Axis magazine July 2023 issue

The independent, intelligent guide to everything that matters locally

July 2023

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LOCAL LIFE

THE NEW BROOKFIELD

Town centre and garden village move a step closer

PERFECT TIMING

Refurbished Ware Priory Lido is open for the season

SUMMER NIGHTS

Our pick of the best events, from festivals to theatre

SUMMER DAYS

Book now for your kids’ school holiday days out

A VILLAGE FAVOURITE

The Grandison is back with a bang in Bramfield

Your leading high quality local news magazine since 2003

WELCOME

What’s inside this issue

16-24

Everything

Why

ABOUT AXIS

Axis magazine was founded in 2003 by two award-winning former local newspaper editors who still own and run the business today.

We are the independent, intelligent guide to everything that matters in and around eastern Hertfordshire and we aim to provide a concise, useful guide to local life.

Our editorial content is targeted towards readers’ interests, to maximise readership and gain the best exposure for our advertisers. The magazine is delivered to homes and businesses in selected areas and copies can also be picked up free from venues across the area.

CONTACT US

Axis Magazine, Lyric House, 6b St Andrew St, Hertford SG14 1JA 01992 500198

info@axispublications.co.uk axismagazine.co.uk

PUBLISHERS:

Aaron Gransby & Justine Woods

DIGITAL EDITION:

Read us online at axismagazine.co.uk or issuu.com (search axis magazine)

SUBSCRIBE

For just £30 per year we’ll send you your own copy of Axis by post upon publication each month.

Call us on 01992 500198 with card details to start a subscription or send a cheque made payable to Axis Publications Ltd to the address in the Contact Us section above.

ADVERTISE

Here at Axis we look to build long-lasting relationships with local businesses that understand the benefits of advertising to an affluent and intelligent audience on a regular, ongoing basis.

To find out more about promoting your business with us please call 01992 500198

05-11 y Briefing

Brookfield approved; lido opens plus the latest on Hertford Theatre

y What’s on

you need to plan some memorable leisure time in July

13 y Shopping & business news

The bamboo rug shop that has opened in the centre of Hertford

25-27 y Food & drink

The Grandison in Bramfield is the perfect place for the summer

Front cover images (clockwise from top)

Detail from artwork by Liz Holliday showing at the textiles exhibition Flower Power at The Gallery at Parndon Mill in Harlow (p19); Scene from the new film Barbie, showing in local cinemas from this month (p22); Summer Evenings at Paradise Wildlife Park (p17); A lifeguard watches over Ware Priory Lido, which has reopened after being closed for renovations for the last year (p7).

14 y WEDDINGS: Place House Hall licensed to host ceremonies 21 y WARE FESTIVAL: Your guide to a whole

month

of festivities

Recruiting now for foster carers in Hertfordshire

We love our busy home. It’s good fun”

Could you make a big difference to a child’s life?

There are approximately 1,000 children and young people in care in Hertfordshire and many of these children need the love and support of a foster family.

If you are aged over 21, have a spare room at home, and space in your heart, then fostering could be for you.

When you choose to foster with us, you’ll receive generous pay and allowances for each child, exceptional training and 24/7 local support right from the very start.

Get in touch with our friendly team today and we’ll help you decide if fostering is right for you.

CONTACT US:

To find out more about fostering, please call our team on 0800 917 0925 for an informal chat or email us on fostering.recruitment@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Dawn and Alan, Hertfordshire foster carers

BRIEFING

CONSTRUCTION DUE TO BEGIN NEXT YEAR ON AMBITIOUS SCHEME TO TRANSFORM SITE BY A10

It’s all systems go for Brookfield town centre and garden village

Many years in the making, last month Broxbourne Council’s plans for a new town centre for the borough came a step nearer to becoming reality with the agreement to grant planning permission for Brookfield Riverside, a large-scale shopping and leisure development next to the A10 at Cheshunt. Related plans for a new garden village of more than 1,000 homes were also approved at the special meeting of the council’s planning and regulatory committee on Tuesday 20th June.

A third application paved the way for improvements to Cheshunt Park Golf Course which will need to be reconfigured to make way for the other major developments –with plans including a new practice area and two new holes. Brookfield Farm, as most of us know it, has long been a retail destination for people living in the Borough of Broxbourne and beyond. Tesco established its large store there in the 1980s, with Marks and Spencer following in the 90s, when the next-door Brookfield Retail Park was also developed,

WHAT THEY SAY

along Halfhide Lane.

Most of the land alongside the Tesco/M&S development is owned by either Broxbourne Council or Hertfordshire County Council and it is these two councils that have come together to drive forward this new scheme, working with their development partner, Sovereign Centros.

The vision is for a new, integrated town centre for the borough, alongside a garden village suburb. They want Brookfield Riverside to link to the existing retail stores at Brookfield and to regenerate the entire area to create a modern cycle and pedestrian-friendly environment.

To make way for it, the existing New River Trading Estate will be demolished while the household waste recycling centre, allotments and travellers’ site will all be relocated elsewhere.

