Axis magazine April 2022 issue

The independent, intelligent guide to everything that matters locally #StandWithUkraine

April 2022

INSIDE YOUR BEST GUIDE TO LOCAL LIFE SUNRISE FOR SUNSET? Planning process begins for Broxbourne film studios

ARE TRENDS ELECTRIC? Ben Crystall on why it’s time to move to electric vehicles

MP JOINS AXIS

Julie Marson MP begins her new monthly column

CELEBRATE THE ARTS

As the arts scene reopens we highlight the best of it

FOOD & DRINK

Two local restaurants get a new lease of life

Your leading high quality local news magazine since 2003

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WELCOME

APRIL 2022 | NO. 231

What’s inside this issue ABOUT AXIS

05-13 y News All the latest news on the major local developments

15-17 y Shopping & business news New shops on our high streets plus information and fashion advice

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

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

Our editorial content is targeted towards readers’ interests, to maximise readership and gain the best exposure for our advertisers.

The magazine is delivered to homes and businesses in selected areas and copies can also be picked up free from venues across the area.

CONTACT US

Axis Magazine, Lyric House, 6b St Andrew St, Hertford SG14 1JA 01992 500198 info@axispublications.co.uk axismagazine.co.uk

PUBLISHERS:

Aaron Gransby & Justine Woods

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

25-31 y What’s on We celebrate the local arts scene as groups and venues emerge again

32-35 y Food & drink A famous pub reopens and new owners take over Thai restaurant

18-19: SPRING WEDDINGS: THE TREND FOR PETS TO BE GUESTS (AND MORE) AT WEDDINGS! Front cover images (clockwise from top) The proposed new Sunset Studios at Broxbourne (p5); Work will begin on the development of Hertford Theatre next month (p6); Hertford and Stortford MP Julie Marson writes her first column for Axis (p13); Art by Deirdre Shepherd showing at The Gallery at Parndon Mill in Harlow (p29).

SUBSCRIBE For just £25 per year we’ll send you your own copy of Axis by post upon publication each month.

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

ADVERTISE

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

To find out more about promoting your business with us please call 01992 500198. axis magazine 3

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NEWS WORTH KNOWING

Action! Sunset Studios submits planning application for film site The exciting prospect of a major Hollywood film and TV studios coming to Broxbourne has moved a step closer.

After announcing its plans last autumn, Sunset Studios has now submitted a full planning application for the proposed £700million development by the side of the A10 in Cheshunt to Broxbourne Council.

The development could create 4,500 jobs and is intended to rival other major studios around Europe and in the UK, contributing £300million a year into the local economy.

Blackstone and Hudson Pacific Properties acquired the 91-acre site, which is currently known as Park Plaza West, last year. It is north of junction 25 of the M25, to the west of the A10 and to the south of Lieutenant Ellis Way. The planning application seeks permission for 21 sound stages and a seven-acre backlot, which would give the studios the capacity to produce four different

An artist’s impression of the proposed film studios alongside the A10 in Broxbourne

films at any one time. Other details of the application request permission for nine workshops which would create sets as well as on-site facilities for staff including a food hall, gym and nursery.

Access would be through two entrances, one from the A10 and another from Lieutenant Ellis

Way. Other on-site facilities would include two multistorey car parks accommodating 2,216 spaces, plus a waste management facility and electricity sub-station.

In the US Sunset Studios has been involved in some of the biggest hits of both the big and small screens, including When Harry Met Sally,

Zoolander and La La Land.

The proposed studios is the latest of several plans for land alongside the A10 in Broxbourne, which include the proposed Brookfield Riverside shopping, leisure and residential development, and a new business centre (the latest details of which are below).

Milestone for new business centre

Revised plans for Stortford South

Construction of Broxbourne Council’s new business and technology centre just off the A10 at Cheshunt reached a milestone in March with the completion of the building’s steel structure.

Key team members took part in a steel signing event (which is pictured right) on Tuesday 15th March to mark the final piece of steel being put into place for the structure.

Once completed during 2023, it is hoped that the building, which will include 3,209sqm of flexible office space, studios and training facilities, will provide a hub for tech firms and small and medium size businesses.

It is located about a mile from junction 25 of the M25 on land currently known as Maxwell’s Farm and forms part of a wider planned Theobalds Business Park

Developer Wrenbridge and partner Fiera Real Estate have submitted new plans to East Herts Council for the employment land on the St James’ Park development in Bishop’s Stortford.

They say the new plans address the concerns raised by local residents following the submission of an application in June last year which was later withdrawn.

There had been widespread opposition to that proposal, which was for a logistics centre comprising seven warehouse-style units on the edge of the site in between St James’ Way and Whittington Way known as Bishop’s Stortford South.

The new plans, which were submitted last month by Wrenbridge (FREOF V Bishop’s Stortford) LLP, reflect feedback received during a period of

which is also set to house a 65,000 sq m data centre.

The business and technology centre is also close to the site of a proposed new film and television studio for Hollywood’s Sunset Studios, a planning application for which is currently lodged with Broxbourne Council (see article above).

The leader of Broxbourne Council, Cllr Lewis Cocking, said: “It is fantastic to see the progress being made on this site.”

extensive consultation with the local community, they say.

Overall floorspace has been reduced, the proposals have undergone a significant redesign, significant levels of landscaping have been introduced, and the scheme now provides 12 commercial units split across five buildings which the developer says will attract a variety of businesses.

Find the application on East Herts Council’s website, reference 3/22/0510/REM. axis magazine 5

BRIEFING

Building work set to begin on the new Hertford Theatre

Above: Artist’s impression of the new theatre entrance Left: Rebecca Pegg from Hertford Theatre with Cllr Eric Buckmaster and David Morford from GPF Lewis outside the current theatre building

Construction work on the new Hertford Theatre is scheduled to begin next month after East Herts Council confirmed it has appointed a contractor to deliver the project.

If everything goes to plan it is now expected that the theatre will reopen towards the end of next year.

Kings Langley-based GPF Lewis will be responsible for the transformation of the building in The Wash with works set to include expansion of the main auditorium, improved backstage facilities, the creation of new dance studios, a first floor bar, riverside café and the addition of three new cinema screens.

The ‘growth and legacy development’ will give the venue the capacity needed to make it attractive to touring productions, will allow it to show new release films (the town’s nearest cinemas are currently in Harlow and Stevenage) and enable it to become self-financing without the need for council subsidies.

The granting of the contract is a significant milestone in the delivery of the project which had been delayed as the council grappled with the nationwide issues within the construction industry that have seen labour shortages and the price of materials push build costs up

steeply. Last month councillors agreed to invest a further £4million in the project taking the overall cost to £24million, £10.5million more than had been originally estimated when the plans were agreed in 2018.

East Herts Council’s executive member for wellbeing, Cllr Eric Buckmaster, said: “This project is so important, not just for Hertford and its residents, but for the wider communities too and I am delighted to announce that Hertfordshire-based GPF Lewis are the contractor we have chosen to help us move it forward.”

He also thanked project architects Bennetts Associates and quantity surveyors Bristow Johnson for their valued input which had enabled the project to reach this

point. GPF Lewis’s PreConstruction director David Morford said the company was excited to be trusted with the project’s delivery and added: “As a locally-based contractor, we are certain that this will be a flagship project not only for GPF Lewis but also for East Herts Council, the designers and the people of Hertford.”

Herford Theatre Director and Arts Advisor to East Herts Council Rhys Thomas called the scheme a “game-changer” which will “revitalise Hertford, injecting a new vibrancy into the town centre and will unlock a new and compelling cultural and heritage offer for many years to come.”

Find out more at eastherts.gov.uk/ hertford-theatre.

