Axis magazine August 2023 issue

The independent, intelligent guide to everything that matters locally

August 2023

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LOCAL LIFE

LEA WHARF EXCLUSIVE

New tenants revealed and a look inside show apartment

TIME FOR A RETHINK

Arts centre plans paused on Old River Lane scheme

A FRESH APPROACH

Exclusive article from new East Herts Council leader

WHAT’S ON

Outdoor events and ideas for the school holidays

SUMMER DINING

Local pubs and restaurants to visit this summer

WELCOME

What’s inside this issue

Shock closure of cinema is among the stories in our news round-up

We take an exclusive look inside the show apartment at Lea Wharf

ABOUT AXIS

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)

SUBSCRIBE

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17-21

School holiday ideas and some great outdoor events to enjoy

16

Six pages of summer dining ideas and news about local restaurants

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.

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05-12 y Briefing

y What’s on

13 y Property news

22-27 y Food & drink

Front cover images (clockwise from top)

Seated Woman by Robert Colquhoun, showing in the exhibition A World of Private Mystery: British Neo-Romantics at The Fry Art Gallery in Saffron Walden (p19); The new film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, now showing at local cinemas (p20); Rock at the Castle in Hertford (p17); The Lea Wharf show apartment (p13); County Hall, from where staff are to be moved (p10).

15 y BISHOP’S STORTFORD BID: Alfresco food and drink ideas

y LOVE HODDESDON BID: Your guide to a summer of events

Recruiting now for foster carers in Hertfordshire

We love our busy home. It’s good fun”

Could you make a big difference to a child’s life?

There are approximately 1,000 children and young people in care in Hertfordshire and many of these children need the love and support of a foster family.

If you are aged over 21, have a spare room at home, and space in your heart, then fostering could be for you.

When you choose to foster with us, you’ll receive generous pay and allowances for each child, exceptional training and 24/7 local support right from the very start.

Get in touch with our friendly team today and we’ll help you decide if fostering is right for you.

CONTACT US:

To find out more about fostering, please call our team on 0800 917 0925 for an informal chat or email us on fostering.recruitment@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Dawn and Alan, Hertfordshire foster carers

BRIEFING

Revealed: Latest tenants signed for Lea Wharf

All the main commercial units in Hertford’s Lea Wharf development have now been let, while sales of the apartments in the county town’s flagship riverside project continue to sell well.

Axis can now reveal more of the businesses that have signed up to move into the development built by local developer Chase New Homes on the site of the former Bircherley Green shopping centre on land between Railway Street and the River Lea.

We have already reported that one of the riverside restaurant spaces had been taken by Vault, a wine bar and restaurant that has a branch in Shenfield, Essex.

We can now reveal that the second main unit has been taken by Loungers, a growing chain that has popular all-day café-bars around the country including Postino Lounge in Welwyn Garden City, Granello Lounge in Hitchin and

Cassio Lounge in Watford. Negotiations are currently underway for one final riverside unit next to Loungers – this also involves a hospitality business, one with local connections.

The biggest retail name coming to the development is Boots, as has already been reported, and this new store will sit opposite the new GP surgery that will be moving from the historic but cramped premises at Wallace House in St Andrew Street to create a new state-of-theart medical centre for Hertford. Axis can also reveal that Card Factory, which used to have a unit in Bircherley Green, has also taken space in Lea Wharf.

Two of the units are being combined to house Loco gym, which is owned by a local family. One other unit looks like being let for office use, but is still waiting to be signed off.

The only other unit not yet con-

firmed is a small one next to the entrance to the bus station which may be either a café or nail bar. Finally, the car park is due to reopen in January with 120 spaces available for the public.

Appeal underway over retirement homes plan for edge of Lea Wharf site

An appeal is taking place into Churchill Retirement Living’s proposal for a retirement development on the corner of Railway Street and Bircherley Street in Hertford. The land close to the bus station was originally earmarked, as part of the Lea Wharf development, for an 86-bedroom hotel building for

Premier Inn but the hotel chain’s owners Whitbread withdrew from the scheme after the pandemic. Churchill Retirement Living want to build 36 one and two bedroom retirement apartments on the site and submitted a planning application to East Herts Council in November of last year.

East Herts failed to determine it in the target of 13 weeks so Churchill has exercised its right to appeal to the Secretary of State to determine the application. East Herts Council says it would have refused the application and is contesting the appeal on grounds including design and a lack of affordable housing.

Axis magazine had an exclusive tour of the new show apartment at Lea Wharf last month. Turn to page 13 to see inside and find out more.

Refurbished and extended Hartham Leisure Centre set to launch next month

The newly refurbished Hartham Leisure Centre in Hertford will open next month with owner East Herts Council and operator Everyone Active inviting the public to attend the occasion. The centre will host an open day which it says will be packed with free and fun-filled activities for all the family on Saturday 9th September.

The £9million programme of refurbishments has seen improvements to the pool and changing

areas along with the building of a new two-storey extension housing a state-of-the-art gym overlooking Hartham Common with a wide range of equipment. There are also two spacious modern studios for more group exercise classes and community activities; plus a soft play area and a café.

In addition to the new and improved facilities, energy improvements include solar panels on the roof, an air source heat pump, removing the need for additional gas,

and a green feature wall served by rainwater from the roof allowing the centre to blend into the green open space of the common. Cllr Sarah Hopewood, executive member for wellbeing at East Herts, said: “I am really pleased that the leisure centre is nearing completion. As a member for many years myself, I feel that the inclusion of a soft play area and café will add real value, making it an inviting centre for wellbeing across generations.”

SHOW APARTMENT TOUR

The main commercial units in Lea Wharf are now all let

Artist’s impression of the planned retirement homes

New council announces rethink over Old River Lane arts centre

The new Green and Lib Dem controlled administration at East Herts Council has decided to pause the arts centre element of the redevelopment of Old River Lane in Bishop’s Stortford while it consults with local residents on the facilities they would like to see provided. However, having considered the implications, no doubt primarily financial, it looks as though they have found themselves powerless to scrap the overall project, initiated by previous Conservative-controlled administrations.

It was back in 2017 that the idea of a mixed use redevelopment of land primarily comprising the flat level Causeway car park close to Waitrose was first mooted. Proposals were for the area to become a new cultural quarter with a council-owned arts centre building with a 500-seat theatre and cinema screens at its heart, along with new homes and retail.

Cityheart was later chosen as the council’s development partner for the project in 2019.

But the scheme has become increasingly unpopular. In 2021 the council decided a theatre was no longer viable and that the arts building would house five cinema screens instead.

