Advertising Feature by MyMaterna

Spanning over 20 years of clinical experience MyMaterna is now available to help you with all your breastfeeding and family osteopathy needs in Harpenden. Specialising as a lactation consultant and osteopath, with a background career in midwifery, Sara has a wealth of experience in pregnancy related musculoskeletal pains and newborn osteopathy (also known as cranial osteopathy for babies).

MyMaterna is conveniently located next to Rothamsted Research Estate on West Common. Local parking is easy to find and is a very short walk into the hustle and bustle of Harpenden or the quieter local Rothamsted Cafe. The clinic is professional, private and comfortable, providing you with a space to learn and ask questions.

New parents will benefit from services, including: 

●     Challenging breastfeeding experiences, and difficulty latching

●     Therapeutic ultrasound for mastitis, increasing or decreasing milk supply

●     Management of recurrent blebs and sore nipples

●     Babies struggling with colic or discomfort post birth

●     Babies struggling to open mouths wide, or who have neck rotation patterns

●     Pregnancy related pains within the antenatal or postnatal period

Discover More:

Whether you’re beginning a breastfeeding journey or looking for appropriate osteopathy, MyMaterna is here to help. Please book an appointment online here or email [email protected] and together we will find all the solutions, help make life that bit easier. Alternatively for further reading please head to our website and instagram page.

Sara Randall

Osteopath and Lactation Consultant IBCLC [private services]

Midwife and Physician Associate [NHS]

Brand New Harpenden Town Community Events Programme for 2026!

Harpenden Town Council have put together an exciting programme of community events for 2026, including some BRAND NEW events.  One major change is that there will be no Harpenden Carnival in June this year, but don't worry, it will be replaced by the Harpenden Festival, which will bring together the best of the carnival and Harpenden Food Festival in one new event in September. And regular favourites such as The Teddy Bear's Picnic, and Music in Lydekker still feature alongside a whole range of new events including a pop-up farm in Rothamsted Park and Friday Sounds on Harpenden Common.

We've added all the events to our website and we'll bring you more information on each nearer the time when we have it, but in the meantime, here's some dates for your diary:

🦋 Nature Day -  Saturday 6th June at Batford Springs Nature Reserve
🤝 Batford Community Festival - Sunday 5th July at Porters Hill Park,Batford
🎭 Summer Sessions - Children’s theatre - Friday 31st July at Rothamsted Park 
🧸 Teddy Bears’ Picnic - Wednesday 5th August in Rothamsted Park 
🎶 Summer Sessions - Friday Sounds - Friday 7th August on Harpenden Common
🎪 Summer Sessions - Street Performer Angie Mack - Saturday 15th August on Church Green 
🐑 Summer Sessions - Pop-up Farm - Tuesday 18th August at Rothamsted Park
🎶 Music in Lydekker - Saturday 22nd August in Lydekker Park
🤣 Ha Ha Harpenden Comedy Night - Thursday 27th August in Park Hall (Tickets on sale 1st June - over 18s only)
🎉 Harpenden Festival - Saturday 5th September in the Town Centre andHarpenden Common 
🌸 Remembrance Parade and Service - Sunday 8thNovember 26 
🎅 Christmas Carnival & Lights Switch On - Sunday 22nd November in the Town Centre and Harpenden Common
🎄Batford Lights Switch On - Thursday 26th November at Batford Corner
🎅 Southdown Lights Switch on - Friday 27th November 26 in Southdown

Harpenden Town Council said "The events plan follows the Town Council’s commitment to inclusivity, support for local businesses and offer of free activities and entertainment suitable for everyone. The refreshed programme will also allow use of more of Harpenden’s neighbourhoods and green spaces."

See you there!

Short Film Competition for Young People

Harpenden Town Council and the Harpenden Arts & Culture Forum have launched a Short Film Competition for young people up to age 25.

Young film-makers are asked to create a short film of no more than 5 minutes, on the theme “What’s important to me?”.  It can be made as an individual, or in a group with winning films being premiered at a grand awards ceremony to a specially-invited audience, including dignitaries and industry supporters.  Awards will be made to different age groups in several categories: Best soundtrack, Best script, Best group entry, Best film.  And prizes of Amazon vouchers ranging from £50 - £500 (depending on age and award category) will be awarded.

So if your young person has a passion for writing, music or filmmaking and they have a story to tell about, let them know!  Closing date is Friday 13th March 2026.

Full details on how to enter are on Harpenden Town Council website.