Saturday 5 September
St Peter’s Market Stall

Next Saturday, St Peter's has another market stall on Berkhamsted High Street. This is another opportunity for us to increase our visibility in the wider community, to chat to passers-by and tell the town that the doors of St Peter's are open for a warm welcome. We'll have leaflets and banners, and all we need is you - come and chat to members of the public and answer questions. There's a sign-up sheet at the back of church on Sunday - you only need to do a 1-hour stint, so it won't take up too much of your Saturday!

Saturday 12 September
Bike ‘n’ Hike 2026

Our ever-hardy Rector, Fr Stuart, is taking part in this year's Bike 'n' Hike, raising money for Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust (BHHCT). He's walking 50 miles overnight on the Three Bishops Way, leaving Bedford on Friday evening, getting to Hertford on Saturday morning, and skipping into St Albans around Saturday lunchtime for a cheeky pint (or two). Do please sponsor Stuart.

The Trust does wonderful work raising funds for the repair of churches and chapels in our local area - last year, St Peter's sponsorship total was the highest in the two counties, so let's try to keep that record going!

If you'd like to take part in the Bike 'n' Hike yourself, you'll find information and resources on the BHHCT website.

Bike ‘n’ Hike

 bedshertshct.org.uk

Sunday 13 September
Blessing of the Backpacks (and a picnic)

On Sunday 13th September as part of our regular 9.30am Sunday Service we'll be inviting the schoolchildren of the parish to come forward to have their school backpacks/satchels blessed to mark the start of the new school year. All are very welcome to join us.

After the service there will be a picnic at The Rectory (Rectory Lane, HP4 2DH) to which everyone is very welcome (weather permitting!).

You can read more about backpack blessing here:

 www.elydiocese.org

Thursday 17 September at 6:30 pm
A Service of Thanksgiving for Volunteers

From Fr Stuart: Week in and week out, I'm conscious of how dependent I am on the contribution of volunteers to keep St Peter's church going. It's not just St Peter's, across our community and across the country our lives are hugely enriched by the work of volunteers. A 2025 report by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport estimated the financial benefit of volunteering in the UK to be around £25 billion.

At St Peter's we would like to say thank you to all those who make this town a better place to live in through volunteering their time. On Thursday 17th September at 6.30pm we will be holding a short 'Service of Thanksgiving for our Community's Volunteers', and this will be followed by a drinks reception. I hope that many of our St Peter's volunteers will be able to come along to be part of that celebration. To help us with refreshments we'd invite you to complete this Google form to let us know if you'll be joining.

Computer for sale!

Need a new computer? We have a nearly-new all-in-one desktop PC looking for a good home, one careful owner. Fully updated to Windows 11, 23-inch screen. Donation £ as you see fit to the St Peter's Renovation Appeal (Roof Fund). Please contact:

Contact:

Richard Hackworth    07740 511 677

 Email Richard Hackworth

Remembering slavery 

Last Sunday (23 August) was UNESCO's International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. It's a suitable moment to remember William Cowper (1731-1800), the son of Rev John Cowper, rector of St Peter's Church, Berkhamsted. William grew up here in Berkhamsted at the Old Rectory on Rectory Lane.

Cowper became friends with John Newton, a cleric from Olney, Buckinghamshire. Newton (most famous for writing the hymn Amazing Grace) influenced Cowper's poetry and hymn-writing. Newton also influenced Cowper to become involved in the Abolitionist movement, both led by their Christian faith. Cowper wrote a number of anti-slavery poems. The most famous was The Negro's Complaint (1788) which rapidly became very famous, and was often quoted by Martin Luther King Jr. during the 20th-century civil rights movement.

"Skins may differ, but affection
Dwells in white and black the same!"

Several memorials in St Peter's commemorate Cowper and his family. Pick up a history guide card at the back of church to learn more about Cowper's life in Berkhamsted. You can also visit The Cowper and Newton Museum in Olney, just 30 miles north of Berkhamsted.

 www.unesco.org

 cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk

St Peter’s concerts

We look forward to another season of great music here in St Peter's. Some dates for your diaries:

• Saturday 12 September at 7pm: Mozart's Missa Brevis - Berkhamsted Choral Society
• Sunday 18 October at 4pm: Alexander Ardakov piano recital
• Saturday 7 November at 5pm & 7pm: Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight
• Sunday 6 December at 6pm: Berkhamsted Choral Society Christmas Concert
• Wednesday 23 December at 7:30pm: Chiltern Chamber Choir Christmas Concert

Pick up concert leaflets at the back of church or check our website:

 www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk

Postcards

We have some lovely postcards on sale - they feature a painting of St Peter's Church by local artist Harry Sheldon. Pick up at the back of church and leave a donation.

