Living Magazines - Berkhamsted Spring 2024

BERKHAMSTED 

ISSUE 90 SPRING 2024 

LIVE | LIFE | LOCAL 

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES SINCE 2001 

BUILDING ON THE 

TOWN’S HISTORY 

Taking a closer look at some 

of Berkhamsted’s historic 

buildings 

TREE-MENDOUS 

How to choose the perfect 

tree for a small garden 

PAWSITIVE 

VIBES 

Meet our readers’ 

furry and not-so 

furry friends! 

THE ONLY MAGAZINE DELIVERED TO EVERY SINGLE 

POSTCODE IN HP4 - 11,467 COPIES BY ROYAL MAIL 

FREE WITH THIS ISSUE! 

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Welcome to the 

Spring issue! 

It’s been a long, rather wet winter, but 

improved weather and brighter days will 

hopefully see all of us getting out and about 

far more in the coming months. There’s so much 

to see and do, just within Berkhamsted and its 

surrounding villages. We were reminded of that 

recently while researching our local history 

feature - which takes a look at just some of the 

interesting architecture around the town. There’s 

much more than we’ve identified - take the 

chance to tour the town and discover its rich 

history for yourself. 

Of course the coming weeks also give us the 

chance to enjoy Mother’s Day and Easter - see 

our special hot cross bun recipe - and check out 

all the local events in our What’s On section! 

We’ve really enjoyed seeing the photos of 

some of your pets for our new feature. We 

hope you enjoy them too! If you missed out on 

the opportunity for this issue, do send in your 

photos for the summer magazines. 

And looking ahead to the summer, we have 

CONTENTS 

4 News and views from 

Berkhamsted and 

surrounding villages 

16 Shop local: treat yourself to 

something special 

22 The historic architecture of 

Berkhamsted 

26 Books: local authors and 

recommended reads 

28 Pawsitive vibes - meet our 

readers’ furry friends! 

a second chance for you to win tickets to local 

music festival, Chilfest, taking place in July. 

As always, the magazine includes lots of 

local news, and features on everything from 

enhancing learning in later life, to choosing 

trees for a smaller space, and looking beyond the 

greenwashing to tell just how eco-friendly the 

products you buy really are. 

Importantly, we also look into the significance 

of empowering our teen girls, with local expert 

Caroline Walker. 

If you want to be involved in the next issue, 

please email Naomi at editorial@livingmags.info 

with your news prior to our summer issue. 

Happy reading! 

Alison and 

Naomi 

Owner & Editor 

30 Kids’ puzzles 

34 Encouraging teen girls 

to embrace their 

uniqueness 

38 Enhanced learning in 

later life 

40 Hot cross buns for 

Good Friday! 

41 Quick Crossword 

BERKHAMSTED 

SPRING 2024 

MAGAZINE WRAPPER IS 

COMPOSTABLE. MADE 

FROM POTATO STARCH, 

NOT PLASTIC. 

42 Choosing trees 

for small spaces 

CONTACT US 

01442 824300 

INFO@ 

LIVINGMAGS.INFO 

45 New: Codeword 

46 Greenwashing - making 

sense of eco-friendly 

claims 

48 What’s on 

53 Win tickets to Chilfest! 

54 Local Classifieds 

The only local magazine offering shrink-wrapped guaranteed delivery to 11,467* addresses in the HP4 postcode area, 

by Royal Mail every quarter. *Royal Mail postcode data . Published quarterly in March, June, September & December 

The Team: Publisher: Alison Page / Editor: Naomi MacKay / Designer: Neil Randle 

Registered Address: Jubilee Gardens, Tring, Herts HP23 4JG. Living Magazines are published by independent publisher Alison Page Marketing. 

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited without permission. The publisher will not be held responsible for 

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LOCAL FOCUS 

SEND US YOUR NEWS / TELEPHONE: 01442 824300 / EMAIL: EDITORIAL@LIVINGMAGS.INFO / NEXT DEADLINE: 24-04-24 

Hector’s House hits high note with TV show 

Berkhamsted-based suicide prevention and 

mental health support charity Hector’s 

House has been chosen as one of the 

Charities of the Year for prime-time ITV show 

The Masked Singer. 

The charity was set up in memory of Hector 

Stringer - who was just 18 years old when he 

took his own life. His family have dedicated 

their lives to help the Hertfordshire and 

Buckinghamshire community to prioritise their 

mental health, so no other family experiences 

the grief they had to face on that morning in 

April 2011. 

‘We were blown away to be one of the chosen 

charities by The Masked Singer,’ said Robert 

Stringer, chairperson and Hector’s father. ‘It 

was a real ‘pinch-me’ moment when we got the 

call. Since setting up Hector’s House in 2016 in 

memory of our son Hector, we cannot tell the 

local community how grateful we are for their 

support. And this partnership is a direct result of 

their unwavering love for our small charity. 

‘This partnership with The Masked Singer 

is a fantastic opportunity for us to reach even 

more people in need of support, to tell them it’s 

OK to need help with their mental health and so 

they know they can text HECTOR to 85258 or 

get in touch with our small team on hihector@ 

hectorshouse.org.uk. It means a great deal 

to us to know even one person might be saved 

thanks to this amazing partnership - we cannot 

thank The Masked Singer enough!’ 

Niall Carmichael-Johns, Bandicoot commercial 

affairs producer, said: ‘We are very excited 

to be partnering with Hector’s House for an 

electrifying adventure on the latest series of 

The Masked Singer. Brace yourselves for a 

rollercoaster of surprises and jaw-dropping 

performances that will leave you on the edge of 

your seat. Plus, by joining forces with Hector’s 

House we’re hoping to make a positive impact 

on young people and adults as our loyal fans 

connect with all the great work they do. This 

series is not just a show, it’s a thrilling journey 

for the whole family!’ 

You can catch The Masked Singer on ITV on 

Saturday nights at 7pm, or on the ITV Hub. 

www.hectorshouse.org.uk 

Gear up to help 

homeless charity 

Cyclists can get 

pedalling to help 

local homeless 

charity DENS on Sunday 

28 April at Hemel 

Hempstead’s Gadebridge Park. 

The DENS Hillbuster, in partnership with 

British Cycling, boasts a selection of routes 

that take riders over the rolling Chiltern Hills 

and through the countryside of Herts, Beds 

and Bucks. 

With a choice of 25k, 60k, 100k and 120k routes 

on offer, the charity is encouraging riders of 

all backgrounds and abilities to take on the 

challenge for a worthy cause. 

Book your space at www.dens.org.uk/cycle 

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LOCAL FOCUS 


Book a CPRE speaker 

Did you know that Hertfordshire 

countryside charity, the CPRE, offers 

talks to local organisations? 

The CPRE usually asks for a donation in return 

for talks, but this can be reduced for smaller 

groups. Email office@cpreherts.org.uk 

to enquire. 

More about CPRE Hertfordshire at 

www.cpreherts.org.uk 

Plan to protect Ashridge 

The National Trust has launched 

‘Protecting Our Roots’, a strategic project 

dedicated to safeguarding the future of 

Ashridge Estate. 

Its website states: ‘The volume of feet, tyres, 

paws and hooves on the same ground is causing 

the ancient soil and the special biodiversity 

within it to become worn away. 

‘We need to make changes to the infrastructure 

across the estate. This is likely to include new 

visitor hubs, new car parking arrangements on 

Monument Drive, surfacing some of the most 

well-used paths and resting other areas to allow 

them to recover.’ 

Details at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/ 

essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/ashridgeestate/protecting-the-future-of-ashridgeestate 

Pop in to Pop Up Makers Market 

There’s a chance to support local small 

businesses in a new pop-up market 

coming to Berkhamsted this March. 

Jo Esson of Lucky Lobster Art told Berkhamsted 

Living: ‘Meeting the people who make the 

Dacorum Local Plan 

consultation 

The six-week consultation for the revised 

draft Dacorum Local Plan closed in 

December, with more than 1,300 people 

having their say on how Dacorum should look 

until 2040. 

The next version of the plan is due in October, 

after Dacorum Borough Council has finished 

reviewing all the responses. According to the 

timeline, it should go for government approval in 

February 2025, with adoption slated for one year 

later in February 2026. 

The council said: ‘The comments provided 

during this consultation on our Revised Strategy 

for Growth will strongly influence the creation 

of the new Dacorum Local Plan 2024-2040.’ 

Splash of cash for pool 

Dacorum Borough Council has been 

awarded £47,466 from the first phase of 

central Government’s £20 million 

Swimming Pool Support Fund to cover part of its 

energy costs towards Berkhamsted swimming 

pool, which is run by Everyone Active on behalf 

of the council 

The council said that with recent rises in energy 

costs, the funding will help towards immediate 

maintenance costs, heating and pool chemicals. 

products and supporting local is an amazing 

shopping experience. Finding out how things 

are made, and talking to an artist or maker is a 

great way to connect with local businesses.’ 

Visit our What’s On section for details. 


145 years of 

making music 

LOCAL 

2024 marks the 145th year of Montague 

Pianos’ continuous operation in 

Berkhamsted, marking a key milestone in 

its history. 

The piano showroom is a familiar landmark on 

Northchurch High Street. 

The business was established in 1879 – the 

same year as the invention of the incandescent 

light bulb by Thomas Edison – changing hands 

from Tom Montague to Heckscher Pianos in the 

1990s. In 2014, musician Lee Chapman took the 

reins of the business, supported by his family. 

Montague Pianos’ accolades include the 

prestigious Retailer of the Year national award 

from the Music Industry Association, and 

accreditation by the Arts Council initiative Take 

it Away scheme, making piano ownership an 

affordable reality for aspiring and experienced 

musicians alike. 

Patrons have included famous composers, 

establishments such as the Royal Opera House, 

and countless musicians of different ages 

and abilities. 

The legacy of Montague Pianos has inspired 

the name Montague Mews, a new 10-home 

residential development located at the rear of 

the shop. 

