FAMOUS sportsmen, hat making, a world record attempt and a talent show will all feature in the grand finale of the Redbourn 900 celebrations next weekend.

The main event will take place on Sunday, September 12, and will see England cricket captains Mike Brearley and Mike Gatting holding cricket master classes in the morning, while players from Arsenal and Luton Town football clubs will do the same for their game.

Local bands will also be playing, while the showdown of Redbourn’s Got Talent will form the centrepiece of the afternoon’s entertainment, featuring a dozen acts made up of local people including a group of school teachers and child musicians.

Building on the village’s heritage of hat making and tea blending, there will be a special mad hatters tea party for children as well as a world record attempt for the greatest number of people dancing in hats.

There will also be an exhibition of the milliner’s art, featuring the creations of Andrew Fisher, Philip Wright and Marie Louise Lowcock and a hat competition for all ages. Redbourn Museum will also be hosting a hat and tea exhibition.

Festivities will begin with a chamber choir concert on Saturday, September 11, at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, which is at the heart of the celebrations as it was built 900 years ago, signalling the start of the village that residents know and love today.

The Very Reverend Colin Slee, Dean of Southwark Cathedral, will preach at the 11am patronal festival the following day.

For more information about the events visit www.redbourn900.co.uk