Construction is expected to begin in 2024. It will generate 2,000 jobs during construction and 2,500 new jobs when fully open.

The council has not put a timescale upon completion yet.

Cllr Lewis Cocking, leader of Broxbourne Council: “This will not only be good for the local economy, but will also have environmental benefits; the new town centre will be fully integrated with the public transport, cycling and walking networks and local people will no longer have to travel outside of the area for their shopping and leisure needs.”

Cllr Richard Roberts, leader of Hertfordshire County Council: “These innovative and important projects will help us make sure that Hertfordshire remains a wonderful place for families to live, work and learn. We are committed to making sure that our county is home to well-designed, sustainable and thriving communities.”

BROOKFIELD RIVERSIDE

The £500million Brookfield Riverside, with its striking amphitheatre-style design, will create a new town centre for the borough and is intended to be a high quality retail and leisure development.

The development will include a mix of new shops, leisure venues including a cinema, cafés and restaurants, office space, a hotel, a civic hub, 250 apartments, a care home and a 2,000-space car park. It will feature a new public square while the amphitheatre will straddle the New River. A new road will also lead from the A10 into the development.

BROOKFIELD GARDEN VILLAGE

The garden village will contain up to 1,250 new homes, with up to 40 per cent affordable housing, plus elderly persons accommodation and a three-form entry primary school with nursery facilities, recreation space and a neighbourhood centre with local shops and other facilities including possible community and medical uses. There will also be a network of green open spaces for recreation around the site. The main highway access will be via the A10 Turnford roundabout and a new link road and loop road, both of which would connect with a new north-south spine road which will also serve Brookfield Riverside. It is also possible that the garden village will become home to a ‘blue light hub’ for police, fire and ambulance services.

Refurbished Ware Priory Lido is open for the summer

Ware Priory Lido reopened in mid-June following its closure during 2022 while repairs and refurbishment works took place. A preview event attended by lido supporters, swimming club members, councillors and local children took place on Tuesday 13th June with the pool then officially open to the public from 6am the following day.

The £1million works, funded by Ware Town Council and the Government’s Public Works Loan Board, included major repairs and pipework replacement along with new air source heat pumps, a new cover and UV disinfection. Further improvements are planned during the next closed season from October when new showers with increased hot water capacity will be installed, changing rooms will be refurbished with new non-slip flooring laid, and the poolside will be landscaped to provide an attractive setting with seating and shade. There will also be additional

landscaping at the front of the building.

There is a chance that if the town council can source them earlier, some new seating and shade could be in place before the 2022 season ends.

Terry Philpott, town clerk of Ware Town Council, said: “We are delighted we have been able to make this community asset even better than before and ensure it is available for future generations.

“If you like what we have done at Ware lido please let others know and if there is something you think we have missed please get in touch and let us know.”

The lido offers swim sessions along with private hire for swim clubs, schools, community groups, functions and parties, and you will find all the information you need, as well as the facility to book swim sessions online, at warepriorylido.co.uk. For any other queries the team can be contacted on 01920 481563.

Inside the £24m rebuilding of Hertford’s new theatre

The new Hertford Theatre is now really taking shape, with building work well underway in advance of its planned phased opening next year.

In a tour of the building on Thursday 22nd June, Axis was able to see just how the theatre, with its main auditorium, studio theatre, three cinema screens, food and drink offerings, community rooms and dance studio, is coming along.

And it is clear that the people of Hertford and surrounding areas will be in for a treat when it opens, with the building being completely transformed.

One of the spaces most advanced is the studio theatre, which will be finished to a similar high spec to the main auditorium. It will have a capacity of 150 people (up from 60 in the old building), with 100 on floor-level seating and 50 on the balcony.

The floor-level seating will be retractable with the ability to ‘disappear’ underneath the floor, opening up the space for other

events – for example, enabling DJs to play on the balcony to the audience below.

Other innovations include the introduction of self-service ticketing kiosks (with help available if needed) where people can come in and buy tickets in person. Alongside the studio theatre on the ground floor are a riverside café, bar and kitchen area, community rooms for hire and

a ‘town square’ area. On the first floor are the three cinema screens, the main auditorium seating 550, dance studio and another food and drink area.

Theatre director Rhys Thomas confirmed that handover of the building, which is being constructed by GPF Lewis, is due to take place at the end of March next year, with a phased opening from May which will begin with

the cinema showing new release films in Hertford for the first time in a generation.

Live performances will start later in the summer as the theatre rolls into full-time operation in preparation for its 2024 panto.

The £24million rebuilding of the theatre, known as its Growth and Legacy Project, is being undertaken by owners East Herts Council.

The newly opened lido, with its lifeguards and team with Mayor Thomas Day

A view from the stage of the studio theatre under construction last month and a CGI of the ‘Town Square’ area

Potter who shaped an artistic community to retire

Sally Anderson, the founder and driving force behind Parndon Mill, the thriving hub of artistic creativity in Harlow, has announced her forthcoming retirement during a year that sees her celebrate her 90th birthday. For the past 20 years Sally has dedicated her energies to running The Gallery at Parndon Mill, curating and overseeing its regular exhibitions of fine arts and crafts. But it is more than five decades of living and working here that have created the wider Parndon Mill artistic community that we know today.