Reflecting on this anniversary, director Lee 

Chapman remarked: ‘We are proud to continue 

the rich heritage of Montague Pianos into 2024. 

Reaching 145 years is not just an achievement 

for us but a celebration for the local community 

who have steadfastly supported this familyowned 

business. We look forward to continuing 

to support practising and established musicians 

alike on their musical journey.’ 

For more information, visit 

www.montaguepianos.co.uk. 

Living Magazines | 01442 824300 | info@livingmags.info 

Spring 2024 / 7

LOCAL FOCUS 


Bus-y start for Lynx service 

HertsLynx, Hertfordshire’s on-demand 

bus service, has had a busy start since 

launching in December. 

The new service in Dacorum offers a flexible, 

bookable transport provision for residents in 

rural areas. 

The HertsLynx service does not follow fixed 

routes or timetables, instead passengers use the 

service to travel anywhere within the operating 

zone by booking their journey through the app, 

website or via the call centre, selecting when and 

where they wish 

to travel. 

The service 

operates between 7am and 7pm Monday-Friday 

and 10am and 4pm on weekends and bank 

holidays. The fleet of three 16-seat Mercedes 

accessible minibuses, have free passenger Wi-Fi 

and on-board USB charging. 

Journeys can be booked though the HertsLynx 

app, online at bookings.hertslynx.co.uk or over 

the phone on 01992 555513. 

Go for gold at Gaddesden RDA 

Gaddesden Place is celebrating its 50th 

anniversary this year, and is encouraging 

supporters to help raise funds. 

The organisation’s 50 for 50 fundraising 

campaign challenges you/your team to accomplish 

and get sponsorship for 50 things, no matter how 

big or small, to fundraise for its 50th anniversary. 

From small acts of kindness to daring feats of 

Ed’s top marks win prize 

Financial adviser Ed 

Evans has been 

awarded the Diploma 

in Regulated Financial 

Planning Prize for the 2022 

academic year by The 

Insurance Institute of 

London, also known as the London Institute of 

the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and the 

Personal Finance Society (PFS). 

courage, every effort counts. It could be to walk, 

ride, run, swim 50 miles/km/laps, play 50 golf 

holes, a sponsored silence for 50 hours, make 

and sell 50 cupcakes… you get the idea! 

Whatever your idea, sign up and join in at 

https://app.goodhub.com/rda50for50 to make 

your own sponsorship page that you can share 

with family and friends. 

Ed was awarded this prize for obtaining 

the highest average mark in the Diploma in 

Regulated Financial Planning examinations 

across the 100+ London Institute members who 

completed the examinations in 2022. 

Ed joined Stringer Mann Chartered 

Financial Planners in Berkhamsted, in 2022 

after completing a comprehensive training 

programme at the St. James’s Place Financial 

Adviser Academy. 


Promotional Feature

LOCAL FOCUS 


Start spring as a 

volunteer 

Berkhamsted’s Rectory Lane Cemetery 

invites you to roll up your sleeves and 

join their volunteers for two sessions of 

gardening and groundwork. 

Everyone is welcome to join their Wednesday 

Work Party on 20 March and tackle a variety of 

green tasks in this award-winning community space. 

On Saturday 23 March they will be promoting 

their ‘Adopt a Grave’ scheme, where individual 

volunteers care for a memorial by creating 

a miniature garden filled with pollinatorfriendly 

plants. 

For details on Spring Volunteering sessions 

follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ 

rectorylanecemetery, and for the Adopt a Grave 

Scheme email team@rectorylanecemetery.org.uk 

Last year, the Age UK Hertfordshire 

Information & Advice team helped older 

people claim £8.1 million of their benefit 

entitlements, and distributed £80,000 of food 

vouchers so they had additional assistance with 

the costs of living. The food vouchers were made 

possible by Hertfordshire County Council via the 

Household Support Fund. Call 0300 345 3446 to 

find out more. 

New Chief Inspector 

for Dacorum 

A 

new Chief 

Inspector 

is at the helm 

of policing in Dacorum. 

Dave Skarratts took 

up the post in January 

from his predecessor 

CI Jason Keane. 

As Chief Inspector, 

Dave is responsible for 

overseeing the work of the Neighbourhood 

Policing Team, which consists of officers and 

PCSOs who work alongside local partners, 

to focus on solving long and short-term 

neighbourhood issues, such as anti-social 

behaviour, speeding, criminal damage, theft and 

drug related crime. 

He is also responsible for managing the Local 

Crime Unit, which investigates the more serious 

crimes such as robbery and burglary. 

Opposition to 

Helping older people Castle Hill SANG 

A 

proposal 

to turn agricultural land at 

Castle Hill into a Suitable Accessible 

Natural Green Space (SANG), has 

received a number of objections from 

local residents. 

The SANG would see the area fenced off and 

landscaped, and a car park and paths created. 

The Town Council, CPRE and The Chiltern 

Society have all raised objections to the proposal. 

Search https://planning.dacorum.gov.uk for 

more details. 


Cheyney’s teams up with Open Door 

A 

small 

farming 

enterprise 

in Ashridge has 

teamed up with 

community cafe 

and arts space 

Open Door to help 

its community 

food programme. 

Cheyney’s approached Open Door with the 

idea of donating organic veg boxes to support 

the programme. This means that box subscribers 

now have the choice to donate their box to Open 

Door, should they be on holiday or wish to pause 

their deliveries for whatever reason. 

The produce will be used to cook meals to serve 

in the community café, or to fill the Community 

Pantry, which is available 24/7 for people to 

access should they need food. 

Max, who was born and raised in 

Berkhamsted, and his team from Cheyney’s also 

produce eggs from pasture-fed happy chickens 

up at Hill Farm in Ashridge. 

Following a period of travelling, Max was 

inspired to try to make some real positive change 

to food systems in the UK, and went on to set up 

his own small farming enterprise that dealt with 

producing the very best quality food based on 

permaculture principles. Cheyney’s was born in 

2019 and is growing steadily. 

Find out more at www.cheyneys.com. 

LOCAL 

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Living Magazines | 01442 824300 | info@livingmags.info Spring 2024 / 11

LOCAL FOCUS 


Share your eco 

vision for the town 

What do 

you want 


and the surrounding area 

to be like in a decade or 

two? If you’re concerned 

about climate change and how nature is being 

depleted in England, head to the relaunch of 

Transition Town Berkhamsted. 

On 15 June at the Town Hall, EcoBerko will 

be relaunching what was Transition Town 

Berkhamsted (TTB) and would love to hear from 

as many people as possible about their vision for 

the area. 

Chairperson John Bell said: ‘We don’t need to 

wait, possibly in vain, for someone else, we can 

get on with it as the vibrant community we are. 

Lowering emissions will save money, improve 

health, and free us from dependence on others 

for energy and food. TTB has been around for 15 

years, putting solar panels on Ashlyns, running 

events and a lot more. Now is the time to up our 

ambition. If you have a project idea, or to get 

involved, please email me at 

john.bell@transitionberkhamsted.org.uk.’ 

Maggie Trevillion from 

Callen Olive Podiatry 

in Berkhamsted has 

been crowned one of the UK’s most 

impressive female entrepreneurs by 

Small Business Britain’s ‘f:Entrepreneur 

#IAlso100’ campaign. 

NEWS IN BRIEF 

Lussmanns has renamed its existing 

restaurant on Berkhamsted High Street 

as The Five Bells, referencing the building’s 

former life as one of Berkhamsted’s 

oldest and most famous pubs. 

The Five Bells has been brought back 

to life more than 150 years since 

serving its last pint, by Hertfordshire’s 

most sustainable restaurant group. 

Owner of the new-look Five Bells Bar 

& Dining, Andrei Lussmann, says it will 

be a destination where people can 

come and enjoy a relaxing drink and/or 

meal – a far cry from the bare-knuckle 

boxing that the pub became notorious 

for in Victorian times. 

Save the date! 

Make a date with the Medieval 

Festival, which will be held in 

Kitchener’s Field on 25-26 August. 

This is a community/family event 

organised by Berkhamsted & District 

Chamber of Commerce. Organisers 

promise several interesting new acts 

and events, including a fire-eater! 

Podiatrist steps into impressive 100 list 

Maggie, who founded Callen Olive, a luxury 

vegan range of skincare for legs and feet in 

2022, has been profiled among 100 inspirational 

female entrepreneurs from across the country, 

as part of the campaign to celebrate the multiachievements 

of women running businesses in 

the UK today. 


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LOCAL FOCUS 


Could you help a 

young person? 

Are you an empathetic and 

understanding person who 

has a spare hour each week 

to make a positive difference in a 

young person’s life? If so, MCR Pathways is 

seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join their 

team as a mentor. 

MCR Pathways is an award-winning mentoring 

charity that is dedicated to addressing inequality 

in education outcomes, career opportunities, and 

life chances for care-experienced young people 

and those experiencing disadvantage. 

The Young Talent programme has been in place 

in Hertfordshire since the end of 2021 and is currently 

working in 11 schools in the county: Stevenage, 

Hertford, Cheshunt, Hemel, Watford and Tring. 

Register at www.mcrpathways.org or contact 

peter.hopkins@mcrpathways.org with 

any questions. 

Estate agents wins 

big at awards 

Akeman Residential has 

bagged the coveted gold 

medal for Best Letting 

Agent in Berkhamsted at the prestigious British 

Property Awards. 

Lucinda, co-director of Akeman Residential, 

said: ‘We’re ecstatic to be recognised by the 

British Property Awards, especially within our 

first year, it’s an incredible achievement. It 

proves that our combined 35 years of experience 

in the industry are translating into real benefits 

for landlords and tenants in the Berkhamsted area.’ 

Councils oppose 

further airport 

expansion 

The Planning Inspectorate is currently 

examining an application to increase 

Luton Aiport’s annual number of 

passengers from 19m to 32m a year. 

The application, which has been made 

by Luton Rising, the airport’s owner, is 

being examined as a National Significant 

Infrastructure Project. 