The Causeway car park was closed

Shock as Empire Cinema closes

Just as East Herts Council announced its plans to revisit the proposed arts provision at Old River Lane, news broke that Bishop’s Stortford’s Empire Cinema had shut its doors.

The previous council administration decided for financial reasons that a theatre on the site would no longer be viable. Instead, it proposed the arts centre building would house a five-screen cinema. Residents questioned the logic of this when the town already had a multiplex in Anchor Street. But in a bizarre twist of fate, the town is now without a cinema after news broke on 7th July that Empire Cinemas had appointed administrators and while some venues were being kept open with a view to them finding a buyer, Bishop’s Stortford was one of six

Cllr Mione Goldspink and the site of the planned Old River Lane scheme in Bishop’s

in 2022 with a new multi-storey car park at Northgate End opened to serve the development. But The Causeway lies empty despite planning permission not having been granted yet for the scheme.

The council also bought the United Reformed Church Hall, which is used by theatre and community groups. It is planned to be demolished, along with the Charringtons House office block, to make way for the new development. Both demolitions have been vociferously opposed.

The new council administration, elected in May, wanted to see what

improvements they could make to what is planned and considered options as wide ranging as reinstating the original plans to halting the scheme altogether.

It’s likely that budgets wouldn’t extend to the former, and the financial and legal implications of the latter were too risky. Instead the chosen option is to revisit the arts centre component while continuing with the residential and commercial aspects of the scheme via Cityheart.

The council’s deputy leader and executive member for neighbourhoods, Cllr Mione Goldspink,

said: “The arts element of the Old River Lane project has been the subject of considerable debate among local residents, making it the most contentious aspect of the scheme. In light of this we believe it is crucial to prioritise the voices of the community ... While I personally would have preferred a more extensive approach, particularly in preserving the United Reformed Church Hall, the legal and financial consequences for the town of starting over again would have been too great.”

l See council leader Ben Crystall’s article on page 11.

to be closed immediately.

The chief executive officer of Empire Cinemas, Justin Ribbons, said the enforced closure of the chain for protracted periods during 2020 and 2021 during the covid pandemic and a failure of attendance levels to return to pre-pandemic levels afterwards had made the operating environment extremely challenging. He said refunds for tickets bought online and those bought at the box office using a debit, credit or gift card would be processed automatically.

Cut-price parking plan for workers

Local business employees working in Bishop’s Stortford are to be offered reduced price daily parking in the town’s newest car park, under a plan put forward to East Herts Council by Bishop’s Stortford BID. The BID has suggested that 100 town centre workers could be given permits enabling them to park at Northgate End for £3.50 a day instead of £5.20, thereby saving them £1.70 a day. The scheme could be launched in September.

Work began in July at Bishop’s Stortford’s Jackson Square shopping centre that will eventually herald the arrival of TK Maxx in the town. The centre remains open although hoardings have been erected throughout the mall, a number of businesses have been relocated and the Bridge Street entrance has been closed. When work is completed there will be a replacement for the Bridge Street entrance, new units and an improved public realm.

Work begins on TK Maxx store

Stortford

New banking hub for Ware is announced

Ware is to get a new banking hub, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, Link, announced in July. The decision follows lobbying from Hertford and Stortford MP Julie Marson and Ware Town Council.

The hub, which is likely to be open within a year, will be a shared banking space, similar to a traditional bank branch but which customers of any bank can use. It will consist of a counter service operated by Post Office employees where customers of any bank can withdraw or deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions. There will also be private spaces where, on alternating days, staff from specific banks will be available so that customers can speak to staff from their own bank. In 2021 the banking industry agreed that following the closure of any bank branch, Link will identify whether a community requires further cash services. Communities can also contact Link directly and ask to be assessed for support which could take the form of a banking hub, of which there are now seven so far across the UK.

Ware lost its last bank branch in 2020.

How the banking hub could look: This is one open in Acton, west London

And the situation became worse in January when Morrisons decided to close its Martin’s newsagents in the High Street which had housed a Post Office branch providing the town with its last remaining access to banking services.

Ms Marson worked with the Post Office to identify retailers who might be able to partner it and restore services in the area. As a result, a new Post Office was set to open on 1st August in half of the former Martin’s premises alongside a UOE stationery store.

The MP also met with Link in June and asked them to consider Ware for a banking hub.

She said: “I am grateful that Link has acted on my request for a banking hub in Ware. This will

Grant will help develop plan for castle grounds

make a big difference to local people and to our town.”

Ms Marson said she had also requested that Link assess Hertford and Sawbridgeworth. Sawbridgeworth lost its last bank in 2018. Hertford has recently lost its Barclays branch and HSBC with Natwest set to close this month on 15th August.

Ware’s banking hub will be delivered by Cash Access UK which will now consider possible sites and fit out its chosen premises. The process typically takes 12 months from Link’s recommendation so the facility ought to be open by summer 2024.

l See Julie Marson MP’s column on page 12.

More time to comment on ticket office closure plans

A public consultation over plans to close almost all ticket offices at railway stations across England has been extended to 1st September.

The plans were announced at the beginning of July by the Rail Delivery Group which represents mainline train companies. The consultation was due to end in the last week of July.

But in the face of a fierce backlash from rail users, unions and disability groups, among others, the consultation has now been extended to 1st September.

Rail companies say the way people buy tickets has changed markedly over the past decade with fewer tickets bought through offices and more purchased online or via ticket machines.

They say closing the offices would free up staff to undertake a more flexible role assisting customers

around stations.

But opposition to the plans has been stiff.

In its formal response to the consultation, Hertfordshire County Council highlighted a number of concerns raised by local residents including how tickets only available from ticket offices can be purchased in future, a reduction in the support available for passengers who require assistance and the effect on the perception of safety for lone travellers, particularly women travelling alone at night.

The council’s executive member for Highways and Transport, Cllr Phil Bibby, said the council was “concerned that the proposed closures will make it harder for some people to take the train, and at a time when we’re trying to encourage more people to use public transport, this isn’t something we can support.”

Both Great Northern Rail and Greater Anglia say that station opening times would not change and no station would go from having staff to being unmanned. But Greater Anglia says that as a result of the changes, at some stations staff will be available for fewer hours than they currently are – at Hertford East and Ware for example.

You can find out more, along with details of how to take part in the consultation, at greateranglia.co.uk and greatnorthernrail.com.

Plans to improve the grounds of Hertford Castle have moved a step forwards with the awarding of a £300,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The award will enable East Herts Council and Hertford Town Council to fully develop and cost proposals for a project which they hope will improve access to the site, promote its rich history and increase biodiversity.

Once detailed plans have been developed the organisations will be able to apply for a reserved £2million ‘delivery’ grant to bring the plans to life.

