CELEBRATIONS will run throughout the year in Redbourn as the village marks its 900th anniversary in style. Huge battle re-enactments, a massive summer carnival and a music festival are just some of the many exciting events taking place during the Redbourn

CELEBRATIONS will run throughout the year in Redbourn as the village marks its 900th anniversary in style.

Huge battle re-enactments, a massive summer carnival and a music festival are just some of the many exciting events taking place during the Redbourn 900, which is running in partnership with the Herts Advertiser.

Local author Alan Featherstone established when writing his book about Redbourn that St Mary's Church was built in 1110, signalling the start of what would become the village that more than 5,000 residents know and love today.

And as the 900th anniversary of the village approached, a group of people got together to form a steering committee to decide and consult upon how best to celebrate the occasion with residents and the district as a whole.

More than a year later and with local couple Keith and Penny McAdam at the helm, a series of 11 ambitious events have been lined up between February and September and a business forum, which met for the first time earlier this month, has been established.

Keith, who started organising the Redbourn 900 after returning from 15 years spent carrying out medical work in Africa, said that all of the events and initiatives aimed to leave lasting benefits and a better sense of community in the village.

He continued: "We've had a wonderful time learning so much about the village, even though we have had a house here for 22 years. We are trying to do this as a community to make it a whole village celebration, it's all about inclusivity."

But to get the events off the ground, the organisers need to raise in the region of �60,000 through sponsorship and they are now calling on businesses throughout the district to become partners and help in any way they can.

Redbourn district and county councillor, Maxine Crawley, said: "What Keith and Penny are doing is exactly the reason I became a councillor in the community.

"I think it's going to bring the community together and I think it is really important to celebrate the village and the people of our village."

As a partner of the Redbourn 900, the Herts Advertiser will be bringing our readers all of the news and information about the events taking place, as well as taking a look back at the village's history.

Read next week's edition of the paper for details about the opening event and an overview of what there is to look forward to throughout the year.

If you think you could help by becoming a partner of the Redbourn 900, call 0843 2899 360 or visit www.redbourn900.co.uk