Axis magazine December 2022 issue

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

with the Mayor of Broxbourne Cllr Paul Seeby and Rev Dr Rachel Pennant, the Vicar of Hoddesdon Parish Church;

Christmas;

Chapter 79 jewellers in Hertford created by the paper artist Nicola Dobrowolski.

BRIEFING

Towns revel in festive events to herald Christmas

Shops get creative to attract customers

Shops across the area have been decorating their windows for the festive season – among them

Chapter 79 jewellers in Market Place, Hertford, whose window display is featured on our front cover. These beautiful scenes were created specially for the shop by paper artist Nicola Dobrowolski. Please don’t forget to support your local shops this Christmas and help maintain the vibrancy and difference that local independent businesses create!

The countdown to Christmas began in towns across East Herts with the first festive events of the season taking place as Axis went to press at the end of November.

Hertford hosted its annual lights switch-on on the evening of Friday 25th November, an event that also heralded the start of a three-day Christmas market in the grounds of Hertford Castle.

In Hoddesdon, Hoddesdon Loves Christmas was a day of activities

on Saturday 26th November organised by Love Hoddesdon BID in conjunction with Broxbourne Council, which included market stalls, fairground rides, a festive pa rade and fireworks, along with the switching-on of the Christmas tree lights by singer, actress and televi sion personality Michelle Heaton, who is starring in the Beauty and the Beast panto at The Spotlight theatre in the town this month (see page 27).

A combination of good weather and no doubt a lack of the restrictions faced in the recent years of the pandemic, saw phenomenal attendance numbers at both events. After a break of two years Ware’s Dickensian evening was set to take place in the town centre on Friday 2nd December with Bishop’s Stortford’s Christmas Fayre scheduled for Saturday 3rd and Sawbridgeworth’s light switch-on event on Sunday 4th.

Crafters’ sprites spread seasonal cheer across Hertford

Hertford awoke on Monday 28th November to find the Secret So ciety of Hertford Crafters’ sprites spreading festive cheer around the town.

Having magically arrived over night through the sprite portal at the fountain in Salisbury Square, some 78 handcrafted sprites, each a metre tall, joined with others to play traditional games around the town – from snowball games in Parliament Square to Kerplunk at Old Cross.

Their arrival marks the society’s annual yarnbombing fundraiser – this year for charity Mudlarks – with members of the public cheered up by the sprites’ arrival invited to make a charity donation via the website ssohc.co.uk, where you can also find a map of all of the installation locations. The society will also have a Christ mas stall open in Salisbury Square every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday until Monday 19th December.

The events highlighted on this page and many more still to come during December feature in The Christmas Guide 2022, an annual guide to the festive season launched in mid-November by the publishers of Axis magazine. It also includes details of wreath-making workshops, panto, ice skating venues, where to meet Santa and, of course, some great local shops where you can buy gifts!

If you haven’t got your hands on a copy yet you can read and down load it at axismagazine.co.uk.

Above: Michelle Heaton (centre) was the star turn at Hoddesdon Loves Christmas. Below: scenes from Hertford

The Sprites arrive in Salisbury Square

Travel chaos expected as Nazeing New Road bridge is confirmed as closing for four months

Severe travel disruption is expected when Nazeing New Road bridge between Broxbourne and Nazeing is closed for four months from early January while the central span of the road bridge is replaced.

The closure was due to take place between June and December this year but was delayed following local community feedback.

But Network Rail says the work is essential and must now proceed and has appointed contractor J Murphy and Sons to carry it out. The existing bridge sits over the West Anglia main line railway that carries trains between London and Herts, Essex and Cambridgeshire. The work will also mean there is disruption to local train services into and out of London Liverpool Street at some times.

The condition and age of the bridge has meant it had required regular maintenance and inspection but Network Rail says it has now come to the end of its useful life. It says the bridge now needs to be fully replaced to avoid prolonged closure of the busy road over the railway

and that the new bridge is being designed to last 120 years.

The road will be closed from Tuesday 3rd January until Sunday 30th April 2023 to allow the bridge replacement works to be complet ed. During this time, traffic will be diverted via Hoddesdon, the A414 and Harlow along a signposted diversion route.

Train services will be affected from Friday 13th to Wednesday 18th January inclusive, which is when the main work to remove the old spans and install new ones will take place.

Passengers should check using the Greater Anglia and National Rail

websites, or other travel apps, before travelling on those six consecutive days.

There will be no trains from Hertford East to Liverpool Street on Friday 13th, Monday 16th, Tuesday 17th or Wednesday 18th January, for example, with passengers being advised to travel from Hertford North instead. And on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th January passengers on this line should make their own way to Broxbourne station for a rail replacement service to Waltham Cross, from where there will be four trains per hour to Liverpool Street.

Graves could be re-used as space begins to run out

Graves within two cemeteries in Bishop’s Stortford where no burials have taken place in 75 years could be re-used if a private bill, set to be promoted in Parliament on behalf of the town council, is passed.

Bishop’s Stortford Town Council is responsible for the New Cemetery and Old Cemetery that sit either side of Cemetery Road.

It says that space is set to run out by 2036 and unless action is taken it will not be able to provide burial space after that time for residents. Searches for further land, which have extended into Essex, have not resulted in suitable new space being found.

The council says that the provi sions of the bill, being deposited in Parliament on its behalf by East Herts Council, would immediately provide space for around 1,000 new graves, providing a supply for at least the next century.

The bill would give the town council the power to extinguish rights of burial in ‘purchased’

grave spaces in the cemetery where no new burials have taken place in 75 years; or where there has been no burial in the grave space from the date at which the right of burial was granted.

In respect of graves where burial rights have been extinguished or where the grave is a public or common grave where no right of burial was granted, or where any right of burial has expired, the bill provides the power to disturb remains interred 75 or more years ago for the purpose of increasing the space for new interments.

Typically, this might involve the excavation of any coffin graves, the retrieval and documentation of any remains before they are re-interred at a lower level making space for a new burial above.

There are safeguards built into the bill. Where a registered grave owner objects to a proposal to extinguish burial rights to a grave it cannot go ahead. Similarly, if a grave owner or relative of someone buried within the grave objects to their remains being disturbed, the council cannot exercise its powers for a period of at least 25 years.

Construction of Broxbourne Council’s new business centre on the A10 at Cheshunt is nearing completion with expressions of interest for office space there now being accepted.