Bishop’s Stortford bids to become new home of railways HQ Bishop’s Stortford is one of 42 towns and cities across the UK that have expressed an interest in becoming the new home of the Great British Railways headquarters.

As part of its Levelling Up agenda, the Government has pledged to create a new public body that will oversee the running of the railways in one location from 2023, which it has said will be outside London.

With encouragement from Hertford and Stortford MP Julie Marson, East Herts Council has submitted an expression of interest in hosting the building in Bishop’s Stortford.

The submission suggests a four6 axis magazine

MP Julie Marson is supporting the bid

storey, 27,000 sq ft ‘Goods Shed’ office block next to the town’s station as the site.

It said the proposed HQ would

offer continuity between an historic railway site and a modern, mixed development, bring additional jobs and investment and

would be an accessible gateway to the eastern region.

Mrs Marson said: “It is absolutely right we have ambition and put ourselves forward to be the new home of Great British Railways.

I am delighted the council put the bid in.”

The entry was put together by the Shaping Stortford group, which includes representatives of East Herts Council, Hertfordshire County Council, Bishop’s Stortford Town Council, Herts LEP, Solum, Bishop’s Stortford BID and local residents.

A shortlist is due to be revealed in May. l See page 13 for Julie Marson

MP’s new column in Axis.

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Covid: It’s not over warns health chief as cases rise

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Far from being over, the Covid 19 pandemic has seen local case numbers rising rapidly in recent weeks with infections in Hertfordshire almost trebling in the first three weeks of March.

Hertfordshire’s director of public health, Jim McManus, said that cases were increasing in most age groups; that there are currently 121 outbreaks in schools across the county and businesses and services were reporting disruption to their operations.

“This is not just an uptick – this is a significant rise in numbers,” he said.

In the seven days to 20th March 11,409 cases were reported in Hertfordshire, representing a case rate per 100,000 people of 954.2.

It is a similar story in neighbouring Essex where 14,574 cases were reported in the same period, a case rate of 973.1.

Mr McManus said a team of vaccine tracers had been brought in to identify people who have not been vaccinated or taken up second or third ‘booster’ doses with the aim of addressing concerns they might have, making appointments and, in some cases, offering transport.

National data shows that the unvaccinated accounted for 61% of those admitted to intensive care in December 2021.

Mr McManus said that while 83.5% of eligible residents in Hertfordshire have had at least one dose of the vaccine, the bulk of Covid intensive care admissions are unvaccinated people, mainly in their 30s and 40s.

Cheshunt-born Olympic legend Dame Laura Kenny has become an ambassador for Spectrum of Misconception, a Hertford-based social enterprise empowering young people with autism.

The announcement was made on 2nd April – World Autism Day. Dame Laura, Britain’s most decorated female Olympian of all time, said: “I am delighted to become Ambassador for Spectrum of Misconception. It is a social enterprise whose purpose is to provide vocational opportunities to individuals with autism and learning disabilities, whilst raising awareness and sharing vital messages.”

For more information visit spectrumofmisconception.com.

Hertfordshire’s director of public health Jim McManus

He stressed that while there is talk of the Omicron variant being ‘milder’ than other variants it is not ‘mild’ in itself.

The number of hospitalisations has been reduced thanks to vaccines but many cases of the virus have still been severe and Omicron has often left people with symptoms lasting several weeks.

He also urged people to continue to wear a face covering in busy places, to stay at home if unwell and to continue to ventilate homes and offices.

“The bottom line of all this is that this is our first foray into really trying to live with Covid,” he said.

“And if we are going to make it successful we have to get through this surge, this hump, and out the other end.”

Dame Laura Kenny announced as Ambassador for local autism group

Laura Kenny wears a SoM T-shirt

TV’s Dr Anisha joins Teens Unite as trustee TV doctor Anisha Patel, who appears on ITV’s Lorraine daytime show, has become a trustee of Teens Unite, the Broxbourne-based charity that supports teenagers and young adults fighting cancer.

Dr Patel, who is 42, was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer at the age of 39. She underwent two life-saving operations and months of chemotherapy and is now in remission.

She said: ‘I feel I’m in a unique position as both a doctor and someone who has had cancer to help navigate young people through treatment and beyond.”

To find out more about the charity visit teensunite.org.

Dr Anisha on the set of Lorraine

Bridge between Broxbourne and Nazeing may be closed for six months Network Rail is proposing carrying out works to the road bridge close to the station on Nazeing New Road in Broxbourne that could see the road closed for six months.

The bridge carries the single carriageway B194 over the Bethnal Green Junction to Kings Lynn line, Broxbourne Station car park and also the River Lea. Network Rail says that inspections have shown that the condition of 8 axis magazine

the structure means the works are necessary.

A weight restriction of 18 tonnes is currently in operation but works would increase this to 40 tonnes.

However, it is not clear at this stage when the works will be carried out.

Network Rail is responsible for maintaining and operating the country’s railway infrastructure and as such benefits from “deemed consent” in planning terms to

carry out works it considers to be essential.

A letter to local residents informing them of the proposal suggested preparation works would begin in mid-April with bridge demolition and replacement scheduled for August. The letter said the road would be closed from 6th June to the end of November 2022.

But Hertfordshire County Council’s Highways department said that while it had no objection

to the proposed works it did have major concerns about the delivery of the project, questioned why the letter was sent out without any agreement with the council on how the impact of the closure on the public highway could be kept to a minimum, and said it did not support the scheme proceeding until its concerns had been addressed. Discussions between the two organisations are currently ongoing.

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BRIEFING

BEN CRYSTALL WITH THE SECOND OF HIS AXIS ARTICLES ON THE GREEN AGENDA...

The pros and cons of changing to an electric vehicle Time to swap your petrol-guzzler for an electric car?

Many are already switching, judging by the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the streets.

In fact one in three new cars bought in January was either a hybrid or all-electric.

Rising fuel prices are set to accelerate this shift.

So what are you waiting for?

Some are understandably nervous of new technology. There are also a few myths circulating which could put people off. So here are some facts.

Firstly, electric cars really do emit less carbon than conventional ones. While EVs don’t emit CO2 as they drive, emissions are created at the power station where electricity is made. Fortunately UK electricity is mostly made using clean fuels.

What about the energy used

manufacturing the car and battery?

This certainly generates CO2 – but how much?

One recent “life-cycle” analysis that includes battery and car manufacture, and fuel, shows average conventional cars emit 258 grams of carbon per kilometre, while a Toyota Prius hybrid emits 168g/km, and an all-electric Nissan Leaf emits 94 grams/km.

So in total an electric car typically emits about a third of the carbon released by a conventional car.

Other life-cycle studies confirm this, showing emission reductions from new electric cars cancel out the emissions from battery production in less than two years, and that there is no environmental benefit to hanging on to an old petrol or diesel car. The evidence is clear: if you must drive, it is better for the climate to switch to electric asap.

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Running costs Evidence shows electric cars cost far less to maintain than conventional ones – no surprise given that a standard car has more than 2,000 moving parts while an EV has about 20. Nor do EVs have complex cooling systems or spark plugs, catalytic converters or oxygen sensors to replace. Better still, EV owners pay around half the cost in fuel per km compared to drivers using petrol or diesel.

How long do batteries last? A study of Tesla EVs shows that after driving 270,000 km, their batteries retained 91% of their capacity. A separate study of 6,300 electric cars found their batteries lost just 2.3% of their capacity annually – an EV with a 240 km range would lose about 48 km of range after a decade of driving. New EVs typically come with a battery warranty of eight years or 160,000 km.

will drive electric most of the time and brings clear environmental benefits. Just avoid using the engine to charge its battery.

Worth it or not?

