Axis magazine March 2023 issue

The independent, intelligent guide to everything that matters locally

March 2023

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LOCAL LIFE

IN THE NEWS...

Hertford Theatre reopening delayed until 2024

PROPERTY

New estate agent opens in Stanstead Abbotts

YOUR SPRING HOME

Find local specialists to help you improve your property

WHAT’S ON

All you need to know about Hertford Theatre Week

THE RETURN OF IL VINO

Popular Italian restaurant reopens after refurbishment

Your leading high quality local news magazine since 2003

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WELCOME

What’s inside this issue

Hertford Theatre delayed to 2024 and round-up of the major local stories

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

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Read us online at axismagazine.co.uk or issuu.com (search axis magazine)

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

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05-10 y Briefing

27-31 y What’s on Hertford Theatre Week heads a month of great events locally

16-18 y Property news

A new estate agents, latest on the lettings scene and Scholars update

32-35 y Food & drink

Il Vino in Hertford reopens and a new eatery and bar comes to Stortford

Front cover images (clockwise from top) Cocktails at newly-opened Firat in Bishop’s Stortford (p32); John Wick, Chapter 4 is showing at cinemas this month (p30); A dish from the new menu at recently reopened Il Vino (p33); Pyrenean railway viaduct by Peter Gibbs, who has a joint exhibition at Courtyard Arts in Hertford (p29); Stitchwort by Sophia Spurgin of Bishop’s Stortford Camera Club (p29).

12 y SHOPPING & BUSINESS NEWS: Max & Min Vets opens in Hertford 19-26 y YOUR SPRING HOME: Local businesses to improve your property

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BRIEFING

Hertford Theatre reopening delayed to 2024

There will be no Christmas show this year either as work continues

Project delays mean Hertford Theatre will not reopen in 2023 as originally planned. Instead, it will open in phases from the Spring of 2024.

The venue closed in June 2021 for a major revamp which will deliver a bigger main auditorium and improved backstage facilities designed to attract touring productions as well as a new studio theatre. New cinema screens will also be built, which will enable the venue to show new release films for the first time, meaning locals will no longer have to travel to Stevenage, Hatfield or Harlow to see the latest blockbusters when they come out. The redevelopment, which is being overseen by owner East Herts Council, is called the Growth and Legacy Project. It is hoped the project will enable the theatre to become self-financing rather than be reliant on council subsidies.

A flagship project for East Herts, the theatre plans have been beset with delays and rising costs, due in the main to issues within the construction industry including labour shortages and a steep rise in the price of materials post Brexit and the pandemic.

By March last year projected costs for the project were £24million, £10.5million higher than originally estimated when the project was conceived in 2018.

At that time the opening date was

anticipated to be late 2023, in time for the annual pantomime. According to the council, the latest delay is due to a number of factors including the time taken to secure permits from external agencies to pursue aspects of the programme and growing inflationary pressures. A spokesperson said: “These challenges have resulted in a rephrasing of the project to deliver what we set out to back in 2018; a state-of-theart theatre, cinema, live performance and community space East Herts can enjoy for generations to come. This rephrasing means that the anticipated construction completion date is now March 2024.

“We will be undertaking a phased opening in Spring, starting with the new first release cinema offer and following with the live programme in the main auditorium and studio through the summer of 2024.” She said work was progressing well with the new metal seam roof almost complete, foundations for the larger auditorium and studio theatre laid, and steelworks erected for a new balcony area. It has also been confirmed that, unlike in 2021 and 2022, when the theatre held Christmas shows at Southern Maltings and The Drill Hall in Ware, there will be no festive show in 2023.

Another milestone reached in Hartham redevelopment

A short walk across town from Hertford Theatre, another of East Herts Council’s redevelopment projects reached its next milestone with the new roof to Hartham Leisure Centre’s extension completed. The centre is undergoing a £9million programme of works which have so far seen the refurbishment of the existing pool hall, its changing rooms and dry changing areas.

