Harpenden Society

23/06/2026

🚨 River Lea Sewage Pollution – A Growing Concern

🌿 The River Lea is one of Harpenden's most valuable natural assets. Protecting it should be a priority and yet East Hyde works discharged untreated sewage into the River Lea for 353 hours in 2024, with almost 70 hours recorded in the latest six-month reporting period.

👨👩👧👦 Concerns are growing about the impact on wildlife and on people using the river, particularly children who paddle and play in the Lea during the summer.

🏗️ Thames Water is expanding the Piggottshill Lane treatment works to support future housing growth, but questions remain about whether enough capacity will be delivered in time.

For more information read the full article in our latest newsletter https://www.harpendensociety.org/Newsletters.html

19/06/2026

🚔 Have your say on proposed police force mergers.

The Government is considering reducing the number of police forces and the changes could affect how policing is organised and delivered in Harpenden.

Supporters say larger forces could improve efficiency and tackle serious crime more effectively but others are concerned about maintaining a strong local focus in smaller towns and rural communities.

🗓️ The consultation closeure extendend to 28th June 2026.

👉 Read more at www.harpendensociety.org/LatestNews.html

15/06/2026

🌟 A huge thank you to everyone who spoke at and attended last week's Harpenden Society "Soil to Supper" public meeting.

🌱 Following an appropriately brief AGM, we heard from Andre Lussmann founder and owner of the ever popular , restaurants who shared what sustainability means to him and how it is embedded throughout the culture of his restaurant business.

🥕 We then welcomed Allison Wren from , who explained the history of community food production and how FoodSmiles has brought this concept up to date, delivering benefits for your wallet, your health, and your mental wellbeing.

🙏 Many thanks also to for keeping everything running to time and to for capturing some excellent photos of the evening.

To make sure you don’t miss out on the next event please join the society https://www.harpendensociety.org/JoinUs.html

11/06/2026

📢 How easy is it for Harpenden students to get their first job?

⏰A survey by the Harpenden Society highlights the challenges many young people face when looking for work;
🔹 Limited local opportunities and high competition
🔹 Employers often prefer candidates with experience
🔹 Balancing part-time work with studies can be stressful
🔹 Some students work up to 16 hours a week while preparing for exams

🔄 Many young people feel caught in a cycle: employers want experience, but gaining experience requires getting a job first.

For more detail, and our recommendations, please read the Summer 2026 edition of the Harpenden Society Newsletter https://www.harpendensociety.org/Newsletters.html



Image designed by Magnific www.magnific.com

08/06/2026

🌱 Free public Meeting – From Soil to Supper 🍽️

Join local restaurant owner, Andrei Lussmann, as he shares insights from 24 years of serving sustainable, affordable food while navigating rising costs and competition.
🥕 PLUS FoodSmiles who will showcase how their initiatives connect communities through locally grown food.
📍 Methodist Church, High Street Harpenden
🕢 7.30pm, Thursday 11th June 2026
🎟️ To book your seat visit www.harpendensociety.org/LatestNews.html

02/06/2026

🌱 Free Public Meeting – From Soil to Supper 🌱

Join FoodSmiles, a Community Benefit Society based in Harpenden and St Albans, which encourages people to grow and eat more sustainable local food by building a thriving community of food growers.

🥕 Making local food and food-growing more accessible
🤝 Bringing people together and sharing skills
🌿 Supporting sustainable local food production
🍅 Creating new sources of locally grown food

⭐ Plus special Guest: Andrei Lussmann

Hear from local restaurant owner Andrei Lussmann, who will share insights from 24 years of serving sustainable, affordable food while navigating rising costs and increasing competition.

📍 Methodist Church, High Street, Harpenden
🗓️ Thursday 11 June 2026
🕢 7.30pm

🎟️ Free admission – www.harpendensociety.org/LatestNews.html

31/05/2026

30/05/2026

New in 2026, Harpenden Festival promises to be an incredible, vibrant celebration!

Entrance is free, there'll be plenty to do, see, eat and enjoy, and everyone is welcome!

You can expect an action packed day with fantastic live entertainment, a main music stage featuring live bands, a stage showcasing talented local acts, our family zone packed with activities, street entertainment and walkabout performers. Ferret racing, a climbing wall and circus skills plus much more will be on offer to entertain. Bar areas and refreshment zones, a wide variety of stalls and traders and delicious hot food will all help to complete the day.

**The Harpenden Beer Festival*** is now confirmed to take place during this event, beginning on Friday and running through to Saturday! Further information will be announced soon. Find out more as it's announced:https://harpenden.gov.uk/events-and-markets/events/event-2324?date=2026-09-05

27/05/2026

🏥 Great news for local healthcare

The Harpenden Society is delighted to see exciting progress at St Albans City Hospital:
✅ The new Community Diagnostics Centre is now open
✅ The Surgical Centre is being prepared for patients
✅ Construction of the new Endoscopy Unit is underway

For more information visit https://www.harpendensociety.org/LatestNews.html