Truth is, electric cars aren’t cheap to buy. Nor will driving one save the world. An EV won’t cut traffic congestion or ease local parking problems. It will release tiny particles of rubber from its tyres, like any car.

To make a difference, we all need to drive less and do more walking, cycling and use public transport.

But when it comes to air quality and carbon emissions, if you have to drive then going electric really does make sense.

Charging points Around Hertford and Ware alone there are 14 charging sites, with many having at least two chargers.

More are coming, though there are no super-fast ones yet. Many residents with home chargers allow others to use them for a fee.

Electric or hybrid?

EVs offer many advantages but since about 60% of all car journeys are less than 8 km, a “plug-in” hybrid car with a small battery that you charge at home

Ben Crystall is a science journalist and Green Party councillor for Hertford All Saints on Herts County Council, and for Hertford Bengeo on East Herts District Council.

BRIEFING

HERTFORD & STORTFORD MP JULIE MARSON BEGINS A NEW MONTHLY COLUMN IN AXIS

JULIE MARSON MP FOR HERTFORD & STORTFORD

Response from local people to Ukraine war has been brilliant It is an honour to write my first ever monthly column for Axis Magazine. It’s a brilliant local publication printing the stories and features that matter to residents.

I have always enjoyed reading it and it is fantastic I now get to write for it too.

Sadly, my first column is all about the terrible events in Ukraine.

My heart goes out to all who are suffering.

Russia has illegally invaded an independent and democratic state – a friend of the UK – and we stand in total support of its right to exist against Putin’s tyranny.

I have been in contact with Ukrainians living in Hertford and Stortford over the last few weeks to discuss the situation and feed back their concerns to ministers as they organise aid for the country, including body armour and medical supplies.

In addition, my office has dealt with questions, concerns and information for people with friends and family out there.

Meanwhile, the Government has helped coordinate the most stringent package of economic sanctions by the West and they are hurting the Russian economy.

Assets have been frozen, Russian oligarchs targeted, export bans are in place, access to the financial markets stopped and trade limited.

On the humanitarian side we have done a great deal too. The UK has pledged more than £400 million to help the country.

In the last week or so 21 Ukrainian children with cancer were flown into the UK for life-saving treatment.

President Zelensky also personally asked Boris Johnson for mobile generators for places hit by power shortages due to bombing. More

than 500 of them will soon be dispatched.

The Government also announced a sponsorship scheme for people to host a Ukrainian refugee in their home for at least six months. In return they will receive a thank you of £350 a month tax free.

Councils will receive £10,500 per refugee to help with support with more available for children.

A website called Homes for Ukraine where people can express an interest in hosting has been launched. The scheme will be expanded over the coming weeks with charities, community groups and churches helping match refugees to hosts. Hosts and those coming here will be vetted.

Ukrainians who come will be given leave to remain for three years, with the right to work and access public services.

As I am writing, around 5,000 visas have also been granted to Ukrainians who want to come to the UK and the system has been made easier.

The response from people across Hertfordshire so far has been truly brilliant. I would like to thank all those who will take Ukrainian refugees into their homes in the coming months and those who have donated money or given supplies.

I think the scheme is a good one and I think the Government has acted promptly and compassionately on many fronts to help Ukrainians fleeing the war while getting really tough with Putin’s regime. l If you need my help on any subject do not hesitate to get in contact via email at julie.marson.mp@parliament.uk.

Julie meeting with local Ukrainians last month

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Love Hoddesdon election campaign takes shape Love Hoddesdon BID Ltd, which represents the 200+ local businesses in Hoddesdon town centre, is looking to convince them to re-elect it for a further five-year term this autumn.

The BID has agreed to seek re-election based on the existing Business Improvement District area and will make the formal application to both Broxbourne Council and the Secretary of State later this month as part of the statutory election timetable.

It is also developing a publicity campaign to encourage local businesses to vote YES for the BID to continue and help the town grow and thrive as the heart of the local community.

Business plan approved The BID recently approved its business plan for the coming year and beyond which reinforced its aims to: l Help develop a town centre strategy to guide how the town grows over the next 10 years; l Develop a safer, cleaner and greener town centre environment; l Continue to support local businesses and encourage new investment in the town; and l Develop a diverse arts and culture offer that appeals to all parts of the local community.

You can find out more about the BID and its work at lovehoddesdon.co.uk.

Tony Cox receives his award from Mayor of Broxbourne Cllr David Taylor and Hayley Meenan Wilkin of Fishpools, one of the award sponsors

BID manager wins community award At its Community Awards event at The Spotlight in March, Broxbourne Council gave recognition to Tony Cox, the Love Hoddesdon BID manager, for all his work to support local businesses throughout the Covid

pandemic. Tony said: “I am extremely honoured to receive this award, but it is only because of Love Hoddesdon BID Ltd that I was there to help. I’d also like to thank all those local businesses that kindly nominated me.”

More events and activities add to achievements Meanwhile, the BID has recently helped with the following: l Keeping local businesses regularly updated on funding, training and guidance to help them to continue to bounce back as Covid restrictions are lifted; l Holding its popular monthly business networking breakfasts – if you are interested in attending, just send an email to lovehoddesdon@outlook.com; l Sponsoring the Your Town walkers as part of its developing wellbeing agenda; l Holding the Love Hoddesdon Clean Up in late March where local schools and businesses litter picked areas of the town as part of the Great British Spring Clean;

l Working with Broxbourne Council to light the clocktower in support of the people of Ukraine and supporting Hoddesdon Parish Church with the opening of the Rainbow Mosaic project.

This month the BID will be: l Judging a Young Entrepreneurs Project where local secondary school and college students will present in Dragon’s Den style their proposals for what they would like to see in the town; l Holding a St George’s Day Festival and Parade with a family-orientated events programme from 10am, together with a parade from Lowewood Museum to the war memorial at 1pm on Saturday 23rd April.

Left: The clocktower lit in the colours of Ukraine

St. George’s Day Festival and Parade

Saturday 23 April

Hoddesdon Town, 10a Arena entertainments programme from 10am

Children’s themed parade (from Lowe wood Museum) at 1pm www.lovehoddesdo

n.co.uk @lovehoddesdon

m - 5pm

Food and charity stalls

Children’s Funfair Street Entertainers

SOMETHING FOR ALL THE FAMILY!

Then make sure you…

Do you…

Hoddesdon

SHOP LOCAL EAT LOCAL SPEND LOCAL

www.lovehoddesdon.co.uk axis magazine 15

SHOPPING & BUSINESS NEWS

Jeweller Sophie opens gift shop Opal and Iris in Ware Opal and Iris is a new gift and jewellery shop that has opened in Ware’s High Street.

The shop is owned by Sophie Sheridan, a local mum of two boys, who is a jewellery designer.

Until now, Sophie has created and sold her handmade jewellery including earrings, bracelets and necklaces, online.

But, having had a bricks and mortar shop in the past in Enfield’s Bush Hill Park before having children she was keen to expand into one of her own again.

The result is a welcome addition to her local high street which stocks not only her own jewellery but also a wide selection of gifts and homewares, including from small and local brands.

Here you will be able to find everything from candles and vases to stationery and scarves.

There is a children’s section with some fun puzzles and cushions,

as well as a room filled with a selection of affordable prints and artwork which has already proved hugely popular with her customers.

Sophie is also reserving space to support local artists who would like to showcase their works in the shop.

Sophie said: “I love the Ware community and hope my new shop will provide a warm welcome and complement the excellent local shops already on the high street.

I think Ware is really picking up, with empty shops being filled and people very keen to shop locally again.”

The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Sundays from 10am to 2pm – if the weather’s nice!

