Axis Magazine July 22 issue

The independent, intelligent guide to everything that matters locally July 2022

INSIDE YOUR BEST GUIDE TO LOCAL LIFE LIBRARY TO MOVE?

Ware Library could leave its historic home

LEA WHARF LATEST

First restaurant tenant confirmed for development

THE INDIE REVIVAL

Support your local independent businesses

TIME TO GO OUTSIDE

Things to do and places to go this summer

DINE AL FRESCO

Find the best places to enjoy a great meal outdoors

Your leading high quality local news magazine since 2003

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WELCOME

JULY 2022 | NO. 234

What’s inside this issue ABOUT AXIS

05-13 y Briefing Find out about the latest major news developments across our area

17-19 y Support our indies!

We all love local – right? Support these great independent businesses!

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)

26-31 y What’s on From Ware Festival to Battle Proms: the best events to go to this month

32-35 y Food & drink The pubs and restaurants which are perfect for a spot of al fresco dining

24-25 y WEDDINGS SHOWCASE GETTING MARRIED SOON? YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL SPECIALISTS Front cover images (clockwise from top) Detail from a work by Alan Davie, from a new book ‘Alan Davie in Hertford’ by Mark Hudson (p30); The Unthanks, who will be performing at Folk by the Oak at Hatfield Park (p29); Where the Crawdads Sing, a new film showing at local cinemas from 22nd July (p30); Artwork by Neil Robbins from his exhibition of Seascapes at The Gallery at Parndon Mill (p30).

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

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

ADVERTISE

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

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

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BRIEFING

NEWS WORTH KNOWING

Ware Library may be on the move from its historic home County council considers moving town’s library to former Peacocks store along High Street Ware’s library could be moving from its Grade 2 listed building next to Ware Priory to the former Peacocks shop further along the High Street.

Hertfordshire County Council, which is responsible for providing library services across the county, is looking to move the library out of the 18th Century former maltster’s house at 87 High Street which it says ‘does not lend itself to the delivery of a modern library service’.

It has agreed, subject to achieving planning permission for a change of use of the former Peacocks site at 43-45 High Street, to buy the freehold of that building which it says is one of only a few in the town of a suitably large size and not listed.

When the site became available, the council apparently made a better offer for it than the other party interested in the freehold, pub chain Wetherspoon.

The shop is currently occupied by another clothing retailer, Utopia.

Historic England describe the library’s current home as a ‘fine example of the house of a prosperous maltster, embellished with fashionable decorative features over the years’.

But while architecturally pleasing, the premises were one of 11 library sites identified by the county council, as part of its Inspiring Libraries strategy, that are limited in their ability to deliver the types of services expected today.

It says public areas are poorly laid out, a mezzanine area presents access difficulties for people with disabilities and the space to provide services including books, IT and digital offerings is limited.

There is also no public meeting room to enable the library to provide community activities.

The change of use of the former Peacocks shop would result in the loss of retail premises in the town centre although it could be argued that a library could play a social and cultural role and attract additional footfall through the holding of events and activities.

Ware Library could move from its current home (top) down High Street to the former Peacocks shop currently occupied by Utopia

Hertfordshire County Council will determine its own change of use planning application which you will find on its website (refer-

ence PL/0270/22). The application can also be viewed on East Herts Council’s website (reference 3/22/1155/CPO).

New M11 junction 7a is opened north of Harlow The new junction 7a of the M11 at Harlow is now open after an official opening event on 9th June followed by its opening to traffic the following evening.

Work on the £76million scheme, which was funded by Essex County Council and National Highways, began in summer 2020 and despite the challenges of the past two years, was completed two months ahead of schedule.

It provides access onto and from the motorway between Junction 7 for Harlow and Junction 8 for Bishop’s Stortford and will un-

doubtedly speed up journey times in the area by reducing the amount of traffic on roads, including the A414, leading south towards junction 7.

The scheme included widening and improving Gilden Way plus the creation of a new link road connecting Gilden Way and the junction via new roundabouts on either side of the motorway.

The junction was officially opened

by Essex County Council’s cabinet member for infrastructure Cllr Lesley Wagland and Harlow MP Robert Halfon who said: “Back

in 2007, before I was first elected as the Member of Parliament, I started a campaign called Fed Up With Harlow Traffic.

“The purpose of this campaign was to get an extra road junction built for our town to help ease the traffic gridlock whenever there is an accident or roadworks of any kind.

“Not only will this junction help to ease the flow of traffic, it will boost Harlow’s economy by unlocking thousands more jobs and homes, and by bringing even more business investment into our town.”

Cllr Lesley Wagland and Harlow MP Robert Halfon do the honours axis magazine 5

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BRIEFING

The Vault revealed as first restaurant tenant at Lea Wharf The Vault, a bar and restaurant which already has a site in Shenfield near Brentwood, has been revealed as the first confirmed food and drink tenant at the new Lea Wharf development in Hertford.

Already known to be moving in when the site opens next year are Boots and a new NHS medical centre.

Chase New Homes, which is developing the former Bircherley Green shopping centre site, says that negotiations are continuing on the other commercial units.

Axis understand these are with a gym, beauty salon and coffee shop as well as other restaurants.

Meanwhile, the developer is awaiting approval of its bid to alter its planning permission so that the

Lea Wharf is expected to revitalise the centre of Hertford when it opens next year

empty part of the site which had been earmarked for a hotel can be considered separately to the main development.

If its application is approved by East Herts Council it would pave the way for the site, on the corner of Railway Street and Bircherley

Street, to be sold for a different use, which Axis understands is almost certain to be for retirement properties.

Residents offered free one-week leisure centre passes

An aerial view of Northgate End multi-storey and its official opening, while the Causeway car park lies unused

Out with the old and in with new in Stortford car park swap Bishop’s Stortford’s new multistorey car park at Northgate End opened in June, marking what East Herts Council said was a major milestone in its redevelopment plans for the area.

The new car park offers 573 parking spaces, including 54 electrical vehicle charging points and 31 disabled bays. Entry is between 7am and 11pm (exit at all times) with chargeable hours between 7.30am and 8pm. Payment is by cash, card or the PayByPhone app.

Councillors and representatives from Bishop’s Stortford BID,

the Chamber of Commerce and Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership gathered to celebrate the opening which has achieved the council’s aim of freeing up the town’s nearby surface level car parking at Charringtons and Causeway for redevelopment.

Those two car parks have now closed and are part of an area known as Old River Lane which is earmarked for arts, retail, office, leisure and residential space.

Due to a planning condition for the new car park the Causeway now lies empty and the council is

currently seeking other ways in which the space can be used before redevelopment work begins, which is not likely to be until next year.

East Herts Council leader Linda Haysey said: “The completion of the Northgate End multi-storey car park is a very exciting milestone and moves us a step closer to wider Old River Lane revitalisation plans. Consolidating parking means we can build a new arts hub, shopping and leisure spaces, breathing new life into this part of town and ensuring its long term prosperity.”

A campaign from Hertfordshire County Council to encourage residents, particularly the over 55s, to become more active is offering those who sign up a free one-week pass to their local leisure centre.

The It’s Never Too Late to be Active campaign aims to address falling levels of activity associated with age and also the impact of the pandemic. It runs until 29th July.

Not only does inactivity have an impact on the health of residents, it costs the local economy in excess of £16million a year as a result of treating diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and strokes which an active lifestyle can help prevent.

The campaign encourages people to become more active by helping them find new activities that they will enjoy, while supporting them to achieve their activity goals. The first campaign, which ran in 2018, saw more than 3,600 residents taking part, a huge 79% of whom increased their levels of activity to more than 90 minutes per week.

While it is focused on older people, adults of any age can sign up at Hertfordshire.gov.uk/nevertoolate, via the dedicated helpline 01992 555627 or at your local library. axis magazine 7

BRIEFING

Broxbourne maps out a positive future for Waltham Cross Public’s views sought on plans for Park Plaza North site and town centre Broxbourne Council is inviting the public to comment on two documents which will help shape development in and around Waltham Cross.

The consultations, on plans for the Park Plaza North site next to Travelodge on the A10, and separate but potentially interrelated plans for the future of Waltham Cross Town Centre, run until Friday 15th July.

