Events 2024
Background Information:
BACKGROUND INFO: Marmot and Wanless Reviews 2020/21
Fiona Bruce knows a thing or two about Skateboarding.
TV presenter of Antiques Roadshow and newscaster Fiona presented a section recently about Skateboarding from Clissold Park in Hackney.
A local veteran explained how it all began for him and friends back in the 60’s when roller skates were attached to wood boards, graduating on to Go Carts before making individually designed boards as forerunners of those today, Many of these are now ‘vintage boards’ as seen on the programme.
The art of boarding took place originally in industrial sites when closed before the demand for Park sites became the norm.
Skateboarding now isn’t just for the younger generation, there’s quite few oldies still on the scene,...Harpenden take note.
Festival celebrates the best of Food and Drink in Harpenden this September 14th
Harpenden Town Council is excited to announce the return of the Harpenden Food and Drink Festival on Saturday 14th September, 12-6pm. This event has grown to become one of the Town’s most popular festivals, bringing a wonderful carnival atmosphere to picturesque Harpenden. The event showcases the very best of food and drink, including street food, outdoor bars, market stalls and entertainment to accompany a vibrant day. Thousands of people are expected to attend the Festival which will be situated across the Town Centre, Harpenden Common and Rothamsted Park with the addition of the Sustainability Market this year.
Rayden Solicitors, local specialist family law firm, have joined the event for 2024 as Gold Sponsors; their support helps to ensure that the Food and Drink Festival is bigger and better than ever and offers an unbeatable day for people of all ages. Paula Butterworth, Executive Partner, Rayden Solicitors Harpenden said
“Rayden Solicitors, local specialist family law firm, is delighted to be supporting the Food and Drink Festival. This is a fantastic annual event and we are so pleased to be part of it this year, and looking forward to meeting as many festival visitors as possible.”
The Festival will include outdoor bars and street food, community seating areas, market stalls, the Statty funfair, DJs, ferret racing, street entertainment, and a live Music Stage with performances by Strike Free, Pat & the Butchers as well as Number 7. This year’s Children’s Zone will include soft play, Sandy Art, outdoor games, arts and crafts with ArtShed and children’s entertainer Cha Char Chimps. Additionally the Cookery Theatre is back - an exciting demonstration stage featuring exceptionally talented chefs sharing tips and recipes.
The Harpenden Beer Festival is back for its 11th year. The event will coincide with the Harpenden Food and Drink Festival and includes over 50 real ales, perries and ciders.
Harpenden Town Mayor, Cllr Pip Liver said: “It is great to welcome so many people to Harpenden at this exciting Festival. With a fantastic variety of food and drinks, plus wonderful entertainment, this is an event that includes something for everyone. We are delighted that so many local businesses are taking part; events like this one really showcase the very best of Harpenden including fantastic independent businesses, beautiful green spaces and of course our vibrant Town Centre.”
Free parking will be available at the Station Car Parks for the duration of the event, with thanks to Thameslink.
An invitation to join a Harpenden Learning for Leisure course in September 2024
Dear Student, Our apologies if you have already received this message. We have had email problems of which none of us are immune.
Are you are interested in what goes on around you? Would you be interested to learn more of a favourite topic or to learn something of a topic you know nothing about? Do you want to keep your brain active, stimulate those little grey cells? How do you feel about participating with like-minded people? If the answer is ‘Yes’ to any of those questions then an HLfL course may just be what you are looking for.
Harpenden Learning for Leisure is a not-for-profit organisation run by local people. It runs courses on a wide range of topics, each led by an experienced professional. Each course comprises 10 weekly daytime sessions, each session lasting 1½ or 2 hours. No qualifications are required to attend. There is no homework and no exams. Fees are payable, but are set at a level to only cover costs. Our participants find courses an affordable, friendly, informal and enjoyable experience, with many returning every year.
