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Allotments

Ware Allotments and Garden Society has two allotment sites in the town – King George Road and Widbury Hill with “shop” available for members on the Widbury Hill Site.

Athletics

The Hertford and Ware Athletics Club is very active and uses the Wodson Park Sports and Recreation Centre as its home base.

Badminton

Badminton is played by the Ware Badminton

Club and others at Wodson Park Sport and Recreation Centre (see page 23)

Basketball

An outdoor basketball court can be found in the Priory Grounds. Operated by Ware Town Council it is free of charge and accessible throughout the year.

Bowls

A first class green (6 rink) is available in the Priory Grounds operated by the Ware Bowling Club but also available for public use. Indoor Bowls is played at Wodson Park Sports and Recreation Centre.

Cricket

The Ware (O.H.) Cricket Club (an open club) has premises at Hoe Lane, Ware. Allenbury’s Cricket Team play at Park Road, Ware and most of the nearby villages have cricket teams.

Darts

Teams flourish at most public houses and “Waggers” Social Club, Kibes Lane.

Fishing

Anglers can enjoy a day’s fishing along the towpath of the River Lea and in the Priory Grounds. Thames Water Authority licence required, available from local tackle shops.

Football

The Ware Football Club play at Wodson Park, Wadesmill Road and there are several junior youth teams in the area.

Golf

Chadwell Springs (9 hole) Golf Course is situated on the edge of the Town midway between Ware and Hertford. East Herts Golf Club (18 holes) is situated at Hamels Park just a few miles north of the town. Whitehill Golf Centre is at Dane End, near Ware and there are also Golf Courses at the Marriott Hanbury Manor Hotel and Country Club, Thundridge; Briggens House Hotel, Stanstead Abbotts; Brickendon Grange Golf and Country Club, Brickendon; Ash Valley Golf Club, Much Hadham (18 holes) and Gt. Hadham Golf and Country Club, midway between Much Hadham and Bishop’s Stortford.

Miniature Railway

The East Herts Miniature Railway Society is based at the Van Hage Garden Company, run by volunteers and enthusiasts, open at weekends.

Music

Concerts in the Priory Gardens on Summer Sunday afternoons. Music Clubs, Ware Operatic Society and the Maltings Sinfonia meet at the Ware Arts Centre. Ware Choral Society and East Herts Modern Organ Club meet at Ware’s Age Concern Hall, Priory Street, Ware.

Photography

Ware and District Photographic Society meets at Christchurch Hall, New Road, Ware at 8.00 pm on Wednesdays from September to June. Anyone interested in photography, either beginners or experienced photographers are welcome to attend. More information can be found on www.wareps.org.uk or by telephoning the secretary on 01920 822104

Putting

A Putting Green is available for public use in the Summer in the Priory Grounds.

Riding

Several Riding Schools nearby at Amwell End, Hertford, Colliers End, Chapmore End and Much Hadham.

Rugby Football

The Hertford Rugby Football Club, one of the leading rugby sides in the county have their premises at Hoe Lane, Ware and run several sides each weekend, with midweek floodlit games and mini rugby facilities. Ware Rugby Club, based at Wodson Park Sports and Recreation Centre runs 2 teams who train on Monday evenings and play on Saturdays. New players (aged 17 plus) of any level welcome.

Squash

The Old Hertfordians Squash Club has two courts at Hoe Lane, Ware.

Swimming

Swimming is well catered for in Ware. The open air heated Priory Lido is operated during the summer months by the Ware Town Council in the beautiful Priory Grounds. The indoor Fanshawe Pool together with fitness room is operated by East Herts District Council at the Chauncy School site, Park Road, Ware.

Ware Arts Centre

forms part of an old malting in Kibes Lane built to supply dark malt for the ale known as Porter which was popular with the workers in the London markets. Completely refurbished in 2004 to provide four pleasant studios of varied size and a refreshment room which can be used for a range of ‘arts’ related subjects. There is also a Heritage room which contains a small range of artifacts used in the original workings. Current users include an Operatic Society, a Variety Group, a Theatreskool for children, a poetry group and a Tai Chi class. There is room and scope available for groups, clubs and individuals for music, drama, exhibitions and many other activities. To hire space at favourable rates telephone the Lettings Officer on 0870 774 3460.

Ware Drill Hall,

Amwell End, Ware, SG12 9HP. Hall Administrator – Catherine Young Tel. 01920 487447 and 07808 969379.
Ware.drillhall@btconnect.com. www.waredrillhall.org.uk

The main hall is 96ft long and 52ft wide, with a vaulting ceiling that rises up to over 40ft. These impressive dimensions mean that, for instance, it can be used for four badminton courts; seating for up to 400 people for concerts or other performances; up to 50 market-style stalls. The Hall can also easily accommodate trampolines, bouncy castles, go-karts circuits or an indoor football pitch. Other facilities available are: a meeting-room for 20 – 40 people, recently modernised toilets (including disabled)

Recently enlarged kitchen area, storage areas, available for the use of regular hirers, tables, chairs, staging and PA system. Funding has been applied for to extend the facilities and make further improvements.

