Category Archives: Fundraising

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.

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

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.

Rescheduled Equine Table Top Sale & Dog Show

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Join us for a relaxed and family friendly community event on Sunday 8th March, 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 Ltd. 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.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Snowdrop Garden Open Days

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Snowdrop Garden Open Days – Possibly for the Last Time – in Support of the Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust

We are pleased to share that the Bishop of St Albans’ Garden will open to visitors this February, offering a much-loved chance to enjoy God’s creation in its early spring beauty. This year’s openings may be the last time the garden is made accessible to the public, making the occasion especially meaningful.

Thousands of snowdrops and other early bulbs will be in bloom, creating a peaceful, uplifting place to wander and reflect. All proceeds will go directly to the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust, which helps fund essential repairs to historic churches across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Bishop Richard, Acting Bishop of St Albans, writes:
“This is a lovely way to enjoy the first signs of spring while supporting an important cause. We’re proud to contribute to preserving the unique heritage of our local churches.”

Open Garden Dates
Abbey Gate House, Abbey Mill Lane, St Albans AL3 4HD

• Saturday 14 February
• Sunday 15 February
• Saturday 21 February
• Sunday 22 February

Time: 2pm–4pm
Entry: £5 per adult (all proceeds to the Trust)

All are warmly invited to visit the garden, perhaps for the final time as we are not sure if the new Bishop will continue to allow the garden to be opened to the public, enjoy its seasonal beauty and support the preservation of our cherished church buildings.

For more information, please contact:
Jane Smith, PA to the Bishop of St Albans
Email: janesmith@stalbandiocese.org

The First Equine Table Top Sale & Dog Show of 2026!

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** 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.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Stanstead Abbotts Advent Window Trail

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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: THIS WEEKEND

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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!

We look forward to welcoming you!

Rev’d Sarah Forrest, Priest in Charge

Autumn Gift Fair on Monday 27th October

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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.

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