Issue 20
May 2014
In this edition of The Sticks
Exclusive interview with Kate Robbins Win tickets to see the Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers and King of Pop Our new Cheese column BBC Radio 2’s Janey Lee Grace on the Natural Products show We road test the Kia Soul And much more
Plus pages of events listings across Herts, Beds & Bucks
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Welcome to the May edition of The Sticks Magazine!
The most talked about magazine in Herts, Beds & Bucks
With over 16,000 readers a month
In this issue: Page Exclusive interview with Kate Robbins 4 Win tickets to see the King of Pop 7 Curwens Column 8 Managing the Kids 9 Becoming a Grandparent 10 Art Column 12 Car Test – Kia Soul 14 Janey Lee Grace on the Natural Product Show 16 Hero Cheese of the Month 18 Big Barn Food Column 19 Listings – Herts, Beds & Bucks 20
Contributors: Janey Lee Grace, Terry Sullivan Donna Obstfeld, Andrew Merritt-Morling, Jo Coker, Sharon Struckman
See you in June!
Editor & Sales: Terry Sullivan
Tel: 07756 274444 Email: [email protected]
www.the-sticks.co.uk
Follow us on twitter @thesticks9 www.facebook.com/sticksmag
Listen to The Sticks Radio Show at 10am on Mondays on Secklow Sounds www.secklowsounds.org
- 3 - Exclusive Interview with Grumpy Old Woman Kate Robbins
Kate Robbins is an actress, comedienne, singer, songwriter,impressionist and voice- over artist who currently lives in Bedfordshire, She is part of a showbusiness dynasty and has been entertaining us for over 30 years
The Sticks Recently caught up with Kate as she was rehearsing for her new stage show – Grumpy Old Women
You currently live in Bedfordshire but you were not born there? I was born in Kent but was brought up on the Wirral, Merseyside from the age of about 5, I think until I left home at 17 and came down to London but have lived in Bedfordshire since 1988.
It must had been interesting growing up with your family? Yes we are all show off’s that was what it was. It was a bit of a hectic upbringing, my dad was sort of in show business, he used to manage bands and comedians people like that and with Paul McCartney being my Mums cousin we all grew up with that sort of fame all around us and I am not saying we considered it normal but I did not really realise what my family connections were till I had left school and thought blimey. Yes one of the Beatles is your cousin never really meant much when I was at school. Yes all my family are in the same sort of industry, my two sisters and Ted my brother. I was in the Eurovision song contest with my younger sister, Jane years ago in 1980 and we did quite well we came 3rd ; these days for Britain to come anywhere is quite good. We were watched by about 500 million people were else can you play to that many people in one night, it was fantastic and was the first television I had done and I was put in this group called Prima Donna , 3 boys and 3 girls a bit like Guys and Dolls where a few years before and I made friends with all the people in the group and still remain friends with all of them now. It was a lovely journey that. I went on to do other things obviously then I went into Crossroads. I always say that working on Crossroads was the first comedy I ever did, even though it was not supposed to have been. People really loved Crossroads. I was only put in the story because the producer wanted to have a hit recorded from the show, so every time I walked into the motel I would start singing this song which in the end sold over half a million and got to no 2 in the charts it was “More Than In Love”. That was a lovely little start for me really but I had been around for years with my own band before that, I was around at the same time as Kate Bush was having success and I remember hating her another Kate that plays the piano, dark hair, big boobs you know but she is brilliant, I love Kate Bush really so I thought what am I going to do to compete with her
- 4 - and then I sort of fell into comedy and I started doing stuff for Granada TV I did bits with Hale & Pace and loads of others.
You have done lots of things since including singing on the hit Story of the Blues? Yes also I wrote the theme tune to “Surprise Surprise” for Cilla and now they use it again for the Holly Willoughby series, so it is nice that that is still being used as it is a few pennies in the bank.
Tell us about your time on time on Spitting image I did all the female voices on the show except Margaret Thatcher who was voiced by Steve Nallon. It would be fun if they brought it back now with all the politicians expense scandals, it would be great we would have a right old time although then there was some great characters, whilst now everyone is so scared and wants to be so PC and wants to be the perfect politician without any foibles. What made Spitting image so funny is that we picked on peoples worst parts of their personality, that’s what doing a characterisation is all about, so I would do Fergie’s (Sarah Fergusson) voice and have her saying things like “They have named a pudding after me at Buckingham Palace, its called ginger sponge “and then I would put this terrible snort on the end, poor woman she never even did that in real life. We had carte blanche to do what we like really. It was very irreverent and very funny and some of the people brought their own puppets. Celebrities used to get quite miffed if we did not do them, they loved it well most of them anyway. It kept them in the public eye. In those days young kids knew who was in the shadow cabinet now a days you ask who is in the cabinet and they have not got an idea let alone the shadow cabinet, I think it was a good way for children engaging in politics and it made young people interested in politics, which I don’t think we have got at all. I sang on the Chicken Song too so I have been on a number one record and a number two record, that was me singing “Hold a chicken in the air, stick a deckchair up your nose”. They don’t write romantic lyrics like that anymore.
I then went on to do a show with my brother Ted called “The Robbins” that also featured my sisters as well. We did lots of stuff at Granada television for years. We did lots of sketches and impressions it was great fun. He is doing “The Slammer “now a show for children and he plays the governor of the prison, he has a great time doing that and then there is my sister Amy who was in The Royal for years also there is Emma she is a singer who is one of the “Sheila’s Wheels” ladies, she is the dark haired one on the advert and Jane who is a sculptor now she was 17 when we entered the Eurovision - now she is a fully fledged grown up now and doing very serious work.
I then did the Children’s Variety performance and the original series of Deadringers on the radio, I did not want to do it visually because I had enough of doing impressions by then and I was bringing up my kids at home and I just wanted to do voice-overs and did not want to do visual stuff for a while because trying to bring up three kids is hard work.
One of your children is now famous? Yes, Emily (Atack) - she is doing ever so well. She was on The Inbetweeners, Dancing on Ice and 4 movies. She has just finished a film called Almost Married, a thriller. I never expected my kids to have normal jobs.
In 2007 you were given an Honorary Bachelor of Arts degree from Bedfordshire University, for her lifetime contribution to the Performing Arts? I was it was lovely, I was really chuffed to get that, very, very pleased there was me and the chef Jean Christophe Novelli we both got one the same day.
- 5 - One show I did not realise you were in was the Dinnerladies Yes I played Babs in that. I was a very unattractive woman in it who said things like “is it a sit down toilet”. I loved working with Victoria (Wood) and what great writing it was. I have done Doctors, Casaulty and Heartbeat among others, they call me one episdoe Kate! I love doing those. I have also done some classic comedy including Last of the Summer Wine, and the great thing about that programme was that as everyone was so old that when filming they used to finish at 2.30 in the afternoon as everyone needed a nap.
What are you doing curently ? I am touring with a show called “The Return of the Grumpy Old Women - 50 Shades of Beige” with Perrier Award-winning comedienne, writer and original star of Grumpy Old Women, Jenny Eclair and Susie Blake from Mrs Brown's Boys and Coronation Street. It is a three hander, very funny I have to say, it is a riot - you don’t need to be a woman or a grumpy woman to come and see it and enjoy it, we love men coming along too. We have got sketches, tunes and dancing, it has a bit of everything but I don’t want to give much away but honestly it is very funny. We talk about the joy of big knickers, how to customise an unwanted pole dancing kit, the joy of being single and dating in your 50’s - we talk about everything honestly. My two girls Martha and Emily saw it and they went “Mum we love it” and they said “You don’t have to be grumpy or old to enjoy it”.
See Kate in The Grumpy Old Women – Fifty Shades of Beige
1st May – The Stables, Wavendon -Sold out 5th May – Wycombe Swan 16th May – Alban Arena, St. Albans 15 th June - Watford Colosseum
- 6 - Win a pair of tickets to see King of Pop: The Legend Continues
King of Pop: The Legend Continues is led by the world’s number one Michael Jackson tribute artist Navi, which alone sets this show above the rest. Navi is the only MJ tribute ever invited to perform for Michael himself. Michael actually stood up and gave Navi a standing ovation after he performed at one of his birthday parties in LA.
Along with his live band and dancers, Navi brilliantly recreates all the Jackson classics in a show that will take you closer than you ever imagined to an original Jackson concert.
Featuring hits such as Smooth Criminal , Beat It , Billie Jean , Black or White , Thriller , Man in the Mirror and the ‘Jackson Five’ classics in a show suitable for the whole family.
We’re offering the chance to win two tickets to see the King of Pop – The Legend nd Continues live at Watford Colosseum on 22 May. Simply answer the question below
Q: What is the name of Michael Jackson’s best-selling album? a) Invincible b) Thriller c) Dangerous
T&Cs: Not exchangeable for cash or an alternative production/performance Send your answer by email to [email protected] with your name, address, email address and daytime phone number. Closing date: Noon on Friday 16 th May
The prize will go to the first correct entry drawn on Friday 16 th May. Usual Sticks rules apply. Editor's decision is final.
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WILL YOUR BUSINESS SURVIVE YOU?
If you own a small business or are a sole trader, have you considered whether you have made adequate provision for when you are no longer around?
Business Continuity is important for everyone – but especially so for small businesses
• Is your business capable of continuing to deliver its products or services at an acceptable level following a disruptive incident? • How would the business continue to run if you (or a key person) suddenly died, or had an accident that put you out of action? • What happens if there is a practical problem such as fire or flood, IT systems crash, or even something extreme like a terrorist attack?
Even a short interruption can have a disproportionate effect on a small business – totally halting output and letting customers down. Plus, it is more difficult to absorb the financial impact of any business interruption. A high percentage of small businesses affected by a major incident either never re-open or close within 18 months.
It is therefore essential that you have a Business Continuity Plan together with appropriate insurances, a will, and any Lasting Powers of Attorney needed in place. Make sure your employees/family know where all these documents are kept!
Making Your Business Continuity Plan
Step 1: Define your disasters and assess your risks What could happen to you or your business, and what effect would it have?. How likely is it to happen?
Step 2: What would need to be done in the event of a disaster
Give someone responsibility for this and ensure it covers basics like: • evacuation procedures • fire equipment • first aider • Insuring your Premises, Key Equipment, and even Key People • Back up your IT & Telecoms information • Ensure emergency contact information and critical paperwork is kept off site
Step 3: Test the plan Discuss the plan with your staff/family to hopefully expose any flaws and if possible try it out.
