The Village has seen a great many interesting activities this summer.  We congratulate all who have been involved in the organisation and thank them for their superb efforts.

Village Day

In a summer where the weather hasn’t always been helpful we were blessed with a day where no one got wet, but everyone had a good time.  Marford Playing Field was heaving with people.  The parade was really good, with great imagination used to interpret the theme for the day.

Winning Float - Beech Hyde School

Humpty Dumpty on St. Helen’s School Float

Youth News

There has been a tremendous response to new youth activities organised for the village children.

Holiday Activity Scheme

During the Summer, the Holiday Activity Scheme held in the village Memorial Hall experienced a full house at every workshop, offering tuition in Art, Street Dancing, DJ mixing and Tae Kwon-Do for children from 6-16 years of age.  The talented youngsters hugely impressed their instructors and it is hoped to build on its success and expand the activities in the future.

The  photograph shows the Holiday Activity Scheme village children with their finished bluebell lanterns, together with the instructors:- 
(in front) Matthew Kinton, George Brewster, Lizzie Waterfield and Joanna Scott

Professional Football Coaching

Coaching by professional FA coaches from Watford Football Club is continuing on the Memorial Hall Playing Field pitches every Tuesday evening, with up to 30 children attending between 5pm and 7pm.  All abilities and ages are catered for (from 8-18 years of age) and the coaches have already spotted some players with very promising potential.  To join in, just turn up with 20p as a contribution towards the cost.  For more information please contact Tony Clarke 01727 819566 or email  A.Clarke@stalbans.gov.uk

Parish Plan Committee News.  

Parish Plans are an opportunity for local people to have their say in the future of their village and influence the development of their community.  The Parish Council will find it easier to gain funding for projects identified in the plan.  Watch out for questionnaires in the near future and do respond to ensure you have your say in the future of your community.

If you are interested in being on the committee, would like to attend a committee meeting or have ideas you would like to be considered, please contact Lisa Hobden, chair of the committee, by email lisa.hobden@googlemail.com

A Village Plan Launch Event will take place on Sunday 18th November 12 noon to 2pm at the Memorial Hall.  Please come along - everyone welcome.

Events for Autumn

St. Helen’s &  St. Peter’s Christmas Fair - Saturday 24th November at the Memorial Hall

Christmas Lights switch on with Santa - Tuesday 27th November in the High Street - watch noticeboards for time

Christmas Carols Thursday 13th December at the Memorial Hall

Wheathampstead 10K Attracts Record Numbers

Over 1200 runners of all ages descended upon Wheathampstead on Sunday 20th May to enjoy the annual 10K and 2K run.  The run has become a major event in the calendar of the village, with the natural beauty of the 10K course to the east of the village attracting runners from Hertfordshire and beyond.

600 children raced around the 2k route and then made the most of the family fun day whilst the grown-ups took part in the 10k run.  With 660 runners taking part this marked another increase on the record numbers of 2006, demonstrating once again the growing popularity of sports participation in Hertfordshire.  1st man in the 10K was Dave Miles in an impressive 34.09, a new course record.  Dave is a local runner from Harpenden and fought off some strong challengers from further afield. 1st lady back was Karen Bradley of Barnet and District Running Club in a time of 41.49 .  Prizes for the event were presented by GHM Services, Wheathampstead’s largest employer, who were the race sponsor and underwrote the costs of the event.  This meant all proceeds from the run will go to Beech Hyde School to pay for an outdoor learning facility for the children of the village school.

Delia Bonner, Headmistress of Beech Hyde said “The event is wonderful for the school and is an event this village can be proud of.  It is a great example of how an active PTA can make a real difference to a school and ensure that children have the very best facilities available.”

Allotment Prizes

Hitchens Field - Ms Dunham & Mrs. Pollock
Glebe - Mr. & Mrs. Martin - also overall winners
Baxendale - Mr Jordon
Folly - Mr. Rundle
Best Newcomer - Mr. Kelly

Shaping Health Commission for Patient  and Public Involvement  in  Health

Volunteers are  needed to join a forum - the volunteers from our local community need to have an interest in health and the way local services are delivered.  They would be asked to research NHS policies.  Training is offered and expenses associated with forum business would be reimbursed.

Interested?  Contact Aneka Watts.  On 0121 22 4419 or email her on aneka.watts@ppik.org

Farmers Market

There have been 4 Farmers Markets in East Lane Car Park – they were trial markets to gauge popularity and feasibility.  They have been tremendously well supported.  The Parish Council is not involved but pleased to permit the use of East Lane Car Park and has a representative on the Steering Group. 

Watch the notice boards for future markets.

Village supports breast cancer Moonwalkers

Nine friends from Wheathampstead and Harpenden dressed up in bras decorated with pink ostrich feathers and successfully completed the 26 mile Moonwalk through London overnight on 19 May 2007 along with 15,000 others raising money for breast cancer research and care.

The months of preparation and training, together with a great quiz night to help fund raising, were hard work and great fun, and the Breast Friends have been delighted by the £9,000 they have raised so far.

Special thanks to the businesses in the village who supported our quiz night – The Brewhouse Gallery, La Beautique,  Perfect  Moment, and The Village Off-Licence.

Fortunately the weather on the Moonwalk was just right, although walking at night was harder work than the group expected; it was a fantastic experience to walk over the finish line with arms linked and all the women felt a great sense of achievement.

The 9 women who all met through Fit Village Inc walking group have also raised money in the past for the Richard Thomas Leukaemia Fund and for Oxfam, and are planning more fund raising in the future.

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