Calendar

An afternoon organised around the two books, Baldock Voices and Baldock Scrapbook, which were compiled from interviews with people in Baldock in the 1990s. A wealth of detail on Baldock going back almost a century, with readings and photographs.

Come along and enjoy this tea dance where you will be able to take part in both ballroom and sequence dancing.

No previous experience is necessary, just turn up and join in the fun.

Come and join the family fun trail around Hartsfield School grounds. Lots of exploring and activities.  Everyone who completes the trail receives a prize!

Come along and support the URC and have a fun evening at the same time.

Refreshments will be available.

7.00pm for 7.30pm start
This is a light-hearted quiz for all abilities. Entry by form only – no entries accepted on the night as this is always a sell-out. The number of teams accepted is limited to 25, so send your entries in pronto! Licensed bar, waiter/waitress service.

The evening is a mixture of the Stevenage Male Voice Choir’s varied and extensive repertoire which covers all genres of music, including show songs, popular standards, blues, spirituals and some religious and opera pieces. So there is something for everyone.

1. A Cole Porter Medley (full)
2. I Got Rhythm
3. Fields of Gold
4. Kumbayah
5. Stout Hearted Men
6. Autumn Leaves
7. Ben Ward piano solo
8. Heat of my Hearts
9. The Show must go on
10. Stormy Weather
11. Some Enchanted Evening
12. The Rose
13. Ben Solo
14. An American Trilogy
15. Skylark
16. Salut d’amour
17. Over the Rainbow
18. 60 Years of Harmony
19. Gwahoddiad

Do you like making tea time treats, especially scones,biscuits, small and large cakes?

You are invited to take part in the Big Baldock Tea Time.

Bring your choice of one or more of the four categories down to the Baldock Community Centre from 10am onwards to be judged by Clive Draper, the bakery manager of Days of Ashwell at 12 noon.

There are two groups Adult and Child (under 13), each with a prize for first and second places given by Days of Ashwell

When the judging is over you might want to sell what you have made slices or individual items in aid of the Sue Ryder  or take them home.

Entry forms can be obtained from and then returned to the Community Centre.

The Annual Book Fair will take place again in the Community Centre in aid of Garden House Hospice

Come and pick up a bargain at the Festival’s Big Book Sale.

If you would like to donate books, in good condition only, please leave them in the box in the Community Centre coffee bar or, if you live on Clothall Common, phone Marilyn on 641663 and she will collect them from you.

Also at North Road Allotment site

Visit BALGA’s Allotments Open Day at our allotment sites in Baldock to find out more about renting an allotment to grow your own fruit and vegetables. Or come along for a chat and advice about growing at home in your garden and discover the benefits you can enjoy from being a member of Baldock Allotment and Leisure Gardeners’ Association.

For more information visit http://www.balga-online.co.uk

 or email publicity@balga-online.co.uk

Join us on Saturday 12th May for Love your yarn shop day at wool-n-things.

To celebrate we will be having an event at the shop. There will be lots of activities to try and a YARN SALE!!
There will also be tea/coffee and cake.
Come along and try something new or just for a cuppa, cake and chat 🙂

Also at Clothall Road allotment site.

Visit BALGA’s Allotments Open Day at our allotment sites in Baldock to find out more about renting an allotment to grow your own fruit and vegetables. Or come along for a chat and advice about growing at home in your garden and discover the benefits you can enjoy from being a member of Baldock Allotment and Leisure Gardeners’ Association.
For more information visit www.balga-online.co.uk or email publicity@balga-online.co.uk

Buy your bingo cards on the night and come and have a fun evening.

Bar will be open, proceeds to the Community Mini Bus

Come along to watch The Eurovision Song Contest. Dress up to represent the countries of your choice, there will be opportunities to bet on the result and prizes will be given out!

Free event but please call The Orange Tree directly if you want to reserve a table (01462 892341)

Mike O’Neill, who taught piano and jazz at Knights Templar School for more than 20 years, leads his big band, ‘The Mobb’, an ensemble of local players, in a programme of swing and jazz, featuring music from the movies.

