Across Hertfordshire and North London campexcel clubexcelcamp www.clubexcel.co.uk info@clubexcel.co.uk 01923 469475 Approved by Ofsted For children aged 3-13 years BOOK NOW HERTFORDSHIRE & NORTH LONDON’S ULTIMATE ACTIVITY CAMP! 10% DISCOUNT (Use Code: RARING10) Exclusive to New Customers only ST ALBANS AND HARPENDEN WHAT’S ON AND WHERE TO GO CLUBS AND CLASSES SUMMER FUN! MAGAZINE & WEBSITE THE GO-TO GUIDE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD raring2go.co.uk SUMMER 2023
2 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Montessori Please call us to arrange a visit Crabtree Fields, Harpenden 07795 510 130 info@artisans.uk.com www.artisans.uk.com
3 Raring2go! Wow - where has the time gone? I’ve just worked out that this is my 66th issue as editor! I’ve been doing a lot of counting (and reminiscing!) over the last few months - 66 issues, 858,000 copies, 41,184,000 pages, 17 years! That pretty much emcompasses my career as editor of Raring2go! St Albans and Harpenden and this issue is to be my very last. I will be so sad to move on from this fabulous magazine, which has provided the most amazing career whilst my children have been growing up. But the time has come - they are both adults now (in fact, I may well be a grandmother by the time this issue comes out!) and I’m off to pastures new. Thank you to all our loyal readers over the years - those who have made the crafts, created amazing recipes, completed the quiz pages and entered the competitions, as well as those long suffering school office staff who have helped distribute these magazines and given us a cheery welcome, when we arrive weighed down with boxes every season! But my biggest thank you goes to the AMAZING local businesses who have grown with us over the years. You know who you are and I will be forever grateful for your support. I will continue to watch as your businesses florish and wish you all the very best the future. For any of you that can remember back that far, in 2013, I organised the St Albans Family Fair which welcomed hundreds of families from all over the district for three years, I met Rebecca Adlington in 2017, hosted the Raring2go! Awards evening in 2019 and was a regular on Radio Verulam to name but a few highlights. So please indulge me a little as I reminisce! I really hope the new editor has as much fun with Raring2go! as I have and wish you all a very lovely summer. All the best Claire x
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5 Raring2go! WATERFRONT BEER GARDENS FAMILY AND DOG FRIENDLY FOOD SERVED ALL DAY INSTOWARMS.COM 01271 860608 NORTH DEVON
6 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! WHAT’S ON JUNE 3rd and 4th – Day out with Thomas, Buckinghamshire Railway Centre If you’ve got fans of Thomas the Tank Engine, you can make their dreams come true by bringing them to a Day Out With Thomas at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre! 9th - Join a Stay & Play Session, Lockers Park, Boxmore Children and their parents are welcome to join a fun lesson and play time at Little Lockers (our Pre-Prep) and meet our Reception Teacher and Headmaster. 9.3011am 10th-18th - SustFest23 SustFest the award-winning annual community festival all about sustainable living & the environment. The 9 day festival will see 100’s of events across the district! 17th - Inflatable 5k Obstacle Run, Herts County Showground The world’s largest and best Inflatable. The 2023 edition of the Lots happenning this summer - now for the sunshine please! LOCKERS PARK “Once you enter the iron gates, you are transported to another world” Lockers Park Parent Join a Stay & Play Session - Friday 9th June 2023, 9.30-11am Children and their parents are welcome to join a fun lesson and play time at Little Lockers (our Pre-Prep) and meet our Reception Teacher and Headmaster. Excellent results | Enthusiasm for life A purposefully small boarding prep school for boys aged 4-13 | Boxmoor, Hertfordshire
7 Raring2go! WHAT’S ON Inflatable 5K obstacle course has got even Bigger, Bouncier and Better! 17th - Superheroes and Villains, Riverside Shopping Centre Hemel Hempstead Meet the stars and see the cars from some of your favourite Superhero movies from a ferocious dragon to Superman and Wonder Woman, grab some amazing photo opportunities and meet the heroes and villains you love! 11am-4pm 17th – Harpenden Carnival Harpenden Town Council is excited to again work in partnership with the Round Table on the 56th Harpenden Carnival. This event is always a highlight of our Town’s calendar and we are looking forward to welcoming you back to this wonderful occasion! 17th & 18th – Art on the Common Established over 30 years ago, Art on the Common in Harpenden is Hertfordshire’s premier outdoor art event. It takes place in a wonderful location on a tree lined section of the Common close to the Town Centre. 18th – Mini Beast Safari, Highfield Park, St Albans One of our most fun educational events, join us and experts from Rothamsted Research for a slow procession with our clipboards, pencils, plastic tubs and identification charts to Cell Barnes Orchard where the wildflowers are utopia for our native insects. 24th - The Alban Festival, St Albans Each year, 12ft tall carnival puppets, representing figures from the story of St Alban, take to the streets to reenact the historic events which lead to St Alban’s execution at the hands of the Romans. The puppets are accompanied by people of all ages dressed as lions, Roman soldiers, angels, chariots and more, resulting in a stunning spectacle of colour and celebration.
