Axis Magazine November 2020 issue

The independent, intelligent guide to everything that matters locally November 2020

INSIDE: THE NEWS THAT MATTERS...

TOWN CENTRE CHANGES

Preparation works begin for new Bircherley Green Broxbourne Council buys The Pavilions Harlow bids for improvements cash Jackson Square redevelopment plans

COVID UPDATE

How the pandemic continues to affect local life

CASH FOR CREATIVITY Government grants to help our struggling arts venues

Your leading high quality local news magazine since 2003

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WELCOME

NOVEMBER 2020 | NO. 214 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.

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

CONTACT US

Axis Magazine, Tooke House, 20 Bull Plain, Hertford SG14 1DT 01992 500198 info@axispublications.co.uk axismagazine.co.uk

PUBLISHERS:

INSIDE: News 5-10 Shopping & Business News 12-13 Xmas Shopping 14-15 What’s On 17-20 Food & Drink 21-27

Aaron Gransby & Justine Woods Published by Axis Publications Ltd

This month’s front cover images (Clockwise from top): New-look Jackson Square (p8), proposed Harlow transport hub (p10), The Pavilions (p5); Artwork by Tracy Charlotte Power (p18); Space Dogs: Return to Earth (p20); Artwork by Heather Brown of the Bishop’s Stortford Art Society (p18).

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BRIEFING

NEWS WORTH KNOWING

Broxbourne Council buys The Pavilions shopping centre for £12.7m Centre could become focal point in future regeneration of Waltham Cross Broxbourne Council has bought The Pavilions shopping centre in Waltham Cross for £12.7million and plans to make it the centrepiece of its long-term enhancement plan.

The council’s investment panel agreed on 7th July to make a bid of £13.75million to buy the centre, which was accepted on 10th July. The council’s subsequent due diligence on the acquisition led to the price being renegotiated to £12.7million.

The council says the price reflects the strategic position of the shopping centre in Waltham Cross town centre and the impact that being able to include the centre within the council’s overall plans for the regeneration of Waltham Cross will have.

Regeneration opportunity In a report on the purchase on 15th September, the council’s head of property services Kevin Clark said the effect “could be catalytic and presents significant opportunities in the overall masterplanning for the town centre”.

Broxbourne has previously stepped in to support a local town centre, buying the Fawkon Walk shopping precinct in Hoddesdon after its developer went into

The Pavilions, in Waltham Cross High Street, is likely to become the centrepiece of a regeneration of the town centre

administration in 2012.

The acquisition of The Pavilions is thought likely to have an even bigger effect on Waltham Cross’s fortunes due to the shopping centre’s position as the focal point for the whole town centre.

The current major tenants of The Pavilions are Sainsbury’s, WH Smith, Boots and Peacocks.

The rental value of the units at the centre is £1.526million a year and despite making allowances for that rental income to be reduced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the council still believes it will make an annual return on investment of 7%.

Improvements to The Pavilions are likely, bearing in mind the intention to make it the centre of the regeneration project, though Mr Clark’s report indicates that plans are unlikely to be brought forward for at least two years.

Acquisition follows failed planning application Broxbourne’s acquisition of The Pavilions comes just months after the council turned down a planning application by its previous owners to build a 10-storey block of flats on top of the centre.

Belfast-based owner Killultagh Estates had wanted to create 199 apartments by building on seven half decks of car parking and adding three further storeys on top of that, removing 194 parking spaces in the process.

Its agent had warned Broxbourne that refusal of the plan “would inevitably affect” the company’s investment in Waltham Cross.

But, opposing the application at a meeting of the council’s planning and regulatory committee on 13th May, council leader Lewis Cocking described it as the worst he had ever seen come before the council and called the planned development “a monstrosity”.

The committee unanimously rejected the application.

WORK SET TO START IN HERTFORD ON LEA WHARF Meanwhile, Chase New Homes have begun preparatory works on site prior to beginning a redevelopment of the former Bircherley Green shopping centre in Hertford into Lea Wharf, which will contain a mix of commercial space and flats. Formal planning permission from East Herts Council was expected to be in Chase’s hands around the end of October.

Opinion poll suggests residents oppose plan to create unitary authority for Hertfordshire An opinion poll shows local residents are opposed to Hertfordshire County Council’s plan to create one single unitary authority for the whole county.

The telephone poll was carried out between 22nd September and 3rd October by national polling company Survation, and surveyed more than 2,000 people across Hertfordshire.

The results of the poll showed that 59% of residents strongly opposed the creation of a single unitary council, with just 12% saying it was something they would support.

80% of people said now was not the right time to be making changes to the structure of local government.

76% said they were concerned that

their voice may not be heard by a countywide authority too.

The survey was commissioned jointly by the 10 district and borough councils who are opposed to the suggestion by the county council that they should be abolished in favour of one countywide authority.

The proposal is being championed by the county council, and its

leader, Cllr David Williams, whilst the Government is due to bring forward a White Paper later this year which is expected to pave the way for more unitary authorities and elected mayors to be created across England.

The county council says the change could save up to £100m a year and would remove confusion and duplication of services. axis magazine 5

BRIEFING: COVID-19 ROUND-UP

Covid alert levels differ over the border as it all ends in tiers Covid-19 continues to have a noticeable impact on the way we live and work.

The Government announcement in October of a new three tier system of local alert levels meant that at the time Axis went to press different restrictions were in place across the communities of Hertfordshire, Essex and north London.

Hertfordshire was placed in the first tier (Medium), meaning pre-existing national restrictions apply here, so that socialising indoors and out is restricted to a maximum of six people (the so-called Rule of Six) and pubs and restaurants are required to close between 10pm and 5am.

But Essex County Council made a request to the Government for areas within its jurisdiction to be moved into the second tier (High), so residents of Harlow and parts of Sheering are subject to different restrictions from areas sometimes just a matter of streets away, for example in the East Hertfordshire town of Sawbridgeworth.

In Essex, and also in the London borough of Enfield which borders Broxbourne, residents must not meet socially with friends or family indoors in any setting unless they live with them or are

in a support bubble with them.

The regulations apply to both private homes and venues such as pubs and restaurants.

Hertfordshire warning However, as Axis went to press, Hertfordshire looked to be on the verge of being moved into tier two as cases continued to rise across the county.

In a joint statement on 27th October, Hertfordshire County Council leader David Williams and the county’s director of public health, Jim McManus, urged residents to be even more vigilant to help avoid the county moving to High risk status.

They said: “If cases continue to rise at the current rate it is only a matter of time before we need to move up to tier two with all the extra restrictions that will bring.”

Meanwhile, in a question to Health Secretary Matt Hancock in the House of Commons on 15th October, Hertford and Stortford MP Julie Marson asked whether, if Herts needed to be moved to a higher tier, good local data might make it possible to approach this on a district by district level rather than on a countywide basis, something which Mr Hancock confirmed might be possible.

Newly installed planters in South Street, Bishop’s Stortford

Planters to promote social distancing Like the virus itself, town centre traffic restrictions, which are designed to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 by encouraging social distancing, look set to remain with us for the foreseeable future.

Hertfordshire County Council has been replacing the temporary orange barriers it put in place in May to create one way systems and traffic free areas in Bishop’s Stortford and Hertford with more attractive measures.

Planters have now replaced the barriers in South Street, Potter Street and Market Street in Bishop’s Stortford, all of which

remain closed to through traffic.

The council says this is to “create an environment where pedestrians are safe to step into the carriageway to socially distance themselves from others.”

In Hertford, where a first phase of planters were installed in Parliament Square in September, a second set have now also replaced barriers in Fore Street.