Do come and join us and help us to raise funds for the next phase of the restoration. Pay bar and complimentary canapes.

Perfect for any gin-lover, and those who would like to discover the pleasure. This year the tasting will be run by enthusiasts from the Festival Committee. You will be invited to sample up to six unusual, fine gins starting by sampling their aromas to detect the botanicals used and moving through the subtleties they contribute to the final taste and what you should garnish your drink with for maximum enjoyment. A firm favourite from last year’s Festival come and join this gin extravaganza. There are only 80 tickets available so come to buy early!

Ability Level: A fair level of fitness, those looking to improve their off-road ability and learn some routes.
Baldock MTB will provide a guided ride, tuition and tips and tricks to both improve your skills and your confidence when mountain biking. Starting at the Orange Tree, Norton Road, Baldock at 09:00 riders will be guided around local cycling routes, off the beaten track, being given opportunities to explore some interesting off-road routes, picking up tips and tricks from experienced mountain bikers. The distance covered during the session will be approx. 20-25 miles. Riders will finish back at the Orange Tree between 12 and 1pm (dependent upon experience and speed). This event is suitable for riders aged 13 and over (Children under 16 years must be supervised by a cycling adult and capable of the distance).

All riders are must wear cycling helmets and are responsible for providing their own cycles in good working order.

Friends of Baldock Green Spaces conservation task: Weston Hills 10am-3:30pm meet Woodland Way entrance at 10am. Join us for an hour or more to help your local green space be a great place for wildlife and walks. Path clearance, litter picking and more! Tools and hot drinks provided. All welcome but children with a responsible adult please. More info from Phil 07817 801616

NHDC archaeologist Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews will be available to identify any odds and ends you have found in your garden or elsewhere. Metal detectorists welcome. The Museum is also open for normal viewing with the chance, perhaps, to see a treasure being brought in!

Meet outside Community Centre, Simpson Drive, 2.15am for 2.30 start (NB: This is a morning walk)

Jane Havercroft will take you on a 2 hour, 1.5 mile stroll around the back lanes and footpaths in the town centre to discover their history. All on tarmac so accessible to most mobility scooters; possibly too much traffic for small children and dogs. This popular walk was sold out last year so it has been decided to repeat it to give those who missed it a chance to take part this year.

Also on Sunday 6th and Monday 7th May

Bring the kids down for a fun and eductional lesson in the art of Pizza Making!! Learn from our profesionally trained Pizza Chefs, and enjoy eating something that you created!

Arrive from 16:00, kids will be given pizza dough and a range of toppings will be provided.  Create your own pizza, get it cooked in our wood-fired oven and then  eat your delicious creation.

Come and sample 5 exciting lagers from around the world accompanied by classical Italian nibbles.  We will introduce each drink and share it’s history with you.

Grab a seat from 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start

When you have found your favourite beer you are welcome to stay and buy a few more at the bar.

Ability level: Beginners welcome.
Baldock MTB will provide guided tours of the Greenway showing cyclists new to the route a number of exciting areas just off the beaten track to test your riding skills. Starting at the Orange Tree, Norton Road, Baldock at 19:00 riders will be guided around the Greenway being given opportunities to explore some interesting alternative routes, picking up tips and tricks from experienced mountain bikers. Riders will finish back at the Orange Tree between 20:00 and 21:30 (dependent upon experience) having covered approx. 15 miles. This event is suitable for all riders aged 13 and over (Children under 16 years must be supervised by a cycling adult). All riders are must wear cycling helmets and are responsible for providing their own cycles in good working order. Lights will be needed, depending on finish times and detours taken lights may be required towards the end of the ride (and to get home after being refreshed).

North Hertfordshire’s archaeologist, Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews, will be looking at what happened to the site of the old town following its abandonment by the Romans, trying to work out where everyone went and why it’s not apparently recorded in Domesday Book. He will look at archaeological evidence, place names and what few documents survive from the period.

This mini-bus tour will take you on a mystery trip around the local area, followed by refreshment.

