Saturday 27 September. This year unfortunately EAT Feast are unable to join us during the festival week itself but will come to town a week later when we look forward once again to an alfresco dining experience!

4.00 to 9.00pm Eat Feast street food with bar and music in the High Street Shefford. Contact Eat Feast on Facebook

10.00-4.00 Shefford Art Exhibition at the Community Hall. Shefford Art Society is 50 years old this year – visitors are welcome with free entrance – tea, coffee and cakes available. Contact Kath Smith, 07989 469 785 or 01462 812265 or [email protected]

10.30 – 3.30 at the Bowls club annual Bowls Finals and open day. Members of Shefford Bowls Club have been battling it out through many rounds to reach the finals of our Club Competitions.
Over 4 sessions, we will see the finals of Men’s, Ladies and mixed competitions taking place. Come along to watch and support. Free tea and coffee available.

10.45 Messy Harvest service at the Baptist Church with special guest – Rev. Dr. Dave Gregory, a Baptist minister with a background in scientific research at the Met Office – he is an experienced science-faith communicator and Messy Church leader, working with families, schools, and churches. Contact Erica Bowler <[email protected]>

12.30 Community Lunch at the Baptist Church, following the Messy Harvest service with Rev. Dr. Dave Gregory

18:30 – 20:00 – Beginners Tai Chi at the Community Hall. Gentle exercises each week focusing on balance and mobility – with a tea and biscuit break! Contact Ian on mobile: 07860 218334 E-mail: [email protected]

Moving into our second weekend we have a great selection of activities to suit all age groups – it starts with dance and finishes with sea shanties with art and bowls in between – so what’s not to like?

9:00am Children’s dance classes – Pirouettes & Pullbacks at the STMA contact Danielle Ellis – 07866395739 or email [email protected]

10.00-4.00 Shefford Art Exhibition at the Community Hall. Shefford Art Society is 50 years old this year – visitors are welcome with free entrance – tea, coffee and cakes available. Contact Kath Smith, 07989 469 785 or 01462 812265 or [email protected]

10.30 – 3.30 at the Bowls club annual Bowls Finals and open day. Members of Shefford Bowls Club have been battling it out through many rounds to reach the finals of our Club Competitions. Over 4 sessions, we will see the finals of Men’s, Ladies and mixed competitions taking place. Come along to watch and support. Free tea and coffee available.

11.30 to 1.30 – Talking Elephants free monthly bereavement support group at the Methodist church meeting room. Open to anyone who has suffered loss, who would appreciate a friendly face, some support, and a chance to engage with people going through something similar, over a cup of coffee. A Neville Funerals community outreach project. Contact [email protected]

2.00 to 4.00 Wonderful World Weekend at Shefford Baptist Church. Nurture yourself with nature – an exploration of nature/the environment, with Plastic Free Shefford and Shefford Churches Together. Indoor and outdoor activities for all ages, an exhibition of (6’tall) photographs of nature close up, and refreshments. Special guest – Rev. Dr. Dave Gregory, a Baptist minister with a background in scientific research at the Met Office – he is an experienced science-faith communicator. Contact Erica Bowler <[email protected]>

2.00 – 4.00 at Shefford Lower School free trial for athletes of all ages and abilities who are welcome to see what Black Ice Academy Cheer is all about. This session offers an opportunity to have a go at our training session that will include stunting, tumbling and dance. Contact Black Ice Academy
Shefford Gym Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.blackicecheer.co.uk Instagram: blackice_cheer_shefford
Facebook: Black Ice Cheer Shefford

7.30 at the STMA Sloop Groggy Dogs sea shanty group.
Raising money for Home Farm Trust in in aid of a defib unit. Contact Shirley Course 07790138677 or email [email protected] Tickets on sale from mid July online only. £11 and £6.50. See here for details https://www.eventbookings.com/b/event/sloop-groggy-dogs-fundraiser

Markets in Shefford seem to be growing in popularity – both on Fridays and on the 2nd Saturday of the month where on both occasions fresh veg is prominent and popular.

