Mayor sets tempo
(Herald Express 7/9/2006)

BIG HITTER: Mayor of Dacorum Katharine Appleby tries her skill on the Jolly Jazzers' drum kit during her "Tea on the Green" event at Hemel Hempstead School.

In a bid to raise money for the Hospice of St Francis Dacorum Mayor Catherine Appleby and local residents turned out at Hemel Hempstead School last weekend for a Tea on the Green event.

Although the weather was not on their side and the frivolities had to be moved inside, music by the Jolly Jazzers and the Silver Sands Steel Band went down well.
Organiser, Martin Crowhurst said: "Even though we would have liked to have raised more money for the cause, everyone who did turn out had a smashing time and it was a very enjoyable day."

Flood of support

Steve Farrell of Three Valleys Water with Mayor of Dacorum Katherine Appleby

More money has come pouring in for Berkhamsted's Hospice of St Francis with a £500 donation from Three Valleys Water.

Dacorum Mayor Councillor. Catherine Appleby, who has chosen the hospice as her charity this year, was delighted with the donation.
She said: "The hospice provides palliative care to people with life-limiting illnesses and a new facility is planned for January 2007.
"We need to raise £1.4million to achieve this. I would like to thank Three Valleys Water. Their contribution will go towards the new building."

Steve Farrell, of Three Valleys Water, said: "We are pleased to be able to make a difference to the local community and wish the mayor good luck with her fundrais-ing."

Cricket Final

Wind stopped play at a sports fun day in aid of The Hospice of St Francis last week but guests at the Hemel Hempstead event still managed to raise vital funds.

Bands booked for the fundraiser in Boxmoor on Sunday were unable to perform because blustering winds were muffling microphones.
However, play still went ahead in the charity football and netball tournaments and sporty children spent the day perfecting their tennis and badminton skills.

Organiser and hospice nurse Michelle Clarke said she wished to thank all those who helped to raise money on the day.
Over £200 in vital funds were raised for the Hospice of St Francis' Dig Deep appeal and Michelle said she hoped to organise another event next year.

More fundraising fun is on offer this weekend, with the finals of the Hospice of St Francis' corporate trophy and village cup cricket tournaments.
As well as some fine action on the wicket, the 'finals and fun day' at Northchurch Cricket Club will feature a bouncy castle, face painter, stalls, refreshments and barbecue.
Gates open at 11.30am, entry and parking are free, and all proceeds go to the hospice.

For information call 01442 869550.