That half century has seen a once derelict and overgrown former mill site gradually transformed into 30 studios that are now home to a wide range of creatives; project space which hosts classes, workshops and events; and the respected gallery.

An artistic visionary

Sally first arrived at the mill, off Elizabeth Way, in 1968. She was a potter working from her Harlow Corporation home and searching for a studio when a colleague from the Technical College suggested the mill.

Previously a flour mill, the site had been disused for some years, fenced off by Harlow Development Corporation which was keen for it to be put to good use, one preferably related to the arts.

With a six-bedroom Georgian house in addition to the vast flour mill building itself, not to mention outbuildings that at the time were hidden from view among the bushes and brambles, it was quite an undertaking for one potter looking for a studio. The only electricity on site ran the water pump. But Sally looked to a time when eventually there would be a light on in every window of the mill, over time trading space to other artists in return for their help restoring the site – and the artistic community that is Parndon Mill today was first born. Blacksmith Alan Freeman and carpenter Barry Volkman, founder members of that Parndon Mill community, are still based in the building today.

Roger Lee, who arrived to take a few photos, was offered a studio in return for undertaking a number of jobs – a list that has grown rather than diminished: he became general manager and, along with Sally, has made the mill his life’s work.

Decades of success

When in 1970 Sally was commissioned to design and produce tiles for all the bathrooms in an international hotel in London, Sally Anderson (Ceramics) Ltd was formed.

It was based at the mill, and Roger Lee became a director of the company.

The business went on to design and manufacture tiles for palaces, luxury liners, hotels and swimming pools across the world until 2004, with Sally’s tiles winning Design Council and Design Industry

Association awards along the way. Art and design museum the V&A still holds examples of the company’s tiles in its ceramics collections.

When Sally decided to retire from manufacturing tiles, the tile studios at the mill were turned into more artists’ workshops, including three glass studios, adding to the range of artists that could be housed at the mill, while the former tile showroom was converted into a gallery.

Parndon Mill became a charitable trust in 2016 with a small team of trustees, that includes Roger Lee, appointed and dedicated to maintaining what is now a valued heritage and cultural asset, and taking it forward into the future. As she approaches a well-earned retirement at the end of this summer, Sally can be very proud of the legacy she has entrusted to them.

Trustees and volunteers sought

As a charitable trust, Parndon Mill is now run by a small but dedicated team of trustees and volunteers who would love to hear from anyone interested in joining them. In particular, new trustees are being sought who could dedicate time between quarterly board meetings to help play a part in pushing Parndon Mill forward. The trust is also seeking volunteers to take on the task of maintaining the gallery from September. Contact trustees Jenny Holland or Bev Ingram at volunteers@ parndonmill.co.uk for more information.

If you haven’t been to Parndon Mill before and would like to find out more email Roger Lee at roger@parndonmill.co.uk to arrange a visit.

Sally Anderson at Parndon Mill in Harlow. Below: the building in its milling days and the first gallery being worked on

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Good news: Ware’s new High Street Post Office is agreed

The Post Office on Ware High Street is set to open next month!

Contracts are signed and Postmaster Elliot Jacobs, who also runs Hertford Post Office in Maidenhead Street, is set to take over the old Martin’s site.

This is fantastic news and something I have worked hard to secure since the former Post Office’s closure. Restoring postal and banking services to the centre of Ware is important and really will make a difference to people’s everyday lives. Thank you to everyone who supported this campaign so enthusiastically from the start. I look forward to celebrating its opening soon.

This campaign really shone a spotlight on the need for local banking services in our area. I remain concerned about the wider trend towards their closure, particularly with both NatWest and HSBC branches in Hertford shutting this summer. I raised this with the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and contacted LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network, to explore the potential for new access to cash services. Exactly what this might look like depends on their expert assessment of what residents need but it is an important first step in the right direction. I will keep you posted on any updates.

Help for Grove Cottage

In Bishop’s Stortford, I was thrilled to present a £50,000 cheque from Stansted Airport’s Community Fund to Grove Cottage, an amazing charity that provides support to people with learning disabilities and their families. The money will help refurbish the organisation’s premises and ensure it is fit for their growing needs. I also met with Bishop’s Stortford Climate Group again to discuss a range of issues, from sustainable travel to heat pumps. It was a good meeting with lots to take away from.

Support for Ukrainians

I am delighted that new support for local Ukrainians is on its way. East Herts District Council will receive £217,029 in government funding to help Ukrainians move into their own homes and secure employment. Having met and supported many to settle in Hertford and Stortford, I know what a difference this will make. With the extension on how long Ukrainians

can use their driving licences in the UK to three years, these measures will undoubtedly help them to thrive in our community. I continue to support this every step of the way.