8 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! WHAT’S ON 24th - Duxford Summer Air Show, Duxford Fuel your senses at this family friendly spine-tingling day out for all ages. 25th - The Tale of Peter Rabbit and the Tale of Benjamin Bunny, Houghton Hall Park, Dunstable Peter and his naughty cousin Benjamin know very well that they are not to go into Mr McGregor’s garden, but they cannot resist and soon they find themselves face to face with Mr McGregor himself! Join Peter and Benjamin on their hair-raising adventures in Michael Whitmore’s delightful new adaptation for young and old alike. 25th – Alban Street Festival, St Albans Come and enjoy the first of the big three street festivals this year, in an event that celebrates Alban, England’s first saint, and the person for whom our city is named. There will be loads to see and do throughout the afternoon, with most of the activities free of charge. See you there! 25th – Jazz in the Park, Clarence Park Jazz in the park is a series of free concerts taking place on the last Sunday of each month from April to September 2023. Sponsored by Verdis Italian Kitchen, St Albans, this event features local jazz bands in an open-air setting of Clarence Park. Come and enjoy some fine music, ice cream and pizza. JULY 1st – Family Solstice Walk, Highfield Park, St Albans You will be guided around the park, learn about the different habitats and wildlife, and get to experience some mindful moments. The walk will be suitable for all ages (approx 5km walk) and will take around 2 hours to complete. 1st – OakFest, Oaklands College, St Albans A St Albans Summer Festival & funfair for everyone. A fantastic day out for all the family! Funfair – Bar – BBQ – Food Stalls – Pop-up Shops – Children’s Activities – Live Music & DJ 8th - TOTFest Hertfordshire, Herts County Showground TOTFest is a mega festival dedicated entirely to children under 5! 8th and 9th – Wheathampstead Village Weekend This year’s theme is ‘A Day at the Beach’ 9th – Highland Gathering A Scottish themed family fun day
9 Raring2go! WHAT’S ON out and fundraiser for charities: Marching Pipe Bands - Highland Dancing - Highland Games - Arena Displays - Stage Performances- Children’s Races - Live Music - Haggis Hurling - Archery - Go Karts - Stalls - Food; Bar ... and more! 14th - Bat Night, Highfield Park These evening events are suitable for young and old alike, and tickets cost £5, with proceeds going to support the running of the park. After a short talk about bats at the Visitor Centre we then go out into the night with our bat detectors to listen to and identify the bats 26th – Classics on the Common A spectacular array of over 1,000 classic cars, scooters, and motorbikes pack Harpenden Common for the annual Classics on the Common, one of the UK’s largest one-day classic car events! Visitors can expect to enjoy a wide variety of cars at the event, with everything from 1913 model T Ford and a 1916 Stanley Steamer, to Rolls Royces and Maseratis making appearances in past years. The event is free to attend, though donations are encouraged.
