Join us at the High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden, on the 5th December, 7 to 9pm, for an evening of beautiful carols, festive songs and readings to raise funds for two brilliant local charities: the Matthew Biggs Sanctuary Garden at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre and Sunnyside Rural Trust.
The programme of music will be lead led by Finding Harmony, Harpenden’s joyful community choir, under the expert guidance of choirmaster Artemis Reed, bringing together a range of seasonal songs you will love, from Oh Holy Night to Sleigh Ride by the Ronettes. The evening will also feature festive readings and words from special guests, songs from the Sunnyside Singers,as well as plenty of chances for everyone to sing along.
There will be festive café on site run by Sunnyside Rural Trust selling delicious hot drinks and snacks and also a raffle of books, gifts and artwork, which you can buy tickets for on the night.
All profits from this event will go directly to fund the work of Sunnyside Rural Trust and to help fund Phase 2 of the Matthew Biggs Sanctuary Garden at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Northwood.
This event is supported by Finding Harmony, the Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity and Health CIC and Sunnyside Rural Trust.
More information
About the Matthew Biggs Sanctuary Garden, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre
The Matthew Biggs Sanctuary Garden at Mount Vernon Hospital, is adjacent to the Cancer Treatment Suite which delivers chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment. The unit is busy treating in the region of 250 patients a week.
Writer, broadcaster and regular panellist on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, Matthew Biggs, who passed away from cancer in May 2026 , spearheaded a project to transform the garden at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre.
Matthew, who had been receiving treatment at the centre, said: “During my treatment, I would always try and get to look at the garden and even sat in it once, but it lacked plants and despite the best efforts of volunteers, offered little inspiration as a healing garden.
“I made it my mission to turn the outdoor spaces around the treatment centre and chemotherapy unit into a healing garden which will bring patients, staff, volunteers and members of the local community together.”
Phase 1 of the garden was realised in 2026 bringing together a voluntary team from across horticulture, including Tom Stuart-Smith Studio, the Serge Hill Project, Landform Consultants, Sunnyside Rural Trust and many more.
Phase two of the garden will continue later this year, with the front entrance of the centre and surrounding areas being developed and planted.
Funds are still needed to complete the project.
Sunnyside Rural Trust is a thriving charity and social enterprise offering training and work experience for over 170 vulnerable people. We train people with learning disabilities to acquire skills in a number of rural activities. These include beekeeping, looking after chickens, growing a wide range of plants and produce, landscaping and garden maintenance.
We have a focus on the full “plot to plate” cycle, from sowing seeds and nurturing plants to making produce to sell in the farm shop or market. We do all of this as environmentally friendly as possible.
Finding Harmony is a fun and welcoming (non-auditioned) community choir that centers the joy of singing at its core. Join us weekly in Harpenden for rehearsals as we work toward a variety of performances and concerts at local venues. These sessions are fun, friendly and low pressure.
We come together and sing in beautiful harmony which banishes any worries we may have, raises our self confidence and creates a wonderful community spirit.
Photographs (above) copyright: Jason Ingram
The Venue - High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden
For more information about the High Street Methodist Church Harpenden, please visit their website here.