At Curwens LLP, we can help with preparing a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney and are always happy to have an initial chat with you on the telephone to run through exactly what you need. So if you have any questions just give us a ring on 01992 463727 or have a look at our web site www.curwens.co.uk .
- 8 - Curwens LLP are your local solicitors based in Royston, Hoddesdon, and Enfield.
Managing the kids
As any working parent will tell you, life fits into multiple compartments all of which need to be juggled, organised and re-organised. Life as a working parent is like one of those children’s puzzle games in which the little squares are moved around to form a picture, however as a working parent, each time you put the puzzle down, one of the children (or your boss, or partner, or childcare provider) comes along and moves all the pieces around again so the picture is a mess again.
Managing the kids to ensure that you are happy with their childcare arrangements can be just as important as finding the right job or managing your boss and your team. Get it right and everything just falls into place, but get it wrong and it will be one of your biggest stressors in life.
There are lots of options for childcare and choosing one that is right for your family will depend on your working hours, your work location, the number of children you have, the age of the children, your partners situation and your budget, not to mention your personal preferences for childcare.
Options such as grandparents, child minders, nannies, nurseries and ultimately school, after school clubs and holiday camps are all thrown into the mix and getting the right combination at the right time is as much an art as a science.
What can you expect from your employers to help make life easier? The answer is often, not a lot. While many employers offer childcare vouchers through a salary sacrifice scheme, many are still not able to offer parents true flexible working as the needs of the business just don’t allow it. Employers should give you unpaid time off to deal with a family emergency, but this is to arrange care, not to provide it. So if a child is sent home sick from school, your employer should allow you time to pick them up and take them home or to the doctors, but they don’t have to allow you to have the following day off to care for your child. Some parents will call in the grandparents, but not everyone has this luxury. Some parents will be asked to take the time from their holiday allowance.
Each employer is different, so it is important that you find out what your rights are within your workplace. Your contract of employment, or employee handbooks, are good starting places for information. All employers should have a documented policy and it is important that they adhere to this to avoid claims of discrimination – consistency is essential.
DOHR is an HR practice working with business and the education sector to “make the workplace a better place to be”.
01923 504100 www.dohr.co.uk [email protected]
- 9 - The complex world of Grandparenthood is explained by Jo Coker Clinical Director of LCC
Becoming a Grandparent
For most of us becoming a grandparent is a wonderful experience and one that we long for so we can share the milestones in the developing child’s life. However, barely a week passes when I do not have either a grandparent or parent in my consulting room, because they are finding the relationship problematic and traumatic; often the stories are heartrending and those involved are very upset. In my experience the problems come about because both sides are trying to avoid conflict and so do not address the issues that are “hot” and therefore cannot make changes and compromises. Much of the upset seems to be caused by lack of flexibility on both sides, but dare I say it is often on the grandparents’ side. Naturally, the grandparents are “old hands”; they have raised their children and have views on how it should be done. Often they forget that times change and with this infant care practices. With this in mind, below are some tips to help those of you expecting a grandchild start on this new stage with as little difficulty as possible and blossom.
• Prepare!! When we have a child we read books and take classes, as a grandparent you too can prepare. There are many good books out there on the topic of becoming a Grandparent with advice and tips. Also, read some books on current baby rearing practice so you can be up-to date in any discussions that you may have. Don’t just hold on to what you know, be curious. • When the expectant parents tell you the news, whatever your concerns, smile and be supportive. You may be worried they are not financially stable or in the middle of a course that will be disrupted or single. These things can be worked out later, announcing your first baby is special, do not cloud it. Check whether this is common knowledge, and who it can or cannot be discussed with. Leave them the pleasure of telling friends and wider family. Many couples, or Mums-to-be like to wait until they have had a scan to check everything is progressing well before they tell the wider family, so respect this. • Do ask what you can do to help and support the couple during the pregnancy. Most couples appreciate an offer of help with equipment or a donation to help with the expense, but be guided by them. You may want to buy up the shop, but it may not be what they want or their taste, so be flexible and open to their needs. • Consider how you might be able to help after the birth, do not make major changes without consultation, but perhaps explore with the parents to be how you might be helpful and what realistically you might want to and be available to do. If you do commit to helping care for a grandchild to enable the parents to work, make sure you think this through very carefully, as it can lead to tensions if you find the commitment too much. • Never tell horrific birth stories or try and direct the birth procedure. You may have had a wonderful natural birth and breast fed until weaning, but you must respect the new mother-to-be and her decisions, which may be very different. Never interfere on this matter it will cause conflict; your relationship with the mother and your grandchild may depend on this. If asked, offer any thoughts very tentatively and not as though they were written in tablets of stone. Be interested in the birth plan and their plans for their child.
-10 - • Remember Mothers-to-be are often very centred on what is happening to them. Make allowances for this and be interested in what is happening to her. Do not be offended if she seems disinterested in your life. This is normal and part of the process for preparing for parent hood, after the birth Mums tend to gradually regain their sense of perspective. • Do be helpful after the birth, but I warn you this is a tricky balancing act! Do too much and you may undermine the new parent/parents and make them feel they are not coping, so be sensitive. I know we all want to hold the baby, but this may mean you are sitting comfortably while Mum is running around making tea. Where possible try to help by allowing the Mother more time with her baby, so offer to do some ironing or cooking. Perhaps take the baby for a walk so Mum can catch up on well-deserved rest. Be aware of post-natal depression and open to talking if it occurs and supporting Mum and baby. Mums today have a lot of pressures on them, which are probably very different from when you had children, be empathetic. Maybe help Mum find out about the good local support available to her. • The Mum may be your much-loved daughter but be prepared to share her time with the other grandparents. In most families there is another set of grandparents, sometimes more with re-marriage. Try to be as diplomatic as possible and communicate with the other grandparents to coordinate visits so the new family are not swamped, and maybe in co-operation with the Mum decide who will do what to help. • If you are divorced from your child’s father or mother, try to find it in yourself to make peace if there has been discord and work together as grandparents for the new baby. There are bound to be events that both of you, and potentially new partners, will need to attend. If you sit through the event looking as if you are “sucking a lemon” this will spoil these precious occasions for all concerned; so take a deep breath, smile and try to be gracious. You children will be appreciative and after you take the plunge it will become easier. If you are finding it hard to do this, or let go of past hurt, then seek help externally, don’t act it out within the family.
I hope these guidelines will help you enjoy what is one of the greatest privileges – that of being a Grandparent.
Local Counselling Centre T: 01462 674671
W: www.localcounsellingcentre.co.uk
-11 - Mayor to celebrate opening of creative ‘hub’ in the Hertfordshire countryside
PS Arts, a popular art and photography gallery, housed in a converted barn in Datchworth, Hertfordshire, is celebrating its official opening on 9 May 2014.
An evening event attended by guest of honour, Councillor Howard Morgan, Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, will mark the occasion. Guests will be invited to browse the eclectic mix of art, ceramics, sculptures and photography. They will also be officially opening their new exhibition gallery at PS Arts, namely “Southern Hemisphere” with a black and white photography exhibition of Portable road in the seventy’s. The foundation for this exhibition is an eclectic series of images photographed by Sarah Bissett Scott in 1976 for her post-graduate research at the Architectural Association. Sarah revisits Notting Hill in photographs and digital prints to share her understanding of what regenerating North Kensington, now more fashionably known as Notting Hill, has meant for its communities. This exhibition will be open to the public for 2 weeks, starting on 9 and running until 25 May 2014.
This characterful farm building has been transformed into a thriving art centre. With her vision and passion, Stevenage-based photographer and art enthusiast, Sharon Struckman, together with two business partners: Bespoke home furnishings creator, Melinda Walsh Baines and successful cake designer and Vintage tea room owner, Sarah Poole. PS Arts is a combination of art gallery, exhibition centre, Bespoke furnishings, workshops and vintage tearoom, has become a popular destination for those who appreciate art, tranquillity and a slice of homemade cake.
It began life when Sharon, who has long been passionate about art and photography, discovered the barn enabling Sharon to start her new venture.
-12 - Following early experimentation with a photo studio, tearoom and small art display, Sharon expanded the art gallery in response to demand from artists and artisans keen to display their art and creations in this beautiful space.
Having enjoyed a career in marketing and PR, Sharon moved to England from South Africa in 2002. She settled into life as a homemaker and mum, while dreaming of creating a retreat for artists and as we all know creativity and passion can turn dreams into reality.
There are now 26 artists promoting their work at PS Arts thanks to Sharon. The art on display covers a range of media including: water colour, acrylic ink, oil, pastels, fused glass, sculpture, jewellery, ceramics and textile arts. “We are passionate about promoting talent,” Sharon explains. “We want to encourage people of all ages and abilities to come here to explore, experiment and realise their creative potential. We have the facilities to hold exhibitions, run courses and host events. This event will be a great opportunity for PS Arts and introduce the public to our new exhibition centre,”Southern Hemisphere.”
This trio of inspiring women are equally passionate about preserving the environment. All furniture and furnishings in use at the barn have been sources from second hand or free cycled sites. There is also great excitement surrounding “Serendipity”, an art inspired garden area being created from up-cycled materials and plants. Although in many ways a work in progress, PS Arts is already a vibrant mingling of visitors to the tearoom, exhibiting artists and people looking to admire or purchase a unique piece of art or design.
The facilities at PS Arts are available for exhibitions, private functions, workshops, life- drawing classes, icing and cupcake classes, upholstery classes and more.
Surrounded by fields, an ancient bluebell forest and a small lake, PS Arts is a creative hub for art, located approximately 30 minutes from London by car or train. It comprises an art gallery, exhibition centre, creative workshop space and vintage tearoom and is the brainchild of three entrepreneurial women:
South African-born Sharon Struckman of PS Arts is a food photographer, art enthusiast, has her own column in Hertfordshire Life magazine. She is the co-ordinator for the Welwyn & Hatfield branch of Herts Visual Arts. www.psarts.co.uk
Melinda Walsh Barnes is an Australian and has lived in Hertfordshire for over 20 years. Her company, MWB bespoke has taken over the adjoining barn, where she has opened her handmade curtains, blinds, bespoke soft furnishing and re-upholstery up cycling business. She loves to share her years of experience in interior design and practical up cycling. www.mwbespoke.co.uk
Talented, Sarah Poole owns We R Cakes, specialising in celebration cakes and is the Vintage tearoom owner at PS Arts from where she also runs cake making and decorating workshops. www.wercakes.com
Nigel Greenwood from of Greenwood Creations. Designs and makes bespoke and up cycled garden furniture which is on show in the new art garden “Serendipity” at PS Arts.