Contractor Cadman has now demolished the front section of the

leisure centre building clearing the way for a new two-storey extension that will house a new gym, studios, soft play facilities and café area. With the roof now in place the interior fit out can begin and is expected to be completed by Spring/ summer of this year. Cladding and landscaping works are also scheduled in the coming months.

The final phase of the project will see the upstairs of the existing leisure centre building converted into

Longer visiting hours unveiled at hospital

Harlow’s Princess Alexandra Hospital has introduced open visiting, enabling adult inpatients to have visitors with greater flexibility anytime between 9am and 8pm seven days a week. Previously, in the majority of wards, visiting was limited to an hour in the afternoon and two hours in the early evening. Visiting policies for critical care, maternity and the children’s ward are not subject to the changes, which are now in place.

Apply now for street party for Coronation

If you’d like to hold a street party to celebrate the King’s Coronation in May you’ll need to apply to Hertfordshire County Council for permission to close the road by Sunday 26th March.

The good news is that if it’s on a residential street and doesn’t affect a bus route the council says it will waive the usual fee to encourage as many people as possible to mark the occasion. Information about how to apply can be found at hertfordshire. gov.uk/streetparties.

The Coronation takes place on the morning of Saturday 6th May.

An aerial view of the work being carried out on Hertford Theatre

a changing facility and spin studio and is expected to be complete by the autumn.

Recruiting now for foster carers in Hertfordshire

We love our busy home. It’s good fun”

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

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

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

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

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

CONTACT US:

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

Dawn and Alan, Hertfordshire foster carers

East Herts approves 8,500 new homes for Harlow and Gilston Garden Town

East Herts Council has granted outline planning permission for the first stage of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town project, which will see 8,500 new homes built in and around Gilston to the north of Harlow.

The council’s development management committee met during the day on Tuesday 28th February to consider an application for the ‘Gilston Villages’ made by landowner Places for People.

Council officers had recommended approval of the application, which was for six of seven new villages planned for the area.

The application also included provision of 29,000 square metres of employment space, green space including community and country parks and buffer zones between the villages, six primary schools, two secondary schools, healthcare facilities and a leisure centre.

In March last year planning permission was granted for supporting transport infrastructure for the new area. A further application,

for a seventh village of another 1,500 homes and in the name of Taylor Wimpey, will be determined separately.

Harlow and Gilston was designated as a Garden Town by the Department for Homes, Communities and Local Government in January 2017 and will comprise new and existing communities in and around Harlow.

In total, 10,000 new homes will be built in the East Herts district as part of the project. The first 3,000 homes are due to be delivered by

2033 with the other 7,000 after that date and possibly up to 2050. East Herts Council leader Linda Haysey said: “The decision taken by councillors today is a significant step towards ensuring our next generation can live and raise families of their own in East Herts. “I understand residents will have concerns about the impact of development on this scale, but with that scale comes the investment needed to provide the new services and facilities that build sustainable communities.”

East Herts consulting on plans to end free on-street parking in Hertford, Ware and Bishop’s Stortford

East Herts Council is considering introducing new charges for on-street parking in Hertford, Ware and Bishop’s Stortford town centres.

A mix of free 30-minute and one hour maximum stay parking bays are currently provided within the town centres.

Under the proposals, that mix would remain but motorists will pay 50p per 30 minutes in Hertford and Bishop’s Stortford and 40p in Ware.

Sessions would be paid for using PayByPhone, with the same online, app or call payment options available as in East Herts car parks.