Monitoring the trains

Our area is filled with commuter towns, meaning problems with trains are especially frustrating. I know there have been some teething issues with Greater Anglia’s new timetable which is why I met with them to raise people’s concerns. Greater Anglia assured me they are monitoring travel patterns in response, including on passenger numbers and train capacity, and will react quickly when needed. The timetable changes are part of their plan to improve services and efficiency following the pandemic. We now have more carriages and more trains. Though progress is good there is more to do and I am on the case. If problems continue to affect you, please email me at julie.marson.mp@parliament.uk.

Julie making the presentation to Grove Cottage on behalf of Stansted Airport’s Community Fund

60,000 free trees available to green the county

Hertfordshire County Council is preparing to give away 60,000 trees to residents in the second year of a scheme aimed at creating a greener county.

Planting trees has a positive impact on air quality, helps reduce the carbon in our atmosphere, supports biodiversity and can help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.

In addition, access to natural features has been linked with benefits to physical and mental health.

The Your Tree, Our Future scheme was created as part of the county council’s Tree and Woodland Strategy which sets out how the council will increase tree cover.

In its inaugural year last year, the initiative was so popular that the council increased the number of trees it had intended to make available from 10,000 to 46,000 to meet demand.

At hertfordshire.gov.uk/yourtree you can choose from a selection of eight different native species, all of which have been chosen for their suitability for planting in Hertford-

August opening date for Ware’s new Post Office

Ware Post Office is to reopen at the beginning of next month bringing postal and banking services back to the town.

shire (crab apple, field maple, hawthorn, hazel, hornbeam, rowan, silver birch and wild cherry). There are also limited numbers of hedgerow packs that include 30 trees, enough to plant five to six metres of hedgerow. Trees will be provided on a first come first served basis and resi-

dents who have successfully requested trees will receive an email from the council with details of when and how to collect them from a local pick-up point. After this year the initiative will continue for a further two years with 30,000 trees available each year.

New campaign launches to highlight issue of air pollution

Easts Herts Council marked Clean Air Day on Thursday 15th June with the launch of its Breathe Clean initiative that is set to run across the district over the coming 12 months.

The project will work with schools, workplaces and community groups to highlight things that everyone can do to protect ourselves from air pollution while reducing our personal contribution to the problem.

The launch took place at Abel Smith School in Hertford, where a clean air workshop was held for pupils.

Other initiatives with schools are set to include outdoor classroom days, car-free days, walk to school weeks and scientific experiments to measure air quality.

Working with businesses, the project will focus on how workplaces can encourage greater use of public transport and higher levels of

Funding will double pothole repairs

Hertfordshire County Council has received a multi-million pound boost from the Government to help it tackle potholes across the county.

The allocation of nearly £4million from the Government’s Pothole Fund will double the amount of pothole repairs carried out, taking the total expected repairs to 40,000 this year.

The council also intends to replace or protect existing surfaces on hundreds of roads in the county to extend their lifespan and prevent

thousands of potholes developing. To report potholes online so that they can be added to the repair and maintenance programme visit hertfordshire.gov.uk/highwaysfaults.

walking and cycling to work. The project team will also work with community groups to help them raise awareness of air pollution through their own networks and neighbourhoods, and to set up sustainability events. Schools, businesses and community groups interested in taking part should contact MP Smarter Travel who are running the programme with the council by emailing info@mpsmartertravel.co.uk.

The town centre lost its Post Office in January with the closure of Martin’s convenience store in which it was based, prompting an urgent search for a new operator who could provide services in the town.

Postmaster Elliot Jacobs, who already operates Herford Post Office in Maidenhead Street and a further six other branches, has taken on half of the former Martin’s premises, which is currently undergoing a refit.

From Tuesday 1st August the new-look shop will be home to a UOE stationery store as well as Post Office services.

UOE (or Universal Office Equipment) sells stationery, packaging materials, greeting cards, design-led gifts and novelties and also offers services such as copying, printing, binding, laminating and ID photos. The premises at 9 High Street will be open be open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm daily with the exception of Thursday which will have a later opening time of 10am.

CORPORATE HIRE

Hertford Castle is a unique and versatile venue, offering a range of affordable professional spaces to hire from £40 per hour.

Whether it is a blue-sky session, a game-changing presentation, dynamic learning and development, or a team building meeting, Hertford Castle could be the perfect venue for your next corporate event.

Tel: 01992 552885

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Discover the benefits of natural bamboo rugs at newly-opened CazenRug

June saw the opening of CazenRug, a new rug showroom in the premises formerly home to Hertford Organic in the town’s Honey Lane.

The business partners behind the venture, Aykut Sahin and Cihan Gunes, work with a traditional manufacturer in Turkey to produce their rugs that are available in a wide range of designs and sizes to suit every room of the home. There are a number of traditional Turkish-style designs but the range also includes modern designs, for example featuring bright coloured geometric patterns and luxurious looking marble effect and gilded designs.

They’re made from bamboo, a sustainable and versatile material that is growing in popularity due to its eco-friendly credentials.