Herts County Council is opposing the plans, 

and in a recent budget meeting, director of 

growth and place Colin Haigh explained that 

the council was opposing the expansion due to 

its environmental impacts - including carbon 

footprint, noise and pollution. 

Another factor is traffic congestion and 

its impact on the highway network in 

Hertfordshire. Mr Haigh added that the council 

was also looking at gaining mitigation for the 

county should the development be approved 

- which could include funding for those roads 

affected by congestion. 

Commenting on the project, Councillor Ron 

Tindall, Leader of Dacorum Borough Council, said: 

‘We remain very concerned at the further 

expansion of the airport giving rise to greater 

carbon emissions, noise, air quality and 

traffic congestion. 

‘Together with Hertfordshire County Council 

and other local authorities, we continue to fight 

the further expansion of the airport to 32 million 

passengers per annum through the ongoing 

examination process.’ 


Celebrating the Citizens’ Centenary 

Berkhamsted Citizens Association (BCA) 

will celebrate its centenary this July: 100 

years of serving and promoting the town 

of Berkhamsted - not forgetting Northchurch. 

This year, specifically for the Centenary, 

the Association has restored the Town Shield 

(outside the Civic Centre), which it originally 

donated to the Town in 1953 to mark the late 

Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. Look out for the 

grand unveiling! 

Ever since its foundation in 1924 the BCA has 

been proud of its ambition but also enthusiastic 

about its present and its future: 100 years 

of fighting for the town’s historic fabric, for 

its amenities, for access to the surrounding 

countryside, its promotion of the town’s 

businesses, and its encouragement to the town’s 

citizens to participate in the democratic process. 

This year will see a General Election, when 

the BCA will hold its traditional Hustings to 

Until April, the 

Chalk, Cherries 

and Chairs (CCC) 

scheme is celebrating 

the special chalk bedrock 

of the Chilterns Area of 

Outstanding Natural 

beauty (AONB) with a festival of events: 

Chilterns Chalk. There are all kinds of things 

planned, from wildlife talks to practical habitat 

management, river-dipping to geology walks, 

all ending with a big celebration of everything 

chalky at the Chinnor and Princes Risborough 

Heritage Railway. 

The characteristic chalk and flint of the 

Chilterns formed around 100 million years ago 

under a warm, tropical sea as the remains of 

millions of microscopic algae fell to the seabed. 

showcase the candidates for the newly formed 

Harpenden & Berkhamsted constituency – 

not to be missed! 

The BCA is nowadays perhaps most associated 

with its very popular Footpath Map (including 

places for refreshment!) – most recently 

re-published in 2014 to celebrate the BCA’s 

90th anniversary but based on a version first 

launched in the 1930s. 

The BCA’s defence of the historic built 

environment is the core of its ‘serious’ work, 

and its Townscape Group has helped it achieve 

a formal place in the planning process as 

a ‘consultee’. 

Since 1981 the association has given its 

Environment Award for additions or changes 

to the town at its AGM - this year it will be held 

on 21 March. 

For more details see 

www.berkhamstedcitizens.org.uk 

Festival focuses on the chalk of the Chiltern Hills 

The same movements of the Earth’s crust that 

formed the Alps caused this thick bed of chalk 

to buckle and emerge from the retreating sea, 

exposing it to the elements and eventually 

creating the landscape we see today – one rich in 

wildlife and history. 

For many millennia, people have used and 

celebrated the chalk here. From Stone Age flint 

tools to modern cement, grassy slopes to clear 

streams, the chalk bedrock has provided the 

means for shelter, food, agriculture, industry, and 

art. Chilterns Chalk celebrates this connection to 

our landscape, both ancient and modern. 

Events include a guided walk around College 

Lake in Tring - see our What’s On pages for 

more events. 

See www.chilternsaonb.org/ 

chalkcherrieschairs for more details. 

LOCAL 

Living Magazines | 01442 824300 | info@livingmags.info Spring 2024 / 15

SHOP LOCAL 

Don’t 

just head 

online, 

visit your 

local 

High 

Street. 

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02 Rejuvenate Reed Diffuser £44 

03 Sweet Orange & Rosemary Hand & 

Body Wash £22 

Fancy That - Tring 

04 Moongazing Hare Card £3 

& Mounted Print £20 

05 Jellycat Marshmallows £24 

06 Jellycat Jack £39 

07 Indigo Jug £18 


08 

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LOCAL 

11 

PE Mead & Sons - Tring 

08 Local Cow Juice Milkshake 

Returnable Bottle £2.95 

09 Home Produced Apple Juice £2.95 

10 Just Biscuits £3.25 

Puddingstone Distillery - Tring 

11 Campfire London Dry Gin £38 

Puddingstone Distillery Gin Glass 

£6 each 

Whilst we have made every effort to ensure these details are 

correct, you must confirm directly with the retailer. 

10 

Put your products 

directly into the hands 

of the local community 

We’re huge advocates of the Shop 

Local movement at Berkhamsted 

and Tring Living Magazines. 

Share your product details with 

us to be featured in our seasonal 

magazines. Get in touch to find 

out how! 

Tel: 01442 824300 or 

email: info@livingmags.info

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On behalf of 

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VEHICLE ADAPTATIONS TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE 

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The Tudor 

Court House 

Building 

on the 

town’s 

history 

Taking a closer look at 

some of Berkhamsted’s 

historic buildings 

“ 

There’s architecture covering 

hundreds of years of history, 

from the Victorian Town 

Hall and Tudor houses to 

Carolean almshouses and 

the oldest extant jettied 

timber-framed building 

in England 

“ 

When you live or work in the town, 

it’s easy to not notice some of the 

fabulous buildings you pass as 

you hurry to the office or head out to do the 

shopping. But next time you’re on the High 

Street, take a moment to take a good look at 

what’s around you. 

There’s architecture covering hundreds of 

years of history, from the Victorian Town 

Hall (picture 1) and Tudor houses to Carolean 

almshouses and the oldest extant jettied 

timber-framed building in England. 

One building that’s hard to miss, with its 

ornate frontage, is the Town Hall. This neo- 

Gothic building was designed by Victorian 

architect Edward Buckton Lamb - sometimes 

described as a ‘Rogue-Gothic Revivalist’. 

It was designed to offer a public meeting 

room, a market hall and to be home to the 

Berhamsted Mechanics’ Institute, when it 

was built in 1859. 

The eccentric architect was chosen to design 

the building by Lady Marion Alford, the 

mother of the young Earl Brownlow. And his 

other sponsors were no less worthy. 

He was responsible for the Disraeli 

Monument on Tinker’s Hill in Hughenden 

Valley near High Wycombe, which politician 

Benjamin Disraeli described as ‘both for 

design, execution and even material is one 

of the most beautiful things not only in the 

County of Buckingham, but in England!’ He 

was so impressed that he commissioned 

Lamb to remodel Hughenden Manor (picture 2). 


Despite his popularity among the wealthy, 

Lamb was criticised for breaking convention. 

Although he was later described by Nikolaus 

Pevsner, an art historian and architectural 

historian, as ‘the most original though certainly 

not the most accomplished architect of his day’. 

Pevsner, who wrote a 46-volume series of 

county-by-county guides, The Buildings of 

England, also identified Dean Incent’s House 

(pictures 3 & 4) (across from Saint Peter’s 

Church) as ‘the best house in Berkhamsted.’ 

The timber-framed house was built in the 

latter part of the 15th century and not only 

was it the birthplace of John Incent (1480- 

1545), who was chaplain to Henry VIII during 

his divorce from Catherine of Aragon, and 

became Dean of Saint Paul’s Cathedral, 

London, from 1540 to 1545, but it belonged to 

Robert and Katherine Incent. Robert Incent 

was secretary to Cecily Neville, Duchess 

of York, who was the last royal resident at 

Berkhamsted Castle, and mother of two 

kings - Edward IV and Richard III. The castle 

became her primary residence in 1471. She 

died in 1495. 

John Incent also played a major part in 

Berkhamsted’s history, founding Dean 

Incent’s Free School in Berkhamsted in 1541 - 

today it is Berkhamsted School. 

At 173 High Street (picture 5), almost 

opposite WH Smith, you’ll find what is 

thought to be the oldest extant jettied timberframed 

building in England, dating back to 

the late 13th century. Although its facade dates 

back to Victorian times, its medieval timber 

frame came to light during renovations at the 

start of this century. 

At the time, Dr Simon Thurley, Chief 

Executive of English Heritage, said: ‘This is an 

amazing discovery. It gives an extraordinary 

insight into how Berkhamsted High Street 

would have looked in medieval times.’ 

While evidence that its life before it became 

a pharmacy was as a jeweller or goldsmith’s 

shop with a workshop behind prompted 

LOCAL 

HISTORY 

claims that it was the country’s 

oldest shop, there are doubts about 

how long it has actually been a shop - 

and is now believed to have originally been 

a jettied service wing to a larger house. The 

Grade II* Listed building is now home to 

Sterling estate agents. 

To the 16th Century now and the Tudor 

Court House (now the parish hall) that sits 

next to Saint Peter’s Church. This timberframed 

building is made from red brick and 

1 

2 

3 

4 5 



knapped flint and has a jettied wooden 

first floor, and it’s believed that it may 

have been built on the site of an earlier, 

medieval building. 

It could be considered the town’s first town 

hall, as the town council first met there in 

1618. The courts of the Manor and Honour of 

Berkhamsted, held on Whit Tuesday and on 

the Tuesday after Michaelmas, met to hear 

‘all pleas, actions, suits or offences against the 

laws and liberty of the manor’. 

In 1838 it became the home of the National 

School (which would have provided 

elementary education for the poor), when 

John Sayer’s Almshouses 

BOOKING DEADLINES 2024 

SUMMER 2024 

BOOKING & NEWS DEADLINE 24/04/24 

DISTRIBUTION FROM 03/06/24 

AUTUMN 2024 

BOOKING & NEWS DEADLINE 24-07-24 

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WINTER 2024 



LOCAL 

“ 

HISTORY 

The Sayer Almshouses were given 

to the town by John Sayer, who was 

Charles II’s chief cook and a friend 

of Samuel Pepys. He lived 

in Berkhamsted Place 

additional rooms were built on the back of the 

house, and the cottage next door was built for 

the schoolmaster. 