Opal and Iris 35-37 High Street, Ware SG12 9BA www.opalandiris.co.uk

Cassandra spots a gap in the market for celebration boutique A new celebration shop has opened in Bakers Walk, the bijou shopping arcade off Bell Street in Sawbridgeworth, offering locals an opportunity to buy balloons, cake toppers and more.

Cassandra’s Celebration Boutique is the brainchild of owner Cassandra White who used to work in merchant banking in the City until six years ago when she had her first child.

When considering going back to work she decided against returning to that life and discussed with her husband the idea of setting up a shop, spotted a gap in the market locally and opened the doors!

The shop currently sells all types of balloons in all sorts of colours and sizes which can be personalised with names, ages and messages to mark people’s birthdays, for example, as well as cake decorations.

Advance ordering is always appreciated but if you need something in an emergency, pop in or phone – Cassandra will do her very best to help you quickly and on the same day!

She says she intends to expand to 16 axis magazine

include stock such as bunting and cards, once she has got a better idea of what customers want.

The shop is currently open six days a week from Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 3pm, but may be closed on Wednesdays going forward so on that day it may be worth a quick call before setting out to visit.

Cassandra’s Celebration Boutique 6 Bakers Walk, Bell Street, Sawbridgeworth CM21 9QE 01279 724159

FASHION

SPONSORED CONTENT

Soaked In Luxury Shirley blazer, £74.99

Holiday shop

Spring’s bright and sweet silhouettes at The Women’s Society Boutique

Essentiel Antwerp Bemerald shirt dress, £160

On a hunt for that bright and colourful wardrobe-refreshing piece? Thinking of an elegant chic look for an Easter brunch with family or friends? Spring comes with great fashion opportunities – there is something about it that brings out our romantic and adventurous side!

This season we are all in for relaxed silhouettes, floral prints and cool designs that encapsulate the independent feminine and edgy spirit.

The Shirley blazer (SOAKED IN LUXURY, £74.99) in a pretty pastel lilac is an updated version of the classic style that everyone is already going crazy for! Perfect to match with the contrasting and super stylish designer T-shirt with a black panther print (HAYLEY MENZIES, £70) to channel your inner rebellious dreamer. Add a luxurious statement accessory – the matching Beija Flor silk scarf

Hayley Menzies black panther print T-shirt, £70 Inset: matching Beija Flor silk scarf, £120

Yaya cardigan, £99

Inwear yellow top £39.95

Rails Lex short sleeve shirt, £144

(HAYLEY MENZIES, £120) – with a tropical print inspired by that beautiful place you’re already dreaming of heading to next. Tie around the neck for an added flourish or wear it attached to your favourite handbag for a statement update.

Boost your mood with a flowery

DL1961 Mara Jeans, £199

voluminous Bemerald shirt dress (ESSENTIEL ANTWERP, £160) that is perfect for every sunny occasion. Pair it with Victoria trainers for a gorgeous casual look or wear with heels for a holiday dinner outfit on a romantic night out.

Mara Jeans in a milky white (DL1961, £199) will sculpt and conform to your body for the perfect fit.

The ankle length and raw hem makes it an ultra-feminine

addition to every wardrobe that is easy to style for the most flattering outfit. Pair it with the very affordable and versatile yellow top (INWEAR, £39.95) featuring stunning on-trend voluminous sleeves or a vintage inspired tie-dye denim shirt by our NEW Los Angeles based brand RAILS (Lex short sleeve shirt, £144) for an updated cool-girl look. We always love and recommend a colourful and cosy knitwear piece (YAYA, £99) to pop over a dress or a T-shirt during a layering season (which is all year round, isn’t it?).

Join us for Instagram Lives at @thewomenssociety every Wednesday at 9.30am to be the first to know about new pieces and brands.

Need a little advice? Drop us a message or visit us for a chat with one of our friendly Stylists. Enjoy our generous loyalty scheme every time you shop local. Thank you for supporting small businesses!

Shop Local, Shop Independent Celebrating 15 years Love Hertford Awards 2021 Fashion Winner

The Women’s Society Boutique 2 St Andrew Street, Hertford, SG14 1JA 01992 500122 www.womens-society.co.uk Open Mon-Sat 10-5pm axis magazine 17

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SPRING WEDDINGS

Your pet at your wedding? That’ll give you paws for thought...

When you consider the fact that the one single thing most couples will wish for on their wedding day is that everything goes according to plan, you might think that involving your beloved pet at your nuptials might not be the best idea ever.

Because, no matter how much we love them, we all know that even the best trained animals can have a tendency to be somewhat unpredictable – particularly if put into an unusual situation where there are a lot of people around.

We know of someone who had their horse at their wedding – and no, it wasn’t drawing a carriage – and yes, there was a lot of clearing up to do afterwards.

Oddly enough, not by someone wearing a very white dress!

You may decide a horse is a step too far, but dogs are increasingly being seen taking part in weddings.

For anyone thinking about taking theirs, experts recommend following these sensible tips…

Check with your venue First and foremost, whatever you do make sure you clear it with your venue. It’s definitely not a good start to your big day to discover animals are not allowed on the property. Assuming all is OK, organise to have a bowl of water and treats available – and, aircraft-style, make sure you know where the nearest exit is – in case they start barking.

Capture the moment Let your photographer know of your plans – he or she should be able to come up with some great ideas for pictures of your pet with you both.

Let your guests know You love your animal – and your guests might too. But, equally, some of them may have allergies, so let them know on the invitations so they can be aware.

Looking gorgeous Some pet groomers are now

specialising in giving pets a makeover before they attend a wedding – have a chat with your local one to see if they can help make your pet look their best before the big day. And don’t forget those little touches that can make them look so cute too – a little bow-tie or flower on the

collar may be all you need.

Choose a role Some couples have been reported to have had their pets act as best man, flower girls and even ‘mutts of honour’ at weddings, so do feel free to give them at least an honorary title!

The best wedding fairs coming up Main Weddings and Events is organising fairs at Hanbury Manor near Ware on Sunday 10th April and at Down Hall near Hatfield Heath on Sunday 24th April.

Both run from 11am to 3pm, with free entry for all plus goody bags for all couples getting married. Both fairs will be filled with wedding inspiration for everyone and it’s a great opportunity to look round these two fairytale venues. You can pre-register to attend at mainweddingsandevents.co.uk. l The Grand North London Wedding Fair will take place at Forty Hall estate in Enfield on Sunday 15th May from 11am to 3pm with free admission and parking. The beautiful Georgian Forty Hall building and its neighbouring banqueting suite have joined forces for this event, so you can view two stylish but very different venues on the same site. Take a look round the picturesque walled garden where photos can be taken and wander

the historic courtyard which will be buzzing with suppliers full of ideas for your wedding.

Visit fortyhallestate.co.uk to find out more. l A Monday night in June for a wedding fair? Yep, just before the longest day of the year the Alban Arena in St Albans will host The Hertfordshire Wedding Fair on 20th June.

The exhibition is a showcase for all those special touches that add a personal feel to a wedding day, with a unique boutique area featuring Hertfordshire’s most creative small designers, and there will also be many larger suppliers and venues exhibiting.

There are fashion shows at 6.45pm and 8.15pm featuring dresses from a variety of bridal shops from Herts and beyond, plus the latest menswear designs.

Family members can view bridesmaids’ dresses and mother of the bride or groom outfits.

The event is on from 5.30-9pm.

You can find out more at alban-arena.co.uk.

Hanbury Manor hosts a wedding fair on Sunday 10th April

Evening wear Special occasion wear Prom dresses Bridesmaids’ dresses + Small selection of informal wedding dresses 54-56 High Street, Cheshunt EN8 0AQ 01992 642652 axis magazine 19

Meyer Williams Chartered Accountants

Helping to find effective solutions for your business

If you are looking for a team of reliable, approachable and proactive accountants who will do more than just respond to your needs but work alongside you to help you succeed you have come to the right place.