Favourite courses include John Winter’s Music appreciation course, this time we will look at ‘Britain Land of Song’. Michael King explores ‘The Celtic Contribution’ in his popular series of Literature courses. Ian Waller continues his ‘Victorian Social History’ and Adam Smith examines ‘The English Country House’. Ever popular Virginia Briscoe returns with her lively Current Affairs class. We have new courses: Michael King will cover ‘British Poetry of the 20th Century’ and Tim Parrott will ably guide us around the ‘Design Challenges of Iconic Buildings and Bridges’. We have two 5 week courses this autumn: ‘20th Century British Art - The Great Bardfield Artists’ and ‘Great British Comic Artists’ presented by Rosanna Eckersley and Martin Attridge respectively. This is something of a departure from the full term courses, see how you like them.
Courses take place in the Autumn and Spring terms from The Harpenden Trust Centre in Southdown, and the Function Room of the Plough and Harrow, just across the road. The Plough and Harrow Function Room has its own entrance at the rear of the building. Ample parking is available at the CO-OP nearby. There is usually a break for schools’ half term.
If you would like to find out more then do visit the Harpenden Learning for Leisure website: http://www.harpendenlearningforleisure.org.uk. If you have any further queries then please reply to this email message or send a separate one to: info@harpendenlearningforleisure.org.uk If you need some guidance about enrolment then send an email message to Elaine O’Brien:enrol@harpendenlearningforleisure.org.uk Elaine will happily call you back if you would like to speak to someone in person, but remember to include your telephone number.
September may seem some way off but please note that courses get booked-up. We limit the number of attendees so do apply soon. Take a look at our website, choose a course or courses, complete a form and make your application. If you are interested in a Spring 2025 course please hold your application until towards the end of the Autumn term. We will let you know when nearer the time. You can download a printable handout of the courses by clicking on the following link: http://www.harpendenlearningforleisure.org.uk/documents/2024-2025-course-handout-9.pdf
Wherever you happen to find yourself this summer, I hope things go well for you and enjoy the good weather while you can.
John W. Smith, for the committee. Harpenden Learning for Leisure.
PS. The course ‘Design Challenges of Iconic Buildings and Bridges’ is already fully booked. Sorry but we don’t have a waiting list.
Sept 3. The new season of Harpenden Photographic Society begins 3rd September 2024, with another incredible programme of activity for anyone interested in photography.
We have an amazing opening speaker for our first night, with legendary rock photographer Danny Clifford coming along to Harpenden Trust, Southdown Road to present his acclaimed ROCK STARS DON’T SMILE talk.
I’ve attached a press release with more details, and a Dropbox link below to other formats for the release, and also a folder of images from Danny (copyright and credit: Danny Clifford).
This opening event is free to members, but anyone interested in coming along just for the talk can buy tickets from Eventbrite.
More infomation at: www.harpendenphotographicsociety.co.uk
Come and join us!
The Harpenden Gardening Society is a friendly group of local, like minded amateur gardeners who currently meet 8 times a year to learn more about, how to grow, nurture, enjoy and benefit from creating more attractive gardens.
Each meeting takes place in All Saints Church Hall in Station Road,Harpenden at 7.45pm on Tuesday evenings.
Below is a list of our 4 autumn events in 2024 featuring a wide range of (often amusing) gardening experts who enjoy sharing their knowledge and passion with our members.
You can have the chance to ask advice and chat to them over a cup of tea or coffee after their Talk. The evening usually ends by 9.30pm.
10 September‘Asters’, (plants for sale)
Jacqueline Aviolet, Rosies Garden Plants
8 October‘In the not bleak midwinter’
Timothy Walker, Botanist
12 November‘Gardening in the third age’
Anne Luder, Garden Designer
3 December‘Gardeners Question Time’
Our own ‘experts!
Membership is only £15.00 a year or £4.00 per meeting.
For further information see our facebook page ‘Friends of Harpenden Gardening Society’ Look forward to seeing you soon.
We have had a great Christmas planning meeting. There is so much to be getting on with and we would really appreciate your help:
If you are connected with a company, or have other ways of sourcing fabulous raffle prizes for our famous Winter Raffle, we would LOVE to hear from you.
If you have children or connections with a school that might be interested in taking part in Christmas Jumper Day on December 12th, please do get in touch.
If you are local to Harpenden, put December 5th in your diary for a Christmas Concert to remember.
Now's the time that community groups such as Lions, Rotary and Round Table, are looking at their Christmas fundraising, if you are able to nominate the AT society to be the recipients of this funding, we would love to hear from you.