’ by Purcell.The choir and instrumental solos will be accompanied throughoutbythePaeanEnsemble,youngprofessionalplayersconducted by Musical Director Rufus Frowde.Come and join us for a wonderful evening! Tickets cost £12 and £6 (under 16) by mail from the Ticket Secretary, Hardynge Choir, c/o 75 Watling Street, St Albans, AL1 2QF or by telephone on Tel: 0845 475 1664.

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WILDLIFE WATCH YOUR RIVER NEEDS YOU!Wouldyouliketo:• Learnanewskill?•Gettoknowthewildlifeofyourlocalriver?•Meetnewpeople?•Collectvaluabledataonwaterquality?•Discouragepolluters?• Joinasuccessfulnationalcitizensciencescheme?

Ifso,RiverflyMonitoringmightbeforyou!

TheRiverflyMonitoring Initiative is a national scheme to train local volunteers to sample and identify river invertebrates, suchascaddisflies,mayflies,stonefliesandfreshwater shrimps. The number and type of these invertebrates gives a good indication of water quality, and a sudden decline in their numbers indicates that pollution has occurred.Once trained, volunteers monitor a site on their local river each month (takingabout2hours).Ifpollutionissuspected,theEnvironmentAgencyis notified.Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust are coordinating this initiative in Hertfordshire. If you are interested in volunteering please email: [email protected]

MOTORSTORES

Didyouknowthatonly27%ofwater-bodies*inEnglandare currently classified as being of ‘good status’ under new standardssetdownbytheEUWaterFrameworkDirective.The water environment is affected by every activity that takes place on land as well as through our actions in abstracting, using and returning water to rivers, the sea and the ground.In order to improve the issue the UK government is working with various local partners to tackle quality, management, pollution, agricultural and waste issues.In2013,theDepartmentfortheEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairs(DEFRA)launchedanewapproachtomanaging rivers: the Catchment Based Approach. Across Hertfordshire and other counties, catchment plans have now been set up to bring together local people and organisations to identify ways and opportunities of working together to improve rivers for people and wildlife.Locally the River Lea from its source in Luton through Harpenden down to Wheathampsted has been made a focus for the Upper Lea Catchment Management Plan.Hosted by Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT) and workingcloselywiththeEnvironmentAgencyaswellasotherlocal landowners, volunteer groups, councils, angling clubs and interested residents, the plan is currently being developed and implemented. HMWT are committed to ensuring that any Catchment Plan resulting from this process does not become another dusty document sitting on a shelf somewhere; it will result in real, on-the-ground action for the river. Similar Catchment Management Plans for the Rivers Beane, Mimram and Stort have been developed over the past 2 years that have resulted in two catchment plan websites: www.beaneandmimrampartnership.org.uk and www.stortriverpartnership.org.uk. It is anticipated in March 2015 that the dedicated webpage for the Upper Lea Plan (www.riverleacatchment.org) will go live so that members of the public can see actions, photos and progress straight away rather than waiting for a final written report to be published.If you are interested in finding out more or getting involved in the process then please get in touch with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust on Tel: 01727 858901 or via email: [email protected]*water-bodies include open waters, rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwater.

THE UPPER LEA MANAGEMENT CATCHMENT PLAN


Harpenden in Bloom is running a wildlife photography competition for primary school children and the judges would love to see what you have spotted and photographed.A large variety of wildlife inhabits Harpenden’s green spaces; you might see robins, rabbits, ducks,herons,ladybirds,damsel-flies,dragonflies,magpies, blackbirds, snails, frogs, squirrels, foxes, bees, rats, shrews, kingfishers, water voles and many other creatures, great and small.When you are next on the Common, at Batford Springs or in your own back garden, have a look around you, snap away and send us your photos.Competition details and entry forms can be found at www.harpenden.gov.uk/harpenden-in-bloomcompetitions

Top tips for young wildlife photographers:• Youdon’tneedanexpensivecameratogeta

perfect shot; some of our previous winners used a mobile phone camera.

• Youneverknowwhenyou’llcomeacrossa fabulous photo opportunity so keep your camera with you everywhere you go and remember to look around - behind, above and below you.

• Takelotsofpictures;experimentwithdifferentangles and close ups and with any settings your camera has and then chose your favourite shot.

• Getdownonthegroundsoyouareeye-levelwith your subject matter; look in the grass for interesting bugs to photograph in close up.

• HavefunexploringtheopenspacesofHarpenden and the creatures that live there.

CALLING ALL BUDDING WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ben Whiting - wildlife photograph under 11 winner

In November 2014 members of Community Meeting Point helped Harpenden in Bloom volunteers plant snowdrop bulbs around the perimeter of the Bowers Parade Sensory Garden. The first of these bulbs have startedtofloweranditishopedthatoverthenextfewyears the bulbs will multiply to give an uplifting early spring display.