Park Plaza North As revealed in the May issue of Axis a ten-hectare piece of land that runs alongside the A10 between the Travelodge hotel and Winston Churchill Way, and which extends eastwards to the railway line, has been put up for sale by owners IKEA. Aware of the site’s strategic importance at the southern gateway to the borough, Broxbourne is keen that any

proposals brought forward by future owners are appropriate to this. By drawing up and adopting its Park Plaza North Development Brief Supplementary Planning Document stating its own vision for the land, it will have a recognised set of criteria against which to assess future planning applications.

The document states that the council would like to see a mix of business, industrial and logistics uses on the site. It is seeking a conceptual masterplan featuring a new Park Plaza Station to serve the immediate area, which will soon host the new Sunset Studios TV and film studios on land to the west of the A10 as well as a new data facility and the council’s own new business centre farther along the road at Maxwells Farm.

It suggests Park Plaza North could provide a new home for furniture store Fishpools, which is keen

The Park Plaza North site – Travelodge and Newsprinters are on the right

to relocate from Waltham Cross town centre, and suggests the store’s new building could be the flagship development at the site.

Other potential occupants could be businesses being displaced by redevelopment works in other parts of the borough – for example those at the New River

Trading Estate at Brookfield and at Delamere Road in Cheshunt.

If other bulky goods retailers including Wickes and Homebase were also to move from the town centre to Park Plaza North it would free up their sites for use as part of the planned regeneration of Waltham Cross.

A ‘living and working town centre’ Waltham Cross Town Centre The second document being consulted on, The Waltham Cross Town Centre Planning Framework, introduces the council’s proposed approach to development opportunities within the town centre.

The local authority has already seen a number of planning applications for sites in the town centre come forward.

Two of those, one for the redevelopment of the TFC supermarket into 16 apartments and another for a new 60-room Travelodge hotel on the former Poundland site at 118 High Street, have already been approved.

Broxbourne has also given permission for a 135-bedroom aparthotel on the former Embassy Cinema site at 88-102 High Street, although another application is now seeking residential development there.

Now the council has identified a large number of other possible redevelopment sites in the town.

Its planning framework will aim to ensure that they are not 8 axis magazine

all redeveloped on a piecemeal basis but that applications can be considered as part of a bigger masterplan for the town centre which in the medium to long term brings about the regeneration of the town.

The council says it wants to see a ‘living and working town centre’ that is more active into the evenings. New high quality residential development is a potential way of achieving this together with opportunities for businesses to support these new residents and in turn thrive themselves.

The northern High Street area could become a new mixed use quarter with residential development above ground floor commercial premises. If sites including Homebase, Wickes and Sawyers Court were redeveloped a more attractive gateway to the town could be created.

Other ‘opportunity sites’ among the 13 identified in the framework include Fishpools’ current building in the High Street which could offer commercial space at ground

Waltham Cross Town Centre with the landmark Fishpools store on the left. A new site for the furniture store is mooted at Park Plaza North

floor level with 51 apartments; The Pavilions shopping centre site which offers the potential for a tall landmark building providing ground floor commercial space along with 120 new homes; the adjacent Conservative Club which could be redeveloped to provide ground floor commercial space and 70 new homes; and the Royal Mail depot which could again provide ground floor commercial space along with 70 apartments.

Together, all 13 sites could provide an additional 1,000

homes in the town centre to help drive its regeneration.

While the council owns a couple of the identified sites, the majority are in private ownership so the possibilities for each in the report are aspirational rather than definitely set to become reality.

How to have your say Everyone is invited to view and comment on both documents.

You will find them online at Broxbourne.gov.uk/consultations until Friday 15th July.

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BRIEFING

A critical incident and 13-hour A&E waits: the pressures facing our hospitals are laid bare The pressures currently being faced by emergency departments at our local hospitals were highlighted over two days in June.

A&E wait at Princess Alexandra Footage filmed in the crowded emergency department of Harlow’s Princess Alexandra Hospital just after the Jubilee bank holiday on Monday 6th June, and posted on social media, showed a nurse updating waiting patients with a warning that it could be 13 hours before some were seen by a doctor.

The nurse revealed there were 170 patients in the department, with 90 waiting to be seen and that the current wait time to see a doctor was seven and a half hours.

She added: “I will estimate that by the time I go home in the morning at 8 o’clock some of you will still be here waiting for a doctor because the wait will get up to 12 or 13 hours.”

She also revealed that there were no available beds in the hospital and while staff were trying to make more space, anyone admitted might not be taken straight to a ward but might have to remain in A&E for the night where staff would make them comfortable and do their best to look after them.

Critical incident at Lister The following day, pressure on its emergency department together with the closure of two wards following roof leaks after heavy rain, led East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust to declare a critical incident at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage.

Declaring a critical incident is a

What’s that green thing in the sky?

Air ambulance changes colour

Anyone who’s used to looking up when they hear a helicopter overhead to spot the distinctive red and yellow branding of Essex and Herts Air Ambulance will notice a change this month.

While the charity’s AW169 helicopter that flies from North Weald air base is undergoing its annual service and maintenance, it has been replaced by a distinctive bright green stand-in.

EHAAT operations director Chris Gale said: “The only thing that is different is the helicopter’s

warning that an organisation is at risk of losing its ability to deliver critical services such as emergency care, and alerts other organisations that support might be needed to restore normal functioning.

At the same time, the hospital issued a plea to patients on social media saying: “Our A&E

colour. The replacement is exactly the same model, it will fly with the same crew (pilot, co-pilot, pre-hospital care doctor and critical care paramedic) and it will carry the same equipment the critical care teams need to enable them to deliver first class pre-hospital emergency medical services to the people of Essex, Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas.”

To find out more or to make a donation visit ehaat.org.

department at Lister Hospital is extremely busy. Please only come to the department if you have a life and limb-threatening injury or illness.”

The incident was stood down by the following day although the emergency department remained very busy.

County to phase out using landfill for waste by 2025 Hertfordshire County Council has signed new contracts for the disposal of the county’s residual (black bin) waste that will enable it to stop sending waste to landfill sites by 2025.

After a plan for residual waste to be handled by environmental services company Veolia was abandoned in 2019 following the company’s failure to gain planning permission for a new energy from waste facility first in Hatfield, later in Hoddesdon, the council has been reliant on short term contracts to meet its waste disposal requirements.

These have seen material sent to a combination of energy from waste plants and landfill sites.

Under the new long-term contracts which will run from April 2024 for ten years, with an option to extend, and once new planned shredding facilities are operational, all of the county’s waste will be able to be sent to energy recovery facilities with none going to landfill.

The contracts are with Cory Topco, Indaver Rivenhall, Viridor Oxfordshire and Veolia ES UK. The council’s executive member for the environment, Cllr Eric Buckmaster, said: “We want to create a cleaner and greener environment in Hertfordshire, so being able to stop sending waste to landfill sites is really a significant step for us. Of course, we want to help our residents throw away less, and to reuse or recycle as much as possible, but we’re still left with around 250,000 tonnes a year that we need to dispose of, and these new contracts will help us do that in a more environmentally sustainable way.”

Non direct debit council tax payers urged to apply now for £150 energy rebate East Herts Council is urging anyone who doesn’t pay council tax by direct debit to make sure that they apply for the £150 rebate announced by the Government to help households with rising energy bills.

The grant is being offered to those whose properties fall within council tax bands A to D. 10 axis magazine

Residents who pay by direct debit will receive the rebate automatically. But around 8,000 people in the district who don’t pay by direct debit have still to apply for the money, which must be paid by September.

Spread the word The council’s executive member for

financial sustainability, Cllr Geoffrey Williamson, said: “We need to encourage anyone who has not yet applied for the rebate to do so promptly and are appealing to residents to support us in spreading the word to their friends, relatives and neighbours.

“We’ve made the application process as straightforward as

possible and our team is here to help if needed.

“You’re still entitled to the payment even if you pay less than £150 council tax, receive the single person discount or do not pay because you receive council tax support.”

To apply visit the council’s website eastherts.gov.uk.

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BRIEFING

HERTFORD & STORTFORD MP JULIE MARSON’S MONTHLY CONSTITUENCY UPDATE

JULIE MARSON MP FOR HERTFORD & STORTFORD

Jess’s Law aims to stop any more families suffering

Andrea and Simon Brady (centre), pictured with me and North East Hertfordshire MP Sir Oliver Heald, taking the campaign to Downing Street

I raised an important issue in Parliament earlier this month about early cancer diagnosis in young people that many people across Hertfordshire know about.

The campaign I support is called Jess’s Law and is named after local engineer Jess Brady who sadly died of the disease aged just 27.