The planters have been paid for by the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund. l As Axis went to press we hadn’t spotted any plants in the planters but we’re sure they are on their way...!

Fireworks displays and Hertford Christmas market are latest events to be cancelled Planned public events continue to fall victim to the pandemic.

Organised public fireworks displays due to take place this month have now been called off, including the hugely popular annual extravaganzas in Ware, Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford.

Hertford’s Christmas market, which had been set to take place in the grounds of Hertford Castle at the end of November, has also been cancelled.

Last month Axis revealed that the area’s best loved seasonal events including Hertford’s Chrismas Gala, Hoddesdon Loves Christmas and Ware’s Dickensian evening, had already been abandoned for 2020, athough it is understood that 6 axis magazine

Bishop’s Stortford Town Council still plans to proceed with its annual Christmas Fayre at the beginning of December.

Hertford town centre boost Hertford Town Council announced on 14th October that it would not be able to hold its first planned festive market, but it has still promised a range of initiatives to support the town centre.

The town’s festive lights, including new Welcome to Hertford features in Fore Street and Maidenhead Street, will be on from 27th November while the Winning Windows contest will take place too, encouraging traders to decorate their windows

for the Christmas period.

The council is producing a printed gift guide featuring present ideas from local retailers which will be delivered to residents and be available online.

And a town centre Christmas competition will offer visitors who spend £10 in participating local shops the chance to enter a competition to win one of ten £50 gift vouchers to be spent at any Hertford retailer.

There will also be self-guided trails within the castle grounds and a children’s trail in the town centre during the Christmas holidays.

Shoppers can find out more about the Hertford events at gohertford.co.uk/events.

Fireworks displays are off this year

BRIEFING: COVID-19 ROUND-UP

Pandemic leads to further delay in transfer of library services The planned transfer of Hertfordshire’s library service to a new charitable organisation, Libraries for Life, is now unlikely to happen until the service has recovered further from the effects of the pandemic.

The county council decided back in July 2019 to transfer services to a public sector mutual to save £500,000 in business rates.

The transfer was originally due to take place in December 2019 but had already been put back to 1st April this year when the escalating Covid crisis led to a decision to delay further.

Libraries across the country were forced to close during lockdown and it was only from 6th July that they have begun to reopen in Hertfordshire, with limited

services and opening hours.

Just 30 of 46 libraries have so far reopened and community libraries which rely on volunteers, including Sawbridgeworth and Cuffley, remain closed. At present, library visitors are asked to limit their visit to 15 minutes; newspapers and magazines are not available; study spaces are closed and

meeting room hire and activities within libraries are not taking place. Libraries are also required to quarantine returned items for 72 hours before they are put back into circulation.

In light of this the county council has decided that the situation will be reviewed approximately every two months until circumstances are right for a handover.

Support the Poppy Appeal The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal has had to adapt to the threat of Covid-19.

With many of the charity’s collectors unable to carry out face to face collections, the Legion is calling on the public to back the appeal like never before, and has unveiled a range of new ways for people to show their support remotely.

If you are out and about you’ll find poppies available at Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi and Asda while volunteers will run collections elsewhere if possible.

But there is a wide

range of other ways to donate this year.

You can download a poppy poster to put in your window from the appeal website, making a donation if you are able to (there’s no minimum amount).

You can donate online at rbl.org.uk/ poppyappeal, by phone by calling 0845 845 1945, by texting POPPY to 70020 to make a £3 donation, and by post by printing off a donation form via the website.

You can also support the appeal by buying products from the RBL’s Poppy Shop online at poppyshop.org.uk.

World War Two veteran Bill Taylor is one of the faces of this year’s Poppy Appeal

Be Covid-confident in taxis

Broxbourne backs ShopAppy

People can feel more confident taking a taxi or minicab in Hertfordshire during the Covid restrictions thanks to a new countywide ‘Travel with Confidence’ scheme.

Drivers and operators across East Herts are being offered free online training to keep both themselves and their passengers safe during the pandemic.

Drivers who complete the course and become accredited can display Travel with Confidence stickers on their taxi or private hire vehicle.

They will also qualify for £100 reimbursement towards the cost of a screen to separate the driver and passengers and further reduce the risk of infection.

The scheme is an initiative from

Broxbourne Council is supporting traders coping with the fall-out of the pandemic through a partnership with online shopping platform ShopAppy which offers the borough’s businesses the chance to promote themselves online.

Local independent businesses that register with the site get their own webpage so customers can browse, book appointments or buy products online.

The service also gives customers extra flexibility with click and collect or home delivery options.

Local businesses that are yet to join the platform are encouraged to find out more by visiting broxbourne.gov.uk/shopappy.

The Broxbourne Council leader, Councillor Lewis Cocking, said:

Hertfordshire Local Resilience Forum, a multi-agency partnership involving local public services including the emergency services, local authorities, the NHS, Environment Agency, Highways Agency, Local Enterprise Partnership and other partners in the military and voluntary sector.

Meanwhile, latest Government guidance means that taxi passengers are required to wear face coverings. Drivers now have the right to refuse to carry passengers not wearing a face mask or to ask them to leave their vehicle. Those who fail to comply could face fixed penalty notices.

“The ShopAppy platform comes at a crucial time that has seen many businesses struggling with the challenges posed by the Covid-19 restrictions.”

He added: “We’re confident that this new platform will enable many of our local shops to keep going, no matter the circumstances, and at the same time it will help safeguard the community by giving residents the option to shop online during busy or restrictive periods.”

To see the list of local shops signed up to ShopAppy and find out what they offer visit shopappy.com. axis magazine 7

BRIEFING

Opposition parties team up in bid to halt Old River Lane development Labour, the Lib Dems and the Green Party have united in Bishop’s Stortford in a bid to halt Conservative-led East Herts Council’s plans for development at Old River Lane.

The local authority is planning a mixed-use redevelopment of land, predominantly currently occupied

by The Causeway car park close to Waitrose, and has appointed a preferred development partner, Cityheart, to jointly progress the scheme.

Construction has just begun on a new multi storey car park across the road at Northgate End to replace The Causeway flat level parking and serve the new development, which would include a new arts centre, cinema, shops and homes.

But opposition parties are calling for the council to halt the Bridge Street as it looks now...

development while it publishes a business case for it and consults with residents and businesses to gauge the community’s views.

The cross party group says that while plans for investment in infrastructure in the town are to be welcomed it shouldn’t be done without proper public scrutiny. It says public money spent on the scheme could be spent on other public services while damage could be caused to the already precarious high street.

The petition is at change.org/ HaltOldRiverLane. ...and the proposed new look

Jackson Square prepares for TK Maxx arrival Redevelopment works are planned at Bishop’s Stortford’s Jackson Square shopping centre where designer discounter TK Maxx is due to open its doors in the former Argos unit in 2022.

The centre’s owners say they are about to submit a planning application to East Herts Council for works which will accommodate the new tenant, although the centre’s website also promises that: “The new and improved Jackson Square will see

the relocation of some exciting stores, enhance unit opportunities and will allow additional space for new occupiers to add to our already exciting retail offer.”

It is expected that the planned development will mean that the Bridge Street entrance to the centre will be closed.

The scheme comes just a couple of years after works were carried out to improve the frontage of the centre in Potter Street which included the creation of a new statement entranceway.

River Lee Country Park, with its sculpture trail, retains its Green Flag

Green Flag Awards recognise the very best of our local parks and open spaces A number of our local parks and open spaces have been recognised in this year’s Green Flag Awards.

