Hello Harpenden! 👋

May is here and our lovely town is buzzing with activities for everyone! From wartime history to live music, family adventures to community gatherings - there's something to brighten everyone's May calendar. Grab your diaries and get ready to enjoy the very best of Harpenden this month!

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🗳️ IMPORTANT VOTING REMINDER! 🗳️

Thursday 1st May - Local Elections
Democracy in action, Harpenden! Don't forget to have your say today! You'll need photo ID to vote at your polling station - no ID, no vote! For all the details on acceptable forms of ID and other voting questions, visit https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/elections-act-and-voter-id. Your voice matters in our community! ✅

📅 Special Exhibition: Harpenden in WWII 📅

Remembering our past with a splash of history! 🕰️

Step back in time at the Harpenden in WWII Special Exhibition running until September 25th at The EMC! 🏛️ Marking the 80th Anniversary of the end of WW2, this fascinating exhibition brings our local wartime history to life through original photos, maps, documents, and personal memories from the Society's archives.

Did you know? Even before the war officially began, Harpenden was preparing—gas masks were distributed, trenches dug, and air raid wardens appointed! When war broke out, our town welcomed 2,000 child evacuees in just TWO DAYS! Talk about Harpenden hospitality! ❤️

Discover how our Home Guard stood ready, learn about our secret listening post (shhh! 🤫), and see how even the Common was ploughed up for the war effort!

FREE ENTRY! 🆓 Visit the Harpenden Museum on the lower floor of the EMC. Open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Check opening hours before you go!

Family Activity Day - Saturday 3rd May (11am-3pm) 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kick off the exhibition with WW2-themed fun for the whole family! Follow the town trail, get crafty, and try on historical costumes! Perfect timing to coincide with VE Day celebrations!

🎭 Family Fun & Entertainment 🎭

The Worst Princess - Saturday 3rd May at The EMC (1:30pm & 4pm, £15). 👑🐉 Not your average fairy tale! Full House Theatre brings this bestselling picture book to life with laugh-out-loud comedy, cool puppets, singalong pop anthems and a DAZZLING dragon! The kids will love it (and so will you)!

The Shires – The Two of Us Tour - Friday 2nd May at The EMC (7:30pm, from £37.50). 🎸🤠 Yeehaw! The UK's biggest country music export hits Harpenden! With three consecutive UK Top 3 albums and 100 million+ streams, these chart-toppers will have you boot-scootin' all night long!

🍻 Live Music & Pub Fun 🍻

Head (Rock & Pop Covers) - Friday 2nd May at The Marquis of Granby (9pm-11pm). 🎵 Start your weekend with banging tunes and good vibes!

Bad Penny (Classic Rock) - Saturday 3rd May at The Plough & Harrow (9:30pm-11:30pm). 🎸 Rock the night away with these local legends!

2Tone (Covers) - Sunday 4th May at The Oddfellows Arms (3pm-5:30pm). 🎶 Perfect soundtrack to your Sunday afternoon!

Monthly Pub Quiz - Wednesday 7th May at The Red Cow (8pm). 🧠 Flex those brain cells on the first Wednesday of every month!

🎨 BRUSH PARTY AT THE HARPENDEN ARMS! 🍷

Wednesday 7th May, 7-10pm

Join the UK's favorite 'Paint and Sip' experts for a night of creative fun at The Harpenden Arms. No experience needed—just bring your sense of humor and let the good times flow!

By home-time you'll have your very own masterpiece AND memories of a brilliant night out! ✨

Your Van Gogh moment awaits! 🎉

🏉 Sports & Community 🏉

Harpenden Rugby Club Family Fun Day - Sunday 4th May from 2pm. 🏈 Rugby-themed inflatables, delicious food, refreshing drinks, ice cream, and a band from 7pm! Fun for all ages!

🏏 Don't miss the cricket action this Saturday (3rd May) at 12pm when our Harpenden heroes take on Crouch End at Harpenden Common - bring your sunnies and team spirit for what promises to be a wicket-ly wonderful afternoon! ☀️👏

ADAMCFEST'25 - Monday 5th May 🚗 Calling all petrolheads! The 4th annual event for car enthusiasts is back! Details at https://hertsshow.com/showground-events/adamcfest/

Run Club at THC - Wednesday 7th May (12pm). 🏃‍♀️ Lace up those trainers! All abilities welcome for this free weekly run!

☕ Community Connections ☕

Bennets Coffee Morning - Mondays (10am-12pm). 👶 Parents and toddlers welcome! Relax with coffee while the little ones play safely at Bennet's Royal British Legion, 21 Leyton Road.

Frazzled Cafe - Monday evenings from 6:45pm at Harpenden Trust Halls. Free hot drinks and emotional support when you need it most.

Harpenden Books Story Time - Wednesdays at 11am. 📚 Free weekly stories in our cozy children's corner! No booking needed!

TMC St Albans Coffee Club - Skin Edit with Matilda May - Wednesday 7th May (10am-12pm) at The George. ✨ Perfect for mums (with or without little ones)! Includes live demos from Matilda May and goodies! Tickets are available here.

🕊️ VE DAY 80TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 🕊️

Thursday 8th May on Harpenden Common!

A special moment for our community as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day! As part of nationwide celebrations, Harpenden will light a beacon at 9:30pm near the Harpenden Arms, symbolizing peace emerging from the darkness of war. Our Town Mayor will read a special tribute as we join communities across the country in lighting beacons and raising our voices to sing "I Vow to Thee My Country" followed by the National Anthem. This historic moment connects us with our past and with communities across the nation - don't miss being part of it! ✨

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! ✨