MAY & JUNE 2026
April. Loveweds in Harpenden are now
‘BY APPOINTMENT’. Their new superstore is now open in central St Albans by the Clock Tower.
Mitch will visit Harpenden to meet clients on agreed times.The photos below show an image of the new store and contact details.
Looking ahead to the Summer.
Classics on the Common
On Wednesday 22 July, Rotary in Harpenden will again be organising this year’s classic car show on Harpenden Common. As usual, there will be no entry charge for the public but, in return for the chance to enjoy the spectacle of up to 1000 classic vehicles, scooters and motorbikes, we ask the public to support our charities by donating as generously as possible at any of the collection points. More information is available at classicsonthecommon.com. The organisers of this charity event, Rotary in Harpenden, suggest that residents should if possible avoid using the Harpenden-St Albans road (A1081) between 11.00am and dusk as there will be considerable congestion with classic vehicles entering and leaving the Common opposite the Silver Cup.
SPRING IS HERE at THOMPSONS CLOSE CAFE
Owner Damien Tidd has a few words of welcome...
We are embracing the warmer weather and introducing some Spring & Summer specials to the menu alongside our existing much loved breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes.
We are also serving our refreshing iced coffees and selection of 16oz milkshakes to help cool you down … giving you a few more reasons to call in to TCC!
Inside and outside.
May Shopping on the Harpenden High Street
Town Mayor Cllr Beth Fisher opens the Annual Photography Exhibition Saturday 25th April High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden
The Metabolic Way has announced the dates for its Spring 2026 programme, which will be delivered entirely online, offering participants the flexibility to join from anywhere.
Developed by Harpenden residents Rose Butler and Katharine Tate, also known as The Food Teacher, the programme brings together their shared expertise and passion for supporting long-term health through practical, sustainable lifestyle changes.
The six-session programme will take place on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30pm (GMT). The scheduled dates are 21st April, 28th April, 5th May, 19th May, 9th June and 16th June. If you're likely to miss one or two sessions we are happy to provide a recording and notes.
The Metabolic Way programme is designed to help individuals better understand and support their metabolism through practical, sustainable approaches. Across the six sessions, participants will explore ways to improve energy levels, balance blood sugar, and build long-term habits that support overall health and wellbeing.
By delivering the programme online, The Metabolic Way continues to make its content accessible to a wider audience, allowing participants to take part from the comfort of their own homes while still benefiting from a structured and supportive learning environment.
Further information about the programme, including booking details, can be found at https://themetabolicway.com/.
Enquiries are also welcome via email to info@thefoodteacher.co.uk.
UNA Harpenden Public Meeting on Saturday,
16 May
UNA Harpenden will be hosting a public lecture on Artificial Intelligence: Should We Be Worried? by Suheil Shahryar, Chair of UNA Harpenden, at the Salvation Army Hall, Leyton Green, Harpenden AL5 2TG. Register here for the talk.
HLfL is holding a FREE coffee morning on Friday 15th May from 10.30 a.m. until Noon at Bennet's, on Leyton Road, Harpenden. It is an opportunity to meet fellow students and HLfL committee members and to hear about the exciting new programme of courses for Autumn 2026 and Spring 2027. Our new art history lecturer, Dr Valerie Shrimplin, will give a short illustrated presentation on 'Mysteries of the Sistine Chapel'.
Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits
Mingle with members and other guests
Hear about our programme of events
Friendly and Informative
Thirty minute introductory lecture, “Mysteries of the Sistine Chapel”
Free registration via our website
Where: Bennet's Club, 21 Leyton Road, Harpenden, AL5 2HU.
Access: Step free access to the main hall
Register: Click here to enrol or simply send an email to: enrol@harpendenlearningforleisure.org.uk stating how many participants will join you.
THIS MAY we plan to celebrate International Nurses Day, + details on our partnership with local solicitors for Make Your Will Month, our new Sunrise to Sunset Golf Challenge, our partnership with Run for Charity, and details on our charity skydive, as well as a selection of our upcoming supporter-led events.
International Nurses Day 2026
Date: Thursday, 12 May 2026
What’s on: Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care is inviting local people to share a message of thanks to its nursing teams this International Nurses Day. From care at the charity’s Inpatient Unit at Peace Hospice in Watford to providing Hospice at Home care in the place a patient feels most comfortable, the charity’s nurses work around the clock to deliver extraordinary care to people within Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire, every day of the year.
Further information: To share a message of thanks from personal experience, a reflection or some words of gratitude for the care they provide to people in our community, visit rgphospice.org/NursesDay
Make your Will Month
What’s on: Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care is working with local solicitors to offer the opportunity to write a Will in support of the hospice care charity. During the month, participating solicitors waive their usual fee in return for a donation to the charity. A suggested minimum donation of £250 applies for a single will or £350 for a pair of mirror wills – which is a significant saving on the usual cost which could range from £500-£900.
Half Price Books at
T G JONES
What’s new at THREADS.
See this incredible in store display
Above: Society chair Steve Collins welcomes Cllr Beth Fisher to the event.
Above, Cllr Beth Fisher talks to many of the Society photographers. to the event. A stunning set of images of Sweet Peas. As a grower of these beautiful flowers I was more than impressed .
Always new & stimulating Art on display at Molasses House...
Anyone up for Chess? Two stunning handcrafted chess sets by Street Art icon Thierry Noir and Sophie Matisse, great granddaughter of the legendary Henri Matisse. Truly unique and breathtaking. See them at the Station Road Gallery.
#thierrynoir #sophiematisse
#chess #purling
#contemporaryart
Food, Glorious Food
The Harpenden Society are pleased to confirm that restaurant owner Andrei Lussman will be revealing the realities of running modern restaurants alongside inspiring local solutions.
Andrei Lussmann will be sharing insights from 24 years of serving sustainable, affordable food through rising costs and competition.
Restaurants remain the embodiment of the ultimate emotional investment but often struggle to survive beyond their 1st birthday.
With high failure rates, low margins and intense working conditions you would be excused for wondering why anyone would open a restaurant, let alone a sustainable one.
With the cost-of-living crisis now into its 15th year and a homegrown workforce shy of confrontation and hard work, is running a modern day restaurant still a sane venture (or venture for the sane)?
ALSO Alison Wren from FoodSmiles will highlight how their initiatives connect communities through food grown locally.
FoodSmiles is a Community Benefit Society, based in 5 Herts locations including Hammonds End Farm in Harpenden. They aim to encourage people to grow and eat more sustainable local food through building a community of food-growers. They make local food and food-growing more accessible, bring our community together, share skills and provide a new source of local food for Harpenden.
The event on June 11 will start at 7.30pm with a short AGM.
Demand for seats (FREE) will be high, so booking via the Harpenden Society web site is recommended.
Thursday May 14, Celebrating Eric Morecambe’s 100th Birthday at the EMC.
This special event on Thursday afternoon attracted a large audience to see a special archive of Morecambe and Wise memorabilia on display in the foyer.
There was plenty to see and share memories of times gone by whilst enjoying the hospitality laid on by the EMC.
I spoke to Matt Webster (pictured below) who has been collecting anything related to M&W’s performances for many years to build up a massive array only some of which was on display today.
Surprisingly Matt has never seen them live.
He collected the material at Auctions, shops, on line almost anywhere.
So BIG THANKS to Matt.
BIG NEWS FROM THE BBC
THEY HAVE DISCOVERED
A LOST TAPE OF A
1968 M&W TV SHOW.
This is being aired on
BBC 4 tonight (May 14) and
presumably will be available
on IPlayer