Bishop Andrew has graciously agreed to the Bishop’s Garden being open to the public for four Sundays in the summer.
The garden will be open from 2 to 4pm on the following Sundays in June and July:
Sunday 28 June Sunday 5 July Sunday 12 July Sunday 19 July
The two acres of garden is an oasis in central St Albans and visitors frequently comment on the fact that they did not know the garden was here or how extensive it is.
Entrance is £5 per person (children free) and dogs on leads are welcome.
All money raised is donated to the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust.
The Bishop of St Albans Garden
Abbey Gate House, Abbey Mill Lane, St Albans AL3 4HD
Animal lovers, bargain hunters and families alike are invited to enjoy a fun-filled community event at the upcoming Equine Table Top Sale & Dog Show on Sunday 31st May at Widford Playing Fields (SG12 8SL) from 11am to 1pm.
This popular local event promises a fantastic morning packed with great finds, family entertainment and plenty of four-legged fun – all while supporting a wonderful wildlife cause.
Visitors can browse a variety of amazing items for sale at the table top stalls, enjoy refreshments and cheer on entrants in the much-loved Dog Show. The event is set to be a lively and enjoyable occasion for all ages.
Adding to the excitement, Sammies Animal Experiences will also be attending with:
Donkey rides – £4
Grooming Shetland ponies – £3
Entry to the event is just £1, with Dog Show entries costing £2 per show, per dog, per class. Both cash and card payments will be accepted on the day.
Importantly, all money raised will go to support Wild At Heart Rescue, a small wildlife rescue CIC based in Uttlesford, Essex. The organisation is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing wildlife, helping injured and vulnerable animals recover and return safely to the wild. You can learn more about their work via Wild At Heart Rescue Facebook page (facebook.com/WildAtHeartRescueAndRehab).
The organisers would also like to thank the event sponsors:
Coffee and Coping are starting something that’s been needed for a long time.
On Monday April 13th, Coffee and Coping launches its first ever women’s talking group. It will run every second Monday of the month, 7:30–9pm at The Farmers Boy, Brickendon.
This is a free space for women of all ages. No pressure. No judgement. Just a place to sit down and talk about what’s really going on – whether that’s menopause, life changes, stress, or just the build-up of everything we all carry.
It’s about sharing real experiences, real conversations and helping each other feel a bit more steady walking back out than when you came in.
The group is run by a woman who has been through menopause herself and brings a wealth of life experience – not theory, not textbook – real understanding and the ability to guide the room in a way that feels safe and honest.
It’s held in a pub, so yes there’s access to drinks, whether that’s a tea, coffee, soft drink or something stronger. But the space itself is set aside, so you can talk properly.
This is another step forward for Coffee and Coping – making sure there’s somewhere for everyone in the community.
If you know someone who might need this, send it to them. Share it into women’s groups, mum groups, anywhere it might reach someone who’s been keeping things in.
Because the truth is simple – everyone deserves a place where they can just be seen and be heard.
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.
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
** POSTPONED ** Please note that this event has been postponed until March 8th…
Join us for a relaxed and family friendly community event this Sunday 11th January, 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. 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.
The British Red Cross are holding an Autumn Gift Fair, which will take place on Monday 27th October at Fanhams Hall, 10am to 3pm. The funds raised will go towards helping those facing crisis.
There will be a large variety of unique & interesting stalls, including clothing, textiles, jewellery, food and drink, and much more! It’s an ideal opportunity to purchase gifts for family members and friends while having a thoroughly enjoyable day out.
Light refreshments will be available. There is FREE parking within the grounds of the hall.
If you have any enquiries, please get in touch with emmajaneslater@redcross.org.uk.
Baby Loss Awareness Week, which runs from 9 to 15th October every year, is a time for everyone in the baby loss community and beyond to come together, to remember much-loved and missed babies, and raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss.
Sands – the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity – leads this special week. It is represented by a blue and pink ribbon logo, which has been the inspiration to create Ribbon Displays up and down the UK, in every community, inviting those who have experienced loss to come together and remember their babies.
The 3 Churches Ribbon Display The 3 Churches Benefice is hosting a Ribbon Display outside St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbotts. You are encouraged to add your own ribbon of remembrance during the week. The church will also be open from 3–5pm on Sunday 12th October for quiet reflection.
The 3 Churches Ribbon Run From 3pm on Sunday 12th October, a team will run/walk the 5km circuit from St Andrew’s to raise funds for Sands. Walkers and Runners welcome!
The loss of a baby or pregnancy is heart-breaking, and this is happening to families across the UK everyday.
If you are in need of any support locally, please do reach out to The 3 Churches Benefice: vicar@3churches.net / 07488 914972 / 01920 870009.
For anyone who needs the support of Sands, you can find more information on their website www.sands.org.uk.
Saying Goodbye Service at St Albans Cathedral On 14th October at 7pm, in St Albans Cathedral, Saying Goodbye (part of the Mariposa Trust) will be hosting one of their special services. This is 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.
To read more on the charity, please see the Saying Goodbye website, which you can find at: www.sayinggoodbye.org.
We’re getting ready for another fantastic AppleFest at St Elizabeth’s Centre – and you’re invited! It’s just around the corner, so be sure to pop the date in your diaries!
🗓 Saturday 27 September 2025 📍 St Elizabeth’s Centre, Perry Green, Much Hadham 🕚 11:00 am–3:30 pm 🎟 Free Entry (donations welcome!)
Enjoy apple picking, live music, a BBQ, local stalls and plenty of family fun – all in support of our mission to empower people with complex needs.
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