Markets in Shefford seem to be growing in popularity – both on Fridays and on the 2nd Saturday of the month.

The Friday market runs from 6.00am to 1.00pm  in the Town Centre with a variety of goods, including fruit & vegetables, plants, fresh fish, mobile phone repair, Greek foods (once a month), 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. Festival Special: Rehearsal is free to attend for this week only. Cost is normally £4. For further info contact: [email protected] Facebook: Shefford Community Choir

We are delighted that the Shefford Majorettes will be holding a free taster evening on Tuesday 16 Sept from 6.30-8.15 pm at the STMA for any girls aged 4-18 interested in joining who can go along and see what they do.
To register an interest in the taster evening please email – [email protected]

Tuesday 16th September 1.15pm – 3.15pm Shefford Art Society will hold their regular weekly meeting at the Community Hall. In this case it is prior to their weekend exhibition. For more information contact – Kath Smith Tel: 01462 81226

Then later at the Hall from 7.30-9.30 pm there is a WI evening – with the invitation “please join us for our special WI meeting FREE ENTRY with a talk on Bess of Hardwick plus tabletop displays and sales”. For more information on this and regular meetings contact: [email protected]

Enjoy the recent renovations of the Community Hall  

Tuesday 16th September from 10.00 – 12.00 at Bellcote Meadow Millennium Green, all are welcome to come along and join the Shefford Greenspace Conservation Group’s September work party, to help keep the area looking at its best. Just bring along a pair of gloves. Meet in the car park at the bottom of Purcell Way. Contact David Ager – Chair of the Shefford Greenspace Conservation Group. [email protected] 01462 814392

With walking so popular we are delighted to have a new event this year on Sunday 14 September 10.30-2.30pm Navigator’s Way Walk. A free 8-mile walk around Shefford, Clifton and Stanford, led by Stag Walkers Ramblers group this event is aimed mainly at people aged 20s-30s and a bit beyond. Book a place at www.meetup.com/stagwalkers Starting from Town Meadow Car Park, 41 Old Station Way, Shefford, SG17 5ED at the corner of the car park by the pedestrian access to the High Street. Contact Stag Walkers (Al M)[email protected]

Tuesday 16th Sept starting at 10.00 am there will be a ramble – this time it will be from in front of The Lemon Plaice chip shop in Shefford for 60-90 mins. There is no charge, and can include well behaved children but no dogs. Contact Jan Stephens 07740 778021 [email protected]