The council says the aim of the proposals is to improve the management of on-street parking, encourage a turnover of space to reduce congestion, improve traffic flows and provide the right level of parking to support town centres. It says it would also ensure that the user pays for parking services – a key principle of its budget-setting

to help bridge its funding gap. The traffic order would apply to parking spaces in Fore Street, Railway Street, St Andrew Street, Mill Bridge, Queens Road, Castle Street and Parliament Square in Hertford; Amwell End, Broadmeads, Station Road, Kibes Lane, Bowling Road, High Street, Baldock Street and Priory Street in Ware; and Newtown Road, Basbow Lane, North Street and Water Lane in

Bishop’s Stortford. A public consultation has opened on the plans and runs until Friday 17th March. You can find the consultation and comment online at eastherts.gov.uk/traffic-orders. Or comments and objections can be sent either by email to parkingconsultation@eastherts.gov.uk or in writing to East Herts Council, Parking Services, Wallfields, Pegs Lane, Hertford SG13 8EQ.

The Liberal Democrats have announced their prospective parliamentary candidate who will fight the Hertford and Stortford seat, currently held by the Conservatives’ Julie Marson, at the next General Election.

Helen Campbell, a Hertfordshire county councillor and a former business journalist, said she was delighted to have been selected to stand, especially in an area where her party was the opposition on the district and county councils, and leading the way in holding the Conservatives to account. She said: “Whether it’s the Old River Lane proposals, the Briggens Estate quarry plans, or concerns over mass house-building without sufficient infrastructure to the north and east of Ware, if I am elected as an MP for Hertford and Stortford local residents will have an MP who fights their corner and is a strong voice here and in Westminster.”

Upgrade to begin on New River path

In Broxbourne works were set to begin last month to upgrade the cycle and walking pathway along the New River from Church Lane in Wormley to the M25 border. The improvements, due to be completed this summer, will allow more residents to walk or cycle around the borough, easing congestion and reducing air pollution. The route will provide links with existing and planned residential and commercial projects, enabling easy access to important locations and job opportunities within the borough, the most notable of which are the Sunset Waltham Cross Studios and the proposed Brookfield development.

Helen Campbell to fight Hertford and Stortford for Lib Dems

These parking bays in Ware High Street would no longer be free to use

Old River Lane: pressure grows for a rethink

Opponents of East Herts Council’s proposed redevelopment of the Old River Lane site in Bishop’s Stortford began mobilising support in February with a battle to stop the plans being fought on a number of fronts. East Herts Council is working with developer Cityheart on longstanding plans to create a ‘cultural quarter’ on the former Causeway car park next to Waitrose. But after plans for a new theatre within a landmark arts centre building at the centre of the development were dropped for budgetary reasons, and with a cinema now being the focus of that building, many are calling into question the development’s value to the town.

Somewhat ironically, East Herts Council has bought the United Reformed Church Hall, a community hall on the edge of the site used by local arts groups, which the developer plans to demolish to allow it to reconfigure Waitrose car park as part of the scheme.

l More than 200 letters of objection have so far been submitted to each of two planning applications lodged with East Herts by Cityheart.

Bishop’s Stortford Civic Federation and Bishop’s Stortford Town Council are among those to have objected. Some of the matters objected to include plans for up to 225 new homes on the site rather than the ‘around 100’ stated in the council’s district plan; the height of some of

the buildings and, the objectors say, inadequate public consultation.

l In mid-February the cross-party Old River Lane Working Group of Lib Dems, Labour and Greens held a public meeting at Bishop’s Stortford High School. It was attended by around 250 people.

l At the end of February the group planned to hand deliver more than 200 individually signed letters to the executive on Conservative-controlled East Herts Council asking it to take on board the strength of opposition to the plans and asking it to pause and rethink.

Liberal Democrat opposition leader Mione Goldspink said despite there not being any East Herts Council Conservative councillors at February’s public meeting: “They cannot go on ignoring the people of

Bishop’s Stortford any longer.”

l Meanwhile Bishop’s Stortford Civic Federation earlier succeeded in having the venue listed as an asset of community value, which enables it to make a bid to buy it ahead of any potential sale to the developer. A group called the Friends of Water Lane Hall is attempting to raise funds towards its possible purchase. Details of its fundraising effort can be found at waterlanehall.org.