The Court House has had other uses - it was 

used as an orderly room in World War I, was 

an extension hospital during the Spanish Flu 

epidemic in 1918, and became a school once 

more to cope with the influx of evacuees. 

The Sayer Almshouses 

on the corner of Cowper 

Road, meanwhile, have 

offered homes to the 

benefit of people in need 

for almost 350 years. 

They were given to the 

town by John Sayer, who 

was Charles II’s chief 

cook and a friend of 

Samuel Pepys. He lived 

in Berkhamsted Place. 

Sayer bequeathed 

£1,000 in trust ‘for 

the building of an 

almshouse and the 

purchasing of lands for 

the relief of the poor in 

Berkhamsted St Peter’, 

and it was his wife Mary 

TO 

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TELEPHONE: 

01442 

824300 

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A SERIES DISCOUNT. 

“ 

who saw that his wishes 

were fulfilled. The 

buildings cost £269, and 

the rest of the money 

was invested. 

You can find Sayer’s 

black and white marble 

tomb in the Lady Chapel 

of St Peter’s church on 

the High Street. 


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OUR 

BOOK CHOICES 

Here at Our Bookshop in Tring, we are passionate 

about reading. And we have put together the following 

recommendations for you to enjoy. 

Look out for our future picks in the next edition. 

Kristin Hannah 

tackles one of the 

most despicable 

wars of the last 

century, the 

Vietnam War. This 

is our March Book 

of the Month. 

Kristin will be 

joining us for our 

Bookclub meeting. 

Winner of the 2023 

Goldsmiths Prize, and 

voted book of the 

year by The Times, 

Guardian, Telegraph 

and New Statesman. 

The triumphant new 

novel from the Walter 

Scott Prize-winning 

author of The Gallows 

Pole and The Offing is 

now out in paperback. 

The outstanding 

new thriller from the 

no.1 internationally 

bestselling author of 

The Silent Patient, 

Alex Michaelides. 

Join Alex and 

author Harriet Tyce 

in Our Bookshop 

for a book event 

in April. 

Our Childrenʼs book 

(for 7–11-year-olds) 

tells the story of a 

feather heist from 

a Natural History 

Museum. Sounds 

familiar!? The author 

took inspiration from 

Tringʼs famous news 

story. Signed copies 

in stock. 

87 High Street, Tring, HP23 4AB 

01442 827653 

www.ourbookshoptring.co.uk 

shop@ourbookshoptring.co.uk

an, Myles Jakeman, lurches 

painting. It’s 1936 at The Hotel 

London where jazz, romance 

e take centre stage. Accused of 

ozart’s lost Trumpet Concerto, 

ught in a dangerous TRIANGLE 

h singing sensation, Midnight 

lity is not what it seems: 

in the shape of a treble clef 

bizarre power; A hoard of 

rtefacts becomes one man’s 

a mysterious tunnel of music 

agination, but where does it 

famous detective saves the 

Edward VIII. It’s all part of 

y, magic and allure of The Hotel 

here inexplicable things happen 

rn. Is there a way back from 

arp without getting killed? 

ve prevail? Take your seat in 

grand ballroom. A blast of 

will set your mind abuzz as you 

e of the most famous songs and 

artists of The Swing Era . . . 

time. 

ive Roule, this was no dream. 

mpagne, played my trumpet 

a woman. The picture itself 

ating with activity beyond 

surface. I was in a place that 

anation. There was music, 

nd colour . . . life itself! Yet, 

e to see the outside world 

ay back.’ 

Born in Toronto, 

Canada, and now living 

in the United Kingdom, 

Jay Myers 

is ALSO the author oF: 

Twenty Million 

Leagues Above the Sea; 

The Colour Conspiracy; 

eriff; AND The Oxymoron Murders & 

Stories of the UnexpecteD. 

BOOKS 

Our 

choice of 

spring reads 

from local 

authors 

For the Love of Farming 

Farmer Will 

Farmer Will Young hardly adheres to the traditional image of a farmer - this attractive young 

man, who initially had plans to be a professional footballer, has made his name on TikTok - and 

even had a stint on TV’s Love Island. Bringing his love of animals to the fore, this charming 

book gives an insight into life on his Aylesbury farm in a very accessible way. 

Once Upon A Time At The Hotel Midnight JAY MYErs 

REVIEW 

COPY 

The Man Alone with the Lake 

R T Warner 

Achieving your dream life is something many of us aspire to - but what happens when that 

dream comes at the cost of your wellbeing? When a 22-year-old football prodigy, achieves his 

career dreams, he finds that it is not what he envisaged. And when a life-altering incident 

prompts him to re-evaluate his life journey, he realises that what he really yearns for is a life 

where is utterly alone. 

This is the first outing for St Albans-based author R T Warner, who is currently studying medicine 

at University. 

The Deadly Detective Agency 

Ann Parker 

It’s not often you get to solve your own murder, but that’s exactly what happens to Abigail 

Summers when she wakes up dead! Set in Becklesfield, a fictional village in the Chilterns, 

Abigail finds herself working with psychic Hayley Moon and her policeman husband, to find 

out how she died. This truly English mystery, complete with May Fayre and Maypole dancing, 

has a touch of the paranormal thrown in. 

Warners End author Ann Parker previously ran a dressmaking business, but since retiring has published 

children’s book Magic & Memories and signed a contract for two cosy murder mysteries - this is the first. 

ONCE UPON A TIME 

AT THE 

HOTEL MIDNIGHT 

Jay Myers 

Once Upon A Time at the Hotel Midnight 

Jay M Myers 

Mystery magic and allure - that’s what you’ll find in this tale of jazz musician, Myles 

Jakeman, who finds himself at The Hotel Midnight in London in 1936, where jazz, romance 

and revenge take centre stage. Myles is caught in a dangerous love triangle with singing 

sensation, Midnight Melody. But all is not what it seems: a brass key in the shape of a treble 

clef commands bizarre power; a hoard of priceless artefacts becomes one man’s obsession; a 

mysterious tunnel of music stirs the imagination, and a famous detective saves the life of King 

Edward VIII. 

Born in Canada, and now living in Wigginton, Jay Myers is also the author of Twenty Million Leagues 

Above the Sea; The Colour Conspiracy; I Shot the Sheriff, and The Oxymoron Murders & Other Short Stories 

of the Unexpected. 

Continued on page 32… 

Local authors! Let us know about your book releases. Email editorial@livingmags.info 



Our beloved pets 

take the spotlight 

See the local friends who make our 

lives brighter! 

Send in a cute or funny pic of your 

furry, or not-so furry, best friend, 

together with their name, age and 

location. 

WhatsApp or email it over to 

us and then watch this space 

to see if it makes the cut for 

the next issue! 

Tilly 

aged 

14 

‘Just 

lounging 

around...’ 

Rolo 

aged 6 

‘Who me?’ 

Jazzy 

aged 1 

‘Stuck 

on 2 

down’’

Cleo 

aged 8 

‘Give 

us a 

wink...’ 

Teddy 

aged 4 

Sammy 

aged 10 

‘Yum! 

Doughnut for tea’ 

‘Right 

mum. 

What’s 

next?’ 

Bella 

aged 14 

‘Doh! You 

caught 

me!’

Unscramble the letters: 

1. NYBUN……………………………….. 

2. NEH……………………………………. 

3. KENCHIC…………………………….. 

4. KETBAS……………………………… 

Easter Wordsearch 

5. GEG……………………………………. 

6. HESEP………………………………… 

7. ARCROT……………………………… 

8. WERLOF…………………………….. 

BUTTERFLY 

EGG 

FLOWER 

BUNNY 

HEN 

CHICKEN 

CARROT 

COLOUR 

ME IN!

An outstanding Independent School 

for boys and girls aged 3-16 years 

Contact: 01442 256143 

www.westbrookhay.co.uk 

London Road, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2RF 

OPEN MORNING 

Friday 10th May 

10:00am – 12:00pm 

Now extending to Year 11 and offering GCSEs 

Discover the magic of Lockers Park 

To be anything 

Achieve everything 

Join our Reception Stay & Play 

on Friday 15th March 

or register for our Open Day 

on Friday 8th March 

or book a private Headmaster Tour - Ideal for 2024 and 2025 admissions 

Register www.lockerspark.co.uk 

Excellent results | Enthusiasm for life | Purposefully small

The Last Murder at the End of the World 

Stuart Turton 

This dystopian thriller revolves around a murder on an island paradise that holds what is 

left of the world. The story is told by Abi – an AI entity that exists in the minds of the last 125 

people left on Earth. When head scientist Niema is murdered - and everyone’s memories of 

the night have been wiped - Emory has 91 hours to find out what happened and save 

the island. 

Berkhamsted author Stuart Turton is the Sunday Times bestselling and Costa Book Award winning 

author of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and The Devil and the Dark Water. 

Finding Hope 

Nicola Baker 

The first book in a farm adventure series from Nicola Baker, star of TV’s Our Farm in 

the Dales. 

When ten-year-old Ava moves to Whistledown Farm while her parents are working abroad, 

she must swap city life for mud, wellies and animals. But as one catastrophe follows another, 

will Ava learn to love life on the farm and find hope in nature? 

For ages eight and above. 

Nicola is married to Countryfile presenter Matt Baker. She lives on a smallholding in 

the Chiltern Hills with her husband and two children. 

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EMPOWER 

THE TEEN GIRLS IN 

YOUR LIFE 

As a girl experiences her teenage years she faces many 

different pressures, often affecting her confidence. It’s not 

easy to help girls build their self-belief, but there’s plenty 

we can do. Here’s three tips to empower teen girls to see the 

amazing individuals they are 

She’s unique! 

One of the contradictions of teenage life is 

that girls want to conform with their peers, 

but also feel like an individual. 

