Axis magazine March 2024 issue

March

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LOCAL LIFE

KILLING THE GROOVE

Standon Calling on a break as Rock In The Priory ends

SPECIAL REPORT

Councils set budgets in face of tough financial climate

YOUR IDEAL HOME

Find inspiration to improve your home this Spring

WHAT’S ON WHERE

10 pages of things to do as Easter approaches

FOOD AND DRINK

New chef opens fresh chapter for Auberge du Lac

WELCOME

What’s inside this issue

05-16 y Briefing

Standon Calling off; issues at Lea Wharf and council budgets special

29-38 y What’s

on

Roydon creative stars on TV and your guide to what’s on this month

21-28 y Home improvements

Find out about this year’s Ideal Home Show and our local specialists

39-43 y Food & drink

Welcome to the new incarnation of Auberge du Lac at Brocket Hall

17 y FASHION: The Women’s Society Boutique launches Spring season 18 y BID LATEST: Bishop’s Stortford has so much to offer this month

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)

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Front cover images (clockwise from top) John Barber, chef at Auberge Du Lac (p39); The proposed new southern gateway into Hoddesdon town centre (p7); Red panda at Hertfordshire Zoo (p29); The new film Immaculate which is showing in local cinemas this month; The Path to the Beach by Jenny Cater, which can be seen at The Gallery at Parndon Mill (p32).

BRIEFING

Music on pause

Standon Calling to take a year off while Rock In The Priory is confirmed as

over

Hertfordshire’s boutique music festival Standon Calling has announced that it is cancelling this summer’s event with what will be its 18th festival now scheduled to take place instead in 2025.

The news comes hot on the heels of an announcement that Ware’s annual live music event Rock In The Priory played its last in 2023. And combined with last year’s reluctant decision by volunteer organisers to end Hertford’s annual Musical Mystery Tour in the light of onerous and expensive health and safety requirements, it means that summer 2024 looks set to be a relatively quiet one.

Standon Calling boasts having provided some of the UK’s biggest stars a platform at the very start of their careers – Florence and the Machine, Friendly Fires, Mumford and Sons and Rag ‘n’ Bone Man to name just a few.

The family-friendly event offers entertainment for all ages with a full programme of events and activities for young visitors, swimming and

even a dog show!

But organisers say that with costs having risen significantly over the past few years, the financial challenges of putting on the type of event attendees have come to expect has led them to conclude that “the only sensible decision is to take a fallow year for the very first time in our history (other than during the height of Covid-19) and use this time to make the 18th Standon Calling one for the ages.”

They say those who had already bought tickets will have been offered the chance to roll them over to 2025 or could request a refund.

Rock In The Priory has been the closing highlight of Ware’s annual town festival which runs throughout July for more than two decades, and has acted as a showcase for up and coming local bands.

Ware Town Council, which oversaw the event, announced in February that 2023 had been the last Rock In The Priory. It thanked the organising team as well as “the many talented musicians who have graced the stage on Priory Island over the years.” It said that as one chapter closed, the council was “already at work curating fresh events to enrich our summer programme which we hope will be enjoyed by our community.”

NEWS WORTH KNOWING

Historic Ware Library building could be converted into apartments

The Grade 2 listed building currently home to Ware Library could be redeveloped into homes after the service moves to new premises farther along the High Street. Plans produced on behalf of owner Hertfordshire County Council by architects Ian Abrams, that were the subject of an informal public consultation during January and February, show how the 18th century former maltster’s house at 87 High Street could be redeveloped. Proposals suggest four apartments could be provided within the red brick building that fronts the High

Street along with three houses on the wider site. These would front onto Burgage Lane.

The county council decided back in 2022 that the building did not lend itself to the delivery of a modern library service – citing the poorly laid-out public areas and accessibility difficulties presented by its mezzanine area. It has acquired new premises to house the library at 43-45 High Street, formerly home to Peacocks.

A spokesperson said: “The new library site is expected to be ready in autumn 2024 and any decisions

on the sale of the existing library site can then be taken forward.” Responding to the consultation, Ware Town Council said it accepted the principle of some residential development of the site but would prefer to see a commercial element included. It also expressed concern that the lack of parking could have an impact on adjacent roads. You can view the proposals for 87 High Street at ian-abrams-architects.co.uk. A formal public consultation will take place when a planning application is submitted.

Standon Calling (above) and Rock In The Priory have been staples of the summer scene for local music fans for years

The current Ware Library building

Lea Wharf: First opening but planning issues remain

East Herts Council and developer working to resolve outstanding conditions as medical centre opens its doors

Hertford’s Lea Wharf development on the site of the former Bircherley Green shopping centre in Hertford has welcomed its first new tenant.

The former Wallace House GP surgery, now known as Lea Wharf Medical, moved across town from St Andrew Street to open on Monday 19th February.

Developer Chase New Homes said that Boots, which is taking the biggest commercial unit at Lea Wharf was also currently fitting out its space in preparation for opening. Meanwhile signage is up revealing the costs of parking in the refurbished multi-storey car park which Chase says will be open for use by the general public by the end of this month.

However, it said it was unable to yet confirm when the other commercial units will open.

Unresolved issues

It is clear that while the physical building work may have progressed at pace, timeframes for the development’s full occupation and opening are going to be reliant on the speedy resolution of a number of urgent issues relating to the

planning consent issued for the scheme by East Herts Council.

As is routine, the local authority attached a range of conditions to the approval for Lea Wharf, some of which require the developer to provide information and have it agreed and signed off in writing before occupation of a part, or all of the site.

Yet despite homes already being in occupation and now the medical centre having opened, there are a number of such conditions still to be formally discharged.

These include, among others, a requirement (condition 61) that

details of the bus station facilities, including the plans for their maintenance and cleaning, be approved, and for the facilities to be open. Another major one, condition 23, as reported in Axis last month, relates to the delivery and servicing arrangements, including for refuse collection, at the development. While Chase has submitted plans for these, there are substantial unresolved objections to both the proposed route to be taken through the development by delivery vehicles and the proposed delivery hours and this condition has not been discharged.

A spokesperson for East Herts Council said: “While there was no prior discussion with the council about the occupation of the premises in advance of the conditions being discharged, East Herts District Council are aware of the occupations having taken place without conditions compliance. “This is a concern to the council and formal enforcement action is on hold pending the imminent resolution of the complex issues now surrounding the development, which is actively being sought by all parties involved to reach a mutually acceptable solution.”

Hoddesdon town centre’s southern gateway to be improved

The southern gateway to Hoddesdon town centre is set to be improved to make it more welcoming and user-friendly to pedestrians. A public consultation document approved in February for release shows how, as part of the first phase of its wider Hoddesdon Town Centre Strategy, Broxbourne Council intends to improve the area at the intersection of the High Street and Charlton Way. With clutter from utility boxes prominent in the street, poor surfacing around the plane trees and the Welcome to Hoddesdon sign obscured by one-way signage, the area lacks the attractiveness that it ought to have as a gateway into

the town centre.

Developments in and around the town have contributed funding towards the planned improvements with the southern gateway project likely to cost around £300,000.

Proposals include new paving, new brick planters, replacing safety fencing with heritage style iron railings topped with flower baskets and new seating to include a custom made circular bench around one of the plane trees. The Welcome to Hoddesdon sign will be moved to a new location and illuminated at night.

The project is scheduled to take place during the council year 2024/5.

The southern entrance to Hoddesdon will become much more welcoming

Julie Marson MP visiting the medical centre; the car park signage in place at Lea Wharf

Reduction in rubbish going to landfill in sight as work begins on waste transfer station

Work has begun on Hertfordshire County Council’s new waste transfer station behind Ware recycling centre on Westmill Road.

Refuse collection vehicles deposit waste and recycling at transfer stations ahead of it being sent to its end destination which could be a recycling facility, energy recovery facility or landfill.

Bin lorries collecting from homes in eastern Hertfordshire currently have to travel to the county’s only existing transfer station near Watford.

But the new waste transfer station will provide a local facility where vehicles can tip, reducing the amount of vehicles needed and, importantly, the miles travelled. Bulky items unsuitable for processing through energy-from-waste facilities can end up in landfill. The new transfer station will have a bulky waste shredding facility helping the council to meet its ambition of sending zero waste to landfill by 2030.

The site will be powered by electricity generated by landfill gas from the neighbouring former

Businesses in Hertford asked for their views on setting up a BID

impact on the surrounding areas.

Following a ground-breaking event on Monday 26th February, county council leader Cllr Richard Roberts said: “This is a critical infrastructure project ... which reflects our vision for a cleaner,

The pharmacist will see you now...

Hertford and Stortford MP Julie Marson says at least 266 pharmacies across Hertfordshire and West Essex have signed up to the Government’s new Pharmacy First services.

Designed to reduce pressure on GP services and speed up access to care, the new initiative which launched on 31st January allows pharmacists to utilise more of their medical skills and training and offer patients treatment for seven common medical conditions. You can now get treatment for sinusitis, sore throats, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women from the pharmacists that are signed up to the scheme (95% of pharmacies in England have opted in), either in person or by contacting them virtually.

The pharmacist will be able to speak to you in a separate consultation room, may perform an

examination or ask to access your medical records, and will be able to recommend the best course of action on an individual patient basis, including by issuing prescriptions for antibiotics or antivirals where necessary.

Mrs Marson said: “The pandemic put huge pressure on our NHS services here in Hertford and Stortford. As we continue with our recovery, it is vital that patients receive the care they need

quickly and easily. The Pharmacy First approach uses the skills of our pharmacists to treat people without putting pressure on GP services. This is brilliant news, and I am sure it will be welcomed across the country.

