Axis magazine March 2021 issue

The independent, intelligent guide to everything that matters locally March 2021

OUT WE COME!...THE GREAT ‘UNLOCK’ STARTS HERE

Yo u r l e a d i n g h i g h qu a l i t y l o c a l n e w s m a g a z i n e s i n c e 2 0 0 3

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WELCOME

MARCH 2021 | NO. 218

What’s in this issue STEVE BEESTON

ABOUT AXIS

18-21 y Home improvements Spring: what better time to brighten up your home?

05-09 y Briefing The local news you need to know: Historic mill building to be bulldozed

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

PETE SEAWARD

Axis Magazine, Tooke House, 20 Bull Plain, Hertford SG14 1DT 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

23-24 y What’s on Outdoor events, pre-Easter activity and an online art gallery

25-27 y Food & drink Mother’s Day meals, restaurant news and our new monthly wine column

A MESSAGE TO OUR READERS Until the venues where you would normally collect Axis reopen starting from next month, you can still find the latest issue online at axismagazine.co.uk Front cover images (clockwise from top) Hibernation is nearly over: main image by Piotr Laskawski; Painting of St Ives by Neil Robbins (Gallery at Parndon Mill), p24; Interiors by Fashion Flooring & Interiors, p18; From the Missing You tree at St Andrew’s Church, Hertford, p8

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.

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

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BRIEFING Reopening preparations begin as Covid road map is revealed Preparations are underway to reopen shops, restaurants, salons and venues across the Axis area over the coming months.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed his long-awaited road map out of the coronavirus restrictions on Monday 22nd February.

It gave some degree of certainty to help businesses prepare to reopen.

Schools go back on Monday 8th March, whilst some limited changes to outdoor social meetings take effect from the same date and from 29th March, in time for Easter, when outdoor sport can also begin again.

The earliest possible date for shops, salons and gyms to reopen is 12th April, at which time hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants will be able to offer food and drink outdoors.

Indoor hospitality and hotels will be able to open from 17th May (at the earliest) with all restrictions hoped to be lifted from 21st June, on Midsummer’s Day. All of these dates are dependent on the Government’s four tests being met. These monitor the impact of vaccinations, testing and case numbers on the NHS and society at large.

The vaccination programme, which pretty much everyone acknowledges is the undoubted success story of the Government’s

response to the Covid emergency, is continuing apace.

Meanwhile, in local Covid-related developments, 10,000 residents in the EN10 postcode area of Broxbourne were asked to take Covid tests after one case of the new variant first discovered in South Africa was traced to the area. No further cases of the variant were found.

East Herts Council launched the next round of discretionary grants for local businesses affected by the pandemic on 1st March. Business owners should visit the council’s website, eastherts.gov.uk, for more information and to apply.

These grants cover both businesses mandated to close and those that have been allowed to remain open but have been affected by a reduction in trade.

Grants of between £1,000 and £6,000 are available.

In Harlow, the council has begun to reopen play areas which had been closed because of the difficulty in retaining social distancing earlier this year.

NEWS WORTH KNOWING

Planning application submitted for Jackson Square’s TK Maxx revamp

Artist’s impression of how the new side of Jackson Square will look

Details of the planned revamp of part of the biggest shopping centre in East Herts have been revealed.

A planning application to redevelop and reconfigure the Bridge Street side of Jackson Square shopping centre in Bishop’s Stortford has been submitted to East Herts Council.

It seeks to create a new 17,200 sq ft anchor store to bring TK Maxx to the centre, hopefully in 2022.

Negotiations with them are said to be at an advanced stage.

If approved, the application would

lead to the Bridge Street frontage being completely redeveloped, replacing the somewhat tired facade that currently exists with a much more modern design and creating five new retail units at ground level.

The work would also include removing the existing glass entrance to the centre in Bridge Street, to create the space to develop the new anchor store.

The main entry point to the centre would remain at mall level in Potter Street.

Increases in parking charges on hold until 2022 Proposed increases to car parking charges in East Herts Council car parks will not now be introduced next month.

The proposals had been put forward as part of a three-year plan to tackle a predicted £4million shortfall in the council’s finances by the end of the financial year 2023/4.

The council was due to meet on Wednesday 2nd March to agree

its budget for 2021/22.

However, as the legal processes involved in raising car parking charges can take several months, no changes to parking are now envisaged for this year.

Instead, the proposals are expected to take effect in the following financial year, coming in from April 2022.

At that point, the changes are expected to include the following:

an increase in car park charges; an extension of chargeable hours in car parks from 6.30pm to 8pm; an end to free parking on Sundays and Bank Holidays; an end to the free 30-minute period in car parks and an end to free on-street parking in Hertford, Ware and Bishop’s Stortford.

The on-street bays will become chargeable through a pay by phone system. axis magazine 5

BRIEFING

Plan to replace Rye House speedway track withdrawn – but reprieve may be temporary

Make Votes Matter local group launched to promote change to the voting system

The Rye House speedway track has been removed but campaigners will still hope to have it reinstated

A retrospective planning application to remove the historic speedway track at Rye House Stadium in Hoddesdon has been withdrawn by its applicants.

Axis reported last month that the track, which had been home to top speedway team Rye House Rockets before financial problems led to their demise in 2018, had been taken up at the end of last year by the current leaseholder of the stadium, Carter and Bailey Ltd. Motorsport World Ltd, of whom two directors are also directors of Carter & Bailey, later submitted a retrospective application seeking permission for “the removal of the

speedway track and the formation of grassed football pitches”.

But a fans’ group hoping to have speedway reinstated at the track led vocal opposition to the plan, which was also opposed by the Environment Agency and Hertfordshire Highways, both of whom objected to the application, saying it relied on inaccurate or incomplete information.

The leaseholders’ agent, Ian Wood of IWPS Planning & Building Control, has now written to East Herts Council, into whose jurisdiction the site falls, withdrawing the application.

In an email to the council’s

planning department, Mr Wood said that, following an in-depth discussion with the applicant, Rick Musk, it had become clear that “original submitted documentation was insufficient to support the application” and that “its scale was clearly not reflected in that initial submission”.

But those hoping that speedway could return to Hoddesdon should not rejoice yet.

Mr Wood’s email says that a new application is likely to be submitted to “encompass a proposed redevelopment of the site to form a multi-sport hub development”.

A new group in East Herts that wants to see proportional representation in UK elections is launching this month.

Make Votes Matter is a nonparty organisation with branches throughout the country promoting a change in the voting system to PR. In its most pure form, PR is a system in which the number of seats a political party wins matches the share of votes it receives.

The UK’s current First Past The Post system allows a political party to form a Government or control a council on its own despite winning a minority of the public vote.

For more information on the national campaign visit makevotesmatter.org.uk.

The East Herts branch has been formed to campaign locally in eastern Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. It will be launched at a virtual meeting on Thursday 18th March at 8pm.

If you’d like to attend, email mvm.eastherts@gmail.com.

Historic church to get ‘modern lychgate’ as Harlow’s sculpture trail is extended Sculpture and Harlow New Town are well entwined – indeed, Harlow has been designated a “Sculpture Town” because of its vast public art collection. Now, one of the town’s most historic buildings is being connected to one of its newest developments by a new piece of public sculpture.

The artist David Murphy is to create a modern take on the traditional lychgate to create a new entrance to the grade-II listed 18th century St Mary’s Church in Parndon Mill Lane, Little Parndon.

