The Friends of St Andrews School presents Stanstead Abbotts Advent Window Trail. A brand new fundraiser for 2025!
Join us this Christmas as our community lights up with festive window displays – one magical reveal each evening.
Each window has been lovingly decorated by families, organisations and businesses.
Collect a letter from each window to reveal a special festive message!
Maps are now on sale – every £2 purchase goes directly to St Andrews School.
Printed maps are available at the school Christmas Fayre, or for a digital version contact Gemma (07791264279 via WhatsApp or email fostawindowtrail@yahoo.com).
So wrap up warm, grab a map and discover 24 magical windows!
Christmas Tree Festival 2–6pm on Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th December St Mary’s Church, Hoddesdon Road, St Margarets
The 3 Churches Benefice are holding a Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church, St Margarets. It is a wonderful opportunity for us all, as a community, to get into the spirit of Christmas!
Entry to the Festival will be FREE, but seasonal refreshments will be available to buy for those visiting. We will also have a tombola, children’s activities, a teddy tombola and craft stalls with some lovely homemade items. Any proceeds will go towards the work and upkeep of the church.
*NEW THIS YEAR* We also have a ‘Carols amidst the Christmas Trees’ at 5pm on Sunday 7thDecember. Don’t miss it!
The British Red Cross are holding an Autumn Gift Fair, which will take place on Monday 27th October at Fanhams Hall, 10am to 3pm. The funds raised will go towards helping those facing crisis.
There will be a large variety of unique & interesting stalls, including clothing, textiles, jewellery, food and drink, and much more! It’s an ideal opportunity to purchase gifts for family members and friends while having a thoroughly enjoyable day out.
Light refreshments will be available. There is FREE parking within the grounds of the hall.
If you have any enquiries, please get in touch with emmajaneslater@redcross.org.uk.
Baby Loss Awareness Week, which runs from 9 to 15th October every year, is a time for everyone in the baby loss community and beyond to come together, to remember much-loved and missed babies, and raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss.
Sands – the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity – leads this special week. It is represented by a blue and pink ribbon logo, which has been the inspiration to create Ribbon Displays up and down the UK, in every community, inviting those who have experienced loss to come together and remember their babies.
The 3 Churches Ribbon Display The 3 Churches Benefice is hosting a Ribbon Display outside St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbotts. You are encouraged to add your own ribbon of remembrance during the week. The church will also be open from 3–5pm on Sunday 12th October for quiet reflection.
The 3 Churches Ribbon Run From 3pm on Sunday 12th October, a team will run/walk the 5km circuit from St Andrew’s to raise funds for Sands. Walkers and Runners welcome!
The loss of a baby or pregnancy is heart-breaking, and this is happening to families across the UK everyday.
If you are in need of any support locally, please do reach out to The 3 Churches Benefice: vicar@3churches.net / 07488 914972 / 01920 870009.
For anyone who needs the support of Sands, you can find more information on their website www.sands.org.uk.
Saying Goodbye Service at St Albans Cathedral On 14th October at 7pm, in St Albans Cathedral, Saying Goodbye (part of the Mariposa Trust) will be hosting one of their special services. This is for anyone who has either personally lost a baby at any stage of pregnancy, at birth, or in early years, or who has been affected by family members’ or friends’ loss.
To read more on the charity, please see the Saying Goodbye website, which you can find at: www.sayinggoodbye.org.
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.
Get ready for a fun-filled, active day out for a great cause – Bike ‘n’ Hike is happening this Saturday 13th September, and there’s still time to get involved!
Whether you’re a keen cyclist, a casual walker, or looking for a family day out, Bike ‘n’ Hike is a fantastic way to explore beautiful historic churches across the region while raising vital funds. The money you raise is split between a local church of your choice and the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust, helping to preserve these wonderful buildings for generations to come.
The3 Churches Benefice are also joining in the fun with a special Family Map, designed to guide you around our three lovely churches in a safe and enjoyable route suitable for all ages.
To get your Family Map, just email: admin@3churches.net
So dust off your bike, lace up your walking shoes and get ready for a rewarding adventure this weekend!
The next Equine Bootsale and Dog Show is going to be held on Sunday 28th September at Albury Village Hall (SG11 2JD) from 11am to 1pm.
Tables £10 – BOOKING ESSENTIAL (tables and chairs provided by the hall)
Entry for buyers only £1!
Dog Show Entry £2 per show per dog per class (Rosettes awarded from 1st to 5th place)
CASH AND CARD ARE NOW ACCEPTED
Dog Show sponsored by Hertfordshire & Central Bedfordshire Dog First Aid Training
All monies raised will go to Cheshunt Animal Rescue. Their mission is to provide a safe and caring environment for all the animals that come through their doors. They rehabilitate and release wildlife, and take in unwanted pets. They strive to find loving forever homes for each and every animal. For more information about this amazing charity, check out their website: cheshuntanimalrescue.co.uk.
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
The Three Villages 