Axis magazine, October 2023 issue

The independent, intelligent guide to everything that matters locally

October 2023

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LOCAL LIFE

UNDER PRESSURE

Warning of tough decisions ahead at East Herts Council

HARTHAM LAUNCHES

Hertford’s new-look leisure centre is fit for the future

SKIES ALIGHT

Book your tickets now for the best fireworks events

BACK TO THE CINEMA

As the nights draw in, choose a new film to go and see

A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

One restaurant. Two cuisines. How Pircio makes it work

Your leading high quality local news magazine since 2003

WELCOME

What’s inside this issue

05-11

Keep up to date with the main local news stories this month

18-24

22

25-27 y Food & drink

How Pircio makes such a success of keeping its diners happy

13-15

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

For just £30 per year we’ll send you your own copy of Axis by post upon publication each month.

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

ADVERTISE

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

To find out more about promoting your business with us please call 01992 500198

y Briefing

y What’s on Junior Andre will be coming to switch on Stevenage’s Christmas lights

y What’s on Book now for Christmas festivities and fireworks displays

Front cover images (clockwise from top)

New film Killers of the Flower Moon (p21); Fireworks Festival at Alexandra Palace (p19); Diners enjoying Pircio restaurant in Bishop’s Stortford (p25); Lynn Whitnall of Paradise Wildlife Park (p19); Alan Goldsmith, whose show Secrets of the 60s is coming to South Mill Arts Centre (p21); The gym at the new Hartham Leisure Centre in Hertford (p11).

08 y AN MP’s WORK: Julie Marson MP updates us on constituency matters

y HEALTH & WELLBEING: The latest news from local businesses

Experience the captivating allure of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign as we guide you through a journey of meticulously crafted installations that pay homage to the Tudor period. This exclusive Christmas event is designed to enchant, educate, and transport you to an age of regality and wonder.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT WWW.HATFIELD-HOUSE.CO.UK/CHRISTMAS/

BRIEFING

BUDGET CRISIS: NEW COUNCIL LEADERSHIP WARN OF TOUGH DECISIONS AHEAD

Greens and Lib Dems blame ‘reckless spending’ by Tories for budget pressures

The new joint Green and Lib Dem leadership of East Herts Council is blaming its Conservative predecessors for the current state of the council’s finances which it says will lead to tough decisions having to be made in the months ahead.

The new administration, which took control from the Tories after May’s local elections, says extensive borrowing to fund projects such as the redevelopment of Grange Paddocks sports centre and the building of Northgate End car park, both in Bishop’s Stortford, plus redevelopments in Hertford of Hertford Theatre and Hartham Leisure Centre has left the council vulnerable to interest rate rises. And this, alongside inflation in the cost of essential services, wages and capital expenditure, means the council faces a budget crisis.

The budget process

Local authorities typically start the process of setting the following year’s budget in the Autumn. By law they have to set a balanced budget each year. Where spending exceeds income they must make up the difference from savings.

The new administration says it already knew the council’s situation was challenging. The Medium Term Financial Plan which forecasts likely income and expenditure over a three-year period published by the Conservatives in March predicted that annual savings of just over six million would be needed by the end of 2026/7 in order to balance the books.

That figure represents more than a third of the council’s annual spend. But they say since March inflation and other costs have continued to rise while the council has little savings to fall back on.

This year an overspend of the revenue budget (the budget for day to day service provision) of £403,000

is likely. There is also a predicted overspend in the capital budget (expenditure on existing or new council assets which is primarily funded via grants, developer contributions and borrowing) of £490,000.

Cllr Carl Brittain, the new executive member for financial sustainability said: “This difficult financial situation has been left to us by the previous Tory administration. ...The economic downturn has been a factor, but that doesn’t change the fact that the previous administration can be seen as having acted recklessly, by spending on multiple expensive projects simultaneously.”

New council leader Ben Crystall said the new administration was committed to being open and honest with residents saying it was right to warn them of tough decisions ahead while deputy leader, the Liberal Democrats’ Mione Goldspink, said the council would do everything it could to minimise the impact on vulnerable residents. The team has already ruled out increasing council tax by more than the 2.99% permitted by the Government without a local referendum at this stage. It says it will continue to press council teams to eliminate waste and operate

more efficiently; ensure that new contracts represent best value for money; seek new and innovative solutions to the financial challenges and call on the Government to properly fund local authorities. But changes to services and increases to fees and charges look likely.