The entrance in the church’s low surrounding wall to its southwestern side currently consists of 6 axis magazine

two brick piers. The sculpture, which will be positioned on top of the rebuilt brick piers, will form an archway in the form of a simple, modulated, beaded line.

The entrance will form a link with a new housing development that is now almost completed on the neighbouring Harlow Rugby Club playing fields.

Once installed, the artwork will become part of the Harlow Sculpture Trail.

Planning permission for the artwork was approved by Harlow Council’s development management committee on Tuesday 16th February.

St Mary’s Church is grade-II listed and was built in the 18th century

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axis magazine 7

BRIEFING

Might M&S be miffed as a new out of town supermarket gets the go-ahead in Harlow?

Just a Lidl, perhaps

The site in Edinburgh Way

An outpouring of love and affection A poignant but beautiful display of love brightened up St Andrew’s Churchyard in Hertford during February.

To mark Valentine’s Day during a year in which so many of us are missing people who we cannot meet up with, St Andrew’s created Missing You trees in the churchyard facing St Andrew Street.

People were invited to take a red heart from a box and write on it who or what they were missing this year. The church also supplied a small gold heart to take away to remind participants that, who or whatever they were missing, they were not alone.

The results, as our pictures show, was a heart-warming outpouring of love.

The great brown bin debate: Where can you put your food and garden waste from April?

The announcement of a new paid-for garden waste collection service in East Herts has left many residents querying what rubbish will be going into what bin from 1st April.

Residents who would like their brown bin emptied by the council are being asked to sign up to the new service which costs £49 a year (£45 for those who subscribe by direct debit by 22nd March).

The council has a statutory duty to collect household waste but not to offer a garden waste collection.

The council’s budgets are under pressure but rather than stop the garden waste service altogether it decided in January to continue to offer it for those prepared to pay.

The move has been controversial, not least due to its impact on the disposal of food waste. Other councils that have introduced garden waste charges have had separate food waste collections in place. East Herts plans to introduce one when it becomes mandatory in a couple of years’ time but says it 8 axis magazine

cannot afford to do so now without Government funding.

In the meantime, it says residents should compost food waste or put it into the black bin, sparking questions about a situation that might not be ideal in the short term.

Residents have been asking why those who subscribe to the new service can’t continue to put food waste into their brown bin; if households that don’t compost

really have no alternative than to put food waste into their black bin; and whether garden waste put into the black bin would be collected.

So Axis asked East Herts for clarification on each of these.

Here is what we were told: Although the council’s website says that food waste should not be put in the brown bin, a spokesperson confirmed that if it was put in there by those subscribing to the new garden waste collection, it would still be collected.

For others not signing up to the garden service though, the only option is to compost (the council begins a campaign to discourage food waste and encourage composting this month) or to put it into the black bin for now.

Again, while they’d rather you didn’t put garden rubbish into your black bin for environmental reasons, you can do so if there’s room and your bin will be emptied. The council says that its online A-Z of what should go in what bin will be updated shortly.

Lidl will be allowed to open a new supermarket at the Queensgate Centre in Harlow’s Edinburgh Way after Harlow Council agreed to over-ride a previous condition that had stopped food retailers opening in the out of town retail park.

The discount supermarket can now open in one of the units created by the sub-division of the former Toys R Us store.

That building has been split into three parts, with Smyths Toys now occupying one unit, a second (the smallest one) empty and the third (the largest) to be occupied by Lidl.

At a meeting of Harlow’s development management committee on Tuesday 16th February, councillors approved a planning application for minor works to the building and car park, which also included the request to use the site for food retail.

Previously, the type of goods that could be sold from the unit had specifically excluded food.

Marks & Spencer fell victim to a similar condition back in 2014 when its application to develop an M&S Simply Food store in another unit at the Queensgate Centre was turned down by Harlow Council.

M&S went on to close its existing location in the town centre and no longer has a large store in Harlow.

Harlow Council pursues a “town centres first” policy and both the old M&S and the Lidl decision were largely based on something called “the sequential test” which basically means permission for out of town development will be refused if a suitable town centre site is available. Harlow said there was one available for M&S at the time of its application (its existing store) but that there was not one available now for Lidl.

BRIEFING

Calls grow for Old River Lane to be paused Calls are growing for East Herts Council to put its Old River Lane development in Bishop’s Stortford on hold rather than proceed with a project that doesn’t have support from residents and businesses.

The council had planned a 544seat theatre as the centrepiece of a new arts centre for the town along with a four screen cinema, new homes, retail, office and leisure space on land currently occupied

by The Causeway car park.

But last month, following a review of all of its major projects that took into account budgetary pressures and the impact of Covid, it said that it would not be able to go ahead with the new theatre.

Instead, it intends to include a smaller arts centre without an auditorium and with an expanded cinema with five screens.

These revised plans are set to be discussed at an extraordinary meeting of the council on Thursday 18th March.

Almost 2,000 people have signed a petition on change.org asking the council to put the plans on hold

Broxbourne commits to major projects

The proposed Brookfield Riverside development

The Old River Lane scheme has become increasingly controversial

until the economy has recovered and it can afford the theatre that the local community was promised.

Campaigners have dubbed the new plans a “kneejerk response” to the situation which would “force an ill thought out and watered down alternative” on the community.

They say a host of community arts groups were hoping to find a new home in the arts centre while

Plans to redevelop the site of Hertford Mill in Tamworth Road into a development of 49 new homes were approved in February despite much local opposition.

The plans, from TR Hertford Ltd, will see the demolition of the former industrial buildings on the site and their replacement with 17 apartments, 14 three-bedroom and 18 four-bedroom houses.

Objectors had included local residents, Kingsmead ward councillors Susan Barber and Rosemary Bolton, Tamworth Road Neighbourhood Association, East Herts Green Party, Hertford Town Council and The Victorian Society which said the buildings on the site were “of strong local interest, allowing the industrial past of the site to remain legible”.

As well as the loss of the old buildings, concerns raised included pressure on parking in the area; the design of the new development; a lack of green space; and the affordable housing offer.

These were discussed at length by East Herts Council’s development management committee on Wednesday 3rd February.

However, officers advised that the plans were policy compliant and they were eventually approved by a majority of councillors with just the Green Party’s councillor Ben Crystal and Labour’s Carolyn Redfern voting against.

The historic town granary on the mill site

STEVE BEESTON

Another piece of history to make way for housing

the planned theatre was crucial to attract professional productions.

Meanwhile, the Bishop’s Stortford BID, which represents town centre businesses, said a canvass of its levy payers revealed that 80% of respondents were unhappy with the new plans for the site.

BID chair Karen Burton said that their concerns had been raised and positive dialogue was continuing with East Herts Council.

A business and technology centre off the A10, the conversion of a Hoddesdon car park into shortterm housing and a 50-home development on land near its current Civic Centre are all part of Broxbourne Council’s planned projects for the new financial year.

Broxbourne plans to spend £8.4million to design and build a new business and technology centre on land at Maxwells Farm West alongside the A10 in Cheshunt. It also intends to spend a further £1.2million this year to design, build and then sell a development of 50 homes on land east of the New River at Bishop’s College near its existing Civic Centre in Cheshunt. Among other spending plans in its Capital Projects the Cabinet agreed to are: l £1.8million to build short-term housing on the site of the Burford Street car park in Hoddesdon; l £530,000 to enhance “various aspects” of The Pavilions shopping centre in Waltham Cross which the council purchased last year; and l £400,000 towards the infrastructure requirements for the creation of Brookfield Riverside.