The Friends have also written to Bishop’s Stortford Town Council asking if it will help secure the hall’s future, either by lobbying East Herts and Cityheart to save the hall; by contributing a message of support to a business plan or assisting with a loan or grant to fund the purchase of the hall.

Developer wants HGVs allowed through Sawbridgeworth

Developer Wrenbridge is asking East Herts Council to amend a condition attached to the planning consent granted last year for its St James Park employment park in Bishop’s Stortford that attempts to stop HGVs travelling to and from the site using the A1184 London Road through Sawbridgeworth. The company bought the site with outline consent for the development already in place from developer Countryside and the approval it sought from East Herts Council last August was for ‘reserved matters’ including the layout, appearance and servicing arrangements for the proposed 12 new units off St James Way. It said it had agreed with officers

wording of a condition that aimed to stop HGVs driving through Bishop’s Stortford town centre. But councillors on the development management committee were concerned at the prospect of increased traffic on the already heavily congested A1184 and asked officers to alter the proposed condition to stop vehicles using that route as well.

Wrenbridge says that it was not reasonable to have changed a condition that highways, environ-

mental health and planning officers had all been content with. The effect of the change would add time and fuel costs for potential occupiers. The current condition would mean a driver looking to travel south from the site, for example to make a delivery to the industrial area north of Harlow around five miles away, having to take a contrived route of around 16 miles to avoid using the A1184. Similarly, it would prevent lorries looking to travel south towards London from joining the M11 at nearby junction 7a, instead forcing them to take the bypass round Bishop’s Stortford to the north and then joining the motorway at junction 8.

County reiterates ULEZ opposition

Hertfordshire County Council leader Richard Roberts has written to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan expressing disappointment at his plans to press ahead with the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone to cover the whole of London from 29th August.

Mr Roberts also warns that Hertfordshire does not accept that any signage or cameras for it should be based within the county. The existing ULEZ covers the area of London that falls within the North and South Circular Roads with owners of non-compliant vehicles charged £12.50 per day to drive in the capital.

Mr Khan’s plans will see the zone expanded to cover all of the GLA area, bringing it right up to the Hertfordshire border and meaning that anyone in the county needing to travel for example into neighbouring Enfield or Barnet would have to pay the fee if their vehicle is non-compliant.

Town council may buy South Mill Arts centre

Bishop’s Stortford Town Council could buy the site of South Mill Arts, the museum, theatre and community centre in South Road, and then lease it back to the trust that runs it at a peppercorn rent. The move would enable the Bishop’s Stortford Museum and Arts Charitable Incorporated Organisation to invest in the facilities. The council is set to buy the site for £2,970,000 with any deal likely to take place after the end of February 2024.

It includes the Grade2-listed Victorian building, now a museum, that was the former home of Cecil Rhodes, along with the modern theatre building and car park.

A CGI of the proposed arts centre building on the Old River Lane site

The planned employment park

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It’s been a busy month both in and outside of Parliament

Last month in Parliament, Ukraine’s President Zelensky gave an historic address. He spoke about the unbreakable ties between our nations and our joint determination to defeat evil and invasion. It was deeply moving and very special to witness such a momentous and historic event.

Supporting businesses

In Hertford and Stortford, there were lots of other events going on too. I held a round table meeting for local businesses to discuss their challenges. I took lots of notes away from the session and have raised their concerns. I remain available to them and all other local businesses for support – please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Affinity Water update

I asked Affinity Water’s CEO and Director of Operations to meet me in Parliament over their response to burst pipes in Bishop’s Stortford at Christmas. We had a productive discussion and I emphasised the importance of compensation for affected residents, increased planning and better communication

channels going forwards. I will work with them to make sure constituents receive the most reliable and best service possible.