Bamboo gives the rugs a soft and plush look and feel and has natural antibacterial qualities. The rugs are also easy to look after, with a natural resistance to staining and are machine washable as well.

At the Hertford shop visitors will have the chance to see and feel the quality of the rugs in person, although they will soon also be available nationwide through the website cazenrug.co.uk which will offer free delivery anywhere in the UK.

CazenRug is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 3pm.

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Cihan Gunes, one of the two partners involved in CazenRug, in the shop

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Looking for an intimate venue?

Historic Place House Hall is now licensed for wedding ceremonies

Couples seeking an historic venue for their wedding ceremony now have a new local option to consider – the Grade 1 listed Place House Hall in the heart of Ware, which has just become licensed for civil wedding ceremonies. Place House Hall, which is tucked away in Bluecoat Yard just off Ware’s East Street, can accommodate up to 50 guests in its medieval hall, making it ideal for a small and intimate ceremony. It also has a secluded period garden with a pergola and medieval-style planting, which can act as a picturesque backdrop for photography.

The hall is hired out to you exclusively for the day, from 9am to 10pm (9pm on a Sunday) at a cost of £800 and small receptions after the ceremony can also be accommodated on-site.

The building dates back to the late 13th century and has played a variety of roles in Ware’s history, having been the Manor House of Ware in royal ownership; Christ’s Hospital School and a school for young ladies before being used as a private residence during the 20th century.

In the 1970s it was bequeathed to Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust to be restored and is now managed by the trust as an amenity hall for local people. Over the years, many people who have used the hall have asked about getting married in it, hence the trust applying for the newly granted licence.

To arrange to view the hall call 01992 504331 or email enquiries@placehousehall.org. For further information, see its website, placehousehall.org.

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WHAT’S ON

Battle Proms at Hatfield Park

Summer Evenings at the Zoo

Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne will again be opening late for its Summer Evenings at the Zoo events during the school holidays.

Every Friday and Saturday from 21st July to 19th August, the zoo will host live entertainment with a carnival atmosphere, giving families the chance to see over 800 animals and enjoy speciality treats and drinks as the sun sets. There will be live acoustic music, stilt walkers, drummers, food trucks and drinks vendors and

visitors can also experience more than 40 animatronic dinosaurs in the World of Dinosaurs.

Other attractions at Paradise Wildlife Park include Sun Bear Heights and Jaguar Jungle, Tumble Jungle soft play area, a splash pool at Boulders Beach and Safari Crazy Golf – not to mention the opportunity to simply relax and watch the big cats.

The Summer Evenings run from 6.30pm to 9.30pm and are all ticketed events – book yours at pwpark.com.

The annual Battle Proms picnic concert celebration featuring music, fireworks, Spitfire, cannon and cavalry returns for its regular visit to Hatfield Park on Saturday 15th July. The afternoon and evening includes a full two hour orchestral concert from the New English Concert Orchestra culminating in a Last Night of the Proms-style singalong to fireworks. The event also features the Battle Proms Belles with their vintage vocals and live band, mounted cavalry displays, a choreographed aerial display from a WW2 Spitfire, live firing cannon and (to be confirmed) the Red Devils parachute display team. The event runs from 4.3010.30pm and tickets start at £21 from hatfield-house.co.uk.

Standon Calling

Left it to the last minute to book tickets for this year’s Standon Calling festival?

The final tier of tickets have now been released for the boutique festival that runs in the grounds of Standon Lordship from Thursday 20th to Sunday 23rd July. As ever, this popular, family-friendly festival boasts a fabulous line-up,

Open air Roman Theatre

headlined this time by Years and Years, Self Esteem, Bloc Party and The Human League, with Anastacia, Katy B, Confidence Man, Dylan, K T Tunstall, Melanie C and Scouting For Girls also booked. Day tickets, from £55, and weekend camping tickets, from £240.75, are available at standon-calling.com.

Noel Coward’s Private Lives is now underway at the Roman Theatre Festival in St Albans. The summer festival, run by theatre company OVO, features a series of different plays running from June through to September on different dates. During July, as well as Private Lives, you can see performances of Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet and The Railway Children. Book ahead to August for Little

Women, The Threepenny Opera, The Count of Monte Cristo and The Wind in the Willows, among others.

Tickets generally cost between £23.50 and £28.50 depending upon the performance, with preview tickets for some shows at £14.50 and reduced prices for children. The Roman Theatre of Verulamium is in Bluehouse Hill, St Albans AL3 6AE. Visit ovo.org.uk to book.

TIM MOROZZO

CIAN LENNON

Teens Unite’s It’s a Knockout returns

The Teens Unite charity’s infamous It’s A Knockout event returns to Wormley Playing Fields on Sunday 16th July. Teams will battle it out on the It’s A Knockout assault course which features giant inflatables, hysterical games and oversized props, creating a fun spectacle for spectators to enjoy.

Teams of 10 adults or children (aged 4-15) can book to take part – they can be made up of families, friends or work colleagues – with every penny raised going towards the Hoddesdon-based charity’s work supporting children and young adults living with cancer.