COMMUNITY MEETING POINT PLANTING SNOWDROPS

Call for a trial Natalia Richardson

01582 821381 - 07800 920882

Ballroom Dancing in Harpenden

Visit us at www.harpenden.dance

Daytime and Evening Classes From Beginners to Advanced

Recent and ongoing initiatives to enhance the wildlife value of the reserve include:• Reducedandtargetedcuttingofthehaymeadow,whichisalready

resulting in greatly increased diversity of plants and invertebrates• Increasingbiodiversitywithinthechalkstreamthroughclearanceofvegetation(especiallywatercress)andsiltthatreducewaterflow,and of shading trees

• Rotationalcuttingofreedstoincreasestructuraldiversityofthereedbed and to prevent the encroachment of shrubs and trees.

There is still much that can be done and plans are underway to restore more wetland habitat on the reserve as well as leaving additional areas of grassland unmown for much of the spring and summer to encouragewildflowers,bees,butterflies,smallmammalsandahostofother organisms. In addition, Harpenden Town Council has recently purchased land to extend the reserve along the River Lea to the bottom of Piggotshill Lane. Ways of managing this area of riverbank and grass meadow for exploitation by wildlife and enjoyment by residents are under review. The Batford Springs Volunteers manage the reserve in consultation with the Town Council and expert advisors. They have monthly work

sessions and also seek to improve the educational and recreational opportunities that the reserve provides. You can find more information about the Batford Springs Volunteers at www.batfordsprings.org.uk. Please join us for a walk around the reserve on Thursday 21 May to learn more about the Reserve and plans for the future. We will meet at the Marquis Lane car park at 6.30 pm.Aplanttolookoutfor–themysteriousToothwortUnlike most plants that produce their own energy through photosynthesis, Toothwort (Lathraea squamaria) is a parasite that extracts the nutrients it needs by attaching to the roots of other plants, especially trees like Hazel and Field Maple. It is nonetheless a very attractiveplant,producingspikesofpinkishflowersinlateMarchand throughout April. It grows in a few places in the Harpenden area but the best site by far is adjacent to Batford Springs. Look aroundthebenchattheSEcorneroftheamenityfieldcontainingtheplayground. From here it is spreading down the shelterbelt alongside the allotments and is starting to colonise the riverbank.

THE NATURE RESERVE ON OUR DOORSTEPHarpenden’s very own nature reserve at Batford Springs is a magnificent natural oasis that features some of only 200 miles of chalk stream in the world; it also features other relatively rare habitats such as ancient meadow,reedbedsanddampwoodland.ItisaccreditedasaLocalNatureReservebyNaturalEnglandandasa Local Wildlife Site by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.

SATURDAY 6 JUNE 2015 ON HARPENDEN COMMON

ART ON THE COMMON

SATURDAY 6 JUNE 11.00am – 6.00pm

Running alongside the Harpenden Carnival this year Art on the Common will be sited on

the area of Common outside Park Hall, Leyton Road. This event has been running in Harpenden

for over 25 years and will include paintings, jewellery, greetings cards, ceramics and fine art photography. Twenty percent of all sales and commissions will go to Cancer Research UK.


Harpenden Town Council and Harpenden Roundtable present...

HARPENDEN CARNIVAL 50TH ANNIVERSARYPreparations for the 2015 Harpenden Carnival are now well underway and we are planning a big celebration to mark the 50th anniversary. There will be some changes to this year’s event, the first being that this year’s Carnival will be organised in partnership by Harpenden Town Council and Harpenden Round Table. This year’s event will be free to enter and we will be starting at midday with a procession through the High Street which will finish at the new venue for this event on Harpenden Common ready to open the event at 12.30pm. The event will stretch from outside the Public Halls all the way up to the Cricket Pitch and will run until 6.00pm. We will have Art on the Common running at the same time and also activities going on in Park Hall and the Public Halls. As well as a wide range of entertainment, craft stalls, a

funfair,bouncyinflatable’s,BBQ,children’sactivities along with food and drink we will be having a sheep show, a dog competition, ferret racing and much more which will be confirmed nearer the date. So we would love to have your support at this exciting event.We hope to raise lots of money for charity and all proceeds will go to the following charities. Harrison’sFund - A charity which raises money for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research. This is a horrendous disease which is 100% fatal and means most affected children are wheelchair bound by the age of 12. Harrison’s Fund is trying to find a cure. www.harrisonsfund.com NOAHEnterprise - A Luton-based charity which offers hope and support to people struggling against homelessness and

exclusion. www.noahenterprise.org

CommunityMeetingPoint- Offering information, support, short courses and opportunities for people whose lives have been affected by mental illness. www.cmp-h-org.uk

TheTownMayorsnominatedCharities2015/16 – which are to be confirmed.Harpenden Town Council and Harpenden Round Table very much hope that you will be able to join us in supporting these worthy causes.If you are interested in taking part in the Procession, booking a Stall or looking at our sponsorship opportunities please contact:AlexandraBaron,EventsOfficer,Harpenden Town Council by email: [email protected] or telephone Tel: 01582 463668.


