Many of you living around Hoddesdon may have memories of the Old Highway Recreation Ground from playing there in your youth or your children and grandchildren enjoying the area.
At Hoddesdon and Rye Park Bowling Club we have been playing our sport in the grounds since 1937. Along the way we have had a lot of success with members representing England: recently a member represented Disability Bowls England in South Africa.
Many of own club competitions are still being played for trophies presented by, or in memorium to, past members. Some being recognised as persons of note from the area: Haward, Partfitt, Smailes, Howe, Blackaby, Mascot, Varney and many more.
Our membership is made up of residents from the local area and nearby towns and villages.
In April we are again hosting free sessions to come and give our sport a try. Bowls is played as competitively as you want, but it is a great game for persons of all abilities with a chance to have a social game and one where you can make many friends.
‘Bowls is not just and older persons sport it is a game that older person can play.’
Please see our flyer showing dates for the free sessions.
Stanstead Abbotts Concert Society will be holding their next music event on Sunday 16th March.
James Delarre and Saul Rose Fine musicians and long-time friends, James Delarre and Saul Rose are masters of their craft and well known for their outstanding musicianship and crystal clear talent. Audiences are promised a warm, joyful and very personal evening of exquisitely delivered traditional tunes and songs.
WHERE: The Parish Hall, Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12 8AB WHEN: Sunday 16th March (doors open at 7pm)
More about Stanstead Abbotts Concert Society The Stanstead Abbotts Concert Society meets on the third Sunday of each month at The Parish Hall, Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12 8AB.
Doors open at 7.00pm, for a 7.30pm start and the evening ends at 10.00pm.
Soft drinks are available but please bring your own alcohol.
If you love walking and would like to help others experience the health and wellbeing benefits of walking, join a team of over 300 Health Walk volunteers. You don’t have to be super fit or know how to read a map. You can lead walks or provide support from the back.
Volunteer once a week or once a month – it’s up to you. The next free training is on the 11th April in Stevenage, which will be followed by other training events across the county during the year.
What you’ll be doing Typically, a walk requires a leader and backmarker, but there are other roles that are equally important. Your role during a walk depends on what you feel most able and comfortable to do. The roles and responsibilities include:
Walk leader
Backmarker
Walk support
Greeter/buddy
Adminstrative
Skills and experience Previous experience isn’t necessary as volunteers get training before starting their role. All new walk leaders will be paired up with those who are more experienced and given time to learn the existing routes.
How much time you need to give There is no expectation of time commitment – you can volunteer as little as an hour per month, or more frequently, up to several hours per week. There are many different walks throughout the week including weekends and summer evening walks.
Where you’ll be located Hertfordshire Health Walks are in many areas across the county. The district council areas with walks include Dacorum, Watford, Three Rivers, St Albans, Hertsmere, North Herts, Welwyn Hatfield and East Herts. Administration volunteers can be supported to work from home or at the CMS office.
What you’ll gain from the role Volunteering with Health Walks will give you the opportunity to keep fit, meet new people and get out in the fresh air. You’ll also be helping us to get more people out enjoying the countryside and keeping active. Area groups also arrange ad hoc social events, ranging from barbecues to pub lunches and special guided walks.
Training and support All Health Walks volunteers start by attending a free one-day course, certified by Ramblers UK. Once this is completed, you’ll be given a Progress Card to note when you have completed your practical training. This training includes shadowing an existing walk leader/backmarker and then co-leading a walk.
There is no obligation to become a walk leader. Some of our volunteers find that they prefer to serve as a backmarker and encourage/motivate participants who are walking for the social aspect more than the fitness.
Support is available during this time from fellow volunteers and your Countryside Management Service (CMS) Health Walks co-ordinator. There is also the opportunity to obtain basic First Aid training.
Equipment will be provided to ensure the delivery of safe and enjoyable walks including a Health Walks backpack, clipboard, high-vis vest, whistle and a Health Walks polo shirt.
Remaining Training dates 2025* When Where Friday 11 April 2025 Farnham/Robertson House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, SG1 2ST Tuesday 8 July 2025 To be confirmed *Dates and availability are subject to change and additional dates may be added.