Harry passed away in 2002, but many people remember him fondly. He was renowned for his many painted scenes of Berkhamsted town and the Castle. You can learn more about his life on the Dacorum Heritage website:

 dacorumheritage.org.uk

Elections to General Synod 2026

Could you be called to represent your church and help shape future decisions in the Church of England? Nominations for the 2026 General Synod elections are now open until 7 September. General Synod plays an important role in the life and direction of the Church of England. Anyone on the parish electoral roll may be eligible to stand for election. Learn more on the Diocesan website:

 www.stalbansdiocese.org

The Alban Way

The Alban Way is the Diocese of St Albans' year-long discipleship and leadership programme for young adults aged 18 to 35, designed to work alongside your regular work or study. It offers an opportunity to grow in faith and fellowship, build lasting friendships, and discover God's calling for your life. Through mentoring, worship, retreats and shared experiences, participants are supported to grow in resilience, deepen their prayer life and become more fruitful in their faith. The 2027 programme starts in March, and you can register your interest online today.

If you know any young adults who may be interested, please visit the Alban Way website for more information:

 www.thealbanway.com

Monday 31 August
Cholesbury Churches’ Fête

The annual Hawridge and Cholesbury Churches' Fete takes place on the English Bank Holiday Monday. Stalls, tombola, bric-à-brac, books, plants, Pimms, classic cars, ice creams, and a Grand Draw with prizes including golf at Stocks Golf Club at Aldbury, Shooting at E.J. Churchill's, hampers and more. 1:30pm-4:30 pm at Cholesbury Village Hall and on Cholesbury Common.

Saturday 5 September - Sunday 27 September
Herts Open Studios

Herts Visual Arts is holding its annual Herts Open Studios event. You are invited to explore studios, meet artists, and discover unique, handmade work right across the county. Here in Berkhamsted, there will be exhibitions at the Civic Centre, Lagley Meadow Hall (opposite Majestic Wine), Hill Farm Barn (Northchurch Common) and Mitzie Green's studio on Meadway, with a wide range of artistic styles and media. All venues are free to visit, there will be works on sale, and everyone is welcome. Visit the HVA website to download a brochure and explore an online map of studios.

 www.hvaf.org.uk

Friday 11 September - Sunday 20 September
Heritage Open Days 2026

The annual opening of historic sites and buildings across England returns in September. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences - and it's all FREE. Here in Berkhamsted, there are more opportunities to celebrate our heritage, community and history - events include guided tours of Berkhamsted Castle, Rectory Lane Cemetery, St Peter's Church, Amersfort Hall, the Foundling Hospital, Berkhamsted Place, the Dacorum Heritage Museum Store, the railway, the Grand Junction Canal and town tours. On Sunday 13 September, there's also a pop-up exhibition at Berkhamsted Civic Centre, entitled Dacorum's Everyday Heroes.

Tours book up very quickly, so grab your tickets while you can!

 tinyurl.com

Sunday 13 September
Come and Sing Evensong

Our friends at St John's Harpenden are holding a Come and Sing Evensong, led by local teacher, choir trainer and organist Russell Tucker. Refreshments are provided, and there is an excellent pub right next door to the church! The music will include Brewer in D, Smith Responses, and Haydn's The Heavens are Telling. Rehearsal at 3.30pm, service at 5.00pm (to which all friends and family are warmly invited). The event is free, but please book a space online:

 www.ticketsource.com

Wednesday 23 September at 7:00 pm
The People’s Emergency Briefing

Amid drought, extreme heatwaves and wildfires, come to find out about the science behind climate change in a 50-minute film screened in St Peter's by EcoBerko. The People's Emergency Briefing brings together leading climate experts to explore the impacts of climate change on our lives, with appearances from Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden, and a range of voices from across the UK. After the film, there will be an open discussion about what it means for our community and what we can do locally. Free entry, but please book a space online if you can:

 www.tickettailor.com

Thursday 24 September - Sunday 27 September
Graham Greene Festival

The annual Graham Greene International Festival returns, celebrating Berkhamsted's famous author. This year's speakers include novelist Jo Baker, broadcaster Robin Ince, journalist Melanie McDonagh, John le Carré biographer Adam Sisman, and espionage expert Robert Verkaik. Among the highlights will be talks about the book cover art of Paul Hogarth, hidden references to Watford in Greene's Cold War-era thriller The Human Factor (1978), a walking tour of Berkhamsted Common, film screenings of England Made Me (1973) and A Splinter of Ice (2021), and much more! Tickets are now on sale