The Conservative response

The leader of the Conservative group Cllr Bob Deering dismissed the claims as “political, self-serving nonsense.” He said that the council’s accounts were in the public domain and if opposition parties had made promises during the recent elections that they could not deliver because they had not familiarised themselves with the accounts it would be for them to try to explain themselves to the electorate. He said the council officer with a statutory duty for ensuring the council’s budget was balanced had approved the accounts throughout the Conservative administrations. He said footfall at the upgraded Grange Paddocks was higher than ever, Hartham Leisure Centre had opened to general acclaim and the expanded Hertford Theatre would open to similar acclaim from residents and all political parties.

Hertford Theatre: pressure grows as cost balloons

The Hertford Theatre redevelopment project is one that will be giving the new East Herts leadership team particular cause for concern. Latest forecasts show it could be on track to come in a further £2.645million over its latest budget. Previous price increases have already seen agreed costs rise from £13.5million to £24.105million.

At a meeting of the council’s audit and governance committee on Tuesday 26th September, East Herts Council’s head of strategic finance and property, Steven Linnett, said the figure was not definite as officers are working to scrutinise the additional predicted cost and looking at value engineering options while the internal project team is considering changes to the specification of the fit out with, for example, planned bespoke seating already cancelled.

He said: “Obviously what we will need to do is try and bring those figures back as far as possible onto budget. It is simply not sustainable or affordable to keep just throwing money at particular capital projects so they are going to have to keep to their budgets and if they can’t then we have to take some hard decisions about whether we actually don’t open it, or open part of it, or we fit it out in a different way etc.”

He said that these were decisions for councillors to take once officers had worked through all the options and implications.

Ben Crystall and Mione Goldspink have warned of tough times ahead

Developer still ‘fully committed’ to Old River Lane scheme in Bishop’s Stortford despite withdrawing planning applications

Developer Cityheart has withdrawn its planning applications relating to the Old River Lane site in Bishop’s Stortford that is due to be redeveloped in partnership with East Herts Council.

The company says it will submit a new, revised application early in the new year. In the meantime, local residents will be invited to have their say on its proposals in a new public consultation.

Cityheart were chosen back in 2019 by East Herts Council’s previous Conservative administration to partner with the local authority in creating a new cultural quarter for the town.

At its heart was to be an arts centre with a new 500-seat theatre. But budgetary restraints later forced the council to scale down its ambitions, instead proposing a new five-screen cinema.

Cityheart’s two planning applications were submitted in December of 2022 but had yet to be determined.

The first sought approval to demolish a number of buildings –namely the Charringtons House office building, the United Reformed Church Hall and numbers 1, 2 and 3 Old River Lane – to make way for the wider redevelopment.

The second sought outline

planning permission for redevelopment of these sites along with The Causeway open air car park with up to 225 new homes, shops, leisure and community facilities. Both were contentious, with a number of objections put forward by local residents.

Aware of the opposition to the development, East Herts Council’s new Green and Lib Dem administration, which was elected in May, decided to reconsider all the options open to them for the

site – from reinstating the original arts centre plan to abandoning the project altogether – but reluctantly concluded these would have had serious financial and legal implications for the authority. Instead, it decided to pause the arts centre element while consulting residents on what they would like to see provided.

Cityheart withdrew its applications on 6th September but the council was quick to release a statement saying that a new one

was expected. It said: “Positive talks have been held with Cityheart over recent months to ensure that the development plans meet the council’s aspirations for the site, and we expect a new application to be submitted in due course. “Our top priority remains working together with Cityheart and the wider community to deliver our vision of a high quality, mixed use development that is worthy of Bishop’s Stortford.”

The developer confirmed: “Following ongoing positive discussions between Cityheart and East Herts Council’s Old River Lane project and planning teams, we have made the decision to pause plans for the ORL proposal and demolition application for URC Hall.

“As East Herts Council’s selected development partner, Cityheart is fully committed to delivering an exciting new development project in the heart of Bishop’s Stortford and our priority is to deliver a scheme that complements and enhances the surrounding area. “We will be hosting a public consultation in the coming months to invite comments and suggestions from local residents on our proposals with a view to submitting a revised full planning application in early 2024.”

More milestones reached in the ongoing transformation of Castle Park

The Castle Park project in Bishop’s Stortford, which is joining together Sworders Field and Castle Gardens into one enhanced venue, reached another milestone in September with the opening of community space The Markwell Studio. It follows the opening of three new tennis courts in June and a new skate park in August.

The overall project, funded by East Herts Council, Bishop’s Stortford Town Council and the National Lottery’s Heritage and Community funds, is due to be completed by the summer of 2024 and will also see new footpaths and bridge links created to improve connectivity between the areas of the park; conservation works to preserve the remains of Waytemore Castle; improved access to the castle and

landscaping works.

