Get ready for an absolutely brilliant week in Harpenden! 🌟 We've got the postponed Apple Fest happening this Saturday (hooray!), the legendary Wishbone Ash rocking the EMC, Harpenden Musical Theatre Company's Guys and Dolls running all weekend, networking galore, autumn pumpkin picking, rugby action, plus all your favourite regular classes, clubs, and activities. Oh, and did we mention quiz nights, live music, and a fascinating talk on microbes at the pub? Whether you're after family fun, cultural treats, fitness fixes, or just a good old community coffee morning, this week has something for absolutely everyone. Let's dive in! ☕🎭🍎

Thursday 9th October

9:30am - Rachel's Body Tone class kicks off the morning at The EMC 💪 Perfect way to start your day feeling energised! Rachel runs fantastic classes throughout the week including Zumba and Pure Stretch, so check out her full schedule online.

10am-11:30am - Harpenden Connect October Networking Meeting at Lewis Restaurant in the Rothamsted Conference Centre 🤝 This monthly gathering is completely free (just buy your own coffee and pastry), and it's brilliant for local business owners to promote themselves and create new working relationships. The group meets on the second Thursday of every month with free parking too - can't say fairer than that!

10am-10:30am - Baby Rhyme Time at Harpenden Library 👶 Donations welcome for this lovely session! These sessions are wonderful for early language development and getting babies used to rhythm and sounds, plus it's a great way to meet other parents.

10am-5pm - Ask The Expert: Rayden Solicitors Family Law Clinic at Red Gables, West Common 📋 Partner Nicola Caffrey is offering free confidential advice in 45-minute sessions. Booking is essential though, so email [email protected] or register on Eventbrite.

11:30am-12pm - Another Baby Rhyme Time session at Harpenden Library for those who prefer the later slot 🎵 Perfect if the earlier session doesn't fit your morning routine!

11:45am-2pm - The Athena Network Harpenden New Group Launch! 💻 This online women's networking event via Zoom is all about building quality business relationships with other professional women. It's £30 for visitors but free for members. This isn't speed networking - it's about meaningful connections, support and inspiration for greater success!

7pm - Rachel's Body Tone class returns for an evening session at Katherine Warrington School 💪 If you couldn't make the morning class, here's your second chance! These evening sessions are perfect for anyone who works during the day.

7:30pm-9:30pm - Harpenden Art Club at Salvation Army Halls 🎨 Tonight's session is Life Drawing and it's inclusive, lively and friendly for all abilities! The club meets most Thursday evenings from September through to May. Don't forget, today is also the deadline for entry forms for their annual exhibition in November!

7:30pm - Guys and Dolls at The Eric Morecambe Centre 🎭 Harpenden Musical Theatre Company presents this timeless Frank Loesser classic with all those memorable tunes like "Luck Be a Lady" and "Adelaide's Lament." Tickets from £20 for a fantastic evening of musical theatre!

8pm - Quiz Night at The Harpenden Arms 🧠 It's the weekly battle of wits! Get your team of up to 6 together for some serious brain-teasing action! The atmosphere is always fantastic - competitive but friendly.

8pm-11pm - Mik & Anne (Open Mic, Duo) at The Plough & Harrow 🎸 Live music to round off your Thursday evening! There's something really special about live music in a pub setting.

Friday 10th October

9am-10am - THC Run Club (Members Only) 🏃‍♀️ Meet in the garden of Red Gables for a warm-up before heading out. Super relaxed vibe and all abilities welcome - it's free too! A brilliant way to start your Friday with some fresh air and exercise.

9:30am - Rachel's Body Tone class at The Harpenden Trust (above the Co-Op in Southdown) 💪 Another chance to join Rachel for toning and strengthening!

9:30am-10:15am - Adult Ballet Bootcamps at Musicale by St George's School 🩰 Sculpt and strengthen, release neck and back tension! These bootcamps use ballet-inspired movements to create long, lean muscles while improving posture. It's only 45 minutes but you'll definitely feel the benefit!

11am - Ballet with Zoe at The Harpenden Trust for 2-3 year olds 👯‍♀️ Such a lovely way to introduce little ones to ballet! Zoe runs lively, engaging lessons with lots of movement, imagination, and fun.

2pm - Ballet with Zoe for 3-4 year olds at The Harpenden Trust 🩰 As they get a bit older, the classes build on foundational skills with more structure. For a trial class at any age, email [email protected]!