“It is reassuring that at least 266 pharmacies have signed up to Pharmacy First across Hertfordshire and West Essex, ensuring that the local people can access care when they need it.”

Businesses in Hertford are being canvassed for their views on the possible setting up of a Business Improvement District in the town. Covering a defined area, a BID is a business-led body formed to deliver initiatives to improve the area, quite often a town centre.

These can be anything from street scene improvements to the hosting of major events and marketing initiatives.

Businesses within the BID area fund these via a stated levy on the rateable value of their business (generally between 1.5% and 2.5%).

The result is a ring-fenced pot of money to be managed and spent, according to the BID’s business plan, by business for business on the initiatives they believe will improve the area and benefit trade. BIDs are already in existence across the UK including nearby in Hoddesdon and Bishop’s Stortford.

Setting up a BID involves consultation with businesses to see what improvements they might want and be prepared to pay for, after which a business plan is drawn up and put to a ballot of all businesses in the area.

A majority vote would result in the creation of the BID for a maximum five-year term.

Place management specialists

Heartflood say a BID in Hertford could generate around £175,000 a year to invest in improvements. It is seeking the views of local businesses via a survey which you can find at uk.surveymonkey.com/r/ Hertford2023.

This CGI shows the footprint of the waste transfer station near Ware landfill site and will have solar panels fitted to the roof of the main building. It will also be equipped with modern noise and odour controls, ensuring minimal

greener, healthier Hertfordshire.” Work is due to be completed by January 2026.

Julie Marson MP welcomed the news

STEVENAGE

HITCHIN

KNEBWORTH

BUNTINGFORD

WELWYN

WELWYN

HERTFORD

WARE

01707 390018

01438 714686

01992 582052

01920 468551

LETCHWORTH

HODDESDON

HARWOOD

HARPENDEN

01462 684292

01992 471709

01438 812515

01582 762570

FOR SALE

East Herts plans to sell off £6m of buildings and land to pay down debt in bid to balance books in future years

FOR SALE FOR SALE

East Herts Council is to sell off buildings and land that it owns in a bid to ensure that it can balance its books in the coming years and continue to provide local services. In its first budget setting process since taking control of the authority last May, the Green and Liberal Democrat leadership team is recommending disposing of assets that include Ware’s Southern Maltings, flats at Northgate End in Bishop’s Stortford and car parks leased to Waitrose in Bishop’s Stortford and Tesco in Ware.

Some £6million of the money raised would be used to pay off borrowing and reduce the amount of debt the council has to service. Each £1million of debt repaid will save £88,133 per year for 30 years (made up of an amount to pay off the loan itself plus interest).

Another £4.6million of asset sales could be used to deliver the council’s capital (or investment) programme reducing the need to incur more borrowing.

The debt problem

Within months of taking the helm the new leadership was expressing concern about the debt it had inherited from the previous administration which had borrowed to finance the building of a new car park at Northgate End and to redevelop Grange Paddocks leisure centre, both in Bishop’s Stortford; along with projects to redevelop both Hartham leisure centre in Hertford and Hertford Theatre. The projects are laudably designed to improve facilities so that ulti-

mately instead of needing subsidising, they make a positive contribution to the council’s budget.

But inflation and higher interest rates following first Brexit and then the pandemic have seen project costs rise (in the case of Hertford Theatre from an initially predicted £13.5million to more than £30million).

The council has to make provision to pay back borrowing together with interest and the new administration warned back in the autumn that tough decisions would need to be made to ensure the council could do this and continue to meet its statutory service provision in the medium term.

A balanced budget for 24/25

It says that it has balanced the books for 2024/5. Savings already being implemented by service departments will help as will Government funding and an increase in its portion of council tax of 2.99 per cent (this would equate to an extra £5.65 per year for a band D property) from April.

The council will also reduce the amount it pays into the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Joint Committee, generate income through charging for advertising (for example on the council website or on bins), and reduce the specification of its grounds maintenance contract by £50,000.

It had already announced last year that it intended to “pause” building a new arts centre at Old River Lane in Bishop’s Stortford that would have further added to

Below: Capital projects undertaken by East Herts include Hertford Theatre and Northgate End car park in Bishop’s Stortford

its debt burden, to a future date. Instead it will invest £170,000 into the nearby URC Hall which is used by local amateur dramatics, comedy and community groups.

It will keep the site of the former Charringtons House car park for the arts centre but the remainder of the Old River Lane site, earmarked for redevelopment with new homes, shops and offices, appears on the list of assets to be disposed of, in this case to developer Cityheart for £2.7million.

Waitrose car park is to be offered to the store for £2.2million, Tesco’s to the retailer for £1.25million, flats at Northgate End are to be sold via an estate agent and estimated to be worth £3.75million, while Ware’s Southern Maltings will be offered to Ware Town Council for £250,000.

The remaining land and property –land at Widford Road in Hunsdon, 22 Great Innings North in Watton at Stone, land at King George Road in Ware and land adjacent to 65 Sele Road in Hertford will be sold via public auction.

Preparing for the future

Even with these sales the council will still need to make savings in future years. Discussions are already underway around increasing the charges for parking and for green waste collection so that the services move from a loss or breakeven position to a surplus.

The proposed budget and medium term financial plan was set to be considered by a meeting of the full council on 28th February.

The Southern Maltings arts centre building and Tesco car park in Ware are among the assets East Herts Council is looking to sell off

The Waitrose car park in Bishop’s Stortford has been offered for sale to the retailer

What do we get when we vote Green?

Residents elected Greens as the majority party on East Herts District Council (EHDC) and Hertford and Ware Town Councils in May 2023. After nearly a year, Greens and Lib Dems as the Joint Administration at EHDC have just agreed their first budget. So what does the budget tell us about the values of the new leadership team? In this article, EHDC executive member Alex Daar shares her thoughts on the financial decisions made...

It is a legal requirement that councils set balanced budgets. After ending 24 years of Conservative control here in East Herts, we faced some tough decisions – not least how to afford the borrowing necessary to fund the four expensive capital projects begun by the previous Conservative administration.

Plus, council finances have never been tighter following recent high inflation, not matched by increased government funding or council tax receipts. The Local Government Association reports that one in five councils face bankruptcy.

So what are our priorities? EHDC is responsible for a range of vital services including refuse and

recycling collection, planning, licensing, housing and parking. These take up the majority of the budget and it’s critical we keep these frontline services well funded for everyone’s benefit.

We’re also working hard to fill the funding gap by making council services more efficient, finding new ways to generate income to pay for services and looking to sell council assets to reduce our borrowing.

Supporting the vulnerable

We were determined to support the most vulnerable and this priority is reflected in some of the choices we made.

We protected the grants to Citizens Advice Bureau and the Community

Alliance. Cuts here, we believe, would have an impact on people who need support with housing and health.

We also voted to maintain the Community Grants Programme supporting charities and community groups that aim to reduce social isolation, boost physical activity and improve mental health.

We protected the Blue Badge scheme, so that residents with disabilities will continue to enjoy free on and off-street parking. We also want thriving high streets and employment opportunities and so we’re maintaining support for economic development.

Planning enforcement

There is no statutory requirement to have planning enforcement which investigates alleged breaches by developers.

However, as Greens we know residents really value this way of holding developers to account and so we protected this. Planning enforcement helps ensure that the character of our market towns and rural areas is preserved and that promised public facilities are delivered.

It’ll come as no surprise that one of our priorities as Greens is to

protect the environment. We approved new Sustainability posts in Housing, Health and Planning to ensure this remains high on the agenda.

Open and transparent

Finally, one of our values is to be as open and transparent as possible and we showed this by publishing, for the first time, both the cuts intended to be made immediately and those not being made this year. We know that we will face even further challenges in 2025/26 when we need to make another £4.42million in savings which represents 17.5% of the council’s current expenditure. As Greens, we will aim to be environmentally focused whilst remaining fair and inclusive.

About Alex Daar

Alex Daar is a Hertford Town Councillor representing Bengeo North, and was elected in May 2023 to East Herts District Council where she represents Bengeo. She is also Hertford’s Deputy Mayor for the 2023/2024 Civic Year. Alex was first elected to Hertford Town Council in 2019 and has lived in Bengeo for 24 years.

County council raids its reserves to set its £1.1bn budget

Hertfordshire County Council has agreed its budget for the next financial year, detailing how it will spend £1.1billion on services. However, the financial climate has meant that producing a balanced budget has only been possible through three major decisions.

The first is a programme of £46million of efficiencies, service changes and cuts over the coming year, an amount described in a report to the council’s Cabinet on 15th January as “a substantial target” and “difficult to deliver”. It is also nearly double the record high level made by the council last year. What’s more, the same report envisages the amount of cuts and savings required by

2027/28 will increase to £74million.

The second is the use of some £13million from the council’s existing reserves, or savings, meaning some £37million will have been taken from the reserves over two years after £24.5million was used last year. The report to Cabinet makes it clear that this is not something that will be sustainable in the future.

Finally, the county council is also increasing its share of council tax by 4.99 per cent.

These actions mean the council will be able to spend nearly half a billion pounds on adult social care; over quarter of a billion pounds on children’s services; £80million on highways and

transport; £19million on capital investment in highways maintenance and £2.7million on capital investment to improve Hertfordshire’s fire stations.

Council leader Cllr Richard Roberts said: “Setting our budget for the year ahead has been hugely challenging, as we’ve dealt with the impact of rising prices and increased demand.”