Whether you need the support of professionals who provide on-time effective solutions to help your business, or help with your personal or business taxes, we are here to help.

Our experienced team work hard to establish one-to-one relationships with our clients and are able to offer timely individual advice and guidance on how to improve your business and personal finances.

We can ease the burden by taking care of your bookkeeping and accounting needs, including the preparation of your annual accounts.

Please visit our website where you can find further details about us and discover what other services we offer.

Please call 01992 550721 to discuss your needs with one of our team, or to arrange a face-to-face chat, or a zoom conversation. We will be delighted to agree a day and time to suit you.

Meyer Williams Chartered Accountants Stag House, Old London Road Hertford SG13 7LA 01992 550721 www.meyerwilliams.com

PROPERTY

SPONSORED CONTENT

Ward Estates goes from strength to strength as market rises Ward Estates is the sister company of the award-winning lettings agency SageWard Lettings and is now in its fifth year of successful trading, based in Parliament Square, Hertford.

Ward Estates has been going from strength to strength, having been founded because of a demand from its landlords for them to sell their properties.

Since then, this all femaleoperated business has found its own niche and now works with other vendors who have often been recommended to them by happy and impressed customers.

The team at Ward Estates pride themselves on offering honest and professional advice and delivering a first class service, no matter the value of the property.

They market all properties to gain maximum exposure, with professional photography, floorplans and video tours all included within their competitive sales fee, as well as providing

bespoke property brochures which are always a hit with viewers.

The sales market remains strong with increased demand and the majority of properties are selling fast at the top end of, or even above, the asking price.

Lifestyle changes caused by the pandemic are motivating buyers who want more space to work in and are keen to be in or near the country but in an area still well connected to London.

The surge in demand has been further enhanced by last year’s Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday introduced by the Chancellor as well as changed spending habits during lockdown which allowed prospective homebuyers to save for bigger deposits.

Ward Estates 12-14 Parliament Square, Hertford SG14 1EF 01992 472025 wardestates.com

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WARD ESTATES BELIEVES IN PROVIDING AN EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH LEVEL OF CUSTOMER SERVICE BY GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND THE REQUIREMENTS OF CUSTOMERS.

We understand that selling and purchasing a property can be both stressful and worrying. The Ward Estates team aim to make this experience as straightforward as possible without subjecting you to hard sale techniques or a stereotypical Estate agent approach.

01992 472025

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www.wardestates.com axis magazine 21

22 axis magazine

PROPERTY

SPONSORED CONTENT

Award win tops a record-breaking time for SageWard Lettings

With the rental market booming, Hertford’s SageWard Lettings have just recorded their best ever start to a year – and have won another industry award as well!

SageWard is an all femaleoperated agency and has earned an excellent reputation with both landlords and tenants since being launched by owner Lisa Ward 12 years ago.

The rental market has seen a dramatic change since the economy started to open up again after the easing of Covid

restrictions last summer – indeed Lisa says she has never seen such a buoyant market, with a high demand for rental properties which has had a knock-on effect of rental prices soaring because of a lower level of available properties.

According to Rightmove, average asking rents have increased at the fastest rate on record and now average £1,068 per month outside London, 9.9% higher than this time last year.

Rightmove predicts that those

will rise by another 5% in 2022 as the imbalance between demand and supply continues.

The imbalance is caused by the tenant demand being up 32% and the number of properties available being 51% lower than a year ago, although it has increased by 7% since December.

If you are looking to rent a property, as either a landlord or tenant, you will be in safe hands with SageWard, who have just been chosen as the Gold Winner in the Best Letting Agent in

Hertford category in the British Property Awards for 2021-22.

If you are a landlord looking to rent out a property, SageWard will provide a no-obligation valuation for you and will happily discuss all the details about the rental process.

Give them a call to find out more.

SageWard Lettings 12-14 Parliament Square, Hertford SG14 1EF 01992 504058 sageward.co.uk

• 8% plus Vat fully managed fee with a one-off set-up fee of £150 plus Vat • No hidden or extra charges • Unbeatable customer service

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MULTI AWARD-WINNING LETTING AGENCY axis magazine 23

Make the most of Spring with your top two local garden centres…

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WHAT’S ON

A CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS

Hertford Arts Festival begins Designed to showcase and promote arts and culture across the county town, Hertford Arts Festival runs this year from Saturday 9th April to Saturday 7th May. An art trail is the main feature of the festival, in which local artists exhibit and sell their work through a series of pop-up galleries within existing local businesses across the town centre.

All sorts of art will be on display, from paintings to pottery, sculpture to cartoons, at a variety of venues including estate agents such as Thomas Childs & Co and shops like Women’s Society Boutique and Chapter 79 jewellers.

Existing galleries will also be taking part including Courtyard Arts, whose Open exhibition will

be running from Tuesday 12th until Saturday 30th April.

Courtyard Arts can be found in Port Vale, Hertford.

Hertford Art Society’s annual Open exhibition (see article on the right) is also being promoted under the festival banner.

For a programme, pop into Hertford Town and Tourist Information Centre in The Wash or visit gohertford.co.uk. l Bishop’s Stortford-based Nick Dittrich is one of the artists taking part and his unique work can be seen in the gallery at the back of Mudlarks Café in Fore Street. These images are collages created using recycled advertising billboard posters with original wording added using recycled dry transfer lettering.

Nick Dittrich and his collage Fragments of Memory

Baker’s Arms by Michael Radley (oil on board) will show at the Open

Hertford Art Society to hold Open Hertford Art Society will hold its annual Open exhibition in the first week of May in Cowbridge Halls, Cowbridge, Hertford, next to the URC hall.

The exhibition will feature around 250 works of art and attracts entries from both professional and amateur artists.

All entries undergo a rigorous selection procedure by a panel of independent artists to ensure that the art on show is both varied and of high quality.

The exhibition will run from Saturday 30th April to Saturday 7th May. It is open on weekdays from 11am to 8pm, on Saturdays

from 10am to 8pm and on Sunday 1st May from 11am to 4.30pm.

The exhibition is organised by Hertford Art Society who welcome new members.

The society runs a full programme, meeting almost every Tuesday throughout the year. From September to April members meet in the URC Hall for talks, demonstrations by professional artists, critiques and practical evenings. In the summer members paint in the area around Hertford.

Visit hertfordartsociety.co.uk for more details.

Learn more about the stories behind art at Arts Society East Herts lectures The Arts Society East Herts is returning to its old home at the recently reopened The Spotlight in Hoddesdon after two years of first Zoom lectures and latterly in-person meetings in Ware.

The Arts Society East Herts is the local branch of the Worldwide Arts Society and has some 300 members. It meets on a Thursday morning every month to listen to carefully chosen professionals.

The lectures are for anyone with a general interest in artistic matters – subjects range from fine art to jewellery to Downton Abbey; from formal architecture to the history of the pantomime. At the meetings, coffee is served from 9.45am and the lecture, which lasts around an hour, starts at 10.30am.

Linda Smith will speak on the John siblings

The society also offers Special Interest Days where a speaker explores a subject in more

depth with two lectures in the morning and one in the afternoon. There are also outings to nearby places of interest and an annual foreign trip, both with first class lecturers.

The next lecture is on Thursday 28th April at 10.30am and looks at the artwork of brother and sister Augustus John and Gwen John, who both studied at the Slade School of Art in London. It will take a careful look at both of their lives up to Gwen’s death in 1939.

