Author Archives: Anna Bond

Baby loss remembrance and support service at St Albans Cathedral

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Saying Goodbye, (part of the Mariposa Trust) are coming to St Albans with a very special Baby loss remembrance and support service (part of a UK and Ireland chain of events).  

The Mariposa Trust’s core objective is to support people who have lost babies at any stage of pregnancy, at birth, or in infancy. It was founded in 2012, by Zoe and Andy Clark-Coates, who saw a critical lack of support for people like them, who had gone through baby loss. With over 258,000 babies being lost yearly in the UK alone, the charity needed to be able to offer not only a comprehensive package of befriending and support but also national baby loss remembrance services (called Saying Goodbye Services), for people to join together and remember the children they had lost. 

12 years on, over 200 services have taken place at Cathedrals and Minsters across the UK, US, and France, and 2024 will see 25 services across England, Wales, Ireland, France and the US. 

On the 14th October at 7pm, in St Albans Cathedral we will be hosting one of our Saying Goodbye Services and as this is the most local service to you this year we wanted to share this information with you.

So who is the service for?
Anyone who has either personally lost a baby at any stage of pregnancy, at birth, or in early years, or who has been affected by family members’ or friends’ loss.  Whether the loss was recent or 80 years ago, everyone is welcome to attend. We have also extended the services, and gladly welcome anyone who is grieving the fact that they haven’t had children. This may be due to circumstance, infertility, or for other reasons – but all are welcome. Babies and children are also invited to come with their families, as the Saying Goodbye service is truly a family event for all.

We know that as 1 in 4 women suffer miscarriage and baby loss, you will have contact with a significant number of people who have either personally suffered baby loss, or who have a partner or family member that has, so we wanted to ask if you would help us in promoting the service.

 To read more on the charity, please see the Saying Goodbye website, which you can find at: www.sayinggoodbye.org

Other ways to get in touch…
Tel:0300 323 1350
Email:office@sayinggoodbye.org
Website:www.sayinggoodbye.org
Twitter:@SayinggoodbyeUK 
YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-Z0IrXDGVA
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/SayingGoodbyeUK

Coffee and Coping Hertfordshire

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Did you see our article on the new community group, Coffee and Coping Hertfordshire, in the September Issue of The Three Villages Magazine? If not, then pick up a copy and check it out!

Coffee and Coping Hertfordshire was set up to create a community that supports those who need it: tackling loneliness, encouraging positive well-being and signposting to real solutions.

The group meets every Wednesday and Friday, 12 to 1.30pm at the Ashlea Room, Parish Hall, Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbotts.

**BRAND NEW EVENING DROP-IN**
Wednesday, 5 to 6.30pm at the Ashlea Room
For anyone coming home from work who needs a chat to talk about their day!

Everyone is welcome!

For more information, visit their website: www.coffeeandcoping.org, email copingandcopingherts@gmail.com or call 07990730188.

OPEN DAY TOMORROW: Samantha Sanders School of Performing Arts

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SAMANTHA SANDERS SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS
OPEN DAY TOMORROW!

Tuesday 17th September at 4.30pm
Nigel Copping Community Building, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12 8GA

Free dance trials, free cake, free goodie bags, an opportunity to win some great prizes and some great sign up offers.

We ask that all children attending register their attendance on the event (follow our Facebook page Samantha Sanders School of Performing Arts and click on the event), and if possible arrive at 4.30pm for introductions before the demo classes start.

Although our demo classes on our open day will be aimed at children aged 5–10yrs, younger and older children are still welcome to join in and get a feel for some of our dance styles whilst learning about the school.

Demo classes running on the day will be:
* Ballet 4.45pm
* Modern dance 5.15pm
* Musical Theatre 6.00pm

The school currently runs classes from 2yrs and above.

If you are looking for a different dance discipline or age group, or would like to book a free trial on another day, please get in touch.

Sanders School of Performing Arts
Phone: 07733 484817
Email: ss_performingarts@hotmail.co.uk

The September Equine Table Top Sale and Dog Show

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The next Equine Table Top Sale and Dog Show on Sunday 29th September 2024!

WHERE: Albury Village Hall, The Bourne, Albury
WHAT TIME: 11am to 1.30pm

EQUINE TABLE TOP SALE
Tables are £10
Book in advance (contact Gail on 07747300095)
Tables provided by the hall
Entry £1 (cash only)

DOG SHOW
Entry £2 per show per dog (cash only)
Ribbons awarded up to 5th place for all classes

All money we raise goes to Dogateers, a friendly, dedicated voluntary team of animal lovers who apply their combined experience and skills to help safely locate, trap and bring home lost dogs.

How are you celebrating the Harvest?

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Harvest is a time of thanksgiving for the harvest and all the food that comes from the land. The 3 Churches Benefice has a number of different services over Harvest and would love to invite you to join them…

Harvest Songs of Praise
WHEN: Sunday 15th September
WHERE: St John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell

On Sunday 15th September, from 6.30pm, join us for Harvest Songs of Praise at St John the Baptist. Refreshments of cider and cheese will be served afterwards.

Harvest Festival
WHEN: Sunday 22nd September
WHERE: St James’s Church and  Stanstead Bury Farm, Stanstead Abbots

A Harvest Festival will be held on Sunday 22nd September! Join us for an 11am Benefice Service of Thanksgiving at St James. This will replace the normal 10.30am service at St Andrew’s. This will be followed by lunch at Stanstead Bury Farm featuring locally grown food and drink. To book tickets for lunch (£15), visit https://tinyurl.com/4hm4395x.

