Hello, Wonderful Harpenden!

Another fantastic week is rolling into town, and our community is buzzing with energy! 🎉 From laugh-out-loud comedy nights to inspiring sports matches, from creative workshops to delightful social gatherings, this week's newsletter is a celebration of everything that makes Harpenden so special.

We've got events that will entertain the kids, inspire the adults, challenge the athletes, and bring people together. Whether you're looking to catch some top-notch comedy, support local sports teams, enjoy a community lunch, or find a fun activity for the little ones, there's something here for everyone.

So grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and let's explore all the amazing opportunities waiting for you this week. Our community is vibrant, diverse, and full of incredible stories just waiting to be shared!

Let's dive in and make some memories! 🌟

🎭 What's On in Harpenden! 🎭

🎤 LAUGH YOUR SOCKS OFF! 🎤

Thursday, 6th March, 8pm
Harpenden's biggest comedy club night, Live at The EMC
Comedy royalty comes to town for £22 a ticket! Featuring the hilarious Bridget Christie, the wickedly funny Darren Harriott, rising star Celya Ab, and the ever-charming Matt Richardson 😂

🧛‍♀️ STAKE THROUGH THE HEART OF NOSTALGIA! 🧛‍♀️

Friday, 7th March, 7:30pm
Buffy Revamped
This fast-paced gem at The EMC brings you ALL 144 episodes of the cult 90s TV show through the eyes of everyone's favorite platinum-haired vampire... Spike! Bloody brilliant entertainment for just £26. Ages 14+ (demons and vampires welcome too!) 🦇

👑 CELEBRATE AMAZING WOMEN! 👑

Friday, 7th March, 12pm
The Harpenden Collective International Women's Day Lunch
Join us at Tabure for a special lunch honoring all the incredible women around us. Because behind every successful community is a squad of fantastic females! 💪💖

Quiz Masters, Assemble! 🧠🏆

Get ready for the brain-teasing event of the year! 🎉 The 28th Harpenden Quiz of Quizzes is rolling into town on Friday, 7th March, and it's going to be EPIC!

Hosted by the fantastic Rotary Club at St George's School, this isn't just any old quiz night - it's THE quiz night that local knowledge nerds and trivia titans have been waiting for! 🤓 Bring your sharpest teammates, your quickest wits, and your hungriest appetites because - wait for it - SUPPER IS INCLUDED! 🍽️

Pro tip: This event sells out faster than you can say "What's the capital of Burkina Faso?" So don't snooze, or you'll lose! 😱 Grab your team spots NOW by emailing [email protected].

The best part? Every single penny goes to local charities and causes supported by Rotary. So you're not just having a brilliant night out - you're making a difference! 💖 Community spirit + brain power = WIN! 🏅

See you there, quiz champions! 🎲📚

🎵 ROCK THE WEEKEND! 🎵

Saturday, 8th March, 9:30pm
The Plough and Harrow Live Music
Kelly's Heroes will take you on a musical journey through the 60s/70s/80s/90s! Dance like nobody's watching (even though everyone totally is). 🎸

🎸 LEGENDS OF ROCK! 🎸

Saturday, 8th March, 7:30pm
Paul Hopkins' Roy Orbison & The Travelling Wilburys Exp
A night of some of the biggest songs in music history at The EMC! Bring the whole family (ages 5+) for £32.50. Pretty woman walking down the street... 🎵

For The Little Ones (And Their Grown-ups!) 👶

🎭 FUTURE STARS ALERT! 🎭

Friday evenings
Top Hat Stage School at Roundwood Park School
Ages 4-17. Free trial, no experience needed! Today's drama queen could be tomorrow's Oscar winner! 🌟

🧱 BUILD A BETTER MONDAY! 🧱

Every Monday at Harpenden Library, 3:45pm - 4:45pm
Lego Club for Children aged 5-12
Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Booking recommended at the enquiry desk. Everything is awesome when you're building with friends! 🧩