The lecturer is Linda Smith, who holds two first class degrees in art history and is an experienced lecturer and guide, especially at Tate Britain and Tate Modern.

Anyone is welcome to come along and give the lectures a try. For further information visit theartssocietyeastherts.org.uk. axis magazine 25

The multi-award winning

BROXBOURNE THEATRE COMPANY presents

4th-7th May 2022

Evenings 7.30pm. Sat 3.00 and 7.30pm

at the

Spotlight Theatre (formerly Broxbourne Civic Hall)

High Street, Hoddesdon EN11 8BE

www.BroxbourneTheatreCompany.co.uk BROXBOURNE ARTS FORUM

Summer 2022

Serving the arts community in Broxbourne since 2000.

Interested in Art? Want to know more?

Have an hour to spare?

Returning in 2022, at last, with live events at the Spotlight including My Kind of Music, Let’s Do Lunch and outdoor Shakespeare.

Then come to The Spotlight in Hoddesdon

www.broxbournearts.org.uk 01992 465383/466627

Come and try it out Guests are welcome

SPOTLIGHT BOOKINGS 01992 441946 www.thespotlightvenue.com

For more information go to https://www.theartssocietyeastherts.org.uk

26 axis magazine

On the last Thursday of each month a professional speaker presents a lecture with an art related theme.

WHAT’S ON: A CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS

Hertford’s new chamber choir Hertford’s new chamber choir, set up at the start of this year under the umbrella of Hertford Choral Society and led by HCS Musical Director Manvinder Rattan, is now rehearsing monthly with 24 experienced and keen singers.

Manvinder, who is CEO of the Voices Foundation and an experienced conducting and choral trainer, said: “I am delighted we’ve set this choir up because it’s bringing together some very strong singers as well as singers with potential. Choirs are teams – we have started getting to know each other as people and musically.”

HCC’s repertoire will complement that of the large choral works performed by HCS with interesting, challenging pieces suitable for a smaller group of singers. Its music is broad and varied, from early Renaissance to contemporary, sacred and secular, a cappella and accompanied.

A programme of local and overseas engagements is already planned for the next 12 months

Manvinder Rattan

Pianist Barbara Manning and BArts’ programme director Lee Rayner

and the choir will be available to sing at events, including weddings.

Hertfordshire concert-goers will be able to listen to the new choir for the first time at a joint performance of local choirs in All Saints Church in Hertford for the Jubilee weekend on 3rd June as part of the annual Hertfordshire Festival of Music.

HCC has a small number of vacancies for singers including soprano, alto and tenor voice parts and auditions can be arranged on request.

If you are interested in finding out more, visit the society’s website hertfordchoral.org.uk or email hcc@hertfordchoral.org.uk.

Hertford Chamber Choir in rehearsal

BArts is back for new season After an absence of more than two years, and ventures into Zoom during Lockdown, Broxbourne Arts Forum (BArts) will be opening its ‘live’ Spring/ Summer season on Wednesday 6th April with one of its popular free piano concerts by Barbara Manning in the café-bar at The Spotlight in Hoddesdon from 12-2pm.

Usually presented on the first Wednesday of the month, the concerts offer a wide range of easy listening music and have been a regular feature at The Spotlight since 2010, attracting a substantial number of people for lunch, so advance booking for future events is always advisable (call 01992 441946).

The 6th and 27th May see the return of the Let’s Do Lunch series – themed talks focused on the arts or social history with musical illustrations, a dash of humour and a two-course lunch with a glass of wine. The title for May – Debunking History – will be more topical than originally

Hertfordshire Festival of Music 2022 to launch Make a note now that this year’s Hertfordshire Festival of Music will take place from 2nd to 11th June in and around Hertford.

This year’s principal artist is the horn player Ben Goldscheider, who has gone from strength to strength since being a finalist in BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2016, giving recitals in major concert halls around the world.

Ben is from Hertfordshire and will be involved in

several festival events.

Other musicians taking part this year will include Guy Johnston, Melvyn Tan, Mathilde Milwidsky and Huw Watkins as well as the Maggini String Quartet, Emma Halnan and William Whitehead.

Tickets for the festival will go on sale soon – Axis will have more coverage next month. Keep up to date at hertsmusicfest.org.uk.

Right: Principal artist Ben Goldscheider

anticipated since the Ukraine war demonstrates all too vividly just how easily facts can be distorted for political reasons.

BArts will be celebrating its 22nd birthday this year, and with 31 affiliated groups can offer activities and events throughout the year covering almost every aspect of the arts, from watercolour painting, flower arranging and photography to music, dance and drama.

Liaising with the Borough of Broxbourne and Love Hoddesdon BID, BArts’ brief is to offer events which would not usually be part of the borough’s regular programme, including classical music, opera and open air Shakespeare.

A modest borough grant, sponsorship from some local businesses and subscriptions from loyal Patrons and Friends make a substantial contribution towards the cost of the annual programme.

For more information, visit broxbournearts.org.uk.

Would you like to sing and meet new friends?

Hertford Choral Society is a friendly choir with over 120 singers - no audition required We perform major choral works alongside modern repertoire There are four concerts each year, with professional soloists and orchestras Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings in Hertford - contact us and come along Find out more from Trish Goldsmith, membership@ hertfordchoral.org.uk

HC Hertford Choral Society

S

www.hertfordchoral.org.uk axis magazine 27

WHAT’S ON IN APRIL

Come along to an Easter Fun Day at Ware Priory on Saturday 16th April!

AN EVENING WITH FRANK STAPLETON

Free family fun, including:

Thursday 21st April, 8pm

Egg decorating competition in Fletcher’s Lea from 1.30 – 3.15pm with prize giving at 3.30pm

Perry Groves interviews the Arsenal legend who will also take questions Tickets: Balcony £13.50, Flat Floor £16.50, Stalls £19.50, VIP £49

CARPENTERS GOLD

Easter Egg Hunt in the gardens for the under-8s

Friday 22nd April, 7.30pm An evening of live music with a band oozing Seventies glitz Tickets: £23.50

Organised by Ware Town Council 01920 460316 info@waretowncouncil.gov.uk www.waretowncouncil.gov.uk Events are free; donations welcome

SIMON BRODKIN TROUBLEMAKER

Saturday 23rd April, 8pm The new stand-up show from this world-famous prankster!

Tickets: £22

BOX OFFICE – 01707 645005

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

Please note that Ware Town Council cannot be held responsible for any children left unattended at Ware Priory.

for top quality entertainment

Pop Divas Live!

Wednesday 13 April, 2.30pm

An Evening with ‘The Whirlwind’ Jimmy White

Back to Bacharach

Never more than a song away from a classic platinum-selling hit!

Sunday 8 May, 7.30pm

Plus a trick shot master class delivered by host John Virgo Thursday 14 April, 7.30pm

Friday 29 April, 4pm Saturday 30 April, 10am, 1pm and 4pm

Walk Right Back The Everly Brothers Story Thursday 12 May, 7.30pm

Book online visit www.thespotlightvenue.com Box office 01992 441946 The Spotlight, High Street, Hoddesdon, Herts, EN11 8BE

28 axis magazine

Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever!

BOROUGH OF BROXBOURNE

CK2203115

The Wizard of Oz Starring comedy legend Bobby Davro and X-Factor and Celebrity Big Brother’s Stevi Ritchie Tuesday 12 April, 2pm and 6pm

WHAT’S ON: A CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS

Hertford Theatre Week is back A previous Theatre Week production

Hertford Theatre Week has returned to the stage, though not to its usual venue.

Hertford Theatre remains closed until late 2023 for redevelopment so Theatre Week is taking place instead at the Ayckbourn Theatre at Haileybury College.