Seats must be pre-booked as they are limited to 13, but there are other trips on May 8 and 17.

Two sittings: 6.00pm to 8.00pm and 8.00pm to 10:00pm

Indian food is cooked a little differently at home where there is less of a time restriction opposed to in a restaurant where lots of different dishes need to be produced to a tight time frame.

At home food is usually cooked in a hotpot and left to simmer over an extended period to allow all the juices of the meats and vegetables to remain in the sauce and fuse together to create some great flavours.

On this special night we will be serving these dishes as a buffet so you can try a variety of dishes.

There will be a good selection of vegetarian dishes too.

Book your tickets now and we look forward to seeing you on the night.

As normal get in early to be seated in a group otherwise you could making new friends.

The Stotfold Salvation Army Band will play a medley of tunes and hymns to delight and entertain you.

Refreshments will be served in the interval.

The White Lion is pleased to present a tasting evening of fine French cuisine with matched wines. The evening will be run as a tasting evening where our local French chef will create and discuss a range of contemporary and classic meat, fish and vegetarian small plates which will be tasted, and savoured, by the guests. The food flavours and tastes will be perfectly matched and blended as guests sample a range of complementary, classic and new French wines. This is an evening not to be missed and a first for the Baldock Festival. Please state when booking if you are vegetarian.

Fun music quiz with questions on music from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 00’s and 10’s. Play your two jokers on your two favourite decades for extra points.

Cash prizes

Everyone is most welcome to attend this coffee morning and ‘Bring and Buy’ to raise funds for Christian Aid.

Last chance to see this display!

A well-illustrated display about garages, cars and the open road in the heyday of motoring. Visitors will also have the opportunity to look through albums of old photographs of Baldock.

See also Sunday 6th May and Wednesday 16th May

Baldock Horticultural Society are pleased to be hosting a gardening talk by Anne Swithenbank who is a trained horticulturist, freelance gardening broadcaster and writer. She trained at Royal Botanical Gardens Kew and was Glasshouse supervisor at RHS Wisley.

Time: Doors open 7.00 for 7.30pm start

Horticultural Society members can obtain tickets at meetings.

The Baldock and Letchworth Folk Club presents Tildon Krautz.

Originally from Brooklyn NYC, this old-time travelling band delivers a classy mixture of original and traditional rootsy sounds, encompassing bluegrass, oldtime folk, jazz and blues.

Tickets £10 on the door or in advance by calling The Orange Tree.

This mini-bus tour will take you on a mystery trip around the local area, followed by refreshment.

Seats must be pre-booked as they are limited to 13, but there are other trips on May 8 and 15.

7.30pm for 8.00pm start

A tasting of 6 rare and unusual whiskies that are not usually available to the public. These will be incredible whiskies and the ticket price reflects this.

Bring your boots, you’ll be walking home too!

Strictly for over 18s only. Attendees are advised to eat before attending and not to drive after the event.

Sponsored by Diageo.

Come along and enjoy this Festival Community Lunch; three courses for just £12.00.

There will be a choice of meat, fish or a vegetarian dish. Remember to fill in the form stating your preference when you buy your ticket.

The bar will be open at 12.00noon so that you can enjoy a drink with your meal

Come and enjoy an exciting mix of real ale, cider, and an eclectic selection of gin whilst you enjoy live music and street food. End the festival with a swing.

FREE entry

The Baldock Community Orchestra is an orchestra open to players of all ages and abilities in the North Herts area, and aims to be inclusive, welcoming, and fun for players and audience alike. The programme will include a variety of music from classical pieces to light operetta and modern favourites.

We rehearse every Thursday evening at Knights Templar School in Baldock 7.15pm – 8.45pm during term times.  We’re always on the lookout for more musicians to join us, so whether you have a piccolo, a double bass or any other instrument, we’d be very pleased to welcome you along – just turn up and say hello.

This variety concert, staged by Herts Variety, will include lots of songs for you to join in with.  The concert will be in aid of charity.