The new Markwell Studio replaces the main hireable room in the Markwell Pavilion which itself will become a café. Employing an environmentally friendly strategy of reusing existing structures, Simon Knight Architects repurposed the former toilet block fronting The Causeway to create the new studio, which can accommodate up to 60 people standing and 48 seated. It has been clad in timber befitting its park setting which allowed for the installation of insulation to improve the thermal performance of the building. An air source heat pump has also been installed. Its opening in September was welcomed by local groups who regularly hired the previous community space and included u3a

Bishop’s Stortford Mayor Richard Townsend opens The Markwell Studio groups, Bishop’s Stortford Town Band and yoga, meditation, karate and Tai Chi classes.

To find out about hiring the facility for groups, classes or celebrations visit bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk and look under the venue hire section.

l Meanwhile, the couple behind the town’s Smoke BBQ Kitchen in Hockerill Street, Charles and Sofia Erleigh, have been chosen to operate Castle Park’s new café which is expected to open in January.

New plans are now expected for the Old River Lane site

There is positive news despite the challenges we face JULIE MARSON

MP FOR HERTFORD & STORTFORD

In early September I wrote to Greater Anglia and Great Northern Railways regarding the proposed closure of ticket offices. Many of you have written to me expressing your concerns with the impact this would have on various groups within our community, and I wanted to make sure those concerns were heard.

My priority is the accessibility and convenience of public transport for all of our residents. The closure of ticket offices has the potential to lead to longer queues and increased wait times at automated machines, which would undoubtedly cause frustration and incon-

venience for passengers. In light of these concerns, I am steadfast in my commitment to advocating for a balanced approach that takes into consideration the diverse needs of our residents.

Another bank to close

I am disappointed about the recent announcement from Lloyds Bank that they intend to close their Hertford branch next February. I understand the significant impact this decision will have on our residents who rely on having a local bank they can physically visit. Rest assured, I will be actively engaging with Lloyds Bank to address this

matter, and I encourage anyone who will be affected by this closure to reach out to me and share their concerns. Despite this setback, there is positive news for our community. I am really pleased to confirm that, following my campaign for this, Hertford has met the criteria for a new LINK deposit service! This means a new deposit service that will ensure local businesses and consumers have the convenience of depositing cash in a manner that suits them best. The responsibility for establishing this service lies with a new bankowned infrastructure company called Cash Access UK. This is a significant development that will greatly benefit residents.

My annual fair was just the job

My annual Jobs Fair took place at the Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre in Bishop’s Stortford on Friday 15th September. The event showcased the incredible opportunities available to Hertford and Stortford residents from local employers. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the great local employers, such as Stansted Airport and Allinson’s

Flour Mill, who participated and contributed to making the day such a great success. It is essential to continue fostering such connections between our community and local businesses to promote employment and prosperity.

Good news on Stansted Express

Lastly, I am thrilled to announce that Greater Anglia is set to reintroduce a four-trains-per-hour Stansted Express service, operating all day, seven days a week. This development is fantastic news for our constituents who rely on Stansted Airport for travel. The Stansted Express rail service offers a sustainable and convenient option for those seeking to fly from Stansted for business or for holidays, as well as airport employees.

l I receive and handle thousands of emails and cases from constituents on a regular basis, and assisting you remains my top priority. If you ever require assistance, have concerns, or wish to share your thoughts, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me at julie.marson.mp@parliament.uk.

Julie’s Jobs Fair was a great success

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The new Hartham: Truly a leisure centre for everyone

The newly refurbished Hartham Leisure Centre in Hertford has now officially reopened after a £9million investment that has transformed it into an impressive modern centre fit for everyone. The centre, which is owned by East Herts Council and operated by Everyone Active, hosted an open day on Saturday 9th September so the public could see the improvements.

One of the biggest changes is the building of a new two-storey extension housing a state-of-theart gym overlooking Hartham Common, which has completely transformed the centre.

Other changes include two new spacious modern studios that will allow the centre to offer more group exercise classes; improvements to the swimming pool and changing areas; a new soft play area and a café.

There has also been considerable investment in making Hartham Leisure Centre more energy-efficient and eco-friendly. There are solar panels on the roof, an air source heat pump that removes the need for additional gas, and a stunning feature living wall that is served by rainwater from the roof.

Soft play area

One of the jewels in Hartham’s crown is the new four-storey soft play area, offering everything needed to keep children aged up to eight years old engaged and exercising at the same time! It also has a TAGplay feature, which adds an extra layer of fun, and there is a sensory room

attached as well. The soft play area is open from 10am to 6pm on weekdays and from 10am to 4pm at weekends. For parents and guardians there is access to the café area too.

