Author: Parish_Admin

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.

Join us at the Memorial Hall on Thursday 24th March 2022 for your Council’s Annual Parish Meeting.

This is your opportunity to meet your local representatives, to chat to them, learn about and influence future plans, to get involved with our events, or the new rewilding project.

Prior to the refreshment break we will be presenting Gold Awards to our local heroes – Mark Carter and Richard Dawes, for their ongoing work on the Council’s open spaces.

You will also hear from and have the opportunity to talk to our local police team – PS Mark Essam and PCSO Alex Olteanu.

Julian Thornton and Phil Escritt will speak about the public rights of way through the parish and the Rights of Way Improvement Plan. Learn what is being done to improve these, how you might chose to become involved.

Come along to The Memorial Hall on Sunday 13 March, 2pm to 4pm and meet our Events Team and share your ideas – especially for Village Weekend. We are always looking to expand the team and welcome new ideas, old and new faces and new friends!

Stay for as little or as long as you like – and there is no pressure to commit to anything. Children are welcome.

Refreshments will be provided.