Ware Post Office progress

There is more encouraging news on Ware High Street’s Post Office. The Post Office has one application for its new premises that they are now progressing. They will provide me with more updates in due course. I will of course share this on my Facebook page ‘Save Ware High Street’s Post Office’ as soon as I can. It has been wonderful to receive such great feedback and support from the community on this campaign so far – we’re starting to see a result. Things are looking up.

Tackling road safety

A recent incident in which a child was knocked off their bike has again highlighted the importance of road safety in Hertford Heath. Both I and David Lloyd, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, were recently contacted by concerned residents after a series of collisions. I supported

SEND (special educational needs) provision in Hertfordshire remains historically underfunded. This is a problem lots of constituents have contacted me about over the years.

I met with the SEND Minister, Claire Coutinho MP, recently to discuss this. A range of options are now being assessed as a result and I am continuing to push for action.

Mr Lloyd’s proposal to install two new cameras and warning signs at either end of London Road in response. Over 600 warning letters have been sent since and the number of vehicles exceeding 40mph has almost halved. Though this is great progress, we must remain vigilant. David Lloyd and the rest of the team at Herts Police have my full support.

I also met with the leader and chief executive of East Herts Council. We discussed lots of local issues from funding to development. I also relay individual constituents’ casework concerns to the council during these meetings – I am pleased there were so many action points as a result. Council leader Linda Haysey and I are pictured above.

David Lloyd and I are working together on road safety issues

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Anish opens new independent vet practice in Hertford

Named after his own two pet dogs, Max and Min is a new independent vet practice that has just been opened by Anish Patel.

Anish will be well-known to many local pet owners as he worked for eight years for another Hertfordshire practice, based in Ware. He has now set up his own small animal practice in a purpose-built unit at Foxholes Farm in Hertford, looking after cats, dogs and other household pets.

Anish says he was always keen to set up on his own and had many ideas for how he wanted to do things differently, including offering the continuity of care you get from always seeing the same vet. He has been able to implement these ideas at Max and Min, where he has created a welcoming setting in which the whole aim is to make pets and their owners feel at ease and to reduce their stress.

Cats and dogs have separate wait-

ing areas and consultation rooms, which even have acoustic panelling, and there are separate custom-built kennels with under-floor heating, air extraction, individual lighting and glass doors.

Anish also has a real focus on using modern technology and on sustainability, with almost everything in the practice tablet-based and paper-less.

Max and Min

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Pret opens in Bishop’s Stortford

They might have made headlines last month after deciding to stop serving smoothies, frappes and milkshakes later this year but upmarket sandwich and coffee chain Pret A Manger have just opened a new franchised store in Bishop’s Stortford.

The premises, at 19-21 Potter Street, is sandwiched between Nando’s and Eat17, on the edge of the revamped Jackson Square shopping centre.

The franchise is being operated by Joy Brands, which is a subsidiary of The Chesterford Group, run by

a former Bishop’s Stortford College pupil James Lipscombe.

James is a locally-based entrepreneur whose business has been chosen as one of just three franchise launch partners by Pret who will be rolling out new stores across the country. Joy Brands can operate franchises in Hertfordshire, Essex and Cambridgeshire.

Pret A Manger sells a range of fresh food and drink throughout the day, including breakfast, sandwiches and wraps, salads and protein pots, sweet and savoury snacks and hot and cold drinks.

Anish, his practice and, right, with head veterinary nurse Catherine Galea

Kevin Brooks of Cannon Travel with a cautionary tale – and a holiday of a lifetime

Well, it has been a long time! Since I last wrote an article for Axis magazine a lot of water has flowed under the bridge and a vast amount of money has flowed out of our bank account. If you ever want to get rid of money, own a travel business during a pandemic; it was painful.

I don’t want to harp on about Covid but whereas some businesses closed their doors and went home to ride out the storm, in travel we closed the door and then worked harder than ever to get our clients all their money back. Whilst the whole process was extremely wearing, I am proud that all our clients were refunded.