Studios

The first new studio can hold up to 32 people in a class, and classes range from yoga and Pilates to high impact, high intensity body pump and step classes. The second studio holds spinning classes throughout the day. Both allow for virtual classes, so more sessions can be put on each day for everyone to enjoy.

Gym

The all-new 120-station gym

features free weights, plate-loaded equipment and a large cardio area with fixed resistance machines as well as a stretch area. An introductory session is included in your membership where you can meet the trainers and they can help you get started. The gym floor is supervised so you can ask any questions at any time and personal trainers are available for an extra fee.

Swimming pool

The 33m heated main pool has a boom feature to create a 25m pool and a teaching area. A wide range of activities are on offer, including fitness sessions, family swims, ‘wet n wild’ inflatable sessions, aqua aerobics

and award-winning swimming lessons.

Café

The new café is another game-changer for Hartham, with both inside and outside seating areas looking onto the wide-open spaces of Hartham Common. Hot and cold food and drinks are available to eat in or take away if you need to grab and go, and the café is open to everyone, not just members.

It’s time to join...

To find out more about membership options at the new Hartham Leisure Centre scan the QR code in the advert below or visit everyoneactive.com.

Independent opticians celebrate a year of remarkable growth

Appelman Charman in Hoddesdon mark a milestone under new management

Appelman Charman Opticians, who have been part of the Hoddesdon community since 2002, are celebrating a year of growth and evolution under new management.

Over the past two decades, Appelman Charman have built strong relationships with patients in and around the Hoddesdon area, becoming well-known for their high standards of eyecare. Practice Partner Nichola Mason took over Appelman Charman in October 2022. With 30 years’ experience as a dispensing optician and with three other independent practices in Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire already under her control, Nichola had a vision for taking Appelman Charman to the next level. She explained: “With such close ties to the local community, I wanted to ensure that we were able to offer the best possible service as well as frames for patients to benefit from, no matter their age or budget.”

Alongside Nichola, the practice has a team of friendly and knowledgeable experts including dispensing optician Yvonne O’Connor who has been at Appelman Charman for 13 years. Many of the team are residents of Hoddesdon too.

Among the changes made over the last year is an expansion of their selection of frames, with the stylish and coveted Moscot collection added to their range, ensuring that their customers

have access to the latest trends and timeless classics alike.

Even better services

Appelman Charman have also recently invested in their clinical services, introducing a Myopia management plan called Myopia+ in response to the rising rates of Myopia, also known as short-sightedness, in children. Patients can also now benefit from an exclusive Contact+ monthly plan. This comprehensive package offers a range of benefits for contact lens wearers, including free eye examinations, complimentary contact lens check-ups and delivery and exclusive discounts on glasses. It’s a testament to their commitment to providing outstanding care for all their patients.

Appelman Charman Opticians stands as a shining example of what independent practices can achieve when they blend decades of experience with a commitment to continue evolving in step with their community’s needs. Their one-year anniversary under new management is a milestone worth celebrating, not just for them but for everyone in Hoddesdon who has benefited from their outstanding care and service over the past 20 years.

Appelman Charman Opticians is an independent practice renowned for excellence in eye care and customer service. To book an appointment call 01992 447141 or visit www.acopticians.co.uk.

Nichola Mason is celebrating a year of success at Appelman Charman

Freeze the pain away with whole body cryotherapy

Cold therapies are not just for sports stars – it is claimed a few minutes well below zero can reduce pain and inflammation and make chronic symptoms recede... just don’t forget to put your gloves on!

In recent years there has been a trend towards so-called ‘cold therapy’ – think the ice bath so beloved of professional athletes!

But what is not so well known is that a treatment called whole body cryotherapy is now being used to help with a whole raft of health conditions, particularly in the easing of pain and inflammation. Aqua-Tox, the one-of-a-kind wellness clinic based at Foxholes Farm in Hertford, offers a wide range of treatments spanning wellness, recovery, skincare and aesthetics. But one of its stand-out treatments is whole body cryotherapy. This involves entering a specialised chamber and exposing the body to extreme temperatures for a short period of time. Aqua-Tox uses the Mecotec Cryo:One chamber which reaches a temperature of minus 86 degrees with sessions lasting between three and five minutes.

How does it work?

The extreme cold temperature of a cryotherapy chamber stimulates the body’s natural healing pro cesses. When exposed to the cold, the body’s blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow to the skin’s surface. This causes blood to be redirected to the body’s core, where it is oxygenated and enriched with nutrients.

Once the body is removed from the cryotherapy chamber, the blood vessels dilate, allowing the oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to flow back to the skin’s surface and throughout the body.