Although the council has balanced the budget for the forthcoming year, the report to Cabinet makes it plain that “the council is in an extremely serious financial position” and, with real terms reductions in government grants expected from 2025/26 onwards, the future remains challenging.

County council leader

Cllr Richard Roberts

East Herts Council executive member Alex Daar explains the thinking behind the budget

Broxbourne says ‘years of prudent financial planning’ mean no service cuts, but council tax does rise by 3.3%

Broxbourne Council is putting up its portion of council tax by less than the rate of inflation, at 3.3 per cent, but has safeguarded all its services from cuts in the next financial year, 2024/25.

Cllr Paul Mason, Broxbourne’s cabinet member for finance and housing, told a meeting of the Conservative-run full council on Tuesday 27th February that, although the current funding climate for local authorities is very challenging, years of prudent financial planning had left Broxbourne in a good position with a balanced budget set without the need for any reductions in services.

He said the proposals outlined in the budget “demonstrate the council’s commitment to economic development and improving the lives of local residents, whilst ensuring the council has the resources necessary to deliver quality services across the borough.”

As part of its budget, Broxbourne has frozen one hour parking charges and market trader fees, in an attempt to encourage visitors to use the town centres and support local

businesses. However, there have been rises in line with inflation or “market rates” to all other fees and charges.

For example, two-hour parking charges will rise by 10p to £2.40 and the annual green waste collection fee will rise from £50 to £53.

The council is also involved in negotiations with The Hoddesdon School Trust to continue to operate the John Warner leisure centre in Hoddesdon, following the expiry of its 20-year joint use agreement.

If negotiations are successfully

concluded, the council has agreed to refurbish the centre at a cost of £4.5million so that it remains commercially viable for the duration of its lease.

The council also says that its Brookfield Riverside and Garden Village project, which is creating a new town centre and 1,250 homes along the A10 by the existing Brookfield Centre, will contribute around £1billion of investment in the borough, providing jobs and homes for local residents.

The 2024/25 budget makes pro-

vision for the next phases of the project, which will see the start of the next stage of design and the appointment of a partner for the development of Brookfield Garden Village.

Cllr Mason told the meeting: “This budget, and the investment in the people and places that it contains, clearly shows our ongoing determination to make Broxbourne the best place in which to live, work, invest and visit; and ensures we remain a borough of which we can all be proud.”

Harlow freezes council tax, avoids cuts and invests £32m

While other councils struggle to balance their books, Conservative-run Harlow Council is set to invest millions of pounds to improve local services and facilities, has frozen its portion of council tax and has protected all its services from cuts.

In agreeing its budget for 2024/25 on Thursday 22nd February, Harlow confirmed it would invest £32.8million in improvements, including:

l £660,000 investment to upgrade Harlow Museum;

l £350,000 to upgrade facilities at Harlow Playhouse;

l £35,000 project to upgrade Pets’ Corner in Harlow Town Park;

l £1.2million to upgrade council-owned assets such as shopping hatches and neighbourhood shopping centres;

l £200,000 for protective barri-

ers around green spaces to deter traveller encampments; and

l £830,000 to enhance the Latton Bush Centre to support small businesses, charities and community organisations.

The council’s programme is designed to support its new priorities to renew Harlow’s neighbourhoods, rebuild the town, protect its communities and deliver high-performing council services.

Under the leadership of Cllr Dan Swords, there has been a real dynamism at Harlow Council in recent months, and this investment programme will be viewed with envy by many other councils around the country.

Cllr Swords said: “It is no secret that councils up and down the country are facing a huge challenge to balance their budgets and protect services from cuts.

But in Harlow it is a completely different story; we are freezing Harlow’s share of council tax and protecting all our much-

loved and essential services, while investing record amounts into delivery of our residents’ priorities.”

Harlow Museum and Walled Garden will benefit from £660,000 funding

Financial provision is being made for the next stages of Brookfield Riverside, says Cllr Paul Mason

BRIAN THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

Dark Skies success written in the stars

The success of Hertford Town Council’s first ever Dark Skies event in February is likely to see it make a return on future events programmes.

The 350 available tickets (free but requiring registration) ‘sold out’ within hours of being released.

Along the lines of similar events promoted by The International Dark Sky Association, the event on Thursday 22nd February at Hertford Castle showed those who attended the beauty of the night sky, introduced them to the nocturnal wildlife that relies on the dark and generated awareness of the negative impact that light pollution can have.

Many experts supported the event, including local resident Simon Thorp who had suggested it and who was one of the speakers in a programme of talks on the night. There was an inflatable Planetarium experience from Bayfordbury Observatory and the Hertford Astronomy Group provided equipment and telescopes allowing the public a stunning look at the night sky.

The Mayor of Hertford, Cllr

Vicky Smith, said: “Dark Skies was an incredibly well-received new event. Despite some poor weather early on, there was plenty to keep stargazers entertained. We are very grateful to all the experts who gave

up their time to provide talks and other activities. This event was the brainchild of a local resident, and we are looking forward to taking it forward and making it a regular event.”

Make a Will Month to benefit Isabel Hospice

March is Make a Will Month and a number of local solicitors are offering basic will writing services free of charge in return for a donation to Isabel Hospice.

A shocking 60 per cent of people in the UK do not have a written will. Having one is the only way to be sure that your wishes are followed after your death and that the people and causes you care about are still supported when you are no longer here.

To take part, find your nearest participating solicitor online at isabelhospice.org.uk/MakeAWill and give them a call or email to make an appointment.

Suggested donations to Isabel Hospice are £120 for a single basic will and £175 for a pair of mirror basic wills.

Appointments are limited and allocated on a first come first served basis.

The initiative runs between 1st and 31st March.

Free parking in Stanstead Abbotts to end after 10 years

A decade of free parking at East Herts Council’s public car park in Stanstead Abbotts is coming to an end with charges set to be reintroduced during April.

On Tuesday 13th February the local authority’s leading executive group agreed to overrule objections and to reintroduce charges for parking in the 57-space High Street car park between the hours of 7.30am and 6.30pm.

Outside of chargeable hours motorists will be able to park for free. There will also be a 30-minute free parking period during chargeable hours.

Since April 2014 the car park had been effectively sponsored by local company French and Jupps, allowing it to operate on a free to use basis. But the funding stopped in the summer of 2022.

Local authorities don’t have a statutory duty to provide car parks and, where they do, would usually operate them on the basis of the user contributing towards the cost. All other East Herts car parks are operated on this basis.

Charging is also likely to see a more frequent turnover of spaces which can benefit shoppers and others looking to visit the area.

Aside from the free 30-minute period, charges will range from 90p for an hour’s parking to £5 for all day.

All day parking on Sundays and Bank Holidays will be £1.50. The decision came into effect on Friday 23rd February although it is likely to take six to eight weeks for the charging infrastructure to be put in place.

Blue Oyster Bar bids to make display o-fish-ial

The owner of Hertford’s Blue Oyster Bar and Fishmongers is hoping that formal applications to East Herts Council will enable him to retain an underwater-themed display on the front of his Railway Street premises.

The striking feature has been netting the attention of passers-by since last September after Glen Graney bid for the knitted sea creatures in a charity auction held by local yarn bombers The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters. The knitting had formed part of the society’s yarn bomb of Parliament Square during the school holidays which, along with the auction afterwards, raised money for Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.

building, which is Grade 2 listed and lies within the town’s conservation area.

In November he was given a deadline by East Herts Council to either submit applications to retain the

display, or remove it. Mr Graney has now submitted two retrospective applications for listed building consent and advertisement consent which he hopes will allow him to retain the feature for up to a year.

Chief Executive Owen Mapley to leave his post at Hertfordshire County Council

Hertfordshire County Council

Chief Executive Owen Mapley is to leave the organisation to take up the role of Chief Executive of The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

Josh Dean confirmed as Labour candidate

Mr Graney installed the creations by attaching them to a mesh netting alongside a pre-existing shark feature on the front of the Josh Dean has been selected by the Labour Party as its candidate to fight the Hertford and Stortford constituency at the next general election.

Josh was raised in the town, attended local schools and is a councillor on Hertford Town Council representing Castle ward. He said: “It’s the honour of my life to be selected as Labour’s candidate in the community where I grew up and where I call home. I’ve worked in our community, attended our local schools and run successful campaigns.

“As a local Labour councillor I know the issues facing residents in Hertford and Stortford.

“Our residents deserve better than a government that’s left Britain in decline and an absentee Conservative MP with no connection to our community. It’s time for change in Hertford and Stortford with a local Labour MP who will work with the next Labour government

The Hertford and Stortford constituency is currently represented by Conservative Julie Marson, who was elected in 2019, taking over from fellow Tory Mark Prisk.

Other declared candidates so far are Helen Campbell for the Liberal Democrats, Nick Cox for The Green Party and John Burmicz for the Reform UK. A General Election must be held by the end of January next year but is widely expected to be held this autumn.

Mr Mapley has served as Chief Executive since 2019, leading more than 8,000 staff in the council’s delivery of services through a period of unprecedented challenges. He had originally begun work at the council in February 2016 as Director of Resources.

Council leader Cllr Richard Roberts said: “I would like to thank Owen for his valued service to the people of Hertfordshire and work to ensure residents are at the heart of everything this council does.

“He will leave Hertfordshire County Council in a strong position to maintain, improve and protect services for the county’s 1.2million residents while making the savings and transformation needed to remain a financially robust and well-run organisation.”