The awards, which are organised

by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Government, recognise well-managed parks and open spaces across the country, rewarding the hard work of managers, staff and volunteers who look after them, and helping to promote good management and share good practice in the green space sector.

Nine open spaces, gardens and heritage sites in Lee Valley Regional Park, which spans parts of London, Hertfordshire and Essex, retained their Green Flags.

They include the River Lee Country Park, Waltham Abbey Gardens, Gunpowder Park in Waltham Abbey, Myddelton House Gardens in Enfield and Rye House Gatehouse in

Hoddesdon. The park authority was also awarded a renewed Green Heritage Award in recognition of its management of Myddelton House Gardens.

Two parks within East Herts – Southern Country Park in Bishop’s Stortford and The Ridgeway in Hertford, which have held Green Flag awards since 2008 and 2009 respectively, were also recognised once again this year.

In Broxbourne, Green Flag parks and open spaces include Hoddesdon’s Barclay Park, Broxbourne’s Top Field and Cozens Grove local nature reserve, as well as Cheshunt Park and Cedars Park in Cheshunt.

In Harlow awards were given to Harlow Town Park, Parndon Wood Nature Reserve, Harlow Museum Garden and Harlow Mill.

Recycling centres back under county council control as Ware’s new ‘super-site’ reopens Hertfordshire’s 17 recycling centres are back under the direct management of Hertfordshire County Council after the authority agreed to end its contract with waste company Amey early.

Amey had an eight-and-a-half 8 axis magazine

year contract which was due to run until March 2023 but since it was signed in 2014 the value of recyclable materials has fallen while the costs of haulage have increased so, despite fulfilling its contractual obligations, Amey found it was making substantial

losses on the contract.

The staff who work for Amey at the recycling centres have been offered the option to transfer to the county council.

14 of the 17 centres are currently operational during the Covid-19 pandemic while the Ware site in

Westmill Road, which has been closed for redevelopment into a new ‘super-site’, reopened at the end of October.

You can find details of the locations and opening times of recycling centres at hertfordshire.gov.uk/hwrc.

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axis magazine 9

BRIEFING

New transport hub among projects proposed in Harlow Harlow Council was set to submit a bid at the end of October for up to £25million of funding from the Government’s Towns Fund which could see one or a number of proposed improvement projects given financial backing.

Harlow is one of 101 towns across the country eligible to apply to the fund, which aims to drive sustainable economic regeneration.

Together with the newly established Harlow Growth Board, the council has formulated a Town Investment Plan, made up of four projects which could have a real impact on the town and wider area.

One, to improve transport links and connectivity in the town centre, would turn the bus station in Terminus Street into a new transport and commercial hub with workspace and homes

TWO SHOPS PLAN FOR GRAVESONS BUILDING

An artist’s impression of the proposed new transport hub

above it. The new hub would serve as a vibrant gateway to the town.

The same project suggests other works to improve the town centre with attractive pedestrian connections, new CCTV and lighting, covered spaces to enable outdoor hospitality and improved street furniture, planting and signage.

A second project aims to improve

Staple Tye neighbourhood.

The Templefields Enterprise Zone is the focus of the third project which could have improved access via a new Cambridge Road and River Way junction.

And the final project, a reserve project which the council would look to fund if it was able, involves supporting Harlow College’s plans to improve its facilities.

Hertford fire and ambulance station set for redevelopment Hertford’s Fire and Ambulance Station site in Old London Road is to be redeveloped with a new station building provided along with 81 flats.

The building is owned by Hertfordshire County Council and is home to both fire and ambulance crews. It also serves as the headquarters for the county’s fire service.

Once the project is complete, the site will remain an operational fire and ambulance station only, with other staff relocated to other county council premises.

Ultimately, the plan is to move the HQ function into the offices of Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commisioner at

Stanborough in Welwyn Garden City.

The plan has been drawn up by the county council and its development partner Chalkdene Developments.

It presents a way of replacing the current, outdated buildings on the site which would otherwise need £2.8million of investment and repairs over the coming two years.

Under the proposals, which the council’s cabinet agreed on Monday 19th October should be progressed, the five-storey main building will be closed early next year with operational staff decanted into refurbished buildings to the rear of the site.

The front building would be redeveloped into a new fire and ambulance station with flats on the upper floors.

Once operational staff move back into the redeveloped building towards the end of 2022, the rear part of the site could then also be redeveloped into housing.

The overall project would be completed during 2024 and provide a total of 81 new homes.

Fire service will stop responding to automatic business alarms Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is proposing it stops responding to automatic fire alarms at offices and shops unless a separate 999 call is made.

Following a period of public consultation the service says it intends to trial the change for a 12-month period starting from 1st February 2021.

The move is necessary, it says, to make more efficient use of 10 axis magazine

NEWS IN BRIEF

resources, freeing up time to support community safety activities and training and to be able to attend incidents that do require its attendance.

Over the past three years it says office and retail premises have made up 26% of all automatic fire alarms attended at non-domestic properties. Less than 1% were actually fires.

The service says it will continue

to respond to automatic alarms at homes or non-domestic premises such as hospitals, care homes and schools. It will also attend most other types of non-domestic properties between 7pm and 7am.

But it will only respond to automatic fire alarms at offices and shops where there is confirmation that the alarm is sounding because there is a fire.

For those wondering who will take on the landmark Grade II listed former Gravesons department store building in Hertford, it could turn out to be two businesses! The building owners have lodged a planning application with East Herts Council to subdivide the empty shop at 11 Market Place which was last home to the recently closed Monsoon Accessorize into two units. They say that at the current time market demand is for smaller commercial units.

WORK UNDERWAY ON NEW HARTHAM PLAY AREA

Work has now begun on a new play area at Hartham Common in Hertford. The East Herts Council project will include a sand pit, water play elements, more shade and a ‘Treetop Towers’ feature which has been part-funded by a Crowdfunding initiative by the Hertford Playground Alliance, a group set up by local mums. Work is due to finish next Spring.

NEW MAYOR APPOINTED IN BISHOP’S STORTFORD

Bishop’s Stortford’s new mayor for 2020/21, Councillor Keith Warnell, has finally taken up the chains of office after delays caused by the pandemic. He takes over from Cllr Norma Symonds.

DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR CAR DEALERSHIP SITE

A planning application has been submitted to East Herts Council proposing the redevelopment of the Gates of Hertford site on Gascoyne Way. It seeks permission to convert the car showroom into a development with units that could be used for a range of purposes along with three two-bedroom flats. To the rear of the building a new terrace of seven three-bedroom houses is proposed.

COVID-19 SAFE!

Nonna’s Kitchen began with an idea that would bring generations of families together to enjoy traditional Sicilian food in the heart of our home town in the UK. Nonna’s is a family run business which prides itself on sourcing the highest quality ingredients to ensure the best flavours for our customers. As you may know Nonna’s Kitchen translated means Grandmother’s Kitchen. As a Sicilian family we wanted to create a little bit of Sicily right here in the UK by bringing together all of our Nonna’s traditional Sicilian recipes.

Nonna’s Kitchen is not only a restaurant that provides freshly cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.

We have a range of counters that provide an assortment of Sicilian products. Our bakery imports the highest quality Sicilian flour to retain the traditional taste of our bread and fresh pasta. The patisserie creates the most delicious traditional cakes, from the Sicilian cannoli to birthday cakes, Nonna’s has it all. Our gelato counter has over 20 mouth-watering flavours for you to try, which are all created in the UK by our patisserie chefs. We also have a deli counter, which is filled with salami, hams, cheeses, olives, pizzas, calzoni, arancini and selections of marinated vegetables.