Exposing as much skin as possible to the cold air will allow your body temperature to drop effectively, so it’s recommended that you wear just underwear or small shorts and a sports bra in the cryotherapy chamber. However, it is very important to protect your extremities, so you are provided with gloves, socks, slippers, headbands, hats and face masks to wear.

You are also given the option of selecting a song of your choice to be played in the chamber to keep your mind off the cold!

toms of inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and back pain. A study published in the Journal of Pain Research found that whole body cryotherapy was effective in reducing pain intensity and improving physical function in patients with chronic lower back pain.

What does it cost?

PelleAesthetics

The key benefits claimed for cryotherapy are pain relief and reduced inflammation and many of Aqua-Tox’s clients have at least one session every week to keep on top of pain or reduce the symp-

The treatment is also used to promote weight loss, improve skin health, to speed up muscle recovery after strenuous exercise (that’s where those sports stars come in) and boost overall wellness.

Whole body cryotherapy starts at £45 per session with an option to bring a friend for £10. It can be fun to enter the chamber with someone else and enjoy the benefits together. Block booking packages are available to reduce the cost per session while Aqua-Tox also offers monthly memberships that allow you to access a variety of recovery treatments on a weekly basis. Other cutting edge recovery treatments offered by Aqua-Tox include a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, infrared sauna and red light therapy.

One Aqua-Tox client, 71-year-old Jim Mitchell, said of the treatment: “I generally feel more alive and alert; I’ve got a lot more energy and I can bend down more easily.”

Book your tickets for Pelle Aesthetics’ evening to celebrate the latest non-surgical facelift treatment

Hertford-based Pelle Aesthetics is hosting a special evening to celebrate becoming the first clinic in Hertfordshire to offer the very latest in non-surgical facelift technology.

During the evening you will be able to witness for yourself the power of the Cutera Secret Pro, an advanced technology which

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How to book

To book a session to try cryotherapy, visit aqua-tox.co.uk or call 01992 878381.

Pelle Aesthetics is based at The Townhouse in Hertford

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Nicholas and his team take a hands-on approach to managing and operating the business and work hard, priding themselves on giving open and honest advice on property issues to owners, occupiers, developers and/or tenants. Nicholas & Co aims to deliver cost-effective, high quality advice, providing clients with clear, concise and informative reports so that they can make the best decisions.

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Nicholas has founded his own charity, Alexandercare Foundation, which cares for and helps families to support their children with special needs and disabilities. It funds research into all aspects of dealing with vulnerable children, from understanding their conditions to how children can learn new key skills and support their families. Nicholas started the charity in the name of his own younger brother, Alexander, who has severe learning difficulties and works at Mudlarks Café in Hertford.

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WHAT’S ON

Bookings open for fireworks spectaculars

Display and bonfire in Ware

Ware’s annual fireworks display is on Saturday 4th November at the corner of High Oak Road and Kingsway.

This is the 51st year the event has been run, originally by Ware Round Table and more recently by four local Rotary Clubs. Gates open at 5.30pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm and the fireworks display, which is set to music, will begin at 7pm. There will also be food and drink stalls and a mini funfair. Tickets can be bought in advance online, with a 20 per cent discount, so £8 for adults, £4 for children under 12 and £20 for a family of four. On the night prices are £10, £5 and £25 respectively. Please note there is no parking at the venue, so visitors are advised to use town centre car parks. Book at warefireworks.org.uk.

Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Club

The fireworks evening at Bishop’s

Stortford Rugby Club at Silverleys is a ticket-only event. This year’s will be held on Saturday 4th November. Details were due to be revealed on the event website, bsrfctickets.co.uk, on 1st October.

(North) London calling... All you former North Londoners out there will know that Alexandra Palace’s annual fireworks festival is well worth the journey

THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO VISIT

Paradise Wildlife Park set to host Dinos After Dark

down over the M25. This year’s event, which marks Ally Pally’s 150th anniversary, takes place over two days, Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th November, and has a festival feel with live music, DJs and entertainment, a street food village, German Bier Festival and an ice rink. Tickets cost from £13 for adults, from £8 for 11-15-year-olds, £3 for under-10s. Book at fireworks.london.

Hatfield Park delves into its Tudor heritage to produce its all-new Christmas experience

Hatfield Park has announced its new Christmas experience for the festive season…. Fantastical Christmas Revels hosted by Queen Elizabeth I.

Hatfield have worked closely with CLW Event Design, a collection of theatrical practitioners, designers and artists, to bring to life a unique visitor experience influenced by the rich Tudor history and heritage of Hatfield Park. The event will run from Thursday 30th November to Sunday 31st December (it will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day). Visitors will be able to discover the fascinating allure of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign as they step back in time through a series of meticulously crafted installations

that pay homage to the Tudor period, an age of regality and wonder.

Highlights include a life size Tudor carriage adorned with intricate details; mummers performing traditional plays; live music from Tudor musicians; a banquet table laden with lavish decorations; the Christmas Kissing Bough adorned with holly, ivy and, of course, mistletoe; and the grand finale – a towering, imposing figure of Queen Elizabeth I herself.

Tickets are £28 for adults, £14 for children aged 5-15; £72 for a family of up to two adults and four children.

To book your tickets, visit hatfield-house.co.uk/Christmas/.

Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne is holding its popular Dinos After Dark event over two weekends at the end of October to mark Halloween. It will run from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd and then Friday 27th to Sunday 29th October, from 5.30 to 8.30pm. You can take a magical after dark tour around the park’s World of Dinosaurs and see the dinosaurs come to life by moonlight. Other attractions such as The Rex Express, Safari Stage Shows, outdoor play areas and crazy golf, plus food outlets and shops will be open too. General tickets are £16, with members’ tickets £13. Book now at pwpark.com. l Meanwhile, Paradise Wildlife Park has revealed that it will close for a month in January while maintenance and improvement works are carried out ahead of a name change and rebranding. The popular venue will be renamed Hertfordshire Zoo on 1st April, some 40 years after Peter and Grace Sampson bought the site in 1984.

Their daughter Lynn Whitnall has continued their good work, with her three sons, Aaron, Tyler and Cam Whitnall, taking it to new heights of public recognition through the CBBC TV series One Zoo Three.

The brothers are appearing at The Spotlight in Hoddesdon this month in a new live show – see page 21 for details of how you can see them.

The skies alight over Ally Pally Picture: Lloyd Winters

Discover the Secrets of the 60s from Stortford

A music promoter from Bishop’s Stortford is looking forward to sharing the secrets of bringing big names to the town’s iconic music venue in the 1960s.

In November, South Mill Arts (formerly The Rhodes Centre) turns 60 and Alan Goldsmith was there right at the start booking Stevie Wonder, Elton John, The Who, Eric Clapton, The Small Faces, Rod Stewart and many others to appear on the Stortford stage.

Now Alan, who is 83, will be taking to the stage himself in the Secrets of the 60s show, to reveal all about his time booking and welcoming the big names of the day – and how he decided not to book The Rolling Stones and Tom Jones!

Joining Alan on stage will be singer Dave Berry, whose hits

Steve,

include Crying Game and Little Things. Dave is still touring and playing to packed venues, 63 years after turning professional, and he will talk about – among other things – his relationship with Mandy Rice-Davies, who was at the heart of the Profumo affair with her friend Christine Keeler – a scandal that rocked the British establishment in 1963. The evening, on Wednesday 1st

Enjoy free screenings in Ware’s film festival

November, will be hosted by popular BBC radio presenter Steve Scruton, who has been broadcasting in the region for over 30 years. He will also be sharing his experiences of pirate radio from the 60s.

The Secrets of the 60s show is at South Mill Arts in Bishop’s Stortford on Wednesday 1st November at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15 from southmillarts.com.

See the Zoo Brothers on stage in their home town

Paradise Wildlife Park’s Zoo Brothers, the stars of CBBC’s One Zoo Three, are appearing at The Spotlight in Hoddesdon for one night only, on Wednesday 25th October, for a unique live event.

Brothers Aaron, Tyler and Cam Whitnall will share insights into their unusual life – living and working in their own family zoo

– during the show. Using film footage and imagery, they will explain what it is like to share their home with more than 800 different animals, including lions, tigers and snow leopards. There are three shows, at 11am, 2pm and 6pm, and tickets cost £21 for adults, £19 for children. Book at thespotlightvenue.com or call 01992 441946.

Films: The best new movies to see this month

The Creator (12A)

Now showing

An epic sci-fi action thriller set amidst a future war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence. There’s a vision of the future for you …

The Great Escaper (12A) Out on Friday 6th October

Michael Caine stars as Bernard Jordan, who made headlines in the summer of 2014 when he ‘escaped’ from his care home to join fellow veterans on a beach in Normandy at the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

The late Glenda Jackson plays Bernie’s wife of 60 years, Rene.

Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie (U) Out on Friday 13th October When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the Paw Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The Mighty Pups!

Killers of the Flower Moon (15) Out on Friday 20th October Martin Scorsese’s new film is an epic western crime saga, based on a true story, telling the story of how white interlopers betrayed Native Americans at the turn of the 20th century when oil brought a fortune to the Osage Nation. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.

Ware’s the Film Festival is a series of free pop-up film showings across five venues over eight nights in the town from Sunday 22nd to Sunday 29th October. Organised by Ware Town Council, the cinematic tour of Ware begins on Sunday 22nd with a showing of The Banshees of Inisherin in the Southern Maltings at 7.30pm.

Other films being shown include Super Mario Bros, Rudy, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Looking for Eric, Good Luck to you Leo Grande, Aftersun and Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, at venues including Allenbury’s Sports and Social Club, The Brewery Tap and Place House. For full details and to book your free tickets, visit waretowncouncil.gov.uk/film.

Put Christmas Fayre date in your diary

Here’s advance notice that Bishop’s Stortford’s annual Christmas Fayre will be held this year on Saturday 2nd December from 9.30am to 4.30pm in North Street, Market Square, Potter Street and South Street. It will feature Christmas stalls offering gifts and food and drink which will complement the regular market and monthly farmers’ and craft market. There will also be festive entertainment across the town centre.

Super Mario Bros

Dave and Alan on stage together

The Creator... super sci-fi

Junior Andre to switch on Stevenage Christmas lights

Singer to appear at town centre switchon event on Saturday 25th November

With Christmas just around the corner, Stevenage Borough Council has announced that singer and influencer Junior Andre will be switching on the lights and performing live at the annual festive light switch-on on Saturday 25th November. It will take place at Event Island in Stevenage town centre between 12 noon and 5.30pm. There will be lots going on throughout the afternoon including free face-painting, a giant snow globe, a sensory station and a Christmas Market where you can pick up some gifts. Parking at St Georges’ Car Park is free on the day too.

Cllr Richard Henry, the leader of Stevenage Borough Council, said: “We’re really looking forward to seeing Junior Andre at this year’s festive lights switch-on.

“It’s fantastic to see our community come together to have fun at these types of events. Please help us by sharing it far and wide, bring along your friends and your family and get into the Christmas spirit with us.

“You’ll even get the chance to meet our VIP guest himself, so if you’re a fan of Junior’s then come along early and say hello as there will only be time to accommodate up to 30 lucky people.

“Let’s illuminate Stevenage town centre together and make it the

biggest and best year we’ve had for Christmas events in town!”

The meet and greet with Junior Andre will take place between 4 and 4.30pm, with his live performance from 5.10 to 5.25pm.

Old Town and market events

There is also a Christmas lights switch-on event in Stevenage Old Town this year, a week earlier on Saturday 18th November between 5 and 6pm, at the Bowling Green, where there’ll be

music and lots of Christmas cheer to start the festive season. There is also a Christmas Gala to celebrate 50 years of trading at Stevenage Indoor Market will be held on Saturday 9th December between 10am and 4pm.

Stevenage town centre will be filled with fun things to do ahead of Junior Andre’s appearance and performance

dark 2023 dinos after

Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd October and Friday 27th – Sunday 29th October

Scan the QR code to book now

Walk amongst our dinosaurs after darkif you’re feeling brave enough!

Christmas Party Nights

FROM £43 PER PERSON

CHOOSE FROM: A FESTIVE CHRISTMAS BUFFET OR A CHRISTMAS 3-COURSE MEAL

THEN DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY WITH DJ & ENTERTAINMENT

BOOK NOW – DATES SELLING FAST!

To book, email events@warepriory.co.uk or call 01920 460316 For more information visit www.warepriory.co.uk

HALF-TERM HIGHLIGHTS

SHARK IN THE PARK

Sunday 22nd October, 1pm & 3pm

Tickets: £12.50, Family of 4 £40

HALF-TERM WRESTLING SPECTACULAR

Tuesday 24th October, 7.30pm

Tickets: £16.50, Child £12, Family of 4 £49

MILKSHAKE! LIVE

Thursday 26th October, 12pm & 3.30pm,

Tickets: £18, Child £17, Family of 4 £66

BOX OFFICE: 01707 645005

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

FOOD & DRINK

Pircio – a smartly-run local restaurant worth celebrating

Just how many people can there be in Bishop’s Stortford who have birthdays on Thursday 21st September?

Whatever the answer, at least half a dozen of them knew exactly where to go to celebrate last month – Pircio, the family-run restaurant based in the town’s historic Drill Hall building –where the staff are experts at making their customers feel special.

It’s a great place to go if you want to celebrate – but that doesn’t make it party central. This restaurant has been beautifully designed and cleverly thought out, so that you feel happy and at home here whether you are with a group of family or friends or are simply looking for a quiet meal out with your significant other.

