Join us this Mothering Sunday on 15th March as we celebrate and give thanks for our mothers, and all those who nurture and care for us.
We especially invite those with children to our family friendly services, designed to be creative, engaging and suitable for all ages:
💜 9am – Mothering Sunday Service at St John the Baptist, Great Amwell 💜 4pm – Mothering Sunday Make Church at St Andrew, Stanstead Abbots
We also have more traditional services: 🌸 10.30am – Morning Prayer at St Andrew, Stanstead Abbots 🌸 10.30am – Holy Communion at St Mary’s, St Margarets
There will be flowers given out at every service as a small token of appreciation and love.
Mothering Sunday can bring many different emotions for different people and we are here for all of them. Wherever you are on your journey, you are warmly invited to join us.
If you hear bells ringing this morning (on Friday 6th March), they are coming from St John the Baptist, Great Amwell – and there’s a special reason why!
A talented team of bell ringers will be attempting a pealto celebrate Roy’s 90th birthday. Seventy years ago, Roy rang the very first peal on these bells after they were augmented to six, so this is a particularly meaningful occasion.
The band will be splicing together 15 different methods, with beautiful names such as Cambridge, Primrose, Hull, Ipswich and Norfolk. We don’t often hear a full peal here, making this a rare and special event.
Bell ringing is an ancient and highly skilled art form, practised in around 5,000 towers across England and a further 500 worldwide.
And if you’d like to have a go at bell ringing yourself, new ringers are always welcome! We practise every Thursday from 7:30pm to around 9:00pm at St John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell. Please contact Frances Adams (fmadams750@gmail.com) for more information.
The March Issue of The Three Villages Magazine is here and is now available to pick up FOR FREE across the villages.
In our first issue of 2026, we have the latest updates from our local schools; meet local artist, Oliver Combellack; take a look at incredible local charity, All Sorts Dementia Group; we have the next in our new series, ‘Glimpses into our Past’; a fascinating article about The Maltings; and lots more!
You can get The Three Villages Magazine from, but not limited to, the following locations: The Village Pharmacy St John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell St Mary’s Church, St Margarets St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbots The Bridge Shop The Maltings Café St Margarets Train Station
Also, if you can’t get out to get a copy, you can text (07488 914972) or call us (01920 870009) and we will get one to you.
Looking ahead… We would love to hear from you if you have an interesting story or an upcoming event to promote. The approximate deadlines for 2026 are: 3rd April (June Issue), 3rd July (September Issue) and 3rd October (December Issue). Alternatively, we can also promote your upcoming event/share your news on our News & Events blog. Please do get in touch!
Thank you for your continued support, The Three Villages Team
Join us for a relaxed and family friendly community event on Sunday 8th March, combining an Equine Table Top Sale with a fun Dog Show, all in support of a wonderful cause.
The event will take place from 11am until 1pm at Albury Village Hall, SG11 2JD and is entirely indoors, so you can enjoy the day whatever the weather brings. Even if conditions outside aren’t great, the event will still go ahead as planned. In the event of bad weather, the dog show will also be held indoors.
🐶 Dog Show
The dog show is all about having fun and getting involved, rather than serious competition. There will be prizes awarded from 1st to 5th place, kindly sponsored by Essex Cooling Ltd. It’s a great opportunity to show off your dog, have a laugh and enjoy the community atmosphere.
🐴 Equine Table Top Sale
Browse a variety of equine-related items and other small business-holder stalls, meet fellow enthusiasts and pick up some great finds in a warm, indoor setting.
❤ Supporting a Great Cause
All funds raised from the event will go towards Rose Cat Rescue, helping to support their important work caring for cats in need. You can find out more about this great charity on their website: https://www.rosecatrescue.co.uk/
Whether you’re an equine enthusiast, a dog lover, or simply looking for something enjoyable to do on a Sunday, this event promises a lovely couple of hours for everyone.
Hertfordshire County Council is inviting residents, community partners, businesses and stakeholders to help shape a cleaner, healthier future for the county as it launches a public consultation on its draft Air Quality Strategy.
You can view both the full draft strategy and a summary when completing the online survey before the consultation closing date on 22 March 2026.
Find out more about the consultation and have your say at: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/AirQuality26 You can view a one-page summary of the strategy below.
With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on household budgets, a new initiative across Hertfordshire is helping residents stretch their weekly food shop further.
Community supermarkets offer good-quality food and everyday household essentials at very low prices – often under £1 per item. They are designed to support people who may not need a food bank but are finding it harder to manage rising costs.
Although there isn’t currently a community supermarket based in Great Amwell, St Margarets or Stanstead Abbotts, there are eight locations across Hertfordshire, with plans to open more in the future. Some residents may find it possible to travel to an existing site, and the scheme is expected to expand as demand grows.
To use a community supermarket, residents need to sign up and complete a simple eligibility assessment. Once registered, the first eight visits are free, thanks to funding from the Household Support Fund. After that, a small membership fee applies alongside the cost of the shopping.
The scheme is run by Community Help Hertfordshire, working with Hertfordshire County Council, and is now open to self-referrals, meaning you don’t need a professional referral to apply. As well as affordable shopping, visitors can also receive information about other types of support that may be available to them or their family.
We are delighted to reveal the cover of the first issue of 2026!
It features this amazing photograph by local resident, Annette Hannah, showing the Meridian Stones sculpture, which was commissioned to celebrate the centenary of the Meridian Line that dissects Stansted Abbotts. The blossom really adds to the spring feel!
