April e-newsletter

The animals will be taking centre stage at Willows Activity Farm, near London Colney, this Easter with shows, races and demonstrations to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays.

The annual Easter Extravaganza event (1st - 17th April) sees the launch of the new Animal Show Stage where everyone can enjoy the daily sheep show, get up close and personal with Animal Encounters and watch milking demonstrations of cows, sheep and goats.

Back by popular demand is pig racing at the Animal Race Track where visitors can back their favourite to 'bring home the bacon'.

It wouldn't be Easter without eggs and Willows' Easter Garden will be choc-o-bloc with colourful wooden eggs for children to find and exchange for real chocolate ones to take home.

The Easter Bunny will also be on hand to meet and greet visitors and will be performing the Bunny Hop dance for younger guests to join in with at regular intervals throughout the day.

A packed programme of literary events is being presented by Hertfordshire Libraries throughout April and May - including the chance to hear the family of Call the Midwife author Jennifer Worth talk about her books.

Further events include: appearances and talks by authors Stephen Booth, Dorothy Koomson and Mike Carey; as well as broadcaster Alison Weir, who will give a talk on her latest novel based on the life of Anne Boleyn. There is also the opportunity to take afternoon tea with writer Rowan Coleman and an author panel will be held by the Romantic Novelist Association.

Adult author talks kick off on Wednesday 19th April at Abbots Langley Library with the Call the Midwife event, while James Runcie will talk about his Grantchester series at Hemel Hempstead Library in the evening; and if you prefer factual talks there will be The Krays with James Morton, astronomy with Stuart Clark, Louise Allen on Jane Austen and the Georgian seaside, cake decorating

Following a successful launch in September 2016, TFN Herts (formerly TFN St Albans) is returning on Thursday 8th June for another fundraising evening at the Rothamsted Conference Centre.

TFN Herts are accepting applications from local charities or community groups in need of funding for the chance to bid to TFN Herts fundraisers at their June event. If you know of any inspirational Hertfordshire based projects who could make good use of £3,000 to £5,000 please do let them know.

The deadline for applications is noon Thursday 20th April. Please note the application form will disable after this time.

Prospective candidates can apply via this website

All projects are required to have a sponsor but you do not have to have confirmed your sponsor at the time of submitting the application.

Residents in the St Albans District have only a few days left to register to vote for important local elections. People wanting to vote in the elections to Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) must be registered by midnight on Thursday 13 April.

The ballot takes place on Thursday 4 May with all 78 seats up for election including ten in the St Albans District.

HCC has a wide range of responsibilities including social care, education, roads and libraries. Anyone who is not already registered to vote can do so in just a few minutes online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Residents not wishing to register online can request a paper copy of the form from the local registration office on [email protected] or by phone on 01727 819294.