What's happenin' this week

One of the things that Berko does really well is give people somewhere to have a go. Between the clubs, the classes, the societies and the pubs, social centres and spaces that host them, there's usually a way in.

Most of us dabble in an evening class or enjoy short-term weekend projects. We all have a thing we'd do more of if we had the time.

Every now and then, someone actually goes and makes it their main thing.

After years in the corporate world, one Berko resident has gone all-in on his passion, launching Ashridge Karate Academy as a full-time business and bringing a new class called Strength Defence to town. John Foster has been training Okinawan Goju Ryu karate since 1986 and holds a 4th Dan black belt.

I've reached an age where the corporate career wasn't fulfilling. As I have an established karate club, and ideas for self defence classes I felt the time was right. I have enough years under my belt to make a difference to people’s lives in relation to awareness and street safety. It's important to me to do good for people. Giving people confidence, helping charities and seeing my family more is priceless to me. 

Yes - Strength Defence is a combination of self defence and core strength. The classes are for all ages. I run classes in Berkhamsted for junior school children. I also run classes on a Monday morning and Tuesday afternoon for teenagers and adults. The classes are a combination of a core strength based circuit training - using equipment to help build strength, followed by practical self defence techniques. We then practise the techniques with a partner.

The main objective of Strength Defence is gaining confidence about your own space and knowing - if needed - you have the tools to keep yourself as safe as possible. So I like to think the student walks out feeling empowered, more confident and physically better. It’s about both the mental and physical effect of training.

When karate turned from being a hobby with passion and pocket money to my actual job - things got real! Some of the best things are having some headspace to think about different classes, delving more into the history of karate and also adapting parts of karate to Strength Defence. My take on self defence evolves as I teach it. Seeing students in their middle age years feel the benefit of a few weeks self defence training is a fantastic sight to see. 

I'm excited to see what else I can bring with Strength Defence. I am partnering with charities such as Hector’s House to help make a difference and to promote physical and mental health awareness. I hope the future of my business and passion will open many doors to help others. 

Easter hols | Berkhamsted Leisure Centre | FizzBug Holiday Club — action-packed programme of multi-activity games, swimming, arts & crafts, and cooking for children aged 4-11 | Details

Easter hols | Berkhamsted Prep School | Camp Beaumont Holiday Club — sports, art, adventure playground and swimming (age 5+) for children aged 3-11 | Details

30 Mar - 10 Apr | The Highwayman | Kids Eat Free — two children eat free per adult ordering at least two courses from the à la carte or Specials menu. Weekdays only, all day | Details

1 - 6 Apr | Waddesdon Manor | 11:00 - 16:00 | Easter Adventures at Waddesdon — Easter Adventures Trail packed with fun games and creative activities, follow the map and collect a chocolate egg, plus the Actual Reality Arcade interactive game zone | Details

3 - 6 Apr | Various pubs, Tring | Tring Pub Crawl Trail — collect your card and get it stamped at The King's Arms, The Anchor, Craftyard, Akeman, The Black Horse, The Robin Hood and The Bell. Four days to complete, winner gets a free drink at each pub once a month for three months

3 - 6 Apr | The George and Dragon | Mini Easter Egg Hunt — running all weekend for the little ones

31 Mar | Centenary Theatre | 11:30 & 14:30 | The Littlest Yak — a rollicking musical adaptation of the award-winning children's book by LAStheatre, with beautiful puppets, catchy tunes and an uplifting tale of self-acceptance for all the family | Details

31 Mar | Northchurch Social Centre | 14:00 - 15:30 | Community Fridge

31 Mar | The Highwayman | 19:30 | Quiz Night

1 Apr | The Crystal Palace | 19:30 | Quiz Night

1 Apr | St Peter's Church, Berkhamsted | 20:00 | Holy Week: Tenebrae — journeying towards Easter with choral music and readings

2 Apr | The Piggeries Taproom, Tring | 16:00 - 21:00 | Street Food Heroes — around seven street food vendors, a DJ and a fully stocked Piggeries bar. Free entry, all ages welcome. First Thursday of the month, running March to October

2 Apr | The George and Dragon | 19:00 | Open Mic with Anna Swannell

2 Apr | St Peter's Church, Berkhamsted | 20:00 | Holy Week: Maundy Thursday — choral music and readings

3 Apr | Rectory Lane Cemetery | 10:00 - 13:00 | Easter Discovery Trail — family-friendly trail around the cemetery grounds. Early Chick child ticket £3.50 + booking fee | Details