Let’s encourage girls to recognise their 

uniqueness. Simply by considering that there 

is no other individual on the planet who has 

the same personality, abilities, attitude, and 

approach as each of them. Every girl is unique. 

‘Growth mindset’ is helpful here, pioneered 

by Carol Dweck (author of ‘Mindset’). The 

main idea is that having a growth mindset 

means believing we are all capable of 

developing new skills. What’s key is the effort 

we put in and the strategies we use. 

In contrast, ‘fixed mindset’ is having set 

ideas of what we are good or bad at (for 

example ‘I’m rubbish at maths’). With a fixed 

mindset we focus only on the end results, 

with an emphasis on what other people say, 

and external circumstances. Whereas with 

a growth mindset we focus on our own 

resources, efforts, strategies, and opinions. 

Caroline Walker from local organisation 

Confident Teens comments: ‘We can 

encourage young people to embrace 

growth mindset through the language we 

use – noticing and praising effort, and that 

different strategies have been used - rather 

than focusing purely on the end result. 

We can help teens see how far they have 

progressed over time, through their 

own efforts.’ 

Confident Teens embeds growth mindset 

in their approach and offers a series of prerecorded 

videos supporting girls to gently 

grow their confidence step by step. Feedback 

from girls includes statements such as ‘I’ve 

learnt how to love myself for who I am’. 

So much of young people’s lives is 

dictated by others, whether that’s the school 

timetable, adults’ expectations or peer 

pressures. But by taking a growth mindset 

approach the focus is on the effort they 

decide to make. And that is completely 

within their control. 


Empowering body confidence 

Body confidence is a minefield 

for many teen girls. This is the first generation 

to have grown up when most images we 

see have been digitally manipulated to 

show perfection. Where shapes and 

sizes have been enhanced, and 

imperfections eradicated. 

Sadly, many teen girls compare their own 

bodies to these perfect images and think they 

fall short. This significantly impacts how 

they feel about their bodies – and affects 

their confidence. 

Our media culture has become so toxic in 

its pervasive message that the primary value 

of females is their appearance. Difficult 

enough for grown women to navigate, but 

for girls whose bodies are changing and 

who often feel self-conscious, it is a lot to 

deal with. 

But there are ways we can support 

girls. Helping them to understand that as 

every image has been digitally manipulated 

it doesn’t make sense to compare our actual, 

real body to something that has been created 

by a computer. These digital images are not 

real life or real bodies. Encourage girls to 

notice what real people look like when they 

are out and about. 

Support your teen girl to recognise that it 

is who she is as a person that matters. Her 

personality, for example her ability to make 

others laugh, to be generous, her attitude to 

life - all these characteristics (and more) is 

what makes her who she is and why people 

love her and want to hang out with her. 

Not the colour of her hair, or how long her 

legs are. 

As Caroline Walker from Confident Teens 

explains: ‘It’s who we are as people, and how 

we make our friends and family feel when 

they are with us that really matters. Not 

what we look like. Empowering girls to 

feel and believe this can help build 

their confidence.’ 

KIDS 

“ 

Support your teen girl to recognise 

that it is who she is as a person 

that matters. Her personality, for 

example her ability to make others 

laugh, to be generous, her attitude 

to life - all these characteristics (and 

more) is what makes her who she is 

and why people love her and 

want to hang out with her 

“ 

Kind self-talk 

Our self-talk – what we say to ourselves 

as we go about our day - is the sound-track 

to our lives. We hear our own voice in our 

heads more than any other voice in our 

lifetime. And this voice has a powerful 

impact on how we feel about ourselves 

and our confidence. 

Encourage girls to notice this self-talk and 

become aware of how it is affecting them. For 

many girls this is enlightening – that their 

own thoughts are influencing how they are 

feeling about themselves. 

Support girls to understand they have a 

choice about what these thoughts are. 

Remind your teen to practise kind self-talk. 

To be supportive and encouraging to herself, 

instead of finding fault and criticising herself. 

This move from being critical to being kind 

is often more effective that asking girls to flip 

a negative thought to a positive one, which 

can be a stretch for many people. 

For more ideas and resources to empower 

your teen girl, visit www.ConfidentTeens. 

co.uk 



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TOO OLD TO BE 

TOLD? 

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but our 

ability to learn is much more complex than that, and the 

yearning for new information and new education in adulthood 

is one we should embrace… and the research proves it! 

Recent research has shown that as we 

make our way through life, our 

learning capabilities transform in 

intriguing ways. In short, what has emerged 

is a new understanding that the complexities 

of the brain’s learning processes, from 

childhood to adulthood, are now challenging 

the belief that ageing equates to a decline in 

learning ability. Here’s how… 

Necessity of learning in adulthood 

Adults often find themselves in situations 

requiring new learning, such as pursuing 

Higher Education through platforms like the 

Open University, and beyond that, new skills 

and qualifications required for work. 

In the UK, a study found that while full-time 

education saw an enhanced 9.6% pass rate in 

younger students achieving 1st- or 2nd-class 

degree status compared to those of a mature 

age, in part-time study 65% of the latter 

qualified, as opposed to 45% of those aged 25 

and below. 

Advantages adults have over young people 

in learning 

Contrary to popular belief, adults may possess 

certain advantages over young adults in 

learning. A study conducted in 2016 suggests 

that adults excel in focused and deliberate 

learning, leveraging their broader experiences 

and existing knowledge. 

Overall, older adults who learned new skills 

showed an increase in cognitive function - 

their scores for such tasks were at least two 

to three times higher, one year after learning 

new skills. 

A plateau, followed by gradual decline 

Studies suggest the human brain may retain 

less information, the older the person is. For 

many adults, a plateau in cognitive abilities – 

including learning and thinking – is observed 

after reaching the 30s or 40s. 

This seems to then be followed by a gradual 

slide, particularly noticeable in tasks 


measuring processing speed and other mental 

capabilities, a decline that tends to accelerate 

further once an individual passes the age 

of 60. It’s felt that in order to stave off this 

regression, new skills should be learned 

by individuals. 

Learning ability and age: you’re not as far 

behind as you think 

While it’s true that overall learning ability 

undoubtedly declines past early mid-age – a 

phenomenon evidenced by neurological 

studies showing changes in brain structure 

and blood flow – the propensity to learn 

actually begins to change much earlier. 

For instance, very young children can learn 

multiple languages simultaneously, yet this is 

a capability that diminishes quickly with age. 

According to research, the brain’s plasticity, 

which facilitates language learning, is 

highest until the age of just six, and gradually 

decreases thereafter. 

In other words, you’re not much less capable 

of learning a new language at 40 as you are 

at 20. 

Enhancing learning in later life 

Overall, research suggests the adage “You 

can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is not 

entirely accurate when it comes to human 

EDUCATION 

learning. While ageing does bring cognitive 

changes, continuous mental engagement and 

learning can mitigate these effects. 

Essentially, as we age, a process of neural 

‘pruning’ occurs, focusing our abilities on 

the most relevant skills. So despite structural 

changes in the brain, such as reduced grey 

matter and blood flow, the capacity to learn 

new spatial information, like adapting to 

a new house layout, and the adaption of 

technical, real-life skills, or new projects, are 

prevalent and prominent. 

In short, adults bring unique strengths to the 

learning process, and with the right strategies 

and a focus on brain health, effective learning 

can continue throughout life. 

“ 

In the UK, a study found that 

while full-time education saw an 

enhanced 9.6% pass rate in younger 

students achieving 1st- or 2ndclass 

degree status compared to 

those of a mature age, in part-time 

study 65% of the latter qualified, as 

opposed to 45% of those aged 

25 and below 

“ 



Six large or 10 small • Six large or 10 small • Six large or 10 small • Six large or 10 small • 

BAKING 

PETER SIDWELL’S PRUNE 

AND ORANGE HOT 

CROSS BUNS 

As a master baker and judge of ITV’s Britain’s Best Bakery, 

Peter Sidwell knows a thing or two about hot cross buns, 

as this fragrant and delicious recipe testifies 

• 7g yeast & salt 

• 50g caster sugar 

• 150ml milk, 50ml water 

• 200ml green tea 

• 140g California Prunes, finely chopped 

• 50g candied orange peel, finely 

chopped 

• ½ tsp ground ginger 

• ½ tsp cinnamon 

• 3 cardamom pods (seeds only) 

For the buns 

• 25g unsalted butter 

• 500g strong flour (50:50 white and 

wholemeal), plus extra white flour 

for dusting 

For the crosses and glazing 

• 1 egg, beaten, for glazing 

• 75g flour 

• 4-5 tbsp water 

• Runny honey to glaze 


Method: 

1. Remove the bowl from your stand mixer, 

then add the butter and flour. Rub the 

butter into the flour with your fingertips 

to form fine breadcrumbs. Add the yeast, 

salt and sugar, then stir to combine 

everything together. 

2. In a jug, mix together the milk, water 

and boiled green tea, make a well in the 

flour mixture and pour in the liquid. Put 

the mixing bowl back on the stand mixer, 

then use the dough hook to combine 

wet and dry ingredients into a ball. 

3. Knead the dough in the mixer for 10 

minutes until smooth and stretchy. 

Cover the bowl with cling film and leave 

the dough to rise in a warm place for one 

hour until doubled in size. 

4. Prepare the fruit and spices, then scoop 

the risen dough out of the bowl and 

stretch it over the work surface until it’s 

the size of A4 paper. Scatter the spices 

and fruit over the dough, then fold in 

on itself, kneading gently to distribute 

throughout the dough. 

5. Portion off the dough and, on a lightly 

floured surface, roll into balls – either 

six large or 10 small. Place on a floured 

baking tray, 1-2cm apart, and leave in 

a warm place for about an hour until 

doubled in size again. 

6. Heat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 

4. Using a pastry brush, brush the tops 

of the buns with beaten egg. 

7. To make the crosses, make a smooth 

paste with the flour and water (add 

4tbsp first and only add the rest if you 

think it needs it), put into a plastic 

piping bag and pipe onto each bun, 

then bake for 25 minutes in the 

preheated oven. 