Evening - Top Hat Stage School at Roundwood Park School for ages 4-17 🎭 Free trial available and no experience needed! Covers singing, dancing, and acting in a supportive, fun environment. Perfect for young performers!

7-11pm - Live Musician at The George 🎵 Friday nights at The George are legendary for their live music! Perfect way to kick off the weekend with a drink and quality tunes.

7:30pm - Guys and Dolls at The Eric Morecambe Centre 🎭 Another chance to catch this fantastic production! Friday nights at the theatre have their own special energy.

Saturday 11th October

10:30am - UNA Public Lecture: "War and Peace – why sanctions are doomed to fail with Russia" by Ian Proud (former British diplomat) at Salvation Army Hall, Leyton Green 📚 Ian Proud brings incredible insider knowledge, and understanding sanctions is more relevant than ever. Free to attend but registration required, book your place here.

11am-4:30pm - Apple Fest at Highfield Oval! 🍎 Postponed from 4th Oct, so don't miss it this time! Organised by YWAM with hayrides, archery, apple sling-shot, market stalls, food, inflatables, and games for the whole family. Parking £2.50 per vehicle (card only). The quintessential autumn family day out!

All day - Pumpkin Festival at The Pop Up Farm (just off M1 J9, near Redbourn) 🎃 Explore 12 acres of pumpkins, climb the Big Bales Stack for glorious views, and let little ones enjoy the tractor tyre sandpit! Shop pre-picked pumpkins in The Red Shed, whether you're carving jack-o-lanterns or cooking seasonal dishes. The Pit Stop Café has hot dogs, drinks and ice cream (including vegan options)!

Afternoon - Harpenden RFC: Harpenden 1XV v Beaconsfield 🏉 Get down to support our local team! Brilliant atmosphere and a great Saturday afternoon out. If you're interested in rugby, contact [email protected]!

2:30pm & 7:30pm - Guys and Dolls matinee and evening performances at The Eric Morecambe Centre 🎭 There's something special about Saturday theatre - get dressed up and settle in for a fantastic production.

9:30pm-midnight - Allergy (Indie Rock/Alt/Dance, 3 piece) at The Plough & Harrow 🎸 Perfect for those who like their Saturday nights loud and lively! This three-piece brings energetic indie rock, alternative, and dance vibes in an intimate pub setting.

Sunday 12th October

Morning – Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools at Katherine Warrington School for ages 3-18 🎭 Brilliant for young people interested in drama, dance, and singing. The age range is wonderfully inclusive and Sunday mornings work perfectly for weekend schedules. Call 01923 701803!

9:30am-2pm - Redbourn Car Boot Sale at The Herts Showground 🛍️ Perfect for bargain hunters and treasure seekers! Runs most Sundays through October. Pitch charges from £13 for cars up to £28 for extra large pitches. You never know what treasures you might find!

7:30pm - Wishbone Ash UK Tour 2025 at The Eric Morecambe Centre 🎸 Experience the legendary band's iconic twin-guitar sound with classics like "The King Will Come" and "Blowin' Free" from their 55+ year catalogue. Tickets £32! True rock legends delivering remarkable musicianship - a must-see for fans!

Monday 13th October

9:30am-10:45am - Monday Morning Yoga at Batford Memorial Hall 🧘‍♀️ Free trial session available - email [email protected]! What better way to start the week? Barbara creates a welcoming, non-judgmental space for all levels.

10am-12pm - Bennet's Coffee Morning with parents and toddlers at Bennet's Royal British Legion, 21 Leyton Road 👶 Take a break while your children play in a safe, welcoming space! Invaluable for parents - sit down with proper coffee while little ones play and make friends.

10:30am-12pm - Harpenden Library Coffee Morning ☕ The library runs these every Monday - lovely community gathering for anyone looking to meet people or just fancy a chat!

1pm-3:30pm - Mencap Harpenden Allotment Club 🌱 A practical outdoor social club where you'll learn about planting, harvesting, watering and weeding! Email [email protected] to join. Combines therapeutic gardening with social connection in a vibrant local allotment.

3:45pm-4:45pm - LEGO Club at Harpenden Library 🧱 Fun challenges that build problem solving, spatial awareness and creative thinking! Places limited so book ahead (£4.40). Children under 8 must be accompanied. Brilliant for developing STEM skills through play!