The six-night drama festival runs from Monday 4th to Saturday 9th April and features a different play put on each night by a different amateur company.

Those taking part this year include The Company of Players and organisers HDOS, Hertford Dramatic and Operatic Society.

The full list of productions in

date order from Monday 4th is: The Hound of the Baskervilles by The Company of Players; Bette and Joan by White Cobra Productions; Natural Causes by Global Theatre Company; A Bunch of Amateurs by Barn Theatre Club; Eventide by The Company of Players; Deckchairs by Hertford Dramatic and Operatic Society.

The smaller venue means there have been fewer tickets available than in past years but you may still be able to find some – visit hertfordtheatreweek.org.uk.

Tickets on sale for The Sound of Music Broxbourne Theatre Company returns to live performance for the first time in two years with a production of The Sound of Music at The Spotlight in Hoddesdon from Wednesday 4th to Saturday 7th May. Book your tickets now to this, one of the best-known family musicals of all time.

Suitable for all ages, a colourful

and spectacular show is promised by this well-established local company.

Performances take place each night at 7.30pm with an additional Saturday matinée at 3pm. Tickets prices range from £14 to £18, concessions and parties from £13, and can be bought online from the group at broxbournetheatrecompany.co.uk.

Unearthed at Parndon Mill gallery

The Gallery at Parndon Mill in Harlow’s latest exhibition is showing now and until Sunday 8th May. Called Unearthed, it features atmospheric and vibrant

paintings celebrating the ancient landscapes of the Outer Hebrides and Ireland by Deirdre Shepherd.

She uses both acrylic and oil paint and incorporates gold and silver in her paintings. Her works are complemented by sculptural ceramics by Nigel Earle that are influenced by geology, landscape, architecture and industrial archaeology.

Parndon Mill is in Parndon Mill Lane, off Elizabeth Way, Harlow CM20 2HP. Call 01279 426042 or visit parndonmill.co.uk for more details.

The Bish Bash returns... picture from previous festival by Steve Beeston

The Bish Bash will return for Jubilee weekend in Stortford Also returning this year is The Bish Bash – or, to give it its proper title, the Bishop’s Stortford Music Festival.

The popular two-day live music event will be held on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th June – the Jubilee weekend – on Sworder’s Field in the town.

2022 will be the 20th festival. It’s a community, not for profit event that typically attracts up to 6,000 people and is run by a committee of local volunteers. This year there will be three stages as well

as a drama/comedy tent. In addition to live entertainment there will also be food, a gin bar, a real ale tent, a dance tent, comedy, kids’ entertainment and community stalls.

As far as the music goes, Friday will see performances from the Boo Radleys, Collapsed Lung, Darlings and Uncle Funk’s Disco Inferno. Saturday will feature Buster Shuffle, Swingers and headliners EMF. Tickets are available now at stortfordmusicfestival.org.uk.

Total 90s at Harlow Playhouse

Harlow Playhouse has been welcoming back the audiences to its pre-Easter panto The Wizard

of Oz at the start of April but at the end of the month its plays host to a very different type of crowd-pleasing show… Total 90s!

The show on Saturday 30th April is a tribute to all that was good and great about the pop charts during the 90s, so expect to hear everything from girl power to boy bands, mysterious girls and vidas that were loca!

Tickets are £24 and can be booked online now at harlowplayhouse.co.uk or by calling 01279 431945. axis magazine 29

WHAT’S ON

Events for the Easter holidays Easter trail in Hertford A free Easter trail is running around Hertford Town Centre from Saturday 2nd to Saturday 16th April.

The activity is aimed at children to enjoy with their friends and families – you have to find soft toys hidden in local shops.

To take part, families should visit Hertford Town and Tourist Information Centre in The Wash to pick up a trail map.

Once the trail is completed children can collect a free treat from the TTIC. Ware Priory Easter Fun Day Ware Priory is hosting an Easter Fun Day on Saturday 16th April, including an egg decorating competition for children from 1.30-3.15pm in Fletcher’s Lea on the site and an Easter egg hunt in the gardens for under-8s.

The Priory is in High Street, Ware SG12 9AL and admission is free though donations are

Hertford Easter trail

The best films to see in April welcomed. Call 01920 460316 or visit waretowncouncil.gov.uk for further information.

Hertford Museum Wagathon Hertford Museum Wagathon, a sponsored 5-mile walk with your dog, takes place on Sunday 10th April, starting at 10am at Hartham Common.

You can find out more details at hertfordmuseum.org.

Herts Book Festival in May The Herts Book Festival, a community event that aims to celebrate reading and local authors will be held on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th May in Hertford and Ware.

Festival organisers plan to run the festival as an annual event to encourage enjoyment in reading, improve access to books, promote local authors and advance the literary skills of children, young people and adults across the area.

The Herts Book Festival is a free family event taking place at Hertford Castle on Saturday

7th May and at Ware Priory on Sunday 8th.

For more information visit hertsbookfestival.org.

Howe Green House School open morning Howe Green House School is holding an open morning on Wednesday 4th May. Howe Green House is a unique educational environment, which strives to help each pupil reach their academic potential within a safe and supportive setting, in which they feel valued, fulfilled and confident.

To discover more about what 30 axis magazine

The world’s favourite blue hedgehog returns

Howe Green House has to offer, and to register for the open morning, you can visit howegreenhouseschool.co.uk.

Morbius (15) Now showing Jared Leto transforms into the enigmatic antihero Michael Morbius. Dangerously ill with a rare blood disorder and determined to save others from suffering the same fate, Dr Morbius attempts a desperate and radical gamble. But what at first appears to be a success soon reveals itself to be a remedy potentially worse than the disease itself.

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (PG) Now showing The world’s favourite blue hedgehog (not sure there’s a lot of competition for that title, but we’ll let it pass) is back for a new adventure. After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. He gets his chance when Dr Robotnik returns in search of an emerald that has the power to destroy civilisations.

The Bad Guys (U) Now showing So bad they’re good. Or so they’d have you believe. This fun action comedy from DreamWorks Animation is based on the New York Times best-selling book series and features a crew of animal outlaws attempting their toughest job yet – turning their backs on crime to become model citizens.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (12A) Out on Friday 8th April The latest from the Harry Potter spin-off series sees Professor Albus Dumbledore join forces

with Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to try to stop Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald seizing control of the wizarding world. Scamander leads an intrepid team on a dangerous mission where they encounter beasts old and new.

Operation Mincemeat (12A) Out on Friday 15th April A top class cast includes Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Mark Gatiss, Kelly MacDonald and Simon Russell Beale in this adaptation of Ben MacIntyre’s best-selling book.

It’s the true story of an astonishing successful deception that changed the course of World War Two. The Lost City (12A) Out on Friday 15th April Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum and Daniel Radcliffe star in this film about romance-adventure novelist Loretta Sage (Bullock) who has spent her career writing about exotic places. When on tour promoting her latest book she is kidnapped by an eccentric billionaire (Radcliffe) who thinks she can lead him to the treasure in a lost city featured in the book.

Downton Abbey: A New Era (PG) Out on Friday 29th April Look, you know what to expect.

From award-winning creator Julian Fellowes (a chap far too well-mannered to punch a man on stage at the Oscars) this is the cinematic return of the phenomenon that is Downton. The cast travel to the south of France to discover the Dowager Countess’s newly inherited villa.

