The independent, intelligent guide to everything that matters locally Happy New Year to all our readers: January 2024
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LOCAL LIFE IN THE NEWS
We round up the major local stories you need to know
THE YEAR AHEAD
The Green Party’s council leader on 2024’s challenges
AGAINST THE ODDS
Hertford racehorse trainer’s story told in new biography
AT THE CINEMA
The best films to see when it’s cold outside
FOOD AND DRINK
Discover winter warmers at The Only Way Is Spirits
Your leading high quality local news magazine since 2003
HILLVIEW CARE HOME ‘Let our family care for your family’
B&M Care’s brand new, purpose built care home
NOW OPEN IN WARE!
Residential living and specialist dementia care •
•
•
Offering the highest standards of personalised care Long term living and short stay breaks that support care needs Specialist dementia care
• •
•
24 hour residential care for individuals and couples Superb levels of dedicated professional staff committed to placing your needs first Fully inclusive fees
FACILITIES INCLUDE LUXURY SHOWER EN-SUITE PRIVATE ROOMS SPECIALIST DEMENTIA SUITE LANDSCAPED PRIVATE GARDENS
For more information or to arrange a viewing call 01920 450050 Or email hillview@bmcare.co.uk HILLVIEW CARE HOME, 17 COLLETT ROAD, WARE SG12 7LY B&M Care are a trusted family-run care home provider with almost 50 years experience of caring for older people
WELCOME
JANUARY 2024 | NO. 252
What’s inside this issue ABOUT AXIS
05-14 y Briefing How budget proposals will affect major local developments
13 y A council leader writes... Ben Crystall on the progress made by the new East Herts administration
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)
18-23 y What’s on Harry Redknapp visits The Spotlight in Hoddesdon this month
24-27 y Food & drink Nikki Mendes opens The Only Way Is Spirits on a farm in Sawbridgeworth
16-17 y New year new you: Look after your health in 2024 26 y The new Chinese: Find out more about The Golden Dragon in Hertford Front cover images (clockwise from top) The Only Way Is Spirits, which has just opened in Sawbridgeworth (p25); Knebworth House and Barns is hosting a wedding show this month (p23); Hertford-based racing trainer Alan Blackmore leads in his best horse Cool Roxy (p19); The Colour Purple, new film which can be seen at local cinemas in January (p22).
SUBSCRIBE For just £30 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
E N O Y R E V E IS WELCOME Come and try the all-new Hartham Leisure Centre in Hertford this January! Brand new gym with 120 pieces of state-of-the-art Life Fitness equipment Group fitness classes Swimming pool and swimming lessons for all ages and abilities Brand new spin studio coming in January Soft play area with sensory room and TAGplay feature Scan the QR code to get your free day pass* *Ts & Cs apply
Hartham Leisure Centre, Hartham Common, Hartham Lane, Hertford SG14 1QR 01992 584000 | everyoneactive.com
BRIEFING
NEWS WORTH KNOWING
Arts centre paused as council grapples with savings The planned new arts centre at Old River Lane in Bishop’s Stortford is to be paused by East Herts Council until the borrowing required to fund its construction becomes affordable, as part of the council’s proposals to set a balanced budget for the next few years. The council’s Executive was due to consider a series of ideas for savings at a meeting on Thursday 21st December before the proposed budget proceeds through the council’s decision-making process ahead of a final decision being made by the full council on 28th February. In common with councils all around the country, East Herts is facing financial difficulties due to reductions in government grants, significant inflation and other pressures including higher interest rates which have increased the cost of borrowing. These pressures are expected to lead to a budget shortfall of £1.179million for the council in the next financial year, 2024-25, followed by a further £3.551million the following year. This is in the context of the council having already saved £5.3million since 2020 and the 2024-25 council tax increase being restricted to 2.99 per cent. The council is legally obliged to set a balanced budget hence the need for savings, which will only be partly offset by dipping into its reserves. In addition to pausing the arts centre, other savings under consideration include workforce changes such as senior management restructuring and a reduction in overtime payments. East Herts is also planning to rent out part of its Wallfields office in Hertford to a commercial tenant and to sell property owned by the council to raise £6million which would be used to repay loans and so reduce interest payments on the borrowing. It is estimated this would save almost £400,000 per year in borrowing costs.
A pipe dream? An artist’s impression of the now paused arts centre
The redeveloped Hertford Theatre, which is behind schedule and is now due to open in stages from the summer, will be completed, but as “at low a cost as possible”. The entire venue, which includes three cinema screens, will be opened and will be run on a strictly commercial basis to maximise income. Cllr Carl Brittain, the executive member for financial sustainability, said: “Like all councils, we are facing tough decisions in the months and years ahead to balance our books. Protecting essential services and prioritising our vulnerable residents is our top priority and, in the interests of transparency, we want to ensure that people are aware of the challenges we face in achieving this.”
‘We will tackle the challenges we face in an open and honest manner’ Council leader Ben Crystall writes exclusively for Axis readers on page 13
Cllr Carl Brittain has a tough task
Hertford Theatre will open but must be run on a fully commercial basis
Will arts centre ever be built? The East Herts leadership has stopped short of saying it will completely ditch the plan to build an arts centre at Old River Lane but the prospect of it being built any time soon seems remote to say the least. The centre is due to be part of a wider scheme including new shops and apartments being built by developer Cityheart. While saying it will ‘pause’ the arts centre to save money, the council is proposing creating a civic square public space on the site in the interim to avoid leaving a gaping hole at the heart of the development and also says it will invest £170,000 into nearby URC Hall in Water Lane to keep it operational. The hall, which is used by local arts and community groups, had been earmarked for demolition as part of the scheme. A revised planning application for the remainder of the site is expected soon after Cityheart withdrew its original one following discussions with the council’s Green-Liberal Democrat-run administration in the autumn. axis magazine 5
Recruiting now for foster carers in Hertfordshire “ We love our busy home. It’s good fun” Dawn and Alan, Hertfordshire foster carers
Could you make a big difference to a child’s life? There are approximately 1,000 children and young people in care in Hertfordshire and many of these children need the love and support of a foster family.
If you are aged over 21, have a spare room at home, and space in your heart, then fostering could be for you. When you choose to foster with us, you’ll receive generous pay and allowances for each child, exceptional training and 24/7 local support right from the very start.
Get in touch with our friendly team today and we’ll help you decide if fostering is right for you. CONTACT US: To find out more about fostering, please call our team on 0800 917 0925 for an informal chat or email us on fostering.recruitment@hertfordshire.gov.uk
FOSTERWITHUS
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/fostering @hertfordshirefostering
@HCCFosterAdopt
In partnership with
BRIEFING
Long stay parking charges at Northgate End cut but prices at other car parks are increased East Herts Council’s latest attempt to lure motorists to its multi-storey car park at Northgate End in Bishop’s Stortford will see the cost of long stay parking at other town centre car parks go up at the same time as a price cut is introduced at the under-used site. The council’s new Green and Lib Dem administration inherited the tricky problem of Northgate End from its Conservative predecessors who built the car park to replace the flat level Causeway car park close to Waitrose that is set to be redeveloped as part of the Old River Lane plans (see page 5). Motorists though, unhappy with its perceived longer distance from the town centre, its tight entrance lanes and ramps, and generally preferring flat level to multi-storey parking, have voted with their feet and on most days a majority of the 500+ spaces there lie empty. According to East Herts Council’s executive member for environmental sustainability, Cllr Tim Hoskin, the result is that most of the town’s other car parks are full with long stay parkers, often before 9am, meaning that shoppers who arrive later end up driving between car parks searching for a space. This generates unnecessary traffic movements, increases congestion and adds to air pollution, something which the new administration wants to tackle. Last month the council agreed to a plan to use differential pricing to try to encourage a shift in driver behaviour. The hope is that by reducing the all
Hotel closed as Birch goes into administration
Northgate End car park: A poisoned chalice for new East Herts council
day, five-hour and four-hour tariffs at Northgate End from £5.20 to £4.20; £4.30 to £3.70 and £3.50 to £3.20 respectively, town centre workers looking for long stay parking will use the car park, freeing up other spaces for shoppers. At the same time, tariffs will increase at Apton Road and Basbow Lane car parks where, for example, all day parking will rise from £5.20 to £6.50 (a 25% increase) and at Elm Road where all day parking will go up from £3.60 to £4.20. As well as encouraging a shift in driver behaviour, the increased prices at more central car parks could help to mitigate the financial effect of reductions at Northgate End. The changes will be introduced from 1st April. They have been opposed by Bishop’s Stortford
BID which represents the town’s business community. It said the plans did not tackle the issues with Northgate End, nor guarantee that more motorists would use it. One fear is that existing users take advantage of the discount, leading to a loss of income for the council, while employees of town centre businesses, priced out of other car parks, could decide to take jobs elsewhere, exacerbating existing staff recruitment and retention issues for local businesses. To help drivers save time when looking for somewhere to park, the council has installed Variable Messaging Signs which will direct people to available spaces. The council is also installing e-vehicle chargers in Northgate End car park and other locations to support the use of less polluting vehicles.
Theobalds Park Estate in Cheshunt has been put on the market after Birch, the hotel which opened on the site in 2020, collapsed into administration and was closed with immediate effect at the end of November. Birch Cheshunt featured two restaurants overseen by chef Robin Gill, including the Zebra Riding Club. The site also included a farm, three bars, 20 meeting and events rooms, a co-working space and a gym. Prior to Birch taking over, the site had been home to the De Vere Theobalds Estate hotel. Savills has been appointed to market the 55-acre estate. No guide price has been revealed but the site’s proximity to the M25, A10 and the planned Sunset Studios, Brookfield Garden Village and Brookfield Riverside developments is likely to make it attractive to a range of potential purchasers. The administrators, Teneo, blamed “cash constraints” for the failure. A second Birch business, Birch Selsdon in Croydon, has also gone into administration.
Proposed 20mph zone could take in 95 streets in north-east Ware Residents of Ware are waiting to find out whether a plan to introduce a 20mph zone to cover 95 roads in the north-east of the town will be taken forward. An initial public consultation on the idea was carried out by Hertfordshire County Council, which is the local authority responsible for highways matters. It closed in late November and council officers are now considering the next steps. The proposed area is bounded by High Street to the south, The
Ridgeway to the east, Heath Drive to the north and Beacon Road and Little Widbury Lane to the west. The scheme is one of many being put forward by the council across Hertfordshire in areas deemed to be suitable and which follow national guidance and comply with the council’s speed management strategy. Its aims are to make it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle by creating a lower speed environment and to improve safety for all
road users, reducing the likelihood and severity of injury collisions, by lowering the speed limit. If brought in, the zone would see 20mph speed limit signs installed but there would not be any other traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps. The council is now finalising its proposal by evaluating all the feedback received before deciding whether to proceed with the next stage, which would be a formal public consultation.
20 axis magazine 7
BRIEFING
Early version of car wash gains Grade II listed status The earliest known example of a modern day car wash has been Grade II listed by Historic England. The Barkway Carriage Wash has stood in the same location in the North Herts village since the 17th century. Also known as a ‘carriage splash’, it dates from 1600 and is one of only four such structures known to exist in England. Barkway was an important stop-over en route from London to Cambridge and the north of England during the heyday of the coaching era. The carriage wash had two functions: to clean the wheels and name plates of coaches, and to soak the wheels to help prevent the wood from shrinking from the metal rims. It was fed from a nearby underwater channel below the road and
Artist’s impression of the flats
Flats for people in need to be built on car park in Hoddesdon The now Grade II listed carriage wash in the village of Barkway
consisted of a brick-lined structure with a gentle slope at one end leading into the water. It was the right depth to submerge the wheels without flooding the carriage or being too deep for the horses. Brick retaining walls around it held in the water.
The carriage wash was known to have been used into the 20th century, until carriages were replaced with motor cars. Historic England said that residents remember it being used for filling steam tractors too, well into the 20th century.
Improvement plan for county’s SEND services is submitted following highly critical report An action plan to improve the quality of services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Hertfordshire has been submitted after a damning report by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission rated the county’s service as inadequate. The Hertfordshire Local Area Partnership, which is made up of Hertfordshire County Council and the NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, apologised to families in the wake of the report and has urgently stepped up its improvement plans. The inspection, which took place in July, identified widespread and/ or systematic failings across the partnership, leading to significant concerns about the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND. The report said these must be urgently addressed and that the partnership needed to have a shared and accurate understanding of the exact provision needed for SEND 8 axis magazine
Cllr Richard Roberts: ‘We’re sorry’
in Hertfordshire, and its quality, so it can target ‘coherent activity where it is needed most’. It also said leaders needed to work more collaboratively across all SEND provision; to address the variability in provision in different areas; address the gaps and delays in service provision and address parents’ and carers’ concerns at an early stage to reduce dissatisfaction and save them needing to follow formal routes to complain.
In response, the partnership said its action plan, which was submitted on Tuesday 19th December, would build on its already announced commitments which include investing £91million to create 1,000 new SEND school places in specialist and mainstream schools between 2018 and 2026. To ensure independent and expert oversight of the partnership’s delivery of its plan, Dame Christine Lenehan has been appointed as the new chair of the partnership’s multi-agency improvement board. Cllr Richard Roberts, the leader of the county council and chair of the integrated care partnership, said: “We accept the findings of the report and recognise that too many children and young people with SEND and their families have not received the support they need and deserve. We are all, across the whole partnership, sorry for this and are taking urgent action to address the priority actions and areas for improvement.”
The Burford Street car park in Hoddesdon is to be built on to provide a four-storey-high block of 17 flats that will be used as self-contained temporary accommodation for families in Broxbourne borough who are in immediate housing need. A planning application made by the council for the site, which it owns, was approved by its own planning and regulatory committee on Tuesday 28th November. The car park, which sits between Burford Street and Haslemere Avenue in the town centre, is currently used by shoppers and also by some market traders on market days for loading and unloading. When considering the application, councillors were told that the 59-space car park had just 19 per cent occupancy across the day over the last 18 months, and that two other car parks in Taverners Way would be able to cope with those displaced from Burford Street.
Greens lose a second councillor The leading Green Party on East Herts Council has lost a second councillor after Chris Hart left the group to sit as an independent. Cllr Hart, who represents Ware Trinity ward, left the group in December two months after Martin Butcher also became an independent following a row over his social media activity. The council makeup is now 17 Greens, 16 Conservatives, 10 Lib Dems, 5 Labour and 2 Independent. Axis asked Cllr Hart to comment but received no response before going to press.
Personal, caring and independent. The complete funeral service 24 2 4h hour our sservice er vice
•
Private P i t C Chapels h l off R Restt
•
Bespoke Funeral Plans
•
Own Crematorium S T E V E N AG E • 01438 316623 H I T C H I N • 01462 438422 K N E B WO RT H • 01438 812365 B U N T I N G F O R D • 01763 274111 WELWYN GARDEN CITY • 01707 390018 W E LW Y N • 01438 714686 H E RT F O R D • 01992 582052 WA R E • 01920 468551 L E T C H WO RT H • 01462 684292 H OD D E S D O N • 01992 471709 H A RWO O D PA R K • 01438 812515 H A R P E N D E N • 01582 762570
Harwood Park
The perfect setting to commemorate the life of your loved one
Crematorium and memorial gardens created and managed by the Austin family in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside.
www.austins.co.uk
www.crematorium.co.uk
Serving the local community for ten generations
NEW YEAR, NEW CAREER? BE PART OF OUR AMAZING WORK WE ARE RECRUITING FOR:
WHAT WE OFFER:
Care & Support Workers
Eligibility for ‘Blue Light’ card
Learning Support Assistants term time only
Discounts on leisure & shopping
Starting from £12.36 per hour! Much Hadham, SG10 6EW
Opportunities to undertake funded qualifications in Child & Adult Care Staff transport service
St Elizabeth's Centre is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (No. 11087989) Registered Charity No: 1176777
Positive living and learning for people with Epilepsy and other complex needs
recruitment@stelizabeths.org.uk www.stelizabeths.org.uk 01279 844 409
EnhancE your homE with Herts & essex WindoWs & doors Ltd Established, family-run local business No job too big, or too small
5 Peerglow Centre, Marsh Lane, Ware, Herts SG12 9QL 01920 449229 / 07907 247531 info@he-wd.co.uk www.he-wd.co.uk 10 axis magazine
BRIEFING
Lea Wharf: Latest on opening timecale Hopes that the first commercial units at Hertford’s redeveloped Lea Wharf site would open before Christmas were not able to be realised but the first tenants are now expected to open their doors in the early weeks of January. Lea Wharf Medical, the super-sized former Wallace House GP Surgery, which is moving from St Andrew Street to the development, is now expected to be first, followed shortly afterwards by the site’s flagship retail store, Boots. The remaining units are due to be handed over to their tenants during January and February, with fit-out scheduled to take between six and eight weeks, meaning most units are likely to be open in the Spring. The development will feature three riverside restaurants, with Shen-
The view from Railway Street: Boots will open on the left, Lea Wharf Medical on the right
field-based Vault, chain Loungers and local operators the Shipton family taking those. Other commercial units will include a Card Factory shop and Loco gym.
Mercedes-Benz Specialist
Above the units, almost all the 41 one and two bedroom apartments for sale in Charter House have now been sold. The block opposite, Navigation House, has been retained by
developer Chase New Homes for private rentals under its Chase Living arm. Lettings have proceeded at a fast rate since the apartments were put on the market in late October.
for a ‘life less ordinary’,...
MOT Test Station
Mercedes-Benz and Smart Car Servicing Established 1995 providing customers with the very highest quality of service All Mercedes-Benz after 1997: A Service £198, B Service £297
Courtesy cars available: Free collection and delivery service within 20 mile radius
Smart Cars: A-Service £125, B-Service £175, C-Service £250
We also service and maintain: Volkswagen / Audi / Skoda / Seat group cars
All prices include labour, genuine Mercedes-Benz parts and VAT (2019 prices)
Simon Light Ltd – Mercedes-Benz Specialist 01920 423342 Star Street, Ware SG12 7AQ info@simonlight.co.uk – www.simonlight.co.uk
HOWE GREEN HOUSE SCHOOL Independent Co-ed Prep School for 4 to 11 years and Little Oaks Nursery School for 2 to 4 years
www.howegreenhouse.org I 01279 657706 AM axis magazine 11
THE TRUSTED LOCAL EXPERTS FOR ALL YOUR HOME & BUSINESS SECURITY NEEDS
Your no. 1 local locksmith service For over 30 years we have been providing domestic and commercial customers with professional locksmith services. Our teams of highly trained engineers can advise, supply, install and maintain a vast range of products from leading manufacturers such as Yale, Union and ERA, giving you round the clock peace of mind. • • • • • • •
Door locks Key cutting Master key systems Lock repairs Keyholder services Vehicle security 24-hour emergency call-out
CALL NOW ON 0800 433 7749 to discuss your requirements
LOCKSMITHS & SECURITY SPECIALISTS
0800 433 7748
0800 433 7749
www.tindallsecurity.co.uk sales@tindallsecurity.co.uk
www.barnetlock.co.uk sales@barnetlock.co.uk Locksmiths | Safes | Van Security
Intruder Alarms | CCTV | Access Control | Fire Alarms
BRIEFING
We have made a good start but know we have some big challenges ahead of us as 2024 begins
BEN CRYSTALL, THE LEADER OF EAST HERTS COUNCIL, WRITES EXCLUSIVELY FOR AXIS MAGAZINE Happy New Year to Axis readers! January is the perfect time to reflect on 2023, which saw huge changes in local politics, and to look ahead to what 2024 may bring. Since the surprise results at the May elections when Green councillors took control at Ware and Hertford Town Councils, and became the senior partner in the joint administration running East Herts District Council, we’ve had lots to learn. However, our new councillors quickly found their feet and I’m thrilled by the pace at which we’re delivering change. The team has responded positively to many hundreds of queries and worked hard to solve numerous problems for residents. East Herts Council has completed some exciting projects, including Hartham Leisure Centre and work at Bishop’s Stortford’s Castle Park. We’ve distributed many thousands of pounds in grants, sharing it around the district fairly to help small businesses as well as town and parish councils. We’ve developed plans to boost local markets, key assets that bring shoppers into town centres, encourage local producers and help businesses start out and grow. We’re also hoping to reshape parking, beginning in Bishop’s Stortford. In a few key
A group of local Green Party councillors gather to mark 200 days since 2023’s seismic local election results
car parks we aim to rebalance the proportion of long and short stay visitors. At Northgate End we plan to cut the price of parking for everyone, not just for a few workers. And we’ve delivered real-time parking-availability displays to help drivers park quickly, cut congestion and help attract more visitors. We have been busy campaigning and preparing new policies. We passed a Climate Emergency declaration charting an accelerated path to net-zero emissions for the council and launched multiple district-wide campaigns, to help residents cut food waste and save money, and to get a better deal on solar panels and batteries. We’ve also consulted on better community wellbeing and on improving air quality to benefit everyone’s health. And our new strategy to improve the way the council listens to and consults with the community will help us make better decisions and form a stronger partnership with all of you. We are facing some very tough financial challenges
Major challenges remain. Like all councils, we’re facing tough financial times. In the last decade the Conservative government has slashed local authority funding,
with East Herts’ income cut by a third. And the many expensive capital projects developed by the last administration have left us with an unwelcome legacy of very high borrowing. As interest rates have risen, it’s cost the council far more to pay off that debt. We’ll do our best to reach a balanced budget and minimise the impact of any spending cuts on the most vulnerable. But it means that new projects like the Old River Lane Arts Centre in Bishop’s Stortford may be delayed. How Greens will tackle house building and development
We must also balance the protection of our environment with the provision of additional housing, especially truly affordable homes. Our District Plan was written and agreed by the previous Conservative-run council and includes proposed developments on former green belt land. As Greens we’re against concreting our countryside, but we can’t just wave a magic wand to make developments in the District Plan disappear. We must work within the legal planning framework: the District Plan is a statutory development document and trying to simply block the developments it contains would lead to serious legal and financial
consequences. But we pledge to do our best to give residents a strong voice, and will work with the community to make every development the best it can be. We intend to make the next District Plan far better. We will be applying to the government to begin the three-year process of updating the current plan and our goal is to make it far more sustainable, and with new homes prioritised on brown or grey-field sites rather than green belt. Whatever challenges we face in 2024, I can assure you we’re determined to tackle them in an open, honest manner and to continue to listen to our communities. That’s how we’ll deliver positive change.
‘We’re against concreting our countryside but we can’t just wave a magic wand to make developments in the District Plan disappear’ axis magazine 13
BRIEFING
JULIE MARSON
MP FOR HERTFORD & STORTFORD
We must deal with challenges facing family courts system and keep our streets safe As I got out and about during December, I was delighted to see how Hertford, Ware, Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth – in fact, all our towns and villages – were looking and feeling very Christmassy! It was good to meet local business people at Bishop’s Stortford Golf Club last month. There was a positive reaction to the Autumn Statement and many subjects were discussed over a lovely breakfast. I also had a very productive visit with Tees Law in Bishop’s Stortford to discuss the challenges in the family court system. As a former magistrate in Domestic Abuse courts, I know just how important the family court system is. Stortford Fields GP surgery
I am aware of recent concerns over the planned building of a new GP surgery at Stortford Fields by Frontier Estates. Frontier Estates say they are ‘committed to trying to find a way to deliver the surgery at Stortford Fields’. However, I remain deeply frustrated with the lack of progress and I have made my views known to them.
I have previously met with Frontier, developers Taylor Wimpey and with local NHS executives to try to reach a solution. I also raised this directly with the Primary Care Minister. In every one of these meetings I have urged all parties to do everything possible to make sure that this surgery is delivered. It is crucial that Frontier Estates upholds the commitments it has made both to me and to my constituents. On behalf of the many constituents who will greatly benefit from a new GP surgery in Stortford Fields, I will keep doing all I can to make sure this project is finally delivered. Tackling antisocial behaviour
I was pleased to be able to speak in the debate in Parliament on the Criminal Justice Bill. I spoke about tackling the revolving door with antisocial behaviour closure notices on properties that cause residents in our communities such distress. I spoke in favour of making both spiking and ‘cuckooing’ (whereby criminals take over the homes of
Gay’s Newsagents
28 FORE STREET, HERTFORD SG14 1BY
NEWSPAPERS & DELIVERY / MAGAZINES / CONFECTIONERY TOBACCONIST / E-CIGARETTES / LOTTO & MUCH MORE
01992 583253 14 axis magazine
Julie meeting with members of the team at Tees Law in Bishop’s Stortford
vulnerable people and use them as a base for antisocial and criminal behaviour) specific offences in law. I also paid tribute to our local police led by Chief Inspector David Cooke. There is no such thing as a minor crime. Crime is a violation of that feeling of safety and security that we all deserve. My constituents in Hertford and Stortford certainly deserve that sense of security going about their daily business and their daily lives. Antisocial behaviour is a scourge on our communities and one that affects Hertford and Stortford. Here to help
As your MP I am here to help. If you feel I can assist with any concerns, please do not hesitate to get in contact by emailing me at julie.marson.mp@parliament.uk. Happy New Year to you all.
Julie speaking in the House
RAISE
The profile of your business and support genuine independent, high quality, local journalism by advertising in Axis every month. For more information call Aaron Gransby on 01992 500198
SHOPPING & BUSINESS NEWS
SPONSORED CONTENT FROM DOBSONS
New year, new kitchen: Give your home a fresh new look At Dobsons they understand how important your new kitchen is to you. It’s a room for the entire family to enjoy and spend time together, a focal point for entertaining as well as a functional space to cook, eat and store. Every family has a different list of desires for their perfect kitchen, so Dobsons’ designers will spend time with you finding out your individual style and how you like to use your kitchen before creating a design that is right for you. Dobsons are experienced with working with kitchens of all shapes and sizes and understand how to overcome niches and unusual features in rooms. They also work on many extension and home renovation projects and can design from your plans and work alongside your architect and builder to ensure your kitchen is given due
consideration at every stage of the project. They can undertake every aspect of your kitchen project, including all building services, and their designers can even help source wallpaper, light fittings and seating for your kitchen as part of their complete interior design package. All their installations are carried out to the highest standard, with every aspect project-managed by their team to take any stress and hassle away from you, providing you with a perfect, seamless finish. Why not arrange an appointment to visit Dobsons’ inspirational showroom in Cheshunt to discuss your project with one of their experienced team this new year? l Visit dobsonshome.com or call 01992 623066 to find out more.
axis magazine 15
HEALTH, BEAUTY & WELLBEING
SPONSORED CONTENT FROM AQUA-TOX WELLNESS CLINIC
Take care of yourself inside and out this new year Aqua-Tox Wellness Clinic is ready and waiting to help you move into 2024 looking and feeling better. The clinic, which expanded into new premises at Foxholes Farm in Hertford last February, has an impressive range of treatments focused on health, wellbeing, skincare, aesthetics and recovery. The clinic owners are passionate about helping everyone who steps through the door feel better in their day to day lives, whether that is through a new-found confidence in the way they look or how they physically feel. Aqua-Tox has an extensive recovery suite dedicated to helping clients feel better and recover from the stresses of daily life, illness, injury or sports. One of the standout treatments it offers is whole body cryotherapy, which exposes the body to temperatures as low as –87 degrees for a few minutes to invigorate the body and trigger biological
responses to reduce pain and inflammation; improve circulation and regenerate muscle tissue. The clinic also boasts a mild hyperbaric oxygen chamber, one of the few in the county, which can be used to manage the symptoms of many health conditions and improve recovery times from illness, injury and surgery. A new year detox
When the clinic first opened in Hertford in 2016 it offered only colon hydrotherapy and this is still a popular treatment today. In fact, business owner and colon hydrotherapist Natalie sees an influx of enquiries for this treatment every January when many people are feeling the long-term impacts on their digestion from overindulging over the festive period. A colon cleanse can help to kickstart a detox by removing stagnation and improving hydration and absorption of nutrients.
Invest in self-care
To some, feeling good isn’t just about how the body feels. Investing in self-care and looking good in order to feel good is high up the priority list for many of us. Aqua-Tox offer a range of skincare and aesthetics treatments including body contouring, medical grade skincare, advanced facials, laser hair removal, laser skin treatments and injectable aesthetics treatments. Clinic Nurse and Aesthetics Lead Lucy has seen a steady rise in the number of people seeking subtle ‘tweakments’ to improve the way they look and feel. The clinic has something to offer everyone, whether they’re looking for a simple daily skincare routine or advanced anti-ageing treatments. l Aqua-Tox offers treatment options including single sessions, treatment courses and memberships. Get in touch to find out more and feel your best in 2024. Visit aqua-tox.co.uk.
BRINGING YOU THE FUTURE OF WELLNESS, SKINCARE & RECOVERY IN HERTFORD Laser Hair Removal Laser Skin Treatments & Tattoo Removal Lipofirm Pro Body Contouring & Skin Tightening Luxury Facials & Obagi Skincare Injectable Aesthetics & Anti-Ageing Treatments
I was delighted to find Aquatox in Hertford. Would highly recommend, staff are all professional, friendly and put you at ease as soon as you arrive. My series of treatments have made a huge difference. Can’t wait to return to try some others. Great location, easy parking. Absolutely 5 stars, thank you all.
Whole Body Cryotherapy Chamber Infrared Sauna & Red Light Therapy Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Emsella Chair Pelvic Floor Treatment Colon Hydrotherapy
01992 878 381
16 axis magazine
07745 525133
Google Review
enquiries@aqua-tox.co.uk
www.aqua-tox.co.uk
Aqua-Tox Wellness Clinic, Foxholes Farm, London Road, Hertford, SG13 7NT
HEALTH, BEAUTY & WELLBEING
SPONSORED CONTENT FROM APPELMAN CHARMAN OPTICIANS
Why a regular eye examination is a window to your overall health: books yours today Many of us are lucky to have perfect vision but visiting your local independent opticians practice is still a good resolution this new year. Appelman Charman Opticians in Hoddesdon offers a range of enhanced services that can test not only your eyesight but your eye health and through this, your general health. Eye examinations can help to detect conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, which could lead to sight loss. Many forms of sight loss are preventable, so getting your eyes tested regularly is incredibly important in helping to prevent, or limit, the damage caused by various eye conditions. Your optometrist might also be able to spot the signs of some more general health conditions that include symptoms which
affect the eyes. These may include diabetes and high blood pressure. You may not have even noticed any symptoms prior to the eye exam, which is exactly the reason that not postponing or putting off booking your eye examination is so important. How important are eye examinations for kids?
Children are constantly growing and developing and, with those changes, there may also be changes in their eyesight and eye health that go unnoticed. It can be difficult to determine whether your child is struggling with sight conditions because, to them, they may never have known any different. Therefore, regular eye exams with an expert at Appelman Charman Opticians are vital for kids. If your child is suffering from any visual problems such as
squint, lazy eye (amblyopia) or short-sightedness (myopia), it is important that you visit your optician regularly so that these are detected, monitored and treated as early as possible. The NHS fund eye examinations for many groups of people, please ask for current criteria. l To book yourself or your child in for an eye exam at Appelman Charman Opticians in Hoddesdon, call 01992 447141 or visit acopticians.co.uk.
Nichola Mason, owner of Appelman Charman Opticians
Put your sight first, book an eye examination today
Scan here to book online 90 High Street, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 8HD 01992 447141 | info@acopticians.co.uk | www.acopticians.co.uk
axis magazine 17
2024
MONTHLY SERIES OF FREE EVENTS FULL OF FUN FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES. Time: 11am - 3pm Location: Event Island 11 February: Bubble Machine Pedal Bike, Face painting & more 10 March: Lego Make & Take, Face Painting & more 14 April: Pedal Powered Scalextric, Face Painting & more 12 May: Juke Box Pedal Bike, Face Painting & more 9 June: Activity TBC 14 July: Activity TBC 8 September: Activity TBC 13 October: Activity TBC 10 November: Activity TBC Follow us for more info and to keep up to date: @lovestevenagetc lovestevenagetc
lovestevenagetc www.stevenagetowncentre.com
WHAT’S ON
THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO VISIT
Horse racing biography tells the story of Hertford trainer who overcame the odds to enjoy success
He also follows National Hunt racing and has known the Blackmores for almost 20 years, hence the insightful nature of this unusual sporting biography. Keep up to date with news and future releases at www.aarongransby.com
He became a cult hero at the rural Norfolk racecourse of Fakenham, where he won 11 times over hurdles and fences, breaking the record for the most wins at the track. The Blackmores, who only ever had two or three horses in training at a time at their tiny Hertfordshire yard, experienced both triumph and genuine tragedy in their 40 years in the sport.
This biography, written with insight, humour and empathy, tells the story of their lives – and of their unique racehorse, Cool Roxy, the Fakenham Favourite.
www.aarongransby.com
Author Aaron Gransby
THE STORY OF
COOL ROXY BLACKMORES & THE
Alan Blackmore began training in the late 1970s, with just a couple of horses at his yard which was then an extension of his house down a quiet lane in Hertfordshire. More than 40 years later he retired at the age of 90, as the country’s oldest registered trainer. In his time, he helped launch the careers of many talented jockeys, including Richard Dunwoody, and trained a series of good horses which his kind approach always helped to get the best out of. But he, along with his wife Pat, will always be associated with the name of Cool Roxy – the pocket-sized hurdler and chaser who made Fakenham racecourse his own domain.
GERARD
Jacket image: Chris Honour and Cool Roxy Jacket design by Sean Roper Author portrait by Edmond Terakopian
181123_FAKFAV_A5.indd All Pages
Cool Roxy was a phenomenon. Small for a racehorse, he ran for a decade in the black and red ‘Dennis the Menace’ hooped colours of Alan and Pat Blackmore, who were in their late 70s and 80s when their little horse was in his pomp.
THE FAKENHAM FAVOURITE
Aaron Gransby is a journalist, a former newspaper editor turned magazine publisher, as well as the author of dystopian fiction books, including a thriller and a short stories collection.
Alan and Pat Blackmore lead in Cool Roxy and his jockey Chris Honour after Roxy won a race named in honour of Alan’s 80th birthday to become the winning-most horse at Fakenham Racecourse in 2008 AARON GRANSBY
A new biography about a Hertford-based racehorse trainer who retired at the age of 90 as the UK’s oldest trainer has just been published. The book tells the incredible story of the life and career of Alan Blackmore, his wife Pat and their greatest horse, Cool Roxy, who still holds the record for the most wins at the Norfolk racecourse of Fakenham. The Fakenham Favourite: The Story of Cool Roxy & the Blackmores has been written by Aaron Gransby, one of the publishers of Axis magazine. It is Aaron’s third book and his first non-fiction title. Told through a series of memorable episodes and anecdotes, this unique sporting biography is being launched at Fakenham Racecourse at its new year meeting on Tuesday 2nd January, where a race has been named after it. Both Alan Blackmore and Aaron will be signing copies during the day. Cool Roxy was a phenomenon. Small for a racehorse, he ran for a decade in the black and red ‘Dennis the Menace’ hooped colours of the Blackmores, who were in their late 70s and 80s when their little horse was in his pomp. He became a cult hero at Fakenham, where he won 11 times over hurdles and fences, breaking the record for the most wins at the track. The Blackmores, who only ever had two or three horses in training at a time at their tiny yard in Little Berkhamsted on the outskirts of Hertford, experienced both triumph and genuine tragedy in their 40 years in the sport, losing their younger son, Michael, who was killed riding one of their horses in a race at Market Rasen in 1986. This came just a decade after Alan began training in the late 1970s, with just a handful of horses at his
This is their story.
A ARON GRANSBY
£14.99
22/11/2023 14:29
yard, which began as an extension of his house. Some 40 years later he retired at the age of 90, as the country’s oldest registered trainer. In his time, he helped launch the careers of many talented jockeys, including the Grand National-winning Richard Dunwoody,
and trained a series of good horses which his kind approach always helped to get the best out of. But he, along with his wife Pat, will always be associated with the name of Cool Roxy – the pocket-sized hurdler and chaser who made Fakenham racecourse his own domain – and Roxy’s
jockey, Chris Honour, who rode him in an incredible 70 races. l The book is published in hardback by Gerard Books at £14.99 and can be ordered via Aaron’s website at aarongransby.com. Copies can also be ordered through Waterstones, Foyles and Amazon. axis magazine 19
Broxbourne Theatre Company
Jack
BOOK NOW FOR FEBRUARY
and the
Beanstalk
THE BEST OF QUEEN Thursday 1st February, 7.30pm
10th-14th Jan 2024
Tickets: £31.50
Wed-Fri at 7:30pm Sat at 2:00pm and 6:30pm Sun at 2:00pm
SHAPE OF YOU – THE MUSIC OF ED SHEERAN Saturday 3rd February, 7pm
A Traditional Family Pantomime
Tickets: £23.50, Child £17.50
by Ben Crocker FIVE STAR SWING: GREATEST SONGS FROM THE MOVIES Sunday 4th February, 2pm,
Tickets: £22, Concessions £20
BOX OFFICE: 01707 645005
The Spotlight, Hoddesdon
WYLLYOTTS THEATRE, WYLLYOTTS PLACE, DARKES LANE, POTTERS BAR EN6 2HZ
Box Office 01992 441946
www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk
www.BroxbourneTheatreCompany.co.uk
Winter warmers @
Hosted by Graham Roberts
Friday 19 January, 7.30pm
Absolute Benson The Music of George Benson Friday 2 February, 7.30pm
The Syd Lawrence Orchestra – Magic of Miller (Matinee performance)
Legend – The Music of Bob Marley Saturday 17 February, 7.30pm
All seats £25.50
Saturday 3 February, 2.30pm
All seats £31.50
VIP £85, Standard £37.50
Dinosaur Adventure Live
All seats £25.50
Sunday 18 February, 2pm and 4.30pm
Pop Princesses Children’s pop concert Wednesday 21 February, 1pm and 6pm
Thursday 22 February, 7.30pm
All seats £15
VIP £27.50, Standard £21.50
VIP £60, Standard £30
Trouble on Volcano Island
thespotlightvenue.com 01992 441946 (Monday-Friday 10am-2pm)
Hosted by Bianca Westwood
Doors and bar open 1 hour prior to event start time – VIP arrival time please check website.
The Spotlight, High Street, Hoddesdon, Herts, EN11 8BE 20 axis magazine
An Evening with Jeff Stelling
Why not enjoy a relaxing pre-show drink and a slice of our delicious...
AUTHENTIC STONE BAKED
Italian Pizza
CK231223
An Evening with Harry Redknapp
WHAT’S ON
An Artist’s Refuge is new exhibition at Parndon Mill The Gallery at Parndon Mill in Harlow is now entering a new era following the retirement (at the age of 90) of founding curator Sally Anderson. Its new exhibition has a sense of freshness about it though it is rooted in the best traditions of this wonderful artistic hub. An Artist’s Refuge takes inspiration from Parndon Mill and its unique location hidden away among nature and features work by new and emerging artists, including students, recent graduates and Parndon Mill’s own resident artists. All the works
are for sale, including a range of ceramics, paintings, illustrations and textiles. The exhibition is curated by Bethany Haysom, who recently curated her first show with Babylon Gallery in Ely. A masters graduate in mathematics, she has a background in art and is now pursuing a career in curation. An Artist’s Refuge is showing from Thursday 11th January to Sunday 18th February. It is open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday from 2-4pm. Visit parndonmill.co.uk for further information.
An Artist’s Refuge is being curated by Bethany Haysom
Isn’t panto just for Christmas? Oh no it’s not! With the large professional pantos at our theatres now at the end of their festive runs, January offers the opportunity for our local amateur dramatics companies to have their fun treading the boards. These are well worth booking to enjoy more family fun and support our local groups. Puss in Boots Hertford Dramatic & Operatic Society
HDOS presents the traditional panto Puss in Boots at the Studio Theatre in Pegs Lane, Hertford from Thursday 4th to Sunday 14th January. Performances are at 7pm weekdays, 3pm and 7pm Saturday and 3pm on Sundays. Tickets are £15 for adults and £12 for children aged 16 and under. Book at ticketsource.co.uk. Jack and the Beanstalk Broxbourne Theatre Company
This company’s annual panto
An evening with the one and only Harry Redknapp at The Spotlight See Puss In Boots by HDOS
outing is always a treat and this year’s offering is Jack and the Beanstalk, from Wednesday 10th to Sunday 14th January at The Spotlight in Hoddesdon. Tickets are £19.50 and can be booked at thespotlightvenue.com or by calling 01992 441946.
Legendary football manager Harry Redknapp returns to The Spotlight in Hoddesdon on Friday 19th January for a special evening in conversation with the former Spurs and England star Graham Roberts. Harry will discuss his illustrious career, from his playing days into management and onto becoming King of the Jungle! There will be
Soundbites concerts
The Newells of Hormead
Soundbites free Wednesday lunchtime classical music concerts resume at All Saints’ Church in Hertford from Wednesday 17th January, with the Spring season running until 20th March. Each concert lasts around 45 minutes and begins at 1pm. The first concert will feature eminent Russian pianist Alexander Ardakov per-
A new exhibition at Hertford Museum is now on. The Newells of Little Hormead showcases the beautiful sketches and paintings of Revd Richard Newell and his son Charles, made both at their home in Little Hormead and on walking tours of Britain and Ireland. The museum is at 18 Bull Plain in Hertford and admission is free.
forming music by Rachmaninov. There is a retiring collection for the church. Light lunches are also available from 12noon. Details of future concerts are available at allsaintshertford.org.
a Q&A session with the audience too so don’t forget to have your question ready. VIP packages are available which include a meet and greet with Harry and a professional photo. These are £85. Standard tickets are £37.50. The event kicks off at 7.30pm. Book at thespotlightvenue.com or by calling 01992 441946.
axis magazine 21
WHAT’S ON
Enjoy a winter walk
Take the plunge
See the snowdrops
Hertfordshire County Council’s latest series of health walks begins this month. The walks are for people of all abilities and fitness levels and are led by friendly volunteers, one at the front and one at the back, to keep everyone together. The short First Steps walks are ideal for anyone who hasn’t walked in a while, who is returning from illness or who finds they can’t walk as far as they used to. The longer walks last from 60 to 90 minutes. You don’t have to book, you can turn up on the day when you will be asked to fill out a New Walker form. Or you can register in advance online. Visit hertfordshire.gov.uk/healthwalks.
Ware Priory Lido is offering cold water swimming this month with sessions on a Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday morning. Cold water swimming is said to bring numerous health benefits, improving circulation, boosting the immune system and increasing endorphin levels. The lido is offering monthly passes for January at £35 which allow holders to attend as many sessions as they like during the month. Single sessions can be booked at £6.75 for adults, £3.75 concessions. There are also 30-minute cold water swimming induction lessons available. You can find out more, and book online, at warepriorylido.co.uk.
Hundreds of snowdrop collectors will descend upon Myddelton House Gardens in Enfield on Saturday 27th January for this year’s Ultimate Snowdrop Sale. The annual event offers gardening enthusiasts, horticulturalists and collectors the chance to buy an assortment of stunning, and sometimes rare, varieties of Galanthus bulbs. The event runs between 10.30am and 12noon. Admission is £5 per person and the gates and tearooms are open from 7am. Myddelton House Gardens are run by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and can be found in Bulls Cross, Enfield EN2 9HG. Further information can be found at visitleevalley.org.uk/Myddelton.
At the movies: Five new films worth heading into the cinema for Wonka Still showing
The Boys in the Boat Out on Friday 12th January
Timothee Chalamet is a young Willy Wonka, the extraordinary character made famous in Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This vivid big screen spectacle introduces us to a young man chock-full of ideas and determined to prove that the best things in life begin with a dream. Also starring Olivia Colman, Rowan Atkinson and Matt Lucas, the film includes scenes shot by the lakes in Verulamium Park, St Albans.
George Clooney directs this 1930s-set true story about the University of Washington’s rowing team, following them from their Depression-era beginnings to winning gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. It’s a proper underdog story, solidly directed by Clooney, which will lift your heart on a cold, dark winter’s day. The Colour Purple Out on Friday 26th January
One Life Out on Monday 1st January
Anthony Hopkins, Johnny Flynn, Romola Garai, Helena Bonham Carter and Jonathan Pryce star in this story of British humanitarian Nicholas Winton, who helped save hundreds of Central European children from the Nazis on the eve of Word War Two. This is a heartwarming tribute to the work of a remarkable man, accentuated by great performances. 22 axis magazine
Anthony Hopkins stars as Nicholas Winton in One Life
Poor Things Out on Friday 12th January
New year, new…life? Poor Things is a barking mad, romantic-science-fantasy-black comedy based on Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel of the same name. It follows Bella Baxter, a young Victorian woman
who, after being crudely resurrected by a scientist following her suicide (he put a baby’s brain in her corpse), runs off with a debauched lawyer to embark on an odyssey of self-discovery and sexual liberation. Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe star.
A bold new take on the classic story, this is a decades-spanning tale of love and resilience that tells of one woman’s journey to independence. Celie faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. Fantasia Barrino stars as Celie. The producers of this film are Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones – true heavyweight backing.
WEDDINGS
Book these wedding fairs now to get inspiration for the big day
KNEBWORTH HOUSE
Knebworth House and Barns is holding a Wedding Showcase event on Sunday 21st January from 11am to 3.30pm, giving couples the opportunity to view its ceremony and reception venues. A historic house set in 250 acres of parkland, Knebworth has many options for your wedding. Ceremonies can be held in the 16th century Tithe Barns, the contemporary Cobbold and
Lytton Barns, the Garden Gazebo within Knebworth Gardens and Knebworth House itself. At the event, you can also meet the weddings team at Knebworth who will be on hand to answer any questions and offer advice and information, and meet suppliers who can help you create the perfect occasion. Visit knebworthhouse.com for further details and follow the link to Eventbrite to register your attendance.
WARE PRIORY
The next Ware Priory Wedding Show will take place on Sunday 3rd March, from 11am to 3pm at the venue in High Street, Ware. Hosted by County Wedding Events, the show will allow couples to see round the historic Priory itself and its contemporary Fletcher’s Lea building, both of
which can be used as venues for your ceremony and/or reception. You will also be able to meet local wedding specialists that can help you plan your day. There is free entry, a goody bag, plus the chance to enter a honeymoon competition. For more details visit warepriory. co.uk or call 01920 460316.
G SHOW ON SUNDAY 3rd MARCH COME TO WARE PRIORY WEDDIN
Ware Priory, High Street, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 9AL Tel 01920 460316 www.warepriory.co.uk warepriory
@ware_priory axis magazine 23
LUNCH LIKE A THAI
WARE’S FINEST DINING EXPERIENCE Our new and extensive lunch menu is based on the food that people have for their lunch in Thailand. Dishes are cooked to perfection by our experienced Thai chefs with an emphasis on fresh healthy ingredients and natural flavours.
Express lunch from �������£10.45 Two course lunch ��������£14.95 Three course lunch �����£17.95
Baan Thitiya 102 London Road, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3DS 01279 658575 www.baan-thitiya.com
21-22 Tudor Square, Ware SG12 9XF
01920 486688
www.vodinarestaurant.co.uk
Experience great food today from the chefs of tomorrow Forthcoming Events The Atrium at Hertford Regional College is an award-winning local restaurant in Broxbourne run by students studying professional cookery & hospitality courses, and their chef tutors. We reopen on Friday 12th January.
The Atrium Opening Hours 2024 Thursdays 12pm to 2pm: Light Lunch & Bakery. Varied prices Thursdays 6.45pm to 9.30pm: 3 Course Evening Meal £25 Fridays 12pm to 1.45pm: Hot buffet with a choice of freshly cooked dishes & accompaniments plus dessert or a soft drink £16
25th January Burns Night Celebration, £25 8th February Chinese New Year Dinner, £25 28th March Circus Themed Family Dining, Adults £25 child £14 9th May Alice in Wonderland Family Dining – Dinner & Teatime Treats, Adults £25 child £14
Our student & chef team also offer catering services for private functions, meetings, and events. Contact manager Jo Higgs to discuss: jhiggs@hrc.ac.uk
To book, Email: atrium@hrc.ac.uk | Call: 01992 411922 | Pop in: Thursday or Friday 24 axis magazine
FOOD & DRINK
SUPPORTING LOCAL RESTAURANTS
Dry January? Forget it. The Only Way Is Spirits opens its new distillery, shop and gin school on local farm site Founder Nikki Mendes
When Nikki Mendes left her job in the corporate world in 2019 she had a clear plan to launch her own gin business in early 2020. Then, of course, the pandemic hit and her plans were understandably amended. In the end, November 2020 saw the slightly delayed founding of The Only Way Is Gin, which the proudly Essex-based Nikki named after a certain popular TV show and which she began with a firm aim: to produce the smoothest gin she had ever tasted! Initially, Nikki produced her own gin and sold it online and at events both in and beyond Essex over the next three years. Gradually, she expanded her range and the business became The Only Way Is Spirits to keep pace. Part of the expansion has seen her products stocked in 65 independent outlets including shops, pubs and bars.
And, at the end of last year, and just in time for Christmas, she was able to fulfil one of her original dreams, to open her own premises to the public. To do so, she has ventured (just) over the border into East Hertfordshire, into a converted barn at Crumps Farm on the rural outskirts of Sawbridgeworth. From here, Nikki produces a range of gins, vodkas and rums from her own distillery, which are all for sale in the on-site shop as well as on her website. Gin school
She is also running a gin school offering gin-making experiences. Already proving hugely popular, these are three-hour sessions in which each participant has a copper still and distils their own-recipe gin, choosing their own botanicals (with help and advice of course).
You get to blend it, bottle it, name it, label it and take it home with you at the end of the session. Nikki even keeps records of your recipe so that you can ask her to reproduce it should you wish to have another bottle for yourself, to give as a gift or even to have at your birthday party or wedding! Vouchers are available to buy if you’d like to purchase an experience as a gift for someone else too. Tradition and innovation
Among her gins are the London Dry with which it all began as well as flavoured varieties, while the vodkas include a premium vodka, a vanilla and an upto-the-minute blue raspberry flavoured option. Rum is hotly tipped to be the next big drink and while Nikki imports one of her three rums, a
traditional Jamaican variety, she also blends two herself: a spiced rum and a chocolate and orange rum. Keen to innovate and keep up to date with the trends, she has also just begun to offer a coffee Tequila. So, if Dry January is to you merely a weather forecast, get yourself along to Sawbridgeworth to sample some of Nikki’s creations! Where to find it
The Only Way Is Spirits can be found at Unit 8 Crumps Farm, West Road, Sawbridgeworth CM21 0LJ. Call 07729 337488 or visit theonlywayisspirits.co.uk for further information. The shop will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 4pm during January with the first gin experience of the new year being held on Saturday 20th January. axis magazine 25
FOOD & DRINK
SPONSORED CONTENT FROM THE GOLDEN DRAGON
The Golden Dragon brings Chinese food back to Hertford
Hertford town centre’s first new Chinese restaurant in 10 years is now open. The Golden Dragon can be found at 34 St Andrew Street and is the fourth local restaurant to be opened by owner Elle Thianthong. Elle also owns Elle’s Thai Kitchen and Oishii Japanese restaurant in the town, as well as Khunnai Thai in nearby Stanstead Abbotts. And she has added her own personal touch to this new Chinese food venture, with its full name being The Golden Dragon: Elle’s Style Chinese Cuisine. The historic building has been smartly refurbished, with a variety of rooms on the ground and first floors to dine in. One
of the upstairs areas has a large table with a Lazy Susan that is perfect for groups of friends and family too. Elle has put together an extensive menu of classic dishes that will be familiar to all lovers of Chinese food and has added in some contemporary twists of her own. For starters, the Dragon mixed hors d’oeuvres (£18.90) delivers a well-chosen selection of chicken satay, BBQ spare ribs, sesame prawn toast, vegetable spring rolls and pork and prawn dumplings. If you prefer instead to opt for one starter each, other choices include salt and pepper squid or soft shell crab (£7.95 and £9.95), Yuk Sung lettuce wrap (with
minced pork, chicken or prawn, at £9.95) and a choice of soups (£7.95). There is also a wide range of dim sum and fried noodle dishes. Traditional main courses available include Hong Kong sweet and sour, black bean sauce, Chinese peppery salt stir fry and fruity and spicy kung po dishes with a choice of vegetable, tofu, chicken, pork, beef or king prawn as the main ingredient. Typical prices for these range from £10.95 to £14.95. There are seafood dishes such as two steamed seabass fillets with ginger and spring onions (£22.95) and the salmon and tofu hot pot with vegetables at £18.95.
The list of specials is enough to make you want to visit in itself, with options such as Cantonese roast duck (a quarter is £14); honey roasted BBQ pork Char Sui (£12.95); spicy shredded beef (£15.95); and fried chicken breast in Chinese orange sauce (£13.95 – or with roast duck breast instead at £14.95). The Golden Dragon is ready to fill a very obvious gap in the market in Hertford which has been missing a quality Chinese restaurant for far too long! The Golden Dragon 34 St Andrew Street, Hertford SG14 1JA 01992 537577 thegoldendragon.co.uk
HERTFORD’S NEW CHINESE RESTAURANT IS NOW OPEN! Come and discover our classic dishes and innovative creations at the Chinese restaurant Hertford has been waiting for!
34 St Andrew Street, Hertford SG14 1JA
01992 537577 • www.thegoldendragon.co.uk 26 axis magazine
DINING OUT GUIDE
ADVERTISEMENT LISTINGS
THE GEORGE IV Pub & Dining
BAAN THITIYA Thai
THE GOLDEN FLEECE Pub & Dining
Nestled in the picturesque village of Great Amwell, The George IV offers exceptional restaurant cuisine within a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Oliver and his team serve a menu of seasonal and fresh small and large sharing plates. The George IV can also be the perfect venue for your next event. Whether it is an intimate wedding, baby shower, birthday or a special anniversary, there is a variety of dining options to suit any occasion in the private dining room and courtyard.
Baan Thitiya, Bishop’s Stortford’s premier Thai restaurant, is perfect for relaxed dining. Close to Bishop’s Stortford town centre, it also has its own parking. The restaurant is decorated in a contemporary Thai style and the extensive menu features high quality food prepared by Thai chefs with an emphasis on fresh, healthy ingredients and authentic, natural flavours. The restaurant has just launched a new lunch menu and also has an excellent wine list. A warm welcome and great service await you. Baan Thitiya is open seven days for lunch and dinner.
The Golden Fleece is an old English pub with a contemporary twist, and one where the food is so good that it has earned an entry in the Michelin Guide for Hotels and Restaurants. Set at the heart of the village of Braughing, Jess and Peter Tatlow’s pub offers a menu of fresh, seasonal and delicious locally sourced food and also caters for diners who require gluten-free meals. As a freehouse at the heart of its community, the Fleece is also able to offer a wide range of real ales, beers, wines and spirits. A takeaway menu is also available.
Cautherly Lane, Great Amwell SG12 9SW / 01920 870039 info@georgeivpub.co.uk www.georgeivpub.co.uk
102 London Road, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3DS 01279 658575 www.baan-thitiya.com
20 Green End, Braughing SG11 2PG 01920 823555 www.goldenfleecebraughing.co.uk
SHISHBOURNE Turkish
THE DUSTY MILLER Country pub
RONI’S Fine Dining
Shishbourne is a Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant on Broxbourne High Road which is open seven days a week and offers a full menu all day, now including breakfast from 8am to 4pm. It is plush and luxurious with an unforgettable Instagrammable interior, great cocktails and an a la carte menu filled with Turkish classics. It also offers a bottomless dinner option from 6pm Monday to Thursday and a twocourse lunch menu from 12-3.30pm Monday to Friday. There is live entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings too.
The Dusty Miller is a country pub and casual dining venue just outside Harlow, surrounded by countryside and close to the river. It serves freshly-cooked pub food, including a pie of the day and other pub classics, together with a good selection of gluten-free and vegan dishes. Thursday night is Steak Night with two steaks and a bottle of wine for £50. The Dusty Miller is open from 12noon to 11pm Tuesday to Saturday and from 12noon to 6.30pm on Sunday when a traditional roast is available. Valentine’s Day bookings are now being taken.
Roni’s, set in the heart of Bishop’s Stortford, is a fine dining restaurant where both the quality of food and the service combine to offer guests a memorable experience. Roni’s offers a wide range of traditional dishes, passionately crafted, including gluten-free and vegan menus. There is a set lunch menu as well as the main menu and superb roasts are served on Sundays. Social wine tastings can also be booked for groups of family or friends in the private dining room. Roni’s is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 12noon to 10pm, and closed on Monday.
27 High Road, Broxbourne EN10 7HX 01992 313198 www.shishbourne.co.uk
Burnt Mill Lane, Harlow CM20 2QS 01279 424180 www.dustymillerharlow.co.uk
16 North Street, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2LQ 01279 508856 www.ronisrestaurant.co.uk axis magazine 27
9-13 Parliament Square n Hertford n SG14 1EX
EXPECT MORE n FROM YOUR n ESTATE AGENT
CELEBRATING
For Sale: Queens Road, Hertford
In a prime location with off-street parking, this five bedroom house comes with two self-contained studios and a great sized garden. It is situated within an excellent school catchment area and is walking distance from the town centre.
Please call for further information or to book an appointment on 01992 721321
01992 721 321 n www.thomas-childs.com