A guide to community events going on in Bushey, Watford, Three Rivers and the Langleys.

WATFORD:

An England rugby player is visiting a bed store today. Billy Vunipola, who plays at back row for Saracens in the Aviva Premiership and England, will be at Dreams in Lower High Street to help launch a new mattress range. He will be there from 10am.

A weekend of discounts, giveaways and entertainment will be on offer to showcase businesses and encourage more visitors to the town. Shops, bars, clubs, restaurants, gyms and beauty salons have joined the Watford Weekender with discounts of up to 50 per cent. Created by Watford BID, a company funded by businesses in the town centre, the Watford Weekender is taking place this weekend in the town centre. For more information, visit: http://www.watfordforyou.org/weekender.

A jobs fair will take place at the Langley Banqueting Suite in the Parade, Watford, on Friday, October 7 between 10am and 2pm. The aim whole point of the event is to get people back into work. More than and we have over 25 companies will be attending.

Hertfordshire residents are now able to stay up to date with the latest information from the county council by email, on a range of topics. The new service is free and easy to use for subscribers, who can choose to receive information about issues ranging from roads and transport, to libraries and information for families with young children, plus many other subjects. To sign up for email updates please visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/updateme.

If you have a diagnosed respiratory condition or care for someone with such a condition, there is an event being held by Herts Valleys CCG and West Hertfordshire Community Respiratory Service on Thursday, October 13 from 2pm until 4pm at the Stanborough Centre in St Albans Road, Watford. If you would like to go, contact Sharon Alderman at Herts Valleys CCG on 01442 284028 or email sharon.alderman@hertsvalleysccg.nhs.uk

If you work with children and young people in Hertfordshire and have an idea for a project to boost their emotional health and wellbeing, bid for funding now. Organisations and groups can apply for up to £10,000 from the Innovation Fund. Schools, youth and community groups, charities, NHS, local councils and housing associations can all apply. A funding pot has been set aside as part of the transformation of mental health services for children and young people in Hertfordshire. Funding applications need to be submitted by Friday, October 28. Young people will be on the panel which decides bids. For more information and to download the application form, visit http://bit.ly/2cMjeDV_Inn_Fund.

Watford’s freshly restored bandstand is now open for bookings. Throughout the whole year community groups can book the bandstand, so local people can put on their own entertainment in the centre of the park. If you are looking for a space to perform, the bandstand might suit you. To apply, email cassiobury@watford.gov.uk, and say what your plans are and when you would like to use the bandstand.

Cyclists can get their bike security marked at cycle safety day in Watford. Organised by Watford Community Safety Partnership, the event in High Street will take place between 10am and 1pm on October 15. Officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team, Volunteer Police Cadets and British Transport Police will be there to security mark and register the bikes, as well as share safety advice with cyclists.

THREE RIVERS:

Book lovers are invited to the Chorleywood Litfest. Taking place between October 12 and 16, the festival will have nine authors visiting the Christ Church, Rickmansworth Road, to talk about their books. For more information go to www.chilternbookshops.co.uk.

A parish council magazine is looking for editing and production members. All Saints’ Croxley Green magazine requires new people to join its editorial, distribution and bundling, proof reading and delivery teams. For more information please email office@croxleygreenallsaints.org or call Wendy Shafe on 01923 441638.

BUSHEY:

A new seat is being installed within the lych gate at St John the Baptist Church in Aldenham for people to wait for their bus, thanks to Councillors David Lambert and Caroline Clapper, both from Aldenham West, who have each given £50 WIIS funding towards the cost.

Bushey Rose Garden is one of 11 sites in Hertsmere which has had its bid for a new special protective status given government backing. The list of local green spaces was given the thumbs up by a Government inspector earlier this month and, if approved by full council, is due to come into force later this year.

There will be a community fun day at Aldenham Country Park today between 11am and 4pm. The event will have a number of stalls and activities including dog demonstrations, a teddy bears’ picnic, best dressed teddy and history and nature walks.

Two public exhibition events are being held to explain more about Hertsmere Borough Council’s proposals to develop Radlett’s Newberries car park. The plans for the car park, which the council owns, are among a number of entrepreneurial projects across the borough being pursued in order to increase income from our assets, following a significant reduction in central government funding. The Newberries car park scheme will maintain and improve the existing car park provision and develop a premium food retail store and a hotel above the car park. Both Marks and Spencer and Travelodge have confirmed that they wish to enter into leases and operate from the development. The proposals are now sufficiently developed to start public consultation, so two exhibitions will be staged at The Radlett Centre in Aldenham Avenue on Monday October 10 and Thursday October 13 between 3pm and 8pm.

A planning meeting to decide the future of Aldenham Reservoir will take place in Hertsmere Borough Council offices in Borehamwood on Thursday, October 13. The meeting will start at 6pm.

LANGLEYS:

Knitting enthusiasts are being called to help raise money for Electric Umbrella this Autumn. The charity will provide knitting patterns featuring the umbrella logo. Finished hats will then be sold in November and December to raise funds for Electric Umbrella. For information on how to get involved, contact: mel@electricumbrella.co.uk or call 07452 806517.

There will be a dementia awareness information session at St Pauls Church in Chipperfield on Thursday, November 3. The session aims to increase understanding of dementia and help those that are affected by it in the area. It will start at 7.30pm in St Pauls Parish room. For more information contact Judy on 01923 263405 or email jpolney@btinternet.com Breakspeare Community Pre School will have a quiz night on Thursday, October 6 to raise funds for the school. To book, call 01923 274483 or email info@bscps.co.uk.

A Transition in Kings speaking circle for people to address issues and talk about things in Kings Langley will run at 36 Langley Hill. There is an optional donation of £1-2 towards the cost of the room. The session will run from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

To get into the spirit of autumn, Abbots Langley will be celebrating Applefest on Sunday, October 16 at School Mead. The free event will run from 11.00am to 3pm. Activities include apple bobbing, food stalls, a petting zoo, falconry display and live music.