Our passionate Sicilian chefs ensure to provide you with authentic recipes made with ingredients that are carefully selected in Sicily and local regions in the UK. So whether you’re celebrating a birthday, meeting a few friends for a coffee and a cake or fancy a quiet night in with a takeaway, Nonna’s will make you feel right at home.

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SHOPPING & BUSINESS NEWS

Re:Ware fashion agency is now open

Aykut Sahin (centre) with colleagues Nuray and Denis

Enjoy fresh food at Hertford Organic Re:Ware is a new fashion agency that has opened in Ware selling pre-loved designer and high-end high street ladies’ clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories in nearly new condition.

Owner Daniella Ward has opened the shop after a successful career in property sales and follows in the footsteps of her mum Jean, who has run The Dress Circle dress agency in Potters Bar for 20 years.

Daniella says she looks forward to offering a personal shopping experience to help customers find the perfect outfit, revive an existing piece in their wardrobe with a new accessory or simply help with some fashion inspiration!

Luxury labels stocked include Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Mulberry and Prada alongside top high street names such as Karen Millen, Reiss, Ted Baker and Zara.

You can also sell your own designer and high end high street clothing through Re:Ware – see the frequently asked questions section of Daniella’s website to find out more about how to do this and which items she is looking for.

The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.

Re:Ware 116 High Street, Ware SG12 9AP 01920 487174 re-ware.co.uk

Shoppers in Hertford have been eagerly beating a path to the door of the newly-opened Hertford Organic store in Honey Lane.

The family-run shop, which has opened in the premises that were formerly home to Honey Lane Antiques, sells fresh fruit and veg from local farms as well as London markets, plus a wide range of organic dried goods, such as herbs and spices, rice, pasta and pulses, honey, jams and spreads, tea and coffee.

Hertford Organic also sells homemade cakes which are vegan and gluten-free, as well as fresh smoothies and juices.

Owner Aykut Sahin used to own

SI Design & Build

Mini emporium with a selection of dealers selling antiques, vintage and retro collectables 4 Mill Bridge, Hertford SG14 1PY 01992 509547 12 axis magazine

Specialists in garden office design & build Covering Hertfordshire & North London

Contact Steve Injac – 0203 417 2147

a shop in Dalston which he closed when the Covid lockdown struck, and after discovering Hertfordshire and finding he loved it here, he decided to open this new one.

Hertford Organic is open seven days from 8am to 5pm and Aykut says he is planning to start home deliveries soon as well, in time to offer vegetable boxes for Christmas.

Visit the shop’s website to find out more about what they can offer.

Hertford Organic 4 Honey Lane, Hertford SG14 1DN 01992 550856 hertfordorganic.co.uk

SHOPPING & BUSINESS NEWS

SPONSORED CONTENT

Discover Bishop’s Stortford this winter The run-up to Christmas might feel a little different this year but shops and businesses in Bishop’s Stortford are working hard to make the town centre safe and welcoming.

It’s the perfect time to discover what’s on without travelling far.

Tick off your gift list Get a head start on your Christmas shopping in Bishop’s Stortford. The town centre has so much to offer – from independent stores and boutiques to national chains.

Whether you’re buying for friends or family, there’s something for everyone, with a wide choice of imaginative gifts and stocking fillers.

Season’s eatings Have a break from Christmas shopping and stop for coffee or lunch in one of the town’s popular cafés. Celebrate the festive season at a local restaurant without having far to travel home afterwards. As the nights draw in, why not pop to a cosy pub for a drink or a bite to eat?

Top-to-toe treatments Now’s the time to book festive hair appointments and beauty treatments for all the family. The town is packed with hairdressers, beauty salons and nail bars to help you look and feel fantastic.

Deck the halls Transform your home into a winter wonderland with beautiful decorations and homeware. You’ll find Christmas trees, wreaths,

lights and baubles throughout the town centre. Get home interior inspiration at one of the many specialist shops. Treat yourself to new curtains, flooring, lighting or furniture ahead of the big day.

Gingerbread Trail coming soon After the success of last year’s Nutcracker Trail, the Gingerbread Trail will soon be arriving in town.

Find all 10 members of the gingerbread family, then enter a draw to win an iPad.

Stay up to date For the latest news and guidance, visit bishopsstortfordbid.co.uk and follow the BID on social media.

All the businesses in Bishop’s Stortford look forward to welcoming you very soon.

DISCOVER BISHOP’S STORTFORD A warm and safe welcome awaits you…

SHOP LOCAL, SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY AND STAY SAFE!

CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS

INDULGE IN SOME RETAIL THERAPY

TREAT YOURSELF

STAY SAFE

Bishop’s Stortford town centre is home to over 300 businesses and retailers. Come and take a look around to discover the mix of high street names and independent boutiques, hairdressers and beauticians, eating and drinking options to suit all tastes as well as a wealth of professional services www.bishopsstortfordbid.co.uk Discover Bishop's Stortford_A5_v3.indd 1

axis magazine 13 22/10/2020 16:32

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LET’S MAKE IT ALOCAL XMAS Support your local businesses this Christmas – it’s more important than ever!

HIGHWAY CYCLES HERTFORD

CAVAVIN THE WINE SHOP HERTFORD

HERTFORD ORGANIC HERTFORD

Highway Cycles is Hertford’s only independent bicycle store, with a Cytech and Bosch certified workshop. It specialises in all types of bicycle for every discipline, including E-bikes, and stocks the best quality bikes from leading suppliers such as Trek, Marin, Brompton, Scott, Riese & Muller, Moustache, Frog and Mafia. The large showroom caters for all types of cyclist and is now taking pre-orders for Christmas! Pop in to view the friendly, Covid-secure store or shop online via the website.

Celebrating three years in Hertford, independent Hertford wine shop Cavavin is now offering free local delivery. You can order online and get free same day delivery for any local order over £30 placed before 4pm. Just use the discount code “LOCAL” when you order. As well as wines from hundreds of family-owned estate vineyards, Cavavin stocks locally sourced wines, spirits and beers, along with a wide selection of gins, whiskies, brandies and other fine products, making it a perfect destination for Christmas gift shopping!

Recently opened in Honey Lane, tucked between Maidenhead Street and Market Place in Hertford, is Hertford Organic, which specialises in organic grocery products. This family-run shop sells a wonderful range of fresh fruit and vegetables including more unusual produce such as purple or yellow cauliflowers, as well as vegan and gluten-free products, organic dry foods, tea and coffee plus homemade cakes, smoothies and fresh juices.

It’s a great addition to Hertford!

22 Maidenhead Street, Hertford SG14 1DR 01992 558311 | hertford.cavavin.co.uk

4 Honey Lane, Hertford SG14 1DN 01992 550856 | hertfordorganic.co.uk

FRIENDS DRESS AGENCY BISHOP’S STORTFORD

POST & PACKING HERTFORD

CANNON TRAVEL HODDESDON

Visit Friends Dress Agency, established 20 years, for ladies’ luxury designer preloved fashion. Pop in to see Victoria and the girls, who are always ready to help you find the perfect preloved outfit, from Chanel, Vivienne Westwood and Dior to Whistles and Zara, with prices to suit every budget.

Friends is open six days a week from 10am to 5pm. If you have something to sell, visit the website for more information. This little shop is bursting with pristine, carefully selected preloved fashion – what will you find?

Post & Packing Hertford is your independent postal shop and aims to provide the local community with quick and hassle-free services. You can post your letters and parcels; arrange a courier including Hermes, DPD, UPS and DHL; hire a secure mailbox and even use the shop as a pick-up and collection point!

