The Bishop of St Albans Garden will be open over the last two weekends in August (23 and 24 August, and 30 and 31 August) between 2pm and 4pm for people to come and look at the beautiful gardens and the summer display.
Those who saw the snowdrops earlier in the year will have seen the potential that the garden had for the summer and will be delighted at the change a different season brings. The garden will be open regardless of the weather.
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
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.
The next Equine Bootsale and Dog Show on Sunday 6th July will be held on Widford Playing Fields (SG12 8SL), 11am to 1pm.
Pitches £10 Horse boxes/trailer £15 PITCHES ON THE DAY £15 (bring your own table/blanket)
Entry for buyers only £1!
Dog Show Entry £2 per show per dog per class
CASH AND CARD ARE NOW ACCEPTED
Dog Show sponsored by Oaks Funeral Directors – Cuffley. Toilet hire sponsored by Jimmy Riddles Toilet Hire.
All monies raised will go to HEART (Heart Animal Rescue Team), which was founded by Hannah Bolton after finding there was a need for support within Harlow, Essex and neighbouring areas for local wildlife. Hannah has been rehabbing and rescuing animals for 3 years. HEART is full of a network of some wonderful people who go above and beyond to make sure animals are safe and cared for. To find out more about this charity, visit their website: https://www.heartrescue.co.uk/.
You are invited to the annual Rogation Day Service at St James’ Church, Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbotts on Sunday 25th May 2025 at 11am. All are welcome to this special thanksgiving service in the beautiful old Parish Church of St James.
Traditionally Rogation Day included ‘beating the bounds’, which was an opportunity to re-establish the area considered to be the Parish of Stanstead Abbotts and to ensure the boundaries were clear. This year, we will meet outside St James’ Church at approximately 12pm and head out on a short, led walk that is suitable for families. Do wear sturdy shoes, bring a bottle of water and, if the weather in nice, why not bring a picnic!
The next Equine Table Top Sale and Dog Show on Sunday 11th May will be held on Widford Playing Fields (SG12 8SL), 11am to 1pm.
Pitches £10 Horse boxes/trailer £15 PITCHES ON THE DAY £15 (bring your own table/blanket)
Entry for buyers only £1! Dog Show Entry £2 per show per dog per class CASH ONLY
Dog Show Sponsored by Tyrrell Plastering Ltd. Jimmy Riddles Toilet Hire is kindly supplying us with a portaloo for the weekend.
All money we raise goes to Friends of the Wild Rescue and Rehab, a volunteer run and self-funded wildlife rescue based in Bishops Stortford, covering the Bishops Stortford area plus surrounding villages. They help all small wildlife, ranging from orphan birds and mammals through to animals with injuries such as broken legs/wings and cat attack injuries. Find out more about this amazing charity on their website: https://friendsofthewild.co.uk/.
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 first Equine Table Top Sale and Dog Show of 2025 will be held on 19th January!
WHERE: Albury Village Hall, The Bourne, Albury WHAT TIME: 11am to 1.30pm
EQUINE TABLE TOP SALE Entry £1 (cash only) Lots of different stalls offering some lovely items for sale, including some non-horsey things too. Refreshments including homemade sausage rolls and cakes on sale too!
Book your tables in advance at £10 – numbers are limited. To book a table get in touch with Gail on 07747300095.
DOG SHOW Entry £2 per show per dog (cash only) Ribbons awards up to 5th place for all classes.
All money raised will go to Therapeutic Hooves, a Hertfordshire based therapeutic pony centre that offers individually tailored sessions for a wide range of physical and mental health additional needs. Find out more about this amazing charity here: https://www.therapeutichooves.com/
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
Don’t miss the last Equine Table Top Sale and Dog show of the year!
WHERE: Albury Village Hall, The Bourne, Albury WHEN: Sunday 24th November WHAT TIME: 11am to 1.30pm
EQUINE TABLE TOP SALE Entry £1 (cash only) Lots of different stalls offering some lovely items for sale, including some non-horsey things too (like Doggy Deli Co) Refreshments including homemade sausage rolls and cakes on sale too!
DOG SHOW Entry £2 per show per dog (cash only) Ribbons awards up to 5th place for all classes!
The Dog Show is kindly sponsored by The Hair Lab Herts based at The Maltings.
They are raising money for Friends of the Wild Rescue & Rehab in Bishops Stortford and Surrounding Villages. They help small, self-funded wildlife, ranging from orphan birds and small mammals to animals with injuries like broken wings or legs. Find out more about this amazing charity HERE.