I know lots of you missed us at Christmas so I hope you will join us during the Festival where all the money raised from the shows will go to the Garden House Hospice. Dorrie Randall will be available for orders on 01462 628219 or you can get tickets at Baldock Community Centre.

See also Saturday 19th May

The Baldock Street fair is one of the must attend days in the Calendar, with stalls and free shows down the high street and around town.

Fifty craft and local charity stalls (with many stallholders in costume!) to celebrate the Royal Wedding. Free drinks will be available for those who dress up to celebrate the Royal Wedding. Visit the Festival Stall for a free drinks voucher. (While Vouchers last)

The Baldock Street Fair Highlights Throughout the day:

• ‘Tricky Micky’ will be giving five 30-minute performances which will include a Punch and Judy show, Magic Show and Ronnie Rabbit Puppet.
• LEG II AVG – A leading Roman living history group, who have done countless TV Documentaries and provided props for film and TV, will be setting up camp in the High Street for the day.  Their latest documentary with which they were involved – Epic Warrior Women Gladiatrix – won an award at Cannes for best historical accuracy and re-enactments.  Come and meet fiercesome gladiators and soldiers!
• Fairground rides. James Harris will again be bringing his fairground rides to delight the children.
• School Choirs from Hartsfield JMI School and St John’s Catholic Primary School will perform during the day. There will also be traditional maypole dancing from Hartsfield School.
• Zumba display in the arena too.
• Pupils for the Andrews School of Dance will be performing

During the day judges will be visiting all the stalls to choose the one they think has most entered into the spirit of the day by dressing up to represent a period of Baldock’s past, and awarding a cash prize.

(Sponsored by Baldock Community Association.)

Large Hall
Baldock Society
The Baldock Society will display old photos of Baldock in the Community Centre as part of the Street Fair. Come and find out more about the Society and what they have achieved for Baldock over the past year.

Baldock Country Market

Normally found at The Cock on a Friday morning,  Baldock’s local friendly Country Market will be in the Community Centre with locally made cakes, cookies, jams, fresh seasonal vegetables and free range eggs as well as hand-made crafts.

Tracey’s Kitchen
You will also be able to buy jacket potatoes, ploughman’s lunches etc at lunchtime in the large hall. The bar will also be open.

Refreshments
Tea and coffee will be available in the coffee bar from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

New display looking at the history, trade and culture of the Roman town of Baldock based on the latest research; illustrated with finds from the numerous archaeological excavations that have taken place here. Display courtesy of NHDC Archaeology Department. Also second-hand history books for sale and an opportunity to look through albums of old Baldock photographs.

St Mary’s Church Hall, (Behind the Church in the Churchyard).

The St Mary’s Church Coffee Bar has been going strong for over 30 years, serving Baldock with a selection of Coffee and Cakes every Wednesday and Saturday from 10am to 12.00pm.

As part of the Street Fair Day the Coffee Bar will have extended opening to 4pm.

Weather permitting

Children must be over eight years of age and, if under 16 years, must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Sensible footwear must be worn. All proceeds to Church Restoration Funds. The main area of the church will also be open for free for people to look round.

Subject to weather there may also be additional events taking place – see facebook.com/StMaryTheVirginBaldock for more info.

An intense exercise routine designed to test and strengthen your whole body! Come and try, FOR FREE, the popular exercise class available at Knights and North Herts Leisure Centre. All you need is to wear some exercise clothes and bring some water and you can burn some calories before enjoying the delights of The Street Fair.

Entry by ticket only available at Baldock Community Centre. Max 25

Hosted by Baldock Midnight Morris, this Day of Dance will take place on the High Street and at other venues around the town. These traditional Morris sides and other groups from all over the east of England will bring music, dance, fun and colour to add to the fantastic atmosphere of the Street Fair.

There will be a number of History Tours of the Church. There will be 2 tours one at 11am and one at 3pm.

Come and join us for a Royal Wedding Garden Party in our beautiful garden.  We will be serving homemade cream teas, sandwiches and cakes. There will also be a traditional childrens games hall in the church, so try your luck at splat a rat, tin can alley, pin the crown on the queen and many more.  Come along and join the fun!

