Category Archives: Event

A Celebration in Miniature: Art Exhibition & Silent Auction at St Mary’s

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Tiny artworks will be taking centre stage this summer as St Mary’s Church, St Margarets hosts its Summer Art Exhibition: A Celebration in Miniature.

This unique community event will showcase a collection of miniature artworks inspired by the theme ‘Stanstead Abbotts & St Margarets’, all created by local artists. Visitors will also have the opportunity to take home a favourite piece by placing bids in a silent auction, with all proceeds supporting the work and ministry of St Mary’s Church, St Margarets.

The exhibition begins with a Preview Evening on Friday 31 July from 7.00pm to 9.00pm, where guests can enjoy cheese and wine while being among the first to view the artwork. The exhibition then continues on Saturday 1 August and Sunday 2 August, from 2.00pm to 5.00pm, with refreshments available.

The organisers are also inviting artists of all ages and abilities to get involved. Whether you paint, draw, stitch, print, photograph or create in another medium, this is a wonderful opportunity to share your creativity with the community. The challenge is simple: create a piece of artwork on a canvas A6 size or smaller, inspired by our beautiful local area of Stanstead Abbotts & St Margarets.

This promises to be a delightful celebration of local creativity in the beautiful setting of St Mary’s Church. Whether you’re submitting a piece of art, placing a bid, or simply coming along to admire the miniature masterpieces, everyone is warmly invited.

Artist submission deadline: 27 July 2026.
Entry fee: £5 per artwork.

For more information or to request an artist entry form, please contact admin@3churches.net.

Cocktails & Chaos with THECOLLINSON

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A new kind of art experience. Chaos, colour and pure creative energy.

Step inside a real working art studio and gallery, surrounded by seven local artists and seven completely different styles. The space hums, the walls breathe and you’re part of it the moment you walk in.

Come with a spark of an idea just a feeling, a colour, a mood and build it into something real with a little nudge of giddy encouragement from me, The Collinson.

Everything you need is provided. Every direction, every colour suggestion, every “go on, trust it” moment is there if you want it.

And you leave with a piece of art that you made raw, honest and entirely yours.

This isn’t your typical paint-and-sip. This is a night that actually means something.

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Cocktails & Chaos — Hertford’s most expressive night out

  • £75.00
  • Doors open at 6:30.
  • Painting kicks off at 7.
  • Food lands at 8.
  • Brushes down at 9.
  • Dancing until the room decides it’s done. 💃🕺

🖌️ Live painting by The Collinson — unfiltered, unapologetic, electric.
🍸 Complimentary cocktail on arrival.
🥘 Half-time charcuterie board to refuel the chaos.
🍷 Fully licensed bar flowing all night.
🎨 All materials included — acrylics, charcoal, crayons, pencils, spray paint. Go feral.
🖼️ Take home a 40×30cm original artwork you created.
💬 Guidance available on colour, technique, and creative flow — only if you want it.
🛋️ Relaxed, informal, rea l— a working gallery and studio, not a staged workshop.
✨ Bold, messy, unforgettable. A night out that actually hits.

CHECK AVAILABLE DATES AND BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE

Explore Bishop of St Albans’ hidden two-acre city centre oasis!

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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

Can You Solve the Mystery? Join the Scouts for a Night of Murder, Mystery and Fun

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You are warmly invited to an interactive evening of intrigue, laughter and suspense at our Scout HQ as we host a very special event.

Murder at the Golden Woggle

A big local Scouting award night is about to begin, tensions are running high, and then everything takes a dramatic turn. You will help solve the case by listening for clues, asking questions from your table, and making your best accusation later in the evening.

What follows is a brilliantly entertaining, interactive murder mystery where everyone becomes part of the investigation. Expect twists, rivalries, secrets and plenty of opportunity to test your detective skills as the story unfolds around you.

This fantastic production is being brought to you by Hunsdon’s Quintessence Drama Group in support of fundraising for Bex’s World Scout Jamboree, and we are delighted to be hosting it here in Stanstead Abbotts.

