st albans NOW April 26 by wendy robertson

st albans

with love Look inside for local events

April 2026 promoting local businesses, events and much more since 2006

Welcome to April

This month you’ll find the magazine is packed with things to do and places to go from Easter Trails, Egg Hunts and a Dragon Quest to Music by Candlelight at the Cathedral, English Civil War Weekend and the Medieval Tournament at Chiltern Open Air Museum.

To make sure you don’t miss out, the magazines are available to read online every month, and as always there’s lots of local businesses to help you with whatever you need doing. Run your own business? We‘d love to include you too, just book your space online today.

Jane & Wendy

@theNOWmagazines

Advertise in the May editions of the NOW magazines

Deadline 6th April

Book online today theNOWmagazines.com jane@theNOWmagazines.com 07983 588291

Women's & Girls' Cricket Festival

19th April 10.30am -1pm

Whether you've never tried cricket before, want to practise your skills, or are looking for a fun, social activity, why not try out softball cricket with St Albans Cricket Club in a morning of fun drills and friendly games for all ages and abilities at Clarence Park AL1 4NF

To register your interest please email lknilljones@gmail.com

stalbanscc.com

local family business offering regular, occasional and one off gardening and maintenance

Lawn Mowing I Hedge Cutting

Weeding I Garden Clearance

Fencing I Power Washing/Sealing

Turfing I General Maintenance + Much more…

DetailGardening www.detailgardening.co.uk

“Always

“So

” Mike

“Pain

Steve

We are a small friendly law firm and understand that when facing a legal problem it can be stressful, so our aim is to make you feel as comfortable as possible and assist you with achieving the results you desire by listening to you. We specialise in Conveyancing, Family Law, Immigration, Litigation, Landlord and Tenant, Road Traffic Offences and Private Client, and our rates are very reasonable for this area. Book a free 20 minute appointment to discuss how we can help. There is free parking for an hour right outside. Prepare for the future and protect yourself and your family.

Seven Years of Tielsi Hairdressing

Year One

“My name is Tony, and I am your new boss”

I still remember that moment, standing in front of a team of two, trying to appear confident while feeling the full weight of responsibility. What I didn’t say that day was:

I hope I earn your trust

I hope I can lead you well

I hope we grow together

Year one wasn’t about being the boss, it was about listening, learning, understanding, and slowly building trust.

Seven Years Later

Here we are:

Standing in front of a team of fourteen

Feeling more confident, but still feeling the responsibility that comes with leading incredible people.

Today I say:

I am your very proud boss

Thank you for trusting me

Thank you for challenging me

Thank you for growing with me

So thank you… Rachel, Marian, Jack, Lauren, Yasmin, Deanne, Lisa, Jemma, Clare, Amalie, Ellie, Lacey, Georgia and Tia

We built this together, and I couldn’t be prouder

Our Signature Keratin Blow-Dry £99

To honour this milestone, we’re reintroducing our original opening offer, available for a limited time only, it’s our thank you for seven wonderful years of loyalty and trust.

Appointments are limited to preserve the exclusivity of this celebration.

Monday - Thursday only, offer closes 31st May 2026

We look forward to welcoming you

Tony,Owner, Tielsi Hairdressing

Out & About

Harpenden Museum

Open: Tues, Thurs & Sat: 11am - 3pm free

Exhibition: Life in Harpenden during WW1 Harpenden Museum, EMC, Rothamsted Park AL5

Talk: Policing Harpenden before the Police 28th April 8pm £5

High Street Methodist Church AL5 2RU harpenden-history.org.uk

Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year until 26th April 10am - 5pm free Natural History Museum, Tring HP23 6AP nhm.ac.uk

Celtic Harmony Camp

The Faery Trail Weekends until 26th April (except 18th & 19th April)

A magical challenge for little ones.

Easter Dragon Quest 30th March - 3rd April Celtic Harmony Camp SG13 8NY celticharmony.org

Whipsnade Zoo

Toddler Safari until 15th July term time only

The perfect way for kids to learn about some of the animals, exploring the natural world.