The £10million centre has been built by the council, supported by investment from the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the Getting Building Fund. It’s been officially named The obalds Enterprise Centre and is on track to open early in 2023 offering self-contained, air-condi tioned offices ranging from 14sqm to 45sqm as well as the option for hot desking and virtual offices.

Resident businesses will benefit from business support and fully managed workspaces including a reception service, meeting and con ference rooms accommodating up to 90 people, workshop and office space, break-out areas, shower and changing facilities, plus a modern on-site café.

The building has certified assur ance from Platinum WiredScore which indicates an exceptional standard of wired infrastructure and wireless network connectivity, and a BREEAM Very Good rating for its sustainability value and ef ficiency. It boasts solar panels, EV charging points and ample parking for bicycles as well as cars.

Interest is likely to be high given the centre’s proximity to the A10, M25, Theobalds Grove train station and Waltham Cross town centre. It is also close to the new site for Sunset Studios, a multi-mil lion pound film and television production studio that is now being built.

To register interest email economic. development@broxbourne.gov.uk or call 01992 785565.

Tenants sought as Theobalds Enterprise Centre nears completion

MP launches campaign to keep a Post Office in Ware town centre when Martin’s closes

Hertford and Stortford MP Julie Marson has written to businesses in Ware town centre asking if they would consider hosting a Post Office branch after Morrisons, the owner of Martin’s newsagents in the High Street, confirmed it would close the shop in the new year.

Morrisons’ Corporate Affairs Director, David Scott, wrote to the MP on 1st November advising that the company planned to close 132 Martin’s and McColl’s-branded neighbourhood shops, including that at 11 High Street, Ware which has a Post Office branch inside.

Mrs Marson condemned the deci sion and requested a meeting with Mr Scott which subsequently took place. But despite this, Morrisons have confirmed that the store will close permanently on 15th January. Mrs Marson also wrote to Kenneth Pritchard, the Head of Parliamenta ry Relations at the Post Office, re questing a meeting to discuss ways to keep a Post Office presence on the high street and met with Laura Tarling, the Post Office’s External Affairs Manager for the South of England and Wales to discuss the potential for other shops on the high street to host the facility. She has since written to a number of businesses and urged others to consider if they might be interested. The Post Office now has a link on its website accepting expressions of

interest (runapostoffice.co.uk).

Mrs Marson said: “The devastation that the loss of our Post Office on Ware High Street would have in our community is immeasurable.

That is why I have worked hard to first reverse Morrisons’ decision to close the Martin’s shop and now to swiftly relocate the branch to an other premises on the High Street.

“Anyone who runs a shop locally can apply to host a Post Office. The link for this can be found on all of my social media pages or anyone can drop me an email at julie.marson.mp@parliament.uk.

“We need to maximise the chances

of saving the Post Office by relocat ing it. If you are keen on hosting a branch but are unsure how viable it is for you, please apply all the same and we can work through the details.”

With no banks left in Ware the Post Office has remained a way for residents to access banking services and cash and Mrs Marson gained an assurance from Treasury Minister Andrew Griffith that he will look into options for continued access to cash in Ware, including a banking hub, and will write to the Cash Action Group at UK Finance, raising the situation in the town.

East Herts Council leader Linda Haysey to retire

The leader of East Herts Council, Cllr Linda Haysey, has announced that she will be retiring from local politics in May after 18 years of service to the district.

Cllr Haysey, who represents Hert ford Rural South as a Conserv ative councillor, was first elected in 2005. She was appointed to the council’s leading Executive in 2007 with a portfolio spanning community, housing, culture and sport and took on the council’s most senior role in 2015, serving two terms as leader.

Under her leadership the council delivered a new Local Plan in 2018, setting out a blueprint for the future growth of the district, a new £22million leisure centre and

3G pitch at Grange Paddocks, a £1.6million Government-funded upgrade to broadband in GP surgeries across East Herts and a new flagship play area at Hartham Common, which was shortlisted in national local government awards. Other major projects are underway

at Hertford Theatre and Old River Lane in Bishop’s Stortford. In addition, Cllr Haysey has played a pivotal role steering the strategic priorities and growth of the region, holding several key board positions including chair of the East of England Local Government Association.

She said: “It has been a privilege to serve the residents of East Herts for nearly two decades. I would like to thank councillors, officers and all those who work tirelessly to make this district a place to be proud of. There is still much to do between now and May and putting this council in the best position to serve our communities remains my utmost priority.”

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced an extension to London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone that is set to bring its borders right up to the edge of Hertford shire.

Drivers of cars that do not meet the emissions standards within the zone have to pay a £12.50 charge for each day that they drive within it, an area which currently covers central London and inner London within the North and South Circu lar Roads.

The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year except Christmas Day.

From 29th August 2023 the zone is to be extended to operate across all London boroughs, which Mr Khan says will help tackle the triple threats of air pollution, the climate emergency and congestion. To drive charge-free in the ULEZ your vehicle must meet designated European emissions standards –for petrol cars and vans, Euro 4; for diesel cars and vans, Euro 6; and for motorcycles and mopeds, Euro 3.

There are facilities on Transport for London’s website (tfl.gov.uk) to check if your vehicle is compliant and also to see if your planned journey takes you through the ULEZ.

While roads in Hertfordshire are not within the ULEZ, motorists in areas including Cheshunt, Waltham Abbey, Hoddesdon and Broxbourne that are close to Enfield and Potters Bar and Brookmans Park close to Barnet, may find that journeys to work and shops, along with visits to friends or family, take them into the zone.

Capital’s ULEZ to be extended to include all London boroughs next August

Julie Marson has met with Treasury Minister Andrew Griffith and Laura Tarling of the Post Office during her campaign. Above: Martin’s is to close

Linda Haysey has served the people of East Herts for 18 years

The children’s literacy charity Schoolreaders is looking for volunteers who can help spread the joy of reading to children in local primary schools.

A recent survey of young people by the National Literacy Trust revealed that reading enjoyment had reached a 15-year low, rallying slightly in the pandemic before declining again by 2022, especially amongst those from disadvantaged backgrounds and amongst boys. Worryingly, one in four children leave primary school every summer unable to read to the expected standard.

Schoolreaders finds, interviews and matches volunteers of all ages – from students to retirees – to partner schools where they provide one-to-one reading time to children.