8. Remove from the oven and transfer to a 

wire rack. Leave to cool for 10 minutes, 

then brush glaze with runny honey, 

before leaving to cool completely. 

Across 1. Fleece, 5. Ponzu, 7. Garibaldi, 10. Dune, 11. Scan, 12. Hotplates, 16. Alien, 17. Apport. 

Down: 1. Frog, 2. Crib, 3. Cord, 4. Auburn, 6. Crunch, 8. Aheap, 9. Incite, 10. Defeat, 13. Omen, 14. Lamp, 15. Smit.

TREE-MENDOUS 

Discover a brilliant variety of trees perfect for small gardens, 

each with their unique charm and benefits 

Creating a beautiful, space-efficient 

garden presents a delightful and 

rewarding challenge, particularly 

when it comes to selecting the perfect trees 

for small spaces. 

This requires careful consideration of size, 

growth habits and seasonal changes to ensure 

each tree not only fits aesthetically, but also 

thrives within limited space. 

Here’s a selection which tick the boxes and have 

the potential to transform your garden space. 

Japanese maple tree 

Particularly suited for small gardens, the 

Japanese maple tree enchants with slow growth, 

fiery autumn foliage and an elegant structure. 

Ideal for sheltered, partly sunny areas, it can 

also flourish in containers, making it versatile 

across various garden layouts. The ‘Orange 

Dream’ variety stands out, offering a breathtaking 

display of colour and form, with leaves 

that transition into vivid shades, adding 

dramatic flair to any small space. 

Japanese maple tree 

Paperbark maple tree 

Another slow-growing and magnificent small 

tree, this commands attention throughout 

the year with its lush, dark green leaves 

dramatically turning to a vivid crimson 

in autumn. 

During winter, the unique appeal continues 

as its chestnut-coloured bark peels away, 

revealing an eye-catching orange-red layer 

underneath, adding a prominent element to 

the winter garden landscape. 


Fig Tree 

GARDENS 

Amelanchier tree 

Amelanchier canadensis and Amelanchier 

lamarckii are spectacular additions, bursting 

into life with white spring blossoms, followed 

by an abundance of summer berries and a 

stunning display of golden autumn foliage. 

Adaptable to various lighting conditions, it 

can grow up to six metres tall, making it a 

highly versatile and attractive choice for 

gardeners looking to add year-round interest. 

Judas tree 

Another widely celebrated for its captivating 

spring bloom, certain varieties boast not only 

vibrant flowers but also dramatic foliage. 

The Judas tree, otherwise known as Cercis 

chinensis ‘Avondale’ and Cercis canadensis ‘Forest 

Pansy’, is renowned for striking 

colour and compact growth habit, and 

perfectly blends aesthetic beauty with 

practical size. 

Japanese Dogwood tree 

This East Asian native blushes with eyecatching 

white bracts in summer, followed by 

crimson autumn leaves and pink, strawberrylike 

fruits. 

The tree’s ability to combine ornamental 

beauty with fruit production in a compact 

form makes it an ideal selection for those 

seeking to maximise the aesthetic appeal of 

limited space. 

Cherry tree 

Offering the dual benefit of stunning, breathtaking 

spring flowers and delectable fruits, 

the cherry tree comes in various forms, 

combining decorative beauty with productive 

fruit-bearing capabilities. 

Varieties cater to both aesthetic 

appeal and practical use, making them 

a valuable addition to any small garden. 

“ 

Despite UK climatic challenges for 

fruit production, fig trees are highly 

valued for their large, outstanding 

foliage. They can reach heights of 

3-4 metres and their robust growth 

and ornamental leaves provide a 

Mediterranean feel. They may even 

surprise with a fruit crop! 

“ 

Fig tree 

Despite UK climatic challenges for fruit 

production, fig trees are highly valued for 

their large, outstanding foliage. They can 

reach heights of 3-4 metres and their robust 

growth and ornamental leaves provide a 

Mediterranean feel. They may even surprise 

with a fruit crop! 

Espalier apple tree 

Ingeniously designed as a ‘family tree’, with 

different apple varieties grafted onto each 

arm, this excels when planted against a sunny 

wall, serving not only as a fruitful producer 

but also as an attractive garden divider. 

This innovative approach allows for a diverse 

harvest and efficient use of space, making 

such an apple tree a unique and valuable 

addition to small garden spaces. 

Hawthorn tree 

A native gem, the hawthorn is excellent for 

wildlife, supporting moths, bees and birds 

throughout the seasons. With a range of 

cultivars to choose from, it can fit beautifully 

into even the smallest of garden designs, 

transforming the space into a haven of 

natural beauty and biodiversity. 













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DISCOUNT. 

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FRANBROWN Pilates 

BERKHAMSTED, POTTEN END & SURROUNDING VILLAGES 

12 Week 2024 Pilates 

Courses with Fran & Beth 

Starts 

From 

19 th April 


■ All levels welcome 

■ Mixture of classes 

■ 12 week ‘complete 

beginners course’ 

07900 858985 

w w w . f r a n s fi t n e s s p i l a t e s . c o m 

info@fransfitnesspilates.co.uk 

FRAN - SPRING 2024.indd 1 01/02/2024 19:2 

TRING 

Fully equipped Pilates Studio 

established for over 20 years. 

Highly qualified instructors with first-hand 

experience of how Pilates can help with: 

• Posture correction 

• Dance 

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• Pre and Post-natal 

Instructor to client ratio 1:3 

1:1 sessions available 

Mat classes also available 

PILATES 

STUDIO 

• Extreme Sports 

• Increased 

functionality 

• General Fitness 

07514 895371 

studio@tringpilates.co.uk 

www.tringpilates.co.uk 

Tring Pilates Studio 

Church Farm 

Aldbury, Herts 

HP23 5RS 

Tring Living Ad 134x96mm_July 2023_v1.indd 1 18/07/2023 21:01

THE GREAT 

‘GREENWASHING’ 

SCANDAL 

Think you’re a savvy eco-consumer? Think again… 

Those of us who remember a time when 

recycling bins didn’t stand like planetsaving 

sentinels outside every home 

in Britain, will also recall that phrases such 

as ‘eco-friendly’, ‘sustainable’ and ‘clean’ 

were not words used in the lexicon of 

brand advertising. 

These days however, you can almost guarantee 

such phrases will be plastered across almost 

every purchase you make. Why? Because 

brands know that many consumers are now 

conscientious about their personal 

environmental impact, and realise the 

products they purchase can make a difference 

when it comes to protecting the planet. 

As the saying goes: you vote with your 

pound; and even those who feel frustrated 

with government environmental policy can 

take comfort in promoting sustainability 

by investing in brands that do take steps to 

lessen their ecological impact. 

But how many of these brands actually take 

the labels they use seriously, and how many 

are just paying lip service to the sustainable 

savvy among us? 

This surge in corporate climate claims is 

muddying the waters for customers who 

can no longer distinguish between earnest 

environmental practices and deceptive 

declarations. This practice is known as 

‘greenwashing’. 

Online marketing is a particularly fecund 

arena for claims that are often exaggerated, 

false, or sometimes potentially illegal. 

The reason this is possible is because 

‘greenwashing’ takes advantage of a 

somewhat grey area. It is very easy to boast 

of ‘sustainability’ but there is no concrete 

definition of what this word means. In other 

words, claiming something is ‘made in the 

UK’ or is ‘100% cotton’ can be proved or 

disproved, but how can you prove something 

you cannot define? 

On the subject of cotton, the fashion industry 

is also prone to greenwashing. ‘Natural’, 

‘recyclable’, ‘recycled or ‘organic’ are handy 


GREEN 

buzzwords that clothing brands use to 

highlight the sustainability of the materials 

in their items, but ones that ultimately could 

be misleading. 

For example, ‘organic’ and ‘environmentally 

friendly’ are not interchangeable terms. Just 

because organic cotton doesn’t use pesticides 

when grown doesn’t change the fact that it is 

highly water intensive. It takes roughly 1kg 

of conventional cotton lint to make one pair 

of jeans, but this requires around 8,500 litres 

(1,870 gallons) of water, on average. 

Recycled polyester doesn’t get corporations 

off the hook either because it still sheds 

microfibres. It is estimated that textiles 

produce 35% of the microplastics entering 

the world’s oceans – in the form of synthetic 

microfibres – and just one wash cycle 

could potentially release around 700,000 

microfibres into wastewater. 

The trouble is, brands have tapped into an 

unfortunate truth. Many of us, whether 

consciously or not, have become acutely 

aware of the impact consumerism is having 

on our planet and the environment. This can 

lead to a feeling of guilt and, much like the 

cotton tote company who plant a tree for 

every bag sold – ‘buy one, plant one’ – these 

unsubstantiated claims allow for magical 

thinking that lets us believe our choices are 

moving the dial and pushing these industries 

into the right direction. 

Fortunately, we can still make better choices 

as consumers. We just need to be aware of 

greenwashing and take measures to avoid it. 

Firstly, don’t take their word for it. If a 

product truly is ‘eco-friendly’, ‘all-natural’, 

or ‘biodegradable’, then the manufacturer 

should be able to prove this with hard facts 

and figures. 

Secondly, be wary of green certification 

logos. Instead, look for objective third-party 

certifications from reputable organisations 

such as the B Corp Certification, Fairtrade 

Certification, and the Forest Stewardship 

Council’s FSC Certification. 

Next, when choosing products, look at 

the bigger picture. Just because something 

has a low environmental impact in 

manufacturing, doesn’t mean it is 

recyclable or compostable. The entire 

product lifecycle must be considered. 

Finally, know that your choices do make an 

impact and a little research into a brand can 

go a long way towards the overall goal. After 

all, if companies didn’t believe consumers had 

the power to create change, greenwashing 

would not be an effective strategy in the 

first place. 