Proposals include refurbishing the Ashley Webb shelter, a new cantilever walkway from the town centre along the riverbank which would allow the ancient motte to be opened up, and a new bridge.

Housing plan in for Hoddesdon car park

Broxbourne Council has submitted a planning application seeking approval to redevelop the Burford Street car park in Hoddesdon town centre into housing.

The local authority is proposing building a four storey apartment building on the site which would contain 17 flats intended to be used as transitional (short-term) housing. There would also be communal facilities, an office, basement-level parking and landscaping.

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County Hall staff to be moved from Hertford to Stevenage

Landmark building’s future use now uncertain

Hertfordshire County Council is set to move the majority of its services and staff out of County Hall in Hertford to its Stevenage office campus.

The plans were agreed by the council’s cabinet which met on Monday 10th July.

Councillors heard that since the pandemic when staff were forced to work from home, hybrid working has become the norm and County Hall has been running on average at just 18% occupation. It’s a similar story at Stevenage although occupancy there is higher at 53%.

Despite this the council has been running both facilities as if they were at full capacity, which, it says, is neither cost effective nor in line with its sustainability objectives.

It could stop hybrid working but an evaluation exercise found that 90% of respondents said it was important to them with 75% saying it increased the likelihood of them staying working for the council.

County Hall is the council’s most expensive building to operate and the size, age and listed status of parts of the site restrict what can be done to modernise working there and improve sustainability. Stevenage meanwhile has had significant recent investment to improve the sustainability of the buildings in Gunnels Wood Road as well as the quality of the office environment.

The cabinet agreed that staff would begin moving there from Hertford from September.

The front section of the County

Meet Danielle Barker

Danielle has now opened up her own brand new clinic in the centre of Hertford, Hertford Hearing. If you or your loved ones would like to see Danielle for any ear-related concerns, please contact her using the details below.

Hall building in Pegs Lane is to be retained as a “democratic and civic hub” hosting formal democratic meetings and able to be used, as now, for weddings. Officers will explore options for the future of the remainder of the site – with advice already received suggesting it could either generate income or capital receipts if sold.

After staff move to Stevenage there is likely to be a period when, other than the frontage, the buildings are unoccupied although security, facilities repairs and maintenance and grounds maintenance will continue.

Short term let opportunities, for example, for filming purposes, will also be explored.

Parts of the historic County Hall site could be sold off in the future

By now I’m sure Axis readers will be aware of the changes that have occurred at East Herts District Council (EHDC) and at Hertford, Ware and Bishop’s Stortford Town Councils since the local elections on 4th May.

Much to the surprise of many, including ourselves to be honest, East Herts Green Party was one of the most successful in the country, winning 19 district councillors and now running EHDC as a joint administration in partnership with the 10-councillor-strong Lib Dem group, with whom we have much in common.

The majority of our councillors are new to their roles which brings unique challenges including the need to get them all up to speed. We owe a huge debt of thanks to council officers who have worked hard to brief us on roles and responsibilities and on the fine details of council operations. Though we face a steep learning curve, the team are smart, committed people who are full of enthusiasm and fresh ideas and I have no doubt that they will rise to these challenges.

A new approach

So what does the change in political leadership mean for residents?

To be honest I hope you don’t

notice any change at first – our council services will keep running just as they have always done. And some of the changes that we hope to bring will be hidden away under the bonnet.

Rather than being dominated by a single party as previously, the new council consists of four roughly equal-sized political groups. This change alone will help make council decision-making more democratic and I’m determined to see less politics and more of a collegiate approach in the council chamber. Previous administrations also concentrated decision-making power in a small Executive of councillors. In the longer term we would like to alter this by switching to a more democratic committee-based system which we feel gives more councillors a say in decisions.

I believe these changes are important as EHDC faces significant challenges in coming years. Steady reductions in government funding, along with increased costs due to Covid, Brexit, labour shortages plus changes to wages and inflation mean that EHDC must make significant savings over the next few years if it isn’t to go the way of councils like Thurrock, Croydon and Woking which have basically gone broke. Along with council

officers we are developing plans to tackle this, and you’ll hear more details in the autumn.

Major projects

Meanwhile there is also good news: some of EHDC’s largest projects are finished or not far off completion: Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford Theatre and Hartham Leisure Centre, which reopens in September. The council has also won funding to submit a lottery bid to redevelop the park around Hertford Castle. However we do plan to take a careful look at other projects including the proposed Arts Centre at Old River Lane (ORL) in Bishop’s Stortford. It’s fair to say that ORL has come in for some criticism and the new joint administration wants to pause the arts centre component to make doubly sure that it delivers what a majority of people in the town need and want.

A shift in focus towards increased sustainability is another priority and we plan to achieve this through measures including the scheduled refresh of the East Herts District Plan which dictates how future development will occur. This will take a number of years to complete and there will be public

consultations on the way.

We will bring a new, more critical eye to ongoing developments like Harlow and Gilston Garden Town. Obviously we need to provide people with affordable homes and the infrastructure that comes with them. We know some residents would like to see such large housing projects abandoned altogether but these are part of the current District Plan and with government-mandated housing targets, simply pulling the plug is not possible without the risk of opening up the district to uncontrolled development. The truth is we have to work within the rules of the planning system to achieve the best results we can for you all.

A listening council

Finally we know that over the last few years it has sometimes felt like councils and local politicians have stopped listening. Now we are in control we want to take a fresh approach to consultation and resident engagement. Our first step has been to create a new councillor role on the Executive to specifically explore better ways to engage with and listen to the community. We know that working alongside residents over the next four years –through open, honest conversation – is our key responsibility and we are determined to do it as well as we can.

ABOUT BEN CRYSTALL

Ben Crystall is leader of East Herts District Council, a county councillor and a Bengeo North town councillor. Ben has lived in Bengeo for 20 years. He has a science background and spent six years at Imperial College London, in research. He switched careers in 1996, working as a writer and editor at New Scientist magazine for over 15 years. Since then, he has been a primary school governor, helped set up and run local eco-group Transition Hertford and was one of the founders of Hertford Energy Now, a notfor-profit community-owned renewable energy co-operative.

We will take a fresh approach to the many challenges our district is facing while listening to our community

BEN CRYSTALL, THE NEW LEADER OF EAST HERTS COUNCIL, WRITES EXCLUSIVELY FOR AXIS READERS

We will be taking a careful look at the arts centre element of the Old River Lane development in Bishop’s Stortford

JULIE MARSON

MP FOR HERTFORD & STORTFORD

New shared banking hub will be coming to Ware!

