Soak Up the Sun & Fun This Week! ☀️

Hello lovely Harpenden folk! 👋 Ready for another jam-packed week in our brilliant town? We've got everything from ancient Thames crossings to modern meditation sessions, quiz nights that'll test your brain cells, and enough classic cars to make Jeremy Clarkson weep with joy! Whether you're after some zen vibes in a beautiful garden, fancy watching future West End stars in the making, or just want to discover why our very own George Hogg is celebrated as a hero across China, we've got you covered. So grab your diary, charge your phone for all those bookings, and let's dive into what's happening this week! 🌟

Thursday 17th July

🧘‍♀️ 10am - Need to zen out? Join Kathryn for a fabulous THC Outdoor Meditation & Breathwork Session! This qualified yoga teacher will guide you through 30 minutes of blissful calm in their beautiful new garden. Bring a water bottle and mat - it's completely FREE for members and non-members alike. Perfect for a lovely little reset and some serious nervous system regulation! 🌿

🌉 10:30am - Start your day with some Thames-crossing history at The Eric Morecambe Centre! The Arts Society Harpenden Area is presenting "London Bridged – 3,500 years of crossing the Thames" - who knew bridge-building could be so fascinating? From Bronze Age river crossings to modern engineering marvels, this lecture will have you looking at London's bridges in a whole new light. Pop in from 10:00am for a free cuppa and chat before the talk begins. Guests can book online here. 🎫

🍻 5:00pm - THC Summer Drinks Social at The Silver Cup kicks off for members - time to catch up with friends over a well-deserved beverage! 🥂

🧠 8:00pm - Quiz Night at The Harpenden Arms! Round up your team of six for some serious brain-teasing action. You know the drill - heated debates about obscure 80s songs, Dave making up surprisingly plausible answers, and those inevitable "how did we not know that?!" moments. Book online here.🎯

Friday 18th July

🏃‍♀️ 9:00am - THC Run Club meets for an informal group running session - members only, so lace up those trainers and get moving! Perfect way to start the weekend feeling energized! 💪

🎭 Evening - Top Hat Stage School at Roundwood Park School! Friday nights are for budding performers aged 4-17, and absolutely no experience is 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 19th July

🏏 11:00am - Cricket fans, rejoice! It's First XI v Welwyn Garden City CC - 1st XI on Harpenden Common! Nothing beats the sound of leather on willow on a beautiful Saturday morning. Pack a picnic, grab a deck chair, and settle in for some proper English cricket in the sunshine. Will our lads triumph? Only one way to find out! ⚡

🎪 12:30pm & 6:30pm - Razzamataz Leighton Buzzard takes The EMC by storm! This fun, fast-paced show is perfect for the whole family - expect a global adventure packed with music, dance, and drama! The talented students will showcase mini musicals bursting with colour and character, plus upbeat pop medleys guaranteed to get you clapping along. From funky beats to Broadway treats, it's £17 for pure entertainment! 🎵

🎸 9:30pm-midnight - Carnegies (a brilliant 5-piece covers band) rocks The Plough & Harrow! Perfect for a Saturday night out with great music and even better company 🎤

Sunday 20th July

🦋 3:00pm - Butterfly Walk with Malcolm Hall, organised by the Friends of Kinsbourne Green Common! Meet at the Parish noticeboard on Kinsbourne Green to learn about butterflies, their life cycles, and habitats. This walk perfectly coincides with the Big Butterfly Count - nature lovers, this one's for you! 🌸

🍽️ 1:00pm-3:00pm - Redbourn Golf Club Sunday Carvery & LIVE Music! Tuck into a delicious carvery for £24.95 per adult, £12.95 per child under 12 (little ones under 5 go free!). Pre-booking is essential, so don't miss out on this perfect Sunday treat! 🥕

🎵1:00pm-3:00pm - The Oddfellows Arms host 2Tone covers because Sunday afternoon tribute bands are pretty much a requirement for a proper weekend closure! 

Monday 21st July

☕ 10:00am-12:00pm - Bennets Coffee Morning at Royal British Legion, 21 Leyton Road! Parents and toddlers are warmly welcomed for coffee and play - perfect for meeting other local families and letting the little ones burn off some energy! 👶

☕ 10:30am-12:00pm - Coffee Morning at Harpenden Library! Mid-morning coffee and browsing - what could be better? Pop in for a peaceful moment with a good book and great company 📚

🧱 3:45pm-4:45pm - Lego Club at Harpenden Library (ages 5+)! At £4.40 per session, this is building fun at its finest - but booking is essential, so don't delay! Young architects, this is your time to shine! 🏗️

Tuesday 22nd July

🎓 Time TBC - "Son of Harpenden, Hero in China – George Hogg 1915-45" by Mark Thomas, Hogg's nephew and biographer! On the exact 80th anniversary of George Hogg's death, discover the incredible story of our local hero who saved 60 boys' lives during the Japanese war, marching them 700 miles to safety. This Harpenden-born legend is renowned in China with statues in multiple cities, yet barely known in his hometown - time to change that! Free for members and students, £5 donation for non-members at the Methodist Church door. From the Harpenden & District Local History Society.

📖 2:15pm-2:45pm - StoryTime at Harpenden Library! All welcome, donations appreciated - perfect for little bookworms and their grown-ups! 📚

🧠 9:00pm - Weekly Quiz at The Engineer! Max 6 per team, £1 entry, cash prizes up for grabs - who doesn't love a bit of competitive trivia? 🏆

Wednesday 23rd July

🚗 11:00am onwards - Classics on the Common! This annual extravaganza features more than 1,000 classic cars, motorcycles, and scooters with 10,000 admiring spectators. Car enthusiasts and casual admirers alike will be in heaven - it's like stepping back in time! 🏍️

Ongoing Activities

🎖️ WWII Exhibition - Harpenden Museum (EMC lower floor) continues until September 25th! This FREE exhibition is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Perfect for history buffs and anyone interested in our local wartime heritage. Check out www.harpenden-history.org.uk for more details!

📚 Summer Reading Challenge - Harpenden Library's "Story Garden Crew" theme is keeping kids excited about reading all summer long! Any child who's a library member can join this reading quest - collect stickers, read books, and become part of an adventure that's like Pokémon but with books! Perfect for beating the holiday boredom! 🌱

That's your week sorted, Harpenden! From bridge history to butterfly walks, quiz nights to classic cars - there's something for everyone in our lovely town. See you out and about! 🌟

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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