Hempstead in Essex
Resting place of William Harvey and Sir Eliab Harvey and birthplace of Dick Turpin

Societies and Groups

Hempstead is a thriving community with a number of sociable clubs and societies. Click the links below to read more about each society and find our about events and how you can join in

Gardeners’ Club

Gardeners’ Club

The Club is not currently active and closed in 2016.

Having started in 1965, the club grew in popularity and held Shows in the Summer and Autumn, dinners, plant sales, talks, garden visits and included under its umbrella, the Horse & Pony Show annually in July.

Hempstead Dramatic Society

Hempstead Dramatic Society

Minutes of meetings for HDS start from 1962 but it isn’t until 1988 that we have our first record of a staged production ‘Mother Goose’ and ‘Gosforth’s Fête’ by Alan Aykbourn. This production, before the village hall was modernised and extended in 1999 so the production was on old benches lashed together with talcum powder to fill the cracks.

Since then, a huge range of productions have taken place such as comedies, serious plays, radio plays, pantomimes (oh, yes we have!), murder mysteries and Olde Tyme Musical Halls. Today the society is led by young enthusiasts of pantomime. Watch out for notification of their next production.

Past Productions

Past Productions

Minutes of meetings for HDS start from 1962 but it isn’t until 1988 that we have our first record of a staged production ‘Mother Goose’ and ‘Gosforth’s Fête’ by Alan Aykbourn. This production, before the village hall was modernised and extended in 1999 so the production was on old benches lashed together with talcum powder to fill the cracks.

Since then, a huge range of productions have taken place such as comedies, serious plays, radio plays, pantomimes (oh, yes we have!), murder mysteries and Olde Tyme Musical Halls. Today the society is led by young enthusiasts of pantomime. Watch out for notification of their next production.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga

New Monday evening yoga sessions starting from Monday 15th May 2023, 7-8pm in Hempstead Village Hall.

Suitable for beginners and experienced yogis, sessions incorporate breathing techniques, yoga postures, meditation and relaxation to support physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Keep Fit

Keep Fit

Hempstead Ladies Keep Fit meet in the Village Hall at 7.00pm every Tuesday under the guidance of Joy Goddard, our qualified instructor. All ages and abilities are very welcome. We focus on general fitness and toning in a friendly and fun atmosphere. Please come along and join us.

1st Radwinter Cubs

1st Radwinter Cubs

1st Radwinter Cubs meets in Hempstead Village Hall on Wednesdays during term time from 18.00 to 19.30. Cubs is for children, boys and girls, aged 8 to 10½ and helps them develop new friendships and skills for life. 1st Radwinter Cubs do a number of activities both inside and out and holds an annual 5-day camp every May half term where the children try out new activities whilst sleeping under canvas. For more information contact Akela Julie Pledger on julie.pledger@radwinterscouts.org.uk or kari.hall@radwinterscouts.org.uk.