The Stanstead Abbotts Local History Society is hosting a fascinating talk by Miles Dymock this Friday 9th January and everyone is invited to attend.
WHEN: Friday 9th January at 7.30pm WHERE: Stanstead Abbotts Parish Hall, Roydon Rd, Stanstead Abbotts, Ware SG12 8EZ WHAT: ‘Olive Farm: from Bronze Age to where we are today’ DETAILS: Free to members, £3 for non-members, includes refreshments
The talk promises a journey through centuries of local history, showing how one place has evolved through different eras.
About the Society The Stanstead Abbotts Local History Society collects and shares information about the history of Stanstead Abbotts and neighbouring St Margarets. Their website features articles and archives on a wide range of local topics from ancient times through more recent village life, and they encourage contributions of photos, memories or research from the community.
The society’s events and talks are open to both members and non‑members (unless stated otherwise), with meetings held at Stanstead Abbotts Parish Hall most months. Find out more on their website: salhs.co.uk
** 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 countdown is on for one of the brightest nights in our local community: The Annual St Margaretsbury Fireworks Display!
This year’s spectacular event will take place on Sunday 2nd November at St Margaretsbury Recreation Ground, and it promises to be a brilliant evening for families, friends and neighbours alike.
What’s on Gates open at 4.00 pm, kicking off a fun-filled afternoon with something for everyone:
Mini Fun Fair from 4.00 pm – perfect for little ones (and the young at heart!).
Licensed Clubhouse Bar open from 4.00 pm – enjoy a sociable drink before the show.
Bonfire lit at around 6.30 pm, bringing that warm, autumn glow.
Professional Fireworks Display from 6.45 pm, lighting up the night sky in a dazzling show of colour and sparkle.
And that’s not all! There’ll be hot food, a catering truck and hot mulled wine to keep everyone toasty while you watch the fireworks.
Family-friendly fun The St Margaretsbury Fireworks Display is one of the highlights of our community year. It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together. Children under 3 go free and tickets are great value:
£20 Family (4 people)
£8 Adults
£5 Under 14s
You can pay by card or cash at the gate, but make sure to arrive early – on-site parking is limited and fills up fast.
WHEN: Tuesday 28th October at 7pm for a 7.30pm start WHERE: St Mary’s Church, Ware
St Mary’s Ware is delighted to be hosting journalist and author Stephanie Saldaña to speak about her latest book What we remember will be saved. Copies of the book will be available to purchase on the night.
Stephanie will be joined by Kurdish musician Ferhad Feyssal whose story features in the book. Ferhad will play some traditional Kurdish music.
Stephanie has offered the talk for no fee, but with the suggestion donations are asked for charity. So any donations received will go to Herts Welcomes Refugees (HWR). Local HWR volunteers with some of those supported by HWR are organising some cakes as part of the hospitality for the evening.
About the book… In an era of mass migration in which more than 100 million people are displaced comes this lyrical portrait of Syrian and Iraqi refugees and the belongings they carry. What We Remember Will Be Saved: A Story of Refugees and the Things They Carry is a book of hope, home, and the stories we hold within us when everything else has been lost.
Journalist and scholar Stephanie Saldaña, who lived in Syria before the war, sets out on a journey across nine countries to meet refugees and learn what they salvaged from the ruins when they escaped. Now, in the narratives of six extraordinary women and men, from Mt. Sinjar to Aleppo to Lesvos to Amsterdam, we discover that the little things matter a great deal. Saldaña introduces us to a woman who saved her city in a dress, a musician who saved his stories in songs, and a couple who rebuilt their destroyed pharmacy even as the city around them fell apart. Together they provide a window into a religiously diverse corner of the Middle East on the edge of unraveling, and the people keeping it alive with their stories.
Born of years of friendship and reporting, What We Remember Will Be Saved is a breathtaking, elegiac odyssey into the heart of the largest refugee crisis in modern history. It reminds us that refugees are storytellers and speakers of vanishing languages, and of how much history can be distilled into a piece of fabric, or eggplant seeds. What we salvage tells our story. What we remember will be saved.
About the author… Stephanie Saldaña is a journalist and religion scholar from San Antonio, Texas, whohas spent most of the last twenty years living in the Middle East. Saldaña studiedreligion at Harvard Divinity School and is the author of A Country Between and TheBread of Angels, hailed by Geraldine Brooks as "a remarkable, wise, and lovelybook. Her work has been published in The New York Times, Washington Post, WallStreet Journal, America Magazine, and Plough, and she has been featured on National Public Radio. Saldaña and her family split their time between Bethlehem and France. Twitter: @stephcsaldana
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.