Fishpool Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 4RY01727 864 444 • [email protected]

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HARPENDEN EVENTS 2015EASTERFUNFAIR FRIDAY 3 APRIL – MONDAY 6 APRIL

BATFORDSPRINGS THURSDAY 21 MAY RESERVE RAMBLE

THURSTONFUNFAIR FRIDAY 22 - MONDAY 25 MAY

HARPENDEN IN BLOOM SATURDAY 23 MAY SUMMER PLANTING DAY

HARPENDEN CARNIVAL/ SATURDAY6JUNE DISCOVERY DAY/ ART ON THE COMMON

CIVIC SERVICE SUNDAY7JUNE

COMMON WALK THURSDAY25JUNE

ARMEDFORCESDAY SATURDAY27JUNE

LARKS IN THE PARK SUNDAY28JUNE

HIGHLAND GATHERING SUNDAY 12 JULY

CIRCUS MONDAY 13 JULY – SUNDAY 19 JULY (PROVISIONALDATES)

CLASSICS ON THE COMMON WEDNESDAY22JULY

LOVE PARKS WEEK SATURDAY 25 JULY TO SATURDAY 1 AUGUST

STORY TIME EVENTS WILL RUN IN CONJUNCTION WITH LOVEPARKSWEEK

TEDDY BEARS PICNIC SATURDAY 1 AUGUST

SUMMERFUNFAIR FRIDAY 28 - MONDAY 31 AUGUST

FOODANDDRINKFESTIVAL SUNDAY27SEPTEMBER

STATTYFUNFAIR TUESDAY8–SATURDAY 12SEPTEMBER

HERTS 10K SUNDAY11OCTOBER

REMEMBRANCE SERVICE SUNDAY8NOVEMBER

CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL & SUNDAY22NOVEMBER LIGHTS SWITCH ON

SOUTHDOWN LIGHTS FRIDAY27NOVEMBER SWITCH ON

BATFORDLIGHTSSWITCHON SUNDAY29NOVEMBER


HISTORIC HARPENDEN

A chance find in a box of memorabilia by past Harpenden resident and Chief Reporter on the Harpenden Free Press in the 1950s John Seabrook, has recalled an almost-forgotten moment in Harpenden’s civic past. An old menu and programme for an event in 1954 tells the story of the Chain of Office which now distinguishes the person of the successive Town Mayors of Harpenden.The menu cover bears a decorative illustration of the two medallions from the centre of the Chain of Office, revealing why it was known fromthebeginningas‘TheEverestChain’.It was the creation and gift of Sydney Victor Shadbolt, one of Harpenden’s best-known citizens of those times. The idea for the Chain followed directly on his successes in creating and organising the Festival Revels of 1951 and the Coronation Celebrations of 1953, both of which marked Harpenden out as a small town that could hold its own in spectacular events withthemajorcitiesofEngland.The great news of the Coronation was that MountEveresthadbeenclimbedforthefirsttime. The greater news was that the British team included two residents of Harpenden, Dr Griffith Pugh, a specialist in human physiology, and Michael Westmacott a climber of some note who worked in statistics at RothamstedExperimentalStation.These are the events and personalities commemorated by the presentation of the EverestChainandrecordedinthe60-years-oldmenu dated Wednesday 31st March, 1954, when the ‘great and the good’ of Harpenden

of that era gathered for dinner in the Public Hall, led by the then Chairman of the Urban DistrictCouncil,CouncillorLeslieEdgell.Harpenden had no Mayor in those days. The Chairman of the council was selected each May from among the fifteen councillors who represented the whole of Harpenden (there was no ward system). With the Village as the centre of a much smaller district than today, you might meet the Chairman of the Council out doing her shopping, sitting in his office or behind the counter of a shop, but there was no identification for the leading citizen – not even a badge of office.This deficiency was what ‘Tommy’ Shadbolt had resolved to put right. After the dinner hecalledonLeslieEdgelltostandandhungaround his neck the heavy and ornate silver gilt chain, bearing panels for the names of succeeding Chairmen to be engraved. In the centre were the two badges or medallions, the larger bearing the Harpenden crest and the smallerarepresentationofMountEverestsurmounted by the Crown. The names of Dr Pugh and Mr Westmacott were inscribed onthebackandCouncillorEdgellawardedthem illuminated scrolls commemorating their achievements, including the words: ‘We tender our sincere congratulations on the result of the Expedition,sofraughtwithperilbutyetsogloriously successful.’The mid-Fifties were probably the point at which Harpenden grew from a sleepy village to a bustling town. Most of those there on the day are long gone, but their dedication and achievements should be remembered.

