OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2026
As we say goodbye to the hottest summer on record and look to the colder, darker days of winter, we will be bringing back our home made soups
from 1st October.
We will also be offering our very popular baked potatoes once again! These can be pre-ordered each morning to save disappointment - just give us a call on 01582 461321.
Open from 8am daily, serving full breakfast, warming porridge and freshly made sandwiches.
In a rush for the train? Call us ahead of time and pre order a takeaway coffee, porridge bowl or sandwich!
Thank you for your custom and continued support.
Damien and the team
Thompson Close Cafe
OCTOBER 24 at CLARENDON FINE ARTS 1 - 3pm
Meet Sherry Valentine- Daines
View an exhibition of her latest work , from sophisticated society scenes to nostalgic childhood memories.
On the Harpenden High Street.
Oct 30 - Nov 1. Harpenden’s biggest indoor Art Exhibition.
October. Childrens competition to win a family day out at the Zoo. Organised by Travel Four Seasons on the Harpenden High Street.
Complete a form at TFS. Be amazed by the fabulous window graphics of wild animals to set the theme.
Oct 6.
Everyday Life in Inter-War Harpenden
Exhibition in the Museum in the Park
In 1986 the Harpenden History Society ran a competition for recollections of life in Harpenden before 1930. It attracted 20 contributions from as far afield as South Africa.
The exhibition in Harpenden’s Museum, on the lower floor of the Eric Morecambe Centre, on Everyday Life in Inter-War Harpenden draws on those memories as well as material from other sources, including the Society’s extensive photographic archive.
David Kendall, the Society’s archivist, said, “The exhibition provides a picture of what living in Harpenden was like in those days of growth between the World Wars, during which the Town doubled in size. The focus is on the High Street, Living and Working, Health and Childhood.”
Roger Butterworth, chairman, added, “During the period, the Waverley Silk Mill, formerly brewery, on the High Street, was demolished and was replaced by High Street Methodist Church, Woolworths (now the Library), Boots and Sainsbury’s first shop in the Town. When, in the 1960s, Sainsbury’s moved to their present site, Boots expanded into the space vacated.”
The exhibition, which runs to January, was conceived, researched and mounted by a team of volunteers led by David Kendall. The Museum, in the Eric Morecambe Centre, Rothamsted Park, on the lower floor, is usually open 11am-3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10.30am-3.30pm on Saturdays. Admission is free.
The Society is run by volunteers, with no governmental grant or subsidy. Membership of the Society helps to support the exhibitions. Members can attend the monthly talks given by local people on subjects of local interest. These are also open to the public; a voluntary donation of £5 is requested. Members also receive a hard copy of the regular newsletter, the current edition of which featuring the history of Harpenden’s Breweries is also available to read or download on the Society’s website: www.harpenden-history.org.uk
PHOTOS courtesy of the Harpenden History Society
Charabancs were in great demand for outings. This one was outside Reads Motor Works in Amenbury Lane. The Village Surgery is now on the site.
Poster for the Village Fair 1927
Dunckley, butcher, was at 7 Lower High Street. Likely now the site of Threads. The slaughterhouse was behind the shop, accessed from Station Road.
NOW OPEN in Harpenden.
Kalimera, Greek Bakery & Cafe
Owned and managed by husband and wife team JIM & ANDREA
Open daily 7am - 6pm
Freshly baked, home made from their own recipes.
On Leyton Rd facing the mini green
OCT 29. Children’s Halloween Event at Harpenden Library. MASK CRAFT
NOW OPEN in Harpenden.
BREAD AHEAD
92–94 High Street
open daily 7am - 6pm
More than just freshly baked artisan breads, coffee, croissants , doughnuts, pastries and pizza…an educational programme to teach local residents and school students the art of baking.
Bread Ahead opened it’s doors on Monday Oct 12 and judging by the queues and the full tables inside the spacious cafe it could already be considered a great success.
Their ethos has been established following several years of trading in London’s Borough Market and put simply: Products and People.
Well, it’s not that simple, of course.
They now have a supply chain of producers who deliver high quality ingredients to meet the demands for the best baked products. Their recipes have been refined to give superior flavour across every item. But that’s not all. They recruit and train their bakers to seek perfection in every product they make, not like a production line but with artistic flair.
Their sourdough starter is now 14 years old and called BRUCE.
And finally the service you receive every day…friendly, efficient and professional.
All from a family owned business where personal service counts and long-standing members of the team are given the opportunity to progress into ownership and share in the success of their bakery.
I was briefed by Reece on the company background and shown all round the impressive Harpenden location by the owner operator Emese, (below centre) watching the bakers in action. the serving staff and the comfortable seating areas. Take a look at the photos to see for yourself.
Why not pop in and see for yourself.
The educational programme will be introduced in the New Year, so more about that in a future editorial
Ron Taylor. Editor . Harpendia.
Sunday 25 October at 6:15 for 6:30 pm, UNA Harpenden will be holding a Church Service for UN Day with an address on What is Peace?
Reflections from a peacekeeper by Rhett Parkinson of Armed Forces Christian Union at St Nicholas Church, Church Green, Harpenden AL5 2TP. Register here for the service.
REMEMBRANCE DAY PARADE AND SERVICE
The Mayor will be laying a wreath on behalf of the Town at the Harpenden Remembrance Day Parade and Service on Sunday 8 November.
The Parade will move off from Rothamsted Park at 10.35am and the Service at the War Memorial will start at 10.50am.
Below is the Order of Service. For details of the Opening of the Field of Remembrance Ceremony, click here.
NOV 11. FREE Antiques, Jewellery, Fine Art and Watches Valuations event at the EMC 11am-1pm.
Hosted by Charles Hanson from BBC TV’s Antiques Roadshow.
Scary, spooky designs for Halloween
Halloween design in Threads window...dare to enter!