-13 - Kia Bares its Soul
The second-generation of Kia's Soul - a compact crossover - has now gone on sale. Sharing its underpinnings with the Cee'd hatchback and priced from £12,600, Kia claims the new Soul has improved ride and handling. The Soul comes with a choice of two engines and five trim levels. Andrew Merritt-Morling, managing editor of first4auto, our motoring media partner, takes a look.
In order to improve practicality, the new generation Soul is bigger all round - and bolder in looks. Styling leans heavily on the Track'ster concept car that was unveiled two years ago at the Chicago motor show. A new central trapezoidal air intake, low-mounted front fog lights and Kia's familiar 'tiger-nose' grille are the key styling elements.
Under the bonnet, you can choose to select a 1.6-litre direction-injection petrol units producing 130bhp and 119lb ft of torque, or a 1.6-litre turbodiesel with 126bhp 192lb ft. Both drive the front wheels.
The GDI petrol unit emits 158g/km of CO2 and return 41.5mpg. The 0-62mph sprint can be accomplished in 10.6 seconds before going on to top out at 115mph.
The CRDi diesel, meanwhile, emits 132g/km and returns up to 56.5mpg and is slightly slower in the sprint, trailing the petrol model by one-fifth of a second (10.8 seconds). Top speed is also slightly down at 113mph. Select the optional 6-speed automatic and things are more noticeably slower, with the 0-62mph dash completed in 11.8 seconds before running out of steam at 110mph.
Thanks to the new stiffer Cee'd-based chassis, Kia says it has improved the Soul's ride quality via new geometry and suspension bushes.
-14 - As well as the choice of petrol or diesel engines, buyers also have five trim levels to choose from: Start, Connect, Connect Plus, Mixx and Maxx. All models come with DAB radio, variable power steering, painted bumpers, keyless entry, tyre pressure monitoring system, wheel-mounted audio controls and USB/auxiliary audio connections. The entry level Start model has 16-inch steel wheels and air conditioning and weighs in at £12,600.
Move up to the Connect model (£14,800 to £17,900) and you get part-leather trim, larger 17-inch alloy wheels, heated door mirrors, fog lamps, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, a reversing camera, a central storage box-cum-armrest between the front seats and black gloss trim on dash, steering wheel and parts of the door trim. Mid-spec Connect Plus (£15,900 to £19,000) gets an enhanced sound system (including front speaker mood lights) and integrated satellite navigation. The lower three trim levels are available from launch.
The upper two trim levels - Mixx and Maxx - will be following in the summer. The penultimate Mixx (£18,150 to £21,250) gets even bigger wheels - 18-inch alloys - LED lighting, privacy and solar glass and heated front seats as well as exterior trim highlights, including a contrasting-coloured roof and door mirror casings. A tougher, more sport-oriented appearance is provided, courtesy of an urban styling pack. The top- of-the-range Maxx model (£19,950 to £21,550) gets leather trim, front and rear parking sensors and a fixed panoramic sunroof. Its technology is also improved, benefiting from a TFT instrument cluster, smart-key entry and engine stop/start button.
The Soul comes with 354 litres of boot space with its rear seats in place, rising to 1,367 litres with them folded away.
Kia say that a Soul EV - a fully-electric version with zero tailpipe emissions - will also be added to the Nissan Juke-rivalling range at the end of this year.
Kia expect 5,000 Soul's to be sold in the UK as it aims to take full advantage of the booming European crossover market. In 2013, 380,000 units were sold in Western Europe and Kia predicts this will increase to 600,000 by next year. The UK plays a significant part in this picture, contributing more than a quarter of Western European crossover sales.
www.first4auto.com
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Natural Products Show
Inspired by nature fuelled by passion is the ‘strapline’ for the recent Natural and Organic Products Europe trade show at London’s Olympia, the show is in its 18 th year and its massively increasing in popularity, – despite perhaps needing to make sacrifices in other areas it seems people really hold onto their values and are becoming increasingly savvy about good nutrition, good food supplements and the best in natural and organic skincare and beauty products. There were four zones all in the one show,. The Natural Beauty and Spa featuring the best in organic and natural skincare and makeup, some of my favourite companies were there including Green People, Simply Bee (great skincare containing Propolis) Planet Health who do unique skincare with silica and FOM cosmetics who have gorgeous facial oils. The natural health zone featured supplements, herbal products including the high quality supplements and ‘essential food’ from G&G vitamins, Sun chlorella, Better You who make great vitamin D oral spray and the Natural Living zone, everything from Probiotic cleaning fluid from Libby Chan and the laundry soapnuts from Greenfrog Soap
One of the most enticing zones was The Natural Food Show which included raw food, vegan, gluten free and some well-known healthy brands. Some of my favourites included Booja Booja chocolate, the great cereals from Rude Health, Tiana Fair Trade Organics who alongside their raw organic extra virgin coconut oil, coconut water, flour and nectar now also have Coconut Goodness, - coconut flesh in a jar – yum! A real find for me was a US company who have just started distributing their food products into the UK Food For Life baking have great bakery products. It all got quite biblical as I tasted their heavenly Ezekiel 4.9 sprouted grain breads. The sprouting of grains maximizes nutrition and digestibility, while retaining important natural fiber and bran. The resulting protein and complex carbohydrates don’t tend to spike blood sugar levels the way process flour breads would.
Of course some Hertfordshire companies were represented too, Konjac Sponge based in Tring have now added to their collection of cleansing and exfoliating sponges a brilliant one for dogs, to gently wipe their tears! Logona are based in Bedfordshire and have beautiful skincare and beauty products. Holy Lama Naturals are based in Hatfield and have the most unique handmade soaps and body care products based on Ayurvedic principles, there’s also some unique Holy Lama Spice Drops including Cinnamon, Cumin Seed and even Mulled Wine – yes I had a sneaky tipple in the middle of the day – well it’s exhausting being at trade shows!
Have a look at www.janeyleegrace.com for my recommendations
-16 - Win a Pair of Tickets to See the Thrilling Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers Live In Concert on Friday 9th May at Hertford Theatre
From 1 to 18 May, Europe’s most established taiko ensemble will be touring the country with their blisteringly energetic show. This unique performance will feature enormous Odaiko drums, an army of eerie UV Ninjas, and relentless synchronised rhythms that will leave your chest pounding.
Two lucky readers can each win a pair of tickets to this unforgettable evening at the Hertford Theatre on Friday 9 th May. Runners up will receive an exclusive merchandise pack which contains Mugenkyo’s latest DVD.
To be in with a chance of winning simply answer this question: The Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers were founded 20 years ago by director Neil Mackie, but what does ‘Mugenkyo’ literally mean?
A) Limited Revolution
B) Limitless Reverberation
C) Loud Resonance
Send your answer by email to [email protected] with your name, address, email address and daytime phone number. Closing date: Noon on Thursday 2nd May
The prize will go to the first two entries drawn on Thursday 2nd May. There is no cash alternative. Usual Sticks rules apply. Editor's decision is final.
For more information about Mugenkyo:
www.taiko.co.uk
-17 - HERO CHEESE OF THE MONTH
Grevenbroecker
Award winning Cheese monger, Toby Archer from The Cheese Plate in Buntingford will be sharing a great cheese every month. This month we will be focusing on Grevenbrocker, a delicious cheese from
Belgium.
Grevenbroecker is made in the Flanders region of Belgium, in the award winning family run, Catharinadel dairy. This un-pasteurised blue cheese is unlike many other blue's, in being a stacked curd blue cheese, this process involves only cutting the curds, before rolling in the bacteria (mould from rye bread) and pressing into shape, unlike normal blue manufacture which blends the bacteria into the milk early in the cheese making process, subsequently the curds do not take on the taste of the blue. The cheese itself has a delightful marbled effect, soft and unctuous.
Once on the palette this cheese takes on two layers, the creamy curds and the light and salty blue notes, truly a sensational tasting experience, best enjoyed at room temperature, served on a sweet digestive style biscuit with a glass of light sweet desert wine, such as a Monsoon Valley, late harvest Chenin Blanc from Thailand or a Senorio de Sarria Moscatel from Spain, steer clear though, from ports or heavy pudding wines.
www.thecheeseplate.co.uk
26 High Street, Buntingford, Herts, SG9 9AQ
Tel: 01763 271533
Email: [email protected]
-18 - Asparagus Week
Spring is early this year and my Asparagus bed has already yielded one delicious dinner. What better way to celebrate the change of the season with fresh, delicious, healthy, local, or home grown, asparagus.
Asparagus is best eaten within 2 hours from picking. The longer you leave it the more the natural sugars turn to starch and the base becomes stringy and inedible. So now is the time to find your local Asparagus grower and gorge yourself on really fresh shoots, or buy crowns and create your own asparagus bed for a crop in 2 years.
Asparagus Health facts;Asparagus is a very good source of fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as chromium, a trace mineral that enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells.
Like avocado, kale and Brussels sprouts—is a particularly rich source of glutathione, a detoxifying compound that helps break down carcinogens and other harmful compounds like free radicals and help protect against and fight certain forms of cancer.
Superfood & delicious
Asparagus is packed with antioxidants, ranking among the top fruits and vegetables for its ability to neutralise cell-damaging free radicals and help slow the ageing process. It may help our brains fight cognitive decline. Like leafy greens, asparagus delivers folate, which works with vitamin B12—found in fish, poultry, meat and dairy—to help prevent cognitive impairment.
It contains high levels of the amino acid asparagine, which serves as a natural diuretic, and increased urination not only releases fluid but helps rid the body of excess salts.
WOW If like me you are lucky enough to have an Asparagus bed you will cutting selected tips already, 3 weeks earlier than last year. I planted my beds 4 years ago and can only pick until the 1st June (next year mid June). They are delicious and incredibly sweet and tender if picked and cooked straight away.