Time moves on, but sometimes subjects that were hot topics of the day still remain hot topics 20, 30 or even 40 years later.30 years ago in the March 1985 issue of Forum, it was reported that following six accidents along the A1081 road from the Silver Cup Public House to the Cricket Club entrance, Hertfordshire County Council were proposing to install street lighting. The lighting was not only

installed but now 30 years on Hertfordshire County Council are looking to upgrade thelightingtoLED.Furtherdetailsonthisscheme can be found on page 11.Evenalittleunder20yearsagoHarpendenresidents were concerned about the aircraft noise from London Luton Airport that was experienced over the town and adding to these concerns was the proposal that the airports capacity was to expand from

the 2 million passengers per annum to 5 million. Fast forward 18 years and the airport, as part of its Masterplan, is once again looking to expand the number of passengers from the current 11 million per annum to 18 million.

It will be interesting to see what the hot topics are in Forum over the coming 10 – 20 years.

MEMORIES OF HARPENDEN IN THE MID-FIFTIES – THE EVEREST CHAIN

FORUM NEWSLETTER

Extract from Harpenden Free Press in April 1954 & Dinner menu front cover


Ringway, working on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council, is in the process of upgrading more than

12,600streetlightstoLEDlightingonHertfordshire’s A-roads. The A1081 which runs through Harpenden’s Town Centre is one of the roads that is to beupgradedtothenewLEDlightingfromBeesonEndLanetojustnorthofKinsbourne Green.LED(lightemittingdiode)lightsconsiderably reduce maintenance costs, use much less energy than conventional lighting, improve visibility and reduce light pollution.The new lighting will be controlled by a wireless Central Management System (known as CMS), allowing the lights to be monitored from a central point. As faults are automatically reported, this reduces inspection costs and makes it easier to schedule repairs.

A-road lights were not converted to part-night lighting with other streetlights across the county, so remain lit all night. The new CMS system will allow lighting levels on the A-roads to be reduced during the night, rather than turning lights off completely. Once the new lights are installed, light levels will be reduced by 25 per cent between 11.00pm and 6.00am on A-roads.The project to convert A-road streetlightstoLEDlightswillcost£6.5m but will bring savings of around £660,000 each year from the end of 2015 onwards.In order to minimise disruption on our busy A-roads during the day, the work is being done during the night. The major improvement project is scheduled to take up to a year to complete.To view the programme in a specific area or to find out more about the programme visit www.ringway.co.uk and follow the links.

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OUR PLACE – WE ARE... HARPENDENAfter a successful bid by Harpenden Town Council a delighted Harpenden was selected to receive support and ‘Getting Going’ funding from the Government’s Our Place programme. The project to develop Arts, Culture and Heritage services in the town saw a steering group emerge with members drawn from several local organisations including Harpenden Arts Club, Batford Community Action Group, Harpenden and District Local History Society, Harpenden Photographic Society, Harpenden Society and Harpenden Art Hub. Representatives from Harpenden Public Halls and OneLife joined the group promoted by Councillors and officers from Harpenden Town Council. Named “We Are… Harpenden” the project vision is to support existing and potential groups, activities, venues and businesses (voluntary, community, business and statutory) to collaborate and help coordinate/develop existing and new arts, heritage and cultural services in Harpenden. For a chance of further support from the Our Place programme, a detailed Operational Plan was developed through rounds of public consultation from December 2014 to March 2015. This is to be submitted to the DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) by mid March 2015. Paper and on-line questionnaires, as well as roadshows in Batford, Southdown and Harpenden town centre aimed to reach as many people in Harpenden as possible. The initial consultation identified

communication, access (including cost) and timing as critical issues for successful participation. Topping the league for activities that people would like to see in the future were combined arts/heritage events, pop-ups and outdoor cinema. From this starting point, the plan focussed on capitalising on what works well and how to facilitate bringing new opportunities ‘on stream’. Steering Group member Hillary Taylor says “We’ve been delighted with consultation responses. It’s so important to hear everyone’s views to build an appropriate aspirational plan for our future.” she continued “This project is the start of a great opportunity for our many groups to work together and create even more exciting and engaging opportunities in the future”. While there is no guarantee that it will successfully attract further government funding, the project can be considered a success thus far. It has fostered new relationships, ideas and collaborations that can only springboard a new Arts, Culture and Heritage future for the town. The steering group would be delighted to hear from anyone with ideas on how to progress this project. If you would like to find out more or be part of this ongoing initiative contact David Grant, Community Services Officer at Harpenden Town Council on Tel: 01582 768278 or visit the Harpenden Town Council website: www.harpenden.gov.uk.

