Category Archives: Family Fun

Harvest Festival – Sunday 4th October

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The three villages will come together on Sunday 4th October for this year’s Harvest Festival, with a Harvest Thanksgiving Service followed by a traditional Harvest Lunch.

Harvest Thanksgiving Service

The morning begins with a Harvest Thanksgiving Service at 11am at St James’ Church on Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbotts.

The service is an opportunity to give thanks for the harvest, the work of those who grow and produce our food, and for the local community. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in this annual celebration.

Harvest Lunch

Following the service, the Harvest Lunch will be held at 12.30pm in the Haybarn at Stanstead Bury Farm, just a short walk from the church.

The lunch will celebrate the harvest and locally produced food, with seasonal ingredients helping to bring everyone together around the table.

Book Your Place

Tickets for the Harvest Lunch are £20 and must be booked in advance, as places are limited.

Book via Eventbrite: https://tinyurl.com/4dkydah3

Come along, give thanks for the harvest and enjoy a meal with friends and neighbours from across the three villages.

Indoor Equine Table Top Sale and Dog Show

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With the colder weather arriving, Equine Table Top Sale & Dog Show has moved back indoors! Come along on Sunday 27th Sept 2026, 11 till 1pm, to Albury Village Hall (SG11 2JD) and help raise funds for Deer and Wildlife in Danger.

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.

Entry for buyers £1

Tables for sellers £10. Limited tables available booking is essential! 07747300095 to book

DOG SHOW
The dog show is a bit of fun for all, with rosettes 1st to 5th place. Dog show is sponsored by Keiths Canine Services. Dog show will be held outside on the concrete unless the weather isn’t great and dogs are welcome in the hall. Entries will be taken on the day (£2 a class).

CLASSES
11.15am Waggiest tail
11.30am Prettiest lady
11.45 Gorgeous fella
12.00 Best rescue
12.15 Best trick
12.30 Best Junior handler
12.45 Judges favourite

Why not head down to Albury Village Hall this Sunday, have some fun and help a fantastic charity!

The Great Big Walk for Herts

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Local charities Future Living Hertford and CHIPS are inviting local people to put on their walking shoes and take part in the Great Big Walk for Herts on Saturday 26 September at Hartham Common, Hertford.

There is a route for everyone, with a half-marathon and 10km guided walk beginning at 10am, followed by a family-friendly 5km walk at 2pm. Tickets cost £15 for the half-marathon, £10 for the 10km walk or £10 per family for the 5km route.

The event forms part of the Helping Herts campaign and will raise vital funds for two local charities. Future Living Hertford supports adults and children affected by domestic abuse, helping them recover, rebuild their lives and move forward with confidence. CHIPS provides specialist powered wheelchairs for children and young people.

Emma Fleming, CEO of Future Living Hertford, said: “The Great Big Walk is a lovely opportunity to get outdoors, spend time with friends or family and support two local charities. Whether you choose the half-marathon, 10km or family walk, every step will help us continue supporting people in our community. We would love to see individuals, families, walking groups and workplace teams joining us on the day.”

Participants can also choose to fundraise, and donations made through the Helping Herts campaign will be match funded – doubling their impact for the charities.

For more information, tickets or interview requests, please contact:
info@futurelivinghertford.co.uk
01992 537344

Emma Fleming
Chief Executive Officer

Don’t miss the Widford Summer Event and Dog Show

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Widford Summer Event and Dog Show
Sunday 23 August, 10am–1pm
Widford Playing Field, SG12 8SH
Entry: £1 adults, 50p children
Cash and card accepted

Get ready for a fun-filled morning for all the family at the Widford Summer Event and Dog Show on Sunday 23 August!

The event takes place at Widford Playing Field, SG12 8SH, from 10am to 1pm. Entry is just £1 for adults and 50p for children, with both cash and card accepted on the day. Bring a chair, spread the word and come along to enjoy the morning.

There will be plenty to see, do and eat, with food and refreshments including burgers, bacon rolls, hot dogs, homemade cakes, sausage rolls, hot and cold drinks, Pimm’s, Prosecco, beer and ice cream. There will also be a tombola, toy stall, sweets, chocolate, honey and a wide selection of stalls offering everything from 3D toys and resin designs to gifts, jewellery, crystals and natural dog treats.

There’s lots to keep younger visitors entertained too, with bouncy castles and inflatables, a coconut shy, octopus ride, basketball game, candy floss and activities for younger children. Sammies Animal Experiences will be offering donkey rides and pet grooming, while The Glitter Squad will have glitter, hair extensions and face gems.

And, of course, there will be plenty for our four-legged visitors. Lee Valley Dog Training School will be running a dog agility activity, giving dogs the chance to have a go, and Henry’s Hut Dog Grooming will be offering dog trims and nail clipping.

The Dog Show, kindly sponsored by Heath’s Personal Dog Training, is all about having fun, with classes and prizes for the participating dogs. It’s a great opportunity to bring your pooch along and enjoy the day together.

The event is raising money for Cats at ALFS and Widford Playing Field. Signs have been sponsored by Universal Signs and Powells Funeral Directors, and toilet hire has been sponsored by Luxury Toilet Hire UK Ltd.