I will be filling in any gaps this year with new crowns and hoping to try out some new recipes so that we can gorge on the crop and not get bored of such a healthy vegetable.
www.bigbarn.co.uk
-19 - Herts Listings Toploader- Fri 2 May 7.30pm, Formed in 1997, and with a string of over 20 hits at home and Embroidery exhibition - til Sunday 1 Jun A abroad, Toploader rose to global fame in the display of embroidered textiles by Filamenti year 2000 with their cover of ' Dancing In The group. Knebworth House SG1 2AX Moonlight' which maintained a top 40 position in the official UK charts for 50 weeks. Tickets: On the Move: from skates to scooters- til £18.00* in advance, £21.00* on the day. Watford Saturday 31 May How many ways can you think Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 of travelling from A to B? Discover the amazing 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk range of ways people have found to get around with this family friendly exhibition. Free Entry, Barron Knights - Friday 2 May The Barron Open Tuesday – Saturday. Hertford Museum, 18 Knights are probably the most entertaining group Bull Plain, SG14 1DT to come out of the 60’s and 70’s. Don’t miss this one you will walk out the theatre with happy Re-imagined Exhibition - til Saturday 17 May memories. Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage, The New Maynard Gallery is proud to present Lytton Way SG1 1LZ “Re-imagined “ - a collection of works from four renowned Hertfordshire artists. The Hawthorne Our Friends, The Enemy - Friday 2 May The Theatre Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX Western Front, Christmas 1914: lights appear from the German trenches and soldiers meet Ashridge Spring Trail - til Friday 30 May Join us between the firing lines. The events that follow for a stroll through the woodland discovering are the most astounding stories of the Great more about springtime at Ashridge. Follow your War. Letchworth Arts Centre. 2 The Arcade, map, answer the questions and return to the Letchworth Garden City SG6 3EW shop to collect your reward sticker. Ashridge Estate HP4 1LX Kimpton May Festival - 50th Anniversary year - Friday 2 to Monday 5 May This year promises to Discover Sandridge exhibition - til Thursday 29 be bigger and better with 4 days of action May This exhibition is organised as part of the packed events themed what else but -“50” - so Sandridge 900 celebrations. The Discover be prepared for some lateral thinking by the Sandridge exhibition is about the history of this procession float teams. Kimpton SG4 8RB area north of St Albans covering Bernard’s Suggs - My Life Story - Sat 3 May 7.30pm. The Heath. Museum of St Albans, Hatfield Road, St death of Suggs’ beloved cat on his fiftieth Albans AL1 3RR birthday triggers a personal quest to discover
what happened to the father he never Bouncers & Shakers - til Sat 3 May By John knew. Stunned by what he learns Suggs is taken Godber. Directed by John Keogh. Barn Theatre, back to his childhood on the tough streets of Handside Lane, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6ST 1970’s Soho and his first appearance on Top of
the Pops at the age of eighteen. With musical Radlett Players Presents: Neighbourhood accompaniment and uncalled for interjection Watch - til Saturday 3 May This play by Alan from Deano his loyal manservant-cum-pianist. Ayckbourn was first performed in September Tickets: £26.50* Watford Colosseum, 2011. Martin forms a local neighbourhood watch Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN. 0845 group but events get out of hand when 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk Montmorency, Martin’s garden gnome, is smashed. The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL The Future is Unwritten presents: England Away – Saturday 3 May By Paul Hodson 2001, Morcambe - Wednesday 30 Apr and Thursday 1 the night before England thrash Germany 5 – 1. May The Olivier Award winning play stars Bob Four England fans meet for the first time on a Golding as comedy icon, Eric Morecambe. Don’t campsite in Munich. Drink is drunk, songs are miss this moving, often hilarious tale about one sung, secrets are exposed. Old Town Hall, High of Britain’s best loved entertainers. Gordon Craig Street, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE Theatre, Stevenage, Lytton Way SG1 1LZ Stortford Music Festival - Saturday 3 and Grease - Thursday 1 to Sat 3 May Grease is a Sunday 4 May featuring Chas Hodges Band, 1972 musical, set in 1959 at Rydell High School. Uncle Funk, The Men They Couldn’t Hang, The It follows 10 working class teenagers as they Small Fakers, New Town Kings, CC Smugglers, navigate their way through the complexities of Roddy Radiation & The Skabilly Rebels, The Sea. growing up. Hawthorne Theatre, The Campus, St. Mary’s Field, Windhill, Bishop’s Stortford Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX CM23 2NQ Hertford Museum Stores Open Day at the Seed Stapleford Flower Festival - Sunday 4 and Warehouse - Saturday 3 May 11.00 am – 3.00 pm Monday 5 May The Stapleford Flower Festival is Go behind the scenes at Hertford Museum stores. an annual event that has been running for 45 Discover how we store and care for our vast and years. Every year the church is decorated with varied collections. Hertford Museum, 18 Bull flowers, all in arrangements which fit the chosen Plain, SG14 1DT ’theme’ St Mary’s Church, Church Lane Stapleford SG14NB Hitchin Symphony Orchestra - an evening of lolipops - Saturday 3 May St. Mary’s Church, Lemsford Village Fete - Monday 5 May As is Hitchin Leader: Janet Hicks Conductor: Paul traditional, this splendid event will provide a Adrian Rooke ‘Another Evening of Lollipops’ J.C. true English country fete experience with Bach: Suite No. 2 (‘Lucio Silla’) Elgar: ‘Chanson maypole dancing. St. Johns C of E Primary de matin’. St Mary’s Church, Churchyard, Hitchin School, Lemsford Village, Lemsford, Welwyn SG5 1HP Garden City AL8 7TR
Comedy Club - Saturday 3 May Paul B Edwards Beltane Summer Festival - Monday 5 May hosts another anarchic evening of great comedy, Celebrate the start of Summer with a fun-packed with Dan Evans and Al Lubel. Licensed bar. days of activity for all the family at Celtic Letchworth Arts Centre. 2 The Arcade, Harmony, the Iron Age Settlement just outside Letchworth Garden City SG6 3EW Hertford. * Live Music * Drumming Workshops. Celtic Harmony Camp, Brickendon Lane, Hertford Hertfordshire Garden Show - Saturday 3 to Mon SG13 8NY 5 May Get your garden into shape for the new season. Choose from a wide range of plants and Aldbury May Fair - Monday 5 May Aldbury May garden accessories. Book tickets online to save Fair is a great day out for all the family, with 10% - your ticket includes admission to the plenty to see and do. From the traditional May Gardens and Park. Knebworth House SG1 2AX Pole dancing, crowning of the May Queen and Morris Dancers. Aldbury Village, Nr Tring HP23 La Bohème - Sun 4 May 7.30pm.Featuring the 5RT celebrated Chisinau National Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra with international Ruby Wax – Sane New World - Wed 7 May 8pm. soloists. Directed by Ellen Kent, this brand new Ruby Wax, the much loved US born comedian, production is traditionally staged and features actor and writer, is coming to Watford lavish sets and costumes. La Bohème is one of Colosseum with her brand-new show, Sane New the most romantic operas ever written. It tells World . The show is based on her critically the tragic tale of the doomed, consumptive Mimi acclaimed book "Sane New World" which helps us and her love for a penniless writer. This classic understand why we sabotage our sanity with our tale of Parisian love and loss features many own thinking. 'Sane New World' shows us how to famous arias including ‘Your Tiny Hand is rewire our thinking to find calm in a frenetic Frozen’, ‘They Call Me Mimi’ and ‘Muzetta’s world and how to become the master, not the Waltz’. Sung in Italian with English surtitles. slave, of our own minds. This show is your Tickets: £35.00*, £31.00*, £24.00*.Watford passport to saner living. She might not be sane Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 herself but she does a pretty good imitation. 3JN. 0845 075 3993 Tickets £17.50*, £15.50* Watford Colosseum, www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN. 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk Table Top Sale in aid of the National Deaf Childrens Society - Sunday 4 May Good quality Fiddler on the Roof - Wednesday 7 to Saturday second hand children’s clothes, books, toys, 10 May The musical with more than a dozen well maternity clothes, baby items, general known songs including Matchmaker, If I Were a household items, books and other good quality Rich Man, Sunrise, Sunset and even a Bottle items! Scout Hut, Chene Drive, Waverley Road, Dance. The show played well over 5000 St Albans AL3 5PE performances on Broadway. Broxbourne Civic Theatre, High Street, Hoddesdon EN11 8BE Back To Broadway - Sunday 4 May Let this mesmerising show take you through the world of Billy Pearce - Wednesday 7 May One Of Britains musicals, its drama, its beauty and its sheer joy. most talented and best loved comedians and Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage, Lytton Way performers, Billy Pearce, emerged from the SG1 1LZ fertile talent fields of Butlins in the mid 1980’s. Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage, Lytton Way SG1 1LZ