The charity is currently looking for volunteers from the Broxbourne, Ware, Sawbridgeworth and Bishop’s Stortford areas who can commit to an academic year and listen to children read once a week during term time.

After applying, volunteers are matched as quickly as possible to a partner school and are ready to start once they have completed a

Bengeo Field campaigners keep up the pressure

Campaigners continue to mobilise local opposition to plans by devel oper Durkan to build 100 homes on an area of Bengeo Field, a much loved and well-used landscape on the edge of Hertford.

Under the banner of Stop Bengeo Quarry, local residents won a hardfought battle in 2019 to prevent the area being used for sand and gravel extraction.

But now developer Durkan has acquired an interest in the land and proposes building 100 homes there, close to its recently completed 52-home Stiles development. Both areas make up what is known as Hert4, an area designated in East Herts Council’s District Plan to provide upwards of 150 homes. But Save Bengeo Field campaigners say development on the field is no longer appropriate as the housing was planned based on an assump

tion that the landscape would already have been spoiled through quarrying.

The group says the field has been used for hundreds of years by walkers, pedestrians and sports people, evidenced by severely worn pathways. A recent survey of local residents showed 75% of respond ents used the field at least once a month for a variety of activities.

And they point to running app Strava’s heatmap showing ‘restrict ed byway 1’ is the most popular path in Bengeo for running.

In November they submitted a 573-signature petition to the council asking it to protect what they called “the unique and outstanding landscape of the area north of Bengeo” and to reject any further residential development which they said would also place further stress on the local infra

mandatory DBS check and virtual safeguarding training.

Founder Jane Whitbread said: “Children who leave primary school unable to read well can’t access their secondary schooling fully which will disadvantage them for life. One in seven adults have poor literacy and cannot read instructions on a medicine label or a bus timetable or fill in a job application form.

“Working together we can change this.”

To find out more or to apply today to be a local Schoolreaders volunteer visit schoolreaders.org.

structure with regards to highways, wastewater drainage, local health services and schools.

However, East Herts Council’s executive member for planning and growth Cllr Jan Goodeve said that as a strategic site allocation the Hert4 site formed part of the coun cil’s overall approach to meeting its housing needs by 2033 and had been removed from the Green Belt on adoption of the District Plan

Residents in historic street band together to tackle

Residents living in one of Hert ford’s most historic streets have launched a campaign to highlight traffic problems following two incidents involving children and vehicles there.

The West Street Action for Safety group is working with local coun cillors, Hertfordshire Highways and police to look at the possibility of introducing traffic calming measures.

The street already has a 20mph

limit and is intended to be access only for residents, Hertford Town Football Club, a Guide hut and the Black Horse pub, but locals say, despite this, it is still used as a rat-run and that many drivers continue to exceed the speed limit.

Traffic surveys over the summer showed a daily average of between 750 and 1,000 vehicles travelling through the narrow street, over half of which were speeding.

Residents are concerned the road

in 2018, meaning the principle of development in the location had already been established. Any plan ning application would therefore be assessed against Hert4 and other relevant policies in the plan.

Campaigners were due to host a public meeting at Bengeo Primary School on Thursday 1st December to enable residents to find out more about the proposals and to discuss how to raise objections.

dangerous driving

will be even more dangerous now the darker winter months are with us. They say drivers are often aggressive, and that residents have been sworn at when they have challenged drivers – and one was even threatened with an axe.

Both Facebook and Twitter groups have been set up to share experi ences of dangerous driving in West Street – to find the groups, search those platforms for West Street Action for Safety.

Could you give some of your time to improve children’s literacy?

From nation’s financial challenges to Ware’s Post Office

There has been plenty of coverage of the Autumn Statement that the Chancellor made recently. His three priorities were stability, growth and public services, and the measures he announced will have a real impact on us in Hertford and Stortford.

It was important that decisions had to be made to run a fiscally balanced economy. My honest opinion is that this budget was far better than many expected, and achieved that balance squarely, with just over 50% of the financial burden being met by tax rises, and just under 50% being met by spending reductions. None of this is easy and anyone who tells you it is, is not being honest. Honesty and leadership in politics are for the tough times as well as the easy times.

Jobs Fair success

I am glad to report that my first in-person Jobs, Opportunities and Apprenticeships Fair was a great success. I was delighted by just how many people came down on the day with queues out the door at points! I’m grateful to everyone who attended.

On the day, 13 local businesses

and organisations from BT to MCP Group, Allinson’s to our local ambulance service joined us. There really was something for everyone.

I am currently posting exhibitors’ debrief pieces on my website. This is so that those who were unable to attend on the day can still receive information around what opportu nities employers were offering and how you can get in touch. This will be updated periodically so please keep an eye out.

Post Office closure

I know how deeply local people are distressed at the news that the Martin’s shop with the Post Office inside on Ware High Street is to close in January. This is a decision that has been made by Morrisons, which now owns the Martin’s and McColl’s brands, and is one that I wholeheartedly oppose.

After losing all six of our banks in recent years, the Post Office did so much to fill the void created by such closures. Ware is a substan tial and growing community and

I have challenged Morrisons’ business assumptions and asked them to look again, but if the clo sure does go ahead, it will impact

residents here and further afield. People will find it far harder to pay bills, transfer money, withdraw cash and access a range of counter services.

I am working to save Ware High Street’s Post Office. I have already spoken with residents, met with directors from Morrisons and the Post Office, written to other

businesses on the High Street to see if they could host a Post Office in side, and met the relevant Treasury Minister who has agreed to raise the issue with financial authorities. I will continue to work to preserve services for local people, particu larly ensuring those who need it retain access to cash and banking services.

Adnams: they’re here with the beer just in time for Christmas

Southwold-based Adnams arrived in Bishop’s Stortford in November, opening its latest retail store in the historic timber-framed former tailor’s shop at 10 High Street.

The building opposite St Michael’s Church was most recently home to tailor Alexandra Wood and before that to its best known tenant for more than 400 years, Tissimans menswear.

Adnams has its own proud history having been brewing in the coastal town of Southwold in Suffolk for 150 years.

Its beers including Ghost Ship, Southwold Bitter, Broadside and Mosaic Pale Ale are widely known, being enjoyed in pubs and venues, including the company’s own portfolio of pubs and hotels, nationwide.