I held a Parliamentary debate in Westminster Hall where I called on the Government to implement Jess’s Law. It simply asks that after the third contact with a GP surgery about a condition or symptom, the case should be elevated for review.

As I said during the debate, I wished I was not raising the issue of cancer in young adults.

But I took strength from Jess’s parents Simon and Andrea Brady who were in Westminster Hall to watch and who bravely campaign for Jess’s Law so no other family should go through the tragedy that befell them.

Jess was a talented satellite engineer for Airbus. She died on 20th December 2020. She had

It had spread throughout her body to her spine, liver, stomach, lungs and lymph nodes.

Devastatingly, had someone taken the initiative to closely review Jess’s case and examine the evidence, cancer screening would have been an obvious requirement.

I told the debate that Jess’s age was a key issue. Many people, including GPs, do not expect to see a young adult with cancer, and that affects their diagnostic processes and judgement.

This is why it is important to have Jess’s Law, especially when the cancer charity CLIC Sargent found that around half of young people visited their GP at least three times before their cancer was diagnosed.

This was such a waste of life but Jess is not forgotten. On the day of her funeral, a satellite that she helped to design was launched into space from Cape Canaveral. It was inscribed with the words “Thank you, Jess!”

The Government is now looking at this issue. The minister Maria

Jess Brady was a talented satellite engineer for Airbus

been feeling unwell and losing weight and vomiting in mid-2020.

She was not seen by a GP even though she had more than 20 contacts with her surgery.

She had 17 remote consultations with four different GPs but they said she was most likely suffering from long Covid.

Jess discovered that she had stage 4 adenocarcinoma.

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Caulfield offered her apologies and condolences to Mr and Mrs Brady.

“If we can prevent a similar tragedy from happening to another family, we must do absolutely everything we can to make sure we do,” she said.

The Government has invested £2.3billion in the roll-out of community diagnostic centres so that patients with non-specific symptoms that GPs cannot get to the bottom of can be referred straightaway.

Ministers have set a target that, by 2028, 75% of all cancers should be diagnosed at stages 1 or 2.

A 10-year cancer strategy is now being formulated and the minister said it will contain a section on children and young people.

Jess touched many people’s lives.

I have renewed confidence her death will bring forward change. l If you need my help on any subject do not hesitate to get in contact via email at julie.marson.mp@parliament.uk.

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SHOPPING & BUSINESS NEWS

Cellar Door Wines opens its second shop at Stable Yard Cellar Door Wines is the latest shop opening in The Stable Yard at Hatfield House.

This high quality, independent wine shop has been established in St Albans since 2004 and is co-owned by Penny Edwards and Peter Lilliott.

Penny and Peter source a lot of their wines from small, family producers and boutique wine makers around the world, and feature many exclusive wines sourced through a small buying group. They aim to offer interesting wines that you won’t find on supermarket shelves.

They sell wines ranging from under £10 to over £100 a bottle

and categorise the wines by style rather than country or grape variety.

Penny, whose own buying specialities are South African and Italian wines, says they help customers choose wines they might not have considered, after having spoken to them about what they most enjoy.

Currently open five days a week (Tuesday to Saturday) and with a diary of tasting events coming soon, Cellar Door Wines is certainly a great addition to Hatfield’s bijou and interesting Stable Yard.

Visit cellardoorwines.co.uk to find out more.

Cheshunt Marriott hotel reopens under Delta brand after major refurbishment

Darlings of Chelsea brings a new furniture showroom to Hertford Darlings of Chelsea has opened a new furniture showroom in Hertford.

It is occupying the unit on the former Gates of Hertford site in Gascoyne Way. The business, which also has showrooms in Birmingham, Parsons Green and Surrey, sells 14 axis magazine

quality, handcrafted, luxury sofas, corner sofas and sofa beds, as well as beds, mattresses, chairs and footstools.

The Hertford showroom is open six days a week and can be found in Gascoyne Way at SG13 8EL. Visit darlingsofchelsea.co.uk for more information.

The Delta by Marriott Cheshunt has opened following a multi-million-pound investment carried out by Focus Hotels Management.

The transformation of the 140-bedroom hotel and conference centre in Halfhide Lane has seen a significant refurbishment of bedrooms,

meeting rooms and public areas.

The hotel has superfast broadband and a comfortable lounge, bar and restaurant.

Contact the hotel on 01992 926700 or by email to info@deltamarriottcheshunt.com.

Mayor of Broxbourne Cllr Paul Seeby is pictured above at the official opening.

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Citrus-flavoured July Victoria Rex, owner of The Women’s Society Boutique, picks her summer favourites

Coccinelle Lea rucksack, geranium, £285

Essentiel Antwerp Bogota shoulder bag, yellow, £160

This summer, wardrobes have had a refresh featuring delicious oranges, yellows and reds. The juicy Essentiel Antwerp pieces are wholesome and charming – you only need a couple of accessories to make you shine.

We have everything from voluminous, flowy dresses that will take you from a day at the beach to dinner at night, to chic kimono-shaped tops and stylish Italian leather handbags that will add a luxurious touch to your outfit.

Coccinelle is our newest brand that evokes timeless designs based on the brand’s craftsmanship and traditional approach to

Essentiel Antwerp Bellaggio knitted poncho, orange, £180

Essentiel Antwerp Bemerald shirt dress, yellow, £160

Coccinelle Liya rafia bag, natural, £298

Coccinelle Bonheur rafia bag, natural, £155

accessories, making them a perfect addition to every wardrobe. We absolutely love the brand’s take on the rafia collection, which brings together the summery and elegant.

Explore our holiday edit in the boutique or visit us online.

Inspired by this zesty edit?

Our up to 50% off sale in store and online now includes all the pieces on this page!

Coccinelle Best crossbody bag, apricot, £125

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

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

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

The Women’s Society Boutique 2 St Andrew Street, Hertford, SG14 1JA 01992 500122 www.womens-society.co.uk Open Mon-Sat 10-5pm axis magazine 15

EnhancE your homE with Herts & essex WindoWs & doors 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

Julie Marson MP Working Hard for Hertford & Stortford

julie.marson.mp@parliament.uk juliemarson.org.uk JulieMarson.MP @JulieMarsonMP This ad is funded through allowances available to the MP

16 axis magazine

Ltd

SHOPPING & BUSINESS NEWS

SPONSORED CONTENT

Marketing Mouse celebrates one year in Hertford by offering free digital services for local businesses Independent digital marketing specialist is offering a free website, online advertising or SEO audit to three lucky local businesses Marketing Mouse, a local digital marketing agency, is offering businesses and organisations in East Hertfordshire the opportunity to benefit from free website design, online advertising and search engine optimisation (SEO) services. The offer is in celebration of Marketing Mouse’s successful first year in Hertford.

The creation of Marketing Mouse is a rare positive story to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. Explaining what inspired him to start the company, founder Jesse Hopkins said: “I love Hertford and the surrounding area. I moved here with my wife four years ago from London and our quality of life has improved massively thanks to the friendly people, welcoming environment and stellar local businesses.

“I actually started Marketing Mouse in October 2019 on the side of full-time employment. The inspiration to start the business came from that deeply rewarding feeling you get when helping people, as well as my desire to offer sound digital marketing services at a cost-effective rate. After 10 years in the industry, it felt like the right time to go for it.”

Seizing the opportunity Lockdown and furlough turned out to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Jesse who used

the newfound time to take Marketing Mouse full-time. Jesse said: “The free time allowed me to work with more clients and quit my job. Last July, I finally registered Marketing Mouse as a limited company. Now, I would really like to give something back to Hertford and its surrounding areas. There are so many great businesses here and we’d love the opportunity to get more involved.”

Experience and expertise The Marketing Mouse team have experience and expertise in helping businesses with their online presence. Jesse said: “We’re already working with some great local companies; Glowfront Heating Solutions in Hertford, The Language Factory in St Albans and Best Reception in Ware, to name but a few.”

Athena Sofroniou, based in Bishop’s Stortford and co-founder of Little Boo Boo, an online children’s toys store that specialises in sustainable products, posted online: “Jesse has been amazing and so far, we have had a great experience with him and Marketing Mouse. He listened to everything we wanted and built us our brilliant website … if you are looking for someone to build and maintain your website or just need the marketing side of things then look no further!”

Jesse Hopkins is the founder of Marketing Mouse

How to win a free website – and more Marketing Mouse is offering one service per organisation, completely free. Jesse said: “This is not simply a free trial.

We are offering to create a whole website for one organisation, set up and manage online advertising for two months for another organisation and produce a full SEO audit and action plan for a third company.

These services are worth thousands.”

Jesse is keen to stress that this isn’t about taking businesses away from the high street. He said: “We are an advocate for the high street. Projects such as Bircherley Green in Hertford

bring us great joy. Town centres are needed in our society and more needs to be done to support them. Our digital marketing services can help lead customers who are online to offline services, for example, visiting a local restaurant, hotel or shop.”

Businesses that are registered, or have a physical presence, in East Hertfordshire can apply for one of the free services by scanning the QR code, visiting www.themarketingmouse.co.uk or by calling 01992 236069. The full terms and conditions are also available to view online.

The successful three businesses will be announced in August.

axis magazine 17

LOCAL

INDEPENDENT

Show your support for the local businesses at the heart of our community

LANDSEER PICTURE FRAMING WARE

FASHION FLOORING & INTERIORS BISHOP’S STORTFORD

POST & PACKING HERTFORD

Landseer Picture Framing in Ware can frame all your memorabilia from medals, badges, rosettes, programmes and tickets to sports shirts for adults or children. And, of course, they can frame any of your photos and artwork.

The shop also sells handmade earthenware and stoneware sculptures produced by local artists, as well as a wide selection of framed prints and many ready-made standard sized photo frames.

Fashion Flooring & Interiors offers everything you need to style your home. Its first shop in High Street has a huge range of carpets, hard flooring, luxury vinyl tiles and rugs on the ground floor while up on the first floor you will find fabrics galore for curtains, cushions and upholstery plus wallpapers, lighting and accessories. Its second shop, which opened last year just round the corner in Potter Street, is a lighting shop which also features a great range of accessories.

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

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

27b Baldock Street, Ware SG12 9DH 01920 486522 landseerpictureframes.co.uk

ASHBOURNE INSURANCE HODDESDON

1-3 High Street, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2LS 8 Potter Street, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3UL 01279 651514 | 01279 507744 fashionflooringandinteriors.co.uk

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

Award-winning Ashbourne Insurance is an independent, family-run broker which has been serving Broxbourne and East Herts customers for more than 40 years. They provide a one-stop service, from personal and complex commercial insurances to 24-hour claims advisory support. As an independent broker, they are able to search the whole market for insurance solutions at a price to suit any requirement: business, motor, home, travel, cyber or landlord insurance. They are authorised and regulated by the FCA.

HERTFORDSHIRE FIREPLACE GALLERY POTTERS BAR

HODDESDON TILE & BATHROOM CENTRE HODDESDON

The well-established Hertfordshire Fireplace Gallery opened its doors 20 years ago and continues to help customers with their fireplace requirements. They have the largest selection of fires and fireplaces in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas, and offer free surveys and free local delivery.

Installation by qualified Gas Safe and HETAS engineers is also available. So whether you would like a traditional limestone, marble or timber surround or the latest contemporary hole in the wall fires, call in today!

Hoddesdon Tile and Bathroom Centre is a family-run business that has been serving both retail and trade customers for more than 25 years. It has a tile showroom on the ground floor offering ceramic, porcelain and mosaic tiles along with all the accessories you might need, and a bathroom showroom upstairs showcasing a wide range of baths, showers, basins, toilets, taps and more. Open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-4pm.

50 Amwell Street, Hoddesdon EN11 8UA 01992 471001 | ashbourneinsurance.co.uk

9 Barnet Road, Potters Bar EN6 2QX 01707 657070 | hertsfireplacegallery.co.uk

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Unit 3c Geddings Road, Hoddesdon EN11 0NT 01992 470146 hoddesdontile-bathroomcentre.com

LOCAL

INDEPENDENT

Show your support for the local businesses at the heart of our community

FRENCH & DAY DELICATESSEN WARE

CRATES OF WOOL WARE

DOBSONS CHESHUNT

French & Day Delicatessen was opened in December 2020 and has quickly become a huge favourite with local foodies in Ware.

Owned by husband and husband team Thomas Day and Tom French, the independent High Street deli offers high quality food and drink with a focus on locally-sourced products.

Their all-British selection of meats and cheeses will be cut to order for you at their counter, whilst you sit in for a coffee, draught beer or wine by the glass.

Crates of Wool is a lovely, local, bricksand-mortar yarn store in the heart of Ware that offers superb personal service.

It is a treasure chest of yarns of all kinds: natural fibres, locally dyed yarn, standard acrylic, baby yarns and more, as well all you need to go with them. They also offer a range of workshops in knitting, crochet, macrame and weaving. The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm. Crates of Wool also offers local home delivery in SG12, 13 and 14 postcodes – order online or by phone.

Dobsons, established in 1935, is a family business based in Cheshunt that specialises in the design and installation of luxury kitchens, bathrooms, windows, doors and home renovations. Now run by the fourth generation of the Dobson family and with a large, recently refurbished showroom, they offer the complete service to their customers from design through to installation, all project managed in-house for a perfect seamless finish.

Their excellent customer service has earned them a 5* rating on Trustpilot.

55 High Street, Ware SG12 9BA 01920 461789 | frenchandday.co.uk

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

128 Turners Hill, Cheshunt EN8 9BN 01992 623066 | dobsonshome.com

CANNON TRAVEL HODDESDON

CHAPTER 79 HERTFORD

LOOPY LOU’S SOFT PLAY CAFE HODDESDON

Cannon Travel offers a wealth of advice, experience and expertise to help you find the right holiday.

This leading independent local travel agent is based in Hoddesdon and is fully ABTA bonded and ATOL protected.

You can book anything here, from a dream holiday to the other side of the world to a short city break or a coach trip to see a show in the West End, and you will always get fantastic independent advice, the very best prices and invaluable expertise.

Chapter 79, formerly known as Lance James the Jewellers, has just celebrated its 16th anniversary in Hertford. Jackie and Andy Benson and their team specialise in bespoke engagement and wedding rings and can supply rings from some of Europe’s finest jewellery houses such as Furrer-Jacot. They also stock the latest trends, including carbon fibre wedding bands, and sell a wide range of jewellery, showcasing silver collections by designers ChloBo, Virtue and San. An in-house repair and restoration service is available too.

Loopy Lou’s Soft Play Café has recently opened in Hoddesdon town centre and offers a much-needed local soft play facility for children as well as a café for parents and guardians. It is open 7 days a week and prices are really reasonable, starting from just £1 per session for under-1s, £3.50 for ages 3-5 and £5.50 for ages 5 and 6 during the week (£1 more at weekends). Loopy Lou’s also offers complete venue hire for children’s parties, including pizza parties where the kids get to make their own pizzas.

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

15 Market Place, Hertford SG14 1DQ 01992 534555 | chapter79.co.uk

Unit 30 The Old Maltings, Brewery Road, Hoddesdon EN11 8HF 01992 468104 | loopyloussoftplay.co.uk axis magazine 19

Meyer Williams Chartered Accountants

Helping to find effective solutions for your business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SHOPPING & BUSINESS NEWS

SPONSORED CONTENT

Re-election campaign continues Love Hoddesdon BID Ltd, the business improvement district covering Hoddesdon town centre, is seeking re-election for a further five-year term, so needs to convince local businesses in the BID area to vote ‘Yes’ this autumn!

Last month they made a presentation to Broxbourne Council on their draft business plan, which the council welcomed. It also indicated its support for re-election of the BID. The business plan can be viewed at lovehoddesdon.co.uk.

Meanwhile, it continues to gather views on the draft business plan, before it is finalised for circulation as part of the election process in August/September.

Supporting local businesses Local businesses are regularly kept updated about things associated with the town through weekly e-mail updates and

monthly networking breakfasts.

In addition, the BID has recently hosted training courses on developing a social media strategy and first aid, and also sponsored the Step2Skills Supported Jobs Fair at the Spotlight Theatre on Friday 1st July, where local businesses could discuss job opportunities with people with disabilities. If your business is interested in becoming a voluntary member email lovehoddesdon@outlook.com.

Improving the look and feel of Hoddesdon Following continued lobbying

by Love Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire County Council has now completed basic improvements to all five subways on Dinant Link Road and Charlton Way to get them ‘fit for purpose’, with the exception of one tunnel linking Brewery Road to Lampits, which has been earmarked for a mural artwork project. Broxbourne Council will seek to keep the subways clean and tidy. Love Hoddesdon is also looking to link this into the proposals coming out of its Young Entrepreneurs project

and involve local young people in designing the mural artwork.

Meanwhile, Love Hoddesdon has again worked with Broxbourne Council to help fund extensive floral displays throughout the town over the summer months.

Attracting people to visit the town The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations in the town were extremely well received with around 1,500 attending the Jubilee Beacon lighting and a further 8,000 enjoying the Jubilee Street Party. It is estimated around 15,000 visited the town across the Jubilee Bank Holiday.

Looking ahead, Love Hoddesdon will be working with Broxbourne Council to fill the town with an array of vehicles for the Vintage and Classic Car Day on Saturday 9th July, will be working with the Hoddesdon Allstars, who represent a number of local bands, to deliver the Rock Around the Clock Tower music event on Sunday 21st August and a variety of food operators to bring the Food and Drink Fest back into the town on Saturday 17th September.

Further recognition for Love Hoddesdon At its June Networking Breakfast, Love Hoddesdon was awarded Morrisons’ Moments of Hope People’s Choice Award in recognition of the BID going above and beyond to support our local community.

This followed an online poll of local residents.

Love Hoddesdon continues to improve the vitality and vibrancy of the town to the benefit of local businesses and residents.

Morrisons’ Claire Bayless presents the award to BID manager Tony Cox

Then make sure you…

Do you…

Hoddesdon

SHOP LOCAL EAT LOCAL SPEND LOCAL

www.lovehoddesdon.co.uk axis magazine 21

PROPERTY NEWS

Just two plots remain at The Crescent in Goffs Oak There are just two plots remaining at Stonebond’s recently released new development The Crescent in Goffs Oak. Situated on Newgatestreet Road, the development is a collection of new homes set around a meadowstyle green just minutes from all the amenities of the village itself, Cheshunt and Cuffley, and within easy reach of direct rail services into central London.

Stonebond have developed a reputation for developments of high quality homes in prime locations of which The Crescent is an example.

The development offers an abundance of communal space giving homes room to breathe.

Interiors are elegant and stylish while sustainability is at the heart of designs.

There is underfloor heating to the ground floor of every home, low energy lighting throughout,

22 axis magazine

A-rated appliances where possible, eco sanitary-ware, and some homes have solar panels and smart meters.

Kitchens feature the latest Bosch integrated appliances and all benefit from an integrated wine cooler.

Master bedrooms offer built-in wardrobes and shower ensuites while all main bathrooms have white contemporary sanitaryware, recessed storage, heated towel rails and soft close toilet seats.

All bedrooms are generously sized, bright and airy while carpet runs throughout the homes to provide comfort.

The two available properties, both four-bedroom and detached, are plots one and four.

You can download a brochure about the development from stonebondproperties.com or call 01245 377299 for more information.

What’s on Guide

Coming soon in Stevenage 2 July 11am-4pm

Events for All at Stevenage Museum

23-July

Jobs Fair

Wednesday 27 July 11am – 3pm

Teddy Bears Picnic Family event Hampson Park

30-July

Outdoor Cinema, Town Square

30 July

Bedwell Community Centre fun day

3 August - 26 August 11am-12noon and 2-3pm

Summer Holidays at Stevenage Museum

12-August

Get Active

19-August

Animal Crackers, Town Square

15-October

Stevenage International Day, Town Centre

29-October

Halloween-Tastic, Town Centre

1 - 12 November

Dear Santa Competition

1 November (Date TBC)

Purple Tuesday

05-November

Poppy Making Workshop, Indoor market

25 November 22 - 1 January 23 (Dates TBC)

Christmas Market

26 November (Date TBC)

Christmas Light Switch On

10-December

Indoor Market Christmas Gala

Indoor Market, St George’s Way, Stevenage, SG1 1EP https://www.stevenagetowncentre.com/indoor-market

hair

•

beauty

•

tan

BRIDAL Bespoke & personal service from your trial to your wedding day Bridal hair, wedding makeup & nails We create your perfect look Contact Team Hive to discuss

9 Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1DA 01992 910143 info@thehivehertford.co.uk www.thehivehertford.co.uk 24 axis magazine

COULD YOUR BUSINESS AND AXIS BE A PERFECT MATCH? CALL US ON

01992 500198 to discuss advertising with us

WEDDINGS SHOWCASE

Best of the wedding fairs coming up this year Organisation is the key to a great wedding and attending wedding fairs is a crucial part of many couples’ preparation, right from the beginning of their planning for the big day.

As so many ceremonies tend to take place during the summer months, for the obvious reasons, the season is a quiet one for fairs, but autumn brings with it a veritable cascade of them.

So here is advance notice of some of the best ones coming up later this year.

All fairs will feature an array of wedding suppliers while those which act as venues will also offer you the opportunity to have a proper look round to envisage how your wedding could look.

Some fairs will also hold catwalk bridalwear shows. Many will ask you to register in advance and details of all of these fairs can be found online.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY The North Hertfordshire Wedding Fair Hotel Cromwell, Old Stevenage Sunday 18th September

Bridal hair from The Hive

Hanbury Manor Wedding Show Hanbury Manor, Ware Sunday 18th September Down Hall Wedding Show Down Hall, Hatfield Heath Sunday 25th September The Hertfordshire Wedding Fair The Alban Arena, St Albans Sunday 9th October

Tewin Bury Farm Hotel Wedding Show Tewin Bury Farm, Tewin, near Welwyn Sunday 16th October and finally....

The East Hertfordshire Wedding Fair Ware Priory, Ware Sunday 13th November.

The Hive, which is an organic hair and beauty salon in the centre of Hertford, offers specialist bridal services for a bride and her party’s big day.

You will receive bespoke service and personal attention from the team from your trial to your wedding day, including bridal hair, nails and makeup to create your perfect look.

Contact Team Hive to discuss your requirements on 01992 910143 or, for more about the salon, visit thehivehertford.co.uk.

The place to buy your wedding rings

Historic Ware Priory is a fairytale venue Ware Priory has been the venue for so many magical weddings for local people down the years, and now the historic venue in the centre of Ware is fit to host even more after its refurbishment last year.

Improvements to the picturesque

venue included many to the riverside grounds, as well as internal refurbishments.

The friendly weddings team at the Priory are always happy to take enquiries. Call them on 01920 460316 or visit warepriory.co.uk.

Gents’ 2-colour wedding bands

Gents’ tantalum & titanium rings

Chapter79 are wedding ring specialists who have helped hundreds of couples choose the perfect rings to start a new chapter of their lives together.

The shop in Hertford’s Market Place has an extensive collection of many styles and designs, including diamond-set and shaped rings to fit any engagement ring.

Chapter79 also specialises in contemporary materials such as carbon fibre, tantalum, titanium

and stainless steel, which are increasingly popular with couples looking for something different.

Carbon fibre, available in black or white, can be combined with super-tough stainless steel, strong, lightweight and hypoallergenic titanium, or the new heavyweight, dark blue-grey tantalum for a striking wedding ring design.

Chapter79 is at 15 Market Place, Hertford. Call 01992 534555 or visit chapter79.co.uk. axis magazine 25

SAVOUR THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS AND SCENTS OF SUMMER. HATFIELD HOUSE, PARK AND GARDENS ARE OPEN TO VISITORS NOW.

Explore the park & gardens

Indulge at the Stable Yard Shops & restaurant

Book an exclusive experience in the park

SPACE TO LIVE, WORK, MEET & RELAX

WWW.HATFIELDPARK.CO.UK | 01707 287010 | VISITORS @ HATFIELD-HOUSE.CO.UK

WHAT’S ON

THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO GO

Summer walking: a great way to enjoy our local countryside LOCAL WALKING GROUP MARKS 15 YEARS There is no better time of year to get out and enjoy the countryside by going for a walk.

One way to do so is to join a local walkers’ group, such as Stag Ramblers, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

This friendly and sociable group is primarily aimed at younger people (20s-30s and a bit beyond) and offers a range of led walks across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and south Cambridgeshire.

Formed from humble beginnings back in 2007, the group now leads keen walkers on hikes every weekend and currently has more than 120 members.

Group chair Al Maceachern believes the nation’s new-found love of walking means ramblers’ groups are enjoying a real resurgence and have a bright future. He said: “Increasing numbers of people turned to walking during lockdown, either for exercise, relieving stress or spending some valuable time with someone for a socially distanced catch-up.

“One of walking’s advantages is that it can be done relatively cheaply. Other than some comfortable walking shoes and

Stag Ramblers are celebrating their 15th anniversary this year and now have more than 120 members

weather-appropriate clothing, there is no need to buy expensive equipment – and you don’t need to travel far either.”

To find out more about the group and about upcoming walks, visit stagwalkers.org.uk.

CIRCULAR WALKS AROUND HERTFORD LAUNCHED Meanwhile, three new circular walking routes have been mapped out to get walkers going ‘Beyond Hartham Common’ around Hertford.

The three colour-coded walks include a Green Route of 3.5 miles north of Hertford to Bengeo and Waterford; an Orange Route of 7 miles through Panshanger Park, the Cole Green Way and back to Hertford Castle; and a Purple Route of 10 miles taking in the water meadows of King’s Meads, Post Wood, Hertford Heath and Balls Wood.

The routes can be viewed on a map at Hartham Common near the skate park or downloaded from eastherts.gov.uk/hartham common.

They have been developed by Hertfordshire County Council’s Rights of Way team on behalf of East Herts Council.

There is also an organised programme of walks promoted by the county council called Hertfordshire Health Walks, which covers everything from a 20-minute stroll to a 5 mile walk.

More information can be found at hertfordshire.gov.uk/ healthwalks.

Book for new Hoddesdon yoga studio

Return of the Musical Mystery Tour

A new yoga and wellbeing space has been introduced in the heart of Hoddesdon.

The charity Teens Unite Fighting Cancer has created the space within its HQ at the old police station in High Street.

Members of the public can also use the new space, through a series of timetabled pay as you go yoga and wellness classes, catering for all levels from beginners through to practising yogis. All profits go to Teens Unite. For more details visit thestudioteensunite.co.uk.

Hertford’s annual musical treat, the Musical Mystery Tour, is back after its Covid hiatus. The all-day long series of pop-up performances and concerts will take place at venues around the county town on Sunday 28th August.

There is still time for both venues and musicians to apply to take part – but as Axis went to press more than 100 artists had already applied, with a dozen venues on board too. This is likely to grow before the event – in the past 650 individual musicians from almost

every genre have played at 40 venues, from pubs and clubs to the library and in public spaces.

The event is sponsored by Hertford’s Rivertown Brewing, part of McMullens.

For more information visit hertfordmusicfestival.co.uk. axis magazine 27

WHAT’S ON

Ware Festival features Riverside Ale Festival and Rock in the Priory Ware Festival was due to launch with its Carnival Day (2nd July, previewed in last month’s Axis) and now continues with a series of events throughout the month.

The entertainment begins with Ware Operatic Society’s first summer show since 2019, called Let’s Go To The Movies. It’s a medley from Oscar-wining films, and there are two performances – on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th at The Drill Hall in Amwell End at 7.30pm.

Saturday 9th July There is a whole host of events on Saturday 9th, beginning with the annual raft race on the River Lea. The 11 teams will be on the water at Town Quay at 12.30pm – go along to cheer them on!

Ware Bowls Club hosts a putting competition from 1.30-3pm – it’s great fun for all the family and entry is just £2 for adults and £1 for children.

Pick up an entry form from Ware

Crowds enjoy a previous Rock in the Priory. The outdoor concert returns this year on Sunday 17th July

Priory or Ware Library.

Fletcher’s Lea at Ware Priory is the venue for the 8th Riverside Ale Festival from noon to 11pm.

With 24 real ales and ciders, plus wine, soft drinks, live music, free face painting and a wandering caricaturist, it’s a great day out.

Families welcome throughout the afternoon. Tickets are £2.

The grounds of the Priory will be decorated during a pavement

artists’ competition from 2-3.15pm too.

The annual duck race is at Ware Lock at 2.30pm, run by Space Herts. Visit spaceherts.org.uk.

Sunday 10th July Leaside Community Centre hold a Strawberry Tea from 2-5pm, and the ever-popular Lip Service Brass Band will play in the Priory grounds from 3-5pm – entry is free.

ROCK IN THE PRIORY The festival’s next big set-piece event is a week later, on Sunday 17th July, and it’s a welcome return for Ware’s outdoor music festival, Rock in the Priory.

A fabulous line-up of live music is promised from a stage on the Priory Island. Tickets are just £5 and full details of the day and line-up can be found at rockinthepriory.co.uk.

WARE PRIORY SUNDAY 17th JULY GATES OPEN 12NOON ON A119 jusT NORTH OF HERTFORd

A wEEkENd OF jOYOus CElEbRATiON

23rd & 24th JULY 2022 11am - 4pm SERVICE OF CELEBRATION LED BY THE BISHOP OF ST ALBANS: SUNDAY 10AM - ALL INVITED

TICKETS £5 www.rockinthepriory.co.uk 28 axis magazine

Teas, coffees and homemade cakes available throughout the weekend in the Village Hall. Talks sharing historical information and interesting facts will take place both days at 12pm, 1.30 pm and 3pm in the church. The hall will also host a display of archive information and documents to inspire discovery of the history of this exceptional church and village.

FREE ENTRY

WHAT’S ON

THE BEST OF THE OPEN AIR EVENTS TO GO TO THIS SUMMER OPEN AIR CINEMA

OPEN AIR THEATRE

The Luna at Knebworth plus Hertford Castle

The Roman Theatre at St Albans

Hertford Castle

THE LUNA CINEMA The Luna Cinema returns to Knebworth House in July.

Four films will be shown from Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th July.

First up, appropriately enough, is Oasis at Knebworth 1996, on Thursday, followed by West Side Story on Friday 8th, Grease on Saturday 9th and Romeo and Juliet on Sunday 10th. Gates open at 7.45pm, 90 minutes before performance time at 9.15pm. Tickets from £17.50 – book at thelunacinema.com.

HERTFORD CASTLE Tickets are now available for Hertford Castle’s open air cinema showings on Friday 19th August.

Three films will be shown, Raya and the Last Dragon and Encanto during the day for family audiences and The Bodyguard in the evening.

Raya and the Last Dragon shows at 10am; Encanto at 2pm and The Bodyguard at 7pm; gates open one hour before the start of each screening. You can take your own picnic chair and food and drink or buy refreshments from food and drinks stalls.

Tickets are £3 for the daytime screenings and £7 for The Bodyguard. You can buy them online at hertford.gov.uk/events or from Hertford Town and Tourist Information Centre in The Wash (01992 584322).

St Albans’ historic Roman Theatre is an outstanding place to enjoy open air theatre performances and theatre company Ovo has begun a threemonth residency at the venue by Verulamium Park.

There are performances throughout July and August including Ovo’s own productions of The Importance of Being Earnest from 2nd to 17th July and Little Women from 2rd to 14th August.

Other groups will also visit for either one-off productions or shorter runs, with plays including The Wind in the Willows from 20th to 24th July; Jekyll and Hyde on 25th and 26th July; The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) from 27th to 30th July and The Woman in White from 17th to 21st August.

The theatre is in Bluehouse Hill,

VINTAGE CAR SHOW Hoddesdon town centre hosts a classic and vintage car display on Saturday 9th July from 10am to 4pm.

MUDLARKS OPEN DAY Mudlarks open their allotments to the public on Sunday 10th July from 12noon to 3pm when visitors can see the work of the charity and enjoy fun activities.

The event is at Cromwell Road allotments, Hertford SG13 7DP. Entry is free. Mudlarks is a charity that supports adults with learning disabilities and mental health concerns.

St Albans AL3 6AE and parking is at Verulamium Museum, a five-minute walk away. Tickets range from £7.50 to £23.50 depending on the show – book at ovo.org.uk, where you will also find full details of all the shows.

OPEN AIR CONCERTS

RSPB GROUP WALKS SE Herts RSPB group welcomes new members and has a series of walks coming up, including King’s Meads on Friday 15th July, Broxbourne Woods on Wednesday 20th July and Hertford Heath and Balls Wood on 17th August.

Visit group.rspb.org.uk/ southeasthertfordshire for more.

FESTIVAL ON THE FIELD St Catherine’s School in Hoddesdon presents its 2022 Festival on the Field on Friday 15th July from 3.30 to 10.30pm with live music, a gin bar, barbecue, stalls, face art, sweet shop, beer tent and Prosecco bar.

Battle Proms and Folk by the Oak Hatfield House is once again the historic backdrop to two hugely popular musical events this month – Battle Proms on Saturday 16th July and Folk by the Oak the following day.

Battle Proms is a summer picnic concert like no other, with the music accompanied by fireworks, a Spitfire display, cannons and cavalry. Tickets for this terrific spectacle are £47 for adults and £21 for children (aged 5-15).

Parking opens at 2pm and the

DIARY DATES

arena at 4.30pm.

Book at battleproms.co.uk.

FOLK BY THE OAK This year’s Folk by the Oak features Scottish duo The Proclaimers alongside Spell Songs, Richard Thompson, The Unthanks, AKA Trio and Sam Sweeney. Gates open at 12noon with a finish time of 10.30pm.

Adult tickets are £49.50, children (aged 5-15) are £21.

Buy at folkbytheoak.com.

HERTFORD WALKS Hertford Museum’s walks programme continues with Parliament Square, Castle Street and West Street with Peter Ruffles on Sunday 17th July. Then Jean Riddell leads Where Was Hertford Priory? on Sunday 31st July. Both begin at 11am. Tickets £5 from ticketsource.co.uk.

CHURCH MARKS 150 YEARS St Michael and All Angels Church in Waterford is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its consecration over the weekend of Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th July from 11am to 4pm. Teas, coffees and homemade cakes will be available throughout the weekend in the village hall and there will be historical talks in the church on both days at 12noon, 1.30pm and 3pm. axis magazine 29

WHAT’S ON The criminal mastermind who never Gru up

This month’s top 5 new films Minions: The Rise of Gru (U) Now showing The latest from the Minions animated franchise is an origin film. We meet 12-year-old Gru in a 1970s filled with feathered hair and flared jeans. Growing up in the suburbs Gru is a fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6 and he hatches a plan evil enough to enable him to join them. Luckily, he gets some back-up from his loyal followers, the Minions.

Thor: Love and Thunder (TBC) From Friday 8th July This sequel finds Thor (again played by Chris Hemsworth) on a quest for inner peace. But his retirement is interrupted by the galactic killer Gorr the God Butcher who seeks the extinction of the gods. Thor enlists the help of King Valyrie, Korg and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster and they embark on a cosmic adventure to thwart the God Butcher.

The Railway Children Return (TBC) From Friday 15th July Jenny Agutter reprises her iconic role in the original film in this enchanting adventure for a new generation. It is 1944 and, as life in Britain’s cities becomes increasingly perilous, three evacuee children are sent by their mother from Salford to the Yorkshire village of Oakworth. There, Bobbie Waterbury (Agutter), her daughter and grandson help them settle into their new life.

Where the Crawdads Sing (TBC) From Friday 22nd July A coming of age story about Kya Clark, otherwise known to the inhabitants of Barkley Cove as the Marsh Girl. Abandoned by her family, Kya raises herself in the marshlands of the 1950s.

But, years later, she finds herself the prime suspect after a town bigwig is killed.

DC League of Super Pets (TBC) From Friday 29th July When the Justice Musical Director: Christopher Tilbury League are captured

by Lex Luthor, Superman’s dog, Krypto, forms a team of shelter-pets given superpowers including a dog named Ace who becomes super-strong; a pig named PB who can Fri. 8 July 2022 - 7.30 grow to a giant size West Side Story Sat. 9 July 2022 - 7.30 Bohemian Rhapsody and a squirrel named Sat. Matinee - 2.30 Chip, who gains La La Land Ware Drill Hall electric powers.

The Best of Bond Amwell End Bet he’ll have a big Ware SG12 9HP energy bill though.

Summer Show Let’s Go to the Movies!

BOOK TICKETS ONLINE AT WAREOPERATIC.ORG.UK 30 axis magazine

Book sheds new light on artist A new book, Alan Davie in Hertford, by The Independent’s art critic Mark Hudson, offers a fresh perspective on the work of the visionary Scottish-born painter who lived and worked in Hertford for 60 years.

Davie was one of the great figures of 20th Century art whose intensely gestural canvases turned the staid post-war art world on its head.

His work is collected by galleries worldwide including The Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, the National Galleries Scotland in Edinburgh, The Museum of Modern Art in New York and Tate, London.

Alan Davie in Hertford provides a new view of the painter, arguing that far from being an essentially historical figure, defined by the Abstract Impressionist era of the 1950s and early 1960s when he enjoyed his greatest fame, Davie was a

prophetic artist whose preoccupations with universal creativity and self-realisation are more relevant today than ever.

Illustrated with rare archive photographs and little-seen paintings, the book demonstrates that Davie’s richly symbolic art was far more informed by actual physical places than is generally supposed, not least Hertford, where the artist set up his home and studio at Rush Green in the early 1950s.

Plans are currently underway to establish a new centre for visual art in Hertford housing a permanent collection of Davie’s work.

Ahead of this, the book provides a catalogue of 40 works intended as its core collection, offering a ‘rich and fabulous’ survey of Davie’s achievements from student works of the 1930s to some of his very last paintings.

Alan Davie in Hertford is published by Unicorn priced at £30.

Seascapes at Parndon Mill Seascapes by Neil Robbins feature in Watching The Waves, the new exhibition now showing until 31st July at The Gallery at Parndon Mill in Harlow.

Robbins’ paintings were inspired by many visits to Cornwall and are complemented by glass dishes

by Karen Murphy.

Parndon Mill is in Parndon Mill Lane, Harlow, off Elizabeth Way CM20 2HP and the gallery is open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 2-4pm.

Visit parndonmill.co.uk for further information.

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

FANTASTIC EVENTS COMING UP

PREBOOKED TICKETS DISCOUNTED FOR SUMMER 2022

SARAH & DUCK’S BIG TOP BIRTHDAY

Wednesday 10th August, 1pm & 3.30pm Packed full of puppetry, storytelling and music (one hour, no interval) Tickets: £14, £12 child Family of 4 £49

ENJOY A SUMMER OF FILM AT WYLLYOTTS Thor: Love and Thunder Minions: The Rise of Gru (U) Lightyear (PG) The Railway Children DC League of Super-Pets (U)

SUMMER AT KNEBWORTH HOUSE, PARK & GARDENS

Tickets: £6

BOX OFFICE – 01707 645005

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

Summer nights @

An Evening of Mediumship with Tony Stockwell

The Sound of Springsteen

The Rod Stewart Story Thursday 14 July, 8pm

Compelling, amazingly detailed and always humorous Wednesday 20 July, 7.30pm

With a passion for the work of ‘The Boss’ Friday 29 July, 7.30pm

To book online, visit: www.thespotlightvenue.com Call the Box Office on: 01992 441946 The Spotlight, High Street, Hoddesdon, Herts, EN11 8BE

The Overtures “The Overtures are the world’s finest 60s tribute act!”

Elton John Saturday 3 September, 8pm

Why not hire the Spotlight for your event?

email: venuehire@thespotlightvenue.com

SP220595

Some Guys Have All the Luck

axis magazine 31

Enjoy Summer at the

George & Dragon EVENING MENU Pie Night – Monday Burger Night – Tuesday Restaurant closed (open for drinks only) – Wednesday Steak Night – Thursday À la carte – Friday & Saturday And our great Sunday lunch every Sunday!

82 High Street, Watton at Stone SG14 3TA 01920 512196

• Fresh, seasonal locally sourced food, superbly cooked • Family-friendly free house with a play area and garden 20 Green End, Braughing, Hertfordshire SG11 2PG Tel: 01920 823555 • www.goldenfleecebraughing.co.uk

Golden Fleece - Summer Dining Axis Ad 92.5mm x 125mm_v1.indd 1

17/06/2022 10:02

Proudly awarded a Michelin BiB GourMand 2012-2022

SUMMER AT THE GEORGE IV The George IV is the perfect spot for you to enjoy imaginative, freshly prepared dishes in a friendly pub atmosphere on our fully heated terrace.

• Live Music • Tasting Evenings • Private Dining Room for Hire Be sure to join us this summer

Cautherly Lane Great Amwell SG12 9SW info@georgeivpub.co.uk 01920 870039 32 axis magazine

A special place to eat this summer 2 High Street, Hunsdon SG12 8NH 01279 843999 • foxandhounds-hunsdon.co.uk

INSPIRING SEASONAL MENU CORNISH NATIVE LOBSTER HAND ROLLED PASTA GRILLED MEAT & FISH FROM THE JOSPER CHARCOAL OVEN

POPULAR SUNDAY LUNCH instagram @thefoxandhoundshunsdon Facebook @foxandh

• Large pretty garden • Heated covered terrace •

FOOD & DRINK

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS

SUMMER DINING SPECIAL – THE BEST PLACES TO EAT AL FRESCO IN THE SUMMER MONTHS

Italian Night on 8th July at George IV

The pretty George IV at the top of Cautherly Lane in Great Amwell is holding an Italian Night on Friday 8th July. It will feature medium sized dishes, typically served in Cicchetti bars in Venice.