-21 - Secondary Cause of Death - Wednesday 7 to centenary of the start of the First World War. Da Saturday 10 May Digswell Players present this Vinci Hall, Broadway, Letchworth Garden City, Comedy Thriller by Peter Gordon Inspector Pratt SG6 3NX arrives at Bagshot House with grim news for Colonel Craddock, but that’s just the beginning. Arcadians Cabaret Showcase, with Letchworth Digswell Village Hall, 30 Harmer Green Lane, Arcadians - Friday 9 and Saturday 10 May Enjoy Digswell (Next to Welwyn North Railway an evening of great entertainment where the Station/Jn6 A1M) AL6 0AT talented cast will perform a variety of acts from Freddie Mercury to Les Miserables. Letchworth Hellfire Comedy Club - Thu 8 May 8pm. What a Arts Centre 2 The Arcade, Letchworth Garden great night! A curry and three of the finest up City, Hertfordshire SG6 3EW and coming comedians to entertain you. Comedians for May include Ivan Brackenbury, an What the Lady bird Heard - Friday 9 to Sunday inept hospital radio DJ who is the creation of 11 May From the author of ’The Gruffalo’ comes Tom Binns, a former breakfast radio host on ’What the Ladybird Heard live on stage. Fun for London's XFM as well as a comedian in his own all the Family. Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage, right and Kevin McCarthy, “The Man with the Lytton Way SG1 1LZ Beard”. Kevin is a veteran of the early days of Saturday Night Live, the original Comedy Store Carmina Burana - Sat 10 May 7.30pm,Following and the legendary comedy tent at a triumphant performance of The Armed Man Glastonbury. Tickets : £18.00 (includes curry and (Karl Jenkins) at Watford Colosseum in 2012, the evening’s entertainment) Watford English Philharmonia and Chorus return under Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 the baton of conductor Graham Wili with another 3JN. 0845 075 3993 exciting programme. Carl Orff’s dramatic and www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk engaging Carmina Burana is both popular and instantly recognisable and shares top billing with Singing Nina - Thursday 8 May Chicago Jazz George Gershwin’s thrilling and well-loved Queen, Karen Underwood and her band bring the Rhapsody in Blue , for piano and jazz story of the great Nina Simone, from her struggle band. Adding pizazz to the evening is the world against racism and exile from her homeland to premiere of a new jazz piece, The Seasons , by her flamboyant troubled relationships. Gordon Sebastian Weiss, commissioned by English Craig Theatre, Stevenage, Lytton Way SG1 1LZ Philharmonia Chorus especially for this concert. Tickets £25.00*, £20.00*, £15.00*Watford Living Crafts - Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 May Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 An extra special 40th Anniversary Living Crafts 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk Visitors will be treated to an extra special event when Living Crafts celebrates four decades of The Only Way is Downton - Saturday 10 promoting British crafting excellence. Hatfield May Seabright Productions Direct from a West House, Hatfield AL9 5AB End season comes this first national tour of Luke Kempner’s tour-de-force impressions comedy in Thank You For The Music - Fri 9 May 8pm.The an extended version featuring exclusive new world’s favourite ABBA concert show is coming to material. Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel town with an all-new, sequin-spangled Hempstead HP1 3AE production celebrating the 40th anniversary of ABBA’s Eurovision triumph with their first Watford Model Railway Exhibition - Saturday worldwide hit Waterloo. Enjoy the most 10 May Model Railway Exhibition with more than authoritative spectacular ever: Dancing Queen, 20 layouts in a variety of scales and gauges. Super Trouper, Mamma Mia, Thank You for the Trade support attending. Free parking, full Music; Gimme Gimme Gimme and more.Seen the disabled access, refreshments. Queens School, record-breaking movie? Taken in the smash-hit Aldenham Road, Bushey WD23 2TY West End musical? Bought the chart topping albums and singles? Now experience the UK’s Omid Djalili - Saturday 10 May He’s back on No1 concert show Thank You for the Music! tour with a splash, following a sell out four week Tickets £21.00*, £19.00*, Children Under 14 West End residency and a sold out season at the £15.00*Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Edinburgh Festival. Gordon Craig Theatre, Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 Stevenage, Lytton Way SG1 1LZ www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk Blofeld and Baxter: Memories of Test Match Through a Child’s Eyes - Friday 9 May The Special - Saturday 10 May "Blowers and Baxter: horror of war, as seen through the eyes of a child Memories of Test Match Special" is a charming and expressed through dance, marking the show for both cricket and non-cricket lovers
-22 - alike. Hawthorne Theatre, The Campus, Welwyn Tea Dance will evoke memories of a forgotten Garden City, Hertfordshire AL8 6BX era and create memories of a new one. Tea, coffee and a selection of cakes will be available. Kidzstuf nearly new children’s sale - Saturday Tickets: £5.00 Watford Colosseum, 10 May A fantastic nearly new sale selling pre Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN.0845 loved children’s clothes, toys and equipment 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk from ages 0-12 years. Our Lady’s RC Church Hall, Park Road, Rickmansworth WD3 1HU RLOS Presents: Oliver! - Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 May Orphaned Oliver Twist goes Decomposed! - Saturday 10 May Can Will save from mistreatment in the London workhouses to his brother Igor from turning into a zombie? falling in with a gang of pickpockets led by the Down on his luck, Will is forced to move back in roguish Fagin, the kind-hearted Nancy, and the with his smelly twin. Hawthorne Theatre, The menacing Bill Sykes. The Radlett Centre, 1 Campus, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL
Pennyfarthing Antiques & Collectors Fair - HOT FLUSH starring Lesley Joseph - Wed 14 Sunday 11 May A quality range of 70 stalls, May 8pm, Share in the friendships, the secrets, including Porcelain, Jewellery, Glass, Small the laughs, the tears and the ups and downs of Furniture and much more. Ideal for finding that four ordinary women – and one man (Matt Slack) individual gift. Wyllyotts Theatre Darkes lane, – living extraordinary lives. Myra (Lesley Joseph) Potters Bar EN6 2HN is a successful divorce barrister whose rat of a husband has left her for a blonde bimbo, Jessica The North London Wedding Fair - Sunday 11 (Ruth Keeling) is struggling to understand life in May Fantastic location for a wedding fair at this the midst of a mid-life crisis, while Sylvia (Lori 4 star hotel. Amazing, professionally staged Haley Fox) has been married to Joe since she was fashion shows at 12.30pm and 2.30pm by The 20… and bored since she was 21! Helen (Anne Boutique, Enfield. The Royal Chace Hotel, The Smith), a widow, is trying to take one day at a Ridgeway, Enfield EN2 8AR time; it’s just that sometimes several days attack her at once. More fun than joining a gym The Little Hadham Antiques Fair- Sunday 11 and cheaper than botox, Hot Flush! might even May An established fair known for its wide range leave you feeling 34 ½ again! So wipe away the of quality antiques at reasonable prices. Little credit crunch blues and get your girlfriends Hadham Village Hall (Signposted off the A120 together for an unmissable night at Watford between Puckeridge & Bishop’s Stortford) SG11 Colosseum. Bring your man along as well; you’ll 2BP all love it! Tickets £21.50*, £18.50* Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 Plant Fair - Sunday 11 May Stock up your garden 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk at our annual Plant Fair with plants from our volunteer growers and local nurseries. Ashridge Wedding Fair - Wednesday 14 May A superb Estate HP4 1LX wedding fair held in a stunning venue, just a few minutes from the M25. Admission and Parking are Hertford Castle Open Day - Sunday 11 May free of charge. Doors open 5.30pm - 9.30pm. See Hertford Castle will open its doors to the public over 30 local companies. High Elms Manor, High for the first time this year. Take a look around Elms Lane, Watford WD25 0JX the historic Grade 1 listed building and grounds. Hertford Castle SG14 1HR Faulty Towers - The Dining Experience-Thu 15
May 8pm , The Forum Restaurant is thrilled to Little Shop of Horrors -Monday 12 to Saturday host Faulty Towers The Dining 17 May Fresh from last year’s acclaimed Experience featuring Basil, Sybil and Manuel in a production of Anything Goes, Watford Operatic ‘two-hour eat, drink and laugh sensation’ (Daily present a memorable production of ‘Little Shop Telegraph). The show starts as the audience wait of Horrors’ Watford Palace Theatre WD17 1JZ to be seated for their three-course meal and
then hurtles along into the world of the BBC Tea Dance - Tue 13 May 1pm,Mr Wonderful comedy series Fawlty Towers with unscripted return to the Colosseum with a series of madcap mayhem guaranteed! Enter the world of glittering dance events suited to beginners and the snobbish, manic Basil; his domineering wife seasoned dancers alike. Come with a partner or Sybil; and their hopeless language-challenged on your own, come for a dance or just a chat - waiter, Manuel. Be one of the steady stream of we'd love to see you. Get your dancing shoes on bemused guests trying to make Manuel and take to the floor for a graceful, elegant and understand what it is you want; ask for an ‘ice nostalgic afternoon of dancing. The Colosseum’s bucket’ and you may just be presented with a
-23 - ‘nice bucket’; a simple procedure like opening a winding her Dad up. Oh, and she’s a boxer. Old bottle of wine can become a huge drama, and Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead HP1 maybe during all this, you might get some 3AE service – Faulty style of course. There are no booking fees on this performance. Delivery Dylan Thomas’s Final Journey: written and charges may still apply. Tickets: £40.00 including performed by Peter Read - Saturday 17 May a three-course meal Watford Colosseum, Starting in his ‘lovely, ugly’ home town of Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 Swansea, the play follows Dylan Thomas through 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk some of the journeys he made, culminating in his final journey to New York in 1953, where he Jive Talkin’ Perform The Bee Gees - Fri 16 May died. Letchworth Arts Centre. 2 The Arcade, 8pm. The Bee Gees Story unites the UK’s hottest Letchworth Garden City SG6 3EW talent for a truly inspiring evening of everything Bee Gees. This is the show that Bee Gees fans The Aurora Ensemble - Saturday 17 May everywhere have been waiting for. Featuring the The Aurora Ensemble (Wind Quartet) - Zemlinsky stunningly convincing vocals of brothers Darren | Ibert | Nielsen | Jim Parker | Carter | Reicha | and Gary Simmons as Barry and Robin Gibb, as Bizet Established in 1996, the Aurora Ensemble is well as Jarrod Loughlin as Maurice Gibb, these a traditional wind quintet. Hawthorne Theatre, three leading men have collectively starred in The Campus, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX London’s West End, performed on numerous worldwide TV appearances and even Battle re-enactment weekend - Saturday 17 performed live with the Bee Gees themselves. and Sunday 18 May A historical re-enactment of The show also features a stunning acoustic the camp site and the second battle of St Albans medley of some of Bee Gees earlier hits by the Medieval Siege Society will be held on showcasing the uncanny voices of the three lead Bernards Heath. Bernards Heath, St Albans AL1 singers creating a truly emotional musical 4AP journey. Tickets: £20.50*, £18.00* Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 Letchworth Food and Garden Festival - 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May The Letchworth Food and Garden Festival takes over the town Earthquakes in London - Friday 16, Sat 17, Mon centre with local food heroes showcasing the 19 to Sat 24 May By Mike Bartlett. Directed by best produce from the region in our market. Rosemary Bianchi. Barn Theatre, Handside Lane, Letchworth Town Centre SG6 3DD Welwyn Garden City AL8 6ST Men’s Singing Workshop - Saturday 17 May This Polly and the Billet Doux - Friday 16 May workshop led by Dominic Stitchbury, who runs Something brilliantly different – that’s how you the Chaps Choir in London, is designed to get describe Polly and the Billet Doux. Known for more men interested in singing with a choir. This their flawless, energy filled performances, the is a great opportunity for men to get singing. band blend a genius mix of folk, pop, rock n’ Community Hall, North Hertfordshire College, roll. Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Monkswood Way, Stevenage SG1 1LA Hempstead HP1 3AE Dragon Boat Regatta - Saturday 17 May Get An Evening of Burlesque - Saturday 17 May your colleagues, friends and family together and Flushed with success, now entering its fourth set up your teams ready for our first ever Dragon fabulous year, the world’s original touring Boat Racing! Cassiobury Park WD18 7LG burlesque spectacular is about to hit the Alban Arena at 8pm! Officially Britain’s biggest Hot Flush - Sunday 18 May The Naughtiest burlesque. Alban Arena, St Albans AL1 3LD Musical in Town! Starring Lesley Joseph. Gordon Craig Theatre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ Hertfordshire Early Dance May Revels - Saturday 17 May Tudor Feast. Dancing led by Kidz Praise - Sun 18 May 3pm Hallelujah Kidz Anne Daye. Crowning of the May Queen. Praise is a celebration of Easter performed by Entertainment. Live music for dance and singing children and teenagers from age 7 to 19. from the Presence. St Stephen’s Church Hall, 14 Through singing, dancing, drama and Watling Street, St Albans AL1 2PX multimedia, they will tell the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Join us for a special Bitch Boxer - Saturday 17 May House and Snuff time of reflection, entertainment and Box Theatre Meet Chloe, 21 from Leytonstone. celebration with children from around the UK. She likes the simple things in life: cherry Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, sambuca, hairbrush-in-the-mirror karaoke and