Ware is getting a new shared banking hub! Since it lost all six of its high street banks, I have been concerned about access to cash in the town. Throughout the last few months I have pressed ministers and Link, the UK’s largest cash machine network, for a review of Ware’s access-to-cash needs in response.

Ware was recommended for a new shared banking hub as a result and Link will work with Cash Access UK to implement it. This will make a big difference to people in town, especially the elderly and most vulnerable. I am thrilled Ware will now have a range of banking services it needs at the soon-to-reopen Post Office I campaigned for and this new shared banking hub.

Backing Future Living

In Hertford, it was a pleasure to introduce Safeguarding Minister Sarah Dines MP to Future Living, a charity supporting women, men and children to live full and complete lives after experiencing domestic abuse.

We met the fantastic Sandra and her team and sat in on a session of their innovative Monica Programme with inspirational clients. As a former magistrate in domestic

abuse courts, this is a cause close to my own heart and I continue to support Future Living’s incredible work.

Thank you to our care homes

I also visited Bentley House Care Home in Hertford and Hazel End Care Home in Bishop’s Stortford again to celebrate Care Home Open Week. Care homes are a vital part of our community and I remain a firm supporter of their work. Thank you to the wonderful staff and residents there for such a warm welcome.

Lots of constituents asked me to attend Age UK’s recent event in Parliament. It was great to hear their latest updates and raise the challenges older people in Hertford and Stortford face. They are a fantastic organisation and I continue to support their brilliant work.

Issues in Sawbridgeworth

In Sawbridgeworth, I met up with local residents David and Philip to discuss traffic and parking issues in the town. I completely share their frustrations and am working with local and county councillors to look at what might be able to improve things. I will be sure to share any updates.

Holding developers to account

I also met with Housing Minister Rachel Maclean MP in Westmin-

ster to discuss local developments and ensure the proposed Infrastructure Levy will effectively hold developers and their commitments to account. This is an important issue for people in our area.

Recess? Work continues...

Though the Parliamentary summer recess and school holidays are upon us, my work for constituents carries on as normal. If you need my help, please get in touch at julie.marson.mp@parliament.uk.

With Safeguarding Minister Sarah Dines MP (right) at Future Living

Meeting with Housing Minister Rachel Maclean MP in Westminster

Meeting staff at Bentley House

See inside the stylish show apartment at Lea Wharf

Lea Wharf in Hertford is the most talked-about residential development in the county town for years, and Axis magazine was delighted to be given a tour of the impressive show apartment last month.

Lea Wharf has been developed by local company Chase New Homes on the site of the former Bircherley Green shopping centre and has been designed in two buildings leading from Railway Street down to the River Lea. Each building contains commercial space on the ground floor, including restaurants fronting on to the riverside (see page 5 for an update on the confirmed tenants), with a total of 98 one and two-bedroom apartments above. The two buildings are called Charter House and Navigation House and the first tranche of apartments, in Charter House, went on sale in early May.

Already more than 30 have been sold, to a mix of first-time buyers, commuters and downsizers, with the first residents moving in last month.

The Navigation House apartments, some of which are larger with separate studies, are soon to be released – you can register your interest now.

The show apartment in Charter House gives a fabulous insight into the genuine sense of space and the high quality finish of these apartments, which are ready to move into.

One visit and you will be ready to get your furniture and belongings together!

Beautifully designed

Designed by interior design company Belle Maison, the apartment features a welcoming hallway with Amtico Spacia flooring leading to the spacious openplan living, dining and kitchen space which is at the heart of the home. It features a statement Crittal-effect window, reflecting the industrial/wharf-style theme of the whole development.

The stylish kitchen comes with a range of integrated Siemens appliances including a washer-dryer conveniently housed within a cupboard, but it does not intrude into the rest of the living and dining area, as happens with many modern developments.

The space is a versatile area, with the potential to entertain, be a relaxing sanctuary or be zoned to include a home office.

The impressive window floods the apartment with natural light in the daytime whilst in the eve-

nings, soft warming downlighters create a soothing ambience. The primary bedroom also features an attractive Crittal-style arched window and a full height, built-in wardrobe with mirrored doors and fully lined interior. There is a stylish en-suite off the master bedroom, a family bathroom off the hallway and a good sized second bedroom, again featuring the impressive arched window. Both bedrooms are bright by day and comforting at night with plush carpets. Dependent on their reservation date, new residents may be able to choose between three distinct colour palettes for their apartment – Earth, Moon and Pearl – curated by Chase New Homes and interior designers to provide imaginative and complementary tones and colours.

Lea Wharf features a uniformed concierge service and a private wi-fi enabled roof garden for

residents, who will also have on their doorstep the new commercial spaces which include a state of the art medical centre/GP surgery, a gym and a major new Boots store.

The development, which also includes a public space, is ideally placed to access Hertford’s town centre with its independent retailers, smart coffee shops and popular restaurants, as well as its green spaces and two stations. All in all, the show apartment fully delivers on Chase’s pledge to provide a high quality development offering a luxury lifestyle that Hertford can be proud of.

Express your interest

Prices start at £299,995 for a one-bedroom apartment. For further information contact selling agents Lanes Exclusive Homes on 01992 940955 or email leawharf@ lanesexclusivehomes.co.uk.

Above: The kitchen, living and dining space and two bedrooms in the show apartment. Below left: The bathroom

We take an exclusive look at the development that everyone is talking about in Hertford

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Summer days out and about in Bishop’s Stortford

Discover different outdoor eating and drinking spots plus free entertainment for all the family in this round-up from Bishop’s Stortford BID

Sworders Field, the play park and the splash park are all in a central location, plus there’s a free Summer Trail event, so why not make a day of it in Bishop’s Stortford this summer?

Stortford Swan Trail

Our Summer Trail runs through the school holidays until Sunday 3rd September. Ten swans have escaped from the River Stort and headed into town. Your challenge is to find them all and the letter next to each one. Put the letters together to create a word and enter the prize draw. Fantastic prize bundles are up for grabs, each worth £200, and tailored towards kids, teens and adults.

This free, fun event is suitable for all ages and is an ideal family activity for little ones to teens,

parents and grandparents. Get outdoors and enjoy exploring! Tag us on any photos at #stortfordswantrail.

To take part, simply pick up your trail leaflet from outside Smiggle in Jackson Square or pop into Tourist Information in Market Square. For full details, visit discoverstortford.co.uk/events.

Outdoor Eating & Drinking

With many alfresco options across the town, why not wander and see what takes your fancy? Here’s just a flavour of what you will find…

Paisa on the corner of North Street has a colourful courtyard, ideal for watching the world go by. Enjoy the authentic southern Italian fare, including sharing boards, arancini and various spritz, not to mention the impressive choice of wines. Open every day except Monday from 11am.