Annette Hannah is a local author of romantic comedies, the first of which was inspired by St Margarets signal box and is called Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe. The picture of the beautiful cherry blossom trees depicts where the opening and closing scenes of the book are set.
You will be able to pick up your copy of The Three Villages Magazine: Issue 17 at the start of March across the three villages. Don’t forget that our magazine is now FREE!
If you can’t get out to get a copy, please text (07488 914972) or call us (01920 870009) and we will get one to you.
Thank you for your continued support, The Three Villages Team
EVENT DETAILS Date: Sunday, 15 February 2026 Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Location: Cheshunt Register Office, Bishops College Churchgate, Waltham Cross, EN8 9XH Parking: Available on-site (please note parking charges apply) Public Transport: Convenient local public transport links are nearby.
Are you planning your big day and looking for the perfect venue, suppliers and inspiration? Look no further! The Cheshunt Register Office is hosting an open day on Sunday 15th February, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. This is your chance to explore one of Hertfordshire’s hidden gems while connecting with local wedding suppliers to help bring your dream wedding to life.
Located in the heart of Bishop’s College, a former 18th-century theological college, Cheshunt Register Office boasts a stunningly beautiful setting that exudes history and charm. The venue’s showpiece, the Octagonal Suite, is a bright and welcoming ceremony room with a gorgeous wooden vaulted ceiling and plenty of natural light – ideal for exchanging vows.
Photo by Jeremy Wong Weddings on Unsplash
But that’s not all! The grounds surrounding the Register Office offer picturesque gardens complete with a small lake and a bridge over the New River, providing couples with beautiful backdrops for their wedding photos. Whether you’re just beginning your wedding planning or looking for those last few finishing touches, this open day is the perfect opportunity to explore all that Cheshunt Register Office has to offer.
You’ll also have the chance to meet a selection of top-tier local wedding suppliers, each ready to help you create your dream day. Among the suppliers in attendance are:
Darling Buds – Local florists who can provide everything from delicate bouquets to full-scale floral arrangements.
Dress it Yourself – Event hire and styling experts, helping you add those personal touches to your celebration.
Jodie Allen – A talented wedding photographer who will capture your day in timeless style.
These are just a few of the incredible suppliers who will be there to answer your questions and discuss your wedding plans.
The event is completely FREE to attend, but you need to register your interest in advance via a short registration form. REGISTER HERE
WHAT: SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE WHEN: February 14th – March 1st 2026 WHERE: Brothership Studio, 14 Bull Plain, Hertford, SG14 1DT
At Brothership Studio, the art doesn’t sit still. We’re a living, breathing studio space, where creation unfolds in real time and visitors step inside an experience rather than simply viewing one. This spirit of experimentation sits at the heart of our mission to break down traditional art‑world barriers and champion a more open, immersive way to connect with creativity. It aligns perfectly with the pioneering energy of this upcoming show.
We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Pure Evil for a vibrant new exhibition that brings together iconic favourites and never‑before‑seen works, revealed exclusively on opening night. The show will sit alongside fresh pieces from our resident artists — Cherry Pie, Liz Loxton, Matt Collinson, Natasha Jowett, Nick Shipton, Oliver Combellack, Sue Black and Tim Voss — celebrating the full spectrum of talent that fuels our space.
Ever wondered what links the rave scene, graffiti culture, pop art and unfiltered emotion? Pure Evil provides the answer.
Using imagery and graphics recognised from popular culture, Pure Evil reveals the hidden depths and possibilities that lie beneath the surface of these icons. Often featuring his trademark teardrop, his work can turn beauty into a nightmare and the everyday into a social statement. His art mines a much deeper vein than what is visible on the surface, it prompts difficult emotional questions and elevates our sense of place within the world.
Just as Pure Evil’s icons begin to reveal their untold stories, we invite you to dig deep and ask: What is yours?
Come along to our Exclusive Opening Night. 13th February | 6pm–11pm.
We’d love to see you all there. Bring a friend and let’s celebrate the great art in our wonderful town of Hertford.
Snowdrop Garden Open Days – Possibly for the Last Time – in Support of the Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust
We are pleased to share that the Bishop of St Albans’ Garden will open to visitors this February, offering a much-loved chance to enjoy God’s creation in its early spring beauty. This year’s openings may be the last time the garden is made accessible to the public, making the occasion especially meaningful.
Thousands of snowdrops and other early bulbs will be in bloom, creating a peaceful, uplifting place to wander and reflect. All proceeds will go directly to the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust, which helps fund essential repairs to historic churches across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
Bishop Richard, Acting Bishop of St Albans, writes: “This is a lovely way to enjoy the first signs of spring while supporting an important cause. We’re proud to contribute to preserving the unique heritage of our local churches.”
Open Garden Dates Abbey Gate House, Abbey Mill Lane, St Albans AL3 4HD
• Saturday 14 February • Sunday 15 February • Saturday 21 February • Sunday 22 February
Time: 2pm–4pm Entry: £5 per adult (all proceeds to the Trust)
All are warmly invited to visit the garden, perhaps for the final time as we are not sure if the new Bishop will continue to allow the garden to be opened to the public, enjoy its seasonal beauty and support the preservation of our cherished church buildings.
For more information, please contact: Jane Smith, PA to the Bishop of St Albans Email: janesmith@stalbandiocese.org