-24 - Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 selling recording artists of the 20th century. The www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL St Albans Charity Cycle Ride - Sunday 18 May Organised by the Rotary Clubs of St Albans, The King Of Pop - Thu 22 May 8pm King Of Pop: this fun event is suitable for everyone from The Legend Continues is led by the world’s families to cycling fanatics. Choice of number one Michael Jackson tribute artist ’ increasingly challenging fully marshalled routes. Navi’, which alone sets this show above the Oaklands College Campus, Hatfield Road, St rest. Navi is the only MJ tribute ever invited to Albans AL4 0JA perform for Michael himself. Michael actually stood up and gave Navi a standing ovation after Herts Auto Show - Sunday 18 May Charity car & he performed at one of his birthday parties in bike show event in aid of the Make A Wish LA. The two remained friends and Navi was also Foundation. A large selection of vehicles from regularly hired as a decoy to distract fans and past to present on display as well as local press when Michael visited the UK. Along with his companies and dealerships showing current live band and dancers, Navi brilliantly recreates models. Stanborough Park, Stanborough Road, all the Jackson classics in a show that will take Welwyn Garden City AL8 6DQ you closer than you ever imagined to an original Jackson concert. Featuring hits such as Smooth Carpenters Story - Sunday 18 May Widely Criminal , Beat It , Billie Jean , Black or White , regarded as the first ever “tribute” show back in Thriller , Man in the Mirror and the ‘Jackson its 1989 incarnation, with sell out shows Five’ classics in a show suitable for the whole including The London Palladium. The Radlett family. Tickets £18.00*, £20.00* Watford Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 Hertfordshire WD7 8HL 3JN0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk
Newgate Street Village May Fayre & Fun Dog Bobby socks and Blue Jeans - Thursday Show- Sunday 18th May Come and enjoy all the 22 May This sensational and exciting live music fun of a Village May Fayre - Traditional family production features over 40 smash hits of the fun including - Fun Dog Show - Best Puppy, Most fabulous 50’s and 60’s. Gordon Craig Theatre, handsome dog, Prettiest bitch, Best Veteran Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ dog/bitch, Best condition. Newgate Street Village SG13 8RA Paul Hollywood – Get Your Bake On! - Fri 23 May 8pm Paul takes to the stage for an evening An Evening with Pam Ayres - Monday 19 and of baking, comedy and fun. Audience members Tuesday 20 May Pam Ayres brings her latest will get a real insight into Paul’s life and career show to the Gordon Craig following the recent which has seen him become a household name. publication of her new book of poetry. Gordon From the story of how his father persuaded him Craig Theatre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ to ditch his path as a trained sculptor and join the family baking business; tales of his time as In My Life - Paintings and drawings by Alan head baker at some of the world’s most Briggs - Monday 19 to Friday 30 May A visual exclusive hotels, which lead to him becoming diary of drawings and paintings spanning a one of the country’s finest artisan bakers; to lifetime. Alan Briggs earned a living as a anecdotes from his time filming The Great British photographer and in later years as an illustrator. Bake Off.Paul will demonstrate up to four of his He has sketched and painted all his life. favourite recipes during the show and four lucky Letchworth Arts Centre. 2 The Arcade, audience members, chosen at random, will be Letchworth Garden City SG6 3EW invited to take part in one baking challenge with the chance to be dubbed star baker. Says Paul, Shappi Khorsandi -Tuesday 20 May Star of Live “When I was approached to do a tour, I jumped at the Apollo, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy at the chance, I can’t wait to share my passion Roadshow, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, and for baking with a live audience.” Tickets: Have I Got News for You, Shappi Khorsandi is £28.50* Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth back with a brand new show for 2013. The Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk WD7 8HL Abba Reunion - Friday 23 May Superbly Bing Crosby - Swinging On A Star - Wednesday accurate harmony vocals and a full live band, 21 May Performed by Tony Jacobs and his band combined with stunning replica costumes and Join Tony Jacobs & his Band on this incredible excellent authentic choreography, has produced journey celebrating Bing Crosby, one of the best- one of the most requested tribute shows in the
-25 - world. Gordon Craig Theatre, Lytton Way, another all-singing, all-dancing adventure full of Stevenage SG1 1LZ songs, games and muddy puddles! The nursery roof is leaking and Peppa and her friends need to Postman Pat Live – It’s Showtime! - Saturday 24 fix it - quick! As they set up a fete to raise the May 1.00pm and 3.30pm See Pat and his friends live on stage in an exciting new story – “It’s money for the repairs, they’ll need your help to Showtime!” Hertford Theatre, The Wash, make sure everything goes smoothly. Join Peppa, Hertford SG13 1PS George, Mummy and Daddy Pig, as well as Danny Dog, Pedro Pony and Suzy Sheep as they have fun Jungle Book - Saturday 24 May Set in the putting up bunting, running stalls and organising vibrant tropical jungle of India and adapted from a great day out. There’s also a Champion Puddle the original Rudyard Kipling story, this Jumping competition judged by Mr Potato where production dramatises the journey to maturity of Mowgli the man cub. Old Town Hall, High Street, everyone gets wet and Peppa needs to find her Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE Golden Boots! Peppa Pig returns live on stage with super cute puppets and brilliant sing-along Hertfordshire County Show - Saturday 24 and songs in this brand new show that will brighten Sunday 25 May The annual Hertfordshire County your day. So grab your wellies and brollies and Show traditionally takes place over the late May get splashing! Tickets: £16.50*, £14.50*Watford Bank Holiday weekend. Attracting up to 38,000 Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 visitors & displaying the best of Hertfordshire. The Showground, Dunstable Road, Redbourn AL3 3JN 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk 7PT Teddy Bear’s Picnic - Wednesday 28 May Come The Racing Bug - Saturday 24 to Monday 26 and join us for a fun show, full of songs, games, May Get ready for some high octane full throttle stories and laughter. Children (and mums and fun as the Racing Bug rolls into Letchworth’s dads) are encouraged to bring their teddy bears Leys Square. Letchworth Town Centre SG6 3DD along with them. The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL The Drifters - Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May Following on from the success of the 60th Louise Jordan: Florilegium Spring Tour - Anniversary Diamond Tour, The Drifters are Wednesday 28 May Hailed ‘a rising star’ by the proud to bring a fast moving, exhilarating Telegraph, Louise’s award winning debut album production showcasing the optimum of their own has been described as ‘a masterclass in historical legacy over 60 years. Gordon Craig songwriting’. Touring with her second, critically Theatre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ acclaimed album Florilegium. Baldock & Letchworth Folk Club Orange Tree, Norton Road, Dino Adventure - Sunday 25 May Be a Baldock SG7 5AW palaeontologist and complete our dino trail to claim your prize. Ventura Wildlife will be Frankenstein’s Creature - Wednesday 28 to bringing reptiles for children to handle. Saturday 31 May Viktor Frankenstein’s ambition Knebworth House SG1 2AX was noble and simple: an end to death and suffering for humankind, but blind ambition doesn’t see who it hurts. Mary Shelley’s gothic Mini & VW Show - Monday 26 May Minis from tale is brought to life. The Court Theatre, 1959 to date and VWs from the oldest Beetle to Pendley, Tring HP23 5QY the newest Golf. Arena events, autojumble and trade stands. Held in the Park. Tickets include Stanhope & Elizabeth Forbes - the English "fin admission to the Garden and Dinosaur Trail. de siecle" - Thursday 29 May Lecture by David Knebworth House SG1 2AX Evans JP BSc Stanhope Forbes, painter of
realistic genre, married Elizabeth Armstrong in Animal Antics - Family Activites for May Half 1889 and together they founded the newlyn Term - Tuesday 27 to Thursday 29 May 10.30 School of Art. The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham am – 3.30 pm (last entry 3.00 pm) Make an Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL animal mask and more crafty bits and pieces inspired by our natural history collection. £1.50 Inspector Norse - Friday 30 May A man is found per child. Hertford Museum, 18 Bull Plain SG14 dead in a barn with a walking pole in his 1DT forehead. Enter Inspector Sandra Larsson in her
authentic, rustic knitwear. With her own Peppa Pig’s Big Splash - Wed 28 & Thu 29 May personal life unravelling before our eyes. The Wed 10:30am, 1pm and 4pm Thu 10.30am and Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett 1pm Come and join Peppa and her friends for WD7 8HL