“ 

Be wary of green certification 

logos. Instead, look for objective 

third-party certifications from 

reputable organisations such 

as the B Corp Certification, 

Fairtrade Certification, and the 

Forest Stewardship Council’s 

FSC Certification 

“ 



WHAT’S ON 

UESDAY 5 MAR 

WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO FOR DAILY UPDATES 

Talks: Rothschild 

Women - Emerging from 

the Shadows 

Wigginton History 

Society, Village Hall, 

Wigginton, 8pm. cliff. 

mills@outlook.com 

WEDNESDAY 6 MAR 

Talks: Hec-Talk Group 

The XC Centre, Jarman 

Way, Hemel Hempstead, 

7.30-8.30pm. Every first 

and third Wednesday of 

the month. Open to all 

men to come together 

and talk. tinyurl. 

com/5n8c6p3v 

THURSDAY 7 MAR 

ALWAYS CHECK with the event organiser beforehand. 

Opening times may vary. If you would like to include your 

event in future magazines complete the form at: 

www.livingmags.info/submit-event 

Music: George Harrison 

Project 

The Court Theatre, Tring. 

7.30pm. courttheatre.co.uk 

Music: The Band of the 

Household Cavalry 

Centenary Theatre, Kings 

Road, Berkhamsted, 

7.30pm. Doors 7pm. 

All proceeds will go 

to the Household 

Cavalry Foundation. 

berkhamsted.ticketsolve. 

com/ticketbooth/ 

shows/1173651521 

SATURDAY 9 MAR 

Markets & Sales: Tring 

Farmers Market 

High Street, Tring, 

9am- 12.30pm. 2nd and 4th 

Sat of each month. www. 

tringfarmersmarket.co.uk 

Music: The Ultimate 

Celebration of Carlos 

Santana 



Music: Simon Woolf/ 

Andy Panayi Quartet 

BJazz at the Civic Centre, 

Berkhamsted, 8pm. This 

quartet of gifted musicians 

have performed with 

musicians such as Benny 

Golson, Chick Corea. www. 

bjazz.org 

SUNDAY 10 MAR 

Music: Piano and More 

Tring parish church, 

3-4pm. Music by Poulenc, 

Dvorak and Weber. pianoand-more.org.uk 

MONDAY 11 MAR 

Film: Cairo Conspiracy 

Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 

8pm. Also Tues 12. www. 

berkhamstedfilmsociety. 

co.uk 


Talks: Monopoly 

Arts Society, Tring Park, 


10.30am. Expect some 

surprises as we uncover 

the story behind the game 

we all know so well - or do 

we? artssociety-tringpark. 

co.uk 

Business: Hospice of St. 

Francis Corporate Partner 

Network Meeting 

The Court House, 

Berkhamsted, 5.30-7pm. 

New businesses welcomed. 

www.stfrancis.org.uk 

Talks: Pageant Fever 

Berkhamsted Local 

History & Museum 

Society, Wellcome Great 

Hall, Town Hall, 

Berkhamsted, 8pm. 

berkhamsted-history.org.uk 


Business: Tring 

BusinessMart 

Venue tbc. 6pm. www. 

tringtogether.org.uk 

Theatre: Murder Steams 

Ahead 

Court Theatre, 7.30pm, 

Sat matinee 2pm. To 16 

Mar. In 1936 there is a lot 

of activity in a particular 

railway station waiting 

room. courttheatre.co.uk 

FRIDAY 15 MAR 

Markets & Sales: Lucky 

Duck Makers Market 

Civic Centre, Berkhamsted, 

10am-3pm. Handmade 

products from talented 

makers, artwork from 

amazing artists and 

beautiful gifts from 

local businesses. Live 

music. Disabled access. @ 

LuckyDuckMakersMarket 

Fundraisers: Garden 

Re-Leaf Charity Walk 

Starting and ending at 

Tring Garden Centre, 

walkers can choose 

between 2 routes. www. 

greenfingerscharity.org. 

uk/activities/29/garden-releaf-day-2024 

Fundraisers: DENS 

Spring Quiz 

Hobbs Hill Wood Primary 

School, Hemel Hempstead, 

7pm. www.dens.org.uk 


Markets & Sales: Jumble 

Sale 

Little Gaddesden Village 

Hall, Church Road. 

10am-12noon. Organised 

by 1st Little Gaddesden 

Scouts. LGScouts@icloud. 

com 

Fundraisers: Skydive 


Jump from 10,000ft 

North London Skydiving 

Centre (Cambridge). www. 

stfrancis.org.uk 


Fundraisers: Repair 

Café 

High Street Baptist 

Church Hall, Tring. 

Third Saturday of each 

month, 10.30am-1pm. 

A place where people 

can gather and fix those 

objects from everyday 

life that would otherwise 

end up in landfill. www. 

sustainabletring.org.uk/ 

repair-café 

Music: Tring Music 

Partnership Gala 

Performance Victoria 

Hall, Akeman Street, 

Tring. www.tringtogether. 

org.uk 

Music: Chiltern 

Chamber Choir Spring 

Concert St. Peter’s 

Church, Berkhamsted, 

7.30pm. www.chilternchamberchoir.com 

SUNDAY 17 MAR 

Markets & Sales: 

Berkhamsted Farmers 

Market 

High Street, Berkhamsted, 

10am-2pm. www. 

facebook.com/berkofm 

Fundraisers: 

Appassionata 

Aylesbury Waterside 

Theatre, 4pm. In support 

of Florence Nightingale 

Hospice. www.atgtickets. 

com/aylesbury 

MONDAY 18 MAR 

Talks: Annual Town 

Meeting 

Victoria Hall, Akeman 

Street, Tring, 8pm. www. 

tring.gov.uk 


Business: BDCC 

Networking Lunch 

Venue tbc 12.30-2.30pm. 

www.berkhamstedchamber.co.uk 

Talks: The Polish 

Refugees in Marsworth 

Baptist Church, Tring, 

8pm. tringlocalhistorymuseum.org.uk 


Music: Dave Kelly Band 

Blues Bar, Tring. 8pm. 

www.bluesbartring.co.uk 

FRIDAY 22 MAR 

Theatre: 2 Kool 4 Skool 

Court Theatre, 7.30pm. 

Also Sat 23 2.30 & 7.30pm. 

courttheatre.co.uk 


Music: Tring Choral 

Society Spring Concert 

St Peter & St Paul’s 

church, Tring, 7.30pm. 

Mozart’s works: ‘Requiem’ 

and ‘Solemn Vespers’, plus 

Monteverdi’s ‘Beatus Vir’. 

www.tringchoral.org.uk 

SUNDAY 24 MAR 

Dance: Senior Dance 

Show 2024 

Markova Theatre, Tring 

Park School, 2pm / 

7.30pm. To 28 Mar. Showcasing 

the exceptional 

talents of students on the 

dance course Years 11 to 

14. www.tringpark.com 

Music: Revelation 

Behind the Mirror 

Old Town Hall, 

Berkhamsted, 7pm. A 

new programme of music 

arranged for cello and 

accordion by JS Bach and 

Astor Piazzolla. www. 

behindthemirror.org 

MONDAY 25 MAR 

Film: Queen of Glory 




co.uk 


Business: Berko 

Interchange 

Informal business 

networking 

8am Waite & Rose Café, 

Berkhamsted. https:// 

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ 

berko-interchangetickets-547761187457 

FRIDAY 29 MAR 

Music: The Unravelling 

Wilburys 

The Court Theatre, 

Tring. 7.30pm. 


TUESDAY 2 APR 

Talks: The Story of 

English Alms Houses 





WEDNESDAY 3 APR 


The XC Centre, 

Jarman Way, Hemel 

Hempstead, 7.30- 

8.30pm. Every first and 

third Wednesday of 

the month. Open to all 

men to come together 

and talk. tinyurl. 

com/5n8c6p3v 

FRIDAY 5 APR 

Talks: The Aylesbury 

Duck and Aylesbury 

Prune 

Cholesbury-cum-St 

Leonards Local History 

Group, St Leonards 

Village Hall. 7.30 for 

7.45pm start. www. 

cholesbury.com 



SATURDAY 6 APR 

Fundraisers: Open Door 

Repair Café 

Open Door Berkhamsted. 

First Saturday of each 

month, 9.30am-12.30pm. 

Bring along your 

broken items and let the 

experts take a look, in 

exchange for a donation. 

opendoorberkhamsted. 

co.uk/repair-cafe 

Markets & Sales: Pop Up 

Bazaar 

Berkhamsted Town 

Hall, 10am-4pm. 

First Saturday of the 

month. Dogs welcome. 

popupbazaarberko@ 

outlook.com 

Music: 80s Night with 

Sledgehammer 

Court Theatre, Tring, 

7.30pm. Non-stop classic 

80s pop and rock. 


Risborough Railway, Station 

Road, Chinnor. 10.30am- 

5pm. www.chilternsaonb.org 

Music: Sam Kelly’s 

Station House 

Blues Bar, Tring. 8pm. 





High Street, Tring, 9am- 

12.30pm. 2nd and 4th 

Saturday of each month. 

www.tringfarmersmarket. 

co.uk 

Music: Harriet 



Music: Craig Milverton 

Quartet: A Tribute to 

Oscar Peterson 

BJazz at the Civic Centre, 

Berkhamsted, 8pm. www. 

bjazz.org 

Talks: Alex Michaelides 

and Harriet Tyce 

Our Bookshop, Tring, 

7.30pm. Focusing on their 

latest thrillers: A Lesson 

in Cruelty and The Fury. 

www.tringbookfestival. 

co.uk 


Fairs / Festivals: Herts 

Big Weekend 

Also 21 Apr. Hertfordshire’s 

biggest celebration 

of the year. www. 

hertsbigweekend.co.uk 

Fairs / Festivals: Tring 

Spring Fayre 

To 11 May. Variety of 

events and activities. 

www.tringtogether.org.uk 

Fundraisers: Repair 

Café 

High Street Baptist 

Church Hall, Tring. 

Third Saturday of each 

month, 10.30am-1pm. 