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SHOPPING & BUSINESS NEWS

French and Day deli brings a touch of foodie culture to Ware The opening of Ware’s new delicatessen, French and Day, has been a highlight of the local retail scene during lockdown.

It opened at 55 High Street in Ware on 19th December and, as a food business, has been able to stay open ever since.

Owned by Thomas Day and Tom French, the deli was born out of the two Toms’ love of food, drink and travel.

The couple had long talked of launching their own food business one day but it was while they were on their honeymoon at Como in Italy in 2016 that they had the inspiration that led to their current venture.

Thomas Day explained: “We discovered these amazing little shops that not only had the most wonderful food but also had a few small tables where you could sit and enjoy some really simple but high quality food and drink, and we thought wouldn’t it be lovely to be able to do something like that in the UK.” When Thomas’s job in the hospitality interior design business was made redundant in June last year, he and Tom decided that now was the time to follow

their passion. So French and Day was set up. Thomas works in it full-time while Tom works in the business at evenings and weekends, whilst retaining his “day job” as a graphic designer.

Their shop offers high quality food and drink, with as much local produce as possible, starting with Hertfordshire suppliers. All the cheeses and meat, for example, are British. Customers will find many local names they may already know but others are small startups, many of which, like French and Day, have actually been born during lockdown.

At both meat and cheese counters, your purchases will be cut to order.

Wines are sourced in conjunction with Hertford’s independent wine shop Cavavin and you will also find beer, bread and a wide range of other deli produce.

During lockdown, the shop has been open for reduced hours from 10am to 7pm Thursday to Sunday, but Thomas says they hope to open for more days soon.

French and Day 55 High Street, Ware SG12 9XD 01920 461789 frenchandday.co.uk

How Lauren’s own experience led to her business to help new mums When Lauren Dawes-Martin had her first child six years ago she remembers asking her own mum one day: “What do I actually DO with him?” – and from that memory her new business, Doorstep Doos, was born.

By the time she had her third child in October 2019, Lauren was well experienced in how to keep her latest child amused, but with support groups unable to operate in person during lockdown she began thinking about the challenges that new mums would be facing in this new reality.

So she decided to put together a sensory gift box for new-borns, featuring a range of products that would help new parents keep their 10 axis magazine

baby amused, entertained and educated.

The colourful gift box, which Lauren is selling on Etsy, includes items such as a soft rattle toy, Usborne book, high contrast cards, suggested nursery rhymes and lullabies, a foil blanket, bubbles and activities sheet. All the contents (bar bubbles) are

recyclable and the rigid box itself is ideal for keepsakes so can be kept and re-used. Lauren, who researched all the products from her home in Ware during lockdown last year, explained: “The idea is to offer parents a range of toys and activities all in one box that can be delivered direct to their doorstep. I hope it

will really help both new parents and those who have perhaps had a gap between children who might not have toys left over from the past as well.”

Lauren’s new-born sensory gift box costs £55 plus delivery.

To order, or find out more, visit etsy.com and search for the store name Doorstep Doos.

SHOPPING & BUSINESS NEWS

SPONSORED CONTENT

Ashbourne Insurance celebrates 40 years of serving the community Independent insurance broker Ashbourne Insurance is celebrating 40 years of service to the local community of Hertfordshire in 2021.

Ashbourne, which is based in Hoddesdon, has become synonymous with first class customer service over four decades.

It is a third generation family-run firm which has won many business awards for its top class service, excellent training and development of staff and for its overall outstanding contribution to the community.

Back in 1981, when Ashbourne Insurance was founded, the first London Marathon took place and the Royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer was held.

From humble, pre-internet beginnings with a single desk, an underwriting guide and a telephone, Richard and Brenda Hunt founded Ashbourne Insurance in a small office in Church Lane, Cheshunt.

All documents were delivered by post and in person, whilst now a 21st century bespoke computer system has streamlined practices and ensures ‘paperwork’ is transmitted digitally.

In 2008, the second generation took over management of the business, which includes Managing Director Peter Smits, Finance Director Sarah Smits and Commercial Sales Director Matthew Hunt.

In 2020, third generation family member Jack Smits joined the business, as a Commercial Account Executive.

Highlights from the last decade include: l Winning 10 business awards, at local, regional and national levels at events including the National Family Business Awards, British Chambers of Commerce Awards, Love Hoddesdon, Inspiring Herts,

SME Herts and SME UK Finance Awards; l Helping over 2,000 local business and private clients; l Raising over £75,000 for charities such as Willow Foundation, Herts Young Homeless, Isabel Hospice, Streets to Homes, Teens Unite

and Childreach International.

MD Peter Smits said: “To celebrate 40 years in business with staff, fellow directors, clients, the local community and family is one of my proudest moments. When Sarah, Matt and I took over the management of the business, little did we know that we would be celebrating this milestone whilst in a pandemic, so thank you very much to our loyal clients for their continued patronage, many of whom have been with us for 10, 20 and 30 years.

“I must pay tribute to all of our team for upholding the family values which we were founded upon, and amidst the current trend for digital technology to supersede traditional personal relationships we have succeeded in continuing to do that. Ashbourne is a 21st century company which has invested significantly in streamlining administration but we have never lost sight of the fact that we hold personal service at the heart of everything we do.

“2020 was very challenging for us all but we look forward with continued optimism that Ashbourne and the local economy can survive and thrive if we all pull together and support one another.

“Thank you to our valued clients, suppliers, networking colleagues and local business community for helping us celebrate this 40th anniversary year! We are here for you every day, Monday to Saturday, as we always have been through the past four decades.”

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SHOPPING & BUSINESS NEWS

Public vote dates changed for the 2021 Love Hertford Awards Members of the public will be invited to vote for their favourite local businesses in Hertford from the start of April.

Hertford Town Council’s Love Hertford Awards for 2021 are designed to recognise and promote the county town’s best businesses.

Businesses were asked to self-nominate in 10 categories before the judging panel assessed all the entries to come up with a shortlist in each category to put forward to the public.

The dates for the public vote and awards ceremony have been moved back a few weeks due to coronavirus restrictions.

Local people will now be able to cast their votes for their favourite

on the list in each category from 1st-25th April.

The awards ceremony is due to take place in one form or another on Thursday 13th May. You will be able to vote for your favourites in the following categories: l Café or Fast Food; l Community & Voluntary; l Fashion; l Food & Drink Retailers; l Hair & Beauty; l Health & Wellbeing; l Home & Interiors; l Professional Services; l Specialist Retailer; l Pub or Restaurant.

To choose your winners, visit gohertford.co.uk in April.

NEWS IN BRIEF

2019 winners included Lance James the Jewellers (now re-named Chapter 79)

END OF THE ROAD FOR HALFORDS IN HERTFORD Car and bike chain Halfords closed its Hertford store at the end of February. The shop was in the Marquee Centre in Railway Street. Halfords Autocentre, which offers vehicle repairs and servicing in Ware Road, will remain open but the company’s nearest retail stores will now be in Harlow and Stevenage.

Award win for business advisor who helped Hoddesdon A business advisor who supported traders in Hoddesdon with free weekly HR advice throughout the pandemic last year has won a national award for the work she does in helping entrepreneurs and small business owners to create healthy workplace cultures.

Lisa Seagroatt teamed up with the Love Hoddesdon BID team in 2020 and offered regular updates and advice to the town’s businesses to help them deal with the challenges of lockdown.

Now Lisa, whose Enfield-based consultancy is called HR Fit For Purpose, has been chosen as the winner of the HR category in the Enterprise Nation Top 50 Advisors Awards for 2020.