-26 - Little Howard’s Big Show For Kids - Friday before fate’ is how Tchaikovsky signified the 30 May Little Howard is the world’s only live opening motif in his Symphony NO.5 Esther Yoo, interactive animation. He’s won so many awards prize winner at the International Sibelius and fantastic reviews and he’s only just Competition 2010.Bedford Corn Exchange, St celebrated his 6th birthday (for the tenth year in Paul’s Square, Bedford MK40 1SL a row)! Hertford Theatre, The Wash, Hertford SG13 1PS Kitos Latino Vocalist live - Saturday 3 May Join in the payday weekend entertainment at Up Pompeii - Friday 30 and Saturday 31 May Grosvenor G Casino Luton with Latino Vocalist Based on the original characters devised by Kitos performing live within our bar area. 35 Talbot Rothwell and Sid Colin for the Frankie Park Street West, Luton Howerd BBC comedy, this hilarious romp through ancient Pompeii brings back all the television 17th Bedfordshire Classic Motor Show - Sunday favourites. Hawthorne Theatre, The Campus, 4 and Monday 5 May Hundreds of classic Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX vehicles, in beautiful surroundings, including Saloons, Sports, American, Commercial, Military, Frank Skinner - Man In A Suit-Fri 30 & Sat 31 Classic Motorcycles, Kit, Custom, Replica, plus May 7.30pm Following a sell-out London run Club Displays. Woburn Abbey MK17 9WA comedy legend Frank Skinner brings his brand new show to Watford Colosseum. Tickets: Ickwell May Day Festival - Monday 5 May A £28.50*Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth traditional May Day Festival. May Day Road, Watford, WD17 3JN 0845 075 3993 celebrations are held in this small village near www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk Biggleswade, every year. Ickwell Green, Near Biggleswade SG18 9EE We Say Yeah - Cliff Through The Years - Saturday 31 May From the producer of ’Rockin’ Wilden’s Annual MayDay Fayre - Monday 5 May on Heaven’s Door’, ’Elvis through the Years’ and One of the best village fetes for miles around ’The British Pop Invasion’ comes a new show will be opening at 1pm on Monday 5th May. The celebrating the music. The Radlett Centre, 1 Bedford Pipe Band will march down Wilden High Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL Street at 1pm to the Village Hall. Wilden Village Hall, High Street, Wilden MK44 2PB The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe - Saturday 31 May Dyad Productions Monroe as Bedford: Bamberg Spring Fest 2014 - Friday 9 we’ve never seen her before: alone in her and Saturday 10 May 12 noon to midnight, bedroom, in dressing gown and slippers-no glitz, Harpur Suite, Bedford Come and enjoy our twin no glamour, no masks. Overdosed on pills, the towns’ best exports at the brilliant Bedford woman behind the icon unravels. Old Town Hall, Bamberg Beer Festival! Over 40 different German High Street, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE Beers, Wines & Schnapps. Bedford Corn Exchange, St. Paul’s Square, Bedford MK40 1SL St.Albans Steam and Country Show - 50th Anniversary Event- Saturday 31 May and Pavenham Nursery Plant Sale - Saturday 10 Sunday 1 Jun 2014 marks the 50th anniversary May A chance to buy high quality and often of Herts Steam traction engine rallies. Some of unusual plants direct from a wide range of the engines present 50 years ago will be back professional nurseries. Free advice. Herbs, again, together with photographic displays of all Basket and bedding plants, Clematis, Alpines, the other exhibitors. Oaklands College, just off Herbaceous perennials. The Village Hall, the A1057 Hatfield Road, St. Albans, (Approx Pavenham, Bedford (towards the Oakley end of Satnav code AL4 0XR), AL4 0XR the village) MK43 7PH
Floral Art Show - Saturday 31 May and Sunday Indoor Table Top Sale - Saturday 10 May 1 Jun Home Counties Area of National Refreshments., Adults 50p children under 12 Association of Flower Arrangers is holding its 10p.St Anne Church, Crawley Grn Rd Luton LU2 Area Show. Competition flower arranging from 0RB local clubs with demonstrations of flower arranging to watch. Riding School Conference Bob Marley Tribute LIVE at Grosvenor G Casino Centre, Hatfield House, Hatfield AL9 5NQ Luton - Saturday 10 May Join in our weekend entertainment with Marlon as our Bob Marley Beds Listings Tribute live. Marlon arrived in the UK from Jamaica around 8 years ago. Grosvenor G Casino Luton, 35 Park Street West, Luton LU1 3BE Philharmonia Orchestra: Tchaikovsky & Sibelius- Friday 2 May ‘Complete resignation
-27 - Stotfoldmill Steam Fair and Country Show - jasper, carnelian, coral etc. Stockwood Hotel, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May This is the Stockwood Crescent, Luton LU1 3SS 12th year we have held this popular event which continues to go from strength to strength. It Tina Turner Tribute live at Grosvenor G Casino started from very humble beginnings and has Luton - Saturday 17 May Join in our weekend gradually built up over the years to be a firm entertainment with Justine Riddoch at our Tina favourite. Mill Lane, Stotfold SG5 4NU Turner Tribute performing LIVE at Grosvenor G Casino Luton. Officially The UK’s Number One Season Premiere Airshow - Sunday 11 May Tribute to Tina Turner. Grosvenor G Casino Celebrating 50 years of the Friends of our Luton, 35 Park Street West, Luton LU1 3BE Collection – The SVAS. This special airshow does just that, it recognises the invaluable Meppershall Festival 2014 – Tea and Cakes, contribution made by the Shuttleworth Veteran Salsa & Music! - Saturday 17 May Now in its 5th Aeroplane Society. The Shuttleworth Collection, year, this popular community event will once Old Warden Aerodrome SG18 9EP again showcase local talents. This year: we will have lovely tea and homemade cakes for sale in Ailesbury Mausoleum & Crypt - Sunday 11 May the village hall during the afternoon. This is a fine example of one of the first Meppershall Village Hall, High Street Meppershall mausolea to be built in the country with the SG17 5LX earliest parts being built by Thomas Bruce, a descendant of the legendary Robbie! St Mary’s Biggleswade Antiques Fair - Sunday 18 May Church, Church Rd, Maulden MK45 2AU Over 45 stalls offering a range of antiques from jewellery, glass, china, pictures, postcards, Contemporary Applied Textile Art kitchenalia and militaria. Popular cafe serving Demonstration by Katie Essam - Wednesday 14 lunches, hot and cold drinks. The Weatherley May Katie is a mixed media, textile artist. She is Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade SG18 8JH inspired by everyday beauty which she incorporates into her work. Katie combines Lockdales Coins and Collectables Free freehand machine embroidery, appliqué, paint, Valuations and Buying - In Event - Tuesday 20 crochet and more. West Room, Parish Hall, May Bring along your coins and collectables for a Church Road, Harlington LU5 6LE free, no obligation expert valuation. You will also have the option to consign your goods to our ABBA Reunion - The 40th Anniversary of auction or to sell them direct to us for cash. The ’Waterloo’ Tour - Friday 16 May In 1974 a little Old Palace Lodge Hotel, Church Street, known Swedish pop group swept to superstardom Dunstable LU5 4RT with their Eurovision winning ‘Waterloo’, and 40 years later the song and the band remain as Charlie and Lola’s Extremely New Play - Friday popular as ever. Bedford Corn Exchange, St. 23 and Saturday 24 May Charlie and Lola are Paul’s Square, Bedford MK40 1SL completely excited to be back on stage with their Extremely New Play - and this time they’re Free Mahoosive Ukie TooNes Ukulele Gathering bringing along Sizzles the Dog! Grove Theatre, Uke-Oustic Jam in the Park - Saturday 17 May Grove Park, Court Drive, Dunstable LU5 4GP Come down to join Totternhoe’s very own Ukie TooNes Ukulele Gathering music fest with a A Classic Evening Airshow - Saturday 24 May difference. Join 12 Ukulele gatherings for a Soak up the atmosphere at our simple, elegant monster jam in the park inside the grand and unique evening airshow. The flying displays marquee. Totternhoe Football and social club include a selection of our beautiful aircraft and LU6 1RG there will be features from visiting aircraft. The Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden Aerodrome Bedford Sinfonia - From Russia with Love - SG18 9EP Saturday 17 May Tchaikovsky - Romeo and Juliet Overture; Glazunov - Concerto for Alto A Traditional Village Fete at Clophill - Saturday Saxophone; Prokofiev - Violin Concerto No. 1; 24 May St Mary’s Church Clophill is holding a Rachmaninov - Symphonic Dances, Opus 45; traditional fete in the Church Grounds. Lots of Bedford Corn Exchange, St Pauls Square MK40 stalls, exhibitions, music, children’s 1LE entertainment with refreshments. St Mary’s Church Grounds, High Street, Clophill MK45 4BE Luton MrBead Bead Show - Saturday 17 May String & Loose Bead & Pearls Supplies for the Mentmore Arts Festival - Saturday 24 to Home Jewellery Maker. Many different gemstone Monday 26 May local art raising funds for your beads like jade, turquoise, pearls, agates, local Hospice. Florence Nightingale Hospice
-28 - Charity (FNHC) is delighted to be chosen as a Moonrakers Celtic Music - Friday 2 May beneficiary of this year’s Mentmore Arts Festival. Moonrakers are four consummate musicians Mentmore Village Hall, St Mary’s Church playing harp, fiddle, whistles, guitar, Irish Mentmore LU7 0QF bouzouki and female/male vocals. St Michael’s Church, Stewkley, Nr Leighton Buzzard LU7 0HL Classic Bike Rally and Family Event - Saturday 24 May A great family outdoor event, in the Organ Recital - Saturday 3 May Celebrity historic grounds of Moggerhanger House. What Organ Recital by Ian Tracey Organist to the City will you see and do there?...Classic Motor Bikes - of Liverpool and Organist Titulaire Liverpool all entries welcome, a great variety of stalls. Cathedral. Buckingham Parish Church, Castle Moggerhanger Park,Park Road, Moggerhanger, Street, Buckingham MK18IBS MK44 3RW Bedford, Bedfordshire MK44 3RW Longwick Village Fete - Saturday 3 May A fun Take That Tribute live at Grosvenor G Casino day out for all the family. Starts at 12 noon with Luton - Saturday 24 May Join in our weekend traditional May Day celebrations. Lots of entertainment with the UK’s top Take That activities, entertainment, music, craft and food tribute, ‘That That LIVE’ only at Grosvenor G stalls. Go Karts. Fairground. Longwick Village Casino Luton. Last time this group was here, we Hall Playing Fields HP27 9QY had over 300 women dancing the night away. Grosvenor G Casino Luton, 35 Park Street West, Hazeldene Farm Lambing, Piglets & Local Luton LU1 3BE Crafts & Food Stalls - Sunday 4 May •Come and see the baby piglets and lambs being born •Feed Luton International Carnival - Sunday 25 May the animals •Meet Nelson and Poppy our resident With spectacular colourful costumes, music from farm dogs •Walk around the farm & visit our around the globe, street entertainers and farm shop Hazeldene Farm, Ashridge Road, international food to tickle your taste buds, it Chesham HP5 2XD will be a truly unmissable day. Luton Town
