Axis July 2025 issue

The independent, intelligent guide to everything that matters locally July 2025

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LOCAL LIFE HISTORY FOR SALE

ENTIRE COUNTY HALL SITE TO BE SOLD OFF

GO WITH THE FLOW

A SUMMER DAY OUT AT WHITE WATER CENTRE

WARE FESTIVAL

ENJOY A MONTH OF FESTIVITIES & EVENTS

OPEN-AIR CULTURE

DON’T MISS OUTDOOR THEATRE & CINEMA

BACK TO THE 1940s

NEW VINTAGE TEA ROOM OPENS IN HODDESDON

FOLK WEEK

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

CONTENTS

JULY 2025 | NO. 270

What’s inside your July magazine...

ABOUT AXIS

05-15 y Briefing Masterplan for Old River Lane site in Bishop’s Stortford is unveiled

23 y A big month for Ware Read our guide to what’s happening at this year’s Ware Festival

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)

21-31 y What’s on We preview the best forthcoming events including open-air theatre

32-35 y Food & drink A new 1940s-themed tea room opens its doors in Hoddesdon

13 & 15 y FROM PARLIAMENT: Our MPs write exclusive columns for you 33 y FEEDING THE SOUL: Soul Seed Wellness opens café in Hertford Front cover images (clockwise from top) Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross (p21); Martha Tilston will be performing at BEAM Folk Week (p24); The new Smurfs film is in local cinemas this month (p30); Ware has become the first Swift Town in East Herts (p8).

SUBSCRIBE For £25 for six months or £45 per year we’ll send you 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

HERTFORD +- SINCE 1375 -+ • 5614 •

Fresh food, grown or made locally Across East Herts, a variety of markets take

get expert tips straight from the source.

place every week - but some, like the Hertford

The food is seasonal, high-quality and comes

Farmers Market, are special monthly events.

directly from those who grow or make it.

Held on the second Saturday of each month, this market is a great opportunity to explore the best of local produce.

Farmers Markets are a fantastic way to support local, independent growers and makers. You'll have the chance to meet the producers, sample fresh ingredients, and

So why noc vllsll1 1he nex1 Heriford Farmers Narke1 and enjoy a real 1as1e of 1he communll1y1

BRIEFING

NEWS WORTH KNOWING

County Hall to be sold off and could now become apartments The whole of Hertfordshire County Council’s County Hall site in Hertford is to be put up for sale and could now be redeveloped for residential or commercial use.

The decision, which was confirmed by the council’s cabinet on Monday 23rd June, will mean the site in Pegs Lane, which includes the council chamber within the original grade 2 listed buildings, will no longer be used by the council at all.

The previous Conservative administration had already decided to move most services from Hertford to the council’s Stevenage campus, meaning the majority of the site has been marketed for sale since 2023.

But, with an original stipulation that it must be retained for employment purposes, there has been little interest.

The authority also planned to retain the front part of the building, including the council chamber for its meetings.

However, the new Liberal Democrat

administration, elected in May, says that in line with its plans to deliver a more effective council, the whole building will now be marketed for sale.

It says this would save around £9.7million, the anticipated cost of splitting the front part of the building away from the rest of the site. It would also reduce running costs, whilst increasing the potential sale value which is expected to achieve some £50million that could be invested in services.

Council chamber to move

The plan is to create a new council chamber and meeting room at Stevenage at a cost of around £730,000 which will be recouped from the sale of the County Hall site.

Designed by James & Bywaters and Rowland Pierce, the original County Hall building opened in the summer of 1939 with the recognisable deer sculptures at the front added in celebration of the 50th anniversary

The historic County Hall building can now be redeveloped for residential use

of the building in 1989.

The neoclassical-inspired buildings seen as you drive in are just a part of the overall campus. Newer buildings were constructed in the 1970s on the wider site which extends to some 25 acres and includes a multi-storey car park for more than 1,000 vehicles.

Savills and Walter Cooper Surveyors have been appointed as joint marketing agents.

Before marketing can begin the agents will need to officially notify East Herts Council which has designated the site’s cricket pitch

and woodland areas as Assets of Community Value. This means that community groups that register an interest in acquiring them will get the chance to bid to do so, although there is no requirement to accept any offer.

While the site is marketed, bids are evaluated and any necessary planning consents for new uses achieved, the council plans to continue to let out the site for television and film projects – it has been used for many films and TV series in recent years, including Silo and Grantchester.

Sale just the start as Lib Dems implement their 100-day plan The new Liberal Democrat-led administration at Hertfordshire County Council says its decision to market the entire County Hall site for alternative uses supports efforts in its first 100-day plan to make the council more effective and reduce costs through better use of its existing assets.

Cllr Chris Lucas, Executive Member for Resources and Performance, said: “While there is a lot of fondness for County Hall and the history it represents, our plan for a fair deal for Hertfordshire hinges on our ability to make the county council more effective, in part by making better use of our existing resources.”

He said the council has also com-

missioned a review into its wider property portfolio with a report expected later in the year.

In his inaugural speech after taking over as council leader in May, Cllr Steve Jarvis said voters had made it clear they wanted change, and this is what the new administration would deliver with a focus on highways, SEND provision, and the environment.

In June the council announced a SEND summit in September to help inform a new SEND strategy.

It has also trialled from 23rd June to 4th July a new approach to dealing with pothole repairs on residential streets. This saw highways crews identifying and fixing the worst potholes while

looking for other issues in the same section of road that could cause potholes in the future and fixing them too, that day.

The new administration also decided not to go ahead with proposals put forward in February to reduce opening hours from seven to five days at four recycling centres that included Ware and Welwyn Garden City, and to introduce a demand management booking system.

Cllr Paul Zukowskyj, the new Executive Member for Environment, Growth and Transport, said the council would look at new ways to make savings rather than implement the proposals from the previous administration.

Cllr Steve Jarvis is the new leader of Hertfordshire County Council axis magazine 5

BRIEFING

New masterplan for Old River Lane is unveiled A new masterplan for the Old River Lane site in Bishop’s Stortford has been produced, showing how the area could be redeveloped.

East Herts Council and its development partner Cityheart held two public consultation events in June, offering the public the chance to see their proposals.

The development is planned for an area of land close to Waitrose that includes the former Causeway car park and the council’s former Charringtons House offices.

The original plan was for the area to be become an arts quarter for the town with a theatre at its heart along with new shops and homes.

But budgetary pressures meant the council first had to downgrade its aspirations to a cinema, and then pause the arts element altogether.

Cityheart withdrew its planning application in September 2023 and has since gone back to the drawing board.

There were widespread objections to that original application – with concerns including the height of the development, the number of flats proposed, the loss of Water Lane Hall and the demolition rather than repurposing of the Charringtons House building.

June’s consultation, albeit just two sessions spanning a few hours each on Wednesday 25th and Saturday 28th June, was a chance for local residents to see how the overall plans might now be different, and to feed comments into the process ahead of a planning application being submitted in the autumn.

A further public consultation is scheduled to be held ahead of that.

An artist’s impression of the proposed new development

Up to 180 new homes at heart of new proposals Cityheart says its vision is to “create a place that better reflects the unique historic character of the town centre and further bolster its offer to the community”, delivering: l New homes including affordable homes; l A public square which could host local markets and events; l Local cycle and walking routes; l Space for activities and uses such as a café or shop; l A new Waitrose access road to ease congestion on other roads.

Here is what the new masterplan shows:

It is still planned as a mixed use development, with between 145 and 180 “high quality and energy-efficient” new homes, including affordable homes. The masterplan says these will be between 1-3

bedrooms in size and of heights of 4-5 storeys.

On ground floor level, the masterplan envisages units facing onto the public square with a mix of retail and community uses, and the possibility of an NHS facility, if required, to the north of the site.

The public square will be to the south of the site. If funding allows in the future, this is the area that could yet be redeveloped by East Herts Council for an arts centre.

The masterplan says only “a small amount” of parking spaces will be provided, because of the number of public parking spaces that are available across the road in the currently under-used, recently-built Northgate End car park.

Cityheart says this will be “primarily a car-free development” with cycle lanes provided and

walking and cycling encouraged.

Water Lane Hall, currently used for arts and community events, would be retained – previous proposals had indicated that this would be demolished.

A new road through the site is proposed to serve the town’s Waitrose store from Link Road to the Waitrose car park. The current access road, Old River Lane, off Bridge Street, would be retained only for access to Coopers and the existing homes; it will otherwise become prioritised for pedestrians and cyclists.

How you can still have your say:

You can view the consultation online and comment until Sunday 13th July at eastherts.gov.uk/orl or oldriverlanedevelopment.co.uk.