Scott Crudgington, the council’s Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources, will become interim Chief Executive from 1st April until the process of appointing Mr Mapley’s successor is complete.

Josh Dean: ‘It’s the honour of my life to be selected’ to deliver for residents in our community and get Britain’s future back.”

JULIE MARSON

MP FOR HERTFORD & STORTFORD

My campaign for banking hubs is gathering pace

As I wrote in last month’s Axis edition, my number one priority for this year is to secure more banking hubs across Hertford and Stortford.

With the help of the community, I have already secured one for Ware which, all being well, should be delivered later this year. However, I want one in each of Hertford, Sawbridgeworth and Bishop’s Stortford too.

However, I also mentioned that current FCA rules prevent me from doing so at present.

Since my last column, I have written a letter to Nikhil Rathi, the Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), with the support of 56 cross-party MPs spanning eight different political parties.

The FCA were recently consulting on changes to their rules.

At present, these rules will not permit LINK – a not-for-profit that assesses a community’s access to cash needs – to recommend a banking hub in a community until the last bank in town closes. Their proposal was to change this to a

second-to-last bank in town rule, something my colleagues and I did not think went far enough.

My argument is that if the direction of travel when it comes to bank closures is clear, why should we prevent LINK from recommending a banking hub for that community at that point?

This would allow banking staff to be moved over more seamlessly and, crucially, avoid any periods of limbo where a town has no access to cash at banks.

Banking closures have taken place in all four towns in my constituency in recent years. It is really bleak and only set to get worse. Nationally, in eight years, 54 bank branches have closed per month: three fifths of them. This trend will only continue with 249 more closures scheduled this year. Ware lost all six of its banks in a short span of time. I do not want any other town in my constituency going through the same sort of limbo period Ware residents went through.

I don’t want to do anything that accelerates or promotes bank

branch closures, but if banks continue to make such commercial decisions, we in the community should be looking at how we work to innovate to keep these important services.

Cleaner air is vital Improving our environment by delivering cleaner air is really important to me. I’ve been working with Pollution Solution, a company in Hertford, and Hertfordshire County Council to trial a Roadvent at the Hockerill Lights in Bishop’s Stortford. Put simply, a Roadvent

pulls in car fumes and cleans these at the roadside.

At first, I thought the idea seemed too good to be true, but with trials taking place in Bedfordshire, I wanted to push to get one installed at site.

We’re not quite there with getting one installed yet, but I am conscious that we have other pollution hotspots in our area. Therefore, if you think I should work to get a Roadvent put in elsewhere too, please email me on julie.marson. mp@parliament.uk and I shall see what I can do.

Step into style at The Women’s Society Boutique

Victoria Rex, owner of The Women’s Society Boutique, is ready to launch new Spring collections

For 17 years, The Women’s Society Boutique has been a beloved destination for fashion-forward individuals seeking timeless elegance and personalised service. As an independent establishment cherished by the community, the boutique prides itself on curating an exquisite selection of handpicked collections, ensuring every visit is a memorable experience. At The Women’s Society, customer service isn’t just a priority—it’s our passion. We thrive on welcoming visitors into our boutique, eager to assist and inspire with our expert knowledge and genuine enthusiasm for fashion. This season, immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of colours and styles with our curated selection from key brands. Embrace the vibrant hues of Fabienne Chapot, indulge in the luxurious designs of British Designer Hayley Menzies, and discover the effortless sophistication of Mos Mosh. Plus, be among the first

to explore our latest addition, Sophia Alexia, for chic beachwear perfect for your summer adventures.

Expect to see bold patterns alongside subdued pastel hues in our ranges. From oversized silhouettes and billowy sleeves to tailored suits, versatility is key.

Let’s make those pieces work hard in our wardrobe with an emphasis on sustainable fabrics and eco-conscious designs. Our doors are open, and we can’t wait to welcome you with open arms and assist you in finding the perfect pieces to reflect your personality and to make you feel incredible.

The new Spring collections include (above clockwise from left):

Sophia Alexia lilac pebbles beach shirt £99; Enamel Copenhagen Sway hoops bracelet £45;

Hayley Menzies cotton jacquard jacket £480; Hayley Menzies Leopard T-shirt £85

15% OFF AT SPRING LAUNCH EVENT

The Women’s Society is holding a new season launch event on Saturday 9th March in store, offering 15 per cent off all purchases, plus a gift, when £120 is spent for its first 20 customers.

Welcoming Spring in Bishop’s Stortford

A full calendar lies ahead for March, making it the perfect time to discover the variety available in Bishop’s

Stortford

town centre,

says

Madeleine Lees of Bishop’s Stortford BID

World Book Day

Thursday 7th March

What better place to enjoy books than Bishop’s Stortford Library?

Check out their story times for little ones, plus regular author events and more. Ahead of World Book Day on Thursday 7th March, don’t let the prospect of dressing up stress you out!

Party Box in The Dells can help with fun, affordable accessories and costumes. Redeem your child’s £1 book token at Waterstones, WHSmith, The Works and Sainsbury’s and enjoy browsing the range of £1 books available. Explore St Clare’s Hospice Book Shop (Devoils Lane) and Oxfam Book Shop (North Street) for rare finds and old favourites.

Mother’s Day

Sunday 10th March

Stuck for gift ideas? Keep an eye on our social media for inspiration or give the gift of choice, the Discover Stortford Gift Card. Pick one up in Tourist Information in Market Square. Gift cards can be spent in over 40 businesses across the town.

Planning a brunch, afternoon tea or Sunday roast in one of our many fabulous eateries? Book a table if you haven’t already. Remember, Mother’s Day is early this year on Sunday 10th March.

St Patrick’s Day

Sunday 17th March

Paint the town green and enjoy a

drink in our town centre pubs on Sunday 17th March. Keep your eyes peeled for special events and offers. With the rugby season in full swing, don’t forget several of our pubs, bars and venues also show live sport, including the remaining Six Nations games on Saturday 9th, Sunday 10th and Saturday 16th March.

Easter Weekend

Fri 29th March to Mon 1st April

What better time to get together with family or friends for a bite to eat or walk in the Spring sunshine than the Bank Holiday weekend?

Pick up a leaflet from Tourist Information and explore some alternative walking routes in and around Bishop’s Stortford. Our shops are full of fun Spring crafts to keep the kids entertained. Look out for novel Easter eggs and other seasonal goodies. There are some great deals to be had.

Parking

Northgate End is a long stay car park with 570 spaces, conveniently located for the town centre amenities. Sundays, Bank and Public Holidays are £1.50 for the day.

Keep up to date

For the latest news and information, visit discoverstortford.co.uk and follow us on social media. Any questions? Email mads@ bishopsstortfordbid.co.uk

Lettings: demand from tenants remains high

Lisa

Ward from

Sage

Ward Residential Lettings says the market remains positive this year

As 2024 begins to settle down, there remains strong demand from tenants for rental properties – just as there was towards the end of last year.

Here at Sage Ward Residential Lettings, we are finding that, while there are still good numbers of tenants seeking properties in and around Hertford, there are not enough properties coming on to the market.

Higher mortgage rates are the most likely cause of this, as these continue to hinder landlords with buy-to-let mortgages.

Uncertainty over the Government’s Renters Reform Bill and its outlawing of so-called ‘No fault evictions’ may also be causing concern for some landlords.

However, at Sage Ward we offer expert advice to all our land-

lords to ensure that they remain fully compliant, no matter how legislation changes. We also make sure their properties are properly cared for, with the best possible tenants, and we offer competitive and fair rates.

We are a well-known, female-operated, multi-award-winning reputable agency, specialising in lettings.

We opened our doors in 2010 and have more than 70 years of collective experience within the industry in our team. The high level of service we offer ensures that much of our new business comes through personal recommendations.

To find out more about renting your property through Sage Ward, call 01992 504058 or visit sageward.co.uk.

The award-winning team at Sage Ward

Spring into action: 5 ways to energise your business

Tap into the optimism that comes with Spring and revitalise your business and workforce with these practical tips from Hertfordshire Growth Hub

1. Establish your priorities

In order to set goals to achieve annual growth you need to know where you are right now. Working with a Growth Hub Business Adviser can provide the opportunity to take a step out of your business and look at your business activity through a different lens. The adviser can provide you with an impartial and objective view that can provide clarity and help you pin-point priorities to focus on.

2. Grow your knowledge

With the benefit of continuous learning, you can base your decisions on the up-to-date research and current best practice to move your business along in the right direction. It’s a well-used saying that “We don’t know what we don’t know,” so be open to learning and trying new approaches. The Growth Hub has an extensive workshop and webinar programme to help you do just that.

3. Embrace innovation Spring inspires creativity. Encourage your team to brainstorm new ideas.

Innovate your products, services or processes.

Keeping up to date and having one eye on the future can be difficult when running your business.

Sign up for The Hertfordshire Growth Hub Newsletter to stay up to date on programmes, workshops, webinars and networking events where you can learn from experts and peers to stay ahead of the curve.

4. Network and connect Spring is a time for socialising. Attend industry events, networking breakfasts, connect with peers and collaborate.

It can be lonely running a business; networking enables you to meet like-minded business owners, exchange insights and explore potential partnerships.

The Hertfordshire Growth Hub’s Events Calendar provides details

Local businesses can get expert advice from Hertfordshire Growth Hub

of not just our own events but those of our partners.

5. Prioritise wellbeing

Invest in employee development, mental health initiatives and work-life balance.