The good news is that there are distinct signs of recovery. However, we recognised that for Cannon Travel to fully recover we need young blood and renewed energy as both of the

directors are of a ‘certain age’. We have done this by teaming up with a well-established company called Premier Travel and we are delighted with the results so far. In travel there are two principal elements:

l Front office, which is the selling part and requires knowledge and expertise and Cannon has that in abundance.

l Back office, which is all the admin, payments, bonds, licences etc. Premier are now doing all this stuff, which means my workload has dropped dramatically. Vivien is front office so her load is increasing. Hey-ho, that’s life. Hopefully, as we recover there will be time for us to start travelling again as we have done very

AFRICA UNCOVERED

little since 2019. I’m pleased to say we have just booked our first trip, a week in the Gambia. We went many years ago and it is lovely. This time we are spending four nights in a very smart beachside hotel, then we go inland for three nights on a floating lodge on one of the rivers. Gambia is renowned for its bird life, so cameras at the ready… not that I’m any good!

The holiday of a lifetime

Early in this piece I referred to how to get rid of a lot of money in a negative way. How about this for spending a lot of money in a positive way? You could spend £40k per person on a holiday – and trust me, people do!

Below is an advert for a lovely trip we can book to Africa by a private chartered jet from Stansted and visiting some iconic locations.

This looks like the trip of a lifetime. I have been to Morocco, South Africa and Zimbabwe –and Botswana and Victoria Falls was undoubtedly the best holiday I have ever had. The wildlife is absolutely amazing and there is so much of it. This trip goes to Chobe National Park and that is where one of the three lodges we went to is. Very, very nice.

If you truly want a holiday of a lifetime and fancy spending £80k for the two of you then treat yourself… I’m sure the kids won’t mind!

The wildlife in Botswana is absolutely amazing, and there is so much of it to see

COMMUNITY NEWS SPONSORED CONTENT FROM STEVENAGE BOROUGH

COUNCIL

Children from Woolenwick Junior School in Stevenage with their creation and on site, learning all about the new housing development

Over 180 Stevenage school children, aged between 7 and 11 years old, took part in a school art project to help brighten up a housing development site hoarding in Scarborough Avenue, Stevenage.

Originally the children, from Woolenwick Junior School, were tasked with using their imagination to create drawings that celebrated active travel and play. The Housing Development team at Stevenage Borough Council worked hard to ensure all of the creations were included in the final masterpiece and on display for everyone to see.

After the hoarding was erected, the children were invited to go and take a look at their new design in full.

While they were there they experienced a morning on site,

starting with a toolbox talk, ahead of a site tour, where the contractor, SJM, explained about staying safe on site, giving them a fantastic opportunity to discover more about working in the construction industry.

Lots of questions were asked as the children engaged in a thought-provoking session.

New housing

The development comprises 29 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and is due for completion in Spring 2023, when it will be let to council tenants. The new apartments feature state-of-the-art environmental enhancements, including being gas free, with triple glazing, enhanced insulation and waste water heat recovery.

With the build coming to an end,

the project has now reached a stage where the time has come to remove the brightly coloured hoarding and rather than going for recycling, it is being donated to Woolenwick Junior School so it can be repurposed within the vicinity so the artwork is there for future generations to see.

All the children put an immense amount of effort into their designs and had thought long and hard about what to include in their images.

SJM has installed the panels of artwork at the school free of charge to brighten up the area and the children will be able to see their designs for years to come.

Cllr Jeannette Thomas, Deputy Leader of Stevenage Borough Council and Executive Member for Housing and Development,

said: “Overall, it’s been a really successful project and one that I hope the children will remember taking part in.

“It’s been great to be able to invite them onto the site so they can experience a little of what life is like in the construction industry, while taking a look at their creations.

“It’s brilliant that we are now in a position for the hoarding to be removed, which is a clear indication that these 29 homes will soon be handed over and let to new council tenants.