10 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! WHAT’S ON 31st - The Wizard of OZ, Hatfield House You are invited to click your heels and ease on down the yellow brick road as Immersion Theatre proudly presents a brand new adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, a magical family show guaranteed to have you in stitches from beginning to end! AUGUST 2nd – Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Lydekker Park Harpenden’s Teddy Bears’ Picnic, organised to coincide with National Play Day, is an exciting event for children and their bears. The day is always lively and fun-filled with a variety of free, engaging entertainment and activities. 3rd - Twelfth Night, Hatfield House Summer 2023 will see audiences treated to a laugh-a-minute adaptation of Shakespeare’s riotous comedy, “Twelfth Night”! Suitable for ages 10+ 11th - August Bat Night, Highfield Park These evening events are suitable for young and old alike, and tickets cost £5, with proceeds going to support the running of the park. After a short talk about bats at the Visitor Centre we then go out into the night with our bat detectors to listen to and identify the bats who live in Highfield Park 19-28th – Summer Circus, Van Hage Garden Centre Roll up, Roll up! John Lawson’s award-winning circus returns to Great Amwell Garden Centre, Van Hages this August holiday. 24th – 28th – Summer Fun Fair, Harpenden Common Join the fun on Harpenden Common with the return of exciting rides and fairground stalls! 24th - The Wizard of OZ, Knebworth House You are invited to click your heels and ease on down the yellow brick road as Immersion Theatre proudly presents a brand new adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, a magical family show guaranteed to have you in stitches from beginning to end! 26th – 28th – Stockwood Garden Party, Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton This family-friendly event will have a mix of puppetry, nature art, suitcase theatre & garden. Create, discover and explore the woodland area and watch the real fairy storytelling and making magic wishes and take part in a finale “Celebration” party at the end of the day!
11 Raring2go! WHAT’S ON Are you in need of childcare during the Summer Holidays?! Club Excel is here to help! Running Childrens Multi Activity Camp programmes throughout the Summer holidays Club Excel has been running activity day camps for children aged 3-13 in Hertfordshire for over 20 years and their experience goes a long way to providing peace of mind to parents. It is not a ‘one size fits all’ at Club Excel with different activity groups depending on your child’s interests. In all groups, children are introduced to a range of activities that will not only challenge them but more importantly, ensure they have the maximum amount of enjoyment whilst being cared for in a secure, happy & fun-filled environment. During the Summer holidays Club Excel will be running at several venues in Hertfordshire and North London including Beaumont School, St Albans, and St Hilda’s School, Harpenden. If you are interested in booking, you are offered a Raring2go 10% discount for new customers only at either venue if you book before 11/07/2023. To redeem, use the discount code RARING10 when booking via the website www.clubexcel.co.uk or call their office team on 01923 469475.
12 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Camp Beaumont Adventure Day Camps Childcare from just £44 a day At Camp Beaumont, we’re dedicated to delivering confidence-building adventures throughout the school holidays. We run award-winning day camps and offer over 50 activities including all things arts, crafts, exploration and sports across 50 locations in London and the surrounding areas. Available every school holiday - book our multi-activity programmes from as little as 1 day to multiple weeks and ensure your child learns new skills, makes new friends and enjoys their most exciting school holiday yet! With over 42 years' experience caring for children, why not let fully DBS-checked Group Leaders take safe, reliable childcare and turn it into long-lasting happy memories! • Open Every School Holiday • Award Winning Day Camps • Over 50 locations in London + South East • 43 Years of Childcare Experience • Get an extra £5 off per day when you book a whole week • Bring a friend for 10% off • Rated Excellent on TrustPilot Book Now! visit: www.campbeaumont.co.uk BEGINNERS SPECIAL OFFER 4 WEEKS FREE Classes held Every Wednesday at 5.30pm Cotlandswick Leisure Centre High Street, London Colney, AL2 1EB Every Sunday at 9.30am Hertswood Acadmey Cowley Hill, Borehamwood, WD6 5LG For more information please contact us on 07739572487 patel.karate@icloud.com ALL OUR INSTRUCTORS HAVE ENHANCED DISCLOSURE AND BARRING CERTIFICATES www.tiskakarate-london-colney.co.uk www.tiskakarate-barnet.co.uk