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THE GREAT BRITISH SAUSAGE COMPANY

HARPENDEN FARMERS MARKETFOCUS ON A STALL HOLDER

We are passionate about celebrating and promoting British food and producers, sourcing and using local ingredients to make traditional, quintessentially British sausages. We started The Great British Sausage Company in 2005, after finding it difficult to find good quality bangers at events. Working closely with local Butchers we set about learning how to make great sausages, using locally sourced ingredients from small producers and farmers, creating our own unique recipes andflavours.Wecreatedourfirsttwo, and best selling, varieties of

sausages; The Churchill (traditionalEnglish)and The Hot Duchess (pork and jalapeño) and set about attending

local and national events cooking and selling our

sausages to eat now or take home. Since creating our first twoflavours,wehaveexpandedour range to include; The Full English(smokedbaconandblackpudding), The Chucklehead (GF apple and cider) and our seasonal speciality The Knebworth, using Knebworth Park wild venison with port and caramelised red onions. Over the last ten years, we have continued to only use farmassuredEastAnglianporkshoulder, with no added fat, and only using natural casings, which we believe is integral to creating delicious, traditionally British sausages. You can find us at a variety of events and local farmers markets or please visit our website: www.britishsausages.co.uk to find out more.

HARPENDEN FARMERS MARKET 10.00am to 2.00pmSunday 22 MarchSunday 26 AprilSunday 24 MaySunday 28 June

Sunday 26 JulySunday 23 AugustSunday 27 September

Sunday 25 OctoberSunday 22 November – 12 noon – 6.00pm


YOUR VOTE MATTERS – MAKE SURE YOU’RE IN

ALL SAINTS CHURCH GOLDEN JUBILEE

The UK Parliamentary, district and parish elections take place on Thursday 7 May 2015 and residents are reminded to make sure that they are registered to vote.You must be on the electoral register to vote so if you have recently moved to the area or moved house it is important that you register again at your new address. Registering to vote is straightforward and can be done on-line at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. The deadline date for receiving applications to register for the forthcoming elections is Monday 20 April 2015.If you cannot visit a polling station on the day of the election, you can still have your say by applying to vote by post or proxy. The deadline for

receipt of new postal vote applications is 5.00pm on Tuesday 21 April 2015 and for new proxy vote applications 5.00pm on Tuesday 28 April. You must be registered to vote under the new system of Individual ElectoralRegistrationtobe able to vote by post or proxy.

Voter registration forms and postal vote application forms are available from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or by calling the elections team on Tel: 01727 819294.

For further information on registration and voting please visit www.stalbans.gov.uk/elections.

On the 28 May 2015, All Saints Church at Batford will celebrate its Golden Jubilee.Just over 150 years ago, the then rector of Harpenden, Canon Vaughan, realised the difficulty the elderly living in the scattered cottages in Coldharbour had in getting to the church in Harpenden. He decided to hold services and meetings in a cottage in Coldharbour Lane. This continued for nearly thirty years. In the mid 1880’s services were well attended and space became restricted and when a piece of land in the lane became available for a permanent building, it was purchased for £45. The Harpenden Banner announced that the fund for the new building came from ladies in the parish who held sales; St. George’s School held a music concert and many other contributors. Building commenced and the Mission Room was opened on the 1 January 1889. It was extended, enlarged and improved several times to become the first All Saints

Church. The Church was well attended and the hall was used for meetings, scout groups, dances and parties for young and old.

In 1955 Mr. Dolphin Smith of Mackerye EndFarmgaveameadowbytheRiverLea in Batford for a new church in memory of his son, one of the original Desert Rats, who was killed in Western Europeon6April1945,justamonthbefore the end of the war. The deeds of the land were presented to the Rector at a ceremony held at the old church in Coldharbour Lane in May 1955. Members of the church tended the meadow until 1964 when work began, designedbyMr.E.P.Wilson,anarchitectand member of the church and on 28 May 1965, with 530 people present, the Bishop of St. Albans consecrated the new All Saints Church in a service on closed circuit television for the benefit of those in the church hall.

Alongsidetheusualeventsduringtheyeartherewillbe:-AFlowerFestival – Saturday 23 to Monday 25 May 2015

OpenDay – History & Life at All Saints – Sunday 21 June 2015

JointJubileeConcertwiththeMusicMakers – Saturday 17 October 2015

Join Our Police CadetsThen why not join the St Albans and Harpenden Volunteer Police Cadets.For further information and an application pack, please email [email protected] or call 01707 354192 and ask for PC Steve Alison.www.herts.police.uk/cadets

Are you:• interested in police work?• aged between 14 and 18?• interested in a varied role where you can develop a range of skills, help your local community and have fun?