Event details

  • Date: Saturday 11 July 2026
  • Doors open: 7.00 pm
  • Start: 7.30 pm 
  • Finish: 9.30 pm
  • Location: Stanstead Abbotts Scout HQ, Marsh Lane, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12 8QT (please do not park on Marsh Lane, use the village car park or other parking in the area)
  • Recommended age: Cubs (8.5yr) and above.

Tables and teams
To make the table detective work fun, we suggest booking in groups of around 3 to 7 people, we can fit up to 7 on a table.  Smaller groups are welcome, and we will help combine tables on the night if needed. If you are booking as a group please let us know. We will do our best to arrange groups together but cannot guarantee this due to the setup.

It is a relaxed, social evening so please:

  • Bring your own drinks
  • Visit the cake stall and take part in the raffle
  • The organisers will provide some small table nibbles to keep your brain active

Tickets
There are only 70 tickets available, so we strongly recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

Tickets are £10 each (+80p booking fee) only available online. Book tickets HERE.

This promises to be a memorable night for the whole Scout community, full of fun, mystery and a great cause.

We very much hope you can join us.

Stanstead Abbotts Scout Group
stansteadabbottsscouts.org.uk

Introducing Makers & Bakers on the Move

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Excitement is building as Makers & Bakers on the Move launches its brand new series of travelling village pop-up markets across Hertfordshire.

The new community market experience will bring together artisan stalls, delicious street food, refreshing drinks and free children’s crafts, creating a fantastic day out for the whole family in some beautiful local settings.

The first event takes place on Sunday 14th June from 10am–3pm at Stanstead Abbotts & St Margarets Village Club, where visitors can browse a wonderful selection of handmade crafts, gifts, artwork, baked treats and locally produced goods from talented independent makers and traders.

Designed to celebrate local creativity and community spirit, Makers & Bakers on the Move aims to showcase the very best small businesses and artisans across Hertfordshire villages, while offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere for visitors of all ages.

With free entry and exciting locations planned throughout the year, this new travelling market series promises to become a popular addition to the local community calendar.

Be sure to pop along, support local businesses and enjoy everything this wonderful new market experience has to offer.

Equine Table Top Sale & Dog Show Returns on 31st May

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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:

Make sure to save the date and come along to support a brilliant local cause while enjoying a fun community day out.

Florist’s Day: Celebrate Floristry at Sweet Bower Flower Farm this June

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What: Florist’s Day
When: Monday 15th June 2026, 11am to 12.30pm
Where: Sweet Bower Flower Farm, Foxholes Farm Park, Hertford

If you’re looking for a gentle, inspiring way to spend a summer morning – or you work with flowers yourself – Florist’s Day at Sweet Bower Flower Farm could be well worth a visit.

Taking place on Monday 15th June, from 11am to 12:30pm, this special event invites both the local community and professional florists to step into the world of seasonal, locally grown flowers. Hosted at the beautiful Foxholes Farm Park, the morning promises a relaxed and welcoming opportunity to see what a local flower farm can offer.

Visitors will be able to explore the farm, take in the beauty of freshly grown blooms and learn more about how flowers are cultivated just a short distance from home. For local florists in particular, it’s a valuable chance to discover a potential nearby supplier – offering seasonal stems that are fresher, more sustainable and often more distinctive than imported alternatives.

The event also takes place during British Flowers Week, an annual celebration of British-grown flowers and the florists who champion them. With increasing interest in sustainable floristry, many designers are turning to local growers like Sweet Bower Flower Farm to source unique, field-grown varieties while reducing environmental impact.

For hobbyists, gardeners and flower lovers, it’s simply a lovely way to spend a summer morning surrounded by colour and scent. But for those working in floristry, it could also spark new ideas, relationships and inspiration for the seasons ahead.

Whether you come to browse, learn, or connect, Florist’s Day offers a chance to celebrate the beauty and value of locally grown flowers – and the people who bring them to life.