A place where people 

can gather and fix 

those objects from 

everyday life that 

would otherwise end 

up in landfill. www. 


repair-café 

SUNDAY 21 APR 



Market 

High St, Berkhamsted, 

10am-2pm. Third Sun 

of every month. www. 


MONDAY 8 APR 

Film: EO 


Civic Centre, 8pm. 

Also Tues 9. www. 


co.uk 

MONDAY 15 APR 

Talks: Ordinary Council 

Meeting 

The Council Chamber, 

Market House, 61 High 

Street, Tring. 7.30pm. 

www.tring.gov.uk 


Talks: Mexican Art and 

Culture 

Arts Society, Tring Park, 


10.30am. artssocietytringpark.co.uk 

THURSDAY 11 APR 

Talks: Celebrating 

Chilterns Chalk 

Railway Chinnor and Princes 

TUESDAY 16 APR 


BusinessMart 

Breakfast Venue tba. 8am. 

www.tringtogether.org.uk 

Theatre: ILYYPNC 

Court Theatre, 7.30pm, Sat 

matinee 2.30pm. To 20 Apr. 

I Love You, You’re Perfect, 

Now Change. Revised 

for the 21st century. 



Walks: The BIG Walk & 

Superhero Mile 

Choice of 3 routes. Parking 

at John Colet School, 

Aylesbury. thepacecentre.org 

MONDAY 22 APR 

Film: Where the 

Crawdads Sing 



berkhamstedfilmsociety.co.uk 



Networking Breakfast 

Berkhamsted Lawn and 

Tennis Club, 7.30-9.00am. 


THURSDAY 25 APR 

Business: Hospice of 

St. Francis Corporate 

Partner Network 

Meeting 

Strathallan Business 

Centre, Hemel Hempstead, 

5.30-7pm. New businesses 

welcomed. www.stfrancis. 

org.uk 


Interchange Informal 

business networking 

8am Waite & Rose Café, 

Berkhamsted. https:// 

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ 

berko-interchangetickets-547761187457 

FRIDAY 26 APR 

Fundraisers: 

Berkhamsted Society 

Auction of Promises 

An evening raising 

money for the Anniversary 

Fund. www.berkhamsted. 

com 

SUNDAY 28 APR 

Sport: DENS Hillbuster 

Gadebridge Park, 

Hemel Hempstead. An 

action-packed day of 

cycling. www.dens.org.uk 

WEDNESDAY 1 MAY 


The XC Centre, 

Jarman Way, Hemel 

Hempstead, 7.30-8.30pm. 

Every first and third 

Wednesday of the month. 

Open to all men to come 

together and talk. 

tinyurl.com/5n8c6p3v 

SATURDAY 4 MAY 

Fundraisers: Open 

Door Repair Café 

Open Door 

Berkhamsted. First 

Saturday of each month, 

9.30am-12.30pm. Bring 

along your broken 

items and let the 





Markets & Sales: Pop 

Up Bazaar 

Berkhamsted Town 

Hall, 10am-4pm. 

First Saturday of the 

month. Dogs welcome. 

popupbazaarberko@ 

outlook.com 

TUESDAY 7 MAY 

Talks: Women in 

Intelligence Across 

Two World Wars 






Talks: Everything You 

Need to Know About the 

Royal Ballet in 60 Mins 

Arts Society Tring Park, 


10.30am. theartssociety. 

org/tring-park 




High Street, Tring, 

9am-12.30pm. 2nd 

and 4th Saturday of 

each month. www. 

tringfarmersmarket.co.uk 

Fairs / Festivals: Family 

Fun Day 

St Peter and St Paul 

Church and Churchyard, 

Tring, 11am-3pm. With 

Teddy ‘Wings’ zipwire, 

bouncy castle and more. 

www.fotch.co.uk 

SUNDAY 12 MAY 

Music: Tring Chamber 

Music Summer Season 

‘La Mer’ 

Hastoe Village Hall, 

7.30pm. Debussy’s ‘La 

Mer’ arranged for piano 

trio by Sally Beamish 

and works by Mozart 

(Duo) and Fauré (Piano 

Quartet No 1). Paul 

Barritt, violin; Jonathan 

Barritt, viola; Sebastian 

Comberti, cello; Daniel 

King Smith, piano. www. 

tringchambermusic.co.uk 

Music: Festival of 

Music 

David Evans Court 

Theatre, Tring. To 18 May. 


MONDAY 13 MAY 

Talks: Annual Council 

Meeting 

The Council Chamber, 

Market House, 61 High 

Street, Tring. 7.30pm. 

www.tring.gov.uk 

Music: Tring Big Band 

Extravaganza 

Court Theatre, 7.30pm. 




Networking Lunch 

Venue tbc 12.30-2.30pm. 


THURSDAY 16 MAY 


BusinessMart 

Breakfast 

Venue tbc 8am. www. 

tringtogether.org.uk 

Fundraisers: Golden 

May Ball 

Moor Park Golf Club, 

7-11.30pm. Gaddesdon 

Place Riding for the 

Disabled 50th anniversary. 

berkhamstedchamber. 

co.uk 

Sunday 12 May: Tring 

Chamber Music Summer 

Season ‘La Mer’ 



Sunday 19 May: 

Bubble Rush 


Fundraisers: Repair Café 

High Street Baptist Church 

Hall, Tring. Third Saturday 

of each month, 10.30am- 

1pm. A place where people 

can gather and fix those 

objects from everyday 

life that would otherwise 

end up in landfill. www. 


repair-café 

CHILTERN OPEN AIR MUSEUM 

Music: Paul Higg’s 

Quartet 

BJazz Civic Centre, 

Berkhamsted, 8pm. 

www.bjazz.org 

SUNDAY 19 MAY 

Fundraisers: Bubble Rush 

Gadebridge Park, Hemel 

Hempstead. Family 

friendly course to walk 

or run. Also suitable 

for pushchairs and 

wheelchairs. www. 

stfrancis.org.uk 



Market 

High Street, Berkhamsted, 

10am-2pm. 3rd Sunday 

of every month. www. 


DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2020 - 21 

TUESDAY 21 MAY 

Theatre: Young 

Frankenstein 

Court Theatre, 7.30pm. To 

25 May. courttheatre.co.uk 

Talks: Berkhamsted 

Town Council 

Annual Town Meeting 

Council Chamber, Civic 

Centre, Berkhamsted, 

7.30pm. www. 

berkhamstedtowncouncil. 

gov.uk 

THURSDAY 30 MAY 


Interchange 

Informal business 

networking 8am Waite & 

Rose Café, Berkhamsted. 

https://www.eventbrite. 

co.uk/e/berko-interchangetickets-547761187457 

SATURDAY 1 JUN 

Exhibitions: Little 

Gaddesden Art Exhibition 

Little Gaddesden Village 

Hall, Church Road. Until 3 

Jun. Saturday/Sunday 

10.30am-6pm, Monday 

11am-6pm. littlegaddesden. 

org.uk 

Fundraisers: Open Door 

RepairCafé 

Open Door Berkhamsted. 

First Saturday of each 

month, 9.30am-12.30pm. 

Bring along your 

broken items and let the 





Markets & Sales: Pop 

Up Bazaar 

Berkhamsted Town Hall, 

10am-4pm. First Saturday of 

the month. Dogs welcome. 

popupbazaarberko@outlook. 

com 

Fairs / Festivals: St 

Leonards Fete 

Parish Hall and Field, 

Jenkins Lane, St. Leonards. 

1-4.30pm. Circus 

juggling, live band, 

bouncy castle, dog show, 

classic cars and more. www. 

stleonardsparishhall.uk 

STEP BACK IN TIME 

Find out more at www.coam.org.uk 

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, 

Chalfont St Giles, Bucks, HP8 4AB 

www.coam.org.uk 


COMPETITION 

Badness 

Marc Almond 

WE HAVE TWO PAIRS 

OF TICKETS TO GIVE 

AWAY TO TRING’S 

HOTTEST MUSIC FESTIVAL! 

If you missed out on the Chilfest 

competition in our last issue, the good news 

is you have another chance to win one of 

two pairs of tickets to the Saturday event. 

Soft Cell icon and 80s legend Marc Almond 

tops another fantastic line-up for 2024 for the 

family-friendly festival in Tring on 5-6 July. 

And if you want to make the day extra 

special, Chilfest have announced VIP passes, 

which give exclusive access to a dedicated 

VIP area, fast-track entry, welcome drink 

on arrival, exclusive VIP bar access, covered 

area with seating, VIP loos and mobile phone 

charging station. 

The Saturday line-up also includes Go West, 

Nik Kershaw, Glenn Gregory and Martyn 

Ware of Heaven 17, plus Ska royalty 

The Selecter. 

Other acts include 90s favourites The Farm, 

East 17 and Baby D. 

Chilfest also welcomes Scouting for Girls with 

sing-along favourites, including She’s So Lovely. 

Friday gets the party started with a 

galaxy of talented tribute bands as part 

of Chilfest’s Totally Tribute night including 

Take That tribute band Rule the World, and 

acts paying homage to iconic 80s and 90s 

artistes, including I’m Every Whitney, Rogue 

Minogue, Badness, and The Smiths UTD. 

For more information visit www.chilfest.co.uk 

To enter, answer the question below at 

www.livingmags.info/competitions by 

30 March 2024. 

What band are Glenn Gregory and 

Martyn Ware from? 

We have two pairs of tickets for Saturday to 

give away. Terms & Conditions apply. Refer to 

website for details. 

Congratulations to our winter competition 

winners... 

Sharron Bromley and Kevin Hearn each won 

a pair of Chilfest tickets. 

Alastair Harrison, Lydia Green and 

Lorna Peisley each won a copy of 

Brenda Hurley’s novel Ghostly Light. 



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BERKHAMSTED 128 High Street | Berkhamstedt | Hertfordshire | HP4 3AT 

TRING 75 Western Road | Tring | Hertfordshire | HP23 4BH

Living Magazines - Berkhamsted Spring 2024

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