In 2010 Adnams established The Copper House Distillery and now also produces its own range of handcrafted award-winning gins,

vodkas and whiskies in addition to beer.

The new Bishop’s Stortford shop joins others in coastal and inland towns across the east of England including Southwold, Aldeburgh, Holkham, Holt, Bury St Edmunds and Saffron Walden.

It has opened in perfect time for the festive season, stocking its own brand beers in bottles, cases and kegs, along with spirits, wines, port, glassware and mixers.

There are gift sets that would make ideal Christmas presents –and even an Adnams Broadside Christmas pudding!

The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 6pm and Sun day 11am to 4pm.

Co-op opens in Sawbridgeworth in place of Gravelle’s Budgens

The former Gravelle’s Budgens supermarket in London Road, Sawbridgeworth re-opened in November as a new Co-op store after a brief closure.

Previous owners Paul and Michelle Gravelle announced back in October that they were selling the popular shop that they had built up over 16 years to Central Co-op. Their last day was Sunday 23rd October after which the shop was closed for a refit by its new owners.

It was officially re-opened on Friday 11th November by the Mayor of Sawbridgeworth, Cllr Greg Rattey.

In line with the Co-op’s sustain ability goals, the shop is fitted with eco-friendly fridges and LED lighting.

The refurbishment has also seen additional parking spaces created and self-service checkouts and new customer bathrooms that include baby change facilities added. There’s a free water refill station for customers while a food bank collection point has been added supporting Harlow Food Bank. Offering a wide range of prod

ucts including fresh and frozen produce, fresh fruit and vegetables, bread and pastries from an in-store bakery, chilled beers and wines, plus in-store coffee shop Insom nia, Lottery, Paypoint and cash machine facilities, the shop is open 7am to 10pm seven days a week. Shoppers can sign up to become a Central Co-op member to receive a range of special offers, join member groups and activities and help support the local community through the society’s Community Dividend Fund. You can join on line at membership.centralengland. coop/membership/join.

Hertford High Street Awards recognise local businesses

A swathe of local Hertford businesses have been recognised in this year’s Hertford High Street Awards.

The annual awards scheme is run by Hertford Town Council and was previously known as the Love Hertford awards.

This year’s ceremony took place on Tuesday 15th November at Hertford Corn Exchange in Fore Street.

Businesses were asked to self-nominate in 10 categories from which a judging panel produced a shortlist that the public was then asked to vote upon.

Mayor of Hertford Cllr Sue Barber, who attended the ceremony, said: “Shopping locally is vital to our town and the High Street Awards have confirmed how fortunate we are in Hertford to have so many fantastic local businesses.”

The winners of the 10 categories announced at this year’s awards were:

Café/Fast Food outlet: Hertford Cake Co

Community and Voluntary: Courtyard Arts and Community Centre

Fashion: Mint of Hertford Food and drink Retailer: Pickett’s of Hertford

Hair and Beauty: Tom Ashley Health and Wellbeing: The Beauty Room

Pub, Restaurant or Bar: The Old Barge

Professional Services: Hertford Post Office and UOE Shop

Specialist Retailer: Gay’s Newsagents (see page opposite)

Home and Interiors: Messages.

Above: The team from hair and beauty winners Tom Ashley with the Mayor Below: Hitesh Patel of Gay’s Newsagents receives his award

Hitesh and Dina Patel have just completed an incredible 37 years at the helm of the popular Gay’s Newsagents in Hertford.

And they celebrated the land mark by winning the title of Best Specialist Retailer at the Hertford High Street Awards which were held last month.

The newsagents was already well established when they took it over, having stood on the corner of Fore Street and Church Street since 1935 when it was founded by the Cull brothers, before passing through two other owners (including a lady called Gay – hence the shop name) before Hitesh and Dina took it on.

Since then, together with their long-standing member of staff Jean, they have established a reputation as an integral part of the Hertford community and people come from miles around for their extensive selection of not just magazines, newspapers,

confectionery and vapes but also handmade cigars and loose pipe tobacco.

Hitesh said: “We have always been a community newsagents.

We have customers who have been coming to the shop since they were children popping in after school for their sweets –and they still come now.

“The fact that we are still going strong is down to our customers who have supported us so much all these years.

“We’ve been blessed with some great customers.

“We have always gone out of our way to help as well, for example with some elderly people who may need things collecting from the chemist or somewhere else.

“It’s all part of what we do, serving the community.”

Gay’s Newsagents

28 Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1BY 01992 583253

Hitesh Patel and his wife Dina of Gay’s Newsagents in Hertford

Skin care clinic’s reputation for outstanding customer experience attracts new owner

Hertfordshire’s leading advanced skin care clinic, BeauSYNERGY, is under new ownership.

Attracted by its multi-awardwinning reputation, Dr Caroline Hayden acquired the Brookmans Park-based clinic from founder Jacqui Bannister earlier this year. Having spent more than a decade as a dentist in Hertford, Dr Caroline’s skin care journey started in 2015 after a grow ing interest in the field led to qualifications in facial aesthetics, including anti-wrinkle and skin rejuvenating injections. But it was a period working in a dental ‘urgent care’ centre during the pandemic that inspired a full career change. And when she learned that BeauSYNERGY was up for sale, her growing passion for skin care inspired her to jump

at the opportunity to acquire the business. But what really excited Dr Caroline was the clinic’s almost obsessive commitment to customer experience – and cre ating a place where every client feels like a VIP.

She says: “I love how deeply the team cares about each client – it’s important to them that the client not only goes away with an ef fective plan to improve their skin issue, but that they fully under stand the root cause too. They do everything they can to make the client feel relaxed and comforta ble. But what really struck me is that there is virtually zero focus on sales – the emphasis is always on doing the right thing for the client. It’s all about the experi ence and how the client feels and I’m personally all for that.”

BeauSYNERGY’s medically-led approach covers high quality and proven treatments for all kinds of skin problems, including dull, grey-looking skin; fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet, acne and blemishes. Dr Caroline and her experienced team also offer laser hair removal and advanced injectables such as Profhilo, Seventy Hyal and dermal fillers. And while Dr Caroline has big plans to grow the business, the

leading advanced

focus will continue to be on delivering a warm welcome and first-class experience.

To find out how BeauSYNERGY can help you, give them a call on 01707 662477 or email info@beausynergy.co.uk.