She launched her business during Mental Health Awareness Week in May 2017 following her own experience of workplace bullying, the stress of which caused her to suffer from a mental health breakdown. Since then, it’s grown from having a handful of clients to more than 40 and she has worked with clients including the National Fire and Rescue Service and London Fire Brigade.

Lisa said: “I wanted to use a negative experience and turn it into something positive for businesses which need help with issues around culture.”

To find out more about how Lisa can help your business, visit hrfitforpurpose.co.uk.

Award-winning Lisa Seagroatt

REPLENISH REFILL ON LOOKOUT FOR NEW HOME The owner of the Replenish Refill Store that opened in Railway Street, Hertford last year is looking for new premises in which to open soon. The store, which was originally on the top floor above Mudlarks Café, moved downstairs to the shopfront area when Mudlarks opened its new café in Fore Street. Now the lease on the shop has come to an end, owner Emma Riddle (pictured above) says she hopes to reopen as soon as she can find new premises.

Gay’s Newsagents

28 FORE STREET, HERTFORD SG14 1BY

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SHOPPING & BUSINESS NEWS

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Love Hoddesdon BID prepares to help the town get ready to reopen Following the Government’s recent announcement of a roadmap towards reopening the economy fully by June, Love Hoddesdon BID will be working tirelessly to help the town and its businesses to ‘bounce back’ quickly and effectively from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Love Hoddesdon BID is a notfor-profit company responsible for the business improvement district representing around 200 businesses in Hoddesdon town centre.

The BID Manager is Tony Cox. One of the key considerations for town centres following the pandemic will be to reassure shoppers and visitors that it is safe to return to the High Street for shopping trips, using personal services such as hairdressers and beauty salons, eating out and attending events.

A safe reopening Love Hoddesdon will be supporting Broxbourne Council with a ‘Shop Safe/Shop Local’ campaign to increase customer confidence, as part of the Government’s Reopening High Streets Safely initiative.

Love Hoddesdon is also currently working on its own campaign, looking at a range of ways to encourage local residents to shop locally and to promote local businesses, including: l An extensive publicity campaign promoting the fact the town is open; l Showcasing local businesses on social media; l Working with restaurants, pubs and cafés to develop the

SUPERFLY MEDIA

Love Hoddesdon is looking forward to putting on events that bring local people back to the town centre

‘alfresco’ dining experience.

It also hopes to re-introduce its well-established programme of town centre events later in the year, as well as working with Broxbourne Council in getting both the Spotlight Theatre and Lowewood Museum reopened.

Throughout the pandemic, Love Hoddesdon has continually provided guidance and support to local businesses on securing grant funding, ensuring they are Covid-19 secure and helping them to increase their online presence to help maintain customer engagement.

This has been much appreciated, particularly by many of the small, independent businesses, and has helped them to get through the various lockdowns. This work will continue to be developed through a range of training courses and networking opportunities, as well as through identifying opportunities where

local businesses can help others to survive and thrive.

Support your local shops BID manager Tony Cox said: “As we emerge from lockdown, it will be very important for local people to support their local businesses, something that can benefit our economy, community and environment.

With local businesses, the money stays in the local economy.

Wages are paid to local people, businesses use local produce and neighbouring businesses get more trade. Independent shops also give the town personality and are more likely to support local initiatives which creates a sense of community. Shopping local is also more ethical as it’s a lot closer to travel to. Bigger shops leave a larger carbon footprint by importing products from all around the world, whilst smaller shops sell more seasonal food

with shorter journeys and tend to use less packaging.

“The last year has been incredibly difficult for us all, but Love Hoddesdon is convinced it can help the town bounce back stronger and better. But we need you to support the independent shops and restaurants in our community – they won’t survive if we don’t support them!” l For more information, go to lovehoddesdon.co.uk.

BID Manager Tony Cox

Then make sure you…

Do you…

Hoddesdon

SHOP LOCAL EAT LOCAL SPEND LOCAL

www.lovehoddesdon.co.uk axis magazine 13

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TAXING MATTERS

SPONSORED CONTENT

Is this ‘mappa mundi’ Boris’s Baldrick moment?

Stuart Everett of Hertford accountants Meyer Williams reads the PM’s road map So, the Great P’s promised road map out of the coronavirus restrictions and to the promised land was indeed revealed on Monday 22nd February.

Mondays come and go, but this special one did actually arrive on time. Has our confusion disappeared?

His road map got me thinking about maps in general.

Among the most famous maps in history are the mappae mundi, medieval European maps of the world. These show the known world as it was understood in Christian Europe in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.

I did wonder if this is where Boris got his idea from – but no, surely not, as these were European maps and his new road map is purely a British invention.

I am not sure if the mappae mundi had the places marked on them where Bubonic plague was

The Great P has mapped out the road ahead; now it is up to us to follow the road map

prevalent so the weary traveller could avoid them. But let’s at least hope the 2021 version will keep us safe.

Road to nowhere Lots of different maps are used for different purposes.

I discovered there were a number of types of mappae mundi I had never heard of, including: zonal maps, tripartite or T-O maps, quadripartite or beatus maps and complex maps, as well as great world maps.

Tripartite maps (unlike zonal maps) apparently only illustrate the habitable portion of the world known to medieval Europeans, which limited the perspective to a small portion of the Earth’s Northern Hemisphere.

Of course, a much smaller part of the Northern Hemisphere is the focus for the Great P’s road map

to the promised land!

To modern eyes the mappa mundae can look superficial, primitive, and inaccurate … are these not the three pillars on which our current Government is founded? Coincidence?

In fact, the mappae mundi were not supposed to be navigational charts; they were schematic and were meant to illustrate different principles. A kind of teaching aid, if nothing else to teach us the world is spherical and not flat.

They have been described as minor encyclopaedias of medieval knowledge.

A road map, on the other hand, suggests that we are all able to go to different destinations by different routes and at different speeds. Is it any wonder we are confused?

Clearly, on this occasion, we all need to be going the same route en masse at the same time to

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Stag House, Old London Road, Hertford, Herts SG13 7LA 01992 550721 | www.meyerwilliams.com | stephanie@meyerwilliams.com 16 axis magazine

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the same destination. The only people who need the map at this stage are the leaders of the procession, but they surely also need us to have the confidence to follow them!

Ferris wheel of fortune Perhaps the Great P’s obsession with the road map comes from his many U-turns and spectacular car crashes – to me it suggests something more like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off! In the Middle Ages, I seem to recall from somewhere, their preference for solving problems was to come up with ‘a cunning plan’. Let us hope the Great P’s mappa mundi is less of a metaphor and more of a cunning plan! Next up is Rishi’s no doubt cunning Budget designed to save us all from ruin… l We are still here for tax advice; if you need help, give us a call.

PROPERTY NEWS

Entries invited for county’s best sustainable building projects Entries are now being invited for an awards scheme which rewards the people behind sustainable design and construction of houses and other buildings across Hertfordshire.

Hertfordshire Building Futures is a partnership of nine local councils, led by Hertfordshire County Council, and it launched its awards scheme, which is held every two years, in 2009.

The Hertfordshire Building Futures Awards aim to recognise projects that demonstrate innovation, creativity and quality design that all support sustainability.

Projects can be nominated in one or more of four categories: Design Excellence; Most Sustainable Construction; Retrofit for the Future and Project of the Year.

Schemes must be located in Hertfordshire and completed between 28th April 2018 and 21st

February 2021. Any development can be nominated, no matter how big or small, from individual buildings to large scale developments.