A Zoonormous Day Out 28th March - 12th April

Enjoy an Egg Hunt and see over 8,500 animals. Animal Care Careers Day 25th April 10am - 4pm

A day of hands-on practical workshops and talks. Age 16 - 25, £75, please book Dunstable LU6 2LF whipsnadezoo.org

RAF Museum London

Hangar Nights: Aircraft Access

20th March - 19th June please book, from £100, Explore the Museum after hours. Adults only

Percy vs Mr Fox: The Great Egg Hunt 28th March - 12th April Age 3+ please book £5 Grahame Park Way NW9 5LL rafmuseum.org.uk

St Albans Museum + Gallery

Exhibition: Draw with Rob 27th March - 20th Sept

Celebration of the work this best-selling author and illustrator. Free

Curator Talk: Inns & Alehouses 16th April 7pm in-person: £10 / Zoom £6

Looking at the history of some of the pubs in the current exhibition.

Wars of the Roses Battle Games

18th April 10.30am - 3.30pm free

Take either the side in a wargame depicting these historic events. Just watch or take part! St Peter’s Street stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Barn Theatre

All Our Children 27th March - 4th April 8pm

A story of the power of empathy and moral courage. The Late Edwina Black 24th April - 2nd May 8pm

This ingeniously plotted mystery, will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew. Welwyn Garden City AL8 6ST barntheatre.co.uk

Waddesdon

Easter Adventures Trail

28th & 29th March & 1st - 6th April £3.50

Actual Reality Arcade Runs 8th - 12th April

Life-sized interactive game zone for all ages.

Bucks HP18 0JH waddesdon.org.uk

Easter Eggstravaganza

28th March - 12th April

With an Egg hunt, meet the Easter Bunny, tractor trailer rides, lamb bottle feeding and more.

Aldenham Country Park, Elstree WD6 3BA

aldenhamcountrypark.co.uk

Knebworth House & Gardens

Easter Holidays 28th March - 12th April

With the adventure playground and more.

Autism Friendly Early Opening 2nd April 8.30am

Have-a-go Archery 3rd & 4th April drop-in £3

Easter 'Signs of Spring' Trail 3rd - 6th April £2

Knebworth House, Stevenage SG1 2AX knebworthhouse.com

Willows Activity Farm

Easter Eggstravaganza 28th March - 6th April

Tulleys Tulip Fields 30th March - 31st May

Set in the fields next to Willows.

Jemima’s Jamboree 7th - 12th April

An egg hunt, arts and crafts, animal demonstrations, Jemima Puddle-Duck shows and meet and greets. St Albans AL4 0PF willowsactivityfarm.com

Dunstable Downs

Easter Egg Hunt / Orange Rolling 28th March - 12th April 10am - 5pm £3.50

Introduction to Watercolour 29th April 10.30am £47.50

Whipsnade Road LU6 2GY nationaltrust.org.uk

Easter Bunny Hunt

1st April 10.30am - 2.30pm £6

Pick up a quiz sheet from the Visitor Centre.

Highfield Park AL4 0RA highfieldparktrust.co.uk

Eric Morecambe Centre

Seniors Fair 1st April 10.30am - 1pm free

Forever Clapton 3rd April 7.30pm

A live 6 piece band and audio-visual displays take you through his career from 1965 to the present day.

Creedence Clearwater Review 4th April 7.30pm

A night of high-energy Rock ‘n’ Roll transporting you to the heady days of Woodstock and American Rock in the late 60s and early 70s.

Fairport Convention 5th April 7.30pm

With Fairport favourites and some tracks from albums old and new.

Ministry of Science Live

8th April 12.30pm & 3.30pm age 6+

With 20ft liquid nitrogen clouds, exploding hydrogen. Olaf Falafel’s Stupidest Super Stupid Show

9th April 2.30pm Kid’s comedy show.

100 Years Celebration of Laurel & Hardy

10th April 7.30pm

Celebrating the life of these comedy legends.

John Robertson’s The Dark Room 11th April 7.30pm age 15+

Interactive comedy show that fuses improv, crowd work and gaming to create an insane live-action videogame!

Tales From Acorn Wood 16th & 17th April 10.30am & 1.30pm Full of toe-tapping songs and puppetry.

King King Acoustic 18th April 7.30pm

Saluted as “the best blues-rock band in the world!”

Spontaneous Potter 19th April 7.30pm age 16+

Enjoy a new Potter adventure magically improvised on the spot.

Craig Revel Horwood: Revelations - Songs Boys Don’t Sing 24th April 7.30pm

This ‘Strictly’ judge is also a great singer, hear his hidden talent in a Fab-U-Lous night of big songs.

An Evening with Toyah: Songs & Stories 25th April 7.30pm

Hear Toyah sing favourite hits and tell stories from her remarkable career.

