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

WATFORD:

January 23 to 27 is Family Mediation Week. Organised by the Family Mediators Association (FMA), the aim is to raise awareness of mediation as an alternative to court battles for separating couples. Evolve Family Mediation, based in Watford, wants to help and support people who are separating, and also let other people know that family mediation is an option they can suggest to friends or family members who are separating and who don’t know where to go for help, and who incorrectly believe that going to court is the only option.

This year’s Watford Rotary Christmas collection raised £12,000, a 20 per cent increase on last year. Hitesh Tailor, president of Watford Rotary, expressed his thanks for an amazing response from the public. Money was also raised from the traditional driving of the rotary sleigh around the streets of Watford, which is always a highlight for local children.

Watford Observer: Father Christmas to tour Watford streets in Rotary Club of Watford's annual festive float

Hertfordshire County Council is running a drop-in session about adoption and fostering. The session will be held at the Mercure Watford Hotel, in North Western Avenue, Watford, on Saturday, January 14, from 10.30am to 1.30pm. All adopters must be over 21. For more information, call 0800 917 0925 or visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/fostering.

A number of health walks will be taking place around Watford this month as part of a countywide programme of free, led walks, helping people get outdoors more. They depart from a variety of locations, including Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Cassiobury Park, Croxley Green Harvester, King George Recreation Ground and Abbots Langley High Street.

The Wheelchair Dance Sport Association (WDSA (UK)) is holding a grand opening of Watford’s newest dance studio, @Studio524, on Wednesday, January 18. The grand opening is open to all at the Lemarie Centre for Charities, 524 St Albans Road. Starting at 1pm, there will be showcase dances and a chance to have a go at inclusive dance yourself.

The third annual Hertfordshire Food and Drink Awards has been launched with a call from the organisers to the public to nominate thier favourite venues now. Firstly, until February 20, customers are urged to nominate their favourite venues. Voting will then take over from the nominations and continue until April 24. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in June. Nominations must be made via www.hertsfoodanddrinkawards.co.uk

THREE RIVERS: 

People of all ages are invited to netball sessions. All the classes, which are run by Three Rivers District Council, will be held at the William Penn Leisure Centre in Shepherds Lane, Mill End. For 11 to 14 year olds, the sessions will be held every Wednesday between 4.30pm and 5.30pm and are free for the first six weeks. For adults, the classes are on every Monday between 1.45pm and 2.45pm and cost £2 per session. And walking netball classes, which involve playing the same game only at a slower pace, will be held every Tuesday between 12.30pm and 1.30pm and also cost £2. The classes started this week. For more information call 01923 776 611 or email leisure@threerivers.co.uk.

Watford Observer: Netball players in action at South Wilts

A free property marking event is being held in Croxley Green this Sunday to help residents keep their belongings more secure.The event will take place outside the Red Cross centre in Barton Way, between 10am and 12.30pm. Due to a recent increase in the bicycle thefts, police are urging people to get them marked, however, any other property is also welcome. 

Mount Vernon Cancer Centre based in Northwood is appealing for volunteers. With a growing team of volunteers, it helps improve the experience of cancer patients and their carers. There are roles to suit everyone, from behind the scene administration to gardening, from patient feeder to patient hairdresser. Mount Vernon is always looking for people to offer patient support, this may be to meet and greet patients, read and chat to patients. Call the centre on 0203 8262515.

An annual quiz returns to Sarratt. The Grand Quiz Night will be held at Sarratt Village Hall, on The Green, on January 21. The event starts a 7.30pm with Peter and Trish Clements as the quizmasters. The quiz raises funds to help with the upkeep, maintenance and improvements to the village hall. Tickets cost £7.50 per person with a maximum of ten per team. For more information, call Colin Plummer 01923 263 123 or email colin.plummer@btinternet.com.

BUSHEY:

On January 22, St Paul’s Church in Bushey will hold its Patronal Festival at 6.30pm. The evening service will conclude the week of prayers for Christian Unity.

There will be a tribute concert held to remember the life of George Michael. The concert will take place on February 23 at Bushey Meads School – the school the popstar attended. Following his death on Christmas Day, the Bushey community wanted to celebrate the life of the Last Christmas star.

Watford Observer: George Michael has said it was 'incredible' to be touring US

The next AGM meeting for the Bushey Forum will be held on January 17 at 7pm The meeting will start at 7.30pm at the Bushey Centre, High Street, Bushey.

THE LANGLEY'S

The Henderson Hub in Abbots Langley has announced more films it will be showing until the end of March. The next film to be shown in The Hub, in Henderson Hall, High Street, is Anthropoid on January 20. This will be followed by Bridget Jones’s Baby, Swallow and Amazons, The Magnificent Seven, A Street Cat Named Bob and The Girl on The Train. And later in the season, it will be playing Sully, Fantastic Beasts and Allied. For dates and times, visit www.henderson-hub.org.uk/whats-on or call 01923 444 619.

A parish council is holding a photography competition. Kings Langley Parish Council will be allowing submissions throughout February with the winner chosen in March at the annual parish meeting The subject for the competition is Living in Kings Langley. The theme is open to interpretation but the photo must be taken within the boundaries of Kings Langley. Only residents living in Kings Langley can compete. Each entry should be marked with: name, address, telephone number, email address, age category and where photo was taken. Entries should be sent to: Kings Langley Parish Council, Charter Court, Vicarage Lane, Kings Langley WD4 9HR. The competition closes at midnight on Monday 27 February 2017. For more information, visit: http://www.kingslangley-pc.gov.uk/.

Watford Observer: Watford Camera Club publicity officer Jaffer Bhimji said membership is booming.

The Henderson Hub is looking for volunteers. The hub, in High Street, Abbots Langley, is looking to extend its range of activities and events for the village residents. On Wednesday, January 18, there will be a volunteers’ social evening to hear about the ways you can get involved and talk to others who have been involved so far. The Hub is looking for volunteers in the art gallery, theatre and cinema, coffee shop and general maintenance. The social evening starts at 7.45pm. For more information, call 01923 601 280.