BeauSYNERGY

75 Bradmore Green. Brookmans Park AL9 7QT 01707 662477 beausynergy.co.uk

Have you struggled with long-term skin issues or noticed changes to your skin as you’ve matured over the years? At BeauSynergy we will find for you the correct solutions to resolve those issues and restore the life, health, smoothness and brightness back into your skin and body.

Customer experience is at the heart of everything we do at BeauSYNERGY, says new owner Dr Caroline Hayden

Dr Caroline Hayden and, left, inside her clinic

Hertford’s long-established school uniform suppliers Kids Connection have opened up their embroidery and clothing printing services to new audiences with the creation of a new sister business, Connect Embroidery. Anne MacDonald’s business has kitted out generations of local school children with uniforms, sports kits and dancewear for more than 23 years.

Now it has invested in specialist technology and machinery to offer embroidery and printing services, enabling local business es, clubs and other organisations to personalise their workwear, uniforms and sportswear.

Connect Embroidery has been created as a separate but connect ed part of the original business. Run by Anne’s daughter Katie MacDonald and Katie’s partner David Cole, they can embroider your logo or text on a wide range of items from shirts, jumpers and sweatshirts to uniforms, overalls

and towels. Printing on garments is also offered – ideal for sports kits, bags, promotional t-shirts and more.

Connect Embroidery can print logos or text in multiple colours or just a single colour, to match your exact design.

You can choose from a wide range of garments and brands –there are different qualities and price ranges to suit everyone’s requirements.

Whether you’re looking for per sonalisation on a single item as a gift, workwear for staff or towels for a guest house, hotel or salon, Connect Embroidery can help.

To find out more about what they can do for you, you can either pop in to Kids Connection off Hartham Lane in Hertford to discuss your requirements, or call Katie on 07548 280629. You can also email her at sales@connectembroidery.com.

To see samples of their work visit connectembroidery.com.

Katie at Connect Embroidery and with her children and mum Anne

Located on Link Road, opposite Waitrose, Northgate End is conveniently positioned with easy access to/from the A120 bypass, and just minutes from town centre shops, cafés, and restaurants.

Enjoy a month packed with events and shopping

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in Bishop’s Stortford with a packed programme of festive events over the next few weeks.

Christmas Fayre

The Town Council Christmas Fayre is on Saturday 3rd December from 9.30am to 4.30pm. With over 100 stalls, food and drink, music and entertainment, and the chance to visit Santa’s grotto, it’s a fun day out for all the family.

Panto’s back Panto is back at South Mills Arts as Jack and the Beanstalk offers fee-fi-fo fun from 3rd December to 2nd January. Enjoy toe-tapping tunes, fabulous costumes and a hilarious cast of characters in this timeless classic.

Take part in town trail Inspired by the panto, the Jack and the Beanstalk Town Trail is from 3rd December to 3rd January. Discover nine charac ters hidden in shop windows. Each one has a letter next to it – unscramble the letters to find a mystery word for the chance to win a £100 Discover Stortford Gift Card and a family ticket to Top Secret: Magic of Science at South Mill Arts in April.

Remember loved ones

The Isabel Hospice Lights of Love celebration takes place on Sunday 4th December at 4pm in Market Square. It’s a chance to

remember those we have loved and lost, with readings, carols and a choir performance – plus the magical moment when the lights of love are switched on.

Meet the Grinch

Meet The Grinch at Jackson Square shopping centre on Sat urday 10th and Sunday 11th De cember as he gets up to mischief and spreads some festive cheer.

See Santa Santa will be dashing through the town centre on a horse-drawn sleigh on Friday 16th December bound for a festive extravagan za at Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Club. Along the way, his elves will be collecting donations for Isabel Hospice.

Great shopping

There are plenty of other reasons to visit Bishop’s Stortford this Christmas. With a wide choice of high-street chains, independent stores and specialist boutiques, it’s the perfect place to pick up everything from stocking fillers to luxury presents. If you are struggling for ideas, the Discover Stortford Gift Card takes the guesswork out of what to give local friends and family. There is also a great selection of eating, drinking and entertainment options for all types of Christmas celebration. Come and discover what’s here.

For more information, visit discoverstortford.co.uk.

Hundreds flock to Stevenage to celebrate start of Christmas

Hundreds of people flocked to Stevenage and celebrated at Christmas lights switch-on events last month.

There are plenty more events in the town centre scheduled into the new year, so make a date in your diary to pop along. Now the decorations are up and the lights are on, don’t forget if you’re looking for a bit of inspiration for those last-minute Christmas gifts, why not check

out Stevenage Indoor Market?

There are a wide range of stalls selling lots of unique and quirky products, making it the perfect place to grab a pressie for even the most difficult people. Also, don’t forget, it’s great to shop local, not only is it more sustainable, but it helps all our small businesses who help to brighten up the high street, so come along and see what you can buy!

East Herts Lottery passes the £150,000 mark for local causes

The East Herts Lottery, which was set up by East Herts Council to help local charities, voluntary organisations, sports clubs and community groups to generate extra funding, started in 2019 and has since raised more than £150,000 in fundraising income for more than 150 local causes. Groups register for the lottery and encourage their supporters to sign up to buy tickets. It really is a win-win: 50% of every ticket sold goes directly back to the cause(s) that players choose to support; with a further

10% pledged straight to East Herts Council’s Community Fund which distributes discretionary community grants.

Supporters of the groups have also had cause to celebrate, winning prizes that range from £25 to £2,000.

Cllr Jonathan Kaye, Executive Member for Communities at East Herts Council, said: “When the lottery launched we knew it would become a regular source of funding for those involved but to know that in just three years over £150,000 has been raised

to support local not for profit organisations is amazing.

“Our East Herts Community Fund receives a small percentage of every ticket sale and since 2019 £33,356 has been generated which we have been able to distribute back out across the district to the benefit of multiple community groups and organisations each year.”

How to sign up to fundraise

Any not for profit organisations can sign up. It’s free to join and registered causes receive 50%

Lottery helps keep swimmers afloat

Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club, which is run by coaches, teachers and volunteers, signed up to the lottery in 2020 to help raise vital funds needed follow ing the impacts of Covid-19 and the temporary closure of their coaching programmes and learn to swim school.

from their ticket sales.