You can make a meal of them by ordering several plates which can be shared between friends. Dishes are freshly prepared so will be served as soon as they are ready.

To book a table call 01920 870039.

The George, which has an extensive outside terrace which is perfect for summer dining, has also just started to offer breakfast on a Sunday morning too. The menu has something for all tastes but the highlight has to be chef Oliver D’Arcy’s English Breakfast with Clarence Court egg your way, sausage, bacon, portobello mushroom, plum tomato, hash brown, baked beans and toasted sourdough for £12.50.

Don’t miss Tapas Night at Braughing’s family and dog-friendly Golden Fleece A drive out to Braughing for lunch or an evening meal in the large garden or terrace of The Golden Fleece is a must this summer. If you need a special reason to visit, the last Wednesday of every month is Tapas Night, but at any time you will find a family-friendly pub where

dogs are welcome too.

Head chef Jessica Tatlow tends to lighten the menu a bit during the summer – expect dishes such as seared tuna on a Nicoise salad and cod loin with a summer dressing, for example.

Call 01920 823555 to book a table.

Cornish lobster on the menu at Fox and Hounds in Hunsdon Hunsdon’s Michelin Bib Gourmand-holding Fox and Hounds needs little introduction to Axis readers, and it is definitely one of those pubs that really embraces the summer with its terrace and garden proving a great attraction.

Chef James Rix’s simple but sophisticated menu changes regularly and in the summer months features light dishes such as crab taco with mango salsa and hand-rolled pasta with clams as well as its famous Cornish lobster.

Call 01279 843999 to book.

George and Dragon’s new theme nights There is loads going on this summer at the George and Dragon in Watton at Stone, which has been taken over by Helen Price and Mike Rowe. The pub, which has both a garden and outdoor terrace, is now serving an evening menu, having begun with food at lunchtimes only.

The couple have also decided to introduce theme nights for food, building on some successful tri-

als. So Monday is now Pie Night, Tuesday is home-made Burger Night, Thursday is Steak Night with two steaks and a bottle of house wine for an amazing £40.

There is no food on Wednesday but Friday and Saturday feature an a la carte menu (check the pub’s Facebook page for details).

On Sunday, it’s roast, of course!

Call 01920 512196 to book your table. axis magazine 33

FOOD & DRINK

Baan Thitiya’s garden makes it the ideal place to dine out this summer

Ritchie’s wine notes

By Ritchie Tough of Cavavin

No or low alcohol – what these phrases really mean Al fresco dining may be something we associate (rightly) with excellent village pubs but Bishop’s Stortford boasts a Thai restaurant which really comes into its own during the summer.

Granted, Baan Thitiya is based in a building that did used to be a pub! But now what used to be a beer garden is a delightful private outside space that is the perfect place to sit and enjoy the fresh, authentic flavours of an extensive Thai menu. Tables can be booked in the garden for both lunch and

dinner, seven days a week. Call 01279 658575 to book yours.

Hertford Food and Drink Festival on over weekend of 9th and 10th July Hertford Food and Drink Festival, organised by Hertford Town Council, takes place on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July.

The annual event, which has moved from the autumn to summer this year, kicks off on the Saturday with a Farmer’s Market taking place in the town centre alongside the regular Saturday market.

Across the weekend town centre businesses, including food and drink retailers, cafés and restaurants, will be running promotions, special offers and sampling (you may be asked to show a copy of the event programme to take advantage of them).

On Sunday the grounds of Hertford Castle play host to the Hertford Castle Beer and World Food Festival from 12noon to 6pm with free entry.

34 axis magazine

As well as a beer tent offering golden ales, bitters, porters, pale ales and local ciders along with Prosecco, cocktails, gins and wine, there will be several world food stalls offering cuisines including Greek, Turkish, Thai, BBQ, Vietnamese and Iraqi.

Live music will keep visitors entertained throughout the afternoon.

The full programme can be found at hertford.gov.uk/events or you can pick up a copy at Hertford Town and Tourist Information Centre in The Wash.

Are you sober-curious or just looking to cut back a bit during the summer?

Nothing beats a relaxing glass of vino paired with your evening meal or a delicious cheese platter on the weekend. But if you’re one to worry about your health, you might have considered sipping on a low or no-alcohol variety to cut back on booze.

If so, you are not alone. The no and low alcohol scene is bigger than ever and is growing each year at a rapid rate, but it is good to know a bit more about exactly what these labels mean because, like many things in life, all is not exactly as it seems.

The phrase ‘no alcohol drinks’ refers to those which have an alcoholic strength by volume (ABV) of between 0.05 and 1.2%, whereas ‘low alcohol’ means a drink which has an alcohol content lower than the average strength of that particular type of drink. This means that wine with an ABV strength of 5.5% is a low alcohol wine.

At Cavavin, we have a few good no/low alcohol wines arriving soon and we have already sourced a fabulous lager and ale, called UNLTD. The lager has light citrus aromas, a hint of honey and caramel finished with a slight bitter finish, whereas the ale is a full flavoured IPA with citrus and tropical fruits, deep and complex malt flavours and a balanced bitter backbone. Both are 0.5% ABV and priced at £2.50.

Cavavin is your local, independent wine shop.

It’s at 22 Maidenhead Street, Hertford SG14 1DR. Call 01992 558311 or visit cavavin.co.uk.

Online ordering available.

FOOD AND DRINK: SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS

ADVERTISEMENT LISTINGS

THE GEORGE IV Pub & Dining

KHAO YAI Thai

THE GOLDEN FLEECE Pub & Dining

Nestled in the picturesque village of Great Amwell, The George IV is the perfect spot for you to enjoy imaginative, freshly prepared dishes, including traditional pub classics, served in a friendly pub atmosphere or on the fully heated terrace area. The George IV can also be the perfect venue for your next event.

From intimate weddings, birthday parties and anniversaries to baby showers and corporate events, they’ve got it covered with their beautiful function room and variety of dining options.

Khao Yai is the new name for the Hoddesdonbased Thai restaurant formerly known as Omsin’s. Now under new ownership, Khao Yai offers a broad menu of your favourite Thai dishes alongside superb service. Now open seven days a week, Khao Yai also offers both takeaway (with a 10% discount for collection) and delivery through its own website as well as delivery apps. In addition to the welcoming ground floor there is a large first floor dining space with its own bar which can also be booked for events, parties and private dining.

The Golden Fleece is an old English pub with a contemporary twist, and one where the food is so good that it has earned an entry in the Michelin Guide for Hotels and Restaurants.

Set at the heart of the village of Braughing, Jess and Peter Tatlow’s pub offers a menu of fresh, seasonal and delicious locally sourced food and also caters for diners who require gluten-free meals. As a free house at the heart of its community, the Fleece is also able to offer a wide range of real ales, beers, wines and spirits. A takeaway menu is also available.

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

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

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

THE BEEHIVE Country Pub

SAFFRON Indian

BAAN THITIYA Thai

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

The quality of the well-established and award-winning Indian restaurant Saffron in Hoddesdon has been widely recognised.

This stylish restaurant is a contemporary venue in which both traditional and unique Indian dishes can be enjoyed alongside superb service. It can cater for both large gatherings and more intimate dinners and also offers an outside catering service.

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

Baan Thitiya, Bishop’s Stortford’s premier Thai restaurant, is the perfect place for relaxed summer dining. Close to Bishop’s Stortford town centre, it has a beautiful garden and its own parking while, inside, the restaurant is decorated in a contemporary Thai style. The extensive menu features high quality food prepared by Thai chefs with an emphasis on fresh, healthy ingredients and authentic, natural flavours. It also has an excellent wine list. Baan Thitiya is open seven days for lunch and dinner.

A warm welcome and great service await you.

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

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

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

9-13 Parliament Square n Hertford n SG14 1EX

EXPECT MORE n FROM YOUR n ESTATE AGENT

The Old Butchers Shop & Mews, Braughing £795,000 – £995,000 Thomas Childs are delighted to present these two properties in the sought after village of Braughing. The Old Butchers Shop has been completely refurbished and the mews house is newly built, both properties benefit from private gardens, gated parking along with high specification fixtures and fittings. We recommend viewing to appreciate what these homes have to offer.

Call to book an appointment on: 01992 721 321

01992 721 321 n www.thomas-childs.com