With food, stalls, activities, animals and the dog show, there’s plenty to enjoy at Widford Playing Field this August. Come along and enjoy a community morning out while supporting two fantastic local causes.

Summer Reading Challenge is back!

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Turn the Page and Turn Up the Volume with the Summer Reading Challenge

Looking for a fun way to keep children reading over the summer holidays? The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge is back, and this year’s musical theme, Read to the Beat, promises plenty of fun for young readers.

The challenge launches at all Hertfordshire Libraries on Saturday 4 July and runs until Saturday 5 September. Children are invited to read books throughout the summer, complete reading challenges and collect themed rewards along the way.

Everyone who completes the challenge will also be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a place at an exclusive workshop with children’s author Gareth P. Jones.

The Summer Reading Challenge is completely free to take part in. Children simply need to be members of Hertfordshire Libraries, and if they’re not already members, joining is quick and free too.

Find out more on their website HERE.

Reading just a few books over the summer can help children maintain their reading confidence before returning to school in September and the Summer Reading Challenge is a fantastic way to make reading enjoyable throughout the holidays.

Whether your child is already an avid reader or just discovering a love of books, why not pop into your local library this summer and join in?

Happy reading!

Equine Bootsale and Dog show on 26 July!

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Looking for a fun family morning out this July? The popular Equine Bootsale and Dog Show is returning to Widford Playing Field on Sunday 26 July, with plenty to enjoy for animal lovers, families and bargain hunters alike.

Taking place from 11.00am to 1.00pm, the event combines an equine bootsale with a relaxed and friendly dog show, alongside a variety of stalls and activities. General entry is just £1, with all proceeds supporting HEART (Heart Animal Rescue Team).

Founded by Hannah Bolton, HEART provides rescue and rehabilitation for animals and wildlife, helping those in need across the local area. Find out more about this amazing charity on their website: heartrescue.co.uk.

The fun dog show is open to all, with entries taken on the day for £2 per class. Rosettes will be awarded for first to fifth place, and classes include Waggiest Tail, Pretty Lady, Gorgeous Fella, Best Rescue, Best Trick, Best Junior Handler (under 16s) and the Judge’s Favourite. The dog show will take place beneath the tree line, providing welcome shade for competitors and spectators alike.

There will also be plenty to see and do throughout the morning, including Shetland grooming, donkey rides, a children’s stall, sweet treats, natural dog treats, resin crafts and a range of small local businesses selling horse-related and general goods.

Event Details

📅 Sunday 26 July
🕚 11.00am – 1.00pm
📍 Widford Playing Field, SG12 8SH
💷 General entry: £1 | Dog Show: £2 per class

Come along, enjoy the day and help raise money for a fantastic local animal rescue charity.

The 3 Churches Benefice: fun for kids this summer!

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The 3 Churches Benefice has a few different sessions running especially for children and their adults over the summer!

Make Lunch

Make Lunch is back this summer and we’d love to welcome you!

Join us on Mondays throughout the school holidays – 28th July, 4th August, 11th August, 18th August and 25th August – from 12pm to 2pm at The Wilshere Hall on Cappell Lane.

Alongside a free lunch, there will be games, crafts and activities for children, and a relaxed space for families to spend time together during the summer holidays.

Run in partnership with Transforming Lives for Good (TLG), Make Lunch is open to families with school-aged children who receive free school meals, or for anyone finding things a bit stretched financially at the moment. Younger siblings are very welcome too.

If you would like to join us, please email makelunch@3churches.net to book your space.

PLUS…

Make Church

Over the summer, we also have two Make Church sessions on 21 June and 19 July, and we’d love to see as many of you there as possible!

Make Church is a relaxed, joy-filled space where children and their adults can explore faith together through movement, music, creativity and sensory play. There’s no expectation to sit still or be quiet – just come as you are and join in as much or as little as you like.

📍 St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbots
🗓 Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 4pm
💡 Designed for children of all ages and abilities
🎶 Expect songs, movement, hands-on activities, and a warm welcome for parents and carers too

We’d really love your help in growing this special community. If you know a family – friends, neighbours, or school contacts – who might enjoy something like this, please do pass this information on to them. 

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch!

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.

The Calm Circle launches Monday 13th April

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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.

Coffee and Coping

Mothering Sunday – 15th March 2026

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Join us this Mothering Sunday on 15th March as we celebrate and give thanks for our mothers, and all those who nurture and care for us.

We especially invite those with children to our family friendly services, designed to be creative, engaging and suitable for all ages:

💜 9am – Mothering Sunday Service at St John the Baptist, Great Amwell
💜 4pm – Mothering Sunday Make Church at St Andrew, Stanstead Abbots

We also have more traditional services:
🌸 10.30am – Morning Prayer at St Andrew, Stanstead Abbots
🌸 10.30am – Holy Communion at St Mary’s, St Margarets

There will be flowers given out at every service as a small token of appreciation and love.

Mothering Sunday can bring many different emotions for different people and we are here for all of them. Wherever you are on your journey, you are warmly invited to join us.

We look forward to welcoming you!

The 3 Churches Benefice

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