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

WATFORD:

A supermarket hoping to reduce waste is calling on charities and community groups to register for their scheme. Tesco Express stores in Watford are hoping to give surplus to people in need, which will include fresh produce such as fruit, vegetables and bakery products. Meet, cheese and ready meals will also be available. The Community Food Connection with FoodShare FoodCloud will use an app to alert charities and groups that unsold food items are available at the end of the day. Interested parties should register at: www.fareshare.org.uk/fareshare-foodcloud.

Award-winning national charity Elevation Networks has won a contract to provide free training to owners and staff of small and medium sized businesses in Hertfordshire in the run up to Brexit. As part of a £5 million package they are looking to help businesses train their staff in the hospitality, retail and customer service industries, as well as charities. On offer are certificates in hospitality, leadership and management, use of social media, marketing, and entrepreneurship. An event has been organised to unveil how businesses can access this vital support. It is being held on Wednesday, February 22 between 10am and 1pm at Watford Central Library on Hempstead Road. Those interested can register at www.superchargebusiness.eventbrite.co.uk

Shannon Tarsey, a 10-year-old girl from Watford, is cutting her hair to raise money for the Little Princess Trust, a charity which provides free wigs to children undergoing cancer treatment. In addition to donating her own hair, Shannon has created a JustGiving page to raise money for the trust. So far she has raised £255, reaching 85 per cent of her £300 target. According to Shannon’s mother Laura Tyler, the 10-year-old hopes to help those her own age that have suffered from hair loss due to potent drugs and treatments against cancer.

The Watford & Three Rivers Trust Community Fund has given funding to Playskill – a charity working for children with disabilities and their families. Playskill is based in Watford, offering a free service across South Hertfordshire, running engaging groups for children and parents alongside paediatric, speech and language professionals. Playskill’s work helps parents raising children with disabilities, and gives education and support that has a positive effect on a child’s future.

During Fairtrade Fortnight 2017, Watford Friends of Salfeet will host a presentation featuring Taysir Arbasi, Zaytoun’s Palestinian director. Doors open at 7.20pm on Thursday, March 2 for a 7.30pm start. Admission is free, though a collection will be taken to cover hall hire costs and the speaker’s travelling expenses. People wanting to know more about the problems of farming in Palestine are also welcome.

THREE RIVERS:

A diamond expert will be sharing his knowledge at a charity event. Vivian Watson will be holding the talk on March 16, at Moor Park Mansion in Northwood. All money raised from the event will go to Mount Vernon Cancer Centre and a talk will be given by Dr Marcia Hall to raise awareness of female cancers. The event will include afternoon tea, a tour of the mansion, a performance by harpist Jemma Miller and a goody bag. Guests will also receive a professional portrait by Mikaela Morgan that will be sent following the event. To book tickets, call Marianne Louca on 020 3826 2516 or email: Marianne.louca@nhs.net.

Watford Observer:

Put your pedal power to the test in aid of Michael Sobell Hospice’s 40th anniversary. The On Your Bike annual cycling challenge involves a 40-mile cycle starting at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Rickmansworth Road, Northwood. The cycle takes place on May 14 and starts at 7.30am. For more information please visit: www.michaelsobellhsopice.co.uk or call 020 3826 2367.

Unpaid carers are invited to a new Chorleywood and Rickmansworth support group. The carers support hub is holding its first meeting on February 20, and is open to carers looking after a friend or relative who is elderly, disabled, ill or misuses drugs or alcohol. The carers will receive emotional support, practical tips and information. Carers can meet up and socialise and can hear from guest speakers from organisations. The group will meet from 10.30am to 12.30pm in the common room at Chorleywood War Memorial Hall, Common Road, Chorleywood. It will be held on the third Monday of each month.

Bridge players are being sought to help raise money for cancer diagnosis and research. A Northwood charity, which supports local people affected by cancer and other serious conditions, is calling on bridge players to join its tournament this March. The Bridge Drive, held at Moor Park Golf Club, will raise money for Paul Strickland Scanner Centre, an independent medical charity based at Mount Vernon Hospital in Northwood. The event will take place on March 22 at 11am. For more information, call 01923 844 920 or email appeals@stricklandscanner.org.uk.

Watford Observer: I READ with interest that the English Bridge Union did not succeed in their latest effort in court to secure the classification of bridge as a sport (“Bridge players lose latest stage of fight”, The Herald, January 20). We have come across the express

BUSHEY:

There will be a vegetarian lunch for those in need. The lunch will be held by St James’s Church Hall, in Bushey, on March 5 from 1pm to 4pm. This will then be held on alternative Sundays following on from the initial launch. Anyone who would like to join should contact Parul Joshi on 01923 630456.

Crown Honda Bushey Heath has announced the installation of a new defibrillator at its showroom in High Road. The Honda car dealer has recently enrolled its staff on updated first aid courses which is where four staff learnt about the dangers of unknown heart conditions. This prompted the team to ask management to install a defibrillator on site.

Watford Observer: BEST CHANCE A defibrillator

Little Reddings Primary School is holding a school fete in June and is looking for people to have a stall. Anyone who would like to sell items at the school fete should contact Shirley Clark at Little Reddings on 02089505388.

There will be an evening of clairvoyance on February 20 at 7.30pm at Bushey Rangers Football Club in Bournehall Lane, Bushey. All is welcome to attend.

There will be a talk on Tuesday February 21 at The Bushey Centre, in Bushey High Street, by Lester Hillman, who flew gliders from RAF Hendon. Mr Hillman will explore the influence of John Buchan and his book The 39 Steps. The talk will start at 8pm.

The Radlett Youth Council is organising a question and answer event with Oliver Dowden MP and a panel of guests on March 2 at 7pm at Edge Grove School, in Radlett, and places are still available for this free event. If you or your son or daughter is 11-18 year old and would like to attend email Claire Larkin on community@aldenham-pc.gov.uk with names, age, contact details and a question if they have one.

THE LANGLEYS:

Today sees the first parish council surgery of 2017. Cllr Alan Johnson and others will be on hand in High Street, Kings Langley High Street next to the Transition in Kings street market from about 10am, answering any queries and will have with them the latest care home plans and the Condolence Book for Graham Taylor’s family for people to sign.

Watford Observer: Ex Hornets boss Graham Taylor is delighted to support "wonderful" football tournament.

Kings Langley Panthers Netball Club is looking for players for the 2017 season. The club is currently looking for 10 year old girls and boys, 11, 12, 14 and 17 year old girls and ladies (over 18 years old). If you or someone you know is interested in joining our wonderful club please contact them via email at klpncregistrar@gmail.com. They are also looking for a couple more coaches for some of their junior teams. If you or someone you know would like to coach then please contact Rozlynne, the president, via email at klpncpresident@gmail.com. 

Angie Buxton King is running a Healing in Hospitals and Hospice workshop in Kings Langley on March 4 and 5, please contact Angie to book or for further details visit www.cancertherapies.org.uk.

  • Have you got events coming up? Email to news team at editor@watfordobserver.co.uk.