Wille & The Bandits 30th April 7.30pm

Classic blues rock three piece. Rothamsted Park AL5 2FR everyonetheatres.com

Easter at Stockwood

2nd - 5th April 11am, 1pm & 3pm £5, age 3+

Trail, Easter Egg Hunt and craft sessions. Stockwood Discovery Centre culturetrust.com

Shaw's Corner

Easter Egg Hunt 2nd April 10am - 12noon £3.50

Enjoy this special trail full of Shaw's photographs.

Garden Tour: Blossom Watch 22nd April 2pm Celebrate the spring with a tour of the orchard. £15

Ayot St Lawrence AL6 9BX nationaltrust.org.uk

Chiltern Open Air Museum

Tudors: Life, Falconry & Folk 3rd - 6th April

Get up close to birds of prey and enjoy a display giving you an insight into the lives of the period. Meet the Past with Costumed Interpreters 11th & 12th April Find out what life was like as an English Civil War soldier and meet the people who would have lived in and around the heritage buildings.

Heritage Crafts: See Traditional Skills in Action 11th April - 30th May selected dates

Medieval Knights & the Legend of St George 18th & 19th April See how knights were armed for combat, learn medieval dances, practice archery and watch authentic armoured fighting. Newland Park, Bucks HP8 4AB coam.org.uk

The Bear Club

Richard Clarke 3rd April 8.30pm £16

London-based Blues guitarist and singer, inspired by BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Artie Zaitz Hammond Combo 4th April 8.30pm

This one will involve some serious grooves. £16 Fuzzy Lights 9th April 8pm £12

Cambridge psych-folk band making serious waves with their new album ‘Fen Creatures’.

On Impulse! Mark Lockheart & Marvin Madueke

Play ‘Coltrane & Hartman’ 10th April 8.30pm £16

Soul Music Collective 11th April 8.30pm

Brown Horse 16th April 8pm

Excellent Indie / alt-country from Norwich.

The Mat Day Band 17th April 8.30pm £16

Emerging blues guitarist and singer.

Eyal Lovett Trio 18th April 8.30pm £16

Classy piano-led jazz trio, think Bill Evans. Kris Drever (+ Annie Dressner) 23rd April 8pm £18

One of Scotland’s most acclaimed folk guitarists and singers.

Hollie Rogers 24th April 8.15pm £19

Soulful Rock ‘n’ Roll, her gigs are always a highlight.

Bea Asurmendi 25th April 8.30pm £16

Jazz vocalist from the Basque region.

Natasha Watts 26th April 3.30pm £25

Enchanting blend of soul, jazz and R&B.

Basharan 30th April 8pm £12

Raw blues rock with psych and prog undertones. Mill Yard, Luton LU1 2NR the-bear.club

The Alban Arena

Mythos Ragnarök: Viking Theatre Meets

The Last Kingdom 3rd April 7.30pm

Bringing Norse mythology to life like never before, dubbed the “maddest, baddest show” of the Edinburgh Fringe.

The Rock Orchestra 4th April 5pm & 8pm

Witness the unexpected union of Classical music and Metal. A band of 14 classical musicians.

Thank ABBA For The Music 5th April 7.30pm

Capturing all the magic and excitement of one of pop history’s most phenomenal bands. £30

Magic of Motown 9th April 7.30pm

With all the hits, glittering costumes, dazzling dance routines and outstanding musicianship.

Daniel O’Reilly: Lets Have it 10th April 7.30pm

Famous for his unapologetic humour, quick-fire crowd work, and electric stage presence. £32.50

Kane Brown: Crowd Work King 16th April 8pm

Unscripted comedy based around audience participation, each show will be unique.

Whitney - Queen of the Night 23rd April 7.30pm

Paying homage to Whitney.

Luther Live & Velvet Voices 24th April 7.30pm

Bringing the smooth sounds of Luther Vandross, Alexander O’Neal and many others to life.

Chuckl. St Albans Triple Live at the Apollo Showcase 25th April 7.30pm

Zoe Lyons, Mark Watson, Lost Voice Guy and Justin Panks.

The Spongebob Musical 29th April - 3rd May

Bikini Bottom comes to life in this bold, bright, buoyant musical adventure.