The Boar’s Head in High Street has a new-look outside dining space inside its walled garden as well as plush seating, parasols

and impressive floral displays with St Michael’s Church as the backdrop.

Enjoy a cocktail and choose from a broad menu, including steak, burgers and pasta. Open seven days a week.

Franco Manca, the popular sourdough pizzeria chain, has a surprisingly spacious garden at the back of its North Street branch. There are big tables, great for families and groups, with cover so you can enjoy the outdoor dining experience whatever the weather.

The Boar’s Head

Paisa

Franco Manca

Summer season of events keeps Hoddesdon thriving

Love Hoddesdon BID’s new manager Claire Bayless updates us on town centre news

As the new BID manager, I am really enjoying meeting so many new people who are bringing added value to everything Hoddesdon has to offer. I look forward to the next phase of showing what Love Hoddesdon can do for the businesses in our town centre.

Successful events

Over the last month we have seen two events in the town centre. Our first Windrush event was to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Empire Windrush bringing migrants from the Caribbean to our shores and was a day filled with Caribbean-themed music, food and stalls. This was the first event of its kind in the town centre and was well-attended. The second was the annual Vintage Car Show held by Broxbourne Council in association with Love Hoddesdon. This is always popular and featured around 140 vehicles as well as vintage-themed stalls.

Outdoor Cinema

Tuesday 15th August

Our upcoming events include our first free outdoor cinema day in conjunction with Broxbourne Council on Tuesday 15th August. There will be three films shown during the day. Bring your own chairs or blankets to the High Street and watch Peter Rabbit 2

at 11am, Encanto at 1pm and The Greatest Showman at 3pm.

Rock Around the Clock Tower

Sunday 20th August

This event returns to our town for its third year and is always a popular one, bringing live music from some great local bands courtesy of The Hoddesdon Allstars. It raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Food and Drink Festival

Saturday 16th September

This event is also in its third year and we hope to fill the town with a range of food and drink stalls as well as some entertainment.

Networking Breakfasts

Every month we arrange a networking breakfast in one of our local restaurants or businesses. These have been growing in pop-

ularity and we had 56 attendees at our last event. We arrange for a speaker to come along and have updates from local businesses and Love Hoddesdon itself. If you are interested in attending, email lovehoddesdon@outlook.com.

Photography Competition

At the beginning of July, we launched our first Love Hoddesdon Photography Competition. The brief is to show the very best of our High Street in three categories: Buildings, People and Hidden Secrets – the little details. Entry is free and closes on Friday 15th September. The winning pictures will be exhibited in Hoddesdon Library and there are cash prizes for the winners in all categories, for under-18s and over-18s. Full details of how to enter can be found at lovehoddesdon.co.uk.

A message from our Chair, Kevin Brooks

You only have to read the papers or watch the news to realise that life is difficult for many at the moment and that applies to businesses as well as individuals. Nevertheless, there are still opportunities to be seized and Love Hoddesdon’s role is to help local businesses do that. We obviously can’t tell people how to run their business but we can provide help in a number of ways. Prior to the pandemic we ran various training courses – free of charge to our members – and we are in the process of starting those again. We are also looking at ways of bringing more people into the town and the Events and Heritage Committees are discussing how that can be done in new and varying ways. Ultimately, our role is to help Hoddesdon businesses be more successful and that, in turn will help make our town vibrant. Equally, if we can help make the town more vibrant then that, in turn, will help make our businesses more successful. Finding the right blend is not always easy but we will find it.

Rock Around the Clock Tower attracts thousands to the town centre

WHAT’S ON

Rock at the Castle

Open air cinema screenings

FRIDAY 18th AUGUST

HERTFORD CASTLE

Enjoy an open air cinema screening in the grounds of Hertford Castle on Friday 18th August. There is a daytime showing, perfect for the whole family, of Sing 2 at 2pm (gates open 1.30). Tickets are £4 per person, with under-2s free. Then at 7pm, Top Gun: Maverick will be showing (gates open 6.30). Tickets are £8 per person (under-2s free once more). Book tickets on 01992 584322 or hertford.gov.uk.

TUESDAY 8th & 29th AUGUST FANHAMS HALL

There are also two open air cinema sunset screenings in the beautiful surroundings of Fanhams Hall in Ware this month. See The Greatest Showman on Tuesday 8th August at 8.40pm and then Dirty Dancing on Tuesday 29th August, also at 8.40pm. Tickets are £20 per person. You can bring your own picnic or buy food and snacks on the night. To book call 01920 460511 or email fanhamshall@exclusive.co.uk.

SUNDAY 6th AUGUST

Rock at the Castle is a day-long outdoor music festival in the grounds of historic Hertford Castle on Sunday 6th August. Running from 12noon to 7pm, there will be performances throughout the day by local bands, set across three stages and featuring a wide

range of genres, from rock to folk, acoustic, pop, soul, funk and indie. There will be food and drinks stalls and admission is free to this Hertford Town Council-organised event. This year’s chosen charity, The Hertford Pantry, will be collecting on the gate. For the full line-up visit hertford.gov.uk.

Open air Roman Theatre Grove Cottage in the Park

SATURDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER

Grove Cottage in the Park on Saturday 2nd September is held on Sworder’s Field in Bishop’s Stortford from 12noon to 8pm. It is a family fun day and festival with eight hours of live music from local bands and other entertainment, including from friends of the DJ and Standon Calling ambassador Digital Pocohontas,

who is this year’s host. A dedicated kids’ zone will guarantee to keep children busy too and there will be food and drink available throughout the day. Money raised supports the local charity Grove Cottage, the home of Bishop’s Stortford Mencap. For ticketing information and more details about the event visit mencapgrovecottage.org.

THROUGHOUT AUGUST

For open air theatre in unique surroundings, visit The Roman Theatre Festival in St Albans, run by theatre company OVO, which features a series of different plays running through to early September on different dates. During August you can see performances of The Railway Children, Private Lives, Little Women, The

Threepenny Opera, The Count of Monte Cristo and The Wind in the Willows. Tickets generally cost between £23.50 and £28.50 depending upon the performance, with preview tickets for some shows at £14.50 and reduced prices for children. The Roman Theatre of Verulamium is in Bluehouse Hill, St Albans AL3 6AE. Visit ovo.org.uk to book.

TIM MOROZZO

Looking for things to do over the school holidays? Sorted...

SEE HORRIBLE HISTORIES AT THE RAF MUSEUM

The Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon has teamed up with the Horrible Histories team to present a unique summer holiday adventure.