If you sell online, Post and Packing also offers convenient storage with the full pick, pack and post fulfilment services so you can spend more time growing your business.

Cannon Travel offers a wealth of advice, experience and expertise to help you find the right holiday. This leading independent local travel agent, which is based in Hoddesdon’s High Street, is fully ABTA bonded and ATOL protected. You can book anything here, from a dream holiday to the other side of the world to a short city break, and you will always get fantastic independent advice, the very best prices and invaluable expertise. At this time of uncertainty, book your holiday through a local travel agent you can trust.

71 Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1AL 01992 472755 | postandpackinguk.com

96 High Street, Hoddesdon EN11 8HD 01992 441521 | cannontravel.co.uk

9b Great Northern Works, Hartham Lane, Hertford SG14 1QN 01992 536007 | highwaycycles.co.uk

29c North Street, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2LD 01279 758288 | friendsdressagency.co.uk 14 axis magazine

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LET’S MAKE IT ALOCAL XMAS Support your local businesses this Christmas – it’s more important than ever!

CRATES OF WOOL WARE

LANCE JAMES THE JEWELLERS HERTFORD

MARK WINES ANTIQUES HERTFORD

Crates of Wool, run by Deb Cunningham, is a lovely, local, bricks-and-mortar yarn store in the heart of Ware. It is a treasure chest of natural fibres, locally dyed yarn, cotton, bamboo and standard acrylic, meeting the needs of anyone who knits or crochets. The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm. Crates of Wool also offers local home delivery in SG12, 13 and 14 postcodes, and you can order online or by phone, so if you are unable to visit the shop for any reason you will still be able to get your supplies.

Jackie Benson’s award-winning jewellers has been established in Hertford for over 13 years and offers quality bespoke engagement and wedding rings and much more besides. Jackie can supply rings from some of Europe’s finest jewellery houses including Furrer-Jacot. She also stocks the latest trends, including carbon fibre wedding bands, showcases collections from individual silver designers such as ChloBo, Virtue and San, and offers an in-house repair and restoration service for rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches.

8a East Street, Ware SG12 9HJ 01920 463436 | cratesofwool.co.uk

15 Market Place, Hertford SG14 1DQ 01992 534555 | lancejames.co.uk

Mark Wines has been established in the antiques trade for over 30 years and offers a varied selection of antique 18th and 19th century furniture from his shop in Hertford’s historic St Andrew Street. Items bought and sold vary from Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian pedestal desks, chests of drawers, coffers, boxes, bureaus, tables and wardrobes to antique longcase, mantle, wall and carriage clocks, writing slopes, silver, glassware, copper and brass, trivets, fenders and candlesticks.

KIDS CONNECTION HERTFORD

GARNIER JEWELLERS HODDESDON

SOVEREIGN DRY CLEANERS HERTFORD

Kids Connection has been supplying school uniform in Hertford for more than 20 years. Earlier this year it expanded into larger premises, moving from Market Place to Hartham Lane, near Sainsbury’s.

The shop also supplies dancewear and is offering 50% off all remaining stock of school shoes and trainers until the end of January. The shop is open from 9am-5pm Monday to Thursday and Saturday (closed on Fridays until April). Heat pressing and embroidery are also available.

If you are looking for that truly special gift this Christmas and want to avoid travelling to busy out of town shopping centres, why not shop local at Garnier Jewellers, a well-established independent store in Hoddesdon High Street?

Whether it is a Nomination charm bracelet, a Seiko watch or a pair of diamond earrings, the friendly staff at Garnier will be happy to help you find a gift to suit your budget and that’s sure to put a smile on someone’s face after a challenging year.

Established in 1981, Sovereign Dry Cleaners of Excellence in Hertford are specialists in cleaning wedding dresses and silk clothes – in fact they are the official dry cleaners and finishers for renowned labels Veni Infantino and Ronald Joyce. They also offer suede and leather cleaning; a rug, curtain, cover and household laundry service; a handfinished shirt service and carry out repairs and alterations as well. Based in the heart of Hertford town centre, they are open 8.30am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday.

118 High Street, Hoddesdon EN11 8HD 01992 463781 | garnierjewellersltd.co.uk

5 Evron Place, Hertford SG14 1PA 01992 550000 | sovereigndrycleaners.co.uk

Unit 1A Great Northern Works, Hartham Lane, Hertford SG14 1QW 01992 587466 | kidsconnection.co.uk

1 St Andrew Street, Hertford SG14 1HZ 01992 534522 | markwinesantiques.co.uk

axis magazine 15

TAXING MATTERS

SPONSORED CONTENT

Gissa job, Rishi – I’ll do anything, from Baywatch to White Hart Lane...

Stuart Everett of Hertford accountants Meyer Williams takes the Chancellor’s new online career quiz

Lifeguard? The sea view may be better than my current one of the A414...

The Great P and his merry bunch of the clueless still appear to be thinking up ideas and implementing them before the ideas have got past their lips, never mind having been thought through and debated, seemingly not even within the Cabinet.

Those of us of a certain age will remember the high unemployment figures in the 1980s. I for one experienced it whilst I was still classed as a ‘Northerner’ (because that’s where I lived). It’s not an experience to put anybody through, I can tell you (living there or unemployment!).

That period did, however, produce some legendary characters, such as our favourite Liverpudlian Yosser Hughes, created by writer Alan Bleasdale for his seminal TV series Boys From The Blackstuff.

So, it is good to know that Rishi is thinking ahead, in case someone asks him to ‘Gissa job’ as Yosser so memorably did.

If there is a tsunami of unemployment following the second lockdown (which at the moment we are to pretend won’t happen), at least he can say he tried.

The Chancellor seems to have acknowledged that the Job Retention Scheme, or whatever it is called by the time you read this, may not be sufficient.

(The rules change so regularly it is certainly creating jobs in accountancy, so well done Rishi).

His other great idea is that everybody in all walks of life should consider re-training in the wake of unemployment caused by the pandemic. I have even heard it said that a career may no longer be for life, and that we

may have at least three during a lifetime!

New career in a new town?

“We’ve put a lot of resources into trying to create new opportunities, whilst trying to do everything we can to protect as many jobs as possible, but unemployment is likely to increase. Everyone is having to find ways to adapt and adjust to the new reality,” says Rishi.

So, in an attempt to help people think about possible alternative careers, Rishi has come up with The Great Government Online Career Quiz, which we are all being encouraged to complete.

It is meant to tell participants what kind of job they may be most suited to, based on their skills, experience and preferences.

The online tool requires users to answer a series of questions

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Stag House, Old London Road, Hertford, Herts SG13 7LA 01992 550721 | www.meyerwilliams.com | stephanie@meyerwilliams.com 16 axis magazine

about their skills, work ethic and preferences on a scale ranging from “Strongly agree’ to “Strongly disagree” and questions range from “Do you like to take responsibility for other people?” to “Are you a competitive person?” and “Do you like working with numbers?”.

Once the quiz is completed you are presented with a selection of suitable careers to retrain in.

So faced with such an opportunity, what would anybody do next?

Yes, I completed the quiz…and these were my top six next career suggestions: l Football referee l Fitness instructor l Lifeguard l Chef l Cake decorator l Head chef.

Bearing in mind the last time I physically exerted myself was getting up yesterday and the last time I ran fast enough to referee a football match was probably about 1965, and since the hospitality industry is on its knees, I’m not convinced the Government’s computer programme is fully developed!

Just to make sure I have covered the Full Monty of possibilities, would a male stripper be advised to retrain as a Sheffield steelworker?? And perhaps once the Great P is finally kicked out of his current job he will be told to retrain as a gents’ hairdresser! l In the meantime, let me know if you need any tax advice: phone me on 01992 550721.