Harley’s Bistro and Lounge set to open in Lea Wharf Harley’s Bistro and Lounge is set to join Quattro Lounge on the riverfront at Hertford’s Lea Wharf development.

Likely to open towards the end of September, the second site for Harley’s, which already has a popular branch in Epping, will be substantially larger than its first and will boast a similar offering of breakfasts (for which it is well known), brunch and lunches, and 6 axis magazine

will also be open in the evenings as a restaurant and bar.

It has taken unit 1, one of the remaining prime sites at Lea Wharf on the riverfront opposite Quattro Lounge which opened last May. Planning applications have been lodged with East Herts Council for its extraction facilities and signage, and fit-out of the unit is likely to begin in due course.

Meanwhile, on the same side of the

mall, Starbucks is busy fitting out the unit in between Boots and Card Factory although no date has yet been announced for its opening.

According to site owner Chase New Homes, discussions are underway with potential tenants for the final three units, those originally earmarked for a gym plus the final unit beyond Quattro Lounge at the Bircherley Street end of the riverfront.

Off Dec. website) h see 20tCs apply, (T&

£1000 OFF!

Struggling to bathe?

We can help.

A new accessible bathroom 1st July - 30th September 2025 (Ts & Cs apply, see website)

Our qualified and friendly team can create a tailored solution for you.

• Specialists in accessible bathing.

• Free home visits and quotations.

• Full design and installation service.

• VAT free for those with a long-term illness or disability.

• Tailored solutions for arthritis, mobility issues and chronic pain.

• Bath out, shower in service in as little as two days.

• Walk-in baths, wetrooms, bidets and toilet lifters also available.

Helping people regain independence since 1999

“AHM were professional, efficient and understanding all the way” Mrs Marion-Russell, November 2024

Request a free brochure

01992 874391

www.ahminstallations.co.uk

Kingsbridge Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning

axis magazine 7

BRIEFING

Mayor of Ware Cllr Graeme Hill and Hertford and Stortford MP Josh Dean both supported the declaration of Ware becoming an official Swift Town last month

Ware flies in to become East Herts’ first Swift Town Ware has been declared East Herts’ first Swift Town, an area where local residents are being asked to pledge to support the threatened birds.

Swifts are summer visitors to the UK from Africa, arriving from late April onwards and leaving again in late July and August. They’re known for their distinctive ‘screaming’ calls and aerial acrobatics.

Almost perpetually in flight, they sleep, eat and even mate on the wing, only landing when it’s time to nest. They’re often found in the roofs of houses and churches, but as more properties are renovated and gaps in soffits closed up, nest sites are fast disappearing – something

that in part has led to them being added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list of threatened species.

Communities around the UK have begun declaring their support for the birds, pledging to raise awareness and to work to help conserve them.

On World Swift Day, Saturday 7th June, members of Ware Swifts, supported by NE Herts Swift Group, hosted an event in Tower Road (temporarily renamed Swift Street!) where members of the public were invited to sign a charter pledging to help the birds.

Among other things, this could take the form of practising wild-

life-friendly gardening to encourage insects which are the birds’ sole food, minimising light pollution which affects insects and in turn swifts, providing nesting spaces through the installation of nest boxes or swift bricks, and campaigning for nest bricks to be made compulsory in new build properties.

Civic support for launch

The charter was signed by Ware’s new mayor Graeme Hill as well as Hertford and Stortford MP Josh Dean who both attended the event.

Also in attendance were members of Hertford Swifts.

The work of local swift groups has,

over the past few years, seen the number of swift boxes on homes, schools and libraries, most of them built by charity Men’s Shed, vastly increase to more than 100 in the town, 22 in Tower Road alone.

Ware Swifts is taking orders for the next round of installations – if you’re interested you can find the group on Facebook (Ware Swifts & House Martins) or email them at wareswifts@gmail.com. They will also be part of the Wilder Ware stall at Ware Festival on Saturday 5th July. Wilder Ware is a new community grouping of locals who are passionate about wildlife and want to help increase biodiversity.

PCC joins crackdown on stolen goods sold at car boot sales

How a sticky problem will be tackled on the streets of Hoddesdon

Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards joined officers at a boot sale in Great Amwell in June as part of an operation to crack down on the sale of stolen tools, shoplifted items and counterfeit goods.

The operation on Sunday 8th June, organised by the East Herts Neighbourhood Policing Team and carried out in close partnership with Hertfordshire Trading Standards, was in response to growing concern about where stolen and counterfeit items are being sold.

A number of items were seized at the event at Hillside Farm in Pepper Hill, including vapes, clothing and perfume. Checks were also conducted on those selling power tools.

Mr Ash-Edwards spoke to officers

Broxbourne Council has been awarded funding to help tackle a sticky issue on Hoddesdon’s streets.

The £24,200 grant from the Chewing Gum Task Force will fund the cleaning of gum off pavements and the erection of signage to encourage people to bin their gum.

Established by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, the Chewing Gum Task Force Grant Scheme is open to councils across the UK who want to clean up gum in their local areas and invest in long-term behaviour change to prevent it being dropped in the first place.

The Task Force is funded by major gum manufacturers including Mars

8 axis magazine

and enforcement teams, stallholders and members of the public.

He said: “Car boot sales can also be used to sell on shoplifted items fuelling the trade in criminal activity. That’s why I wanted to see this operation take place – to send a clear message that this kind of illegal activity won’t be tolerated in Hertfordshire. If you deal in stolen or dangerous goods, action will be taken.”

Wrigley and Perfetti Van Melle, with an investment of up to £10million spread over five years.

Broxbourne is one of 52 councils across the UK to have successfully applied.

Cllr Jim Clune, Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to help make our local environment cleaner and more enjoyable for everyone.”

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

Summer Sale *

UP TO 25% OFF AT OUR WARE SHOWROOM

UPHOLSTERY | CABINET | FABRIC | REFURBISHMENT Ware Showroom | Online at woodbros.co.uk | Call Us on 01920 469241 *T&Cs. The Summer Sale discount and voucher applies only to Wood Bros full price items and cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion. The sale runs from 2nd June - 4th August 2025

BRIEFING

Harlow town centre revamp continues Contracts have been officially signed to deliver the transformational new arts and cultural quarter in Playhouse Square as part of Harlow Council’s ambitious rebuild of Harlow town centre.

Set to begin this summer, the arts and cultural quarter will build on the work of Harlow Playhouse and include a new live performance venue and exhibition spaces, a new café-restaurant at the Playhouse, music school and recording studios, a new home for the Gibberd Gallery, an improved public realm and 47 new affordable homes for Harlow residents.

Meanwhile, the plans to rebuild the rest of the town centre continue apace.

Latest purchase agreed

Harlow Council has now agreed to buy and redevelop Terminus House, a 13-storey main building with six-storey car park.

Terminus House is one of several converted office blocks in the town which has been used by London boroughs as temporary accommodation, the effect of which has placed strain on local services and the town centre.

The deal will see the current owners work with housing partners to support existing tenants into suitable alternative accommodation before the agreement is completed, ensuring the building is vacant

Hoddesdon’s former police station to be turned into flats

How the new arts and cultural quarter in Harlow will look

when Harlow Council purchases it.

Where appropriate, and in line with housing need and local connection, tenants will be supported to move to accommodation outside of Harlow.

The council plans to redevelop the site into new high-quality housing for Harlow residents complementing the scheme to rebuild the nearby bus station and transform Terminus Street.

Terminus House is one of several private buildings in the town centre the council is buying as it embarks on its ambitious plan to completely rebuild the town centre by purchasing key sites.

The council has recently purchased

Adams House and is close to completing the acquisition of Market House.

It has also set out its plan to buy the neglected 4-acre site known as the Strawberry Star development which spans Broad Walk, East Gate and West Gate.

Cllr Dan Swords, leader of Harlow Council, said: “We are building Harlow’s future, and we are on a mission to rebuild our town. We are setting our sights high. This is a landmark moment which hails a new era for Harlow town centre.

“Our mission for the town centre is clear: to create one of the best town centres in the UK.”

Planning permission has been granted by Broxbourne Council to turn the former Hoddesdon police station building in High Street into flats.

The council’s planning committee unanimously approved the plans on 20th May. The 1960s-built police station closed in 2011, but the building had been most recently used by the charity Teens Unite for offices, a shop and café which made creative use of the former cells.

The building, which is now privately-owned, will be extended and turned into 27 new flats over four storeys, with access from Woodlands Close. There will be 30 car parking spaces on-site.

Recommending approval, council officers said the application would “promote an effective use of previously developed or brownfield land in meeting the need for new homes in a sustainable location.”