13 Raring2go! Tel: 07507 038250 Email: milliesmakingwaves@gmail.com
14 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! © Frederick Warne & Co. Limited and Silvergate PPL Limited 2023. All rights reserved. PB02074 PRICE ALL INCLUSIVE £ Book online in advance and save at willowsactivityfarm.com St. Albans Jn22 M25
15 Raring2go! For ages 4 - 15 Make this summer unforgettable for your child The Wadley Hut, 56 Watford Rd, AL1 2AF Theatre Summer Camps 9am to 3pm daily 07863 511711 info@pixiestudios.co.uk www.pixiestudios.co.uk 5 days of singing, dancing, acting, arts & crafts and food workshops... Fun for everyone! 14th to 18th August 7th to 11th August To book
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18 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! HOLIDAY CLUB in St Albans! Tel: 07913 323608 replay5905@ntlworld.com Qualified & Experienced Staff Great Indoor & Outdoor spaces COME JOIN US FOR ALL DAY FUN AND EXCITING ACTIVITIES!! AND EVERY SCHOOL HOLIDAY OPEN ALL SUMMER Based at St John Fisher Primary School For All 3.5 - 11 yr olds to enjoy!! ALL STAFF DBS CHECKED
19 Raring2go! To see our latest timetables and to book your children’s chosen activities go to: fun-fest.co.uk Ofsted registered Woodside Primary school Goffs Oak, Waltham Cross EN7 5JS St Alban & St Stephen Catholic Primary School Cecil Road, St Albans AL15EG For children aged 3 - 12 years 8am - 6pm (one price for the whole day) HOLIDAY CLUB Accepts childcare vouchers and tax free childcare Click here to visit website
20 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! BRILLIANT Theatre and The Alban Arena are thrilled to announce their Summer Production Peter Pan – A Musical Adventure Saturday 12th August at 1.30pm and 7.30pm Sunday 13th August at 1.30pm and 7.30pm Close your eyes and imagine, close them tight and pretend as you take off on a magical trip to Neverland, where you never grow old. JM Barrie’s timeless tale of the boy who refused to grow up is reborn as a spectacular musical with a spellbinding score by Multi Awarding winning composers Stiles and Drewe (Mary Poppins, Kipps, Wind in the Willows). It will have you hooked as Peter Pan whisks the Darling family’s children just beyond the stars to his island where there is no tedious distance between one big adventure and the next. ‘The tunes escalate the magic…and makes the already brilliant JM Barrie story all the more sublime.’ Yorkshire Evening Post about the Original Leeds Production Fresh off Brilliant’s wins for Youth Theatre and Performing Arts Company of the Year, Best Youth Theatre Company of the year and following on from their 2022 hit productions of Matilda Jr and Rock of Ages - Brilliant Theatre are back at the Alban Arena for a sixth year with their 2023 Summer production, Peter Pan – A Musical Adventure. Book your tickets for the whole family to see this magical story come to life on stage. To book tickets for an awfully brilliant adventure contact The Alban Arena box office www.alban-arena.co.uk
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23 Raring2go! TERM TIME COACHING JUNIOR COACHING ADULT COACHING BOOK ON WEBSITE ADVANCED BEGINNERS INTERMEDIATE ALL EXPERIENCE WELCOME C O A C H I N G L O C AT I O N : Elliswick LTC, Browning Rd, Harpenden, AL5 4TP. A W A R D W I N N E R S H O L I D AY C A M P S O R H O L I D AY P O D S Holiday Pods - Make you own group up of your kids friends! visit website for details Contact Head Coach BEN WOOD M 07817203230 (E) btb_elliswickltc@hotmail.com W W W . E L L I S W I C K L T C . C O . U K
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29 Raring2go! 2023 DATES NOW BOOKING 4 STUNNING LOCATIONS Just £69 for your 20 minute photo shoot including two photo finished image files of your choice Our seasonal mini photo sessions provide the perfect opportunity to capture beautiful, natural images of you and your family. Pick your favourite season and let us creatively capture your story in one of our picturesque settings. and make some memories! family... Time to gather the Family Mini Shoot Sessions 2023 @ianscottportraits i
30 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Raring2go! Watford is FOR SALE! Raring2go! ST ALBANS AND HARPENDEN is FOR SALE!
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