Wodson Park Sports and Recreation Centre

Wadesmill Road, Ware, Herts SG12 OUQ Tel: 01920 487091 Fax: 01920 485213. One of Hertfordshire’s largest sport and recreation centres that sits on land bequeathed by a local farmer for the recreational pursuits of the local community. The centre has a large fitness centre with over 40 stations with friendly and helpful staff to ensure that you reach your goals. This is complemented by two aerobic studios with over 40 varied classes per week. There are also 2 large multi-purpose sports halls that can cater for a variety of activities such as badminton, basketball, football and short mat bowls. There is an 8 lane athletics track, football pitches and an astro turf for hockey and football. A crèche is open Monday – Friday 9.15 – 11.15 a.m. for under 5s. An extensive programme for children exists with numerous activities for 2 – 16 year olds after school and in the school holidays. A large function suite and meeting rooms can accommodate many different types of events. There are also 3 bars and catering is available. In fact there is something for everyone – and everyone is welcome.

Ware’s Dickensian Evening

Ware’s annual Christmas event takes place on the first Friday in December, from 6.30 pm to 10.00 pm. Roads in the town centre – Amwell End, Baldock Street, Church Street and High Street – are normally closed for the evening.

The main features include late night shopping throughout the town, charity stalls and local organisations in Tudor Square, the Drill Hall and Place House, Bluecoat Yard, and musical entertainment provided by bands and choirs.

Although some items may vary from year to year, and are also subject to the weather, there is usually a procession from Tudor Square to St. Mary’s Church, followed by a short carol service, a Christmas Tree Festival held in Leaside Church, a shop window competition and a fancy dress competition – with prizes for both. The theme of the evening is “Dickens” and many people involved may be dressed in period costume.

The Ware Dickensian Evening is organised by the Ware Town Centre Partnership. For further information on the evening or the partnership, please write care of The Priory or see www.wareonline.co.uk.

Ware Museum

The establishment of the Ware Museum in 1986 marked the fulfilment of a long-felt need in the town. It followed a well-attended public meeting, called jointly by Ware Town Council and the Ware Society and led to the founding of the Ware Museum Trust. The Town Council made available the Priory Lodge, which was extensively refurbished by volunteers to provide three exhibition areas.

In 2001 a much-needed extension was built supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, giving greater display space, and a link was created between the museum and the World War Two Command Bunker with its Interactive Display. A further extension was completed in 2007 following a second successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid in order to improve our display area and coverage of Ware’s history.

Artefacts and reminiscence material give a time-line of the “Story of Ware” from earliest times up to the present day. Many aspects of the town’s life are featured, including displays on Ware’s industries such as malting, Wickhams and Allen & Hanburys.
The new extension now encloses the medieval well, which has been covered with glass. There is a new interactive kiosk and satellite picture showing the location of some of the hidden locations of history. For children we have an archaeology ‘dig’ experience.
There is a regularly changing programme of temporary exhibitions and children’s activities during most school holidays. Visits for schools and other groups can be arranged, please contact the museum for further information.

The Museum, Priory Lodge, High Street, Ware (also housing a Tourist Information Point) is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11.00am – 5pm (11.00am – 4pm in winter) and on Sundays 2pm – 5pm (2pm – 4pm in winter). Telephone 01920 487848. Website www.waremuseum.org.uk

Tourist Information Point

Ware’s own Tourist Information Point is to be found in Ware Museum; full of good ideas for all ages, mostly within a one hour drive from Ware.

On offer are over 100 leaflets and posters to cater for all tastes; hands on farms to stately homes, aircraft or steam trains, music and drama.

“Ware to” leaflets, local country walks, “Easy Family Cycling in East Herts” and a new edition of the very popular “Walk About Ware” are all available now.

The Tourist Information Point is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11.00 am – 5.00 pm (11.00 am – 4.00 pm in winter) and on Sundays 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm (2.00 pm – 4.00 pm in winter). Telephone 01920 487848.

Ware Society

The Ware Society is an active environmental organisation, affiliated to the Civic Trust and a registered charity, dedicated to preserving the town’s character and improving its amenities. Regular meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month and there is a Newsletter three times a year. The Society comments on planning applications and runs a biennial Town Award Scheme for outstanding new buildings or restoration projects. The Society is active in practical conservation projects: it initiated the reinstatement of the riverside gazebos, partly funded the restoration of Scott’s Grotto which it now opens to the public on Saturday and Bank Holiday afternoons (2.00 - 4.30 pm) from April to September inclusive and also brought back Bluecoat Boy statues to Ware. The Society designed and, with support from the Town Council, produced the Ware Heritage Map. It also reinstated gates at the end of Bates Walk in St. Mary’s Churchyard and supported the production of the Maltmaker Statue in the Memorial Gardens. Publications include a series on “Reminiscences of Ware’s Past” (some of which are now out of print) and a revised edition of the Walk about Ware Guide obtainable from the Library, the Ware Museum or Scott’s Grotto.

For information about membership, please contact: Mr. Michael West, 52 Trinity Road, Ware, SG12 7DD. Tel. 01920 461541