I’m off to look for my whistle!

WHAT’S ON

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

The tracks of my years Broxbourne’s 60s pop star Terry Rice-Milton is back on vinyl again after 50 years Broxbourne-based 60s pop star Terry Rice-Milton has just released a new album, reprising his hits and putting his own spin on some of his favourite songs from that golden era of music.

Terry was the voice of the band Cupid’s Inspiration who had top 40 hits with Yesterday Has Gone, which reached number 4 in the charts, and the follow-up My World, in 1968.

The band played Top of the Pops at the height of their fame and their album, named after their first hit single, also achieved chart success a year later.

But at that time wrangles between artists and their management over money and contracts were rife, and Terry and Cupid’s were among the many artists to fall foul of this.

So after a short solo career, Terry decided to leave the music industry.

With a young family at the time he felt he needed a steady income and worked for a while as a swimming pool attendant in Waltham Abbey.

Over the years he continued to dabble in music though, staging a reunion gig with Cupid’s Inspiration in their home town of Stamford, Lincolnshire, in 2012 and also recording with the likes of Robin Gibb and Billy Ocean.

My World More recently, he has been collaborating with the Edmonton-based musician and producer Kenny Charles, and it was this work that led to the idea of Terry putting out a new album. Called My World, it contains new versions of Terry’s two big hits, together with two original tracks and a selection of 60s greats that mean a lot to him.

Stuart Everett and Terry Rice-Milton pictured with the new album and Terry’s gold disc for Yesterday Has Gone

Night, Walk Away Renée and Brown-Eyed Girl.

Terry on the original Cupid’s Inspiration album cover

He said: “My thing is really ‘blue-eyed soul’ and I have chosen songs in which the words really mean something and which I think I can give added ‘oomph’ to! I just love singing these songs and when I perform them live I always say that if the audience get half as much enjoyment from hearing them as I do from performing them, then I will be happy!”

Tracks on the album include Under The Boardwalk, Young Girl, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, Another Saturday

The vinyl countdown Terry and Kenny released a version of the album for download and streaming last year but Terry’s friend, Stuart Everett of Hertford accountants Meyer Williams, who Axis readers will know from his monthly column with us, was adamant that the album deserved a vinyl release.

So he offered to fund the production of the record, and last month the vinyl was delivered!

Stuart explained: “I got to know Terry some years ago as a client.

He was trustee of the Waltham Cross Youth Centre and I was asked to be treasurer. I’ve been an obsessive vinyl collector for more than 50 years so knowing a 60s pop idol was mind blowing and since, through him, I’ve met many of my heroes in music.

“2018 was the 50th anniversary of Cupid’s Inspiration’s first hit Yesterday Has Gone and I think I suggested after a couple of glasses of Malbec the ridiculous idea of 50 years later re-recording

Cupid’s 1969 album with the remaining original members of Cupid’s Inspiration – Cat Stevens has just done the same with Tea for the Tillerman.

“A trade mark ruling meant the original Cupid’s Inspiration were prevented from using the name – that’s another story – but Terry and his musician friends at Olive Grove Studios with Kenny Charles carried on recording his favourite songs. A mutual friend of ours is in the vinyl business, so when there were enough songs for an album it was a no-brainer that it should be released on vinyl. Terry is such a great singer that when you hear it you will know why I think his voice should be heard.”

Buy the album The album has been pressed as a 500-copy limited edition, including 100 clear vinyl copies.

You can buy one at £20 plus postage, from Terry on 07713 256263, Stuart on 07798 600332 or on eBay. Terry’s performances with Cupid’s Inspiration can be viewed on YouTube. axis magazine 17

WHAT’S ON

See Tracy’s powerful artwork in her first solo exhibition Artist Tracy Charlotte Power hosts her first solo exhibition at Brothership in Hertford this month, from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th November.

Tracy works as a full-time artist and has a studio at Brothership.

The main theme of her work is colourful, abstract pop art and whilst she says she is particularly looking forward to showing her new Neon Gods collection, the exhibition will showcase some of her more delicate charcoal and pencil illustrations as well.

Tracy is also auctioning a large painting of a remembrance poppy live on Instagram on Friday 6th November, with proceeds going to the Help for Heroes charity.

Her Instagram handle is @tracycharlottepowerart.

The exhibition is free to view at Brothership, 14 Bull Plain, Hertford SG14 1DT. Timed viewings are being encouraged to help aid social distancing, and you can arrange one via the contact page at brothershipstudio.com.

Jimmy BurtonIles

Tracy, top right, and some of her remarkable and striking works of art

Bishop’s Stortford Art Society puts its November exhibition online Bishop’s Stortford Art Society is running its second online exhibition of the year – this time its annual Christmas showcase.

It features members’ work in a wide variety of mediums including watercolour, oils, acrylics and mixed media.

The society is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year and its exhibition is now available to view online, with all artworks for sale. You can view it at: stortfordartsociety.co.uk/ exhibition-nov-2020.

It’s panto as you’ve never seen it before...

Winter by Heather Brown and Spirits of the Past Arise by Nick Dittrich

As we all know, panto this year in our Covid-affected, socially distanced world is going to be a little different, but many of our local venues are pulling out all the stops to make sure that the annual family festive treat can still go ahead in 2020. l Harlow Playhouse are putting on Treasure Island, from the same team that have produced the venue’s panto in recent years, and starring Harlow favourites Jimmy Burton-Iles and Ben Parsley. It will run from 4th December to 3rd January.

And, for younger (2-6-year-olds) audiences, the Playhouse will put on The Great Christmas Sleigh Ride in its Theatre 2 space.

To book your seats, visit harlowplayhouse.co.uk or call 01279 431945. l Hertford Theatre is presenting The Very Hungry Caterpillar Christmas Show from 12th December to 3rd January, featuring four master puppeteers weaving their way through Eric Carle’s wonderful stories bringing to life a menagerie of 75 enchanting puppets in a magical show. For more details and to book, visit hertfordtheatre.com. l Millfield Theatre in Edmonton is producing its socially distanced panto, Puss In Boots, from 3rd-31st December.

Book at millfieldtheatre.co.uk or on 020 8807 6680.

Local venues receive vital grants from Government’s Culture Recovery Fund Harlow Playhouse, The Spotlight and Lowewood Museum in Hoddesdon and South Mill Arts in Bishop’s Stortford have been awarded grants from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

The £1.57billion fund was set up to help theatres and cultural venues face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and give them the opportunity to have a 18 axis magazine

sustainable future.

All arts venues have faced huge problems after being forced to close for several months. Even now, most are only partly open and are unable to offer the same levels of entertainment. Audience sizes are also much reduced because of the need for social distancing.

Harlow Playhouse has received £531,551 from the fund. The

Spotlight, which remains closed until the autumn of 2021, has been awarded £133,089 which will be used to prepare it for reopening and make the venue Covid-19 secure.

Lowewood Museum will receive £50,189 which will be used to fund the setting-up of a trust to take over the running of the museum, a part-time curator, exhibitions and making the venue

Covid-19 secure. Broxbourne Council had agreed to a trust taking over the museum earlier this year, before the pandemic struck, after originally deciding to close the venue down, saying it could no longer justify the expense of keeping it open.

South Mill Arts in Bishop’s Stortford, which was formerly known as Rhodes Arts Complex, has been awarded £94,536.

Harlow Playhouse & KD Theatre Productions Ltd Present

ALL ABOARD FOR OUR CHRISTMAS ALTERNATIVE!