If you’d like to know more, you can speak to a member of the team on 01992 555888 or visit the Health Walks website.
Looking to explore your artistic side or reignite an old passion for art? Join Pencils at Dawn, an inspiring art class in Stanstead Abbotts led by experienced artist, Dawn Coulter. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, these classes offer a relaxed and supportive environment where you can develop your drawing skills, learn how to use watercolour, and discover new mediums and techniques to help fulfil your creative potential.
Dawn’s classes cover a variety of techniques, with a focus on individualised guidance, so you’ll receive hands-on support while learning to experiment, to embrace making mistakes and to develop as an artist.
When and where Pencils at Dawn meets on a Thursday, 12–1.30pm in The Lounge at The Maltings, Stanstead Abbotts. A new monthly life drawing class also starts at The Lounge on the evening of Wednesday 19th February. These classes will look at clothing and movement as well as the human body. Places are limited, so book with Dawn in advance.
Dawn has taught in secondary schools and in a CAMHS unit, so is also available for home tutoring sessions for children and young people too.
Evening classes in The Red Lion will start again very soon and Dawn has plans to run more daytime classes once new local venues are found.
Don’t miss the chance to develop your artistic skills in a friendly and motivating environment. Contact Dawn to find out more and reserve your spot today.
Contact For more details or to book a class, email Dawn at dawncoulter@me.com.
Some examples of artwork produced at watercolour classes in The Red LionA few more examples of students’ work from classes in Stanstead Abbotts
Stanstead Abbotts Concert Society will be holding their next music event on Sunday 19th January.
Christina Alden and Alex Patterson in concert with Phil Hewett Christina Alden & Alex Patterson are multi-instrumentalists and songwriters from East Anglia. Their music is rich with intertwining harmony, sensitive accomplished musicianship and a creative song-writing style that is both delicate and moving. Deeply inspired by the world around them, they have a keen environmental eye to craft stories with the natural world at its heart, reflecting on the relationship between humans and the wild.
WHERE: The Parish Hall, Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12 8AB
More about Stanstead Abbotts Concert Society The Stanstead Abbotts Concert Society meets on the third Sunday of each month at The Parish Hall, Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12 8AB.
Doors open at 7.00pm, for a 7.30pm start and the evening ends at 10.00pm.
Soft drinks are available but please bring your own alcohol.
Tickets are £10 and are available from Ticket Source or call 01920 870558.
Join a FREE, friendly and volunteer-led group to build your digital skills in 2025!
A reminder that Community Alliance Broxbourne and East Herts offer FREE digital skills sessions at the Nigel Copping Community Building in Sanville Gardens, Stanstead Abbotts.
The first session of 2025 is on 8th January!
BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL If you’re interested, book your place by calling 0300 123 1034.
Want to master your computer, tablet or phone? Join a FREE, friendly and volunteer-led group to build your digital skills!
Community Alliance Broxbourne and East Herts offer FREE digital skills sessions at the Nigel Copping Community Building in Sanville Gardens, Stanstead Abbotts.
The last session of the year is on 11th December, from 2.30 to 4pm.
BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL If you’re interested, book your place by calling 0300 123 1034.
Our Autumn Walk Timetables list more than 100 walking opportunities, including 18 short walks for beginners and many longer walks at a faster pace. Whether you want to explore the countryside, meet new people or build your confidence walking, there is something for everyone. All walks are graded, this way you can make sure it suits your abilities. More than 3,600 people are already walking with us.
All walks are free with no booking required. Just turn up at least 10 mins before the start time shown, as they set off promptly and there will be a pre-walk briefing.
Save time on the day by registering as a new walker online or arrive 10 mins early before your first walk to complete a New Walker Form. Our walk leaders are ready to welcome you and will keep to a pace that is comfortable for you.
Hertfordshire Health Walks are coordinated by the Countryside Management Service. Our schemes are accredited by the national Walking for Health campaign.
Have you heard of Teddy Club? They meet every Thursday during term time, from 9–11am at The Wilshere Hall, Stanstead Abbotts.
It is for children up to 3 years old and their adults! With fun activities, singing, stories and much more, why not come along and make some new friends?
The Three Villages 