ROTHAMSTED RESEARCH AND HARPENDEN SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICA JOIN FORCES TO HELP FARMERS IN UGANDAIn a truly unique collaboration, Rothamsted Research the world’s oldest agricultural research institution, and Harpenden Spotlight on Africa (HSoA), a relatively young grass roots development charity have been working together with a Kenyan organisation ICIPE(theInternationalCentreofInsectPhysiologyandEcology)toprovideanenvironmentallyfriendlysolution to Ugandan farmers in order to help them increase crop yields.Maize is a major food source in Uganda but is often attacked by agricultural pests and weeds that devastate the crop. Pesticides are prohibitively expensive for small scale farmers in this region and yield losses of up to 100% caused by these pests, are often a reality that increases the risk of starvation for farmers.Near the town of Mbale in Uganda, a pilot project has been established to introduce an environmentally friendly pest control approach called ’push-pull strategy’, pioneered by Rothamsted Research. The strategy drives away pests to enable higher yields of cereal crops such as maize, sorghum and millet.The ‘push’ crop, desmodium, is planted in between the rows of maize to deter a type of pest called stem borers moths with its smell. The ‘pull’ crop, Napier Grass, is planted around the borders of the field to attract in the moths and trap them with the glue-like substance it emits. Desmodium also inhibits the growth of the particularly pernicious parasitic striga weed commonly known as witchweed. Witchweed cankillacerealcropbeforeitflowers.The approach was piloted with a farmer who works with HSoA, Nimrod Mulonde. Nimrod reported an almost fourfold increase in the maize yield from the pilot plot. Nimrod Mulonde said: “I have been honoured to be part of this pilot project, not only because I can see tangible benefits in terms of the yields in my field but also I have learnt a lot from this new technology

WHY CHOOSE THE LUTON & DUNSTABLE

HOSPITAL?

MEET THE CONSULTANTS, SENIOR STAFF AND GOVERNORS with your local MP RT HON PETER LILLEY PANEL TO INCLUDE

On Friday 6 March 2015 at 10.30am

Hitchin Priory, Hitchin

Hear how you can choose to be treated at the L&D and how the hospital is seeking to meet your needs.

There will be ample opportunity to put questions to the panel of speakers.

On arrival there will be several information stands with coffee/tea served before the presentations

Rt Hon Peter Lilley MP Hitchin & Harpenden

Simon Linnett, Chairman Luton & Dunstable Hospital

Dr Danielle Freedman Director of Pathology

and now I am able to share this knowledge with other farmers in my region and help them.”Desmodium has many additional benefits to the famers. Less fertilizer is needed as desmodium adds nitrogen into the soil, an essential nutrient for crops. Furthermore desmodium is a nutritious feed for livestock as well as tilapia fish. It is now being used as part of the regular feed for some 10,500 tilapia at HSoA’s fish farm on nearby Lake Opeta. In fact the use of the crop as fish feed was first discovered at that fish farm. The push pull pilot has been rolled out to 44 small-hold and subsistence farmers. A demonstration was carried out at each of the 44 sites with 20 farmers attending each time, thus reaching over 800 farmers in just one season.Mrs Wendy Howson, Trustee of HSoA said: “My colleagues and I have been delighted to be able to support farmers with science-based practices and help lift them out of a life of poverty in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. We have been encouraged by the response of

farmers such as Nimrod who despite their own difficult circumstances are so ready to help others. We are grateful to Rothamsted Research for facilitating this solution: our collaboration is unique and I am sure will lead to other exciting opportunities to make a real difference to the impoverished communities we work with.”Professor John Pickett of Rothamsted Research said: “It has been a wonderful experience working together with a local charity such as HSoA to help farmers in Africa. HSoA have a clear mission of making a meaningful and lasting difference to the poorest in Africa. This case study with the utilisation of “push-pull” technology is an excellent example of a successful outcome from HSoA’s concept of sustainable impact that can be achieved through an integrated approach: engaging with the farmers and enabling them to secure their food provision i.e. support their health and contribute to income generation.”If you would like to support the work of Harpenden’s home-grown development charity, visit www.hsoa.org.uk to find out more about how you can help.

A delighted Farmer Nimrod with HSoA Trustees Caroline Swanson and Wendy Howson

TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGSare held in the Town Hall or Park Hall in Leyton Road at 7.30pm. Members of the public are very welcome to attend all Council meetings.

FULLCOUNCILMEETINGSMonday30March2015– AnnualTownMeeting- ParkHall,LeytonRoad

Monday18May2015– ParkHall,LeytonRoad

For a full list of Council meetings please see the notice boards in the Town, visit the website: www.harpenden.gov.uk or contact Harpenden Town Council on Tel: 01582 768278. If you would like to raise a question at any Council meeting, please contact the Town Clerk.