The juniors event kicks off at 10am with the adults at 1pm. To book your team in visit teensunite.org/events.

Beer and food festival among Hertford events

The Hertford Castle Beer and World Food Festival takes place in the grounds of Hertford Castle on Sunday 9th July, from 12noon to 6pm.

It will feature a beer tent with a variety of local and national beers, ales and ciders, a gin and Prosecco area and a selection of world food stalls. Admission is free. The event is part of the wider Hertford Food and Drink Festival over the weekend which also includes a farmers’ market on the Saturday and a variety of events and promotions in local restaurants. Visit hertford.gov.uk for a full programme.

Flower Power at Parndon Mill

The Sixties are remembered at The Gallery at Parndon Mill in Harlow this month in a colourful new exhibition, Flower Power. The exhibition is a celebration of that swinging decade expressed creatively in textiles. Flower Power runs until Sunday 6th August at the gallery in Parndon Mill Lane, off Elizabeth Way, Harlow CM20 2HP. Call 01279 426042 or visit parndonmill.co.uk for more information.

Family-friendly events

Hertford Castle will host its annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic on Sunday 23rd July from 12noon to 4pm. Bring your picnic and favourite teddies for an afternoon of family fun. A brass band will perform and Hertford Canoe Club will be running water-based activities on the River Lea too.

On Wednesday 2nd August, Hertford town centre will be filled with child-friendly activities and games between 11am and 4pm for Hertford Play Day. Most activities are free. Both events are organised by Hertford Town Council.

St Clare hosts its summer fayre

St Clare Hospice in Hastingwood near Harlow holds its annual summer fayre on Saturday 8th July from 11am to 4pm. There will be food and craft stalls, inflatables, shows throughout the day and games for the kids. Entry is £3 for adults, under-16s free. The hospice postcode is CM17 9JX. Visit stclarehospice.org.uk.

Outdoor Cinema Night at Fanhams Hall Hotel

Come to Fanhams Hall and enjoy a summer evening of outdoor film showings! The Greatest Showman (PG)

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

ALAN FLETCHER – THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW

Tuesday 4th July, 8pm

Tickets: £29

Concessions £26

Meet and Greet £54

FIREMAN SAM SAVES THE CIRCUS

Thursday 17th August, 12noon & 3.30pm

Tickets: £18, Children £17

Family of four £66

SIX: TEEN EDITION

Thursday 24th –

Saturday 26th August, 7pm, + Saturday matinée 3pm

Tickets: £15

BOX OFFICE – 01707 645005

WYLLYOTTS THEATRE, WYLLYOTTS PLACE, DARKES LANE, POTTERS BAR EN6 2HN www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk

Ware Festival featuring Rock in the Priory lights up July

With the annual carnival having kicked off this month’s Ware Festival on Saturday 1st July (as previewed in last month’s Axis), the focus now turns to another three weeks of events.

On Friday 7th and Saturday 8th July, Ware Musical Theatre present their summer concert, Guys and Dolls (concert version), at Ware Drill Hall in Amwell End. (waremusicaltheatre.org.uk).

On Saturday 8th the town’s annual raft race takes place along the River Lea, starting at 12.30pm by the library car park. Other events on the Saturday include:

l Putting competition at Ware Bowls Club from 1-3pm, perfect for families and friends to take each other on. Teams of three max, £2 adults, £1 children.

l Pavement artists competition on the back lawn at Ware Priory from 2-3.15pm.

l The 9th Riverside Real Ale Festival opens at 12noon at Ware

Priory, featuring 27 real ales with cider, wine and soft drinks available as well. There will also be a barbecue on the lawn plus entertainment for children and live music. Tickets bought via Ticketsource guarantee entry and cost £5 including a free beer token.

On Sunday 16th July tribute band Abba Stars will perform on the back lawn at the Priory from 5-7pm. Admission is free and the bar will be open.

The festival’s closing event – and always one of the most popular – is the outdoor concert Rock in the Priory, on Sunday 30th July. Gates open at noon with the first act on stage at 12.30pm. Entry is free but donations to the festival charities are welcomed. There will be food and a bar available. Ware Festival is organised by Ware Town Council.

For a comprehensive listing of all the festival events this month visit waretowncouncil.gov.uk.

The raft race, Riverside Real Ale Festival and Rock in the Priory

From Indy to Barbie: the best new films to see now

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (12A)

Now showing

Indy meets Fleabag as Phoebe Waller-Bridge joins Harrison Ford in this much-anticipated fifth instalment of the hero archaeologist franchise. As he approaches retirement, Indy wrestles with a new kind of world but the old and familiar comes back to him as he seeks to make sure an ancient and powerful artefact stays out of the wrong hands.