The Hertfordshire Growth Hub’s Business Advisers can help you to review your approach to work-

GET IN TOUCH TODAY

force wellbeing and highlight funded programmes, webinars and workshops that can ensure you prioritise your people.

Now is the time...

In conclusion, Spring is the perfect opportunity for you to energise your businesses and set the stage for growth! Contact Hertfordshire Growth Hub

YOUR HOME

Inspiration meets innovation at the country’s biggest home and garden event, the Ideal Home Show

The Ideal Home Show returns to London’s Olympia from Friday 22nd March to Sunday 7th April, and promises to be bigger, better and more exciting than ever before.

With a diverse array of over 600 brands, the show is edited into eight distinct sections to help the nation find their style.

From interiors, home renovation, decluttering solutions and gardens, right through to home accessories, health and wellbeing and style, there’s something for everyone.

The show also includes the Eat & Drink Festival where the best in modern cuisine, mixology, delicious global dishes and independent produce will all be under one roof.

Spring clean

Following the social ‘cleanfluencers’ trend, the Spring Clean and Organise area returns for a second year with innovative brands to shop from including products like kitchen gadgets, wardrobe solutions and storage systems. Plus, visitors can discover rising stars, learn decluttering hacks and get money-saving tips through live talks and demonstrations on the dedicated Spring Clean Stage.

The Dream Home

This year’s show home, The Dream Home, will be the biggest, most innovative and inspiring house to ever feature at the Ideal Home Show. For the first time in

the show’s 116-year history, all products in The Dream Home will be available for purchase at the show. It will feature fully furnished rooms created in association with Good Homes stylists, well known suppliers and renowned brands including Next Home, 1st Folding Sliding Doors, The Study Bed Company, My Home Solar and Blanco. Visitors can explore each room setting and discover emerging trends and ideas for modern living with the latest in furniture, art and accessories, appliances, home tech, sustainable solutions and more.

Meet famous faces

You can also get inspiration through a series of free live talks from celebrity and expert guests across four stages, offering tips on interior design, home improvements, trends, the latest tech,

landscaping, sustainable living and cooking techniques.

Many famous faces from TV screens and beyond will be in attendance, including: Scarlette Douglas, interior designer and TV personality; Stuart Douglas, interior designer and TV personality; Martin Lewis, financial journalist and broadcaster; Lisa Faulkner actress, presenter and celebrity chef; John Torode, celebrity chef; Danni Menzies, TV presenter and personality; and George Clarke, architect and TV presenter.

Spring workshops

The show will also host Springthemed workshops including Easter-wreath making, wine tasting and cocktail crafting, and visitors can

learn how to repurpose old items or create their own home accessories in the Upcycle and Home Décor workshops led by experts.

The Ideal Home Show proudly continues its partnership with ITV, ensuring an enhanced visitor experience with more celebrities and exciting show features.

Buy tickets

Tickets are £14 for weekdays and £16 for weekends, with concessions available. You can buy them at idealhomeshow.co.uk.

The Eat & Drink Festival is at the heart of the Ideal Home Show, which begins at the end of March

Family-run business offers a complete home improvement service

Herts and Essex Windows and Doors Ltd are a true family-run local business with more than 40 years of experience in the home improvements sector.

Based in Marsh Lane, Ware, they carry out work for both the home and commercial markets across Herts, Essex and London.

They offer you a complete home improvement service from start to finish – catering for anything from designing your new front door to creating a fully bespoke extension to add space and value to your home.

All their products are fully tailor-made to your requirements and no job is too big or small. Their work includes the following:

l Windows and doors, in both aluminium and uPVC;

l Conservatories;

l Bi-fold doors;

l Splashbacks;

l Sealed units;

l Glass and glazing – including anything from balustrades to

mirrors and roof lanterns;

l Service work;

l Replacement roofs.

The business itself was founded in 2017 by husband and wife team Clive and Jayne Travers after many years of working for other companies, and their daughters work in it too as part of the team.

Jayne said: “We really do listen to our clients and bring their visions to life. Our team’s professionalism, expertise and experience makes us the perfect company to guide you through your home improvement project.”

To find out what they can do for you, call 01920 449229 or visit their website at he-wd.co.uk for more information.

Herts and Essex Windows and Doors Ltd

5 Peerglow Centre, Marsh Lane, Ware SG12 9QL 01920 449229

info@he-wd.co.uk he-wd.co.uk

Find inspiration for your home at Fashion Flooring & Interiors

If you are unsure of where to start, or need some help in pulling everything together to make changes to your home, the experts at Fashion Flooring & Interiors in Bishop’s Stortford are here for you.

They can assist you with flooring, curtains and blinds, wallcoverings, lighting and all the finishing touches – and guide you through the whole process to ensure you achieve the look you desire. Fashion Flooring & Interiors offer everything you need to style your home.

They have two stores in Bishop’s Stortford. In their original store in High Street, the ground floor showroom has a huge range of carpets, from ultra-soft deep piles to classic Berbers and wool twists, along with funky patterns, zig-zags and stripes. If you are looking for a hard floor, they have real wood, engineered wood, laminates and luxury vinyl tiles. The lower ground floor is

filled with rugs, which are a great way to add a colour or extra texture while cosying up a room.

Up on the first floor you will find fabrics galore, with plains, textures, patterns, velvets, silks, cottons and so many more. You can also have curtains, blinds, cushions and throws made for you and even have your furniture upholstered. They have a large number of wallpapers, perfect for making a dramatic change to a room, plus lighting and accessories.

In their second shop round the corner in Potter Street, you will find the only dedicated lighting shop in Bishop’s Stortford, with a wide range on display and thousands of others available to order.

Also in the Potter Street shop is a great choice of carefully-chosen accessories, providing those individual finishing touches that will really make your home your own and stand out from the crowd.

Fashion Flooring & Interiors 1-3 High Street, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2LS 01279 651514

fashionflooringandinteriors.co.uk

Fashion

01279 507744

Find a fireplace for your home

The Hertfordshire Fireplace Gallery is a family-run business that has been helping customers for 23 years and has fireplaces to suit all budgets.

Media walls and built-in electric fires are still a growing trend with homeowners. Not only are these aesthetically pleasing, but they are also space saving by having both focal points on one wall. The main advantage of an electric fire is the flame effect can be viewed without the need for heat.

Shown here is the Evonic Volante 1500 electric fire with rotisserie flame effect and 1500w heat

output. This is a two-sided version, but can also supplied with one-sided or three-sided options. Call in now to view this range plus other inspirational contemporary fireplaces, electric and gas fires and wood burning stoves. Free local delivery is also available, as well as a full installation service by its team of Gas Safe and HETAS engineers for your peace of mind.

Hertfordshire Fireplace Gallery 9 Barnet Road, Potters Bar EN6 2QX 01707 657070 hertsfireplacegallery.co.uk

Visit Landseer Picture Frames to put the finishing touches to any room

When decorating your house it is the personal, finishing touches that really turn it into your home. And putting your own stamp on the four walls that surround you is down to more than choosing the wallpaper or a paint colour. Putting up prints or pictures or framing your treasured photographs or memorabilia really helps to show not only your own history and interests but also your true personality.

At the family-run Landseer Picture Frames in Ware they understand that, and have been offering a professional framing service for years for pictures of

all kinds as well as memorabilia ranging from medals and uniform badges to film posters, programmes and sports shirts. In addition to offering an expert framing service and advice, the shop also stocks a wide range of readymade frames and prints and an interesting selection of earthenware and stoneware sculptures that have been created by local artists.

Landseer Picture Frames

27b Baldock Street, Ware SG12 9DH 01920 486522

landseerpictureframes.com

At our Ware workshop and gallery we offer a professional framing service not just for canvases, prints and posters, but treasured memorabilia including medals, uniform badges, programmes and sports shirts We also stock a selection of ready-framed prints and handmade earthenware and stoneware sculptures made by local artists

Seeking a luxury bathroom?

Dobsons have all you need

If you are looking for a luxury bathroom, designed, managed and installed all in one place then Dobsons are the specialists for you. They take pride in getting to know their clients and designing outstanding rooms to suit their own individual needs.

Dobsons go the extra mile to create your dream room, whether ensuite, cloakroom or family bathroom, by redesigning your existing layout to maximise functionality, taking down walls to create a larger area or perhaps creating a new room where there wasn’t previously one.

Whatever your need their experts provide the know-how to make it happen.

Their Cheshunt bathroom showroom was completely refurbished in 2023 and displays the finest in luxury bathing and showering. A family business, established in 1935, Dobsons believe in

putting their customers at the heart of everything they do and that’s why as part of the premium service they offer, they take control of your entire project and co-ordinate every aspect, taking the stress and hassle away from you. This is one of the many reasons that they have a 5*rating on Trustpilot, the independent review site.

Why not book an appointment to visit Dobsons’ stunning showroom for ideas and inspiration and to talk to their experienced team, including their award-winning bathroom designer Andrew about your project.

For more details visit dobsonshome.com.

Dobsons

128 Turners Hill, Cheshunt EN8 9BN 01992 623066

dobsonshome.com

How the latest technology will help to keep your home secure

Tindall Security are experts in making your home or commercial premises secure. The company, which was founded in 1932 and has been based in Hertford for over 30 years, offers tailored services to suit your individual preferences and needs. From simple domestic burglar alarms to more sophisticated commercial protection and security solutions, Tindall’s team of experts provide an efficient and trouble-free service.

Sadly, burglaries are a reality of modern life. Research has shown, however, that homes with a secure network of protection are less likely to be targeted. By installing an effective security system in your home, you will be ensuring 24/7 surveillance that will protect your property even when you are not at home.