CIRCULATION The Forum Newsletter is distributed to 12,650 homes and businesses throughout Harpenden.

TOWN COUNCILIf you would like to contribute to the content of the next issue of Forum (March 2015), please write to Heather Scott at the Town Hall at the address below or e-mail: [email protected] by 13April2015.If you wish to raise any matters concerning the Harpenden area, this can be done by contacting the Town Hall at the address on the top of this page.The Town Council Office and the Information Point in Leyton Road are open between 10.00am to 4.00pm Monday toFriday.Tel:01582768278.Email:[email protected] with the Town Clerk at other times by appointment.ForumEditor:JohnBagshaw,TownClerk.

Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this newsletter was correct at the time of going to print, the Town Council cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors, omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for advert content, or of the standing of advertisers or by the editorial contributions.

HARPENDEN TOWN COUNCILLORS 2014/2015

Town Mayor CouncillorMaryMaynardDeputy Town Mayor CouncillorBrianEllisNORTH WARD JohnChamberst. 01582 715550

JamesNewnst. 07753 618106 e. [email protected] Pawlet. 01582 620617 e. [email protected]. 01582 713128 e. [email protected] WARDBrian Ellist. 01582 767621 e. [email protected]. 01582 765222 e. [email protected] Kentt. 01582 764161 e. [email protected]. c/o 01582 768278

EAST WARDMichaelEllist. c/o 768278 e. [email protected]. 01582 712076 e. [email protected]. 07774 783509 e. [email protected]. 01582 624846 e. [email protected] WARD DanielChichester–Miles t. c/o 01582 768278 e. [email protected]. 07833 308750 e. [email protected]. 01582 766245 e. [email protected]. 07733 225464 e. [email protected]

HARPENDEN NORTHJulie Bellt. 01582 624714 e. [email protected] Pawlet. 01582 620617 e. [email protected]. 01582 769882 e. [email protected] EASTRosemaryFarmert. 01582 712076 e. [email protected]. 07774 783509 e. [email protected]. 01582 764688 e. [email protected] SOUTHBrian Ellist. 01582 767621 e. [email protected]. 01582 761014 e. [email protected] Heritaget. 07818 580081 e. [email protected] HARPENDEN WESTDanielChichester-Milest. c/o 01727 819281 e. [email protected] Dalyt. 01582 715645 e. [email protected]. 01582 713128 e. [email protected] t.01727866100

COUNTY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES

NORTH EASTDavidWilliamst. 07733 225464 e. [email protected] WEST Teresa Heritaget. 07818 580081 e. [email protected]

DISTRICT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES


HarpendenTownCouncil,TownHall,LeytonRoad,Harpenden,Herts.AL52LXTel: 01582768278Fax:01582760026E-mail: [email protected]: www.harpenden.gov.ukExtra free copies of Forum are available from the Library or the Town Hall.

HARPENDEN TOWN COUNCIL

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MARCHFriday 6 MarchWOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER - Women’s World Day of Prayer is a global, ecumenical movement of informed prayer and prayerful action. The service is written by a different country each year. This year the country is ‘The Bahamas’. The service venues in Harpenden are: St Nicholas Parish Church at 10.30am and Southdown Methodist Church at 7.45pm. All are invited and after the services refreshments will be provided free. For further information please visit www.wwdp-natcomm.org/

Saturday 7 MarchHARPENDEN AND DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY – Water will be the theme of this ExhibitioninParkHallfrom2.30-4.30pm. This will include the story of Harpenden’s ‘Dry Valley’ from Zouches Farm near Dunstable to Colney Heath, and its tributary the River Kin, described by Bruce Campbell in FORUM issue 151.

Tuesday 10 MarchHARPENDEN GARDENING SOCIETY – My 30 Best Plants, talk by Bob Brown, Cotswold Flowers Nursery. Roundwood Park School 7.45pm for 8.00pm. Non members welcome. £3.00 Free refreshments. Further information: harpendengardeningsociety.org

Saturday 21 MarchHARPENDEN CHORAL SOCIETY PRESENTS AN EVENING OF RUSSIAN CHORAL MUSIC - Conducted by John Andrews with Bass Soloist Piotr Lempa. 7:30pm at the High Street Methodist Church. Join the Harpenden Choral Society for an inspiring evening of some of the best-loved classics of Russian Choral Music and Mussorgsky’s

hauntingly beautiful song cycle masterpiece for solo Bass, Songs and Dances of Death. Tickets are £15 for adults; £5 for children and students. Please email [email protected] or visit our website; www.harpendenchoralsociety.org for more information.