Contact:

Graham Green Birthplace Trust    07491 674594

 Email Graham Green Birthplace Trust

 www.grahamgreenebt.org

Friday 2 October - Thursday 22 October
Little Missenden Festival

Looking ahead to October, this gem of cultural life in the Chilterns returns to St John the Baptist Church in Little Missenden, just 7 miles (10km) south of Berkhamsted. There's a varied programme of string quartets, piano recitals, jazz and choral. The line-up includes the Alex Clarke Quintet, the Kleio Quartet, St Martin's Voices, with poetry read by BBC Radio 4's Zeb Soanes and a lecture on the portraits of Jan van Eyck by National Gallery curator Nicholas Flory. Booking opens 24 August.

 little-missenden.org

Saturday 3 October at 7:00 pm
An Audience with Captain John Tye

This year's David Pearce Memorial Lecture will be a talk given by Captain John Tye, one of the few pilots to have flown Concorde for BA. John will explain technical features of Concorde and take us on a virtual flight from Heathrow to New York. There will be a Q&A session and an opportunity to purchase a signed copy of his best-selling book. Tickets are £15 and include a complimentary drink on arrival (£5 for under-18s and students). All ticket holders will also be entitled to a year's membership of the Friends of St Peter's. Centenary Theatre, Kings Road, drinks from 7pm.

This is a fundraising event in partnership with Berkhamsted School and the Friends of St Peter's, in aid of the St Peter's Renovation Appeal (roof fund). Book online, or you can secure a ticket by contacting Cathy Imber.

Contact:

Cathy Imber    07909 868 928

 Email Cathy Imber

Friday 9 October
DENS Golf Day

Local homeless charity DENS is inviting golfers of all abilities to take part in its Charity Golf Day at the exclusive Stocks Golf Club in Aldbury. Players will enjoy 18 holes on the championship course, breakfast, a two-course BBQ lunch, competitions and a luxury auction featuring prizes including a golf fourball at The Grove and a Harry Potter Studio Tour family ticket. Funds raised will support DENS' work to prevent and alleviate homelessness, poverty and social exclusion across the community. Tee up and drive change for local people facing crisis!

 www.dens.org.uk

Saturday 31 October at 7:00 pm
The Berkhamsted Ball

Berkhamsted Castle Trust are holding a fundraising Black Tie Berkhamsted Ball at Nash Hall in Berkhamsted Girls' School, Kings Road. Tickets are £75 each and include a welcome drink, a three-course dinner, and live music and dancing with The X Tones. There will also be a Gala Charity Auction with Antiques Roadshow experts John Bly and Eric Knowles, with the chance to bid on some fabulous items, including a private plane flight, golf sessions and holiday home stays. Bookings for couples or individuals are welcome, or get friends together and book a table of 8! Don't miss this glittering occasion - all proceeds will go to the Castle Fields Appeal, saving a historic battlefield site next to Berkhamsted Castle. Book now: 

 buytickets.at

Sunday 1 November
BerkoFest Book Festival

Back for its seventh year, BerkoFest Book Festival is returning to Berkhamsted Town Hall, with a mix of acclaimed fiction and non-fiction writers, children's authors, comedians and cartoonists in discussions, readings, Q&A sessions and book signings. The event will be hosted by Robin Ince and Nigel Barden, with appearances by Alexei Sayle, Lucia Osbourne-Crowley, Athena Kugblenu, Ellen Jones, Caroline Litman and Ben Jennings. Tickets are now on sale, and usually sell out very quickly, so book now to avoid disappointment!

 tickets.matterpay.com

The Golf Club Choir

It doesn't matter whether you're an experienced singer or a first timer, the Golf Club Choir is open to all! Come along to try a fun and sociable group that sings arrangements for all voice types in a range of styles. Mondays 6:30-8:30pm at Berkhamsted Golf Club.

Contact:

Penny Kent   

 Email Penny Kent

Save your space!

Berkhamsted Castle Trust are continuing their campaign to save the open space next to the Castle from potential development. Their fundraising has recently passed the half-way mark, but there's still a way to go. You can help by sponsoring your own 3x3 metre square - for £39 you can add your name and a message of support, and each multiple of £39 gets more squares! The donation system uses an interactive map based on the What3Words geolocation system, which may be a world-first. Have you saved your space?

This fabulous video premiered this week, and features some breathtaking done shorts of St Peter's and the Castle!

Video: