The Christmas Guide 2020 from Axis magazine

s a m t s i r h C e The

Guid

2020

Your local guide to the festive season shopping • activities • food & drink B RO U GHT TO YO U BY T HE PU BL IS HE RS OF AX I S M AG A ZI N E

THE ORANGE TREE SAWBRIDGEWORTH PUB - RESTAURANT - FARM SHOP The Orange Tree Sawbridgeworth has a lot to offer over the festive period.

- Breakfast with Santa - Christmas Party Menu throughout December -

- Farm Shop - Christmas Turkey & Meat Orders -

The Farm Shop offers an ever increasing range of carefully sourced quality produce at great value and now includes a range of Christmas Food & Gifts.

Meat from local farms & Smithfields, London - Fresh Fruit & Vegetables Fresh Bread, Cakes & Pastries - Jams, Chutneys & Sauces - Milk, Eggs & Butter, Deli - Biscuits, Sweets & Crisps - Beer & Wine - Fresh Coffee to go Open 10am-4pm Tues-Sun with late opening until 7pm on Thursdays

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @orangetreesbw or visit www.orangetreesawbridgeworth.com for details 166 West Road, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 0BP |

01279 722485

Community

A

Christmas

Christmas is coming – and while it may end up looking a little different to previous ones, it will still bring some much-needed cheer at the end of what we all know has been a difficult year.

One of the most striking positives from 2020 has been our renewed appreciation of the importance of community; of discovering more about where we live; and of interacting with the neighbours, groups and businesses who together make our towns and villages ‘home’.

So let’s show our support for our local communities while celebrating this Christmas as much as possible over the coming weeks!

Once again, Axis magazine’s Christmas Guide brings you lots of information on what’s happening and ideas of gifts to buy this festive season, and we urge you to support our local shops and businesses – they deserve our custom more than ever this year.

A very Merry Christmas and let’s all wish for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to follow for us all...

The Christmas Guide is brought to you by the publishers of Axis, the independent monthly news magazine for eastern Hertfordshire and its borders.

Axis Publications, Tooke House, 20 Bull Plain, Hertford SG14 1DT 01992 500198 info@axispublications.co.uk axismagazine.co.uk We know you’ll appreciate…

Things have a habit of changing – a lot – at the moment!

The information in this guide was correct at the time of going to print but new restrictions may prevent activities from taking place or businesses from operating as planned – please check before leaving home.

3

Christmas at

Santa’s Christmas Cracker

LIVE ON STAGE

SOCIALLY DISTANCED EVENTS

Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 December 11am & 2pm | £12.50 per person

The Revellers Society

Santa’s Grotto

Wednesday 16 - Saturday 19 & Monday 21 - Wednesday 23 December 7pm LIVE £23.50 per person

Saturday 19 - Wednesday 23 December Various times throughout the day £10 per child

ON STAGE

Three Tenors: Voices for Eternity

NT Live: War Horse

Tuesday 8 December 2pm & 7pm £13 per person

NT Live: Cyrano de Bergerac

Thursday 10 December 2pm & 7pm £13 per person

Aladdin

Thursday 31 December 2pm £7.50 per person

Tuesday 29 December 2pm & 7pm £13 per person Olivier Award for Best Play Revival

@SouthMillArts @South_Mill_Arts southmillarts

Box Office:

01279 710 200

www.southmillarts.co.uk

South Mill Arts 1 – 3 South Road Bishop’s Stortford Herts CM23 3JG

must The show

go on!

It wouldn’t be Christmas without panto! (Oh no it wouldn’t!). The great news is that, despite the many challenges they continue to face, some of our local theatres are managing to put on pantos, or alternative Christmas shows, this December. The auditoriums will look a bit different, with social distancing measures meaning there will be empty seats between groups, but the on-stage entertainment is sure to be as brilliant as ever and, let’s face it, we could all do with a laugh right now! A visit to the theatre is as much a part of Christmas as decorating the tree and giving presents, so book your tickets now and support our much-needed local venues.

A-ha me hearties!

Harlow Playhouse’s annual panto is always a real treat, and the creative team have put together their alternative Christmas show of Treasure Island. Join Jim Hawkins as he sets sail to find the lost treasure of Captain Flint – but will the evil Sea Witch foil his plans and grab the treasure for herself?

Starring Harlow favourites Ben Parsley and Jimmy Burton Iles alongside a professional cast, audiences can be assured of all the magic and mayhem they would expect from a Playhouse Christmas show!

Tickets are available in groups of two, three, four, five and six for shows between Friday 4th December and Sunday 3rd January.

Prices are £14.50 per seat.

Book at: harlowplayhouse.co.uk or 01279 431945

6

A magical menagerie Hertford Theatre don’t have a traditional panto this year but they are still putting on a festive treat, in the form of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Christmas Show.

It’s a new holiday theatrical version of Eric Carle’s beautifully imaginative stories featuring a menagerie of enchanting puppets during a magical hour-long show. It runs from Saturday 12th December to Sunday 3rd January and tickets are £16.50 each or £60 for a family of four.

Book at hertfordtheatre.com (online bookings only).

Cat’s the way to do it!

Puss In Boots is this year’s panto at Millfield Theatre. As Colin is left facing a future on the streets he learns of his inheritance… his father’s old tabby cat, known as ‘Puss’. Can he help Colin win the heart of Princess Alice and persuade Queen Doris that Colin is ‘the one’ for her daughter? Find out in this fabulous re-telling filled with fun and laughter.

The show runs from Thursday 3rd to Thursday 31st December. Tickets are £22.50 or £79 for a family ticket (2+2).

Concessions £19.50; group discounts also available. Millfield is asking people to call to discuss their requirements, or book in person at either Forty Hall or the Dugdale Centre in Enfield, or at the theatre in Silver Street, Edmonton itself.

Book on: 020 8807 6680 • More information at millfieldtheatre.co.uk 7

Independent Bookshop & Tea room BOOKS, GIFTS & TOYS

Homemade cakes, tea & locally roasted coffee You can order for Delivery or Click and Collect by phone or email or shop online: www.booknookshop.co.uk Email: info@booknookshop.co.uk

65 High Street, Ware SG12 9AD • 01920 467 597 Open Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am to 5pm.

Sunday 10am to 2pm (Closed Monday) Thursdays in December late night shopping until 7pm

Crates of Wool is a cheerful, local yarn shop in the heart of Ware. We stock a collection of natural fibres, locally dyed yarn, cotton, bamboo and standard acrylic and have yarns for all tastes and budgets.

We also sell patterns, buttons and a selection of haberdashery items and we have some lovely handmade items, kits and books for Christmas gifts.

The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm, but in the event of a lockdown we also offer a click and collect service, we deliver anywhere in the SG12, 13 and 14 postcodes and we send parcels further afield using Royal Mail. You can order online or by phone so you never have to worry about not being able to get your supplies.

8A EAST STREET, WARE SG12 9HJ 01920 463436 CRATESOFWOOL.CO.UK

Lighting up our Christmas

The formal light ‘switching on’ events that have become highlights of our town centre calendars, including Hertford’s Christmas Gala, Ware’s Dickensian Evening, Hoddesdon Loves Christmas and Sawbridgeworth’s Lights Switch-On, are all off in these socially distanced times.

But the lights themselves will be very much on, and in some cases improved, this year to ensure local shopping comes with added festive sparkle.

Hertford Town Council will switch on its lights, which include new Merry Christmas Hertford features, at the end of November. You’ll be able to watch a video of the Mayor, Councillor Bob Deering, flicking that all important switch on the council’s YouTube channel from the morning of Saturday 28th November.

The town council is also hosting its annual Winning Windows competition encouraging shop owners to decorate their windows for the festive season. This year’s theme is Winter Wonderland so expect the town to be looking its festive best just before the end of November.

Love Hoddesdon BID have invested £7,500 this year in new festive lights for the town 10

including upgraded Christmas-themed lighting on the Clocktower. Shopkeepers have also been offered free festive lights to create a “Window Wonderland”. The lights were due to be on from Tuesday 17th November.

Ware’s iconic coloured lanterns will be illuminating the high street from late November while there will be a family trail around the town centre shops and an opportunity to seek out Ware Bear, a new festive character this year (see page 23).

Bishop’s Stortford Town Council plans for the town centre lights to be on by the end of November with a Christmas tree in place in Market Square. From 1st December the town’s Business Improvement District team will be hosting a Gingerbread Trail in the town centre (see page 22 for details).

Sawbridgeworth’s festive lights will be on before the end of November.

However, at the time The Christmas Guide went to print, traders in Old Harlow town centre were still fundraising to get festive lights up this year. If you can help them raise the final £2,000 needed visit gofundme and search for Old Harlow Christmas Lights.

Lights to

Remember those we’ve lost

Each Christmas our local hospices invite residents to join them in celebrating the lives of lost loved ones.

Isabel Hospice usually holds Lights of Love, its annual ceremony of remembrance and celebration, at eight different locations but this year is inviting people to join an online virtual ceremony instead.

It will be available to view on the charity’s website, social media and YouTube from Sunday 6th December at 4.30pm.

The ceremony will include short readings and music and the switching on of the Lights of Love on the large Christmas tree close to Hatfield House. For more information visit isabelhospice.org.uk.

St Clare Hospice is planning to go ahead with five Covid-secure Light up a Life memorial services outdoors at its Hastingwood site near Harlow during December.

The services would usually feature live musical performance and singing but there will be a number of changes and additional safety measures in place this time which include ticketing, recorded music and limited attendance.

The hospice will also be pre-recording a service video for those unable to join in person.

The events are on Tuesday 15th, Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th December at 6.30pm and on Saturday 19th at both 4.30pm and 6.30pm. They are free and open to all, but admission is by ticket only.

For information about the services and to book visit stclarehospice.org.uk/light-up-a-life or call the hospice team on 01279 773750.

FI CHRISTMAS AT GINGERLILLIE STOCKIST OF: Traffic People | Selected Femme | Woden Mos Mosh | Laines London Slippers | Rains Sofie Schnoor | Orelia London Jewellery

Ladies high end pre-loved clothing and accessories Gift Vouchers also available Shop online: www.re-ware.co.uk 116 High Street, Ware SG12 9AP • 01920 487 174

7 Market Place, Hertford SG14 1DF | 01992 848845 @gingerlillieboutique @gingerlillie_boutique www.gingerlillieboutique.co.uk FREE LOCAL DELIVERIES / CLICK AND COLLECT

Friends Dress Agency The Little shop with

BIG NAMES

Rails bursting with the most pristine carefully selected preloved ladies fashion including:

Whether it’s in our store or online, you will find fabulous affordable gifts from £2.95 and cosy but glamorous outfits for the festive season retailtherapyhertford.com

FI

29C North Street Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2LD 01279 758288 // friendsdressagency.co.uk

29 St Andrew Street Hertford SG14 1HZ

01992 581111 retailtherapyuk@gmail.com

12 days of Christmas Women’s clothing, gifts & homewares Ethical • Sustainable • Organic

SHOP ONLINE @ www.frankieandolive.co.uk 19 Old Cross, Hertford SG14 1RE

01992 677150

Fun Festive

Winter Wonderland

Tyndalls Garden Centre is hoping that the planned lifting of national lockdown restrictions on 2nd December will allow the opening of its famed Winter Wonderland and Santa’s Grotto.

For so many local families the festive season kicks off with a walk through the woodland trail of attractions before meeting the man of the season himself.

Keep an eye on their Facebook page for details of the launch of an online booking system.

Tyndalls Garden Centre, Sedge Green, Nazeing EN9 2PA 01279 792321 • plantsgaloreonline.co.uk (facebook @plantsgaloreuk)

A story for Christmas Join local storyteller Vickie Holden-Swinton of The Listen Inn at Ware’s Southern Maltings arts centre in Kibes Lane for a one-person socially-distanced Christmas reimagining of the classic fairytale The Elves and the Shoemaker.

Vickie promises the 45-minute shows will keep everyone in the family entertained whether they’re aged four or 104.

They take place on various dates between 5th December and 3rd January and are bring a blanket events (cushions too if you like) so that family groups can be seated together at suitable distances apart, although seating is available for anyone with special requirements.

Tickets are £5 plus booking fee and booking is online in advance only with a promise that the cost including the Eventbrite booking fee will be refunded should the show not be able to take place.

Find out more at southernmaltings.co.uk • There’s also a short video by Vickie on the centre’s Facebook page 14

Lights on the line Experience the heritage Epping-Ongar Railway as you’ve never seen it before with the Epping-Ongar Light Fantastic event running throughout December and in early January.

The railway is hoping to brighten up the end of what has been a gloomy year for many with hour-long experiences which will see trains adorned with colourful lights and specially illuminated lineside displays highlight the stations, rural settings and woodlands that you’ll pass through and can view from the comfort of the carriage.

Visit their website for more information.

The railway’s Santa Specials dates sold out before November and tickets are selling fast for the Light Fantastic so you’re advised to book as soon as possible. £20 per person eorailway.co.uk

Santa cuts a dash Grove Cottage, the home of Bishop’s Stortford Mencap, is getting creative to ensure its popular annual fundraising Santa Dash and Reindeer Run can take place this year.

Instead of one mass participation public event, the charity is encouraging people to either run 5k dressed as Santa, skip 1k as a reindeer (under 12s) or cycle 20k as an elf – though they don’t mind if you want to adopt another festive theme!).

It’s a great chance to exercise outdoors in a fun way. The date for the event is Saturday 5th December, but you can also choose to take part on any date convenient for you.

Santa suits and reindeer antlers are provided

and you are encouraged to register at mencapgrovecottage.org.

Santa entry is £10 (for over 13s, plus suggested sponsorship of £20); reindeer entry £5 with suggested sponsorship of £10).

If you have any other enquiries, call 07710 699574 or email cfm@mencapgrovecottage.org.

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nikobrown.co.uk LU X U R Y M EN S W E A R S P E C I A L I S T

NE W COLLEC T IONS FA LL / W IN T ER 20/ 21 E X C L U S I V E

B R A N D S

UNIQUE FUSED GLASS ARTWORKS FOR CHRISTMAS NIKO BROWN GALLERY 27A BALDOCK STREET, WARE SG12 9DH 01920 318972

5 PA R L I A M E N T S Q U A R E , H E R T F O R D S G14 1E X 0 19 9 2 5 0 3 3 5 0 / A Z I R @ A Z I R F A S H I O N . C O M

Put some sparkle into their Christmas…

Silver & gold jewellery Handmade, bespoke pieces Watch & jewellery repairs on the premises Collection & delivery service available

Make this Christmas memorable for the right reasons with a gift from Garnier jewellers.

Prices starting from £15

Parkers Jewellers & Goldsmiths 48 High Street, Ware SG12 9BZ. T: 01920 468818

118 HIGH STREET HODDESDON EN11 8HD

01992 463781 • garnierjewellersltd.co.uk F

Find perfect Christmas gifts at the jewellers for all seasons If you are searching for a beautiful Christmas gift for someone special then pop along to Lance James the Jewellers in Hertford.

Jackie and Andrew Benson’s award-winning jewellers has been established in the heart of the county town for over 14 years.

They showcase jewellery collections from individual silver designers such as ChloBo, Virtue and San, whilst also offering an inhouse repair service and restoration service for rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches.

If you are looking for a Christmas gift for a loved one, they stock beautiful jewellery in

all price ranges that would make an ideal and very special present. Have a look at their website (lancejames.co.uk) where you can get a good idea of the wide range of gifts for both him and her. You can buy direct online or visit the shop to see the craftsmanship in person.

Lance James specialise in quality bespoke engagement and wedding rings and can supply rings from some of Europe’s finest jewellery houses including Furrer-Jacot, whilst offering the latest trends too, including carbon fibre wedding bands.

HERE’S WHAT ONE OF OUR CUSTOMERS SAID ABOUT US RECENTLY: “We have recently had some engagement rings made at Lance James and our experience couldn’t have been more positive. We wanted to use diamonds from rings given to us by family and Jackie and Andy were kind, knowledgeable and helpful in directing us to get designs we wanted and love. Clearly they have many customers but when discussing matters with them, they both conveyed it wasn’t just important to us but to them too. This continued in all our follow up contact where we felt they remembered us and that we were valued customers. We can’t recommend them more highly! We are so lucky to have such expertise and kindness so local to us!” JANE FOWKE

15 Market Place, Hertford SG14 1DQ • 01992 534555

Then make sure you...

Do you...

SHOP LOCAL EAT LOCAL SPEND LOCAL www.lovehoddesdon.co.uk

THIS YEAR COME AND ENJOY HODDESDON’S FESTIVE LIGHTING DISPLAY

LOVE A LOCAL CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR

Specialist lighting of Clock Tower Lighting of trees/lampposts in the High Street Christmas Tree (sponsored by Nonna’s Kitchen) ‘Window Wonderland’ with lots of shops decorating their windows

Th

..

YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES NEED YOU

www.lovehoddesdon.co.uk

‘TIS THE SEASON TO SHOP LOCAL

www.lovehoddesdon.co.uk @lovehoddesdon

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL TOWN THIS CHRISTMAS, SO IT’S HERE FOR YOU NEXT YEAR.

CHRISTMAS

IN BISHOP’S STORTFORD

Plus come and take part in our FREE Gingerbread trail in December.

Find all 10 and one lucky winner will receive an ipad!

Things are a little different this year, but many of the town’s wonderful businesses are still

Open for Business in a Covid-secure way during lockdown

Click and Collect | Delivery service Take away | Essential retailers are open REMEMBER THE 5 STEPS TO ENSURE YOUR SAFETY 2M

STEP 1: WASH YOUR HANDS/USE HAND SANITIZER

STEP 2: CONTACTLESS WHERE POSSIBLE

STEP 3: MAINTAIN A 2M DISTANCE

2M

2M

STEP 4: QUEUE SENSIBLY

STEP 5: WEAR A FACE COVERING

Keep up to date with who is open: www.bishopsstortfordbid.co.uk/open-for-business

Fun Festive

Christmas at the Castle

Hertford Town Council is making the most of its spectacular setting to provide outdoor activities for families this Christmas.

Two trails are being run within the grounds of Hertford Castle over the festive season.

The first, The Grinch Castle Christmas Trail, runs in the grounds from Saturday 28th November through to Sunday 6th December.

No booking is necessary, just turn up, pick up a leaflet and follow the trails around this beautiful location, joining in with interactive activities and challenges along the way.

The second is a Christmas Trail which runs from Saturday 12th December to Sunday 3rd January.

Again no booking is required, just turn up and pick up a leaflet before exploring festive displays from local businesses and groups.

Families are also invited to take part in a Christmas Book Trail in Hertford town centre which runs from Saturday 19th December through to Saturday 9th January.

Collect a trail map from the Town and Tourist Information Centre in The Wash before heading off to match the Christmas book with the shop they are displayed in with a chance to win a prize at the end.

For more info on all of these events, visit gohertford.co.uk.

Spot the Gingerbread Family Bishop’s Stortford will be hosting a Gingerbread Trail throughout December. 10 members of the Gingerbread Family will be hiding in shop windows around the town centre, with a letter around them. To take part, collect an entry form from next to Smiggle in Jackson Square shopping centre, then find all 10 letters, unscramble them and discover a Christmas-related word.

Once you have found the word you can enter a prize draw to win an iPad mini.

22

Be a Santa for a Senior Jackson Square shopping centre in Bishop’s Stortford is really getting into the festive spirit – whilst also supporting the local community.

For a second year, Jackson Square is partnering with Home Instead to run its Be a Santa for a Senior initiative and is calling on the Bishop’s Stortford public to donate a small wrapped gift suitable for an elderly person.

This year has been so difficult for so many and older members of the community may not have been able to see their loved ones for much of it, so this will help bring many festive cheer on Christmas Day. Be a Santa for a Senior will be based in the old Body Shop unit from 1st December in the centre – just drop your gift in to Santa and he will make sure it gets delivered to a local care home in time for Christmas.

Letters to Santa Jackson Square is also giving shoppers the chance to win their Christmas wish, with its Letters to Santa promotion from 1st December. A red letterbox will be placed near the Be a Santa for a Senior base (in the old Body Shop unit) where customers, young or old, can deposit their letter to Santa, with their own Christmas wish list. Santa will randomly choose a letter from the letterbox and the lucky winner will have their wish list delivered to their home in time for Christmas Day! The equivalent amount spent on the winner’s list will also be donated by Jackson Square to the Be a Santa for a Senior campaign.

Colouring-in activity sheets and letter templates will be available to download from the centre’s website (jacksonsquareshopping.co.uk).

The Ware Bear Hunt Ware is going on a bear hunt this December! On Facebook or Instagram (@WareTownCentre) you can download a trail map or find out which shops to get a paper copy from then hunt for the posters of bears hiding in local shop windows. The trail is complete when you find Ware Bear, an illuminated 10ft high 3D installation in the High Street, offering photo opportunities for all! One lucky winner who shares a picture of themselves with Ware Bear will win a £50 voucher to spend locally.

We’ve got Christmas

ALL WRAPPED UP

To say the least, 2020 has been an unusual year, so after everything that has happened Christmas is a time that we should all look forward to. Hopefully we can spend it with at least some of our family and friends, and use it as a time to treat our precious loved ones (and ourselves!).

However, a lot of people feel stressed at this time of year. The idea of getting the house ready for the family to arrive, buying everyone’s presents and then actually putting the Christmas decorations up is just too much. And the uncertainty surrounding this year’s celebrations will hardly make this easier.

But we can help with all the practical stuff.

Let’s start with sprucing up the house: If you want to give your living room a makeover without too much upheaval why not make some smaller changes?

New cushions or a rug will add a splash of colour and create a different feel to a room – we have a wide range in store and more available to order.

If you are thinking of redecorating, why not use wallpaper on a feature wall? This is an amazingly easy way to make a dramatic change to a room and is also relatively quick to achieve. Or consider adding some new lamps to change the mood of a room by creating a more ambient light.

When it comes to gifts, we have so many things to choose from, with something to suit everyone.

Photo frames are always a great present, especially if you have a wonderful photo to give someone. We have replica antiques for history buffs, particularly good gifts for men who are renowned for being difficult to buy for. We also have sculptures galore – our collection of hand-painted stone figures are always a favourite, with everything from adorable baby orangutans to the beautiful Venus. We even have stunning handmade bowls by local artist Sue Eyre for those looking for something unique.

Now to really get you into the festive spirit! We have some statement decorations including stunning trains with twinkling lights, silver sleighs that can be filled with treats, decorative light-up stars, and even 4ft Santas that create a truly festive feel for your home.

Pop in to see us at Fashion Flooring & Interiors (details on the page opposite) to see how we can help. If you are unable to come into the shop visit our website to see what we have available. We are happy to deliver locally free of charge.

We have a wide range of carpets, wood & wood laminate, luxury vinyl tiles, rugs, bespoke curtains & blinds, wallpapers, lighting, cushions, accessories & much more‌

Much more than just a carpet shop 1-3 High Street, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2LS Tel: 01279 651514 interiors@fashionflooringandinteriors.co.uk www.fashionflooringandinteriors.co.uk

Tree, O Christmas

O Christmas Tree...

‹ Nordmann fir

Photo credit: DOBBIES.COM

It’s not Christmas til the tree goes up! And for us nothing beats the excitement of kicking off the season’s festivities than heading out to find the perfect one. If you’re planning to go real this year you’ll be rewarded not just with a magical looking centrepiece to your festive decorations but the beautiful natural scent of Christmas. (Ok..and maybe the odd needle or two to vacuum up come January – but it’s worth it!)

26

What’s your type?

The Norway spruce with its full shape all the way up to the top of the tree, dense branch structure and strong Christmassy aroma used to be the traditional tree of choice in the UK. They’re still hugely popular although recent trends have seen a preference for trees with less dense stuctures (offering a slightly less Victorian feel) and better needle retention making Nordmann and Fraser firs the most popular trees of choice and those found at most farms and garden centres.

Nordmann firs have a classic Christmas tree shape, glossy green foliage and a fresh pine scent, good needle retention and softer foliage which makes them the ideal option for families with young children or pets.

Fraser firs are a great alternative for smaller areas as they are slightly narrower in shape but yet still available in taller options to make the most of vertical space.

Dense foliage has a blue tint to the overall green colour and a citrus-like scent.

On occasion you may also find Balsam firs, so named after the resin found in blisters on its bark and with a dark green foliage and Christmassy scent.

Selecting and caring for your tree TIPS FROM MARCUS EYLES, HORTICULTURAL DIRECTOR AT DOBBIES GARDEN CENTRES  Healthy trees will have a shiny, glossy green coating on the needles which feels slightly waxy to touch.  A quality tree should have good needle retention and sturdy branches. Avoid bare branches with a simple needle retention test before you make your final selection – which is easier than it sounds!.. Take the tree by the trunk and give it a gentle tap on the ground. All evergreen trees lose needles all year round but any more than a few fallen needles might mean you should reconsider your choice.  Dobbies nets all their real trees which protect them for the journey home. Put down

a blanket to protect your car interior. The same goes if putting it on the car roof – and make sure it is securely fastened with ties before driving carefully home.  Once home take the tree out of the net as soon as possible. Saw off a couple of centimetres from the base to help it take up water and last longer and stand it in water for 24 hours while the branches settle before decorating it. Indoors, a suitable stand with a water reservoir will prevent your tree from drying out. It will need 1-2 litres of water a day depending on room temperature. Avoid standing your tree next to a radiator.

 If you find your tree is too wide for the space you planned it for, clip some of the larger branches lower down to make it fit – the cuttings make lovely decorations in their own right either in a vase or as part of a homemade wreath.

Dobbies deliver their trees throughout the UK between 23/11/20 and 18/12/20. More at dobbies.com

Local tree stockists Alsa Wood Farm Christmas Trees

Harolds Park Christmas Trees

Off Alsa Street, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8SX

Harolds Park Farm, Nazeing EN9 2SF

07860 787473, alsawoodfarm.co.uk

Dane End Christmas Tree Farm Highview Farm, Green End Lane, Dane End SG12 0FF 01920 438256, christmastree-farm.co.uk

Festive Trees Hertfordshire Oaks Cross Farm, Hooks Cross SG14 3RY 07931 454515, festivetreeshertfordshire.co.uk

Harlow Garden Centre Canes Lane, Hastingwood, Near Harlow CM17 9LD 01279 419039, bluediamond.gg

07738 420994, haroldspark.co.uk

Oakridge Nursery Redricks Lane, Sawbridgeworth CM21 0RL 01279 641379, oakridge-nursery.co.uk

Plants Galore Hamlet Hill, Roydon CM19 5JY 01279 792869, plantsgaloreonline.co.uk

Van Hage garden centre Pepper Hill, Great Amwell SG12 9RP 01920 870811, vanhage.co.uk

Fraser fir ›

Grove Cottage needs your support to achieve a brighter 2021.

By fundraising for us this festive season you will ensure we continue to spread joy to local people of all ages with a learning disability and help them to live enriched lives.

There are endless ways you can support us this Christmas. Whatever you decide to do will be hugely worthwhile and makes a massive difference to people living with a learning disability.

Spread some Christmas cheer with our fun, festive, fundraising ideas:

• Organise a Christmas jumper day • Hold a gingerbread baking competition • Ask for donations instead of presents/cards • Organise a candy cane sale •. Offer a gift-wrapping service •. Host a festive quiz • Take part in our Santa Dash For more information, ideas or a friendly chat please contact the fundraising team at fundraising@mencapgrovecottage.org

WE’R E OPEN !

kids connection uniforms, dancewear & accessories

Dancewear and dance bags available for Christmas, plus 50% off all remaining stock of school shoes and trainers until the end of January

YOUR LOCAL CHRISTMAS POSTAGE SERVICE Pick up and drop off parcels at your convenience We even offer storage and pick, pack and post fulfilment services!

71 Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1AL 01992 472755

Unit 1A Great Northern Works Hartham Lane Hertford SG14 1QW 01992 587466 www.kidsconnection.co.uk Open: Monday-Thursday & Saturday 9am-5pm

Genesis A range of affordable items that make perfect Christmas gifts Bespoke jewellery made to order; remodelling of your own items; restoration work and stone replacement all carried out on site by our master craftsman jeweller 16 High Street, Ware SG12 9BX

01920 463388

Mulling it over…

Ritchie Tough of Cavavin The Wine Shop in Hertford shares his (now not so) secret mulled wine recipe with us…

The secret to the best mulled wine is patience with traditional recipes calling for the mixture to bubble away, gaining in intensity of flavour over anything from six to 12 hours.

It’s unlikely that any of us can spare that much time (though if you did you’d no doubt be rewarded with a super-Christmassy smelling house!).

So let this simmer for as long as you can spare, an hour should do it, longer if you can.

Ingredients • 1 bottle red wine • 125ml glass of white wine (this helps to add a delicate tone to the end result)

• • • • •

4 cloves 2 star anise 1 cinnamon stick Rind of one orange Rind of one lemon

 Bring the mixture to the boil, then reduce the heat until it is just simmering.

Afternoon Tea

 Cover the pan with the lid and continue to simmer for half an hour.

A selection of sandwiches, homemade sausage rolls, mince pies, cakes & scones, all made to order, fresh, daily – 7 days a week

to your home or workplace

 Add in the brandy (this gives the mulled wine a warming depth of flavour) and Cointreau (which adds an orangey sweet aroma) if you’re using them and/or a little amount of sugar at a time until it reaches your preferred taste.

£15

 Continue to simmer for a further half an hour or as long as you can before straining the mulled wine and serving in cups.

per head

Order Today Traditional afternoon tea also available

01992 500988 59 Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1AL

30

• OPTIONAL – a dash of brandy plus a dash of Cointreau  Combine the two wines, spices and rind in a heavy based saucepan and give them a quick stir.

Festive FREE LOCAL DELIVERY

• OPTIONAL – up to four tablespoons of caster sugar

FI

THE WINE SHOP Order your wines, sparkling wines and spirits now at www.cavavin.co.uk Gift bags and boxes available

CORPORATE GIFTS We are happy to organise corporate gifts from your business to valued employees and customers nationwide – just give us a call to discuss how we can help

FREE LOCAL DELIVERY on orders over £30 Click and collect service also available. Use discount code LOCAL when you order online.

22 Maidenhead Street, Hertford SG14 1DR 01992 558311 sales@cavavin.co.uk Tuesday to Saturday: 10am-5.30pm Sunday and Monday: 12pm-5pm

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

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Tue-Fri 12noon-3pm – 2 courses for £9.99 Choice of three starters and four mains

Check out our reviews on TripAdvisor 42-44 WEST STREET, WARE SG12 9EE

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r O g d a nic r o f t r e H NEWLY OPENED

Make it an organic Christmas Fruit, vegetables, homemade cakes and much more

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01279 454000

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Festive Season at

Available from 1st December – 30th December (excluding 25th and 26th December)

£29.50 per person for three courses & coffee £24.50 per person for two courses & coffee You can be assured when dining in our Covid-safe environment that our team members are observing the highest hygiene standards, including regular hand washing and cleaning surfaces.

20 Green End, Braughing Hertfordshire SG11 2PG

01920 823555

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PUB OF THE YEAR & FAMILY DINING www.goldenfleecebraughing.co.uk

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