To register a good cause visit easthertslottery.co.uk.

How to play

Tickets cost just £1 and for as little as £4.34 a month (based on one ticket per week) players can support a cause and be in with a chance of winning a prize up to the jackpot of £25,000.

Players simply choose the local cause(s) they want to support.

You can sign up online at easthertslottery.co.uk or call 01279 912777.

Bengeo Tigers Football Club

signed up to the lottery in 2019 and have so far raised over £3,000, which has been used to help increase the number of girls joining their development group (age 4-6 years), improve the clubhouse and keep membership fees down.

The club has one of the lowest membership fees in the area thanks to the funds raised by the East Herts Lottery, which it also uses to help support families in

financial difficulty, to ensure their children continue playing for the club.

Club chairman Andy Sheen said: “As a club we are proud to have one of the lowest membership fees in the area, which has been made possible because of the funds raised via the East Herts Lottery.

“I would like to thank all the individuals who play the lottery on a monthly basis and choose us as a cause to support.”

Since joining, they have raised over £2,400 and used the funds to keep their costs down for members and to support children in the local area to learn to swim, as well as to nurture talent through to national and international level.

The club’s supporters have also won £1,050 in prize money, including three who won £250. Club president Lorinda Pieterson said: “The impacts of Covid-19 and closure of swimming pools had a huge impact on clubs across the country and the funds raised via the East Herts Lottery enabled us to cover our costs and

ensure we were there to support our swimming community as soon as we were able.

“Since restrictions were lifted, we have continued to use our regular income to help keep our membership fees low but are moving to a more secure position where we can use it for more exciting projects that will directly benefit our swimmers. We would like to take the opportunity to say thank you to everyone that plays the lottery and chose us as a cause to support.”

How young Bengeo Tigers footballers benefit

WHAT’S ON

Pick of the pantomimes

It’s the family trip out that just can’t be beaten at Christmas –get your tickets now for some festive fun at local theatres!

Beauty and the Beast

The Spotlight, Hoddesdon 15th to 31st December

Singer, actress, author and member of the Brit Award-winning group Liberty X, Michelle Heaton, will be bewitching audiences this Christmas in Broxbourne’s annual panto which runs from the middle to the end of De cember. Tickets are £23 to see the panto that proves beauty is more than just skin-deep. thespotlightvenue.com / 01992 441946

Dick Whittington and his Cat

Wyllyotts Theatre, Potters Bar

9th to 31st December

There is a three-week run for the traditional tale that takes you from the streets of London on a spectacular voyage over the seven seas to Morocco! Join Dick Whittington, his acrobat ic cat (it’s better than anything you’ll see on YouTube clips) and a cast of crazy characters on the adventure of a lifetime. Prices start at £19.50. wyllyottstheatre.co.uk / 01707 645005

The Snowsmith

The Drill Hall, Ware

10th December to 1st January

Hertford Theatre remains closed for redevel opment so its team have again worked with production company Half A String to put on this family Christmas show in Ware. This is not a traditional panto; rather it is a magical tale with a professional cast and amazing puppets in a bespoke, theatre-in-the-round space. Tickets are £16. hertfordtheatre.com

Jack and the Beanstalk

South Mill Arts, Bishop’s Stortford

3rd December to 2nd January

A professional cast of seven is joined by an ensemble of local young talent as Jack makes his way up the Beanstalk on his high-flying, magical journey where a series of ginormous adventures await him. Expect toe-tapping tunes, fabulous costumes and a hilarious cast of characters to keep young and older entertained in this timeless tale. Tickets start from £18. southmillarts.com / 01279 710200

Cinderella Harlow Playhouse

1st December to 8th January

Back by popular demand, local legends Jimmy Burton-Iles and Ben Parsley star in this year’s Harlow panto, the famous tale of Cinderella, which also features a live band. Cinderella is arguably the most famous panto story of them all, with Cinders longing for a happier and more exciting life away from her wicked stepsisters. Standard tickets from £22. harlowplayhouse.co.uk / 01279 431945

Sleeping Beauty

The Spotlight, Hoddesdon

11th to 15th January

The traditional after-Christmas treat that is the annual Broxbourne Theatre Company panto returns, with a performance from this excellent amateur company of Sleeping Beauty, an enchanting love story spread over the course of 118 years. Tickets start at just £13.50. broxbournetheatrecompany.co.uk

THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO GO

Michelle Heaton is starring in Beauty and the Beast at The Spotlight in Hoddesdon this month

Jack and the Beanstalk

Cinderella

Dick Whittington and his Cat

Christmas events to get you into the festive spirit

Marvel at Christmas at Hatfield Park Christmas at Hatfield Park, running through to the end of December, features a seasonal illuminated light trail with over a million twinkling lights. You will see sparkling tunnels of light, trees drenched in jewel-like colour and larger than life illuminations set to a backdrop of seasonal music. There will be street food vendors on hand too. Timed entry from 4.30-10pm daily must be booked online. hatfield-house.co.uk

Ride the Light Fantastic

Epping Ongar Railway hosts a series of festive events, including Light Fantastic, a train journey through the countryside and back passing illuminated lineside displays highlight ing stations and woodlands. These run until Sunday 15th January. Book these and other trips, including Santa Specials where kids can meet Father Christmas, online. eorailway.co.uk

Go

ice skating at Ally Pally

A trip to Alexandra Palace is always a must over Christmas, with its ice skating rink now open until Sunday 8th January. Whizz around the ice before enjoying a mulled wine or Baileys hot chocolate and mince pie in the East Court Café. alexandrapalace.com

Find an artistic gift

Present Arts at The Gallery at Parndon Mill in Harlow offers an opportunity for visitors to buy unique, artistic, festive gifts. The exhi bition runs until Friday 23rd December and features everything from paintings to prints, sculpture, glass, ceramics and cards. Admission is free. parndonmill.co.uk

Let the kids get crafty

A Christmas crafts drop-in session is being held at Hertford Museum in Bull Plain SG14 1DT on Thursday 22nd December from 10.30am to 3.30pm. £3 per child. hertfordmuseum.org

Carol concerts & festive music

The Harmonaires in Bishop’s Stortford

The Harmonaires Choir present a family Christmas concert in aid of Shelter at St Michael’s Church in Windhill, Bishop’s Stortford at 11am on Saturday 10th December. £5 for adults, £3 for children. theharmonaireschoir.com

Ware Choral Society

Ware Choral Society perform Handel’s Messiah at 7.30pm on Saturday 10th December at Christ Church in Ware (SG12 7BS). Tickets, all unreserved, are £15 each. warechoral.org.uk

Hertford Symphony Orchestra

Hertford Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Spectacular is a family-friendly festive concert at Haileybury in Hertford Heath featuring primary school choirs, seasonal orchestral and choral music and carols for audience participation. It’s on Sunday 11th December at 3pm and tickets are £14 adults, £6 children/students and £34 family (2+2). Book via Hertford Town & Tourist Informa tion Centre on 01992 584322 or online. wegottickets.com

Carols by Candlelight in Sawbridgeworth

Enjoy Carols by Candlelight at Sawbridge worth Evangelical Congregational Church on Sunday 11th December at 6.30pm, followed by mince pies and refreshments. The church is in London Road CM21 9EH.