“I’m really pleased the school has gladly agreed to rehome the hoarding panels, they’ll look wonderful once installed and I’d like to thank SJM for their kind contribution in erecting the panels at the school for everyone to enjoy in years to come.”

axis

East Herts Lottery helps good causes raise much-needed funds

East Herts Lottery helps local charities, school PTAs, voluntary organisations, sports clubs and community groups generate extra funding.

Since the lottery’s launch in 2019, over 160 local causes across East Herts have registered to take part. Between them, they have generated more than £160,000 in fundraising income.

The lottery helps a very wide range of not-for-profit organisations including Bengeo Tigers Football Club, Acehounds Friendship Dogs and Bishop’s Stortford Hockey Club.

Tickets cost £1 and half of the ticket price goes straight back to the good cause chosen by the

player. There is a draw every Saturday with prizes starting at £25. Match all six numbers and you win the £25,000 jackpot! Ticket sales also help the wider East Herts community as 10p of every £1 ticket sale goes to East Herts Council’s Community Fund which distributes discretionary community grants.

Cllr Jonathan Kaye, Executive Member for Communities at East Herts Council, said: “Given the current economic situation, many not-for-profit organisations are struggling to raise funds. East Herts Lottery continues to be an effective and straightforward way to do this while giving supporters the chance to win a cash prize.

“In addition, the East Herts Community Fund gives much-needed support to a wide range of community groups and local organisations. To date, over £35,000 has been generated through the lottery and distributed across the district.” Recipients of Community Fund grants in recent years include Bishop’s Stortford Lifesaving Club, Sawbridgeworth Allotment Association, Three Villages Magazine (Great Amwell, Stanstead Abbotts and St Margarets) and Stortford Musical Festival.

How to sign up if you want to fundraise

Any not-for-profit organisation

providing a service to residents in East Herts can sign up. It’s free to join at easthertslottery.co.uk. Once a good cause has completed the registration process, they receive free marketing materials to help promote the lottery to their supporters. The administration of the lottery is completely automated and there are weekly email updates on ticket sales. Winners are notified automatically.

How to play

It’s easy! You can buy tickets at easthertslottery.co.uk or by phoning 01279 912777. Simply choose the cause(s) you want to support and decide how many £1 tickets you want to buy.

Local organisations that currently benefit from East Herts Lottery include Acehounds, Bengeo Tigers Football Club and Bishop’s Stortford Hockey Club

Peter Cuffaro, the estate agent seeking to raise expectations

Peter Cuffaro, who has just opened his own new estate agency in Stanstead Abbotts, is on a mission to raise people’s expectations of their property agent.

Peter has worked in the property business for more than 20 years, the vast majority of that locally for other agents, and decided to open his own agency through a desire to do things differently.

For him, job satisfaction lies in doing a great job for his customers and having them acknowledge that they have received excellent service.

“I want to raise the minimum standard people expect from an estate agent,” he says.

Peter is in the process of setting up a lettings side and he also has an independent mortgage expert within the team who offers impartial advice and has already surprised people expecting to rent by being able to find them affordable mort-

gages despite the recent market volatility.

This kind of help and advice is proving particularly invaluable to first time buyers, and Peter has also built alliances with solicitors who he is now able to recommend where required.

A relentless focus on hard work, including on marketing and virtual viewings, is helping vendors achieve best prices for their properties. Based in Stanstead Abbotts High Street, Peter Cuffaro deals with properties in all the surrounding areas including Hoddesdon, Nazeing, Roydon, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross, Hertford Heath, the south side of Ware and local villages.

Peter Cuffaro

19 High Street, Stanstead Abbotts SG12 8AA 01920 633333 petercuffaro.co.uk

The Bronte family home collection launches at Scholars

Chase New Homes have launched

The Bronte house collection as the latest phase of their Scholars development in Broxbourne. Set within the former grounds of The Broxbourne School, Scholars is a development of timeless family homes with the River Lea and Broxbourne’s countryside and walking routes on its doorstep. Designed with growing families and commuters in mind, the development offers three, four and five-bedroom houses and two-bedroom apartments, with each property enjoying outdoor space in the form of either a private garden or balcony.