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New name, new owners – same great food Enjoy real Thai food with warm hospitality and great service High quality Thai dishes prepared in-house with the finest and freshest ingredients Sumptuous first floor area available for private dining and event hire

Our first floor private area has its own bar and is perfect for everything from birthday parties to corporate events Call us to ask for details

Takeaway and delivery available (order online or through Just Eat or Deliveroo) – 10% discount for collection 18 Brocket Road, Hoddesdon EN11 8NZ (We’re just off Hoddesdon High Street) 01992 445988 • hello@khao-yai.co.uk • www.khao-yai.co.uk Open: Monday to Saturday 12pm - 3pm and 5pm - 11pm and Sunday 1pm - 9pm

FOOD & DRINK

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS

Helen and Mike aim to put George and Dragon back on the map The George and Dragon at Watton at Stone – a village pub with a proud history – has reopened with new management after a major refurbishment by its owners Greene King.

Helen Price and Mike Rowe moved into the pub in February and have been finding their feet with a soft opening, at first for drinks only before beginning to offer Sundays roasts and now lunch seven days a week.

An evening menu will be offered shortly as well.

Helen and Mike have many years’ experience of running good pubs, most recently in Oxfordshire. Neither knew the immediate area before coming here although Mike has worked in various parts of London before so knew Hertfordshire well enough as a hotbed of his fellow Spurs fans!

The refurbishment by Greene King has created a welcoming pub which has been transformed both inside and out, where its large garden will come into its own during the warmer months.

Helen and Mike say they plan a separate outdoor food menu for the summer too.

The Sunday lunch menu changes regularly and features a selection of different roasts; one recent Sunday saw choices of topside of beef, chicken, pork loin and vegetarian options, with roasts priced at £12.95. Sunday lunch is served from 12.30-4.30pm and

Street Food Heroes returns to Hertford

Street Food Heroes, the popular open air street food market, has returned to Hertford.

Salisbury Square in the town centre will host seven of the region’s best street food stalls on the last Thursday of each month between now and September.

Stalls will open at 4pm and close at 8pm.

booking is essential for this.

The lunch menu for the rest of the week, which is served from 12-3pm, focuses on traditional pub classics such as bangers and mash using local farmhouse sausages (£9); thick sliced local ham, egg and chips (£8.50) and lasagne (£8), plus ploughman’s, sandwiches and jacket potatoes.

All meals are made fresh on-site and walk-ins are more than welcome during the week.

The planned evening menu will be different, with Mike looking to find a niche and develop a reputation for offering good food at reasonable prices.

Another subject that’s important to both Helen and Mike is sustainability. As well as using local produce, paper straws and wooden cocktail stirrers, they have adopted a scheme run by GiftTrees.com which offsets the carbon impact of your meal.

If your bill is over £30, a voluntary contribution of £1.23 is added which pays to plant a tree in Africa. Helen and Mike donate regularly too.

The pub is open seven days a week from 12-11pm and has Sky Sports showing in the separate bar area on occasions. Beware, it will be busy when that SpursArsenal match is rearranged!

The George and Dragon 82 High Street, Watton at Stone SG14 3TA 01920 512196

The Chequers due to reopen this month

Village pub The Chequers at Woolmer Green is due to reopen this month after undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment.

The pub is owned by Bedfordbased brewing company Wells & Co. The Chequers can be found at 16 London Road, Woolmer Green SG3 6JP. The village is just south-west of Datchworth. axis magazine 33

FOOD & DRINK

A fresh start for Hoddesdon Thai restaurant Khao Yai Hoddesdon’s Thai restaurant is now operating under a new name and with new owners, but has retained many of the same staff and continues to offer the same high quality of food.

The restaurant previously called Omsin’s, which opened in 2018 in Brocket Road, just off High Street, is now called Khao Yai, after a waterfall in Thailand.

The restaurant has been taken over by business partners Geoff Hill and Jeff East, while the name was suggested by Jeff’s wife, Apple, who comes from Korat, an area in Thailand near the waterfall.

The first change diners will notice is the big increase in staff at Khao Yai. While many restaurants are struggling to attract staff at the present time, the new owners have decided to invest in people to ensure they give customers the best possible service and experience.

Popular dishes With the same chefs in the kitchen, the menu remains the same for now, with dishes such as a choice of Massaman curries (tofu and vegetable, chicken, beef or prawns) and Weeping Tiger (marinated fillets of sirloin beef with spicy dipping sauce on a sizzler) among the most popular dishes.

A new signature dish is also being introduced – pink noodles with either chicken or prawns.

You can also order for both takeaway and delivery – either through Just Eat or Deliveroo or online directly at khao-yai.co.uk – and there is a 10 per cent discount

for any collection orders.

As well as the welcoming dining area on the ground floor the restaurant also has a large space upstairs which is used at busy times and can also be hired for private dining, parties and events of all types.

Khao Yai is now open seven days a week. From Monday to Saturday it is open from 12-3pm for lunch and 5-11pm for dinner, and on Sunday all day from 1-9pm.

The new owners are keen to welcome both existing and new customers and promise the kind of

Take a look inside the new farm shop at The George IV Here’s a first look inside the newly-opened farm shop at The George IV in Great Amwell that Axis reported on last month.

The shop is selling a range of produce in collaboration with the pub’s trusted suppliers The Rare Breed Meat Company, Belazu, Sparshotts and The Cheese Plate Buntingford.

The shelves are stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables, culinary pastes, antipasti and preserves, fresh chicken, steaks and sausages and a selection of cheeses.

The shop is open Thursday to Saturday from 9.30am to 4pm and is located in the courtyard of The George IV at Cautherly Lane, Great Amwell SG12 9SW. 34 axis magazine

excellent customer experience that they would like to have themselves.

Khao Yai 18 Brocket Road, Hoddesdon EN11 8NZ 01992 445988 khao-yai.co.uk

FOOD AND DRINK: SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS

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THE GEORGE IV Pub & Dining

SAFFRON Indian

THE GOLDEN FLEECE 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.

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.

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. A takeaway menu is also available.

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

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

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

THE BEEHIVE Country Pub

VILLA ITALIA Italian

BAAN THITIYA Thai

This family-run country pub has reopened with a complete new look following a Lockdown renovation that included a major extension, creating new modern facilities which blend well with its historic character. The new look is already proving popular with regulars who enjoy a menu that is heavy on fresh fish and seafood but also includes grill dishes such as burgers and steaks as well as vegan and vegetarian options. It also offers a great Sunday lunch menu.The Beehive is open seven days a week – book now to experience its fresh new look!

The popular authentic family-run Villa Italia restaurant in Sawbridgeworth opened in March 2019 and quickly became a firm local favourite.

Alongside a warm welcome and a relaxed atmosphere, Villa Italia offers a wide range of crowd-pleasing Italian dishes to suit every occasion, including pizza, pasta, meat and fish dishes as well as very popular homemade desserts and a great wine list. Villa Italia’s opening hours are Tuesday-Thursday 5-10.30pm; Friday and Saturday 12.30-3pm and 5-11pm and Sunday 12.30-5.30pm.

Baan Thitiya, Bishop’s Stortford’s premier Thai restaurant, continues to gain in popularity some 15 years after first opening its doors in 2007.

The restaurant is close to Bishop’s Stortford town centre and also has the benefit of its own parking. It is decorated in a contemporary Thai style and has an extensive menu of high quality food prepared by Thai chefs with an emphasis on fresh, healthy ingredients and authentic, natural flavours alongside an excellent wine list. Baan Thitiya is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and a warm welcome and excellent service await you.

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

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

102 London Road, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3DS 01279 658575 www.baan-thitiya.com axis magazine 35

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The Old Butcher Shop, Braughing - £995,000 Thomas Childs & Co are delighted to present this unique detached Victorian four-bedroom property which has been redeveloped exquisitely to provide a beautiful, flexible family home in the heart of this desired village. Originally the renowned Braughing sausage shop, this property has undergone a masterful redesign that incorporates the perfect mix of modern finishes and lovingly restored original features.

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