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James Marshall Foundation provides grants for children and young people including those who have recently moved into the area such as refugees. Check out their online application or email or call them for more information

Do you feel that you are spinning too many plates? Or maybe just your head is spinning? That is frazzled. Many of us are feeling that not only is life not getting any easier, it is also getting more stressful. Many of you will be familiar with Ruby Wax OBE and her work supporting the nation’s mental health. Ruby founded the Frazzled Cafe (registered charity) in 2017 to fulfil a need for a place where people could connect with others in a safe, supportive space. Where they could be open about the stresses they may feel, free from judgement. It is not therapy but a place to discuss what worries you, among peers who understand how it feels to be frazzled. What is said in meetings is confidential and stays there.

Originally set up in M&S cafes, Frazzled went exclusively to Zoom at the start of the pandemic where it has stayed until now. We are delighted to announce that you now have access to the only face to face Frazzled Cafe running in England at present. Funded by the Harpenden Trust, it is free to attend and a great addition to the local support available to improve mental wellbeing.
With the many stresses and strains of the past few years we are so lucky to have this available. Meetings run in Harpenden and must be booked in advance. They are on Mondays (excluding bank holidays) at the Eric Morecambe Arts Centre, Leyton Road. Wheathampstead residents are welcome; find out more and book here:  www.frazzledcafe.org/harpenden

These beautiful cowslips on the Meads remind us that Spring is here. Enjoy your Easter break and our wonderful open spaces, but please don’t leave your litter behind.

Join Saturday’s Wheathampstead Open Spaces Team on Saturday to help create a better habitat for hedgehogs and other small mammals Bower Heath.

Join the Volunteer team at the car park in the south west corner of the Heath. Help Mark Carter and the Bower Heath Warden Martin Maylin engage in habitat creation. We’d like to become a hedgehog friendly community.

Come suitably dressed for outdoor work and bring a drink, gloves, lopper and or saw if you have them.

Refurbishment work to the Memorial Hall began on 28 March. Asbestos tiles and soffits have been taken away and slowly walls are coming down. The builders started with the main toilet blocks and storage facilities and police office on the south side.

Work is scheduled to be completed by the autumn when we hope to be back in a beautiful ‘new’ building.

Meanwhile the Hall and Hewitt Room remain available to hire, currently accessed via the kitchen. Parking is more limited than usual and there is no access to areas which now form part of the builders’ compound.