Horrible Histories Up in the Air Adventure is a fully interactive experience for all the family where you can meet fearless and foolish flyers and solve clues in six different zones. Tickets are £7.50 per person or £25 for five people on a group saver ticket.

The RAF Museum is in Grahame Park Way, London NW9 5LL. Visit rafmuseum.org to book.

ENTER THE LEE VALLEY MAZE AND PLAY MINI GOLF

Plants Galore garden centre in Roydon has a range of attractions to keep the little ones busy over the summer holidays. It has a full-size Lee Valley Maze, sand pit, play area and now a mini golf course too – as well as a café for that much-needed sit-down and cuppa! Single admission to the attractions is £5.99 per person aged three or over, while a family of four or five can get in for £22 (minimum one adult). It is open from 10am to 4pm daily until 3rd September (last entry 3pm). Plants Galore is in Hamlet Hill, Roydon CM19 5JY.

More local activities for the summer

FOLLOW A TRAIL AROUND TOWN CENTRES

Both Hertford and Bishop’s Stortford have town centre trails on. For details of Bishop’s Stortford’s attractions, see page 15. In Hertford, the town council has teamed up with the Secret Society of Hertford Crafters to place knitted zoo characters in shop windows. You can pick up trail maps from the Town and Tourist Information Centre, Hertford Museum and Hertford Library. The SSOHC has also yarnbombed Parliament Square in Hertford this month with knitted sea creatures. Pop along to admire their creations.

VISIT JOHN LAWSON’S CIRCUS AT VAN HAGE

Van Hage garden centre in Great Amwell will be visited by John Lawson’s all-human circus between Saturday 19th and Monday 28th August. There will be performances at 11am, 1pm and 3pm daily and tickets are £8 per person or £28 for a family ticket for four. The big top will be located on part of the Van Hage car park and you are advised to get there ahead of the showtimes to get the best seats.

Visit vanhage.co.uk or johnlawsonscircus.co.uk for further information.

Craving some culture? Try The Fry...

ENJOY TEDDY BEARS PICNIC AT HODDESDON LIBRARY

Hoddesdon Library in High Street is hosting a teddy bears picnic on Tuesday 8th August at 11.30am. Children should bring along their teddy and a sandwich, and can enjoy stories in the garden, a teddy bear hunt, singing and cupcake decorating. Booking essential – pop into the library or book at Hertfordshire.gov.uk/ libraries. £3 per child.

TAKE PART IN FREE ACTIVITIES AT WARE PRIORY

The very busy Ware Town Council has organised a series of free fun activities through the holidays at Ware Priory or in its grounds. All the following take place from 12-4pm: Street art on

Tuesday 8th August; climbing wall on Wednesday 9th; pedal cars on Monday 14th; water wars on Tuesday 22nd and zorb football on Wednesday 23rd. There will also be a fun dog show on Sunday 20th August from 10am. For more details on all these events and more visit waretowncouncil.gov.uk.

DROP IN TO CRAFT SESSIONS AT MUSEUM

Hertford Museum in Bull Plain has weekly drop-in arts and crafts sessions throughout August, from Tuesday to Thursday each week between 10am and 1pm. The cost is £3.50 per child and the theme changes each week. On Thursday 17th August the museum welcomes Spirit of the Wild who will be bringing in their collection of weird and wonderful animals for fun and educational sessions. £10 per person, booking essential via ticketsource.co.uk. Sessions are from 2-3pm and 3.30-4.30pm. Visit hertfordmuseum.org.

If all the family fun stuff is getting a bit too much for you and you crave a touch of culture, head up to Saffron Walden’s Fry Art Gallery to view its summer exhibition, A World of Private Mystery: British Neo-Romantics. Running through to 29th October, the exhibition shines a spotlight on a movement that produced some of the most innovative and captivating works of art in the mid-20th century. Think nocturnal cityscapes illuminated by silvery crescent moons; ruined cottages covered in tangles of undergrowth and anxious figures sheltering in shadowy woodlands and bombed-out streets – all of which are hallmarks of British neo-romanticism.

The Fry holds a collection of works by neo-romantic artists who lived and worked in northwest Essex and has joined forces with The Ingram Collection of Modern British Art to explore the movement through an exhibition of 30 works by artists

Graham Sutherland, John Piper, Keith Vaughan, John Craxton, John Minton, Robert McBryde, Robert Colquhoun and Michael Ayrton.

The Fry Art Gallery is at 19a Castle Street, Saffron Walden CB10 1BD. It is open Tuesday to Friday and Sunday from 2-5pm and from 11am to 5pm on Saturday. Call 01799 513779 or visit fryartgallery.org for more details.

GREEK DANCER BY JOHN CRAXTON

See new local film that highlights the indomitable human spirit

With a lengthy and successful career in the music industry Simon Baker is well known both locally and nationally.

As the owner of the Livewire Rock Academy music school, and manager and frontman of the UK’s premier disco tribute band, Uncle Funk’s Disco Inferno, Simon is used to being centre stage. But this month he turns the spotlight onto another talented family member, his brother Matthew, with an hour-long documentary film that encapsulates the indomitable spirit of human perseverance, the power of friendship and brotherly love, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.

Matthew has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, diabetes and tunnel vision yet, despite his own challenges, possesses an unwavering determination to overcome obstacles and make a difference in the world, regularly raising money for charity.

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

In 2019 he decided to swim the English Channel – or the equivalent of it! – 2,376 lengths of his local swimming pool over five months. In doing so he raised thousands of pounds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Directed and edited by Simon, My Brother Matthew, showing at South Mill Arts in Bishop’s Stortford on just one date in September, showcases the obstacles Matthew encounters both in the water and in his personal life. Simon said: “We wanted to tell a story that challenges societal perceptions of disability and showcases the incredible potential within every individual, regardless of physical limitations.

“I also wanted to show the struggles Matthew has in life as a disabled man, his limitations, frustrations and his unwavering sense of humour and optimism in the face of increasing challenges in his life.”

The film is being shown at 3pm

on Sunday 10th September and will be followed by a question and answer session with Matthew and Simon.

Tickets are priced at £8 and can be booked online at southmillarts.co.uk or via the box office on 01279 710200.

Movies for the summer hols

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (PG)

Now showing

FIREMAN SAM SAVES THE CIRCUS

Thursday 17th August, 12noon & 3.30pm

Tickets: £18, Children £17

Family of four £66

SIX: TEEN EDITION

Thursday 24th –Saturday 26th August, 7pm, + Saturday matinée 3pm

Tickets: £15

WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN’ –THE SHAKIN’ STEVENS STORY

Thursday 14th September, 7.30pm,

Tickets: £27

BOX OFFICE – 01707 645005

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

After years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtle brothers set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers by carrying out a series of heroic acts. Their new friend April O’Neil helps them take on a mysterious crime syndicate but they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them! Perfect animated fare for the hols.