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (PG)

Now showing

The new animation from Dream works tells the story of a 16-yearold girl struggling to fit in at her US high school who is forbidden by her over-protective mum from ever going in the sea. But when Ruby breaks her mum’s number one rule she goes on to discover that she is a direct descendent of the warrior Kraken queens and

is destined to inherit the throne of her grandmother, the Warrior Queen of the Seven Seas.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (12A)

Out on Friday 14th July

Oppenheimer tells the story of the man behind the atomic bomb from the animated Barbie films. Greta Gerwig directs Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken while the supporting cast includes such luminaries as Will Ferrell, Ncuti Gatwa (the new Doctor Who), Dua Lipa and Helen Mirren.

Oppenheimer (TBC)

Out on Friday 21st July

Christopher Nolan directs this

epic thriller about J Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist who helped develop the first nuclear weapons. Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders) plays Oppenheimer alongside Emily Blunt as his wife Kitty and a strong cast that includes Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr, Florence Pugh, Gary Oldman, Kenneth Branagh and Rami Malek.

Summer Holiday Activities Summer Holiday Activities

Exciting FREE activities coming up in Ware Priory grounds this summer! Follow the QR code for further information and to book when they go live.

1st August - Archery (All ages)

8th August - Doodle Jam (All ages)

22nd August - Water Wars (All ages)

29th August - Multi sports (All ages)

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet – to track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands. As a deadly race around the To

BOOKING REQUIRED

24th July - Mosaic Craft (Under 12's)

9th August - Rock Climbing Wall (12-17 years)

14th August - Pedal Cars (Under 12's)

23rd August - Zorb Football (12-17 years)

29th August - Multi sports/Dodgeball (All ages)

29th August - Mosaic Mural (12-17 years)

FOOD & DRINK

Why Bramfield’s Grandison is the ideal place for summer

It was back in 2008 that husband and wife team Aaron and Cheri Clayton bought The Grandison in the attractive village of Bramfield, just north of Hertford. With hard work and dedication over the next 10 years they turned the pub into one of the area’s bestknown establishments, one with an enviable reputation for its good food and hospitality. Having done so they decided to take a well-earned step back from the day to day running of the business for a while, leasing the pub to new management. Now, five years on and with that lease at an end, and after a brief closure of less than two weeks, Aaron and Cheri reopened the pub on Friday 9th June in perfect time for the summer season. Very much aware of the time at which they have re-entered the industry, and with customers’ budgets squeezed, Aaron and Cheri have put together very affordable new menus with a la carte mains starting at just £9.25. On weekdays a set menu offers two courses for £12.95 or three for £15.95 at lunchtime and in the evening. And drinks too have been reduced in price, with some pints at the bar as much as £1 cheaper than previously.

As a free house, The Grandison continues its tradition of offering well-kept real ales, including a local beer from Buntingford Brewery, and also has a keenly priced wine list.

Visitors can expect classic casual country pub dining. Where possible, everything is made from scratch, using local suppliers and seasonal ingredients. A selection of staple pub classics and changing seasonal dishes will keep the menu fresh and interesting all year round and full menus can be viewed on the new website, grandisonpub.com.

What’s on the menu?

The weekday set menu includes starter choices such as chicken

parfait with chutney and toast; and mains Suffolk pork sausages with creamed potato, crispy leeks and red wine gravy; or pea and mint risotto with brioche and Parmesan crumb.

The main menu features starters including a deli board with chicken parfait, salt and pepper squid, whitebait, halloumi fries and homemade arancini (£18.95). There is an excellent choice of main courses, from catch of the day with samphire, peas, mussels, brown shrimp and dauphinoise

potato, for fish-lovers; to homemade pie of the day with creamed potato, buttered greens and red wine jus (£14.50); or halloumi stack with chargrilled peppers, courgettes and aubergine with sauté potatoes and pesto dressing at £13.50.

On Sunday, a selection of dishes from the main menu is offered alongside a choice of roasts. All roasts are served with garlic and thyme roast potatoes, parsnip purée, red cabbage, buttered greens, pan gravy and

Yorkshire pudding. The pub is open Tuesday to Sunday from 12noon to 11pm, with food served from 12-3pm and 5.30-9pm Tuesday to Saturday, and from 12-4.30pm on Sunday. And don’t forget it has front and rear terraces that are just perfect for outside summer dining!

The Grandison

18 Bury Lane, Bramfield SG14 2QL 01992 554077 grandisonpub.com

EAT AL FRESCO

Ritchie’s wine notes

By Ritchie Tough of Cavavin

The different methods used to create sparkling wine

How much do you know about the different methods used to create your favourite sparkling wines?

These days, more and more vineyards are using the Prossecco-style method – and they often charge quite the premium despite this being one of the cheapest ways to create a sparkling wine. This is known as the Charmat method. It differs from the traditional Champagne method (more of which later on) because the second fermentation takes place in a large steel tank instead of in the bottle. It is more efficient and faster than the traditional method and requires less space in the winery. You can find great wines for £20£30 a bottle using this Charmat method. Very trendy at the moment is the Pet Nat method. This winemaking technique involves bottling wine that is still fermenting to trap carbon dioxide gas in the bottle, creating a gentle carbonation. It is natural and one of the oldest methods around.