Tuesday 14th October

10:30am - Hertfordshire Health Walks meeting at the Conference Centre car park at Rothamsted 🚶‍♀️ 30-40 minute walk at steady pace with gentle hills. First timers register online as a New Walker or arrive 10 minutes early! Brilliant social aspect - meet regular walkers while getting exercise and fresh air.

1:30pm - Harpenden Gardening Society Talk: "Climate Change Gardening" by Nic Wilson (The Guardian's Country Diarist) at All Saints Church Hall 🌿 Non-members £5 or yearly membership just £20! Such a timely topic - adapting gardens for unpredictable weather and changing seasons. Packed with practical advice!

2:15pm-2:45pm - StoryTime at Harpenden Library 📖 All welcome, donations appreciated! Half-hour of story magic for little ones, brilliant for early literacy development and sparking imagination.

7pm-9pm - Café Scientifique: "Taming microbes: a journey from fermented beverages to cell factories" at The Harpenden Arms 🔬 Join Jérémy Le Reun from Toulouse Biotechnology Institute to discover how microbes are shaping a greener bioeconomy. Free to attend! Science made accessible in a relaxed pub environment - enquiries to [email protected].

9pm - Weekly Quiz at The Engineer 🧠 Max 6 per team, £1 entry with cash prizes! Friendly competition, good questions, and the chance to show off your knowledge for just a quid!

Wednesday 15th October

10am - Southdown Marquetry Group at Southdown Trust Hall 🎨 No experience required and all veneers provided! The beautiful art of creating pictures with wood veneer. Wonderfully meditative, creative, and social - just turn up and try!

10:30am-10:30am - Pilates 50+ gentle class at The Harpenden Trust (above the Co-Op in Southdown) 🧘‍♀️ Designed for over-50s, focusing on core strength, flexibility, and balance. More info at pushmefitherts.com!

11:30am-1:30pm - The Harpenden Trust Well Bean Community Café drop-in above the Co-Op on Southdown Road ☕ Weekly drop-in providing welcoming space for anyone. No booking needed - just pop in for coffee, chat, and friendly faces!

2:15pm-3pm - Active Rhyme Time at Park Hall Community Hall 🎵 Free 45-minute session of fun, active rhymes and songs for babies and toddlers (older siblings welcome)! Gets those little bodies moving while developing language skills.

4pm - Ballet with Zoe for 4-6 year olds at The Harpenden Trust 🩰 Developing proper technique while keeping it fun! Email [email protected] for trial classes across all age groups.

Ongoing throughout the week and beyond!

The Harpenden Museum at the Eric Morecambe Centre is open 11am-3pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 🏛️ Run by volunteers, showcasing Harpenden's history! The George Hogg exhibition has been extended to end of November - he's a hero in China but hardly known in his hometown! Plus "Everyday Life in Edwardian Harpenden" runs until January 2026. They're looking for volunteers, especially a marketing secretary and website editor!

Baby Sensory Classes at Harpenden Methodist Church 🍼 Only a few spaces left for Autumn Term (runs to 27 November with half-term break 20-30 October).

Harpenden Learning for Leisure offers affordable educational courses on diverse topics 📚 Keep your mind active and meet new people.

Coming Up: Discover Hypnotherapy on Harpenden High Street! 🧠✨

Belief Dynamics Hypnotherapy is a new practice tucked away behind Nonna's Cafe, and they're on a mission to bring people together to rediscover their own strength through the transformative power of hypnotherapy 🌟 It's all about growing the kind of connected, resilient communities we all need to thrive in - and doesn't that sound wonderful?

Each month, they run a series of Dynamic Mind & Body Group Hypnotherapy Workshops designed for small, intimate groups of 6-8 people. Using gentle relaxation, visualisation and subconscious reframing, you'll have time to reflect on and enhance your own thoughts and motivations for positive change. 🌿

Thursday 16th October, 1pm-3pm - Recharge & Renew: specifically for carers who need a little self-care 💚 £60pp with a maximum of 8 people, so it stays intimate and supportive.

Friday 17th October, 12pm-2pm - Release Chronic Pain: for people living with mind-body conditions 🌈 Chronic pain can be so isolating, but this workshop brings people together who understand what you're going through. £60pp, maximum 8 people.

What an absolutely jam-packed time ahead in our wonderful town! 🌟

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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