Hertford Choral Society

Wenceslas: A Christmas Celebration is a Christmas concert from Hertford Choral

Society and takes place at All Saints’ Church, Hertford (SG13 8AY) on Saturday 17th December at 7.30pm. The second half will feature carols for choir and audience and tickets are £16 (reserved), £12 (unreserved), £4 students. hertfordchoral.org.uk

Carols at Ware Priory Ware Priory is hosting a Christmas Carol Concert in the Priory grounds off High Street on Sunday 18th December, with music from Ware Brass. It’s from 3-5pm; entry is free for the whole family.

Hertfordshire Chorus at Haileybury

Hertfordshire Chorus’s family-friendly Christ mas concert is at Haileybury College Chapel at Haileybury in Hertford Heath on Sunday 18th December at 6.30pm. It includes audi ence carols. Tickets cost from £5 to £15 and the event raises funds for Willow Foundation. hertfordshirechorus.org.uk

Carol Night at The Golden Fleece, Braughing That lovely village pub The Golden Fleece in Braughing is opening specially on the evening of Monday 19th December for a Carol Night. The bar will be open from 5.30pm with carolling from 7.30 and nibbles served during the interval. There will be a collection for Isabel Hospice on the night. The Fleece is at 20 Green End SG11 2PG.

Christmas at Hatfield Park is a magical experience to enjoy this December

Ice skating at Ally Pally

Hertfordshire Chorus

Pictures: RICHARD HAUGHTON/ SONY MUSIC

The festive films set to light up your Christmas

Strange World (PG)

Now showing

Walt Disney Animation Studios brings us a new, original, action-packed adventure that introduces a legendary family of explorers, the Clades, as they attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob, a three-legged dog and a slew of ravenous creatures. The voice cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid and Lucy Liu.

Matilda the Musical (PG)

Now showing

Emma Thompson stars along Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough in Roald Dahl’s inspirational musical tale about a young girl who discovers her superpower and helps others, as well as herself.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (U)

Now showing

Re-released to mark its 30th anniversary, this Muppet movie is just what we need this Christ mas, starring Michael Caine as the miserable old miser Ebeneezer Scrooge who is visited by a number of ghosts on Christmas Eve and urged to change his cruel ways before it’s too

late. Featuring memorable turns from Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as his long-suffering wife, and Statler and Waldorf as the Marley brothers. Festive bliss.

Violent Night (15)

Now showing

Well, not every Christmas film can be lovely and fluffy can it? This action comedy with its punning title sees a team of mercenaries break into a wealthy family’s compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone hostage. But they weren’t expecting the arrival of a

Avatar: The Way of Water (TBC)

Out on Friday 16th December

And now for The Big One. Set more than a decade after the events of the first film (which is still the highest grossing movie of all time), Avatar: The Way of Water begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiti and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to to keep each other safe, the battles they fight and the tragedies they endure.

Organised by Ware Town Council

Strange World and Avatar: The Way of Water are both showing at cinemas during December

surprise combatant: a certain Mr S Claus…

FOOD & DRINK

Hertford’s latest opening is just Peachy

After hard-earned success with their first restaurant in Bishop’s Stortford, November saw Dan Knowles and Leigh Keates open a second branch of Peach in Hertford.

Like the first, Peach.2 with its bright, feel-good Instagram-able interior and menu that is as good as the venue looks, has been the town’s top spot for brunch, coffee and cocktails since opening its doors in the Fore Street premises formerly home to Italian eatery Giambrones.

The business was launched just two years ago by the two child hood friends who had grown up streets from each other in Ware. Dan had initially worked as a lorry driver before deciding to change career, pursuing his passion for food and retraining as a chef before working in a range of prestigious fine dining and corporate settings.

Leigh, creative and with a passion for people, is a hairdresser whose work with celebrities and VIPs has taken him all over the world. The first Peach was a joint ven ture born, albeit unintentionally so, in the first Covid lockdown.

Scheduled to open in Bishop’s Stortford’s Church Street at the end of March 2020, the stay at home directive issued that very week meant the restaurant was unable to welcome customers in person until July.

Even then, and with social dis tancing measures in place, open ing was short-lived with further lockdowns that November, and then again in December, and with restrictions only finally lifted a year later in May 2021!

Determined to make a success of things the team adapted and adapted again to continually changing circumstances – offering a takeaway menu, homemade frozen meals, takeaway roasts delivered to the door, DIY burger

kits and more.

Despite all the setbacks, including more recent recruit ment issues faced across the restaurant industry, Peach has survived and thrived in Bishop’s Stortford.

It has been awarded OpenTable’s Diner’s Choice award for two years running.

While Dan and Leigh continue to recruit in Hertford, the new restaurant has been open Wednesdays to Sundays from 8am to 4pm (kitchen to 3pm) offering its brunch, coffee and cocktail menus.

The menu is available to view

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS

online (eatdrinkpeach.com) with breakfast options that include eggs cooked your way on toasted charcoal sourdough, and choices of poached eggs including Benedict and Royale. There’s a full English that includes Peach’s famed pave hash browns, Matcha porridge, and Pancakes served with vanilla mascarpone, honeycomb and berry compote.

Brunch items include Avocado with Aleppo chilli on charcoal sourdough, a Beetroot salmon bowl, and Mushroom ragout. Evenings – with Peach’s signature baos, burgers and small plates –

will follow in December, initially on Fridays and Saturdays.