1.2million into one won’t go: Single council is ruled out The prospect of all of Hertfordshire being governed by one single council as a result of the current local government reform proposals has been ruled out by all 11 authorities across the county.

The Government is seeking to reorganise local councils so that the two-tier system that exists in many non-Metropolitan areas across England and Wales, including Hertfordshire, is replaced with a series of new, larger unitary authorities providing all services.

It asked councils to submit an interim plan for moving to a single tier, to which Hertfordshire’s councils responded with four options in March, ranging from one to four unitary councils.

But following the election of a new Liberal Democrat-led Hertfordshire County Council in May, the councils have confirmed that no further work will be carried out to develop a business case for one single council covering the whole of Hertfordshire.

Council leaders have a shared view that one council serving the county’s 1.2million residents would be too remote from its communities.

In reality, a single countywide council in Herts was already unlikely, as the Government had made it clear that its preferred option is for councils to serve closer to 500,000 residents.

Hertfordshire’s councils will now continue to explore the three remaining options ahead of submit-

ting final proposals to Government ministers by 28th November.

The remaining proposals

l Two unitary authorities, which would see Broxbourne and East Herts join with North Herts, Stevenage and Welwyn Hatfield. l There are two options if the county is divided into three unitary authorities. The first would see Broxbourne and East Herts join with North Herts and Stevenage.

The second would see Broxbourne merge with Hertsmere and Three Rivers councils, and East Herts with North Herts and Stevenage. l The four authority option would see East Herts and Broxbourne merge.

New Chief Exec for East Herts

Meanwhile, East Herts Council has begun the process of appointing a permanent Chief Executive to replace Richard Cassidy, who left the post last autumn. In October last year, the council appointed Mr Cassidy’s deputy, Helen Standen, as Interim chief for a period of up to 18 months. The council has now advertised the post and plans to make an appointment in August. axis magazine 11

12 axis magazine

Josh Dean MP YOUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR HERTFORD & STORTFORD WRITES FOR AXIS MAGAZINE EVERY MONTH

Josh discussing the Platform 1 lift at Hertford North Station and at his new constituency office in Bishop’s Stortford

One year on from becoming your MP here is how I am delivering on my election promises Friday 4th July will mark a year since you elected me to serve as our Member of Parliament for Hertford and Stortford.

After over four years being let down by an invisible Conservative MP, you elected me because you wanted a hard-working, visible local representative. 12 months in, I’m delivering on that promise.

Progress on station issue

One of my first priorities was to push forward the long-delayed Platform 1 lift at Hertford North Station. Following my question in the chamber of the House of Commons, meeting with the Minister for Rail and subsequent meetings with Network Rail, I’m delighted a contractor has finally been appointed to complete the project, with works expected to start later this year.

Constituency office open

I’m proud to have opened my shopfront constituency office in Bishop’s Stortford and held advice surgeries in every major town in our constituency. I’ve hosted two roundtable discussions with local secondary school headteachers and will be holding similar meetings with primary school heads, and I’ve also engaged with young people through my consultation on the National Youth Strategy.

Working in Parliament

In Parliament, I’ve spoken up on behalf of our community, asking questions of Government Ministers and taking part in debates on topics including education, youth services and mental health. I’ve served on two Bill Committees, scrutinising important legislation, including the

Mental Health Bill, and secured my own debate on tackling the barriers to educational opportunity in semi-rural areas like ours.

Assisted dying: how I voted

The debate around the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has been a major feature of the past year. I know this is a deeply emotive issue for our community and I have received more correspondence on it than any other issue, with many residents sharing deeply personal experiences. While I know not everyone will agree with my decision to support the Bill, I am sincerely grateful to everyone who took the time to engage with me as it progressed through the House of Commons.

It really is the greatest honour of my life to represent the community

Josh served on the Mental Health Bill committee in the Commons

where I grew up and call home as our first ever Labour MP. I’m humbled every day by the trust you placed in me at last year’s General Election, and I’m working every day to repay it.

My mission is to make our community an even better place to live, work and learn. I’m looking forward to doing even more for Hertford and Stortford over the next year.

Meet Josh at his constituency surgeries To book an appointment, please email josh.dean.mp@parliament.uk with your full name, postal address including postcode, a contact number and as much detail about your case(s) as possible. axis magazine 13

Bespoke Jewellery Makers in Hertford

Mercedes-Benz Specialist

MOT Test Station

Mercedes-Benz and and other servicing prices Mercedes-Benz Smart Car Servicing Mercedes-Benz Established 1995 providing customers with the very highest quality of service

There are certain occasions in life that deserve a one of a kind piece of jewellery Customer’s pearl and diamonds, set into a bespoke one off ring.

Designed and made in Hertford

(up to 2400cc) (over 2400cc) (AMG models) available: Mercedes-Benz AAll Service £235 A Service £245CourtesyA cars Service £285 Free collection and delivery after£330 1997: B Service B Service £340 B Service £385 service

A Service £198, B Service £297

within 20 mile radius

Smart Cars Mini Servicing VAG & Ford also service and £190 maintain: Smart Cars: Minor ServiceWe A Service £175 £190 Oil service B Service £225 £260 Inspection / Audiservice / Skoda£260 / Seat A-Service £125, B-ServiceMajor £175, ServiceVolkswagen

group carsprices C-Service BMW service £250 prices are the same as our Mercedes-Benz Courtesy cars available All prices include labour, genuine Mercedes-Benz parts and VAT (2019 prices) Established in 1995, we offer the highest quality of service

Simon Light Ltd – Mercedes-Benz Specialist 01920 423342

www.chapter79.co.uk

15 Market Place, Hertford, SG14 1DQ 01992 534555

Star Street, Ware SG12 7AQ info@simonlight.co.uk – www.simonlight.co.uk

01992 552224

www.classicmobility.org.uk

MOBILITY SALES

MOBILITY HIRE

REPAIR & MAINTENANCE

Classic Mobility is a family-run business with over 20 years’ experience in sales and care of your mobility equipment Short and long term hire Quality equipment and service Delivery usually within 24 hours

15 Church Street Hertford Herts SG14 1EJ shop@classicmobility.org.uk

Home visits available Delivered and installed by our own trained technicians

Wheelchairs – Mobility Scooters – Power Chairs – Walking Aids – Bathing Seating – Walking Frames – Stair Lifts – Care Beds – Daily Living Aids 14 axis magazine

LOOK YOUR BEST THIS SUMMER

Biosculpture Gel nails - manicures & pedicures St Tropez spray tan Cryopen therapy treatments We also offer: • Slow Ageing facials & products • Caci treatments • Crystal Clear Microdermabrasion • OPI manicures & pedicures • Dermalux LED Light Therapy facial • Aesthetics 17 & 19 ST ANDREW STREET, HERTFORD SG14 1HZ T: 01992 558878 W: BLUSHFACEAND BODY.CO.UK

Lewis Cocking MP YOUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR BROXBOURNE WRITES FOR AXIS MAGAZINE EVERY MONTH

One year in, and Government continues to make life hard for small businesses across my constituency In the 12 months since I was elected as the MP for Broxbourne, I’ve been lucky to meet so many inspiring small business owners in every part of the constituency.

Day in, day out it is our independent shops, pubs and cafés that bring our high streets to life.

But nearly every business owner I speak to now is saying the same thing: “What’s the point?”. From increasing regulation and red tape to the hike in Employer’s National Insurance, it is only getting tougher to keep a business afloat.

Making the situation even worse, in April the Government chose to cut the relief in Business Rates from 75% to 40%. This has increased the bill the typical shop or restaurant must pay by thousands of pounds every year – across the country 250,000 small businesses have seen their bills rise by an average of 140%.

In a recent Westminster Hall debate on this topic, I outlined the damage the Government’s entire approach is causing to our high streets.

Small employers need support

Ministers are seeking to increase the number of ‘day one’ rights available to employees, meaning small employers would be unable to dismiss unsuitable new recruits without fear of being taken to an employment tribunal.

I’ve argued that a balance must be struck, to avoid the burden of

Lewis out and about enjoying National Fish and Chip Day in the constituency and meeting local business owners in Brickendon as he continues to support small businesses

regulation falling too heavily on employer or employee. Small employers especially need the security and confidence provided by qualifying periods before employment rights kick in.

Removing these will only deter small businesses from employing new people, at a time when hiring has become more expensive.

Bank hub policy makes no sense

I know that access to face-to-face

banking services is crucial for small businesses too, especially for entrepreneurs in the earliest stages.

That’s why I’m so frustrated by the exodus of bank branches from our high streets.

In Cheshunt in particular, a town of 40,000 people, not even a single branch remains. Since before my election I’ve been campaigning for a banking hub to be placed there, to provide access to cash as well as vital help and advice services from

several major banking brands, all under one roof.

However, the current criteria for securing a banking hub means Cheshunt isn’t eligible.

That simply doesn’t make sense, so I’ve been making the case for the rules to change, to better take account of the whole area a town centre serves. I’ll be continuing to press this with Ministers and I hope to share positive news on my campaign soon.

Meet Lewis at his constituency surgeries I continue to hold regular in-person surgeries to discuss issues and concerns with constituents. If you have a problem you’d like to raise with me, please contact my office at lewis.cocking.mp@parliament.uk or on 01992 845335.

In addition, if you own a business or are involved in a local organisation and you would like me to come and visit, then please let me know! axis magazine 15

SHOPPING & BUSINESS NEWS

How Alistair’s thirst for knowledge led to the launch of his own industrial-influenced furniture business For most people, lunchbreaks are an opportunity to get away from the day job for an hour or so, but for furniture-maker Alistair Schiach they were a chance to learn something new, and those early experiments have now ultimately led to the launch of his own new business.

Alistair has worked in the fabrication industry for 14 years in the structural and architectural sector – think beamwork, balustrades, railings, staircases etc.

He began his career working for a friend’s dad’s steel firm as he had always wanted to learn to weld.

It was here that, during his lunchbreaks, he began experimenting with scrap metal and offcuts to see what he could create.

Many years later, all that knowledge and experience is being put to good use in Vinspoke, Alistair’s new Hertfordshire-based furniture business, which currently offers a small range of stunning coffee tables with a number of finishing options.

Alistair is also happy to discuss commissions for bespoke pieces to bring customers’ ideas and visions to life.

Explaining his style, he said: “I enjoy the juxtaposition of hard steel being built into something sleek and attractive – a far cry from my day job duties. I have a natural persuasion towards neat and minimalist design, and this is reflected in my work. It was a natural progression then to think about incorporating

other materials into the design, and then to finish and brand my work.”

As an introductory offer, he is currently offering a 25 per cent discount using the QR code above and checkout code HERTS25.

Visit his website to view the full range of products.

vinspokefab.co.uk

Gay’s Newsagents 28 FORE STREET, HERTFORD SG14 1BY

NEWSPAPERS & DELIVERY / MAGAZINES CONFECTIONERY / TOBACCONIST / E-CIGARETTES / LOTTO & MUCH MORE

01992 583253 16 axis magazine

New bathroom showroom opens in Ware A new bathroom showroom has opened in Ware’s Star Street, in place of the now closed Ware Heating and Bathrooms.

Ware Bathroom Showroom features more than 150 displays from 52 manufacturers over two floors and is owned by the well-established, Buntingford-based plumbers and builders merchants Nationwide Supplies.

Its experienced designers can also help you to design your dream bathroom.

The showroom is open Monday to Saturday and also features a trade counter.

You will find the showroom at 4 Star Street, Ware SG12 7AA. For more information call 01920 452662 or visit warebathroomshowroom.co.uk.

SHOPPING & BUSINESS NEWS

SPONSORED CONTENT FROM BISHOP’S STORTFORD BID

Step into summer in Bishop’s Stortford The BID team round up details of the summer of fun that is being planned across the town centre Three prize bundles are up for grabs, each worth £200 and suited to kids, teens and adults.

For more details, visit discoverstortford.co.uk/events NEW Summer Sessions

Carnival is over for another year, but there’s still plenty to look forward to. Various events are taking place in the town centre, encouraging exploration, fresh air, exercise, culture and community.

Summer Trail

Our summer trail returns on Saturday 19th July – a free outdoor activity for all the family, running throughout the school holidays. This year’s trail is bee themed! Pick up a trail leaflet from Bishop’s Stortford Library, the Tourist Information Centre and other shops and waiting areas.

Eleven bees are on display in shop windows. Your challenge is to find them all! Alongside each one you’ll see a letter. Collect all eleven letters and put them together to create a word then enter the prize draw online.

Two of our North Street businesses, Paisa and The Half Moon, are joining forces this summer to bring you a unique outdoor experience.

Bottomless brunches with a choice of cocktails or Prosecco will be on offer with live entertainment in the pub’s secret garden. These start on Saturday 5th July and run throughout July, August and into September. To book, go to thehalfmoonbs.reservio.com Beating the Boundaries

This free cycling event returns due to popular demand on Saturday 12th July, organised by Bishop’s Stortford Town Council and supported by Bishop’s Stortford BID, Cycle Positive and Cycle Stortford.

For more details, including timings and the route, visit the Town Council website.

Music at the Bandstand

On Saturday 26th July, enjoy a day of live music from 11am to 6pm, featuring an incredible lineup of local talent. Bring a picnic, relax in the sunshine, and listen to some fantastic performances on Sworders Field.

Book a Bishop’s Stortford food tour and support your local businesses For a unique way to experience the town this summer, consider a Bishop’s Stortford food tour. Discover local delicacies and hidden gems while learning more about our independent businesses and town’s rich history. More details are available at hellofoodtours. com or from the Tourist Information Centre in Market Square.

Keep up to date

Visit discoverstortford.co.uk or follow us on Instagram/Facebook @discoverstortford.

Any questions?

Email BID Managers mads@bishopsstortfordbid.co.uk karen@bishopsstortfordbid.co.uk

Keep up to date with all the latest news: @DiscoverStortford

@DiscoverStortford

www.discoverstortford.co.uk axis magazine 17

HEALTH, BEAUTY & WELLBEING

Struggling with your hearing? Jude is offering a free assessment and hearing aid trial this month It can be difficult to notice changes in your hearing over time. If you find yourself turning up the TV, asking people to repeat themselves, or find it hard to follow conversations in a noisy environment, it is time to get your hearing checked, or to have your existing hearing aid thoroughly serviced.

Anyone reaching the age of 50 is recommended to have their hearing checked once every year.

Tranquil Hearing Care is a specialist hearing clinic in Hoddesdon, with a mission to help people hear as well as they possibly can.

This month, audiologist Jude Borquaye, who runs the practice, is offering a free hearing assessment and free hearing aid trial.

Whatever the result of your

18 axis magazine

assessment, if you do need help, Jude specialises in finding bespoke solutions tailored to you, as well as earwax removal, so he will be able to help you.

Tranquil Hearing Care is located in the centre of Hoddesdon in Limes Court, off Conduit Lane, and has its own onsite free parking and wheelchair access.

So if you are struggling with your hearing, call Tranquil Hearing Care on 01992 934196 to book your free hearing wellness check. This offer runs until 31st July.

Tranquil Hearing Care 6a Limes Court, Hoddesdon EN11 8EP 01992 934196 tranquilhearingcare.co.uk

HEALTH, BEAUTY & WELLBEING

((BOUNCE)) BED offers Reformer Pilates to music in Hoddesdon A new Reformer Pilates studio has opened in Hoddesdon, offering group classes to music that mix fitness and fun for all. ((BOUNCE)) BED is unlike any other Reformer Pilates class, taking traditional Pilates principles and increasing the level of energy, focusing on power and strength by making music the main motivator in the workout.

Owner Claire Blue, who comes from Hoddesdon, explained: “It begins from the core and works every muscle in your body like no other Reformer class, because when you put the moves to music, you achieve so much more.”

Varying the resistance of the springs in the Reformer beds, difficulty levels can be controlled by the participant.

All fitness levels are welcome, and

both beginners and advanced participants can be included together in any session.

How to book

You will find ((BOUNCE)) BED Hoddesdon at 9 The Pavilion, High Street, Hoddesdon and classes, which are available at different times of the day and evening, can be booked online at bouncebed.com (then search for the Hoddesdon studio).

Claire Blue, owner of ((BOUNCE)) BED Hoddesdon

axis magazine 19

PROPERTY NEWS

SPONSORED CONTENT FROM PROJECT 4 ARCHITECTURE

Project 4: Helping to realise your property’s potential New business from architectural designer Stephen Widgery can help owners remodel, extend and improve their properties Ever wondered how much potential your home has for extending or remodelling?

Project 4 Architecture can help.

You don’t always need to move to find your perfect home – reconfiguring your existing space, or extending it, could be a more suitable solution, and one that will add value to your property should you sell in the future.

Project 4 Architecture has been set up by Stephen Widgery, an architectural designer with more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, working for a number of practices, including as a director of Essex-based Chapman Widgery Architects.

His recent portfolio includes the design of Chelmsford town centre’s Bond Street – featuring a John Lewis department store, Everyman cinema plus restaurant and retail units.

Other work has included a major extension to the head office campus of a leading manufacturing company and a number of conversions of town centre, including listed, premises.

He has also been commissioned by an increasing number of property owners looking to unlock the full potential of their current home.

Project 4 Architecture will enable Stephen to concentrate on work he enjoys best – helping home owners and commercial clients to realise the full potential of their property or land.

Whether you’re looking to build a new home, extend or remodel an existing property or create a granny annexe, the process will always begin with Stephen paying a visit to the site.

Here he can discuss your ideas while sharing his knowledge of the planning system and making you aware of how location (for example in the green belt or a conservation area) might influence your project.

A sketch scheme can be produced showing how your aspirations could be made a reality.

20 axis magazine

Stephen Widgery has produced an impressive portfolio of work throughout a 30-year career

With several decades of experience of dealing with planning authorities and their requirements, Stephen can also prepare and submit any planning application for you, seeking pre-application advice or meetings as required from the local authority.

Stephen said: “So often people wonder what they could realistically do with their property but are daunted by not knowing how the process works.

“They might also worry that the constraints of their property – its size, listed status or location – will restrict what they can do.

“It’s the part of the job that I really enjoy, using my knowledge and skills to advise clients. Every site has its challenges but also a wealth of possibilities.”

To find out more, call Stephen on 07774 944814, visit project4architecture.co.uk or email stephen@project4architecture.co.uk.

WHAT’S ON

YOUR GUIDE TO ARTS & EVENTS

Enjoy summer at Lee Valley White Water Centre

With the hot weather and the long school holidays coming up, Lee Valley White Water Centre is a great place to cool down and enjoy a great family day out this summer.

If you are looking for somewhere to visit that combines fun and excitement while creating unforgettable memories, this world-class destination offers the perfect mix of adrenaline and family-friendly thrills – and it’s right here in Waltham Cross.

Lee Valley White Water Centre was specially created ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games, and it now gives you and your family the chance to take on the same circuit as the world-class competitors we all watched on our TV screens.

Whether you’re looking to try something new or you’re a paddler looking for a challenge, the venue has something for you – take on a family rafting adventure or choose white water rafting for a white knuckle ride.

Lee Valley White Water Centre also offers kayaking, paddleboarding and a great fun Water Wipeout course. l Groups can get up to 20 per cent off until 31st July – perfect for parties. Terms and conditions can be found at better.org.uk/ offer-terms.

Book at: better.digitickets.co.uk

The whole family can enjoy white water rafting, the Water Wipeout course, paddleboarding and kayaking

Enjoy village life: Braughing Wheelbarrow Races and open mic nights It’s all going on in Braughing this month! Popular village pub The Golden Fleece is relaunching an open mic night which used to be held at The Brown Bear.

Fleece owners Peter and Jess Tatlow were approached to take on the popular event and have agreed to trial it for three months, on the first Tuesday of each month. The first event was due to be held on 1st July, with the

others set for Tuesday 5th August and Tuesday 2nd September.

Musicians (up to a group of three) and singers can just turn up on the night and will each be given a slot to play, starting from around 8pm. It promises to be a fun and entertaining evening whether you are playing or just coming along to watch and listen.

Peter said he hopes it will become a regular evening in the future.

The pub is also hosting live music from Covering Fire after this month’s famous Braughing Wheelbarrow Races, which take place from noon to 6pm on Saturday 12th July. The Fleece will be open all day,with lunch served 12-2.30pm, and will then host a barbecue from 6.30pm. Read more about the wheelbarrow races by searching on Facebook. goldenfleecebraughing.co.uk

axis magazine 21

Play, Sculpt, Explore!

Family Fun at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens Discover creative activities, from playful art sessions to hands-on sculpture workshops, all inspired by Henry Moore. Explore, create, and let your imagination run wild in Moore’s unique landscape.

Find out what’s on each week, and during the school holidays at henry-moore.org HENRY MOORE STUDIOS & GARDENS Perry Green, Herts, SG10 6EE

22 axis magazine

WHAT’S ON

Ware Festival promises a month of entertainment Four weeks of events include river festival, carnival, Town Fair and ale and food festivals Ware’s annual festival takes place this month, beginning on the first weekend of July.

Following its forced postponement last year, a river festival begins proceedings on Friday 4th July. Organised by the IWA Lee and Stort Branch, the highlight of the river festival is a colourful parade of boats on the water from 12.45pm on Saturday 5th.

On the same day, Ware’s traditional carnival parade is themed ‘Colour Rush’ and promises a vibrant and lively spectacle from 1.25pm through Amwell End, High Street, Baldock Street and Park Road.

The Town Fair then takes place in the Priory grounds, with the official opening at 2pm.

On Sunday 6th, Ware Festival of Running offers 10 mile, 10k and children’s races, while Ware Brass will play a summer picnic concert in the Priory grounds from 3-5pm.

Riverside Real Ale Festival

Saturday 12th July sees the ever-popular Riverside Real Ale Festival running at the Priory from noon to 11pm, with live music and entertainment including a giant bubble show. Tickets can be pre-booked at ticketsource.co.uk/ waretowncouncil for £6 which includes a free half pint and guarantees entry.

There is also a pavement artists’ competition in the Priory grounds, raft race down the river from Town Quay (on the water at 12.30pm) and a putting competition on the sacred turf of Ware Bowls Club.

Twist of Rock play a ‘rock legends’ show live on Sunday at the Priory from 5.30-7pm – entry is free and the bar will be open.

Ware Food Festival

The town’s 11th annual Ware Food Festival has been moved from its traditional slot in May to festival month and takes place on Sunday 20th July on the Priory lawn from 12noon until 4pm.

Old Town Live & Ware Town Fringe

The festival is due to close with a repeat of last year’s Old Town Live music event which features lives bands playing on outdoor stages and in bars and pubs across the town on Saturday 26th July from 12noon to 10pm.

This is a ticketed event, with tickets available from £13.84 at oldtownlive.co.uk.

Meanwhile, Southern Maltings arts centre will be hosting Ware Town Fringe, featuring a variety of music and comedy performances (tickets £5 from southernmaltings.co.uk). waretowncouncil.gov.uk

ANDREWS CHEMIST 104 High Street, Ware SG12 9AP

01920 462239

Perfumes & skincare gifts from Calvin Klein, Clarins, Yves Saint Laurent & more

Free prescription collection & delivery service

LATE NIGHT CHEMIST RESIDENTIAL & CARE HOME SERVICE CONSULTATION AREA

4th TO 27th JULY ORGANISED BY WARE TOWN COUNCIL

WARE CROSS PHARMACY

WARETOWNCOUNCIL.GOV.UK

01992 440380

40 Christian Close, Hoddesdon EN11 9FF

axis magazine 23

WHAT’S ON

BEAM Folk Week brings a host of big names to perform in Hertford BEAM in Hertford has designated Wednesday 23rd to Sunday 27th July BEAM Folk Week, featuring a series of performances from big names in the folk music world.

Yorkshireman Chris Brain is well established on the contemporary folk scene after two highly-regarded albums and he kicks off the week on Wednesday 23rd at 8pm.

Other performers will include Martha Tilston, Noble Jacks, Joshua Burnside, the legendary Lindisfarne, Niall McCabe, Ruth Lyon, Yoshika Colwell and Chris Wood.

Find out more and book at beamhertford.co.uk.

Vintage vehicle day in Hoddesdon The popular Vintage and Classic Vehicle Display comes to Hoddesdon town centre on Sunday 6th July. The High Street area will be filled with classic and vintage cars and vehicles of all descriptions between 10am and 5pm, for the 29th annual event. There will also be live music while the soon to open The Bell 1940s tea room in Burford Street will be adding to the atmosphere with some vintage entertainment too.

It is organised by Broxbourne Council and is supported by Love Hoddesdon BID.

FOLK WEEK

Duo launch free creative writing sessions Free creative writing sessions have been launched at BEAM in Hertford by The Story Sanctuary, a new business set up by two Hertfordshire writers.

Hertford-based creative and English teacher Shashi Knott and Robyn Wilson-Owen, a children’s book illustrator and author, have come together to run reading, illustration and creative writing retreats and events.

Their new creative writing events at BEAM are being held on the last Wednesday of each month, with a break for August, with the next on Wednesday 30th July from 8-9.30pm.

If you have ever thought about trying creative writing, these sessions are for you – as well as for those who love to discuss ideas and have a space to write.

The sessions will give you 24 axis magazine

Open days at Quaker Meeting House

prompts, ideas and encouragement.

You can just pop along or find out more and sign up online. The sessions are held in the BEAM kitchen bar at the theatre in The Wash, Hertford. thestorysanctuary.co.uk

Hertford’s historic Quaker Meeting House in Railway Street will be open for the public to explore on Saturday 12th July, and then on Saturday 9th August, from 10.30am to 12.30pm on both days.

The Grade I listed building dates back to 1670 and is the oldest purpose-built Quaker meeting house still in use anywhere in the world. Quaker faith, which springs from the notion that individuals can have a direct relationship with the Divine, began in the second half of the 17th Century.

The Hertford building is now also used for concerts and readings. hhq.org.uk

Scan QR code to book your tickets!

SHOWS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

Attention All Shipping

A Celebration of the Shipping Forecast Tue 8 Jul - 7.30pm

Fanny Galore’s Big Bingo Party

Ed Jones & RebeccaNash Quartet

Sat 12 Jul - 8pm

Sun 13 Jul - 7.30pm

Taylormania

Away From Home

BEAM Folk Week

Wed 16 Jul - 7.30pm

Wed 16 Jul - 8pm

Wed 23 - Sun 27 Jul

Rude Science

Man in the Mirror

Wed 30 Jul - 11.30am & 3pm

Fri 1 Aug - 7.30pm

BEAM, The Wash, Hertford, SG14 1PS

CIRQUE

The Greatest Show: Reimagined Sat 2 Aug - 2.30pm & 7pm

www.beamhertford.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

70s Shakespeare at Roman Theatre In a summer when they have announced some of the biggest acting names in the country as patrons and supporters of their project to convert a historic barn into a new repertory theatre, St Albans-based OVO are also taking their 2025 season at the Roman Open Air Theatre to new heights.

Showing this month is the company’s 1970s disco take on the Shakespeare open-air classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Audiences are transported to the hip-swivelling age of classic disco in OVO theatre director and founder Adam Nichols’s hugely entertaining production.

It brings the beige 1970s to life through a soundtrack of hits from Gloria Gaynor, Bee Gees, Donna Summer, The Jacksons and many more, played by a live band under the stars.

You can see this version until Sunday 13th July, while the season continues until the end of August with a series of other productions including Chekhov’s The Bear and The Great Gatsby with a live jazz soundtrack.

Tickets start from £15. Book yours at ovo.org.uk.

Divina to star in BEAM panto

Big names back new theatre

Meanwhile, Ovo announced the support of acting royalty for its plan to convert a derelict 17th Century barn across the road from its Roman Open Air Theatre into a “vibrant performance venue” for a new theatre company.

Ralph Fiennes, Dame Joanna Lumley, Brian Cox and Zoe Wanamaker have all become patrons of the project.

OVO plans to employ a core group of actors and production staff for a season at a time to “provide vital opportunities for

early career performers, creatives and crew” who might otherwise struggle to get established.

The venue, St Germain’s Barn, which dates back to 1649, is located in Verulamium Park and is listed on Historic England’s At Risk register.

OVO said the building had “deep theatrical roots” and would enable its mission “of creating bold, imaginative and surprising new versions of classic plays and stories”.

Renovations are expected to be completed by next summer.

We are halfway through the year and the first mention of panto has been whispered… by Hertford’s BEAM, which has announced the first stars of its Beauty and the Beast festive shows for this year.

Ru Paul’s Drag Race finalist and musical theatre sensation Divina De Campo will play The Enchantress, and will be joined on the Hertford stage by Mama G, who many will know from leading the dame supergroup Dame Nation to the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent season 15.

For the first time, BEAM is teaming up with award-winning producers Imagine Theatre to bring a fun-filled production to Hertford from 5th December to 4th January.

You can find out more and book at beamhertford.co.uk.

Outdoor cinema at Fanhams Hall Theatre in the gardens Myddelton House Gardens in Enfield hosts two open-air theatre productions on Saturday 26th July. Doors open at 2pm for an hour-long production of Robin Hood from 3-4pm, with the classic story of Robin brought to life in a fun and entertaining production for all generations.

Tickets are £12.

That same evening Sense & Sensibility is staged, marking the 250th anniversary year of Jane Austen. Doors open at 6.30 for a production that runs from 7.30 to 9.30pm. Tickets are £18.

Myddelton House Gardens are in Bulls Cross, Enfield EN2 9HG. Find more info and book at dot-productions.co.uk.

The glorious Fanhams Hall in Ware will be the fairytale backdrop to a series of open air cinema showings this summer, for which tickets can be booked now.

Take your own comfy chair or blanket and find your place in front of the huge screen.

You can bring your own food and drink or buy on-site.

This summer’s films are: Sunday 3rd August: Sister Act (PG)

Thursday 14th August: Mamma Mia (PG) Friday 15th August: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (15) Thursday 21st August: Mean Girls (12) Sunday 24th August: My Best Friend’s Wedding (12) Monday 25th August: Forrest Gump (12) All screenings begin at sunset.

Tickets are £20. Book now at exclusive.co.uk. axis magazine 27

WHAT’S ON

Skydancers and Other Stories at Parndon Mill

David Bowie honoured at Hertford Lit Fest

Skydancers and Other Stories is a genuine departure for The Gallery at Parndon Mill in Harlow – a new exhibition supported by a series of live performances curated by mill studio holder Deborah Ward who is, primarily, a choreographer.

Deborah founded Ballet Folk in 2019, a dance company that combines contemporary ballet and folk music to explore the rich tradition of storytelling by creating theatrical works for both indoor theatre and outdoor festivals and stages with the aim of making ballet accessible to all.

She has collaborated with a number of other creatives to devise a month-long exhibition that explores this world which is showing in the gallery until 3rd August, together with a number of workshops and performances that will take place on a series of

Hertford Literary Festival returns for its seventh year at The Hertford Club in Bull Plain on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th July.

The Friday is billed Eclectic Friday and features a number of different talks, interviews and events throughout the day, headlined

by American actor and author Michael Brandon at 7pm.

Saturday honours the life and work of David Bowie. All-Bowie Saturday recalls his two known appearances in Hertford, with his pre-fame band The Riot Squad at St Nicholas Hall back in 1967 and at the old Elbert Wurlings club where he filmed Extras with Ricky Gervais in 2006.

The day features interviews and talks with Bowie’s former guitarist Kevin Armstrong and other Bowie gurus before it is rounded off in style by a live set of Bowie songs by Hertford’s own Kev

dates throughout July.

For full details of all the events visit parndonmillgallery.co.uk.

For more details about Deborah and her work visit her website, balletfolk.com.

Saunders’ band King Angry and the Blackstars, and a set by locally-based guitarist Rob Clydesdale, who worked with Bowie on The Buddha of Suburbia. More details at hertfordlitfest.co.uk.

Outdoor cinema nights This August, join us for a magical season of open-air cinema at our historic house. From sing-along hits to feel-good classics and iconic rom-coms, we’ll be showing a brilliant mix of favourites on our giant outdoor screen.

Bring a comfy chair or blanket and settle in with your own drinks and snacks - or treat yourself from our on-site selection before the film begins. £20 per person, arrival from 7pm for a sunset showing

Summer afternoon tea Got something to celebrate, or just fancy turning an ordinary day into something special? Afternoon tea at Fanhams Hall is the perfect excuse to indulge. Tuck into tiers of tasty treats in our charming Jacobean mansion, or sip your tea in the sunshine out on the terrace.

‘A moment to remember, an estate you’ll never forget’

Available 12.30pm to 4pm Monday to Friday - Adults £37.50, Children under 10 £20 Saturday and Sunday - Adults £42.50, Children under 10 £20 01920 460511 fanhamshall@exclusive.co.uk exclusive.co.uk/fanhams-hall Fanhams Hall Road, Ware Hertfordshire SG12 7PZ

28 axis magazine

FH Axis Magazine.indd 1

22/05/2025 14:35:19

highlights

Essentially Cher

Lost In Music

The Goddess of Pop Saturday 6 September, 7.30pm

One Night at the Disco Friday 19 September, 7.30pm

Baga Chipz – ‘Chip Off The Old Block’

Arsenal Legends – in Conversation

Disco classics to backstage gossip at RuPaul’s Drag Race!

Thursday 11 September, 7.30pm

Starring Ray Parlour, Paul Merson and Perry Groves Monday 22 September, 7.30pm

Yesterday Once More

The Rocket Man

The Carpenters Songbook Friday 12 September, 7.30pm

A Tribute to Sir Elton John Friday 26 September, 7.30pm

The All or Nothing Experience

Cheesy Bingo

The hits of the iconic Mod Band Small Faces!

Saturday 13 September, 7.30pm

Music, bingo madness, dancing and drinks!

Saturday 27 September, 7.30pm

The Illegal Eagles Return with a brand new production Sunday 14 September, 7.30pm

The Ultimate Pop Show Live (matinee)

The Story of Swing

For kids, teens and families to enjoy!

Sunday 28 September, 3pm

Swing and big band music through the decades Wednesday 17 September, 7.30pm

Early bird offer - book by 31 August and get £2 off per ticket

Doors and bar open 1.5 hour prior to event start.

Why not enjoy a relaxing pre-show drink and a slice of our delicious... thespotlightvenue.com 01992 441946 (Monday-Friday 10am-2pm) The Spotlight, High Street, Hoddesdon, Herts, EN11 8BE

AUTHENTIC Italian STONE BAKED Pizza

WHAT’S ON

The best new films to see at the cinema Jurassic World: Rebirth (12A) Now showing

Four Letters of Love (12A) Out on Friday 18th July

It is five years since the events of Jurassic World: Dominion, and an expedition braves isolated equatorial regions to extract DNA from three massive prehistoric creatures in search of what would be a groundbreaking medical breakthrough. Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Rupert Friend star in this dinosaur adventure.

Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham-Carter and Gabriel Byrne lead an impressive cast in this drama based on the best-selling novel by Niall Williams.

Nicholas and Isabel were made for each other but how will they ever know it?

As ghosts, fate and the sheer power of true love pull them together, so too does life threaten to tear them apart.

Superman (12A) Out on Friday 11th July

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope, it’s just the latest reinvention of the fella with the big red S on his chest. David Corenswet stars as reporter Clark Kent (aka Superman) as he seeks to reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. As the embodiment of truth, justice and the human way, he finds himself in a world that views these virtues as old-fashioned.

The Fantastic Four (TBC) Out on Friday 25th July Superheroes Superman and The Fantastic Four are in your cinemas this month

Smurfs (U) Out on Friday 18th July

This latest reboot of the franchise involving the lovable little blue people sees Papa Smurf taken by evil wizards Razamel and Gargamel, forcing Smurfette to lead

What’s on at

Fun For Little Ones – A tribute to Ms Rachel Sunday 17th August, 12pm Tickets £16.50 Babes in Arms 6mths & under free

80s LIVE! Friday 19th September, 7.30pm Tickets £31.50

Tom Gates Epic Stage Show Sunday 28th September, 12pm & 3pm Tickets from £17

Wyllyotts Box Office: 01707 645005 Wyllyotts Theatre, Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 2HZ wyllyottstheatre.co.uk

30 axis magazine

the Smurfs on a mission to the real world to save him. That’s the ultimate definition of Girl Power, surely? This live-action animation features some stellar voices, including Rihanna and James Corden.

It’s a month for Superhero movies, with The Fantastic Four also back on the big screen. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, the quartet must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Donald Trump – sorry – Galactus, and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer.

FREE

WALTHAM CROSS

SPORTS

FESTIVAL

ss o r C m a h t l Wa

Saturday 19 July 11am to 5pm

Waltham Cross Playing Fields, EN8 7LU

N!

Join us for a vibrant, free community event celebrating the incredible sporting opportunities available to all ages in Waltham Cross!

Enjoy a day full of exciting activities, all at no cost.

oF FU R E M M SU

Don’t miss out – be part of the fun!

ST 2025 U G U A JULY

All Activities are free*

EVERY SATURDAY, 12NOON-4PM, QUEEN ELEANOR SQUARE* Each week, there will be different free activities on offer, including: •

Circus workshops

•

Face painting

•

Lego build-off

•

Pampering station

•

Mr Marvel’s Magic Show

•

Ink art workshops and more!

•

Crazy balloon giveaway

Scan the QR code for full list of dates and times

If you are interested in a particular activity please let us know by emailing community@broxbourne.gov.uk or simply turn up and enjoy!

*Activities and times are subject to change, and weather depending may be moved to the Pavilions Shopping Centre.

CK250331

SP250388

BroxbourneBC LoveWalthamCross

LoveWXHerts

C l a s s i c 24 VEHICLE DAY TH

Cedars Park

Sunday 3 August 2025 | 10am-5pm

Live music and stalls urt area Magic show and food co

at The John Warner Sports Centre Activities include sport, dance, roller-skating, themed arts and crafts, swimming and more.

All activities are subject to change on the day.

Thursday 24 July – Friday 29 August (except 25 August Bank Holiday)

Childcare vouchers accepted (terms and conditions apply). *Only children born before 1/9/2020 may attend Kidz Klub. Proof of age required on booking.

*4-12 years

Scan the QR code to book online, visit www.broxbourne.gov.uk/kidzklub or call on 01992 445375.

Find us on

SP250632

www.bebroxbourne.co.uk

For further details, visit www.broxbourne.gov.uk or call 01992 785555

BroxbourneBC

Broxbourne Council

CK250522

BIKE WINNER 2024

Drop-off between 8.30-9.30am and pick-up between 4.30-5.30pm.

axis magazine 31

FOOD & DRINK

SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES

Step back in time at Hoddesdon’s 1940s tea room

With memories of the 80th anniversary of VE Day fresh in everyone’s minds, nostalgia for the 1940s era is riding high in the public’s minds, so the opening of a new traditional tea room in Hoddesdon themed after that decade could not be more timely.

Owner Peter Bailey has taken over The Bell pub in Burford Street, which closed early this year, and given the historic 470-year-old building a new lease of life as The Bell Hotel and Tea Room.

The last few months have seen restoration work ongoing, while Peter and his son Daniel have been scouring antique shops, as well as the internet, to source and buy as many authentic period

pieces, from furniture to crockery and decorations, as possible.

As you enter you will see a picture of Winston Churchill on the wall; as you leave it will be Dame Vera Lynn, while all the walls are covered in prints from the era.

Even the menu has been designed like a ration book!

The result of their huge amount of dedication and hard work will be seen by the public from the opening weekend of Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July.

Quality and service

Peter said: “My whole family loves the 1940s – it was a really patriotic time.

“Over the years I’ve been in lots

of tearooms around the country but so many of them are pompous and complicated and I wanted to do something here in Hoddesdon that was different.

“For me, it’s all about quality of the food backed up by good, old-fashioned customer service.

“We will take the ‘pomp’ from ‘pompous’ and give people the red carpet treatment. I believe customer service needs to come back into fashion.”

Alongside traditional sandwiches, customers can expect homemade cakes, toasted crumpets, teacakes and scones with their loose leaf tea. While lunch will be available, afternoon tea can be experienced from 11am through to 6pm from

Tuesday to Sunday. The Bell is fully licensed too.

Upstairs there are hotel rooms and there is an outdoor garden area as well.

For the cellar, Peter has purchased an authentic World War Two Anderson shelter where up to eight people at a time can take tea in tin cups and eat off metal plates with the sound of planes flying overhead before, after an hour and a quarter, the all-clear will be sounded to allow them back up the stairs!

The Bell Hotel and Tea Room 1 Burford Street, Hoddesdon EN11 8HP thebellhotelhoddesdon.co.uk

Hertford Castle Beer & World Food event at heart of town’s festival Hertford Food and Drink Festival takes place over the weekend of Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July, culminating in the Hertford Castle Beer and World Food Festival on the Sunday.

The weekend-long festival highlights promotions from food and drink businesses in Hertford town centre, all of which can be accessed by downloading the ‘I’m a Foodie’ virtual stamp via hertford.gov.uk. Participating 32 axis magazine

businesses will be displaying an I’m a Foodie poster in their window and you can show your virtual stamp to take advantage of special offers.

On Sunday, the free event at the castle runs from 12noon to 6pm with a large beer tent featuring a variety of local and national beers, ales and ciders, alongside a variety of world food stalls.

Find out more, and download your stamp, at hertford.gov.uk.

FOOD & DRINK

SPONSORED CONTENT FROM SOUL SEED WELLNESS

A new chapter in wellness blooms in Hertford

This June, the doors of Soul Seed Wellness opened wide in one of Hertford’s most iconic buildings, right on the edge of Parliament Square.

With its calm and beautifully styled space, outdoor seating for sunny soul moments, and the comforting aroma of fresh food and nourishing drinks, it may look like just a smart café from the outside.

But step inside, and you’ll feel something deeper: this is a space that feeds you on every level — mind, body and soul.

Founded by Gary and Sara Simmons-Robinson, Soul Seed is more than a café – it’s a movement.

WELLNESS CAFÉ STORE & CLINIC

An extension of their beloved wellness hub in Hoddesdon, this new location brings their passion for natural health, gut healing and heart-centred living into the heart of Hertford.

Eat well. Feel well. Live well.

At Soul Seed, everything begins with the belief that when we nourish ourselves well – with knowledge, with kindness, with good food – we flourish.

Their daily menu is designed to do just that: from freshly prepared organic salad bowls and smoothies, to breakfasts like their best-selling Soul in a Bowl (a creamy, fruit-topped granola made in-house with love), every

dish is crafted without seed oils and packed with purpose.

But it doesn’t stop there. Upstairs, their peaceful wellness clinic offers personalised consultations, where you can work one-to-one with Gary or Sara to dig deep into health concerns like anxiety, IBS, fatigue, insomnia, skin issues and more.

With decades of experience and hundreds of success stories, their mission is clear: to empower people with knowledge, to reconnect them to their bodies, and to gently guide them back to balance.

The store also offers a curated range of natural supplements and alternative health products – products Gary and Sara actually

use themselves, not just stock.

And most importantly, Soul Seed is a space for everyone.

As Sara puts it: “We’re here to build a community rooted in truth, trust and natural health.

Whether you’re just starting your journey or deeply into it – there’s a seat at our table for you.”

Soul Seed Wellness is open seven days a week: Monday–Saturday 8am–6pm and Sunday 9am–5pm.

Follow their journey and join the community @we_are_soulseed on Instagram.

Soul Seed Wellness 8 Parliament Square, Hertford SG14 1EY soul-seed.co.uk

8 Parliament Square, Hertford SG14 1EY axis magazine 33

FOOD & DRINK

Café Bee opens in the grounds of Ware Priory for the summer

Kin Pla opens its doors in Hertford Kin Pla is a new seafood restaurant and kitchen that has just opened in Hertford’s Railway Street, taking over the premies most recently occupied by the Blue Oyster Bar and fishmongers.

The cosy, family-run restaurant serves fresh mainly seafood dishes inspired by bold Thai and Japanese flavours.

The restaurant is at 11 Railway Street SG14 1BG and booking is advised by calling 07842 534154.

You can find out more at kinpla.co.uk.

Café Bee is a new venture, open for the summer months in the gardens at Ware Priory and run

by Ware’s charity for adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues Always Bee You. Its set-up was funded by Morgan Lovell under their “One Good Thing” initiative which sees the leading workplace consultants and designers pledge to do something positive for the local community around each of its projects.

The team is currently delivering new laboratory spaces at Riverlabs, a new life science campus adjacent to GSK’s Ware facilities.

Café Bee has also received generous support from coffee machine, tea and milk suppliers.

The takeaway café, offering hot and cold refreshments, cakes and treats, is based at the front of a refurbished building in the Priory grounds which also contains new

Peach closes both its local restaurants

public toilets and will be open from 9am to 4pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout July and August.

FOOD & DRINK: THE GUIDE

Peach closed its two restaurants in Bishop’s Stortford and Hertford at the end of June.

The independent business announced the closures “with great sadness” saying it was not an easy decision and not one they took lightly.

The two restaurants were in Church Street, Bishop’s Stortford and Fore Street, Hertford.

The owners said they were “incredibly grateful for the support, kindness and loyalty” customers had shown them over the years.

ADVERTISEMENT LISTINGS

NOLAKI Turkish

VEYSO’S Turkish

RUAY RÔT BY BAAN THITIYA Thai takeaway & delivery

Nolaki is a high quality Turkish restaurant that has taken over the former Cock pub in Stansted Mountfitchet and transformed it into a stunning contemporary restaurant with an elegant interior and inventive dishes. Open seven days from 12noon until late, Nolaki offers lunch, dinner, fabulous wines and stunning cocktails.

The restaurant is also available for private hire.

From Monday to Friday 12-4pm it has a superb value two-course lunch menu for just £14.95 and a three-course lunch menu for £17.95. On Sunday, roasts are served from 12-5pm.

The award-winning Veyso’s has long been one of Hertford’s most talked-about restaurants. Its chefs use the finest ingredients and traditional skills to produce innovative signature dishes and desirable cocktails in a bold and stunning environment. Behind the doors of Veyso’s lies an interior as well crafted as the food, with hand-carved wall art, mother of pearl-embedded wall beams – and the iconic Veyso’s staircase that leads to the basement. Open 7 days a week, Veyso’s has a menu for every occasion, from a light lunch to a great celebration.

Ruay Rôt means ‘rich in flavour’ in Thai and that is precisely what the food you can order for takeaway or delivery from Hertford’s newest eatery is. Just down the road from its previous and hugely popular Baan Thitiya restaurant, this new takeaway outlet offers authentic Thai food for you to enjoy at home, continuing Baan Thitiya’s story after 20 years in Hertford. You can order by phone or through the GoGetters and Deliveroo apps for delivery to Hertford, Ware and Hoddesdon. The menu includes many vegan specials. Outside tables are also available on warmer days.

30 Silver Street, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8HD 01279 812964 nolaki.co.uk

97-101 Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1AS 01992 550055 veysos.co.uk

34 axis magazine

6 Old Cross, Hertford SG14 1RB 01992 587706 ruayrôt.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK: THE GUIDE

ADVERTISEMENT LISTINGS

THE GEORGE IV Pub & Dining

NO.14 Asian Fusion

THE GOLDEN FLEECE Pub & Dining

The George IV offers exceptional restaurant cuisine within a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The team serve fresh and seasonal dishes, on both an à la carte and small plate menu, which can be enjoyed on the sun-drenched terrace over the summer months.

Dart Club, located in the rear courtyard, is an interactive dart game that’s ideal for birthdays, team-building or just a friendly competition!

The George IV can also be the perfect venue for your next event, such as an intimate wedding, baby shower, birthday or a special anniversary.

No.14, in the heart of Bishop’s Stortford, is taking Asian Fusion dining and luxury to new heights in the town. No expense has been spared on the interior decor at this three-storey venue. An updated range of menus has been launched, with new à la carte, sushi and Sunday roast menus all available. On Tuesday, you can enjoy limitless sushi, and on Sunday both brunch and roasts are served. There is now also a DJ every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with live jazz every Thursday. Book the Chef’s Table for the best seats in the house.

The Golden Fleece is an old English pub with a modern twist. Set in the pretty village of Braughing, Jess and Peter Tatlow’s pub has been a favourite for over 15 years. The menu is updated bi-monthly, allowing for fresh, seasonal and delicious locally-sourced food, and a specials board also offers changing dishes.

The Fleece has an exceptional reputation, with plenty of choice for diners with gluten or dairy allergies and vegans/vegetarians, allowing everyone to enjoy a visit. A large, secluded garden with play area is perfect on warmer days or enjoy log burners on cooler ones.

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

14 North Street, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2LQ 01279 597548 no-14.com

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

PIRCIO Italian & Turkish

MANTO’S Meze Bar & Grill

RONI’S Fine Dining

Pircio is a family-run independent restaurant in Bishop’s Stortford that offers two different menus of Italian and Turkish cuisine. Both menus are cooked by teams of specialist chefs and diners can choose from pizza, pasta and other Italian classics or dishes such as halloumi, falafel, moussaka and lamb tagine.

The historic Drill Hall building has been smartly refurbished and can seat 200 people downstairs whilst there is also a mezzanine for private dining. Pircio is open seven days a week, all day.

Based in the former Old Star pub in Wormley, Broxbourne, Manto’s restaurant offers authentic Turkish cuisine with a modern twist, using only the finest ingredients for its dishes. Taking inspiration from the heritage of Turkey and ancient Mediterranean cooking techniques, Manto’s aims to celebrate regional flavours and give a true flavour of the Mediterranean. The restaurant is open seven days a week 12noon to midnight, offering lunch, food throughout the afternoon and dinner. The kitchen closes at 10pm.There is also free parking for customers.

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 a vegan menu. There is a set lunch menu (Tuesday-Saturday) and a set evening menu (Tuesday-Thursday) while superb roasts are served on Sundays. You can also book the private dining room for your group or family.

Roni’s is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 12noon, and closed on Monday.

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

32 High Road, Wormley EN10 6LE 01992 414301 mantosrestaurant.com

16 North Street, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2LQ 01279 508856 ronisrestaurant.co.uk axis magazine 35

9-13 Parliament Square n Hertford n SG14 1EX

EXPECT MORE n FROM YOUR n ESTATE AGENT

For Sale: Cucumber Lane, Essendon £1,595,000

Bedwell Hall is a Grade II listed house that has been converted into 10 luxury apartments. This spacious three bedroom/three bathroom duplex apartment with over 2,200 sq ft of accommodation, offers large well appointed rooms along with a private balcony, two parking spaces and a garage with electric charger, all set within manicured gardens and in the grounds of Essendon Country Club.

Please call for further information or to book an appointment on 01992 721 321

01992 721 321 n www.thomas-childs.com