Tindall Security supply, fit and maintain a range of domestic alarm systems to enable you to protect your home from

Tindall Security can help you protect your property and improve your peace of mind intruders. All come with self-monitoring apps which allow you to set and unset, receive alerts and view via your mobile phone or computer. Its in-house team can design and install the latest technology, ensuring that which is most important to you is protected 24/7, all year round.

Services include a diverse range of security networks, such as CCTV systems, Smart integration and door entry systems.

Tindall’s design team will work with you to find you the best possible solution; a professionally qualified team will install your alarm or security system; and a team of maintenance engineers

provide 24 hour, 365 days of the year support, with the best possible service. You can book a free, no obligation survey too.

Tindall Security

Unit 3 Mead Business Centre, Mead Lane, Hertford SG13 7BJ 0800 433 7748

tindallsecurity.co.uk

For everything from a safe for your home to van security for your tools, trust Barnet Lock

Tindall’s sister company, Barnet Lock & Security, specialises in security for both the home and vehicle.

Its staff can advise on the most appropriate locks to suit your wooden, metal or plastic windows and doors, together with sturdy locks, bolts and padlocks to secure your garage and shed. They can also supply and install an extensive range of secure,

fire-resistant safes to suit both the domestic and commercial sectors. The range includes home safes, both electronic and digital, floor and wall, underfloor and deposit safes, key cabinets, lockers, medical cabinets, cash boxes, laptop safes and strongboxes.

Again, expert advice will help you find the right safe for your requirements – and to ensure it meets the needs of your insurers.

Helping tradespeople

For tradespeople, having their van broken into and their tools and materials stolen can have a direct impact on their ability to work, and therefore on their earnings potential as well.

Barnet Lock & Security has a specialist division that is dedicated to van security, offering a range of high-security van locks with anti-pick, an-

ti-bump and anti-drill cylinders. Installation can be carried out at the business’s specialist van security facility in Hertford or its experts can come to you –whether you’re working on site, at your own premises or are at home.

Barnet Lock & Security

0800 433 7749

barnetlock.co.uk

For inspiration and everything you need to create your dream bathroom head to Hoddesdon Tile and Bathroom Centre.

The showroom is spread across two levels with room sets and a tile gallery and you will find a wide range of baths, showers, basins, toilets, taps, towel rails and more, providing inspiration and everything you need to create your perfect bathroom.

A prompt delivery service is also available for larger items.

Hoddesdon Tile and Bathroom Centre is based on a business estate with ample free parking right outside that leaves you more time to browse without feeling time-pressured. This family-run company has been helping both retail and trade customers with their home improvement projects for more than 30 years.

The showroom is open to both the public and trade from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Hoddesdon Tile and Bathroom Centre

Units C2 & C3 Geddings Road, Hoddesdon EN11 0NT 01992 470146 hoddesdontileandbathroom.com

WHAT’S ON

Immerse yourself in the fun at Hertfordshire Zoo

The former Paradise Wildlife Park reopens with a new name, new attractions and new facilities

With Easter coming up at the end of March what better place for a family day out than Hertfordshire Zoo, which is the new name for Paradise Wildlife Park.

The zoo, which is rated the county’s number one outdoor visitor attraction according to TripAdvisor, has just reopened with its new branding in place alongside a raft of new attractions for visitors of all ages.

The Zooshop has undergone a complete makeover, transforming it into a treasure trove of souvenirs and exclusive zoo merchandise including animal cuddly toys and eco-friendly gifts. New animal arrivals include Ash, a red panda, who can be seen with his partner Tilly; and otter babies whose playful antics offer amusement for all.

The zoo has a new restaurant, Restaurant Pangaea, featuring cuisines from around the world.

World of Dinosaurs

The popular World of Dinosaurs has been dramatically expanded, featuring new life-sized dinosaurs that will transport you back to the

Jurassic era. You can walk among more than 40 giants and discover the world of these ancient creatures through educational displays and lifelike animatronics in the UK’s biggest and most spectacular dinosaur attraction.

Just opened is the UK Centre of Species Survival Trail. This celebrates British wildlife bringing together animals and birds that are native to the UK in a trail featuring displays that educate on environmental care, inspiring visitors to think about the wellbeing of our native species.

Finally, the zoo is soon to unveil another new attraction, the Song of the Forest gibbon enclosure. Boasting floor to ceiling glass, it will enhance the gibbons’ welfare in a naturalistic habitat that also allows visitors to immerse themselves in the gibbons’ world.

You can buy a day ticket to visit Hertfordshire Zoo or take out a membership that will allow you in throughout the year. For more details, visit hertfordshirezoo.com. The zoo is in White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne EN10 7QA. Call 01992 470490.

The all new Hertfordshire Zoo

Scan here

Panto is not just for Christmas!

Two of our local theatres, The Spotlight in Broxbourne and Harlow Playhouse, are now putting on an additional seasonal panto over the Easter holidays, offering fun for all the family.

Puss in Boots

The Spotlight in Hoddesdon is presenting Puss in Boots from Thursday 28th March to Wednesday 10th April, written and directed by theatre boss Marc Day and with original music and musical direction by Chris Burgess.

The localised production focuses on Colin, who is left facing a future on the streets of Broxbonia when he receives news of his inheritance, his father’s old tabby cat, affectionately known as Puss. Puss has plans for his new master, but will Colin be able to win the heart of Princess Alice or will Igor the Ogre’s henchman scupper everything?

Find out by buying your ticket!

Full price tickets start at £16 and there are morning and afternoon performances.

Book at thespotlightvenue.com or call 01992 441946.

Easter Fun Day at Ware Priory

Treasure Island

Harlow Playhouse has developed a deserved reputation for high octane panto fun and this year’s Easter gift of Treasure Island will be no exception.

Running from Friday 29th March until Wednesday 3rd April, it features Harlow’s very own duo, the fabulous Fanny Galore as Pirate Fanny and Ben Parsley as Silly Billy Bones, in a swashbuckling panto adventure.

Young Jane Dawkins embarks

upon a thrilling quest after she discovers a mysterious treasure map that could lead to untold riches.

But she must contend with Davina the Sea Witch and her notorious crew of pirates who are ready to thwart her every move. There are morning, afternoon and evening performances during the run and full price tickets start from £15.

Book at harlowplayhouse.co.uk or call 01279 431945.

Walkies! Take your dog out for the day

Dogs and Daffs at Hatfield Park

The annual Dogs and Daffs charity dog walk takes place at Hatfield Park on Sunday 17th March this year.

This raises money for the Digswell Place Group of the Riding for the Disabled Association and you can enter your pet in the fun dog show in the Stable Yard and take a walk around the grounds of Hatfield House. Early bird tickets are £7.50 per person, with on the day prices at £9. Children under 12 go free and the event runs from 9.30am to 4pm. Find out more, and book your tickets, at hatfield-house.co.uk.

Great

British Dog Walk at Munden Estate

We wouldn’t suggest you walk all the way to get there, but the Great British Dog Walk event at

Munden Estate between St Albans and Watford is well worth a journey.

It takes place on Sunday 24th March and will feature hundreds of dog walkers gathering to raise money for the national charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. The walk, which is supported by Specsavers Audiologists, is the first of 13 similar events due to be held in picturesque locations across the UK and is one of the charity’s most important fundraising initiatives.

You can enjoy either a 3km or 6km dog walk, and tickets are £12 in advance or £15 on the day. Children under 16 go free. There is a mass start at 11am. You can find out more at hearingdogs.org.uk, where you can also buy your tickets and get the exact details of the location for the event.

Ware Priory will be the venue for an Easter Fun Day on Saturday 30th March, in the Fletcher’s Lea building and the Priory’s own gardens, between 1.30 and 3.15pm. This free event is organised by Ware Town Council and features an Easter egg decorating competition that is open to all ages and will be judged by the Mayor of Ware, as well as a chocolate Easter egg hunt for under-8s in the Priory Gardens. No need to book, just roll up!

Love Cheshunt’s Easter Trail

The recently formed Love Cheshunt business group is putting on an Easter Trail From Saturday 30th March to Saturday 13th April in shop windows in Cheshunt High Street and the Old Pond area. Children need to find the Easter bunnies or Easter eggs hidden with a letter in shop windows and piece together the missing word to win an Easter treat! There are two separate trails running with trail forms available to pick up in participating shops and downloadable online at lovecheshunt.co.uk.

Completed trail forms need to be returned to Dobsons at 128 Turners Hill or The Bed Gallery at 51 High Street.

Meet Pirate Fanny and Davina the Sea Witch in Harlow’s Treasure Island

Great British Dog Walk supports Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

Art welcomes Spring at Parndon Mill

If ever an exhibition was welltimed, this is it.

Out of the Grey, which is showing at The Gallery at Parndon Mill in Harlow until Sunday 31st March, reflects the transition of winter into Spring.

Showcasing the transformative power of nature, work by 14 artists celebrates the shifting equilibrium of black and white as well as the spectrum of shades found in monochrome. The still, dappled light of silvery winter slowly thaws as Spring emerges, awakening dormant earth, new life and abundant colour.

The exhibition is curated by Nancy Mead and shows Tuesday to Friday from 10.30am to 4.30pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 2-4pm. Parndon Mill is off Elizabeth Way, Harlow CM20 2HP. Call 01279 426042 or visit parndonmill.co.uk for more information.

