From Jo Simson - 16th May

Stop the Drop:
This Saturday May 18 the Parish Council invite us to join a village litter pick. Meet at the Village Hall in Park Lane at 9am. That should give you a good 'run' at it, and leave plenty of time for a cuppa (see below).

You really must come for coffee:
And Knebworth Family of Churches are making it easier for you by fixing a date and time. This Saturday May 18 from 10am-12noon in St. Martin's Parish Centre in the centre of the village. Home-made cake, coffee, tea, chat and Fairtrade food are all on offer. Proceeds to Christian Aid. This is Christian Aid week, and it 'kicked' off with a marathon-length sponsored walk on Saturday May 11. Congratulations to the team of twelve from Knebworth and Datchworth who took part. Particular congratulations to Anne Purvis, who took part when she found herself unexpectedly free at the last minute. Anne not only took part, she walked the whole length.

Cream Tea:
Mary Swann made contact with a school in The Gambia when she was on holiday there earlier this year. Mary was inspired to raise money to raise a roof for the school so that the children could continue to learn during the rainy season. This Sunday May 19 she is holding a fund-raising cream tea from 3-5pm at her 19 Westland Road home.

Pentecost Praise:
This Sunday May 19 is also Pentecost Sunday. To celebrate the birth of the Church, Knebworth Family of Churches is holding a United Pentecost Praise Service at 5.30pm in Trinity Church, Park Lane. All welcome - the theme is 'Call to Worship'.

School Fête:
St. Michael's School, London Road, Woolmer Green is planning fine weather this week-end. Their School Fête is this Saturday May 18 from 11am - 2.30pm. All welcome.

Put a spring in your step:
The bluebells are out, and Bramfield Woods should be a fine place to see them. Knebworth Walking Group certainly hope so, as their next walk on Tuesday May 21 sets off from the Grandison Arms. All welcome, including well-behaved dogs on leads. Meet in Knebworth Village Hall Car Park at 10am.

Photographic Exhibition:
Local photographer David Cole is joining forces with artists Denise Allen and Paul Ambler to mount an exhibition. The exhibition runs until June 30 at PS Arts Gallery, Mardleybury Farm, Mardleybury Road, Datchworth. David's contribution includes landscapes, sea scenes and abstract images. Part of the proceeds will go to the Isabel Hospice in Welwyn Garden City.

Habeas Corpus:
Speaking of the seaside, a reminder that KATS (Knebworth Amateur Theatrical Society) latest production starts a week today. They perform Alan Bennett's hilarious seaside comedy in the Village Hall from May 23-25, starting at 7.45pm. Not suitable for children, Box Office Village News, Station Road, or call Jo Simson on 01438 814166. Tickets £6.50, concessions £5.50.

Jo Simson

From Jo Simson - 9th May

Coffee Morning and Plant Sale:
A gardener's delight is on offer just up the road at St. Michael's, Woolmer Green this Saturday May 11 from 10am - 12noon. Annuals, perennials, herbaceous plants, vegetables and flowers will all be on sale. Teas, coffees and cake will also be available. Not only this, but a raffle and Bird Quiz complete the horticultural morning. All proceeds to Church funds. For more details contact Christine Allday on 716879.

Edna Channing:
A lovely lady, well-known in the village and loved by all who knew her, Edna was a good friend and neighbour to many. Sadly, she died suddenly on Saturday 27th April whilst in hospital. A lady of great faith, Edna was Superintendent of St. Martin's Junior Church for many years and sang in the worship group, Celebration. There will be a short service of committal at Harwood Park Crematorium at 11am on Tuesday 14th May for family and close friends followed at 11.45am by a Service of Thanksgiving for Edna's life, to which all are most welcome. There will be the opportunity during the service for people to share their memories of Edna. This will be followed by light refreshments in the Parish Centre.

Take a break and save a life:
The Blood Doning unit comes to the Village Hall in Park Lane next Tuesday May 14 from 1.15-3.30pm and 5-7.30pm. Though I miss the opportunity to take a lie down, the space age chairs still give us the chance to put our feet up while doing a good turn. Call 0100123 23 23 to make an appointment, or visit www.blood.co.uk. Or just turn up on the day.

Habeas Corpus:
KATS (Knebworth Amateur Theatrical Society) bring Alan Bennett's seaside comedy to the Village Hall stage Thursday to Saturday May 23-25 at 7.45pm. Written in the 1970s, it revolves around the lustful inclinations of Dr Arthur Wicksteed, General Practitioner of Hove, his family and others drawn on to his merry-go-round. These include: Arthur's wife, Muriel, frustrated and lusting after Arthur's old rival, Sir Percy Shorter, President of the BMA; Arthur's sister Constance, whose flat chest has always held her back; her intended, Canon Throbbing and Dennis, Arthur's hypochondriac son. At his best when dying from an obscure diseas, Dennis has a life-changing experience when he meets Felicity, newly-arrived from Rhodesia with her mother Delia, Lady Rumpers. Add to the mix appliance fitter Denzil Shanks, manic depressive Mr Purdue and Mrs Swabb - the char who tries to keep everyone on the straight and narrow - and you have an evening of outrageous hilarity. Not suitable for children, Box Office Village News, Station Road, or call Jo Simson on 01438 814166. Tickets £6.50, concessions £5.50.

Jo Simson

From Jo Simson - 2nd May

Polling Day:
Today is the day the versatile village Hall in Park Lane turns into a polling station from 7am-10pm. So you have plenty of time to vote for County Councillors. You have five candidates to choose from, representing the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrate, UK Independence and Green parties.

Hertfordshire Garden Show May 4-6:
Let's hope we can all get out in the garden this Bank Holiday Week-end. Up at Knebworth House there's a three day event offering everything to help us do it. Demonstrations, floral and craft marquees and a large range of plants and products are all on offer. Plus you get the chance for a cream tea on Bank Holiday Monday. The Park is open from 10am-5pm. Admission £9, family £32, 10% discount if booking online at Click Here.

Annual WI Meeting:
And on Wednesday May 8, if you're not all meetinged-out, you can pop along to the Annual Meeting of the WI in a third village hub, Trinity Church Hall at 7.45pm.

Put a Spring in your step:
Tuesday May 7 is the date to note if the Spring sunshine is tempting you out into God's good, fresh air. The Knebworth Walking Group will be taking a walk around Pegson (between Hitchin and Barton), stating and finishing at the Live and Let Live Pub. The walks are around 4-5 miles, although I gather the last one turned out to be over six! All welcome, including well-behaved dogs on leads. Meet in the Village Hall Car Park, in Park Lane at 10am to arrange car shares.

Dine Out Evening:
Saturday May 11 is the date you don't have to cook. A two course meal, quiz and raffle are on offer at the Dine Out Evening in St. Martin's Parish Centre in aid of Church funds. Dinner starts at 6.30pm with a choice of five main courses and four puds. The menu includes chicken and ham pie, beef casserole and roasted Mediterranean vegetable lasagne, with cheesecake and crumble amongst the desserts. All for just £10 a head. Bring your own drinks. Advance booking only via Penny Paton on 01438 313241.

Blood doning:
Having finished its stint as a polling station, and just before turning into a theatre, the Village Hall in Park lane takes on the guise of a blood doning centre on Tuesday May 14 from 1.15-3.30pm and 5-7.30pm. Call 0100123 23 23 to make an appointment, or visit www.blood.co.uk. Or just turn up on the day.

Jo Simson