Projects can include new build, conversion and refurbished schemes in the residential, commercial, retail, education, health and leisure sectors.

Previous winners include Cassiobury Park Hub in Watford; St Albans Museum and Gallery and Garden Avenue/Furzen Avenue in Hatfield.

Jennifer Owen, Building Futures and Landscape Manager for Hertfordshire County Council, said: “Hertfordshire is facing unprecedented levels of growth and the development industry has a critical role to play in ensuring that building design and placemaking responds to climate change and supports sustainable

Tudor Way in Hertford, a development that was shortlisted in the 2018 Hertfordshire Building Futures Awards

communities. It is why we are so passionate about acknowledging and supporting exemplar design, construction and retrofit projects that utilise sustainable processes and technologies at the Building Futures Awards. It is a great platform to celebrate organisations’ and project design teams’ achievements, from individual buildings, through to holistic, large-scale developments.”

To nominate a project, download an application form from hertfordshire.gov.uk – search for Building Futures Awards.

Or you can email BFAwards21@ hertfordshire.gov.uk.

The deadline for applications is 14th May. Winning schemes are scheduled to be announced at an awards ceremony at Knebworth Barns on 21st October.

Estate agent calls for a long-term review of Stamp Duty, saying ‘holiday’ has not helped older people looking to downsize A leading local estate agent says the Stamp Duty holiday on properties priced up to £500,000 has worked for some, but not for all, and is calling on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to take a long-term view of the property tax.

William Wells, Residential Director of Mullucks in Bishop’s Stortford, is a long-standing campaigner for reform of the tax. He says the Stamp Duty holiday, which was introduced last July to help stimulate the housing market during the Covid pandemic, has done its job but is not a long-term answer.

He said: “It worked: transaction volumes and mortgage approvals jumped dramatically. But the problem is that it only benefits one section of society. Many elderly and retired people who now want to downsize are prevented from doing so because of the eyewateringly high tax bill they will face here in the pricier south-east of England.

“These are the same individuals

William Wells wants to see more tax help for everyone moving home, rather than just a few

who have had little or no income from interest on their bank accounts in recent years; who held off selling their property while Brexit was underway; and who were then hit by a global pandemic in which they were the group most vulnerable to infection. This triple whammy of impacts has left them the hardest hit.”

Mr Wells believes that a short extension to the Stamp Duty holiday, which is due to end on 31st March but was expected to

be reviewed in this year’s Budget on 3rd March, may be a good move to allow those who have exchanged contracts by the end of March to complete without incurring further charges.

However, he also says the holiday may not have been the moneysaver that buyers may have previously thought it would be.

He explained: “The truth is that for some buyers the lack of Stamp Duty meant they were prepared to pay more for their next property,

which helped push up house prices.”

And he said that the Chancellor should now reconsider the way that Stamp Duty works. “Rather than a temporary holiday, what we are calling for is a sustainable property market in which rates are lowered for all house purchases on a permanent basis, thus stimulating the market, freeing everyone to move when they want to, and ultimately producing a bigger tax take for the exchequer.” axis magazine 17

HOME

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Trust Fashion Flooring & Interiors to refresh your home this Spring Spring is traditionally a time when we begin to think about clearing out and refreshing our home and this year of all years we have a bigger impetus than ever.

If you are unsure of where to start or need some help in pulling everything together, the experts at Fashion Flooring & Interiors in Bishop’s Stortford are here for you. They can assist you with flooring, curtains and blinds, wallcoverings, lighting and all the finishing touches. They can guide you through the whole process to ensure you achieve the look you desire.

Fashion Flooring & Interiors offer everything you need to style your home. Their ground floor showroom has a huge range of carpets, from ultra-soft deep piles to classic Berbers and wool twists, along with funky patterns, zig-zags and stripes. If you are looking for a hard floor, they have real wood, engineered wood, laminates and luxury vinyl tiles. The lower ground floor is

filled with rugs, which are a great way to add a colour or extra texture while cosying up a room.

Up on the first floor you will find fabrics galore, with plains, textures, patterns, velvets, silks, cottons and so many more. You can also have curtains, blinds, cushions and throws made for you and even have your furniture upholstered. They have a large number of wallpapers, perfect for making a dramatic change to a room that is relatively quick to achieve. The lighting section is the only dedicated lighting shop in Bishop’s Stortford, with a wide range on display and thousands of others available to order.

Finally, there is a great choice of accessories, providing those individual finishing touches that really make your home your own.

Fashion Flooring & Interiors have everything you need under one roof, as well as a passion for helping their customers, making them the perfect one stop shop for your home.

Fashion Flooring & Interiors 1-3 High Street, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2LS 01279 651514 fashionflooringandinteriors.co.uk

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Have the home you’ve always dreamed of with the help of Dobsons Despite the recent lockdown and showroom closure, the Dobsons team have been working away in a Covid-safe manner creating beautiful new rooms for clients.

The family business based in Cheshunt, which specialises in bespoke kitchens, bathrooms and glazing and celebrated its 85th anniversary last year, undertake the complete project from design through to project managed installation, taking care of every aspect for a perfect seamless finish.

With the increased time we have all been spending indoors, Dobsons have seen a huge demand in customers wanting to improve their homes and invest in their properties.

Away from kitchens and bathrooms, popular new areas of business have been home bars and media rooms as well as home offices, which is little surprise with the current work from home culture.

Dobsons’ designers can create

something perfect for your individual needs and give you the space you have always dreamed of, and as a long-standing local business with an excellent reputation and a 5* Trustpilot rating, you can buy from Dobsons with confidence even during these uncertain times.

Although Dobsons’ inspirational showroom will remain closed until 12th April in accordance with Government guidance, Dobsons are able to provide samples from their showroom for clients to borrow and they also have a virtual showroom tour available on their website giving the full 360 degree showroom walk-through experience.

Get in touch with Dobsons today and discuss your project with their experienced staff.

Dobsons’ friendly team (below) have seen an increase in interest for home offices and bars

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axis magazine 19

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Add timeless style to your home

Where to find your perfect fireplace

If you are looking to add style and substance to your home this year, take a look at the website of Hadham Vintage, a specialist local supplier of British and Danish furniture dating from the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

All of its items of furniture, which can be viewed by appointment at its warehouse in East Herts, are original, pre-loved items, and chosen specifically for their design quality, condition and collectability. Items are also sold via an ebay shop.

Among the beautiful and stylish items sold by Hadham Vintage you will find chairs, coffee tables, desks, seating, sideboards, sofas, storage items, tables and table and chair sets, from well-known and respected names including G Plan, McIntosh and Fritz Hansen.

Every lounge needs a focal point, whether you have a chimney or not.

The Hertfordshire Fireplace Gallery has the most up-to-date modern designs encompassing the latest technology in fire realism.

From their extensive range of in-house displays at their Potters Bar showroom, and an even larger range at their disposal from leading UK suppliers, they can help you find your perfect fireplace.

So whether you prefer the cosiness of a real gas fire, solid fuel stove or the versatility of an electric LED fireplace (as pictured above right), they really do have a fireplace to suit every taste and budget.

Although their showroom is temporarily closed due to the

For example, among the items available at the moment is a stylish Danish extending solid teak dining table with a set of six solid teak chairs by Benny Linden (pictured above).

There is also a mid-century rosewood desk by Marcel Breuer for Rufus Stillman which would bring a touch of classic elegance to any home office which, of course, are becoming more and necessary at the moment.

