Harpenden's Got Talent (And Quizzes) 🎭🧠✨

Finally, we can venture outside without melting! After those scorching temperatures that had us all hiding indoors like vampires, this cooler weather is the perfect excuse to get out there and embrace everything Harpenden has to offer. Whether you fancy trying your hand at golf without sweating through your shirt, catching some sublime opera at St Nicholas Church, or joining the cycling celebration at Redbourn Festival, this week is absolutely packed with reasons to leave the house. From quiz nights that'll test your random knowledge to ballet classes that'll melt your heart (in the best way), here's your guide to making the most of our lovely town when the temperature won't cook you alive! 🌤️

Thursday 3rd July 🌟

Pathway to Golf Taster Session - Aldwickbury Golf Club 🏌️‍♀️
Perfect for complete beginners or anyone curious about golf! This one-hour session covers all the basics from proper grip to stance, with your friendly PGA Professional guiding you through everything. Meet fellow hopefuls 15 minutes before heading to the driving range. Don't worry if you've never held a club - they'll teach you everything, and hopefully you won't launch too many balls into the car park! Finish with a proper debrief in the bar about your next steps.

8pm - Quiz Night - The Harpenden Arms 🧠
It's Thursday, which means weekly battle of wits time! Get your team of up to 6 together for some serious brain-teasing action. You know how it goes - heated discussions about obscure 80s songs, Dave from accounting making up plausible-sounding answers, and plenty of "how did we not know that?!" moments. Book online here.

Friday 4th July ✨

Ballet with Zoe - The Harpenden Trust (above Co-Op, Southdown) 🩰

• 11am: Ages 2-3 - Tiny tots can attempt their first ballet moves with Zoe's lively lessons. It's all about fun and movement rather than perfect technique, though some little stars are surprisingly graceful!

• 2pm: Ages 3-4 - The slightly bigger ones are starting to get the hang of ballet! They're coordinated enough to follow instructions but still add their own creative flair to every move.

• 4pm: Ages 4-6 (Wednesdays) - These proper little dancers have got the basics down and are putting together real sequences. Amazing how quickly they progress!
  Email [email protected] for trial classes.

Evening - Top Hat Stage School - Roundwood Park School 🎭
Friday nights belong to budding performers! Ages 4-17 with absolutely no experience necessary - they even offer a free trial. Whether your little one dreams of the West End or just fancies trying something new, this could be the start of their theatrical journey. At the very least, you'll have a child who can project their voice when calling for dinner!

Saturday 5th July 🎪

Summer Reading Challenge begins - Harpenden Library 📚
Book lovers, get excited! This year's "Story Garden Crew" theme is perfect for getting kids excited about reading during the holidays. Any child who's a library member can join the adventure - read books, collect stickers, and become part of a reading quest that'll keep them busy all summer. It's like Pokémon but with books!

2pm-6pm - Grove Schools’ PTA Summer Festival 🎪
The PTA has absolutely outdone themselves this year! Free entry (donations welcomed), with everything you need for a perfect family afternoon. Live music from Number 7 band, games and activities for all ages, plus food and drink to keep everyone happy.

2:30pm - KEW Dance Summer Awards Show - The EMC ✨
One of those afternoons that'll have you reaching for happy tissues! KEW Dance celebrates all the incredible hard work their wonderful performers have achieved this year. Nothing quite like seeing kids beam with pride in their moment in the spotlight.

6pm - St Albans & Harpenden Local Committee Summer Evening - Brad & Dills 🍷
Fancy a sophisticated evening? This sounds like a properly lovely summer evening with drinks from 6pm, mezze from 7pm. At £30 including welcome drink, it's the perfect excuse to dress up and enjoy some grown-up time. Call 07815 537901 to book.

7:30pm - Opera Choruses - St Nicholas Church 🎵
Something truly special! Popular choruses, arias and duets from well-known romantic and dramatic operas in the beautiful surroundings of St Nicholas Church. Including the Chorus of Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco (you'll definitely recognize it!), plus a solo piano performance of Rigoletto - Concert Paraphrase by Liszt. £18 unreserved, £9 students, under 16s free.