The restaurant offers a good selection of healthy as well as vegetarian, plant-based and gluten-free options along with juices and smoothies.

From the food to the décor, spot-on service and poochfriendly approach, everything here is feelgood – Peach looks destined to enjoy a bright future in the town.

Peach 18 Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1BZ eatdrinkpeach.com

Pair’s second opening follows success against all the odds in Bishop’s Stortford

Leigh (left) and Dan (4th right) with their team at the vibrant, Instagram-friendly Peach in Hertford

The Mexican brings a touch of colour to Old Cross in Hertford

The Mexican is a new takeaway and delivery outlet that has opened in Hertford’s Old Cross and is an offshoot of the restaurant in Ware of the same name.

The Mexican is run by Brett Cahill-Moreno, whose own Mexican heritage inspired the brand, and Alastair Bramley, who runs The Bull at Watton-at-Stone, The White Horse at Hertingford bury and Jacoby’s in Ware. Having trained as a chef, Brett had had a lifelong dream of opening his own Mexican restaurant and teaming up with Alastair made that dream become a reality. In 2019 they jointly opened The Mexican in Ware High Street and it quickly became popular for its authentic street food dishes and cocktails.

Since Lockdown they have been offering The Mexican’s menu at Jacoby’s but moved back into the original restaurant at the end of

November, in perfect time for the forthcoming festive season.

The Mexican Hertford, which is in the premises at Old Cross that used to be home to Galos, offers The Mexican’s popular menu for collection or delivery by GoGetters.

To book a table at Ware or order a takeaway call 01920 449559 or visit themex.uk for further information.

PIRCIO Italian & Turkish

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

pirciorestaurant.com

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 also a set lunch menu, as well as the main menu. Superb roasts are served on Sundays, while the Christmas menu can now be viewed online as well. 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

ronisrestaurant.co.uk

BROHMON Bengali

Voted Best Restaurant in Essex at the 4th annual British Restaurant Awards 2022, Brohmon, which means Journey in Bengali, is the brainchild of Karim Ullah and his wife Sultana who have made it their mission to bring high quality food from the Bengal region of South Asia to Britain. They began by running pop-ups in Hertfordshire before opening their own restaurant in Stansted Mountfitchet near Bishop’s Stortford. They have also opened a takeaway and delivery outlet in Hertford – you can order through gogetters.co.uk.

8 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8AG 01279 815688 brohmon.com

Brett (pictured on the left) at The Mexican in Hertford

THE GEORGE IV Pub & Dining

Nestled in the picturesque village of Great Amwell, The George IV is the perfect spot for you to enjoy imaginative, freshly prepared dishes, including traditional pub classics, served in a friendly pub atmosphere or on the fully heated terrace area. The George IV can also be the perfect venue for your next event. From intimate weddings, birthday parties and anniversaries to baby showers and corporate events, they’ve got it covered with their beautiful function room and variety of dining options.

Cautherly Lane, Great Amwell SG12 9SW / 01920 870039 info@georgeivpub.co.uk www.georgeivpub.co.uk

KHAO YAI Thai

Khao Yai is the new name for the Hoddesdonbased Thai restaurant formerly known as Omsin’s. Now under new ownership, Khao Yai offers a broad menu of your favourite Thai dishes alongside superb service. Now open seven days a week, Khao Yai also offers both takeaway (with a 10% discount for collection) and delivery through its own website as well as delivery apps. In addition to the welcoming ground floor there is a large first floor dining space with its own bar which can also be booked for events, parties and private dining.

18 Brocket Road, Hoddesdon EN11 8NZ 01992 445988 www.khao-yai.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

THE BEEHIVE Country Pub

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

Epping Green, near Hertford SG13 8NB / 01707 875959 www.beehiveeppingreen.co.uk

SAFFRON Indian

The quality of the well-established and award-winning Indian restaurant Saffron in Hoddesdon has been widely recognised. This stylish restaurant is a contemporary venue in which both traditional and unique Indian dishes can be enjoyed alongside superb service. It can cater for both large gatherings and more intimate dinners and also offers an outside catering service.

If you fancy trying Saffron’s great food at home, both delivery and collection are currently available with a 10% discount for collections.

25 High Street, Hoddesdon

EN11 8SX 01992 461171 / 01992 461160 www.saffrononline.co.uk

BAAN THITIYA

Thai

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

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

www.baan-thitiya.com

Ritchie’s wine notes

By Ritchie Tough of Cavavin

The 12 Wines of Christmas

This month I am bringing you my very own take on the traditional carol, The 12 Days of Christmas, featuring a few carefully chosen words and even more carefully chosen wines...

12 Dolcettos Decanting

Dolcetto D’Alba Villa Casetta 2017, £12.50

There is a hint of red berry and herbs to be found in a dark berry expression.

11 Champagnes Popping

Pol Roger Brut Reserve Champagne, £42 Fruity (pear, mango)) and floral (jasmine) aromas with brioche and vanilla notes.

10 Lords a-Sipping

9 Cocktails Mixing

55 Above Orange Gin, 20cl £15 Fantastic freshness of orange backed up by plenty of juniper goodness. Enjoy with sparkling wine.

8 Wines a-Crushing

7 Sommeliers a-Serving

6 Geese a-Laying

Retief Goosen The Goose Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, £18.50

Well-balanced wine with ripe tannins and a long finish.

5 Local Gins

Copper In The Clouds

One Time Gin Hert fordshire Dry, £39.50 Distilled in tradition al copper pot stills using 100% British

grain spirit and botanicals either foraged, farmed or sourced from within our own county of Hertfordshire.

4 Colombards

Caprice Colombelle Blanc Cotes Gascogne, Colombard, £9.50

Lifted apricot, peach and honeysuckle scents are fol lowed by some citrus and spice.

3 French Blends

Chateau De Cassana Haut Medoc 2015 Bordeaux, £19.50

Medium bodied, forward and already open, it takes no effort to find the soft tannins, ripe red fruits and soft, polished finish.

2 Laughing Magpies

The Laughing Magpie D’Arenberg, £23.50

The palate is round and lus cious with an attractive black olive and sage character that persists throughout.

And a Portuguese Red For Me!

Messias Selection Douro Red 2013, £10.50

Messias Selection Douro has a very smooth and elegant complexity. It has a light texture, ripe red fruits and acidity.