Hadham Vintage hadhamvintage.co.uk

hadhamvintage.co.uk Specialists in mid-century modern furniture.

Sideboards, seating, dining sets, desks and all kinds of storage solutions

20 axis magazine

current restrictions (but will hopefully reopen on 12th April) they can still help with any fireplace enquiries and future projects.

Check their website for inspiration or to book a free home survey.

Free local delivery is also available, plus a full installation service by their team of Gas Safe and HETAS engineers for peace of mind.

Hertfordshire Fireplace Gallery 9 Barnet Road, Potters Bar EN6 2QX 01707 657070 hertsfireplacegallery.co.uk

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Create your perfect bathroom For inspiration and everything you need to create your dream bathroom head to Hoddesdon Tile and Bathroom Centre.

Based on a business estate and so with ample free parking outside, this family-run company has been helping both retail and trade customers with their home improvement projects for more than 25 years.

A tile showroom on the ground floor offers ceramic, porcelain and mosaic tiles along with all the fixing goods, sealants and cleaners you might need.

Upstairs, in the refurbished bathroom showroom, a series of room sets showcase a wide range of baths, showers, basins, toilets, taps, towel rails and more, providing inspiration and everything you need to create

your perfect bathroom.

You can either buy whatever you need if you plan to install it yourself or speak to the friendly team about the expert planning and fitting service they offer.

They can visit your home, measure up, plan your room and fit everything for you if required.

A prompt delivery service is also available for larger items.

Not being based on the high street with its resulting large overheads helps to make the prices at Hoddesdon Tile and Bathroom Centre really competitive. And the free parking right outside leaves you more time to browse without feeling time-pressured.

The showroom’s usual opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-4pm.

Hoddesdon Tile and Bathroom Centre Units C2 & C3 Geddings Road, Hoddesdon EN11 0NT 01992 470146 hoddesdontile-bathroomcentre.com

HODDESDON TILE & BATHROOM CENTRE Your friendly local specialist • Open to the trade and public • Free parking on-site • Excellent customer service • A family-operated and locally-owned company for 30 years Units C2 & C3 Geddings Road Industrial Estate, Hoddesdon EN11 0NT

01992 470146

hoddesdontile-bathroomcentre.com axis magazine 21

COMMUNITY NEWS

Rotary finds fresh ways to support the community and broaden its appeal with green campaign One of the many community organisations that has had to find new ways of working during the Covid-19 restrictions has been Rotary.

Rotary is a global membership and humanitarian services organisation with more than 1.2million members across the world.

Locally, there are five separate Rotary clubs within the Lea Valley area.

Members of all of them are usually busy carrying out work for good causes; among their most high profile work is the annual organisation of Ware’s fireworks display which normally raises many thousands of pounds.

However, for the last year Rotary has been unable to meet and fundraising activities ceased.

But this has not stopped club members doing their bit. Instead, they have been donating some of their monthly savings to a Covid fund which has enabled the club to make donations to nine local charities to support the increased demand for their services.

Members have also agreed to recognise outstanding Covidrelated support work by individuals in the community and have already identified three individuals worthy of such recognition. They will all be awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship

Rotary’s End Plastic Soup campaign is gaining it new supporters

(named after the founder of Rotary International) at a Zoom meeting on 26th April.

Rotary has also been making strides around the world to reinvent its image and attract a broader membership. Whilst its good works are universally lauded, the organisation has previously had an image among some for being mainly for retired businessmen in suits and blazers.

A recent focus on the environment is partly responsible for starting to change this.

For example, its international

campaign End Plastic Soup aims to rid the world of so-called “plastic soup” which lingers in our oceans and seas, in our lakes, rivers, forests, parks and streets.

This campaign has already led to an increase in younger people joining Rotary.

Locally, the five clubs are looking at working together in new ways and offering a more flexible approach to membership and projects as well.

For more information about the work of Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland, visit rotarygbi.org.

New airbase handed over to air ambulance charity Essex and Herts Air Ambulance has taken possession of its new purpose-built airbase at North Weald Airfield.

Work on the facility for the life-saving charity began in February last year and the building has been delivered on schedule, despite the problems caused by the pandemic. It was built by Barnes Construction.

In addition to housing one of the air ambulance’s two helicopters and two of its rapid response vehicles, the building has areas for training, mentoring, patient liaison and fundraising. It includes a hangar which is capable of housing two helicopters when necessary (for example, to facilitate 22 axis magazine

The building was handed over at a socially distanced ceremony maintenance) and also has underground heating beneath the helipad to keep it free of snow and ice during the winter.

The charity’s CEO Jane Gurney said: “The opportunity to design and build our own airbase has allowed us to include elements such as dedicated areas for training

which will benefit not only our crews but also the local prehospital care community, along with an interactive visitor centre for our supporters.”

Work has now begun on the internal fit-out of the building, which is scheduled to become operational by June.

Broxbourne scheme raises £26,000 for local people facing Covid hardship

A new partnership project in Broxbourne, set up to support local people facing financial hardship as a result of the Covid pandemic, has raised more than £26,000 in its first four months.

The project was set up by local housing association B3Living and the Money Advice Unit run by Hertfordshire County Council in September 2020 to provide a dedicated benefits advice service for the housing association’s customers.

The support on offer includes one-off advice and information, support with in-work benefits, complex casework, and help with benefit appeals.

The support is available to people who rent and who own their home, and, to date, 21 families from the Borough of Broxbourne have received support through the scheme.

B3Living’s Income Manager Sarah Styles explained: “We knew our customers would be among the hardest hit by the pandemic, plus there is still so much stigma around having money problems.

“This partnership couldn’t have come at a more important time and it’s really helped us get on the front foot. We now have a direct line to refer anyone who needs this help. The service is clearly achieving results, and there is more to come as we continue working with these families.”

During the pandemic, all support is offered over the phone, but the partners expect to offer face-toface appointments in 2021 in line with public health guidelines.

B3Living customers who are experiencing serious benefit problems can contact 01992 453700 to discuss being referred to the Money Advice Unit.

WHAT’S ON

Hatfield’s West Garden to open for NGS

St Clare planning to hold annual 10k run

PETE SEAWARD

The West Garden at Hatfield House is due to be open on Saturday 20th March to raise funds for the National Gardens Scheme, ahead of Hatfield’s scheduled opening for the season at the start of April.

Since its foundation in 1927, the NGS has donated more than £55million to beneficiaries and this year funds will be split between it and a charity of Lady Salisbury’s choosing.

Visitors can enjoy the Spring

bulbs in the lime walk, the sundial garden and the garden of the Old Palace, the building that was the childhood home of Elizabeth I. The adjoining woodland garden is at its best in Spring with masses of naturalised daffodils and bluebells.

Tickets are available on the day only and cost £6 for adults with children admitted free. The gardens are open from 11am to 4pm. Visit hatfield-house.co.uk or ngs.org.uk for updates.

St Clare Hospice is expecting to be able to hold its annual 10k run on Sunday 11th April.

Hundreds of runners are set to take part in the road race around the streets of Essex, starting and finishing at the hospice at Hastingwood, by Junction 7 of the M11 near Harlow.

The annual fundraising event is ideal for regular running club members looking to boost their training, as well as those who may be new to running but who

are looking for a challenge.

Due to Covid regulations, there will be no registration on the day this year so entries must be made in advance. The cost to take part is £14 (£12 for affiliated runners) and participants must be aged 15 or above.

For more information on taking part visit stclarehospice.org.uk, call events fundraiser Emma Broadbent on 01279 773754 or email her at emma.broadbent@ stclarehospice.org.uk.

Courtyard and Mudlarks launch egg decorating activity for Easter Courtyard Arts have teamed up with Mudlarks Garden Café to put on an Easter egg decorating activity in Hertford this month.

The arts venue and café previously worked together in the run-up to Christmas with an event in which local people were invited to paint or decorate Christmas baubles.

The baubles were then displayed in the windows of the closed Hertford Theatre to produce a bright and colourful display, from which winners in various age categories were chosen.

The competition proved hugely popular, with both adults and children taking part, so a seasonal version is being run for Easter.

From the beginning of March, anyone wishing to take part can pick up a blank egg shape made from MDF from the café in Fore Street, with each costing £2.

between 29th March and 9th April, during which period the current Mayor of Hertford, Cllr Bob Deering, will select a winner from each of four categories: Adults; ages 12-16; ages 6-11 and 5 and under.

Prizes are to be confirmed but don’t be surprised if they are Easter eggs!

Any profits from the sale of the egg shapes will be shared between Courtyard and Mudlarks, both of which are charities. 2021 is Courtyard’s 25th anniversary, so keep an eye out for news and events throughout the year. courtyardarts.org.uk Some of the Christmas bauble entries displayed at Hertford Theatre

Or you can order one direct from Courtyard Arts to be posted to you.

You then decorate your egg (one side only is required) and drop it back to Mudlarks on a date to be

confirmed (keep an eye on the Courtyard website for announcement of the timetable).

All the eggs will again be displayed in the windows of Hertford Theatre, this time

New online art classes Courtyard Arts has also launched online art classes. Currently aimed at adults, the charity hopes to widen the range in the near future. Again, check their website for details. axis magazine 23

THE ARTS

Manningtree Lights by Bob Boast; Stanstead Abbotts by Linda Gifford and Mr Punch Surprises a Chicken in his Tent by Liz Boast

Online gallery keeps Parndon Mill’s artists in the public eye Regular readers will know that Axis has long been a big supporter of local artists and that one of our favourite galleries is the small but perfectly formed Gallery at Parndon Mill in Harlow, brilliantly curated by Sally Anderson.

As we all know, trips to galleries have been impossible for almost a year, and artists have adapted to show (and sell) more work online.

It may not be quite the same, but it is a way to get new work out there and, potentially, to gain wider recognition for many local artists.

The Gallery at Parndon Mill currently has a wide range of work up on its online gallery, which can be viewed on its website.

Paintings include quite stunning works by the likes of Bob Boast, Neil Robbins, Alan Burgess, Claire Green, Chris Seaber and Anthony Cleyndert, and sculptures by such masters as Gerda Rubinstein and John Farnham.

Admirers of prints can enjoy work from Lotte Farnham, Liz Boast, Suman Gujral, John Durham, Cleyndert again and Melanie Ewer.

Some wonderful ceramics are showing from Trevor Dyer, Margaret Gardiner, Trevor Allen and Angelika Hinton, all of which will add interest to any home, as will the superb glassworks available from artists such as Teresa Chlapowski, Karen Murphy, Jon Lewis, Ewa Wawryzniak and Anona Wyi. There are also pieces of jewellery which make perfect gifts from Sarah Lamb, Melinda Scarborough, Heike Brachlow and Yuki Kokai.

Among the Other Arts, you can appreciate Roy Jones’s splendid acrylic paintings on wood; Simon Langsdale’s highly creative carved lettering works; Jo Howe’s striking collages and Linda Gifford’s diverse and intricate textiles based on her own drawings and photographs.

View it all now at parndonmillgallery.org.

24 axis magazine

Above from top to bottom: Newhall by Bob Boast St Ives by Neil Robbins Widford by Anthony Cleyndert Above right: Dreaming by Teresa Chlapowski Right: In Movement by Gerda Rubinstein

FOOD & DRINK

YOUR LOCAL LOCKDOWN GUIDE

Great takeaway meals for Mother’s Day Another landmark event that normally leads to our pubs and restaurants being packed with people comes up this month, with Mother’s Day on Sunday 14th March.

Of course, this year’s Mothering Sunday will look very different but for those who still want to treat their mums (or mums who just want to treat themselves) some of our local eateries are again pulling out all the stops to provide great prepared meals that can be cooked at home, whilst others are offering takeaways which mean you have to do nothing but order, eat and enjoy.

Takeaway cooked for you from The Golden Fleece

Jessica Tatlow at The Golden Fleece would normally be preparing for a fully booked Mother’s Day at the popular country pub she and her husband Peter run so well in the village of Braughing. This year, Jess has instead been busy devising a three-course Mother’s Day takeaway menu that will be ready to serve at home.

You order in advance and then collect your meal, freshly cooked for you, from The Golden Fleece between 12noon and 5pm on Sunday 14th. The three-course menu is £25 per person, and there will be a two-course menu available as well.

Jess is a master of producing great food for those on glutenfree diets or people who are to some degree gluten-intolerant, so check out the full menu at goldenfleecebraughing.co.uk to see which options are available.

You can order by downloading the Fleece’s app (Hopt – see website for details) or by calling 01920 823555.

Incidentally, The Golden Fleece is now offering takeaways on a regular basis, on Thursday to Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Thursday night is Pie Night, while there is a very

Forget cooking at home this Mother’s Day – let someone else do all the hard work!

starting at £27 for a meal for two. Dessert options are a cheese selection box and George IV apple crumble and selected wines are also available. Both desserts and wines are priced individually.

Visit georgeivpub.co.uk for more information.

Takeaway ready to eat from The Fox and Hounds

Peter and Jessica Tatlow of The Golden Fleece in Braughing

decent number of options available on Friday and Saturday and Sundays roasts on, not surprisingly, Sundays.

Take a look for yourself but if you’re not tempted by Jess’s steamed sticky ginger sponge pudding and custard or the baked vanilla and biscoff cheesecake with salted caramel ice cream for dessert, then you’re not human.

Cook at home roasts from The George IV

The George IV at Great Amwell is currently closed but chef Oliver D’Arcy has, as he did for Valentine’s Day last month, come

up with a menu that translates well to being cooked at home.

His Cook at Home Mother’s Day Roasts come with dessert options and a selection of wines. There is a choice of three main courses, including Hereford rolled sirloin of beef; Cole Valley saddle of lamb boned, stuffed and rolled; and Gloucester Old Spot Pork Rack. All cuts of meat range from 1-4kg serving from two to eight people and are served with roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, English broccoli, Chantenay carrots, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Prices depend on the size of the cut of meat,

James Rix at The Fox and Hounds at Hunsdon has devised a takeaway menu for Mother’s Day. Place your order before 12noon on Wednesday 10th March and choose between two starters, three main courses (plus kids’ options) and two desserts.

Dishes are priced individually.

The mains (all £15) are fillet of cod, ratatouille and new potatoes; braised shoulder of lamb and gratin dauphinoise; and roast rib of beef, Yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes – all served with seasonal vegetables.

Call 01279 843999 to place your order and pay over the phone and arrange a collection slot on Sunday 14th from 12noon to 3pm. Main courses will be served hot and ready to eat and you can upgrade with wine or fizz if you wish.

The full menu can be found at foxandhounds-hunsdon.co.uk. axis magazine 25

FOOD & DRINK

The Wine Column

By Ritchie Tough of Cavavin

Restaurant news: Food boxes, takeaways, VIP club and more...