For more information or to get in touch, visitors can contact the farm directly. Website: www.sweetbriarflowerfarm.co.uk

May Bank Holiday: The Village Club Big Weekender

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We’re going BIG for the first Bank Holiday weekend in May… and here’s what we’ve got lined up at Stanstead Abbotts & St Margarets Village Club

Friday 1 May (7:30–11pm)
Speed Quiz followed by a Disco
With Si’s Sounds bringing the vibes all night!

Saturday 2 May (7pm–Midnight)
Soul Grooves with DJ PR
Expect nothing but feel-good classics!

Sunday 3 May (2pm–5pm)
The one and only The Cockney Cowboy & The Cockney Cowboy Band
A guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Plus food trucks all weekend including Caine’s Pizza

OPEN TO EVERYONE

You don’t need to be a member – bring your friends, family, neighbours… everyone’s welcome!

We’re also open on Bank Holiday Monday, so keep the good times going!

We want this to be BIG – so please like, share, and spread the word!

Let’s make it a weekend to remember!

Stanstead Abbotts & St Margarets Village Club

Edinburgh Fringe Hit ‘I Am Mark’ Comes to Hunsdon Church

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Hunsdon Church has booked Stefan Smart to perform his Edinburgh Fringe show, ‘I am Mark’.

He is a professional storyteller and the story he tells is Mark’s Gospel (word for word from the NIV – from memory!).

THE DETAILS

Date: 28th March, 2026
Time: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Location: Hunsdon Village Hall, 45 High Street, Hunsdon, Ware SG12 8NJ

One man. One chair. One incredible true story

‘I am Mark’ is a dramatic staging of one of the most explosive books of all time – the Gospel of Mark.

Join actor and storyteller Stefan Smart as he draws a uniquely intimate and provocative portrait of the Son of God and breathes new life into the greatest story ever told.

A sell-out at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019, we are pleased to welcome Stefan to Hunsdon.

Tickets:

  • £10 Standard – online / till 27th March
  • £15 – on date / door

Get your advance tickets now!
https://openhouse.hunsdonchurch.org/events/i-am-mark/

JANE EYRE is coming to Stanstead Bury Farm

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WHEN: Friday 20th March, 7pm
WHERE: Stanstead Bury Farm, Nr Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 8JZ

We are very excited to announce that we are hitting the road with… Jane Eyre!

That’s right! We cannot wait to kickstart 2026 with our heartwarming and magical adaptation of Brontë’s beloved novel – packed with scandal, song and suspense! And we are so excited to be bringing our production to Stanstead Bury Farm in Stanstead Abbotts on Friday 20th March following our previous visits with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Three Musketeers and Pride & Prejudice and more!

About Jane Eyre
Orphaned and alone, Jane Eyre grows up in a world that seeks to silence her spirit. Defiant in her search for freedom, belonging and love, she finds herself at Thornfield Hall – where the enigmatic Mr Rochester hides dark secrets behind its walls…

Passion, mystery and resilience collide in this sweeping story of self-discovery and courage, brought to life in a bold new adaptation!

Written by Charlotte Bronte
Directed by Sarah Slator
Assistant Direction by Chloe Bond
Music by Simon Stallard
Adapted by Ethan Taylor

Reviews
“An enchanting production of Jane Eyre brilliantly performed by talented actors who manage to convey the drama and poignancy of the original novel!” – Sussex Local Magazine

 “A lovely production with an enchanted feel… This Is My Theatre are certainly worth looking out for!” – ingenu/e magazine

More information
This performance will take place indoors at the Hay Barn, so please dress warmly.
Doors Open from: 6.30pm
Running time: Approximately 85 minutes
What3Words Location: twin.porch.rock
Parking: There is audience parking outside the venue.
Seating Provided: Yes.
Food and Drink: Refreshments will be available before the performance for donations towards church funds.
Dogs: No dogs other than guide dogs will be admitted to this performance.
Wheelchair User Access: There is step-free access into the venue. If you have any access requirements before your visit, please contact the Box Office via email or phone (07981 227790) ahead of the performance date.

So why not join us for what we are sure will prove to be a very special evening for all ages!

You can find tickets and more information HERE.

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