🐠 LITTLE FISHES SPLASH ABOUT! 🐠

Little Fishes Toddler Group, Thursdays, 9:30am - 11am (term time)
Crabtree Church, AL5 5RD
Plenty of free parking that doesn’t require an app! Have a coffee while your child plays and makes friends. Just keep swimming! 🐟

Community Corner ☕

🍰 TEA AND SYMPATHY! 🍰

Sunday, 9th March, 2:30pm - 4pm
Harpenden Village Inner Wheel Club Sunday Afternoon Tea
Catch up over cake at Well Bean Café above the Co-Op in Southdown. Because everything feels better after a good chat!

👶 TOTS AND TEACUPS! 👶

Monday Mornings, 10am - 12pm
Bennet’s Coffee Morning with parents and toddlers
Take a break while your children play in a safe, welcoming space at Bennet's Royal British Legion, 21 Leyton Road. Sanity savers, one coffee at a time! ☕

Lent Walks: Reflect, Wander, Connect 🌿🚶‍♀️

Every Tuesday during Lent, starting 11th March, join a spiritual journey through the breathtaking Batford Springs Nature Reserve. 🍃

🕰️Time: 5:30 PM sharp 📍 Meet: All Saints' Church

A peaceful 45-minute walk where each step is an invitation to reflection. Along the way, you'll pause to hear carefully selected readings, poems, and prayers that will gently nudge your spirit and help you contemplate life's deeper meanings. It's like a moving meditation, with nature as your backdrop and community as your companion. 🌄

And because no spiritual journey is complete without a bit of fellowship, the walk concludes with drinks at the Marquis of Granby. Because sometimes, profound conversations are best continued over a warm beverage! ☕

All are welcome on this gentle Lenten pilgrimage. 💖

💼 WORK TOGETHER, SUCCEED TOGETHER! 💼

Wednesday, 12th March, 9am
The Harpenden Collective Co-working Pop Up
Swap the pajama work-from-home life for actual human interaction! 💻

🏃‍♀️ RUN FOR FUN! 🏃‍♀️

Wednesday, 12th March, 12pm
The Harpenden Collective Run Club
Free to attend for members and non-members. Outrun your problems (or at least try)! 👟

⚽ 🏉 WEEKEND SPORTS ACTION! 🏉 ⚽

⚽ FOOTBALL FEVER! ⚽

Sunday, 9th March, 1:30pm
Harpenden Town FC Women vs Hutton FC Women
Come cheer on our local ladies as they take on Hutton FC Women! Location: Harpenden Town Football Club. Let's pack the stands and show our support! 👏

🏉 RUGBY DOUBLE-HEADER! 🏉

Saturday, 8th March

💪 WOMEN'S 1ST XV 💪

Harpenden vs Stockwood Park Women
Kickoff: 12:00pm
Start your Saturday with some serious rugby action! Our women's team faces off against Stockwood Park in what's sure to be a thrilling encounter. Early kickoff means you can catch both rugby matches in one day! 🙌

🏆 MEN'S 1ST XV 🏆

Harpenden vs Sudbury
Kickoff: 3:00pm
Our boys are ready to ruck and roll! Don't miss this crucial clash as Harpenden takes on Sudbury in what promises to be an action-packed match! 💪

⚠️ IMPORTANT TRAVEL ALERT! ⚠

🚆 THAMESLINK DISRUPTION - PLAN AHEAD! 🚆

Saturday & Sunday (8th-9th March)

NO THAMESLINK TRAINS will run between:

• Luton

• Finsbury Park

• London St Pancras International

• London Blackfriars

• London Bridge

⚠️ The dreaded rail replacement buses are in action yet again! ⚠️

Don't let your weekend plans be derailed! Check National Rail Enquiries before traveling and allow extra time for your journey. 🕒

Got a local event or special day you'd like us to feature? We'd love to hear from you! Just drop us a line at [email protected] and we'll shine our spotlight on your community happenings! ✨