THE UNIQUE ART OF JOHN GODDEN

From north London to Hertford, John Godden painted the world around him like no-one else, finding beauty where others saw the everyday, or even the unsightly. His LGBT+ portraits illustrate the hidden lives of many gay men in the 1960s. Discover his unique talent in an exhibition called The Way I See It at Hertford Museum in Bull Plain SG14 1DT, which runs until 2nd June. Please note the exhibition is recommended for ages 16 and above.

Funk it up with Uncle

Uncle Funk’s Disco Inferno are playing two local shows this Spring.

The first is at Ware’s Drill Hall on Saturday 27th April, in an event organised by the Rotary Club of Hertford Shires to raise money for Isabel Hospice and other charities supported by Rotary. There will be a bar on the night and (very) local Fuoco’s Pizza (they are based over the road

from the venue in Amwell End) will be offering pizza too. 70s dress positively encouraged. Tickets at tickettailor.com (search for hertfordshiresrotary), £25 each.

The kings and queens of 70s disco are then up the road at Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday 4th May at Home&Eat. Tickets for this show are available at getticketsq.com at £25.50.

Aled Jones comes Full Circle

Aled Jones is touring the country with his new show, Full Circle, in which he tells stories about how it all began then takes the audience on a journey through his career.

From his days as the boy treble who captivated everyone with his angelic voice on Walking

In The Air, the theme to Raymond Briggs’s The Snowman, through performing on stage in the world’s most iconic venues, his 40-year career has had many stand-out moments.

Aled is performing at South Mill Arts in Bishop’s Stortford on Friday 5th April (tickets from £32) and then at Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar on Sunday 7th April at 7.30pm (tickets from £30). VIP tickets and meet and greet experiences are available at both shows. You can buy tickets at southmillarts.co.uk or wyllyottstheatre.co.uk.

SAUL BY HERTFORD CHORAL

SOCIETY

Handel: Saul

23rd March 2024, 7.30pm

All Saints’ Church, Hertford

Join us for a rare opportunity to enjoy Handel’s dramatic oratorio Saul! Tickets: £16, £12 (unreserved), £4 (students) Email tickets@hertfordchoral.org.uk or via ticketsource.co.uk (booking fee)

www.hertfordchoral.org.uk

Glenn Hoddle at Wyllyotts

Former Spurs star and England football manager Glenn Hoddle is in conversation about his stellar career at Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar on Monday 18th March from 8pm. Tickets £29.50 standard, VIP £59.50 including meet and greet, photo opportunity, signed gift and seat in front three rows. For tickets visit wyllyottstheatre.co.uk or call 01707 645005. This is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with one of English football’s most stylish footballers.

Join Hertford Choral Society for a rare opportunity to enjoy Handel’s dramatic oratorio Saul, which will be performed with a period orchestra and professional soloists. The concert is at All Saints’ Church, Hertford on Saturday 23rd March at 7.30pm. Tickets £16, £12, students £4 via ticketsource.co.uk. More info at hertfordchoral.org.uk.

WAR AND PEACE BY WARE CHORAL SOCIETY

Ware Choral Society’s Spring concert is called War and Peace and features music by Haydn, Mozart and Mendelssohn at Ware Drill Hall on Saturday 9th March at 7.30pm. Tickets £15 from warechoral.org.uk or on the door.

The Path to the Beach by Jenny Cater at Parndon Mill and Old Cross by John Godden at Hertford Museum

At the movies: Five new films to see this month

Wicked Little Letters (15)

Now showing

When people in Littlehampton, including the very conservative Edith, begin to receive letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, Irish migrant Rose is soon charged with the crime. Suspecting that something is amiss however, the town’s women investigate…

A superb cast includes Jessie Buckley, Olivia Colman, Timothy Spall, Eileen Atkins and Gemma Jones.

Dune: Part Two (12A)

Now showing

Denis Villeneuve follows up his jaw-droppingly brilliant first part of Frank Herbert’s epic science fiction story Dune, featuring Florence Pugh, Timothée Chalamet (fresh from the title role in Wonka), Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem and Christopher Walken.

Wicked Little Letters and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire are both showing in local cinemas during March

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (12A)

Out on Friday 22nd March

The Spengler family returns to where it all began – the iconic New York City firehouse – to team up with the original Ghostbusters, whose research lab is taking busting ghosts to the next level. They find themselves working together to stop an evil force from starting a new Ice Age.

Immaculate (12A)

Out on Friday 22nd March

Here’s a nice horror film for Easter! Cecilia, a woman of devout faith, is warmly welcomed to the picture-perfect Italian countryside where she is offered a new role at an illustrious convent. But it soon becomes clear to her that her new home harbours dark and horrifying secrets.

Kung Fu Panda 4 (PG)

Out on Thursday 28th March

For the first time in almost a decade, comedy icon Jack Black returns to his role as Po, the world’s most unlikely kung fu master, with the latest chapter in Dreamworks’ beloved action-comedy franchise. Who’d have thought pandas doing kung fu would be so popular?

MONTHLY SERIES OF FREE EVENTS

FULL OF FUN FOR CHILDREN &

Time: 11am - 3pm Location: Event Island

11 February: Bubble Machine Pedal Bike, Face painting & more

17 March: Lego Make & Take, Face Painting & more

14 April: Pedal Powered Scalextric, Face Painting & more

12 May: Juke Box Pedal Bike, Face Painting & more

9 June: Lego Make & Take, Face Painter & More

14 July: Skateboarding workshop, Face Painter & More

8 September: Gaming Bus, Face Painter & More

13 October: Little Lambs Children’s Party, Face Painting & More

Leather creative Jo makes it on the BBC

Leather designer and maker Jo Gill is used to coming up with some fabulous creations, but went out of her comfort zone when she recently took part in the BBC’s Make It at Market TV series, which can still be seen on BritBox.

In the series, The Repair Shop’s Dom Chinea works with a team of business and craft experts to help a group of budding entrepreneurs make a living from their crafting hobby.

From her studio in Roydon, Jo loves to make fun, playful and colourful pop-art inspired leather jewellery and accessories.

Once seen, Jo’s designs are never forgotten. Items range from jewellery such as necklaces and brooches to clothing including amazing corset belts and fabulous jackets.

The technique she specialises in is called leather marquetry, which involves cutting pieces of leather

Jo Gill at home in her studio, one of her leather jackets and at work stitching very precisely so that each piece fits snugly together like the pieces of a jigsaw. Having previously worked as an illustrator and graphic designer, her eye for detail and design is obvious when you see her work.

Speaking about her time on

Join East Herts Speakers as they mark 12th anniversary

If you are looking for a local club to join that could not only interest you and give you the opportunity to meet more people, but also help you to gain a new skill, then East Herts Speakers could be the one for you. This local Toastmasters International public speaking club is celebrating its 12th anniversary this month and provides a supportive and friendly platform for individuals to learn how to conquer public speaking. With 20 diverse members, aged from 21 to 84 and representing 10 nationalities,

the club meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm in St Andrew’s Hall in St Andrew Street, Hertford SG14 1HZ. It offers a safe space for anyone seeking to enhance their communication skills, whether that be for professional growth, special occasions such as wedding speeches, or overcoming social anxiety.

Guests are welcome free of charge at the club.

For further information visit easthertsspeakers.org.

Make It at Market, Jo called it “a fantastic opportunity” and said: “I had to really push myself creatively through the process. I had to be super-organised to achieve my challenges and hit my sales targets in the two months between filming at the beginning

and end.”

Jo is featured in episode eight of series two of the show, which is available now on BritBox. To find out more about her work, visit jogill.co.uk, where you can also see and order some of her remarkable work.

Foodie favourites at Fanhams Hall

Whether you’re a lover of traditional Sunday roasts or have a sweet tooth for afternoon tea, we have the perfect foodie treat at Fanhams Hall. Offering a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy any dining experience with loved ones, creating moments to remember in an estate you’ll never forget. Make sure you find time to take a wander around the incredible gardens whilst you’re here, from Japanese to formal, they aren’t to be missed.

Want to make your experience last a little longer? Book our Dine & Stay package from £185 01920 460511 fanhamshall@exclusive.co.uk exclusive.co.uk/fanhams-hall

FOOD & DRINK

Auberge du Lac is back!

Closed for three years since the pandemic, Auberge du Lac, in the impressive grounds of stately home Brocket Hall on the outskirts of Welwyn Garden City, is making a name for itself again under a new chef, John Barber.

John has been quietly establishing himself since reopening the restaurant last year. His impressive career has included international experience and his deep-seated passion for food, which was originally inspired by his mother’s home cooking, is plain to see. He has worked in prestigious kitchens including at The Belfry Hotel in Sutton Coldfield and the Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge; in Thailand and in Paris – absorbing influences and ideas wherever he has been.

And his arrival at Auberge du Lac has marked the beginning of a new chapter for the restaurant. His modern British food incorporates as much produce as possible from Auberge’s own kitchen

garden, which is run by Lucy Hawkins.

Lucy has transformed an acre of land into a fertile source of fresh produce for Auberge du Lac, enhancing local biodiversity and enabling the restaurant to embody the essence of soil-toplate dining.

John makes the most of the seasonal ingredients, which are grown just metres away from the restaurant, and you get a taste of them from the very beginning of your meal at Auberge, with the imaginative welcome snacks presented to you being made from kitchen garden ingredients. Bread and butter is also made on the premises on the day.

If you haven’t been before, a visit to Auberge is recommended. Situated in the estate’s historic former hunting lodge, the restaurant has stunning views over the lake and in summer there is a terrace where you can sit and eat outdoors.