Puffin Rock and the New Friends (U)

Out on 11th August

A delightful animated film celebrating Ireland’s natural environment with themes of belonging, courage and friendship, Puffin Rock and the New Friends is a spin off from the TV series. When the last Little Egg of the season disappears under mysterious circumstances, Oona and her new friends race against time to bring it home before a big storm puts their whole island in danger.

Blue Beetle (TBC) Out on 18th August

The first outing on the big screen for this particular DC superhero. Jaime Reyes, a recent college graduate, searches to find his purpose in the world and unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology, the Scarab, which chooses him to be its symbiotic host. Jaime is bestowed with an incredible suit of armour capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the superhero Blue Beetle.

Puffin Rock and the New Friends

Friday 18th August

FOOD & DRINK

Four proper country pubs to dine outside at this summer

THE GEORGE IV GREAT AMWELL

The George IV in Great Amwell is a deservedly popular spot for dining all year round, and its extended terrace makes it perfect for the summer months. Its current seasonal menu features small and large sharing plates with something for everyone to enjoy, and The George is offering Axis readers 15% off their total bill this summer until 30th September. Please remember to quote ‘Axis offer’ when booking and bring the advert on page 24 with you on the day.

It also has two special events on this month. The first is live music with Cara Beard on Friday 18th August from 7-9 pm followed by a Mediterranean Evening on Saturday 26th August.

The George IV is in Cautherly Lane, Great Amwell SG12 9SW. Call 01920 870039 to book or visit georgeivpub.co.uk.

THE GRANDISON BRAMFIELD

Back under the management of previous owners Aaron and Cheri Clayton, The Grandison in Bramfield is a great place to make the most of the summer. Its fresh new menus offer a range of dishes at sensible prices that have been set to attract diners and its local cask ales are wellkept and sit alongside craft lagers and a decent wine list. With both a front terrace and rear patio garden The Grandison, which is just a ten-minute drive out of Hertford, is ideally suited to while away the warm days. It offers a weekday set menu with two courses for £12.95 or three for £15.95, both at lunchtime and in the evening.

The Grandison is in Bury Lane, Bramfield SG14 2QL. Call 01992 554077 to book or visit its new website at grandisonpub.com.

THE GOLDEN FLEECE BRAUGHING

Every good village needs a fine pub serving superbly-cooked food and Braughing can definitely lay claim to one, with The Golden Fleece continuing to go from strength to strength under the expert guidance of Peter and Jess Tatlow.

Peter looks after front of house duties while chef Jess uses fresh, seasonal, locally sourced produce to create her dishes.

The Fleece is one of those pubs that succeeds all year round. In the winter it is warm and cosy, but in the summer its extensive garden and terrace are idyllic. It has an updated summer menu and also holds a tapas night on the last Wednesday of the month. The Golden Fleece is at 20 Green End, Braughing SG11 2PG. Call 01920 823555 to book or visit goldenfleecebraughing.co.uk to find out more.

THE DUSTY MILLER HARLOW

Sitting close to the riverside on the outskirts of Harlow, The Dusty Miller is a surprisingly peaceful venue to enjoy eating outside this summer. Sitting in its garden, the thriving and bustling new town seems a world away.

Chef-patron Lukasz Szumski has put together a tempting menu of pub classics along with daily changing specials and he also offers a weekday lunch special with two dishes for £25 and a steak night every Thursday where you can enjoy two steaks and a bottle of wine for £50.

The pub has many gluten-free and vegan options on the menu as well.

The Dusty Miller is in Burnt Mill Lane, Harlow CM20 2QS and is easily found just off the A414 near to Eastwick. Call 01279 424180 to book or visit dustymillerharlow.co.uk.

The George IV is the perfect spot this summer, offering exceptional restaurant cuisine, serving a menu of seasonal, fresh, small and large sharing plates with something for everyone to enjoy.

The Blackbirds reopens after £350k revamp

The Blackbirds in Hertford’s Parliament Square reopened in July after a three-week closure for a £350,000 investment into the pub by owners Stonegate Group. The refurbishment works included new flooring, furniture, lighting and decorations along with new signage. And the grand re-opening on Friday 7th July saw some new faces behind the bar too after Hertford and Stortford MP Julie Marson (pictured, right) and the town’s mayor and deputy mayor, Vicky Smith and Alex Daar, were invited to pull the first pints! General manager Elaine Bell said the pub was delighted to be able to welcome all three important community figures to the pub as well as familiar faces and new ones from the community. Ms Marson said: “It was great to attend The Blackbirds’ reopening after its impressive refurbishment – the pub looks brilliant and is a real asset to the community. I look forward to watching The

Blackbirds go from strength to strength and wish Elaine all the best for the future.”

The changes at the pub include the introduction of new menus with breakfasts now on offer and roasts served between 12noon

Closures and changes on local dining scene...

Baan Thitiya Thai restaurant, a popular fixture in Hertford’s St Andrew Street, has closed after nearly 20 years after its owner was unable to agree a new lease on the building. Please note that the Baan Thitiya restaurant in Bishop’s Stortford remains open and is completely unaffected.

and 6pm on Sundays. For more information, to book or to find out about forthcoming events that include quizzes, games nights, gin nights and Feel Good Fridays visit greatukpubs.co.uk.

Zeyna brings a modern look to historic venue

For a taste of the Mediterranean without the need to travel this summer, visit Zeyna Bistro Bar in Bishop’s Stortford. This restaurant, which opened in the Spring, is run by Alex Sfiraila and Celal Yildirim and has taken part of the historic Corn Exchange building in Market Square.

The two business partners chose the name because it means ‘beauty and grace’ and their restaurant aims to be a casual dining venue where you can walk in and enjoy home-cooked Mediterranean food and a wide choice of drinks. Among its offers at the moment are a two-course lunch menu for £15.50 and a bottomless brunch option on Saturday with two courses for £34.95.

Zeyna is open for lunch and dinner from 11am to 11pm Tuesday to Saturday and from 12noon to 10pm on Sunday. It is closed on Monday.

To book call 01279 658728 or visit zeynabistrobar.co.uk to see the full menus.

The Mexican takeaway in Old Cross, Hertford, which was an expansion of the independent restaurant of the same name in Ware High Street has closed. The Ware operation is not affected.

Jacoby’s, one of the most famous names in food and drink in Ware in recent years, has closed but is set to reopen in the same Tudor Square premises in the next few months under new ownership after the business was sold.