A Swashbuckling, Socially Distanced* Adventure

Starring Harlow favourites JIMMY BURTON ILES & BEN PARSLEY

4 December 2020 – 3 January 2021 www.harlowplayhouse.co.uk | 01279 431945

*Limited Capacity to allow for Social Distancing

WHAT’S ON: AT THE CINEMA

Musicals to make you smile and the latest family-friendly cinema releases With the temporary closure of Cineworld Stevenage, along with the rest of the chain’s cinemas, Campus West at Welwyn Garden City’s film offering is now a more important local service than ever.

This month, the venue presents a series of ‘Musicals To Make You Smile’ as an antidote to these darker days, showing classics including High Society, Guys and Dolls, Mamma Mia! and Mamma Mia Here We Go Again!, The Sound of Music, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Hello Dolly, Mary Poppins and Mary Poppins Returns.

There will also be several screenings of War Horse to mark Remembrance Day, plus some filmed one-off music events including Idiot Prayer: Nick Cave Alone at Alexandra Palace, an extraordinary solo performance filmed in June as the UK emerged from lockdown.

For full details of all showings visit campuswest.co.uk.

Dennis the Menace is back...

Hallo Space Dogs...

Ah Mr Bond, we had been expecting you....

Dennis and Gnasher Unleashed!

On The Big Screen (U) Now showing Every individual will have their favourite childhood comic, The Dandy, Roy of the Rovers, Tiger, Jackie... but the one that all of us remember is The Beano.

Here, the hero of that iconic organ, Dennis the Menace, and his friends are out and about in Beanotown, where mischief rules the streets every day and literally anything can happen – and usually does!

The anticipated blockbuster November release of Daniel Craig’s final outing as James Bond, No Time To Die, has been put back for a second time, until April 2021, and the big films are still not really out there on the big screen this month. So here is a selection of funny, family films to put a smile on our faces instead…

Over The Moon (U) Now showing Filled with determination and a passion for science, a bright young girl builds a rocket ship to go to the moon and prove the existence of a legendary Moon Goddess. There she ends up on an unexpected quest and discovers a whimsical land of fantastic creatures.

Space Dogs: Return to Earth (TBC) Out on Friday 6th November When a dangerous whirlpool appears in the Atlantic Ocean, Belka and Strelka, the first dogstronauts who are on their way back from a mission to Saturn, are sent to investigate.

Beneath the ocean they discover a mysterious UFO attempting to steal all Earth’s water. With the help of some of their friends, our heroes set out to save both our planet and the distant home of their new alien friends.

GREAT PRICES ON YOUR DOORSTEP 3 CINEMAS ENJOY UP TO 50% OFF WITH A ZEBRA DISCOUNT

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Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL8 6BX

campuswest.co.uk 20 axis magazine

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU

FOOD & DRINK

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS SPONSORED CONTENT

Enjoy a Covid-safe Christmas at The Golden Fleece in Braughing Looking for a Covid-safe venue to celebrate the festive season?

Look no further than the multi award-winning country pub and dining rooms The Golden Fleece which sits right in the heart of the picturesque village of Braughing, serving delicious European food with a modern twist.

The Fleece also has a great reputation for catering for customers with special dietary requirements and has an excellent vegetarian menu.

You can be assured when dining in their Covid-safe environment that their staff are following the highest standards of hygiene.

Owners Peter and Jess Tatlow are working hard behind the scenes to make sure that they can operate safely.

Customer wellbeing Peter said: “The wellbeing and safety of our guests and team is our absolute priority and we are creating the safest environment possible in line with UK Government advice. With free-standing screens and table spacing, you will feel fully protected.”

Peter and Jess have assessed every part of their offering: the spaces they provide, their team, the training given to them, their drinks and food, and how they look after their guests. They are

also having frequent health and safety assessments, as well as regular daily deep cleaning of the venue.

Chef Jess has once again created delicious three and four-course Christmas menus for you and your family to celebrate and enjoy together – from the traditional turkey and all the trimmings to vegetarian and vegan options, and one of Jess’s decadent puddings to round it all off.

Bookings are available now from 1st to 30th December (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day. To book your table for the festive season, call 01920 823555 as space will be limited.

The Golden Fleece 20 Green End, Braughing SG11 2PG 01920 823555 goldenfleecebraughing.co.uk

Peter and Jess Tatlow look forward to welcoming you this Christmas

20 Green End, Braughing, Hertfordshire SG11 2PG

01920 823555

www.goldenfleecebraughing.co.uk axis magazine 21

at

We now offer a takeaway service We deliver anywhere in Ware – collection service available if you live outside Ware

“The only other place to enjoy food this good is Cyprus!”

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FOOD & DRINK

Lussmanns to open the doors of its new Hertford restaurant this month Lussmanns is relocating its Hertford restaurant.

Axis reported last month that owner Andrei Lussmann was planning to reopen in November “with a twist” and the twist turns out to be a move further along Fore Street, where Lussmanns has taken over the premises left vacant by ASK Italian after lockdown.

Lussmanns had been located in the Egyptian House building at number 42 Fore Street since 2004 – it was Andrei’s first restaurant in Hertfordshire, so its holds a special place in his heart.

But the post-Covid social distancing rules made the site untenable for him.

The restaurant has a basement area he wasn’t able to use and a small upstairs dining area which could only seat around 20 diners post-Covid, so he felt he had no option but to move.

The former ASK building, at number 83 Fore Street, has twice

the space. The set-up is also more in keeping with the style of Andrei’s other sites, in St Albans, Harpenden and Hitchin.

Bright new site Andrei told Axis magazine: “It was a very difficult decision to let go the Egyptian House after 16 years there but we just had to move as having a 20-cover restaurant wasn’t viable.

“The new site will have a very different feel and we will be taking bookings from late in November.”

Andrei has also decided to permanently close his Tring restaurant, whilst his latest opening, in Oxford, which only opened its doors for the first time just before lockdown, remains closed for the time being.

To keep in touch with the latest news on an opening date for the new Hertford restaurant, visit lussmanns.com and sign up to the regular newsletter.

Andrei Lussmann (pictured bottom right) is moving his Hertford restaurant from the Egyptian House building (pictured bottom left at the start of lockdown) to a new location along Fore Street (see top image)

Mediterranean bistro and bar, open for breakfast, coffee, lunch and dinner

Special Evening Dining Offer: 20% off your total bill (including drinks) Wed-Sat after 6pm

MAYYA BISTRO 120 High Street, Waltham Cross EN8 7BZ 01992 301164 www.mayyamenu.co.uk Opening hours: Sun-Tues: 9am-6pm Weds-Sat: 9am-10pm axis magazine 23

BOOK NOW FOR CHRISTMAS!

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ta k e a w ay ava i l a b l e

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Come and enjoy the Festive Season at

Mediterranean Flavours & Relaxed British Dining Enjoy freshly prepared food in a relaxed, but contemporary country pub

Bookings now being taken for

Christmas Day & New Year’s Eve

The Woodman and Olive 20 Wormley West End, Broxbourne EN10 7QN www.thewoodmanandolive.com Private Functions catered for, including Weddings & Christenings

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FOOD & DRINK

Great British classics on the menu at The Greyhound The Greyhound in Bengeo, which opened last month under the management of chef patron Gareth Davies, has now launched its food offering, after initially opening as a ‘wet’ pub only while renovation work was completed.

Gareth and his partner Kate Gosnold already successfully run The Orange Tree in Sawbridgeworth and The Greyhound is their second pub.

