Category Archives: Christmas

A Christmas Message from The Three Villages Team

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As the festive season draws near, we’re filled with warmth and gratitude for the sense of togetherness that Christmas brings. It’s a time to celebrate – with sparkling lights, delicious food and the joy of connecting with those we hold dear. But we also understand that for some, the holidays can be a time of struggle. Whether due to personal challenges, loss, or the pressures of the season, we know that Christmas isn’t always filled with cheer for everyone.

To those who may find this time difficult, please remember you’re not alone. Our community is strong, and we’re here for each other. We encourage you to take this season at your own pace, to embrace the small joys and to reach out if you need support. Every step forward, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.

Christmas is about connection: not only through festivities, but through kindness, understanding and lifting each other up. Together, we can create moments of light and hope for all, making sure no one feels left out or forgotten.

From all of us at The Three Villages Team, we wish you peace and the strength to make this season your own. May it be filled with warmth, comfort and the quiet joy of knowing you are part of a caring and supportive community.

With best wishes,
The Three Villages Team

Quick reminder for anyone in crisis over Christmas:
If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or in crisis, Herts Mental Health Helpline (0800 6444 101) is open 24/7 for advice and support.

Stanstead Abbotts Advent Window Trail

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The Friends of St Andrews School presents Stanstead Abbotts Advent Window Trail. A brand new fundraiser for 2025!

Join us this Christmas as our community lights up with festive window displays – one magical reveal each evening.

Each window has been lovingly decorated by families, organisations and businesses.

Collect a letter from each window to reveal a special festive message!

Maps are now on sale – every £2 purchase goes directly to St Andrews School.

Printed maps are available at the school Christmas Fayre, or for a digital version contact Gemma (07791264279 via WhatsApp or email fostawindowtrail@yahoo.com).

So wrap up warm, grab a map and discover 24 magical windows!

Christmas Tree Festival: THIS WEEKEND

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Christmas Tree Festival
2–6pm on Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th December
St Mary’s Church, Hoddesdon Road, St Margarets

The 3 Churches Benefice are holding a Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church, St Margarets. It is a wonderful opportunity for us all, as a community, to get into the spirit of Christmas!

Entry to the Festival will be FREE, but seasonal refreshments will be available to buy for those visiting. We will also have a tombola, children’s activities, a teddy tombola and craft stalls with some lovely homemade items. Any proceeds will go towards the work and upkeep of the church.

*NEW THIS YEAR* We also have a ‘Carols amidst the Christmas Trees’ at 5pm on Sunday 7thDecember. Don’t miss it!

We look forward to welcoming you!

Rev’d Sarah Forrest, Priest in Charge

The Three Villages Magazine: December 2025 Issue is here!

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The December Issue of The Three Villages Magazine is here and is now available to pick up FOR FREE across the villages.

We are thrilled to reveal our cover with the winning entries from our Schools Christmas Arts Competition! Read about the winners on page 3 of the magazine. I’m sure you’ll agree the baubles look amazing. Congratulations to our winners! Be sure to come along to the Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church, St Margarets (this weekend: 6th and 7th December, 2 to 6 pm) to see the winner baubles on our tree.

Also in this issue, we take a look at the important work of local charity, ALFS; we find out all about local business Heavenly Hair; we have the first in our new series, ‘Glimpses into our Past’; we get to meet local resident Julia Witting 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
St Mary’s Church
St Andrew’s Church
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: 5th January (March Issue), 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

The Red Lion’s Christmas Market

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The Red Lion’s Christmas market will be taking place on Saturday 29th November, 12–4pm.

The perfect place to pick up some stocking fillers, decorations, cakes, jewellery, cheese, candles, mulled wine… the list goes on!

Expect cosy vibes, twinkling lights and a fantastic food truck serving up delicious Christmassy specials all day long.

Bring your friends, family and festive cheer – it’s the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit!

The Red Lion
1 High Street, Stanstead Abbotts
info@theredlion.net
theredlion.net

LOCAL CHRISTMAS EVENTS WANTED

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Get FREE promotion for your Christmas event!

We’re putting together a FREE Christmas Events listing in our upcoming December print edition and we’d love to include as many local events as possible – from festive fairs and carol services to workshops, markets, light switch-ons and more!

This is all about supporting our amazing local community, so if you’re organising something special this Christmas, we want to help you spread the word.