An intense exercise routine designed to test and strengthen your whole body! Come and try, FOR FREE, the popular exercise class available at Knights and North Herts Leisure Centre. All you need is to wear some exercise clothes and bring some water and you can burn some calories before enjoying the delights of The Street Fair.

Entry by ticket only available at Baldock Community Centre. Max 25

We have all looked up at the night sky and marvelled at the stars and the moon swirling above us. Some of us may have used binoculars or a telescope to look in more detail.

But how many of us have looked at the sun?

Not very many………..Why?

Well, it’s very bright, hurts your eyes, and if you put a lens in the way will burn and start fires! It’s dangerous!

Letchworth and District Astronomical Society (LDAS) in conjunction with The Baldock Festival have organised a solar viewing day to change this!

Come along between12:00 and 16:00 when there will be specialist equipment and members of LDAS available to let you look at the sun safely and join the small group of people who have observed the sun!

This variety concert, staged by Herts Variety, will include lots of songs for you to join in with.  The concert will be in aid of charity.

I know lots of you missed us at Christmas so I hope you will join us during the Festival where all the money raised from the shows will go to the Garden House Hospice. Dorrie Randall will be available for orders on 01462 628219 or you can get tickets at Baldock Community Centre.

Licensed bar

See also Friday 18th May

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Come and join us for a chilled out evening listening to cool acoustic covers from the talented local singer Roxy Searle.

The ever growing Baldock Classic Car Show will once again be part of Baldock Festival and is open to any vehicle over the age of 20 years old and ‘interesting’ newer vehicles are also welcome. As usual we will have of prizes on offer awarded by our expert judges for best in class. We will have a BBQ with quality burgers and bacon sandwiches, a Cider Bar run by Apple Cottage, teas and coffees provided by Baldock Arts & Heritage Centre with cakes on sale by the Brownies/Guides. All the proceeds from this event will be going to charity so please if you are just spectating please donate some money to the charity boxes as all the team are working for free.

• • Classic Bikes and Commercials welcome
  • Parking Starts from 10:00 and the runs from 11:00-16:00
  • Brown and Gammons will opening their doors for you to take a look around.
  • Entry price for displaying a vehicle will be a minimum of a £2.00 donation per vehicle and is payable upon your arrival.
  • If you can pre-enter for this event, as entry will be on a first come basis with entry forms getting priority.
  • Forms will be available on the day to be completed or download one from this website.

Car Show Entry Form 2018

• Prizes have been donated by Baldock Independent Beer Festival and Apple Cottage Cider.
• Don’t forget that the open gardens event is on the same day, so can take a look around some of the splendid Baldock hidden gems.

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All proceeds will go support the running and development of Baldock Arts & Heritage Centre.

New display looking at the history, trade and culture of the Roman town of Baldock based on the latest research; illustrated with finds from the numerous archaeological excavations that have taken place here. Display courtesy of NHDC Archaeology Department. Also second-hand history books for sale and an opportunity to look through albums of old Baldock photographs.

Also the last chance to see The Motor Trade in Baldock

Also on May 19th

Another chance to look around some of Baldock’s hidden gardens.

• Organised by Baldock Rotary Club
• The opportunity to enjoy gardens large and small
• Take refreshments in the courtyard at Templars (between 2.00pm and 4.00pm)
• Listen to the Bygrave Handbell Ringers

Details of the gardens open and a map will be provided when you buy your ticket. A mini bus will operate to and from Templars to gardens on a requested basis.

All proceeds from this event will go to the charitable causes that Rotary is supporting throughout the year.
http://www.baldockrotary.co.uk

https://twitter.com/BaldockClub

The CWGQ is a group of around twenty-five singers and instrumentalists, performing the distinctive psalms, hymns, anthems and carols that were sung in the west galleries of English country churches in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Cream teas and Pimms (and other refreshments)

Powering Victorian London: the use of steam-powered hydraulics in the docks, industry and other surprising places.

Baldock Museum & Local History Society talk by Anthony King of H.M. Tower of London