Firat, the Insta-heavy Mediterranean bistro, bar and cocktail lounge in South Street, Bishop’s Stortford, has closed after only opening earlier this year.

The Straw Hat oriental restaurant in Sawbridgeworth has also closed down. In its time, it was hugely popular for its upmarket Chinese cuisine which saw many famous names go through its doors and enjoy eating under the iconic thatched roof.

The Hoops Inn at Perry Green near the Henry Moore Studios and Gardens remains closed, having shuts its doors last October.

Ritchie’s wine notes

By Ritchie Tough of Cavavin

Matching spicy food with the right wine

AtCavavin, I often get asked for advice on matching spicy food with wine.

It can be tricky to pair wine with spicy food because the flavours of the food are so dominant. The elements that work are sweetness, acidity, bubbles and aromatics. Sweetness and spice work really well together and sparkling wine can too.

Riesling is a great place to start. It’s got so much structure and concentration: you get expressive wines from a really long ripening season. With some of the riper examples you get a lot of exotic fruit flavours. It’s a grape with naturally high acidity too. For those reasons, Riesling stands up well to spice and heat. And, of course, Gewürztraminer is known for being naturally aromatic and sweet.

If sweeter wines are not your thing, then high fruit-driven wines could work, like Spanish Albarino (we have Pinord at £16.50) or the white wines from Rhone valley such as La Fond Lirac at £15.50.

DINING OUT GUIDE

SHISHBOURNE Turkish

Shishbourne is a Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant on Broxbourne High Road which is open seven days a week and offers a full menu throughout the day from 12noon until closing. It has a plush and luxurious look with an unforgettable Instagrammable interior, combined with great cocktails and an a la carte menu filled with Turkish classics. It also offers a bottomless dinner option from 6pm Monday to Thursday and a two-course lunch menu from 12-3.30pm Monday to Friday. There is live entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings too.

27 High Road, Broxbourne EN10 7HX 01992 313198

www.shishbourne.co.uk

THE DUSTY MILLER Country pub

The Dusty Miller is a country pub and casual dining venue just outside Harlow, surrounded by countryside and close to the river. It serves freshly-cooked pub food, including a pie of the day and other pub classics, together with a good selection of gluten-free and vegan dishes.

Thursday night is Steak Night with two steaks and a bottle of wine for £50. The Dusty Miller is open from 12noon to 11pm Wednesday to Saturday and from 12noon to 6.30pm on Sunday when a traditional roast is available. It also has a large, sunny garden area.

Burnt Mill Lane, Harlow CM20 2QS 01279 424180

www.dustymillerharlow.co.uk

I would also advise you stay away from big tannins. Because New World wines are often grown in hotter climates, they tend to have higher alcohol levels than Old World wines, and that alcohol will clash with the spice.

But if you do want to go for red wine, then go for something youthful, with fruit-forward, high-tone red fruit: Beaujolais or Pinot Noir would work well.

BROHMON Bengali

Voted Best Restaurant in Essex at the 4th annual British Restaurant Awards 2022, Brohmon, which means Journey in Bengali, is the brainchild of Karim Ullah and his wife Sultana who have made it their mission to bring high quality food from the Bengal region of South Asia to Britain. They began by running pop-ups in Hertfordshire, including in both Hertford and Bishop’s Stortford, before opening their own restaurant in Stansted Mountfitchet where they serve a sensibly-sized menu of rustic Bengali dishes.

8 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8AG 01279 815688

www.brohmon.com

Cavavin is your local, independent wine shop. Find it at 22 Maidenhead Street, Hertford SG14 1DR. Call 01992 558311 or visit cavavin.co.uk/hertford

THE GEORGE IV Pub & Dining

Nestled in the picturesque village of Great Amwell, The George IV offers exceptional restaurant cuisine within a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Oliver and his team serve a menu of seasonal and fresh small and large sharing plates to enjoy on the sun-drenched terrace over the summer months. The George IV can also be the perfect venue for your next event. Whether it is an intimate wedding, baby shower, birthday or a special anniversary, there is a variety of dining options to suit any occasion in the private dining room and courtyard.

Cautherly Lane, Great Amwell

SG12 9SW / 01920 870039 info@georgeivpub.co.uk www.georgeivpub.co.uk

BAAN THITIYA Thai

Baan Thitiya, Bishop’s Stortford’s premier Thai restaurant, is the perfect place for relaxed 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.

102 London Road, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3DS 01279 658575

www.baan-thitiya.com

THE GOLDEN FLEECE Pub & 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 freehouse at the heart of its community, the Fleece is also able to offer a wide range of real ales, beers, wines and spirits. A takeaway menu is also available.

20 Green End, Braughing

SG11 2PG 01920 823555

www.goldenfleecebraughing.co.uk

KHAO YAI

Thai

Khao Yai is a smart Thai restaurant in the centre of Hoddesdon that is now into its second year 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.

18 Brocket Road, Hoddesdon

EN11 8NZ 01992 445988

www.khao-yai.co.uk

RONI’S Fine Dining

Roni’s, set in the heart of Bishop’s Stortford, is a fine dining restaurant where both the quality of food and the service combine to offer guests a memorable experience. Roni’s offers a wide range of traditional dishes, passionately crafted, including gluten-free and vegan menus. There is a set lunch menu as well as the main menu and superb roasts are served on Sundays. Social wine tastings can also be booked for groups of family or friends in the private dining room. Roni’s is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 12noon to 10pm, and closed on Monday.

16 North Street, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2LQ 01279 508856

www.ronisrestaurant.co.uk

THE BEEHIVE Country Pub

This family-run country freehouse reopened following a lockdown renovation with a major extension, creating new modern facilities which blend well with its historic character. The new look is proving popular with customers enjoying a menu that has plenty of fresh fish and seafood dishes as well as steaks, burgers, pies and many others. Vegan and vegetarian dishes are always available. It also offers a great Sunday lunch. Afternoon teas, which must be booked, are available from Monday to Saturday. Check social media for forthcoming events. Book now to experience its fresh new look!

Epping Green, near Hertford

SG13 8NB / 01707 875959

www.beehiveeppingreen.co.uk

For Sale: Great Amwell

£5,500,000

This exceptional property offers over 8,400 sq ft of immaculately refurbished and extended living space. Set within a three acre plot, the house provides a total of seven bedrooms along with impressively proportioned living and entertaining space, all elegantly presented to the highest standard.

EXPECT MORE

FROM YOUR n ESTATE AGENT

For Sale: Little Berkhamsted

£4,250,000

Stockings Farm is a truly unique period farmhouse and granary set in the middle of 66 acres of farmland and woodland. Planning permission has been granted to extend and link the main farmhouse to the nearest barn, creating a stunning family home.