Now, on to the Champagne method. The best wines from around the world still use this technique, and it is done by adding a mixture of sugar and yeast, called the liqueur de tirage, to still wine (this is the second fermentation). The Champagne method is considered to produce the highest-quality, longestlived and most complex sparkling wines in the world. It is also the most expensive, labour-intensive, and timeconsuming method.

While we still associate sparkling wines with France, outside of that country you may be surprised to know that English vineyards, along with Franciacorta from Italy, are leading the way with high end sparkling wines. But, at a lower price point, the humble Cava and Cremant offer excellent value for money with some stunning examples available. Finally, for something a little different, some of the best Champagne houses will add a touch of oak to their sparkling wines. Here at Cavavin, we sell the Haton vineyard’s stunning oak-aged grand cru Champagne that is aged on the lees for eight years. It is amazing value at £39.50.

THE GEORGE IV Pub & Dining

Nestled in the picturesque village of Great Amwell, The George IV offers exceptional restaurant cuisine within a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Oliver and his team serve a menu of seasonal and fresh small and large sharing plates to enjoy on the sun-drenched terrace over the summer months. The George IV can also be the perfect venue for your next event. Whether it is an intimate wedding, baby shower, birthday or a special anniversary, there is a variety of dining options to suit any occasion in the private dining room and courtyard.

Cautherly Lane, Great Amwell

SG12 9SW / 01920 870039 info@georgeivpub.co.uk www.georgeivpub.co.uk

BAAN THITIYA Thai

Baan Thitiya, Bishop’s Stortford’s premier Thai restaurant, is the perfect place for relaxed dining. Close to Bishop’s Stortford town centre, it has a beautiful garden and its own parking while, inside, the restaurant is decorated in a contemporary Thai style. The extensive menu features high quality food prepared by Thai chefs with an emphasis on fresh, healthy ingredients and authentic, natural flavours. It also has an excellent wine list. Baan Thitiya is open seven days for lunch and dinner. A warm welcome and great service await you.

102 London Road, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3DS 01279 658575

www.baan-thitiya.com

THE GOLDEN FLEECE Pub & Dining

The Golden Fleece is an old English pub with a contemporary twist, and one where the food is so good that it has earned an entry in the Michelin Guide for Hotels and Restaurants. Set at the heart of the village of Braughing, Jess and Peter Tatlow’s pub offers a menu of fresh, seasonal and delicious locally sourced food and also caters for diners who require gluten-free meals. As a freehouse at the heart of its community, the Fleece is also able to offer a wide range of real ales, beers, wines and spirits. A takeaway menu is also available.

20 Green End, Braughing

SG11 2PG 01920 823555

www.goldenfleecebraughing.co.uk

THE DUSTY MILLER Country pub

The Dusty Miller is a country pub and casual dining venue just outside Harlow, surrounded by countryside and close to the river. It serves freshly-cooked pub food, including a pie of the day and other pub classics, together with a good selection of gluten-free and vegan dishes. Thursday night is Steak Night with two steaks and a bottle of wine for £50. The Dusty Miller is open from 12noon to 11pm Wednesday to Saturday and from 12noon to 6.30pm on Sunday when a traditional roast is available. It also has a large, sunny garden area.

Burnt Mill Lane, Harlow CM20 2QS 01279 424180

www.dustymillerharlow.co.uk

RONI’S Fine Dining

Roni’s, set in the heart of Bishop’s Stortford, is a fine dining restaurant where both the quality of food and the service combine to offer guests a memorable experience. Roni’s offers a wide range of traditional dishes, passionately crafted, including gluten-free and vegan menus. There is a set lunch menu as well as the main menu and superb roasts are served on Sundays. Social wine tastings can also be booked for groups of family or friends in the private dining room. Roni’s is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 12noon to 10pm, and closed on Monday.

16 North Street, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2LQ 01279 508856

www.ronisrestaurant.co.uk

THE BEEHIVE Country Pub

This family-run country freehouse reopened following a lockdown renovation with a major extension, creating new modern facilities which blend well with its historic character. The new look is proving popular with customers enjoying a menu that has plenty of fresh fish and seafood dishes as well as steaks, burgers, pies and many others. Vegan and vegetarian dishes are always available. It also offers a great Sunday lunch. Afternoon teas, which must be booked, are available from Monday to Saturday. Check social media for forthcoming events. Book now to experience its fresh new look!

Epping Green, near Hertford

SG13 8NB / 01707 875959

www.beehiveeppingreen.co.uk

For Sale: Hertford £1,575,000

A spacious and unique five-bedroom detached family home situated in a ‘private island’ location within walking distance to the centre of Hertford and Hertford North Station. The mature garden has a beautiful bridge leading to a tranquil, private waterside garden overlooking a chalk mill stream from the River Beane.

For Sale: Bengeo £850,000

A well-presented, four-bedroom family home in a sought-after quiet road in Bengeo, Hertford. This extended Victorian property boasts character and charm and is an excellent opportunity for any family looking for a spacious and well-maintained home. It also has a great level family garden and off-street parking space.