Got an event coming up? The Three Villages love celebrating community! Let us know about your local events so we can help spread the word in print and online.
As the golden fields ripple in the late summer breeze and the scent of ripening crops fills the air, it’s time to come together once more for a cherished tradition: the Harvest Festival.
Taking place on Sunday 14th September, this joyful event unites the three villages in a celebration of community, gratitude and the rich bounty of our local land. Whether you’ve lived here for years or are new to the area, this is a day not to be missed.
A Morning of Reflection and Thanks The festival begins with a Harvest Thanksgiving Service at 11am at St James’ Church on Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbotts. This beautiful, historic church will be filled with song, prayer and gratitude for the gifts of the season and the hard work of our local growers. It’s a warm, welcoming space where everyone is invited to reflect on the strength of our community and the abundance we share.
A Feast to Celebrate Local Flavours Following the service, the festivities continue with a Harvest Lunch at 12:30pm in the rustic Haybarn at Stanstead Bury Farm, just a short stroll from the church.
This isn’t just any lunch – it’s a true taste of the countryside. Enjoy a hearty meal made with seasonal, locally grown ingredients. It’s a delicious tribute to our local farmers, bakers, gardeners and producers – the people who nourish our village year-round.
Book Your Place – Tickets Now Available (SOLD OUT!!!) Tickets for the Harvest Lunch are just £15 and must be booked in advance, as places are limited and always in high demand.
Join us for an afternoon of apple picking, live entertainment, refreshments and BBQ and fun for all the family. We also have a number of stalls including our very own social enterprises.
All the details When: Saturday 27 September 2025, 11 am–3:30 pmWhere: St Elizabeth’s Centre, Perry Green, Much HadhamEntry: Free (donations gratefully received)
Come along and join the fun!
Apple Picking & Tasting: Wander the orchard and taste the harvest.
Live Music & Entertainment: Celebrate with tunes and family‑friendly performances.
Refreshments & BBQ: Savour light bites, cooked treats, and drinks.
Local Stalls: Browse stalls featuring goods from St Elizabeth’s own social enterprises, alongside crafts and produce.
Why AppleFest Matters AppleFest blends enjoyment with community spirit and fundraising. Proceeds from donations and stall sales support St Elizabeth’s mission – helping children and adults with learning disabilities, epilepsy and other complex needs live full, meaningful lives.
We look forward to seeing you there!Louisa Stone Fundraising and Database Administrator St Elizabeth’s Centre www.stelizabeths.org.uk
Get ready for a summer of adventure at your local Hertfordshire Library!
From 5 July to 6 September 2025, children of all ages can sign up at any Hertfordshire Library, read six books and collect special stickers and rewards.
Complete the challenge to enter a prize draw for tickets to an interactive workshop with celebrated author, Sean Taylor.
The Summer Reading Challenge is free; you just need to be a member of Hertfordshire Libraries to participate (which is also free and easy to do if you’re not a member yet).
It’s a great way to fill some time over the Summer Holidays and reading is such an important part of child development because it…
Builds language & vocabulary – Children who are read to regularly develop stronger language and communication skills.
Boosts brain development – Reading supports memory, focus and problem-solving from an early age.
Improves academic success – Children who read for pleasure perform better in vocabulary, spelling and even maths.
Looking for something fun, meaningful and free to do with the whole family this summer? Mark your calendars for Saturday July 26 because Coffee & Coping Hertfordshire is hosting a FREE COMMUNITY EVENT at The Maltings, Stanstead Abbotts, Herts SG12 8HG – and you’re invited!
Running from 10am to 4pm, this vibrant family funday promises a little something for everyone. Whether you’re a parent looking for engaging activities for your kids, a wellness enthusiast interested in yoga, or simply someone who loves a good cuppa with friendly conversation, this event has you covered.
What to expect:
Games & Drawing for Kids – Creative fun for little ones of all ages
Stalls – Browse and buy delicious cakes, sweets, handmade jewellery, coffee and ice cream
Food – Tuck into tasty local treats from independent vendors
Talks & Demonstrations – Take part in wellbeing-focused sessions, including yoga and tai chi
Tombola & Community Activities – Classic fun for all ages
Organised by Coffee & Coping, a Hertfordshire-based group focused on promoting mental health awareness and community wellbeing, the event is all about bringing people together in a positive, relaxed and supportive space.
📍Location: The Maltings, Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire SG12 8HG 🗓️ Date: Saturday, July 26 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
And best of all? It’s completely FREE to attend! So bring your friends, bring your family and come connect with your community in the beautiful setting of Stanstead Abbotts.