The Alban Arena AL1 3LD everyonetheatres.com

Shuttleworth

Easter Bunny Flies In 4th& 5th April 9am - 5pm

Watch the Easter Bunny fly in, enjoy an egg hunt, children's rides, magic shows & more. £17.50, £12.50

ABBA Tribute Night 11th April 6pm £64, 18+

A night of delicious food, great music and party vibes!

String Quartet: Spring Sessions 24th April 6pm

An evening of live music capturing the spirit of spring. Shuttleworth SG18 9DT shuttleworth.org

Out & About

Hat Factory Arts Centre

The Smiths Tribute Night 4th April 8.30pm 18+

Gaby Gulliver’s Travels 9th April 11.30am & 2pm

Family shadow theatre for adults and children. So Unfair! 11th April 11.30am & 2pm

Interactive science demo, with a twist! Noasis 25th April 8.15pm

The definitive Oasis tribute band. 65 - 67 Bute Street, Luton LU1 2EY culturetrust.com

Shenley Park

Easter Treasure Hunt 5th April 12 noon - 4pm £2.50

Follow the clues around the park to the Walled Garden Blossom Day 19th April 12 noon - 4pm

Shenley Park WD7 9DW shenleypark.co.uk

The Arts Society St Albans

Impressionism & Modern Femininity 8th April 10.30am

Abbey Theatre, St Albans AL1 2DL

Luton Hoo Walled Garden

Spring Open Day 8th April 10.30am - 1pm

Heritage Walks 15th & 22nd April 10am & 1pm & 24th April 10am £7.50 please book Luton Hoo Estate LU1 3TQ lutonhooestate.co.uk

St Albans Library

A Noise Annoys 9th April 3pm £7

A poetry show for all the senses, bursting with joyful humour and witty wordplay. Age 6+

Art Club Thurs from 16th April for 6 wks 4.30pm

A chance to be creative and explore new ideas and techniques. Ages 8 - 11, please book £26.40 hertfordshire.gov.uk

Abbey Theatre

STAJE in Concert 9th April 8pm £15, £12.50

St Albans Jazz Ensemble showcases the diversity Jazz has to offer from Big Band Swing to Latin and Jazz-Funk to Soul.

George Orwell’s 1984 24th April - 2nd May 8pm & 26th April 2.30pm

This stage adaptation of Orwell’s dystopian novel remains even more relevant today. £15, £13 Abbey Theatre AL1 2DL abbeytheatre.org.uk

Five Lakes Springtime Walk 11th April 10am free, please book

Explore the beautiful lakes of the Upper Colne Valley. Stocker's Lake, Rickmansworth Aquadrome WD3 1NB hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

Hertford Art & Literature Festival

11th April 12 noon - 4pm free

Browse a variety of art, literature and craft stalls, enjoy live entertainment, and explore the Castle. Hertford Castle SG14 1HR hertford.gov.uk

Tapir & Capybara Weekend

11th & 12th April

Hertfordshire Zoo EN10 7QA hertfordshirezoo.com

Watershed: A River's Call to Action

11th - 26th April 12pm - 5pm

Art installation and events about the vitality and vulnerability of our rivers.

All Saints Church, Batford AL5 4UU

St Albans Organ Theatre

Organ Concerts 11th April & 9th May 3pm

Mechanical Instrument Concerts 12th April & 10th May 3pm

320 Camp Road AL1 5PE stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk

Hospice of St Francis

Skydive 11th April

A 10,000ft skydive, raise a minimum of £400 in sponsorship (£150 covers the cost of the jump).

North London Skydiving Centre PE15 0FB

Plant Sale 16th May

Bedding plants, perennials, vegetables and more!

The Hospice of St Francis HP4 3GW

Hackney Half Marathon 17th May

Join this popular run through the heart of East London £30, includes personalised running top.

Hemel Hempstead 10K 17th May

£25, includes personalised running top.

Respite for Good

This new chargeable service offers short-term residential care for those who rely on family carers. Four rooms with adjustable beds, en-suite bathrooms, Wi-Fi/smart TV, home-cooked meals and views. stfrancis.org.uk

St Albans South Signal Box

12th & 26th April 10th, 24th & 27th May 2pm - 5pm

Visit the largest preserved Midland Railway signal box in the UK open to the public and next to a mainline railway. Operate working signals, see a point, signalling demonstrations and more 5 Ridgmont Road, St Albans AL1 3AJ sigbox.co.uk

City of Ale Weekend 16th - 20th April

Explore lively pubs and clubs hosting festivals, tastings, live talks and music events. Sample fantastic local beers and ciders, and meet the people behind them. Enjoy a weekend of discovery, flavour and fun. stalbanscityofale.org.uk

Inflatable 5k Obstacle Course

25th April 9am - 2.30pm

Herts Showground AL3 7PT ukrunningevents.co.uk

St George's Day Parade 26th April

With Harpenden & Wheathampstead Scouts, from Rothamsted Park at 2.30pm, followed by the Ceremony at 3pm.