Gareth’s Great British Menu combines modern fine dining with his own take on great British pub classics, whilst The Greyhound also offers a grill and fish menu, specials board and bar tapas dishes.

You will find it at 148 Bengeo Street, Hertford SG14 3EY. Call 01992 676402 to book or visit greyhoundbengeo.com.

Historic Salisbury Arms is open again Hertford’s historic Salisbury Arms reopened at the end of October and ran its own Eat Out to Help Out offer during its opening week to welcome customers back.

The McMullen-owned hotel and restaurant in Fore Street missed out on Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s scheme as it remained closed during August, but it was determined that its customers wouldn’t do so, so ran its own version of the scheme.

The venue in Fore Street also has a new menu, new courtyard seated area and new cocktails.

For more details visit salisburyarmshotel.co.uk or to book a table call 01992 583091.

Tea & Coffee Lounge

INDIAN DINING EXPERIENCE

15% Discount

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every day on collections over £17 (excluding set meals)

FREE HOME DELIVERY on orders over £17 within 3-mile radius

25% discount on food for all NHS and front line workers for dining in and collection on orders over £25 (ID required)

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Order online: www.ashokaindianhoddesdon.com

We are offering afternoon tea take away every day of the Week (except tuesdays) please phone the day before to pre-order

01992 470350 / 470349 109 Rye Road|Hoddesdon|HERTS|EN11 0JP

12 HigH Street, Ware Sg12 9BX w: milady-Ware.co.uk t: 01920 469997 e: milady-Ware@Hotmail.com Closed on Tuesdays axis magazine 25

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THE GEORGE IV Pub & Dining

ERMAN’S KITCHEN Turkish

The Fox and Hounds, now in its 16th year of trading under owners Bianca and James Rix, is well established as one of Hertfordshire’s leading eating out destinations. The Josper oven, seasonal menus, superb Sunday lunch and relaxed atmosphere are all great reasons to visit. Bianca and James have also added a popular shop and deli in the bar area, selling their homemade ready meals to take away, Brindisa deli treats, fresh bread, pastries, flowers, plants and gifts from local suppliers.

Open from 9am (10am weekends) Weds-Sun.

Nestled in the picturesque village of Great Amwell, The George IV is one of Hertfordshire’s best kept secrets. Enjoy imaginative, freshly prepared dishes, including traditional pub classics, served in a friendly pub atmosphere.

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. Bookings have been opened for Christmas Day – call now for details.

This recently opened family restaurant offers a menu of Turkish cuisine, high quality drinks and cocktails.

It is housed in a Grade II listed former pub that has been refurbished into three contemporary and comfortable dining areas, with an outside garden for warmer months.

The menu offers hot and cold starters, grills and Erman’s signature dishes that include Turkish fish and seafood specialities. The professional staff and welcoming atmosphere make it ideal for every occasion.

2 High Street, Hunsdon SG12 8NH 01279 843999 foxandhounds-hunsdon.co.uk

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

2 Fore Street, Old Harlow CM17 0AA 01279 454000 ermanskitchen.co.uk

THE VILLAGE TAVERNA Greek

SPICE HUT Indian

PIRCIO Italian & Turkish

FOX AND HOUNDS Restaurant & The Fox Shop & Deli

The Village Taverna is a well-established Ware restaurant that offers high quality Greek food from an award-winning chef. Live music is often available, which adds to the atmosphere that is already generated by the friendly and accommodating owners and staff. A set meal is available at lunchtimes with two courses for just £9.99 from a menu of three starters and four main courses. The Village Taverna also offers takeaway with delivery anywhere in Ware and collection available for anyone who lives outside the town. Advance booking is strongly recommended for Christmas and the New Year!

42-44 West Street, Ware SG12 9EE 01920 460607 Facebook: thevillagetavernaware 26 axis magazine

Spice Hut is the new name for what was previously known as Dil’s Indian, and it remains one of Hertford’s most popular Indian restaurants. Alongside its existing menu, new authentic Indian street food dishes have been introduced, offering customers the chance to try unique food from a highly experienced chef.

Banquet night is every Tuesday and Wednesday with a full meal for just £13.95 and there is a buffet all day Sunday. Order through the website for 10% off delivery and 20% off on takeaway collection.

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.

19-21 Maidenhead Street, Hertford SG14 1DW 01992 554400 spicehuthertford.co.uk

Drill Hall, Market Square, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3UU 01279 898181 pirciorestaurant.com

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SAFFRON Indian

THE FOX INN Traditional English Pub

THE GOLDEN FLEECE Pub & Dining

The quality of the well-established Saffron in Hoddesdon was recognised when it won Best Indian Restaurant in Hertfordshire in the 2017 Curry Life Awards.

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.

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

The Fox Inn is now taking bookings for tables in the restaurant, bar and garden. The Fox is a traditional English village pub that reinforced its place at the heart of the local community during lockdown, opening as a pop-up shop and offering food takeaway collection at weekends. Book ahead to guarantee a table but walk-ins are being accepted if tables are available.

For details of opening hours and the menu keep up to date on social media at facebook.com/thefoxinnmatchingtye.

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 free house at the heart of its community, the Fleece is also able to offer a wide range of real ales, beers, wines and spirits.

25 High Street, Hoddesdon EN11 8SX 01992 461171 / 01992 461160 saffrononline.co.uk

The Green, Matching Tye, Essex CM17 0QS 01279 731335 thefoxinn.com

20 Green End, Braughing SG11 2PG 01920 823555 goldenfleecebraughing.co.uk

THE HIGHLAND RESTAURANT Steakhouse & Carvery

THE STRAW HAT Cantonese

VILLA ITALIA Italian

The Highland Restaurant is Hertfordshire’s premier traditional steak house and has just launched its Christmas menu, so get in touch now for details and to book!

The Highland has been established for over 40 years, becoming a local institution in that time.

It continues to serve the finest steaks whilst also introducing new dishes such as burgers and ribs to the menu. The Sunday lunch at £16.95 for three courses is great value.

You can order takeaway dishes from its greekkitchen.co.uk website too.

The Straw Hat always offers a top quality and high class dining experience. Established for 17 years now, the restaurant is based in a beautiful listed building with a thatched roof which explains its name. The menu offers modern, innovative Cantonese cuisine that takes traditional dishes and reinvigorates them using high quality ingredients to produce healthy dishes that reflect today’s trends, including dishes for those on coeliac and gluten-free diets. The high quality wine list is also worthy of a mention.

The popular authentic family-run Villa Italia restaurant in Sawbridgeworth is now open again for inside dining (advance reservations essential and contact details must be given). Its takeaway and collection service, which proved so popular during lockdown, will continue, with the full restaurant menu now available for takeaway. Orders can be placed by phone or emailed to info@villa-italia-restaurant.co.uk.

The new opening hours are Tuesday to Friday from 5pm-10.30pm; Saturday 12.30-3pm and 5-11pm and Sunday from 12.30-5pm.

8-11 The Precinct, High Road, Broxbourne EN10 7HY 01992 466933 highlandrestaurant.co.uk

Harlow Road, Sawbridgeworth CM21 0AJ 01279 722434 Facebook: @strawhatoriental

48 & 52 Bell Street, Sawbridgeworth CM21 9AN 01279 358358 villa-italia-restaurant.co.uk axis magazine 27

9-13 Parliament Square n Hertford n SG14 1EX

EXPECT MORE n FROM YOUR n ESTATE AGENT

Thomas Childs are delighted to bring to market this recently renovated 5 bedroom Victorian property spread over 4 floors within a short walk of Ware town centre – guide price £879,995

01992 721 321 n www.thomas-childs.com