The Friday market runs from 6.00 am to 1.00 pm  in the Town centre with Fruit & Veg, Flowers and plants, Fresh Fish, Mobile phone repair, Greek foods, Home goods and cleaning products. So the festival will cover two Fridays – the 12th and the 19th September.

On the 19th there will be a good opportunity to drop in to the  community café from 11:10-15:00 where all are welcome at St Michaels Church for tea/coffee and biscuits/cake.

A really interesting new activity will be in two sessions from 10am – 10.45am, also 11.15am-12pm where visitors can discover Mindfulness with free taster sessions at BEST House, (next to Samuel Whitbread Academy entrance). “Try guided practices with our Mindfulness Coach, learn about the benefits to wellbeing, resilience and performance and the impact across our local schools.” To book your session please contact Will George 01462 811519
[email protected]

In parallel, from 10.00 at the STMA  is the Self Help Art group. Contact Carole Wilkinson to express interest – 01462 628853 [email protected]

Later we have Mad Hatters at the Methodist Hall from 4-7 pm.

I recently had the benefit of a preview of the Shefford in the Past film show to be presented at the Community Hall  on Saturday 13th Sept – I have to say it was very interesting and quite an eye opener about what went on in Shefford – and I got quite nostalgic looking at what would now be regarded as classic cars!

The market was quite a sight too – so busy. Now we have a weekly Friday Market and a monthly Saturday Community Market bringing focus to the town centre again, we can be hopeful of a revival.

One might think that Shefford is a fairly quiet town – and that would be true most Thursdays! September 18th however is a busy day all round, with events from line dancing to meditation spread across our local venues.

9.30am – 11.00am – we have Line Dancing at the Community Hall – Beginners followed by 11.00am – 12.30pm – Improvers and Intermediates. For further information contact – Rosemarie on Mobile: 07711370932. Email: [email protected]

Then at there is a 10:00 Well Being walk from Shefford library for 45-55 minutes. There is no charge and can include well behaved children but no dogs.
Contact Jan Stephens 07740 778021 [email protected]

Followed by Jo Jingles at 10.30 at the STMA Contact Karen Garner – 01462 456777 [email protected]

With time for lunch possibly at one of our cafes and pubs or restaurants – then from 4.00 – 5.00 Mini Hatters at the Methodist Hall

A chance to feed the spirit from 5.00 – 6.00 – I don’t think they check your Christian credentials but welcome all to the Sanctuary Prayer/Meditation space at the Baptist Church. A Quiet space for Christian meditation and prayer. Contact Erica on 07941 307228 or at [email protected]

Then it looks like we have two things at the same venue so maybe worth contacting if you intend going to either

6-7.15 Brownies then 7.30-9 Guides at the Methodist Hall

and/or 7.30 – 9.30 Wing Chun at the Methodist Hall

Then 8.00 – 9.30 Shefford and District Amateur Radio Club – (SADAR) at the Community Hall – if last year is anything to go by then this will be a really interesting evening with equipment and displays – it was very welcoming and informative about the development of amateur radio in this age of the internet. For more information, go to – http://www.sadars.co.uk or stop by on and introduce yourself. Or – Amateur Radio at http://www.rsgb.org.uk/

Finally for your evening exercise at 7.15 Shefford Runners are at the STMA [email protected]

8.00 Crib League at the STMA – it looks like they are there from April to September so contact the bar for a relaxing evening.

The Churches Together movement has seen a revival of religious presence in Shefford largely through social participation in their own right or as venues for other activities – this year is an example with many events going on during the Community Festival – for example on Wednesday 17th Sept we have the following, complimented by other events spread through the week :-

9.00 – 2.00 Warm space at the Methodist Church Hall – soup and a roll.

9.00 to 11.00 Need Project at the Methodist Church. Free food from the best-before route. Always bread and cakes, often flowers, fruit, veg and tins. Cat and dog food. Bring a bag. Tea and a chat, biscuits etc. All welcome.

11-12 Pilates at the Methodist Hall

7.15 – 9.15 The Methodist Church Hall – Shefford Community Choir welcomes everyone for a fun filled, friendly evening to sing your heart out, even if you think you can’t sing. Cost £4 For further info contact: [email protected] Facebook: Shefford Community Choir