Wednesday 25 March BACH MATTHEW PASSION - St John’s Church, Southdown at 7.00pm. Continuing their acclaimed performances of the great Bach vocal works in Harpenden, Amici Voices perform his Matthew Passion. Tickets: £15 (students & under 18s £5) unreserved seating. Contact Tel: 01582 462024.

Tuesday 31 MarchHARPENDEN AND DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY meeting - ‘Dr Griffith Pugh and the EverestStory:themanwhomadeit possible’; speaker: Harriet Tuckey. Small Public Hall, Southdown Road at 8.00pm.

APRILTuesday 14 AprilHARPENDEN GARDENING SOCIETY – The Chelsea Fringe - The alternative garden festival, talk by Tim Richardson, founder of The Chelsea Fringe. Roundwood Park School 7.45pm for 8.00pm. Non members welcome £3.00. Free refreshments. Further information: harpendengardeningsociety.org

Tuesday 14 AprilHARPENDEN FLORAL DECORATION CLUB–afloraldemonstration by Amanda Punter entitled “In the Style Of”. At 2.00pm at the Harpenden Public Halls. Visitors very welcome. For further details Tel: 01582 621757

Saturday 18 AprilHARPENDEN PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY - will be holding their annual exhibition at the Methodist Church Hall, Lower High Street, 10.00am - 4.30pm. 200 images by local photographers will be on show, entry is free. www.harpendenphotographicsociety.co.uk

Thursday 23 AprilHARPENDEN EVENING FLORAL GROUP - Demonstration by Terry Babbage entitled “Odd Pots” to be held at All Saints Church Hall at 7.30pm. Visitors welcome. Further information Tel: 01582 761277/873196

Friday 25 AprilHANDEL’S MESSIAH – performed by the Music Makers Choir of Harpenden at High Street Methodist Church at 7.30pm. To celebrate their Golden Jubilee year they are performing the perennial favourite Handel’s Messiah. Recreating the more intimate ambience of the original 1742 performance with a smaller choir, guest soloists and a select chamber orchestra. Tickets are available from Rebecca on Tel: 07834 484989. £15 / £12 (concessions), including refreshments.

Tuesday 28 AprilHARPENDEN AND DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY Society meeting - Society AGM, followed by ‘Recording People’s Memories’; speaker: Dr Sarah Lloyd, University of Hertfordshire. Small Public Hall, Southdown Road at 8.00pm.

MAYTuesday 5 MayHARPENDEN FLORAL DECORATION CLUB–afloraldemonstration by Lisa Howarth. At 2.00pm at the Harpenden Public

Halls. Visitors very welcome. For further details Tel: 01582 621757

Sunday 10 MayST ALBANS DISTRICT TOUR GUIDES - Guided walk round Harpenden at 2.30pm. Lasts about 1 ½ hours. Learn about a mysterious spy, hear about Harpenden’s celebrated society portrait painter, stroll down a lane named after a brewery, and much more of Harpenden’s history, old and modern. Meet at the War Memorial at 2.30pm, tickets on sale from the guide, price £4/£2.

Tuesday 12 MayHARPENDEN GARDENING SOCIETY – Companion Planting, talk by Andrew Sankey Garden Designer & Nurseryman. Roundwood Park School 7.45pm for 8.00pm. Non members welcome. £3.00 Free refreshments. Further information: harpendengardeningsociety.org

Saturday 23 – Monday 25FLOWER FESTIVAL – All Saints Church, Station Road. “Celebrating 50 years in the Community”. Saturday – 10.00am to 5.00pm, Sunday – 2.00pm to 5.00pm and Monday – 10.00am to 5.00pm. Refreshments Available.

Tuesday 26HARPENDEN AND DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY meeting - ‘South Harpenden Allotment Society (SHAGS) - the dirty diggers’, speaker: Richard White. Small Public Hall, Southdown Road at 8.00pm.

Thursday 28 MayHARPENDEN EVENING FLORAL GROUP - Demonstration by Karen Davies James entitled “Flowers at Oxford” to be held at All Saints Church Hall at 7.30pm. Visitors welcome. Further information Tel: 01582 761277/873196

WHAT’S ONDON’T MISS A THING!

PARK HALL, LEYTON ROAD AVAILABLE FOR HIRE

IDEAL VENUE FOR CHILDREN’S PARTIES/DISCOS, MEETINGS, CHRISTENINGS, DINNER/DANCES, WEDDING RECEPTIONS, QUIZ NIGHTS, SALES, TRADE FAIRS AND ALL OTHER EVENTSThe hall includes a fully equipped kitchen, disabled toilet with baby changing facilities, portable stage

and private car park to rear. Fully accessible to disabled users.For further details please contact Harpenden Town Council on Tel: 01582 768115

Email: [email protected] or web: www.harpenden.gov.uk

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