Lussmanns adds more luxury food boxes Lussmanns has added some new options to its luxury food boxes.

The range had included steak boxes (pictured above), steak and lobster, and fish boxes, all for two people, and ideal for a gift, a special occasion or just to treat yourself to a top night in.

Now a fish box for four or six and a lamb box, also for four or six, have been added to the offer.

Visit lussmanns.com for details and to order from the Hertford restaurant in Fore Street.

Lussmanns continues to offer a good range of Food To Go as well as its superb burgers on Wednesday nights. If you haven’t tried them yet, then do. The confit of duck burger (£9.95) and the chargrilled local halloumi burger (£9.50) both come with frites and are amazing.

Villa Italia is now open for takeaway again In Sawbridgeworth, the popular family-run Italian restaurant Villa Italia is back open for takeaway and delivery at weekends.

You can now order between 5pm and 9pm on Friday and Saturday and from 1-5.30pm on Sunday.

As well as its full takeaway menu, Villa Italia is now offering a fabulous roast on Sundays. The meats change weekly and its mixed roasts are proving really popular.

The menu is updated each week on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

Call 01279 358358 or email info@villa-italia-restaurant.co.uk to order.

26 axis magazine

Saffron launches VIP Club with discounts for members The excellent Saffron Indian restaurant in Hoddesdon has launched a new VIP Club which is offering anyone who signs up £5 off their food orders over £25 and free delivery within three miles of the High Street restaurant.

You can sign up via their Facebook page.

To order a takeaway call 01992 461171 or visit saffrononline.co.uk.

Incidentally, Saffron, which you will find at 25 High Street, Hoddesdon EN11 8SX, offers 10% discount for collections.

Enjoy fish and chip Fridays at The Fox and Hounds The Fox and Hounds in Hunsdon offers takeaway fish and chips on Fridays (for collection between 5.30 and 7.30pm) at just £11 for adults, £6 for children or £32 for a family pack.

On Saturdays it sells ‘Pollo Dorado’ takeaway, with a whole Josper-grilled corn-fed chicken for two at £30 with garlic bread, olive oil roast potatoes, greens or salad, romesco or smoked paprika aioli.

A veggie option is also available.

Its Sunday lunch takeaway (for collection between 12 and 2pm) is just £15 for either a braised shoulder of lamb, gratin dauphinoise and greens or roast rib of beef and all the trimmings.

A kids’ option is £7.50 and a dessert of the week £4.

Order in advance on 01279 843999 and keep up to date at foxandhounds-hunsdon.co.uk.

Champagne is a British invention, but hush, don’t tell the French...

Champagne, synonymous with luxury, royalty and celebration, is the world’s premier region and appellation for sparkling wine.

Despite the colloquial use of the term to mean any sparkling wine, “Champagne” is a protected term referring only to a wine which is made in the Champagne region, using the méthode champenoise, and with grapes grown in the region, the three most important of which are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.

Champagne has been a wine-producing region dating back to the Middle Ages, yet the bubbles which Champagne is so famous for today only appeared in the wines over the last few centuries.

Prior to this time, Champagne was a still wine.

Dom Perignon, the Benedictine monk from the Abbey of Hautvillers, famously quoted as saying “Come quickly, I am tasting the stars”, is often credited with the discovery of Champagne’s bubbles. Unfortunately, the story is a myth.

Not that the French would be willing to readily admit it, but Champagne actually has the British, one of their biggest markets, to thank for the bubbles.

A few happy accidents, including extra heat produced by the wine’s sea journey from France to England, and the British adding sugar into the wines from the stores of their Caribbean colonies, led to the secondary fermentation in bottle, and the wine’s first bubbles, in the 17th century. Champagne then fully embraced the sparkling rendition of its wine in the 19th century.

Most sparkling wines do follow the now world class Champagne method where the second fermentation takes place in the bottle, including the very good value Cava. The exception is Prosecco, where the second fermentation is in large stainless steel tanks, which gives the wine less structure but reduces the cost dramatically.

For me though, England is the winner, and Cavavin is very proud to be stocking the Three Squirrels sparkling wine from just north of Bishop’s Stortford. It’s amazing value at £20 with notes of toast, brioche, biscuit and crushed apples.

This is sure to make the French look over their shoulders.

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.

“Champagne! In victory one deserves it; in defeat one needs it.”

– Napoleon Bonaparte

FOOD AND DRINK: LOCAL RESTAURANTS OFFERING TAKEAWAY

ADVERTISEMENT LISTINGS

SAFFRON Indian

THE FOX INN Traditional English Pub

THE GOLDEN FLEECE Pub & Dining

The quality of the well-established Saffron in Hoddesdon was recognised when it won Best Indian Restaurant in Hertfordshire in the 2017 Curry Life Awards.

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.

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

The Fox Inn at Matching Tye near Harlow is once again offering its lockdown takeaway meals at weekends, including roasts on a Sunday, and opening as a pop-up shop selling local produce. The Fox is a traditional English village pub that reinforced its place at the heart of the local community during the first lockdown and is continuing in the same vein now. For full details of operating hours and the menu, which changes regularly, keep up to date on social media at facebook.com/thefoxinnmatchingtye.

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 now available.

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

The Green, Matching Tye, Essex CM17 0QS 01279 731335 thefoxinn.com

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

THE VILLAGE TAVERNA Greek

VILLA ITALIA Italian

FOX AND HOUNDS Restaurant & The Fox Shop & Deli

The Village Taverna is a well-established Ware restaurant that offers high quality Greek food from an award-winning chef. When the restaurant is open live music is often available, which adds to the atmosphere that is already generated by the friendly and accommodating owners and staff.

It also usually offers takeaway with delivery anywhere in Ware and collection available for anyone who lives outside the town.

The Village Taverna’s lockdown takeaway and delivery service is currently available from Thursday to Sundays.

The popular authentic family-run Villa Italia restaurant in Sawbridgeworth opened in March 2019 and quickly became a firm local favourite.

It offers a wide range of crowd-pleasing Italian dishes to suit every occasion, including pizza, pasta, meat and fish dishes as well as homemade desserts. Villa Italia is currently open for takeaway orders on Friday and Saturday from 5-9pm and on Sunday from 1-5.30pm.

A roast dinner is available on Sunday as well with meats changing weekly – just call or email info@villa-italia-restaurant.co.uk to order.

The Fox and Hounds, now in its 16th year of trading under owners Bianca and James Rix, is well established as one of Hertfordshire’s leading eating out destinations. The Josper oven, seasonal menus, superb Sunday lunch and relaxed atmosphere are all great reasons to visit. Bianca and James have also added a popular shop and deli in the bar area, selling their homemade ready meals to take away, Brindisa deli treats, fresh bread, pastries, flowers, plants and gifts from local suppliers.

Open from 9am (10am weekends) Weds-Sun.

48 & 52 Bell Street, Sawbridgeworth CM21 9AN 01279 358358 villa-italia-restaurant.co.uk

2 High Street, Hunsdon SG12 8NH 01279 843999 foxandhounds-hunsdon.co.uk

42-44 West Street, Ware SG12 9EE 01920 460607 Facebook: thevillagetavernaware

9-13 Parliament Square n Hertford n SG14 1EX

EXPECT MORE n FROM YOUR n ESTATE AGENT

For Sale: Westfield Road, Bengeo, Hertford – Price on Application Five bedrooms, five receptions, sought after road, beautiful mature garden, off street parking, internal garage, 2750 sq ft (inc garage)

01992 721 321 n www.thomas-childs.com