Hello Harpenden!

Welcome to your weekly dose of local buzz! As St. Patrick's Day approaches, we're all feeling a wee bit Irish (or at least pretending to be while nursing a Guinness at The Silver Cup)!

Our shops are practically bursting with Easter eggs, seemingly multiplying like... well, rabbits. (Too on the nose? We'll hop away from that joke.)

Inside this edition, we've packed in all the local events and matches that make our town tick. So grab a cuppa (or something stronger – we don't judge), settle in, and discover what's happening in our wonderfully quirky corner of Hertfordshire!

Happy reading!

📰 WHAT'S ON IN HARPENDEN 📰

💛 Harpenden Bereavement Café

Every second Thursday of the month, 2pm - 3pm at The Salvation Army. Need a shoulder to lean on? The bereavement café offers a safe, secure place to talk confidentially about loss with others who understand. Sometimes a cuppa and company makes all the difference! 🫂☕

🍻 The Harpenden Collective After Work Drinks

Thursday 13th March, 5pm at The Silver Cup. Ditch the laptop and join the chat! Network, unwind, and meet local movers and shakers over a well-deserved drink. Work hard, play harder! For more info: theharpendencollective.co.uk/events ✨

🎸 Live Music at The Red Cow

Every second Thursday of the month, 8pm. The talented Charlie Barron is strumming up a storm! Grab your friends and make some noise (the good kind) at this monthly musical treat! 🎵

🦜 The Arts Society Harpenden Area Lecture

Thursday 13th March, 10:30am at The EMC. "From Prehistory to the Present Day – The Bird in Art" 🐦 Guests can book online: https://buytickets.at/theartssocietyharpendenarea/1342816

🎤 Money for Nothing: Dire Straits Tribute

Friday 14th March, 7:30pm at The EMC. Walk of Life? More like walk to The EMC for Europe's No.1 Dire Straits Tribute! £31, Ages 14+ (because even teens deserve good music education!) 🎸

🍷 Wine Tasting Quiz in assoc with Majestic Wine

Friday 14th March, 7:30pm at the Harpenden Trust Centre. Wine not spend your Friday sipping and quizzing? Team up with friends or make new ones over reds, whites and sparkles, perfectly paired with cheese platters! £25 per person, proceeds to the Mayor's charities. Limited tickets - book asap: [email protected] 🧀

Join Us for the 6 Nations Finale This Weekend at Harpenden RFC! 🏉

Get ready for an epic rugby showdown! 🙌 The final three matches of this year's 6 Nations Championship will be screened live at Harpenden RFC this weekend!

Grab your friends, don your team colors, and join fellow rugby enthusiasts for what promises to be a nail-biting conclusion to the tournament. 🍻 Whether you're cheering for England, backing the Welsh, or supporting another nation altogether, the atmosphere at the clubhouse will be electric!

Food and refreshments will be available throughout, so you won't miss a single scrum, line-out, or try-scoring moment. 🥪🍔

See you there! And remember, the louder you cheer, the better your team plays... we're pretty sure that's science! 🏆

🧩 St Nicholas Quiz Night

Saturday 15th March, doors open 7pm for 7:30pm start. Exercise those brain cells for a good cause! Tickets: Adults £15, Under 18s £5. Includes soft drinks and desserts in the interval. BYO feast if your brain needs extra fuel! 🍰

🕺 Uptown Funk at The Plough and Harrow

Saturday 15th March, 9pm. Get your dancing shoes ready for a groovy Saturday night! 🎵

🌱 Sustainability Market

Sunday 17th March, 10am - 3pm on the green outside Park Hall. Shop green, eat clean, and feel smug about saving the planet! Browse eco-friendly stalls and delicious food while doing your bit for Mother Earth! 🌍

🧘‍♀️ Monday Morning Yoga

9:30am - 10:45am at Batford Memorial Hall. Start your week with a stretch instead of stress! Free trial session available - your wallet and wellbeing will thank you! Email [email protected] 🧘‍♀️

👟 Walking for Lent

Every Tuesday in Lent, starting 11th March, 5:30pm at All Saints' Church. A 45-minute spiritual stroll through Batford Springs Nature Reserve with readings, poems and prayers. Followed by drinks at the Marquis of Granby - because reflection works up a thirst! 🌿

⭐ Jesus Christ Superstar!

Wednesday 19th - Saturday 22nd March at The EMC. Harpenden Musical Theatre Company brings divine entertainment to town! £22.50 for heavenly voices and spectacular performances. A show of biblical proportions! 🎭

📸 CAPTURE THE HEART OF HARPENDEN! 📸

🏆 Photography Competition: "The Most Desirable Town" 🏆

Got an eye for what makes Harpenden special? Grab your camera and capture why our town tops the "most desirable" lists! Whether it's our gorgeous green spaces, charming high street, or the friendly faces that make this community shine – show Harpenden through YOUR lens! 📱✨

📋 Competition Details:

• Two age categories: Under 18s and Over 18s

• Enter up to three images that capture why Harpenden is "The Most Desirable Town"

• Open to residents only (sorry, professional photographers – this one's for the everyday snappers!)

• Submit in jpeg format with subject line "Photography competition entry" to [email protected]

• Closing date: 1st April (and no, that's not an April Fool's joke! 😉)

🎁 Fantastic Prizes:

• 1st Prize: £125 gift voucher

• 2nd Prize: £100 gift voucher

• 3rd Prize: £75 gift voucher

• 4th Prize: £50 gift voucher

• 5th Prize: £25 gift voucher

BONUS: All winners receive a year's FREE membership to both the Harpenden Photographic Society AND the Harpenden Society! 🌟

Ready, set, SNAP! Show us the Harpenden you love! 📸💖

⚽ WOMEN'S FOOTBALL SHOWDOWN! ⚽

Harpenden Town FC Women vs Wootton Blue Cross Lionesses Women FC

Sunday 16th March, 2pm Kick-off

The Harpenden women are back in action this Sunday! Come down and show your support as our local ladies take on the Wootton Blue Cross Lionesses in what promises to be an exciting match!

Bring your voices, bring your enthusiasm, and help cheer our team to victory! Refreshments available. Rain or shine, the beautiful game goes on! ⚽🌟

🚆 RAILWAY ROULETTE 🚆

Weekend warriors beware! More planned Engineering works this weekend so check and double check before you travel.

Thameslink suggests allowing "extra time for your journey" – which we're pretty sure is code for "bring a book, snacks, and possibly a tent."

Brave travelers, we salute you! ✌️

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! ✨