Smart and welcoming

The restaurant walks the line well between being both smart, and intimate and welcoming. From the red brick exterior to the unobtrusive front door, everything about Auberge is comforting and tasteful.

It has always had a reputation for fine dining and the white tablecloths, well-spaced tables and the quality of the food still evoke that, but it is certainly not a stuffy place.

Front of house manager Scott Foster and his team offer a friendly and warm welcome, while the chef himself is on a mission to make fine dining more accessible and relaxed, without any compromise on quality or taste.

Starters from the a la carte menu when we visited last month included chicken and ham terrine at £14 and a beetroot tartlet at £12. Mains included aged beef short rib croquette with tender-

stem broccoli, onion soubise, smoked bone marrow sauce and onion pickle (£34) and a wild sea bass fillet with cauliflower, samphire, shellfish sauce and Cornish mussels at £26.

As well as the a la carte, there is a seven-course tasting menu at £85 (£135 with wine flight), available Thursday to Saturday evenings; a set lunch and early evening menu at £39 and a three-course Sunday lunch menu at £65.

Auberge du Lac is closed Monday to Wednesday and open for lunch and dinner Thursday to Saturday (12-2.30pm and 6-9pm); then for lunch on Sunday from 12-3.30pm.

It may have been a few years in the making, but we can confidently say that Auberge du Lac is back!

Auberge du Lac

Brocket Park, Marford Road, Welwyn Garden City AL8 7XG brocket-hall.co.uk

John Barber’s modern British dining makes liberal use of ingredients from Auberge du Lac’s own kitchen garden situated just metres from the door

Chef John Barber has revived the restaurant at historic Brocket Hall with his modern British menu

Pircio’s Ahmet wins best chef honour at the 12th British Kebab Awards

Ahmet Kabayel, one of the two brothers who owns and runs the expanding Bishop’s Stortford-based group of restaurants that includes Pircio and Roni’s, has been honoured with an award.

Ahmet won the award for best chef at the 12th British Kebab Awards on Tuesday 27th February, which were held at the Park Plaza Westminster Hotel. The awards were judged by a panel featuring prominent figures including James O’Brien, Nadhim Zahawi MP and Sharon Hodgson MP. Ahmet’s own local MP, Julie Marson of Hertford and Stortford, was with him when he picked up his trophy, having popped in to Pircio recently to wish the team luck at the ceremony.

Mrs Marson described the awards evening as “deliciously delightful,” adding: “It was only

made better with the announcement of a local restaurant, Pircio, winning best chef, and I’m delighted with the result.”

Dual menu success

Ahmet’s work at Pircio is particularly outstanding because the restaurant, which is based in the town’s former Drill Hall building, runs two separate menus – one Turkish and one Italian.

That is no easy feat for any chef but Ahmet makes it work seamlessly with great quality food on both menus and he organises the kitchen brilliantly.

Pircio is in Drill Hall, Market Square, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3UU. To book a table call 01279 898181 or visit pirciorestaurant. com.

The brothers also own Dinnio in Hertford as well as Roni’s fine dining restaurant and Rindio café in Bishop’s Stortford.

Ruay Rot takeaway in Hertford set to delight local fans of Baan Thitiya

Hertford’s new Thai takeaway, Ruay Rot by Baan Thitiya, was due to open in early March.

The outlet, in Old Cross, is just a few metres along the road from the former Baan Thitiya restaurant in St Andrew Street, which closed last year.

Ruay Rot means “rich in flavour” in Thai and lovers of the former restaurant’s food will be able to order many of the dishes they loved to eat at home following the opening, as well as some authentic new ones, including vegan specials and a selection of dishes that you won’t find in other Thai restaurants locally. Of course, you can also visit the Baan Thitiya restaurant in Bishop’s Stortford’s London Road, but if you want a takeaway, or delivery in the Hertford, Ware and Hoddesdon areas, then do give the new Ruay Rot a try. You can order at ruayrot.co.uk, by calling 01992 587706,

through the GoGetters or Deliveroo platforms or in person at 6 Old Cross, Hertford SG14 1RB.

New look for Hertford Pizza Express

Hertford’s Pizza Express restaurant is undergoing a refurbishment this month and is due to reopen to customers on Tuesday 19th March.

The popular chain’s Hertford eatery is based in Fore Street and remains a popular venue for allday dining with its iconic pizza menu that has been pleasing diners since the business was first founded in Soho in 1965. Keep an eye out for next month’s magazine for full details of the new look!

Ahmet, right, with general manager Yigit Unayagyol and Julie Marson MP

Experience true hospitality at The Village Taverna!

If you have never before tasted the genuine warmth of Greek Cypriot hospitality, then you need to get yourself along to The Village Taverna in Ware. Consistently voted no.1 on TripAdvisor, this well-established restaurant offers great food, prepared by its award-winning and experienced chef, along with a lively but friendly atmosphere which particularly gets going on Friday and Saturday evenings when live music is always on the menu.

The warmth of the atmosphere will gladden even the hardest of hearts and we challenge you to not enjoy the opportunity to shake a tambourine and have a dance after your meal!

Owner Tommy Themistocleous is a larger than life character

and welcomes everybody to his restaurant.

Among those who have visited recently was Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, who was said to thoroughly enjoy his meal at this popular Ware institution.

Greek Cypriots are big on family and Friday and Saturday evenings (and Sunday daytimes) at The Village Taverna are great family occasions.

Authentic cuisine

Tommy’s restaurant has a relaxed, traditional trattoria-style feel and offers fresh, wholesome, authentic Greek cuisine, attracting Greeks from across London.

On the menu you’ll find a range of popular cold and hot starters that include taramasalata, houmous, halloumi and pastourma

(chargrilled spicy village-style beef sausage), flat mushrooms, tiger prawns and calamari. For mains, meat-eaters simply have to experience The Village Taverna’s famous speciality, Brizola, a chargrilled Greek pork chop served with mushrooms and mustard sauce. At £24 it’s definitely a must-try! Mains include a wide range of kebabs while other specials include stifado (£22, tender diced beef cooked with shallots and herbs, marinated in red wine and served with rice) and a real homemade moussaka (£20, layered minced meat, sliced aubergines and potatoes, topped with bechamel sauce and served with salad).

On Sundays, lunch is served from 1-7pm and The Village Taverna

is proud to offer its own version of a Sunday roast, with speciality dishes including kleftico (£25, young English lamb on the bone, seasoned and slowly cooked until tender, and served with roast potatoes and veg).

From Tuesday to Friday there is also a special lunch menu served from 12noon to 3pm which allows you to choose any two courses from a choice of 22 dishes for just £15.

Whatever time of you day you visit The Village Taverna you are assured of great food and the warmest of welcomes.

The Village Taverna

42-44 West Street, Ware SG12 9EE 01920 460607 / 07707 093412

thevillagetaverna.co.uk

The quality of the food and the welcome are what makes The Village Taverna consistently the most popular Ware restaurant. Above: Owner Tommy

THE GRANDISON

Pub & Dining

This dog-friendly country pub is surrounded by countryside and offers fresh, home-cooked fare using seasonal ingredients and local suppliers wherever possible. A selection of staple pub classics and changing seasonal dishes keep the menu fresh and inviting all year round. The beers at this free house are well-kept and refreshing and the wines varied and affordable. A weekday set menu, available Tuesday to Friday at lunch and Tuesday to Thursday at dinner offers two courses for £12.95 and three for £15.95.

18 Bury Lane, Bramfield

SG14 2QL / 01992 554077 www.grandisonpub.com

VODINA Turkish

Opened in November 2023, Vodina is a new Turkish restaurant and cocktail bar that is a welcome addition to the dining scene in Ware. The stylish, refurbished, family-friendly restaurant is smart, warm and welcoming and can seat 60 at a time, with room for both couples and larger groups. The main menu is available at all sittings and features traditional Turkish cuisine, alongside set menus for two or four people. There is also a £12.95 lunch menu which is available from 12-3pm. Vodina is open seven days a week from 12noon to 10pm.

21-22 Tudor Square, Ware SG12 9XF / 01920 468866 www.vodinarestaurant.co.uk

PIRCIO

Pub & Dining

Pircio is a family-run independent restaurant in Bishop’s Stortford that offers two different menus of Italian and Turkish cuisine. Both menus are cooked by teams of specialist chefs and diners can choose from pizza, pasta and other Italian classics or dishes such as halloumi, falafel, moussaka and lamb tagine. The historic Drill Hall building has been smartly refurbished and can seat 200 people downstairs whilst there is also a mezzanine for private dining. Pircio is open seven days a week, all day.

Drill Hall, Market Square

Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3UU 01279 898181 / www.pirciorestaurant.com

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.

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

SHISHBOURNE

Turkish

Shishbourne is a Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant on Broxbourne High Road which is open seven days a week and offers a full menu all day, now including breakfast from 8am to 4pm. It is plush and luxurious with an unforgettable Instagrammable interior, great cocktails and an a la carte menu filled with Turkish classics. It also offers a bottomless dinner option from 6pm Monday to Thursday and a twocourse lunch menu from 12-3.30pm Monday to Friday. There is live entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings too.

27 High Road, Broxbourne EN10 7HX

01992 313198

www.shishbourne.co.uk

BAAN THITIYA

Thai

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

102 London Road, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3DS

01279 658575

www.baan-thitiya.com

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 Tuesday to Saturday and from 12noon to 6.30pm on Sunday when a traditional roast is available.

Burnt Mill Lane, Harlow CM20 2QS

01279 424180

www.dustymillerharlow.co.uk

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

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