The owners have pulled off a difficult trick – making what is in reality a large, cavernous building seem much smaller and more intimate.

And it’s not just the stunning interior design that is welcoming. The staff here are first-rate –giving fast, efficient service with a smile. Knowing how difficult the general staffing situation is in so many restaurants and pubs in these times, Pircio has managed to play a blinder to ensure diners are thoroughly looked after.

When it opened seven years ago, Pircio began with a bold and unusual strategy – that of running full and extensive menus from two cuisines side by side. One side of the menu offered Italian food, the other side Turkish. They still do it. And it not only works but it gives Pircio that point of difference that helps keep its regulars coming back time and again.

When we visited on that 21st September evening, one of us ordered from the Italian menu, the other from the Turkish, and all the food was excellent. The pizza? Terrific.

The chicken shish? Wonderful. So meticulously trained are the kitchen team and waiting staff that no matter which menu customers ordered from, their food all came out at the same time too, which can’t be easy with two different styles of cooking.

On the menu

The Italian menu offers starters including bruschetta, fresh mussels, vodka-marinated squid and tempura prawns, with perfectly cooked pizzas including the Pizza Pircio (£14.95) with tomato, mozzarella, Parma ham, pepperoni, bresaola and beef sausage. Other traditional main courses are available too, such as pollo Milanese (£17.95) and pollo Toscana (grilled basil chicken breast with mixed sweet peppers, tomatoes and black olives with a leaf salad and avocado (also

£17.95) as well as a wide range of pasta and risotto dishes. The Turkish, or Mediterranean, menu likewise features classic dishes for both starter and main. To start, you can choose from a range of hot mezes such as falafel, halloumi, sucuk (grilled spicy sausage) or bodrum manti (crispy Turkish dumplings) or cold mezes from quinoa tabbouleh to stuffed vine leaves. For mains, the menu includes traditional steaks and charcoal grills (chicken shish kebab is £19.95, lamb cutlets £25.95 for example); specials such as kleftiko (£21.95) and meat moussaka (£18.95); as well as seafood (monkfish shish is £24.95), spicy pots and Turkish Boat Pide (a form of calzone).

There are different menus for lunch and dinner, there is a kids’ menu, a gluten-free menu, plus

the drinks list and separate cocktail menu… this is truly a place where you are spoilt for choice, as well as just spoilt – particularly if it’s your birthday of course. As the birthday celebration music struck up for the sixth time, and the special birthday hat was brought out for the lucky person who was a year older, we did ask how on earth we had managed to book on a rainy Thursday evening when so many people seemed to be celebrating on the same day.

“This is nothing,” we were told by our happy waiter. “You should see how many we have booked in for Saturday…”

Pircio

The Drill Hall, Market Square, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3UU 01279 898181

pirciorestaurant.com

Ritchie’s wine notes

By Ritchie Tough of Cavavin

What’s the difference between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris?

Over the years, this has been one of the most common questions I have been asked so, this month, I will explain a bit more about these two different wines that are made using the same grape but in different styles.

The grape is originally from France, where it is cultivated in Alsace and called Pinot Gris. In Italy, it is grown in the Lombardy region and called Pinot Grigio.

Pinot Grigio

In the Italian version (Pinot Grigio), the grape is harvested/picked early (underripened), lowering the residual sugar, which in turn gives us a light, fresh wine that is more ‘green pear’ in taste. This is crisp and good with seafood. About 30 years ago it caused quite a stir as this was a very light wine that was exceptionally easy-drinking. It became a massive hit in the UK and shows no signs of slowing down, even today. Of those we sell at Cavavin, I would recommend the Rocca Estate Pinot Grigio Del Veneto at £9.

Pinot Gris

In the French style, the Pinot Gris grape is allowed to ripen fully, so more residual sugar and alcohol is formed, making it fuller in body. It has a ripe pear and a spiced clove aroma and is almost the entire opposite of its Italian neighbour, showing far more depth. It’s a real foodie’s grape which many people have never tried. The Domaine Leon Boesch Le Coq Pinot Gris Biodynamic (£21.50), which I would recommend, is excellent with a variety of dishes, most notably paella and risotto, and it stands up well to spicier dishes.

This is a great example of how different wine-making techniques have led to two very different results from the same grape. Often, I think people are too quick to say, for example, “Oh, I don’t like Chardonnay or Merlot,” when some of the best wines in the world use these grapes; Chablis, Montrachet and Pomerol are just a few fine examples. Sometimes keeping an open mind is the answer.

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.

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

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. Christmas bookings are now being taken.

Burnt Mill Lane, Harlow CM20 2QS

01279 424180

www.dustymillerharlow.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