3 Apr | St Peter's Church, Berkhamsted | 14:00 | Good Friday Liturgy

3 Apr | The George and Dragon | 16:00 | El Bocadillo food truck + Jacob Morgan live music from 19:00

3 Apr | St Peter's Church, Berkhamsted | 18:00 | Stainer's Crucifixion — St Peter's Church Choir sing a musical meditation on the passion of Jesus

3 Apr | Mad Squirrel | 19:00 - 21:00 | Thoby — live music

4 Apr | Northchurch Social Centre | 09:30 - 12:30 | Berko Repair Cafe — bring your broken items to be repaired in exchange for a donation to local charities. Reducing waste and saving money

4 Apr | Berkhamsted Town Hall | 10:00 - 15:00 | Art Fair — talented local artists showcasing and selling original paintings, illustrations, photography, lino prints, digital art and more. Free entry, dogs welcome, cafe on site. Plus hour-long workshops by @hkb_studio in: photo montage (10:00), watercolour (11:30) and embroidery (13:00) — limited to 6 per class | Details

4 Apr | Victoria Hall, Tring | 10:00 - 15:00 | Tring Arts & Crafts Market — handmade crafts, accessories, homeware, art, jewellery, candles, sweet treats and more. First Saturday of the month

4 Apr | Akeman Street Baptist Church | 11:00 - 14:00 | Extraordinary Easter — Easter egg hunt starting in Church Square, then free barbecue, bouncy castle, craft activities, and a chance to build a giant Easter egg marble run

4 Apr | The Elgiva Theatre, Chesham | 14:00 | Rapunzel: A Tangled Musical Adventure — a hair-larious family musical with catchy songs, audience interaction, dazzling costumes and animated scenery. Perfect for ages 4-104 | Details

4 Apr | The Vyne Theatre | 14:00 | Siegfried / Royal Opera — live screening of the third chapter of Wagner's Ring cycle, conducted by Antonio Pappano | Details

4 Apr | The Piggeries Taproom, Tring | 15:00 - 19:00 | Street Food Saturday — Bollywood Bites cooking up Indian street food

4 Apr | The George and Dragon | 16:00 | So Solid Sando food truck

4 Apr | Centenary Theatre | 19:00 (doors 18:00) | Queen's Greatest Hits with The Bohemians — one of the UK's longest-running Queen tribute bands, delivering a high-energy show with the music, costumes and showmanship of one of the world's most iconic rock acts | Details

4 Apr | The Goat | 21:30 - 23:30 | The Chapel — four-piece Britpop and indie covers band. Free entry

4 Apr | The Pioneer Club, St Albans | 19:00 - 01:00 | Band Against Cancer Fundraiser — live bands, DJs and good vibes raising money for Teenage Cancer Trust. £10 (+BF), all ages (U16s with adult) | Details

5 Apr | St Peter's Church, Berkhamsted | 06:00 | Easter Day Dawn Vigil | Details

5 Apr | High Street & Civic Centre | 09:30 | Berkhamsted Antiques & Vintage Easter Market — 50+ dealers lining the High Street with decorative antiques, vintage furniture, mirrors, lighting, clothing and more, plus an indoor antiques fair at the Civic Centre

5 Apr | The George and Dragon | 12:00 - 22:00 | FA Cup Quarter Finals on the big screens + Wings & Flames food truck 14:00 - 19:00

6 Apr | The George and Dragon | 14:00 | Matt Castle — live music + Burger at Friends food truck from 14:00

6 Apr | The Bull | 19:00 | Quiz Night — £12pp entry + prizes to be won + inc. food at half time (£2 of entry fee goes to Mind Mental Health). May not run on Easter Monday, check with venue

If you want to tell us (and other locals!) about something happening, use this form!

6 Apr | The Rex | 19:30 | Mother’s Pride (12A)

A big-hearted comedy-drama that raises a glass to the British pub. When a struggling neighbourhood boozer faces closure, a grieving family gamble on brewing their own beer to keep the doors open and end up going all the way to the Great British Beer Awards.

3 Apr | Berkhamsted FC | Men's First Team | 15:00 KO (a) | vs. Dorchester Town

4 Apr | Berkhamsted FC | Development | 15:00 KO (a) | vs. Yateley United U23's

6 Apr | Berkhamsted FC | Men's First Team | 15:00 KO (h) | vs. Hungerford Town

That's it for this week.

If you spotted something useful, pass it on to someone who could use it.

And if the Easter break gives you a chance to try something new, go for it.

— from Berko.