9:30pm-11:30pm - Mr Rainmaker (Covers Band) - The Plough & Harrow 🎸
After all that culture, fancy something more down-to-earth? This 4-piece covers band will play all the songs you love but haven't heard in ages. Everyone will start singing along after the first pint, and someone will definitely declare they could totally have been in a band!

11am-4pm - Redbourn Festival Family Fun Day 🎪
The Redbourn Festival is back and it's going to be massive! Completely free for the whole family, transitioning into Redbourn Rocks 6pm-10pm. All funds raised go to local schools, making it even better. One of those community celebrations that reminds you why living around here is wonderful!

Sunday 6th July 🌅

9:30am-2pm - Redbourn Car Boot Sale - The Herts Showground 🚗
Sunday morning treasure hunting at its finest! This proper local institution runs most Sundays (and Bank Holiday Mondays) from April through October. Pitches from £13 for cars up to £28 for extra large. Early birds can set up from 9am for £23. Amazing what you'll find - one person's junk is definitely another's treasure!

9:30am-5pm - Fete du Velo Day - Redbourn Festival 🚴‍♀️
Sunday brings the cycling celebration! All about celebrating everything on two wheels, from proper cycling enthusiasts to families with little ones just getting the hang of balance bikes. Perfect way to spend Sunday with fresh air and lovely community festival atmosphere.

12pm-2:30pm - Sunday Carvery - Redbourn Golf Club 🍖
After all that car boot browsing and cycling, you'll be ready for a proper Sunday lunch! First Sunday of every month - traditional roast dinner where someone else does all the cooking and you get to relax with the Sunday papers.

Monday 7th July 💫

10am-12pm - Bennets Coffee Morning - Royal British Legion, 21 Leyton Road ☕
Parents and toddlers welcome for coffee and play.

10:30am-12pm - Coffee Morning - Harpenden Library ☕
Mid-morning coffee and browsing.

3:45pm-4:45pm - Lego Club (ages 5+) - Harpenden Library 🧱
Everything is always better with Lego! (As long as you don’t tread on it of course) £4.40 per session. Booking essential!

6pm-7pm - Free Inclusive Cricket - Harpenden Leisure Centre 🏏
Ages 12-25, all disabilities welcomed. Contact [email protected]

6:30pm - Harpenden Business Forum - Rothamsted Conference Centre 💼
Free seminar on business mentoring with Chris Dunn. Booking is essential.

6:45pm - Frazzled Cafe - Harpenden Trust Halls 🤗
Free emotional support and hot drinks every Monday.

Tuesday 8th July 📖

2:15pm-2:45pm - StoryTime - Harpenden Library 📖
All welcome, donations appreciated.

9pm - Weekly Quiz - The Engineer 🧠
Max 6 per team, £1 entry, cash prizes!

Wednesday 9th July 🌈

9am - THC Monthly Coworking Pop Up 💻
Perfect alternative to working from home when you fancy a change from pjs!

6pm - THC Home and Garden Design Masterclass - West Common 🏡
Practical design solutions for home and garden.

8pm - Quiz Night - The Amble Inn 🎯
Another chance to test your knowledge!

Ongoing Activities ⭐

WWII Exhibition - Harpenden Museum (EMC lower floor) 🎖️
FREE exhibition until Sept 25th. Open Tues, Thurs, Sat. www.harpenden-history.org.uk

Harpenden Station Book Exchange 📚
Take a book, leave a book!

Playing Out Sessions 🛣️
Road closures for safe children's play. sustainablestalbans.org/playing-out

Litter Angels 🗑️
Help keep Harpenden tidy! Email [email protected] for your pack.

A brilliant week packed with activities for everyone - from golf tasters to opera nights, community festivals to coworking sessions. There's always something happening in wonderful Harpenden! 😄✨

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! ✨

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