Centre LU1 2LJ Spring Steam Gala & Model Railway Exhibition - Sunday 4 and Monday 5 May Spring Steam Groovy Grasshoppers and Crafty Crickets - Kids Gala and Model Railway Exhibition (Including Crafts and Storytelling - Tuesday 27 May Make a Rewley Road layout) Industrial Steam Gala model of these amazing minibeasts. Find out including up to 7 locos in steam, double heading, about the life cycle of grasshoppers and crickets. freight trains, Driver for a Tenner and Brake Van. Marston Vale Forest Centre, Station Road, Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Marston Moretaine MK43 0PS Station, Quainton, Aylesbury HP22 4BY
Wands in the Willows - Outdoor Adventure - Tea Party at the museum - Sunday 4 May This is Friday 30 May A walk to the willow huts to raising funds for Cancer Research UK Relay For make crazy crowns and magic wands. Marston Life Buckingham 2014. Team - The Midnight Vale Forest Centre, Station Road, Marston Runners are holding a Tea Party in the exercise Moretaine MK43 0PS yard at Buckingham Old Gaol. Buckingham Old Gaol, Market Hill, Buckingham MK18 1JX Bon Jovi Tribute live at Grosvenor G Casino Luton - Saturday 31 May Join in our payday Florrie’s Scootathlon & Duathlon for sporty weekend entertainment with our very own ‘Jon kids! - Monday 5 May Get your scoot on kids! Bon Jovi Tribute’ LIVE at Grosvenor G Casino Back for 2014, is Florrie’s Scootathlon & Luton. The premiere UK tribute to the music of Duathlon, a fantastic sporting challenge for Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. Grosvenor G children aged 4-11. You can take part in a scoot, Casino Luton, 35 Park Street West, Luton LU1 cycle and run Stoke Mandeville Stadium, 3BE Guttmann Road, Buckinghamshire HP21 9PP
Bucks Listings The 2014 Chalfont St Giles & Jordans Literary festival - Tuesday 6 May to Sunday 18 May Entertaining Mr Sloane - London Classic amongst the stars of the literary world joining us Theatre - Friday 2 May Kath and her elderly for this year’s celebrations will be the respected father, Kemp, live in a house on the outskirts of historian, TV presenter and author Dr David a rubbish dump. Their drab existence is Starkey. Master storyteller and best-selling interrupted by the arrival of a new lodger, the author. Various locations within Chalfont St Giles enigmatic Mr Sloane. The Theatre, Stantonbury and Jordans HP8 4QF Arts & Leisure MK14 6BN
-29 - Bonham’s Valuation and Talk - Thursday 8 May Oye Santana LIVE @ Clayton’s Marlow - A visit by Simon Davies of Internationally Thursday 15 May Performing the best of Santana acclaimed Bonhams. Simon will give a talk including worldwide hits such as Maria Maria, followed by a public valuation or identification Smooth and Oye Como Va, Clayton’s Marlow, 16 of your favoured item. Please bring one item Oxford Road, Marlow SL7 2NL with you. Buckingham Old Gaol, Market Hill, Buckingham MK18 1JX "Mort" - an amateur production of Terry Pratchett’s novel by Stephen Briggs - Friday 16 Little Chalfont Farmers’ Market - Saturday 10 May Performed by Chesham Bois Catholic May Great selection of quality, locally produced Players, this is our second foray into the world of food at this monthly market. Buy rare-breed Terry Pratchett. Welcome to the Discworld – in a pork, bacon and sausages, buffalo meat, lamb, world that travels through space. The Little game and poultry plus seasonal fruit and Theatre by the Park, Church Street, Chesham vegetables. Village Hall car park, Cokes Lane, HP5 1HU Little Chalfont HP8 4UD Living Together A Play by Alan Ayckbourn - Marlow Choral Society present Rossini’s Petite Friday 16 and Saturday 17 May Staged by CADS Messe Solennelle - Saturday 10 May Marlow in association with Samuel French. Cheddington Choral Society present their Spring Concert, Village Hall,Church Lane, Cheddington, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, with piano and Nr.Leighton Buzzard LU7 0RU harmonium accompaniment, conducted by Chris Grant. Also featuring Rossini piano solos. All Fawley Hill Steam and Vintage Transport Saints Church, The Causeway, Marlow SL7 2AA Weekend - Friday 16 to Sunday 18 May A weekend of family fun: Steam trains, Vintage Aston Clinton Village Market - Sunday 11 May fairground, traction engines, vintage transport Don’t miss a wonderful opportunity to sample from Camels (racing) to jet planes (flying over) and take home a huge selection of farmers’ Fawley Hill, Fawley, Henley on Thames RG9 6JA market produce including bread, cheese, pickles and chutneys, home-reared pork, free-range Chiltern Hills Vintage Vehicle Rally - Sunday 18 eggs, cakes. Aston Clinton School, Twitchell May There will be up to 1000 vintage vehicles to Lane, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury HP22 5JJ admire, everything from buses, tractors and lorries to cars, motorbikes and steam engines. Paws for a Walk for Hearing Dogs for Deaf 100+ trade stands Weedon Park, Weedon Hill, People - Sunday 11 May Enjoy a beautiful walk Near Aylesbury HP22 4NN around Wendover Woods and join Hearing Dogs with your picnic when you finish! The Woods are Wedding Fair at Wycombe Swan & Town Hall - at the highest point in the Chilterns and the Sunday 18 May All the needs of your special day views are stunning. Wendover Woods HP22 5NF under one roof enhanced by a beautiful venue with staff and exhibitors at your disposal. Come Buckinghamshire Railway Centre - Vintage and meet the staff and local suppliers St Mary Train Steaming Open Day - Sunday 11 May A Street, High Wycombe HP11 2XE chance to ride on our historic Vintage Stock dating from the 1890s with no extra charge. Buckinghamshire Railway Centre - Diesel Day - Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Sunday 18 May D2298 in passenger service and Station, Quainton, Aylesbury HP22 4BY another diesel on a parallel freight train. Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Taplow Girls’ Choir - Sunday 11 May Taplow Station, Quainton, Aylesbury HP22 4BY Girls’ Choir directed by Gillian Dibden MBE. A wonderful choir of young female voices which Nancy Astor’s birthday party at Cliveden - performs to an outstanding standard. Programme Sunday 18 May Step back in time to the 1930s to include works by Purcell, Bob Chilcott. Christ and celebrate the birthday of one of Cliveden’s Church URC, Oxford Road, Marlow SL7 2NL most illustrious past owners, Nancy Astor. Meet ’Nancy Astor’ and her party guests. Cliveden, Our Country’s Good - Wednesday 14 to Taplow, Near Maidenhead SL6 0JA Saturday 17 May It tells the true story of the first penal colony in Australia and a young, Love Your Local Market: Launch of Aylesbury’s ambitious lieutenant, Ralph Clark, who agrees to Vintage & Craft Bazaar - Tuesday 20 May Bring direct a play with convicts in the main roles. The your mysterious antique treasures, family Theatre, Stantonbury Arts & Leisure MK14 6BN heirlooms and curiosities to Aylesbury Market where TV antiques expert will be on hand to give
-30 - free valuations and share his knowledge. Market Sunday 25 May Metropolitan No. 1 will be Square, Aylesbury HP20 1TW steaming following her triumphant return to London’s Underground System!! Buckinghamshire Northern Ballet: A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Tuesday 20 to Sat 24 May Northern Ballet brings Quainton, Aylesbury HP22 4BY its magic to Shakespeare’s most bewitching play in this critically acclaimed dance version of A Cream teas, plant sale and tombola - Sunday Midsummer Night’s Dream. Milton Keynes 25 May Come and enjoy cream teas at Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes Cholesbury Village Hall from 2pm - 4.30pm. A MK9 3NZ wonderful selection of home-made cakes and scones will be on sale. There will also be a stall Royal Philharmonic Orchestra | John Lill’s selling locally grown plants. Cholesbury Village 70th Birthday Celebration -Wednesday 21 May Hall, Cholesbury Lane, Cholesbury HP23 6ND The world-famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra arrives at your door step in a concert celebrating Annual Bus Rally & Veteran Cycle Club of Great John Lill’s 70th Birthday who will perform Britain at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre - Beethoven’s memorable and lively Third Piano Monday 26 May Annual Bus Rally with the Concerto. Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Veteran Cycle Club of Great Britain. You can Exchange St, Aylesbury HP20 1UG expect to see around 20 buses and a dozen vintage bicycles and tricycles. Buckinghamshire Northern Ballet: Three Little pigs - Friday 23 Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, May Following the fantastic sell-out success of Quainton, Aylesbury HP22 4BY Ugly Duckling, Northern Ballet is delighted to announce our latest ballet especially for Children’s activities at Buckingham Old Gaol - children, Three Little Pigs. Milton Keynes Owls! - Thursday 29 May Come and meet Tony Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes Hewitt and his 8 owls from Owls to Behold. Tony MK9 3NZ will give a short talk and there is lots of hands on with the owls. Buckingham Old Gaol, Market Hill, Comedy Night - Friday 23 May A delightful Buckingham MK18 1JX evening of comedy brought to you by Top Marks Entertainment. Staring Mary Bourke, Dominic Stony Music Hall! - Friday 30 May A second Holland and Tony Cowards. Light snacks and scintillating stab at sensationally spiffing stuff, drinks available at the bar. Missenden Abbey, with the effervescent Julie Bubbles, some new London Road, Great Missenden HP16 0BD acts and a few return visits from the sell-out first one. There will be hankie-chewing. York House Mentmore Arts Festival - Saturday 24 to Centre, London Road, Stony Stratford MK11 1JQ Monday 26 May Exhibition and sale of local artists paintings, prints, photographs, sculpture, Gig Delusion Comedy Night in aid of Florence glass and pottery. Mentmore Village Hall and St Nightingale Hospice and Willen Hospice- Mary’s Church Mentmore LU7 0QF Saturday 31 May As part of the John Schorne 700 celebrations, a comedy night with a Festival of Transport - Sunday 25 May A whole difference comes to Whitchurch, as comedienne range of classic vehicles attending, from vintage Andy Kind performs his stand-up show. St John Fords to sleek Ferrari’s. Army vehicles to old the Evangelist Church, Whitchurch HP22 4JZ tractors plus motor bikes of all eras. Longueville Hall, Hammond Park, Whaddon Road, Newton Buckinghamshire Railway Centre Miniature Longville, Milton Keynes MK17 0EG Traction Engine Rally - Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 Jun Miniature Traction Engine Rally All Morgans’ Day - Sunday 25 May The Morgan organised by the VAMES Miniature Railway, with Centenary Roadster R100 Register, in ride-on traction engines all faithfully built cooperation with The National Trust and Help for smaller versions of the real thing. Heroes. Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Nr Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Aylesbury HP18 0JH Station, Quainton, Aylesbury HP22 4BY
Moving Mail Weekend with Postman Pat & Jess the Cat at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre –
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