All Age Harvest Service
WHEN: Sunday 6th October
WHERE: St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbots

Our All Age Sunday Service at St Andrew’s is a great way to bring the family together in celebration of the Harvest. Everyone is welcome!

If you want to know more, please contact admin@3churches.net or check out The 3 Churches website HERE.

Cups on a String: a TLG / Riding Lights Performance

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To mark 25 years of bringing hope and a future to struggling children across the UK, Transforming Lives for Good (TLG) are collaborating with the Riding Lights Theatre Company to share their stories with you. 

The 3 Churches Benefice are thrilled that the TLG / Riding Lights team have agreed to perform their new production on Wednesday 16th October, 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbots.

What’s it all about?

Joe’s eleven and home is hard. School is even harder. He breaks stuff: pencils, chairs, rules. One thing he won’t break is his silence. Heather’s fifty-seven. She’s got a comfortable life and a comfortable home. But her comfortable world is about to be turned upside down as she and Joe spend an hour a week together. Every week. For a year. Where will this journey of hours and weeks take them?

‘Cups on a String’ is a warm-hearted and moving new play, developed from remarkable true stories. It’s about playfulness, listening and laughter, and how risk-taking and trust can lead to growth and transformation. Challenging, surprising and beautifully hopeful, ‘Cups on a String’ blends theatre, live music and digital technology to take you into the heart of the friendship between Heather and Joe, and the profound impact it has on them both.

Who is this for?

Everyone! Any individual who cares about children and has a passion for bringing hope and healing to children who are struggling at home and school would be inspired by this event. We hope that many people will gain a better understanding of the experience children face today and how the work of volunteer coaches can transform children’s lives. The play is suitable for teenagers and adults but not recommended for younger children.

To book your tickets call the Box Office at 01904 613000 or book online at ridinglights.org/cupsonastring.

The Three Villages Magazine: Issue 11 is here!

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The September 2024 issue of The Three Villages Magazine is here and available to purchase for £1 across the three villages. Be sure to pick up your copy!

You can find it at a number of locations including:
The Village Pharmacy, Stanstead Abbotts
St John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell
St Mary’s Church, St Margarets
St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbotts
The Bridge Shop, Stanstead Abbotts

In this issue, along with all our regular features, you will find the latest in our Local Historic Faces & Places series; a focus on new charity, Coffee and Coping; an interview with local Brownie Leader, Helen Payne and much more!

We are also continuing our PRIZE DRAW offering the chance to win a FREE full-page, full-colour advert in a prime slot within the next print issue. This issue’s winner is Farrelly Plumbing and you can check out their advert on the inside back cover.

If you are struggling to get a hold of a copy, please do get in touch and we will get one to you.

Thank you for your continued support,
The Three Villages Team

Heritage Open Day 2024

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On 7 September we will be throwing open our doors for Heritage Open Days 2024. Heritage Open Days: 6–15 September is England’s largest community led festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE. Find out more HERE.

Join our Heritage Services team on a tour to discover some of County Hall’s archives, art and architecture at 11.30am and 1.30pm. You can also descend into our archive stores during a behind the scenes basement tour at 10.30am and 12.30pm, and visit our Conservator in his studio to watch him at work.

Tours need to be pre-booked via our events page but the Conservation Open Studio is a drop in event and will be open between 10am and 2pm.

Hertfordshire Archive and Local Studies

Bike ‘n’ Hike 2024

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Bike ‘n’ Hike is a fun day out where you get sponsored to visit beautiful historic churches by cycling, walking, or any mode of transport on a route of your choice. Take part and help your church – half of what you raise goes to your local church!

Do you like to get out in the beautiful local countryside? Are you interested in our beautiful local historic churches? If yes, then why not take part in this event!

Bike ‘n’ Hike Family Map
The 3 Churches Benefice have put together a specially designed Family Map for a circular route between the three churches. Route starts at any of the churches and can be done on foot or bike. The three churches will be open for pit stops along the way! Email admin@3churches.net for more information.

Find out more about Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust HERE.

Live Longer Better: find local opportunities to be active

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If you’re aged 50 or over, come along to this year’s free Live Longer Better celebration event to find out about the range of physical activity opportunities available in Hertfordshire. CLICK HERE to watch a promotional video.

Join The Live Longer Better in Hertfordshire Movement on our mission to get more people, more active, more often. The Movement encourages older adults to be active as a means of increasing their healthy lifespan.

On Thursday 5th September 2024, we are holding the second ever celebration event at the University of Hertfordshire’s de Havilland campus and Hertfordshire Sports Village based in Hatfield.

The day, which is free to attend, will consist of a mix of keynote speakers, informative marketplace and physical activity sessions, and will run from 9.00am–3.30pm. Discover innovative ways to stay strong, maintain balance, enhance flexibility and foster a sense of community.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of a Revolution that champions active ageing, leaving no one behind. This community gathering aims to empower Hertfordshire residents to embrace a longer, healthier and happier life.

Please bring a water bottle on the day, as there are water fountain facilities available to use. Wear comfortable clothing and supportive shoes. All equipment will be provided for on the day.

You’ll be able to try taster sessions, including tai chi, chair yoga, walking football, pickleball and more.

WHERE AND WHEN

Date: 5 September 2024
Venue: University of Hertfordshire
Time: 9.30am–3.30pm (you can enjoy the whole day or come and go as you please)
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Register online by clicking HERE or call 01707 281201. If you want to browse local physical activity opportunities before then, visit the Moving More website.

Hertfordshire County Council

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