Question of Sport 30th April 6pm £140

3-course dinner, quiz, auctions and a raffle. Sopwell House AL1 2HQ renniegrovepeace.org

Lambing Weekend

9th & 10th May 11am - 5pm

A fun-filled weekend where you can meet the lambs, enjoy activities and learn all about farm life. Oaklands College AL4 0JA oaklands.ac.uk

NOW at St Albans Cathedral

Stained Glass Tour

1st April 2pm & 18th April 10.30am £12

Discover the stories behind the Cathedrals windows and their creators.

Chrism Eucharist 2nd April 11am

Bringing together the clergy and lay ministers from across the Diocese.

Maundy Eucharist 2nd April 8pm

A service where the priest washes the feet of some of the congregation to recall what Jesus did at the Last Supper.

Journey with Jesus 3rd April 10am

Enjoy Good Friday through storytelling, immersive activities and crafts.

Good Friday 3rd April 12 noon

3 hours of devotion with Bishop Rob Wickham.

Unity at the Cross 3rd April 8pm Service led by Churches Together in St Albans.

Easter Eve 4th April 8pm

The service begins quietly in darkness but ends in joyful light and noise.

Easter Day Services 5th April 8am - 4pm

Easter Monday Pilgrimage 6th April 2.30pm

80s Anthems By Candlelight 8th April 7.30pm

World-class singers and epic live band, get ready to Turn Back Time for The Best of the 80s, at this euphoric celebration of live music! £20 - £60

Talk: Restoration Stone Carving with Alan Micklethwaite 9th April 7.30pm In person /online £12

v The Music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons by Candlelight 9th April 7.30pm £20 - £60

Combining the harmonies and showmanship of one of Rock ‘n’ Rolls Hall of Fame's most prestigious groups.

The Music Of Taylor Swift By Candlelight 10th April 7.30pm £20 - £60

Stone Carving Workshops 10th & 11th April 10am - 4pm £85

Motown By Candlelight 11th April 7.30pm

World-class singers and a live band performing the biggest and best Motown hits all night long.

Tour: Turbulent Tudor Times

11th April 10.30am & 23rd April 2pm £12

Hear the story of the English Reformation, its impact on the Abbey and the people associated with it.

Talk: The House of Boleyn, with Tracy Borman 13th April 7pm £20

Uncovering the real history that inspired her new novel and taking you behind closed doors to explore the Boleyn’s as they’ve never been seen before.

The Wars of the Roses 14th April 2pm & 22nd May 10.30am £12

Learn how the power struggle for the throne between the royal houses of York and Lancaster left its mark on the people of the monastery in the 1400s and 1500s.

Making Your Mark Tour 16th April 2pm £12

Discover how visitors to the Cathedral across the centuries have ‘scratched’ their mark on the building.

St Albans Choral Society: Mozart Mass in C Minor 18th April 7pm £35 - £12

Under Surveillance 19th April 1.30pm £6

Look in depth at St Albans’ unique watching loft, to understand its secular role in the medieval abbey.

Organ Recital: Chris Muhley 20th April 12.30pm free

Talk: How Robin Hood was Invented in St Albans: a Tenuous (but true) Story 22nd April 7.30pm in person / online £12

International Organ Concert: David Titterington 25th April 6.30pm

Fully qualified City and Guilds

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Matthew Hayden 01582 270715 01727 867660 07970 720911 mandmdecs@gmail.com mandm_decorators

Interior & Exterior

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References available 07814 433724 alex287sutton@gmail.com

We care about your small jobs too!

●Electric and Power Showers Fitted

●Ball Valves and Overflows

●Blocked WC’s, Sinks, Baths and Basins

●Repair/Renew Stopcocks and Taps

●Plumb in Washing Machines and Dishwashers

●Repair Leaking Pipes

●Outside Taps

Dean Herrington 01727 764217 07830 159010

info@djmplumbing.co.uk www.djmplumbing.co.uk

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