Deadline to submit: Friday, 1st November

What to send us:

  • Event name
  • Date(s) and time
  • Location
  • Short description (25–50 words is perfect)
  • Website or social link (if available)
  • Contact details for readers (if needed)

Email your info to: threevillagesmagazine@gmail.com

This is a great chance to let the community know what’s happening and help make this Christmas season truly magical – and it won’t cost you a penny.

Let’s celebrate the season together!

The Christmas Journey: The Nativity Story Reimagined

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Have you heard about the very special family event that happens on Christmas Eve in the villages? The 3 Churches Benefice hold ‘The Christmas Journey: The Nativity Story Reimagined’: a service for everyone, young and old, to become part of the nativity story!

Meeting at St Margarets Train Station at 3pm, we journey together like Mary and Joseph, stopping at inns along the way to see if there is any room. Finally, we travel to the stable (at St Andrew’s Church) to find baby Jesus has been born! With singing and readings at each stop, we follow the nativity story, and the kids get to be part of all the action.

Martha (age 6), who has attended every year since it started in 2021, said: ‘It is really fun and exciting. We knock on the doors and see if there is room, but there isn’t, so we have to keep going until we find the stable. Baby Jesus is there and there are lights. It looks really pretty. I love the singing and being with Rev’d Sarah.’

Every year we see the numbers who attend The Christmas Journey increase and there is quite a buzz in the local community in the lead up! This year, we had a fantastic 180 children and adults (not to mention dogs) gathering together at St Margarets Train Station to make the journey to meet baby Jesus in the manger.

As our numbers swell, we are even more conscious of the need for road safety.  As such, we had a greater number of helpers in hi-vis jackets marshalling everyone safely on our journey. Thank you so much to everyone who helped.

We visited inns along the way and, as always, love to see the engagement with the general public as we sing and share the nativity story. Special thanks to The Jolly Fisherman, The Oak and The Red Lion for taking part again this year. We were amazed to see our Innkeeper at The Red Lion dressed for the part – that was an extra treat!

We are really pleased that this special service continues to go from strength to strength and has become a Christmas tradition for local families. It will be on again this year, so make sure to wrap up warmly and join us!

The 3 Churches Benefice

Ware Christmas Together

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Ware Christmas Together returns again this year: Christmas Day, 12:30pm, The Age Concern Riverside Hall, Ware.

For over 20 years, this friendly, free Christmas lunch has been providing food, company and festive cheer to those who would otherwise spend the day on their own. If you, or someone you know, is looking for a welcoming place to be this Christmas, you’re invited to join us! The meal is free, though donations are welcome and will help keep future events going. 

Transport can be arranged and if people cannot make it to the hall a lunch can be delivered to their home.

To sign up, simply call 01992 531833. Thanks to Best Reception in Ware for providing this service.


We look forward to celebrating another lovely Christmas with old friends and new!

Wishing you a joyful season,
Marina and the Christmas Together Ware Team

Advent & Christmas with The 3 Churches Benefice

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We have lots on over Advent & Christmas! Why not join us?

Advent Carols
Sunday 1st December
4pm at St James, Stanstead Abbots

Christmas Tree Festival
Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th December
2–6pm at St Mary the Virgin, St Margarets

Carols by Candlelight
Sunday 15th December
6.30pm at St John the Baptist, Great Amwell
and
Sunday 22nd December
6.30pm at St Andrew, Stanstead Abbots

The Christmas Journey: The Nativity Story Reimagined
Tuesday 24th December ~ Christmas Eve
Starting 3pm at St Margarets Train Station and ending at St Andrew, Stanstead Abbots

Christmas Eve Midnight Holy Communion
Tuesday 24th December ~ Christmas Eve
11.30pm at St John the Baptist, Great Amwell

Christmas Day Service
Wednesday 25th December ~ Christmas Day
10.30am at St Andrew, Stanstead Abbots

You can download the poster…

Christmas 2024Download

We look forward to welcoming you!

Lights of Love Services

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It’s that time of year again when we welcome people to come together at our annual Lights of Love services to remember precious babies gone too soon.

Our Lights of Love services, and other seasonal events, take place across the country every year with readings, music, and candle lighting. They are FREE of charge and for ANYONE to join.

We know that many people find this a challenging time of year. Lights of Love is designed to provide peace and comfort to parents, siblings and anyone else affected by pregnancy or baby loss, helping them to prepare emotionally for other seasonal celebrations in which they are taking part.

Lights of Love Services locally…

You might also be interested in…

Sands Helpline: 0808 164 3332 / helpline@sands.org.uk
The Sands National Helpline provides a safe, confidential place for anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby. Whether your baby died long ago or recently, we are here for you.

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