Complete with a superior specification throughout, every home benefits from meticulous attention to detail and sustainable elements for seamless living.

The newly-launched Bronte Collection features spacious and versatile open plan layouts. Each four-bedroom detached home boasts 1,446 sq ft of space with a large garage and room for three cars on the driveway as well as a west-facing garden.

The designer kitchen is fully fitted with soft close doors and drawers and fully integrated Siemens

dishwasher and fridge freezer. In the utility room, a separate freestanding washing machine and tumble dryer are included, and the entire ground floor has underfloor heating.

The kitchen/dining room has bifold doors to the garden, flooding the space with natural light, and there is a separate lounge. The primary bedroom has a luxury ensuite and there is also a large family bathroom.

The Bronte house type is priced from £899,950. For more information, visit chasenewhomes.co.uk, email scholars@hamptons.co.uk or call 01992 248348 or 07496 885586.

Peter Cuffaro has opened his first estate agency in Stanstead Abbotts

The Bronte offers high quality, modern family living in Broxbourne

The changing face of the local lettings market

Lisa Ward of SageWard Lettings explains why rental prices are going up again at the moment

The rental market seems to be constantly changing.

Since the start of this year, we have seen rental prices being pushed up, mainly due to landlords’ mortgage rates increasing to the extent that many of them would now be making a loss if their rents were not increased. We are also seeing many landlords needing to sell due to the general financial climate, with others being pushed out of the rental market due to the changes in interest rates.

In spite of this though, the rental market is still very buoyant with demand for properties still high even with the increased prices. This is probably because many people who were renting have put their plans to get onto the property ladder on hold for now until all settles.

Rental prices are expected to

continue to rise as a result of this increased demand.

The key issue that has led to this, and one that saw rents rise throughout 2022, according to Zoopla, is supply and demand. Zoopla reported: “Supply and demand are really out of kilter at the moment. On the supply side, the average London estate agent would typically have had 17 to 20 properties for rent on their books. That’s down to 10 or less than 10 at the moment.

“The rent shifts also link back to the coronavirus pandemic, and the sudden drop in demand for rental flats that occurred when London went into lockdown and people could not travel or move there. This caused rents to fall by as much as 10-15%.”

Now that rents are rising again, our local area has received a knock-on effect from the London

market and is seeing similar results with the soaring rental figures. However, we are hoping this will

level out soon as the natural cycle of the rental market returns to make life more affordable for both tenants and landlords.

REASONS TO USE SAGEWARD LETTINGS:

• Property letting experts with vast knowledge of the market

• Multi-award-winning agency, voted Best Hertford Agent for several years

• Unbeatable customer service

• Competitive rates at 9% (plus Vat) fully managed and a one-off set-up fee of £200 (plus Vat)

• Based in the heart of Hertford covering many surrounding towns and villages

www.sageward.co.uk info@sageward.co.uk

01992 504058

12-14 Parliament Square, Hertford SG14 1AT

Rental prices in and around Hertford are continuing to rise

Your Spring home

AN 8-PAGE GUIDE TO YOUR HOUSE & HOME – SPRING 2023

How to make your home feel more spacious this season

Top tips to Spring clean your garden

Spring is a time to let natural light flood into your home again and make it feel open and light, yet many people make the mistake of making their homes feel smaller. Nic Shacklock from fitted furniture experts Online-Bedrooms said: “It’s important to decorate your home to suit its size and for those of us with smaller spaces that means making design choices that are going up to open our rooms and make them feel light and airy. “I’ve seen a lot of common design mistakes that people have made which result in their space looking quite small and crowded.” Here are seven interior mistakes that make your home feel smaller:

1 Having too many patterns

Packing too many patterns into one room can draw the space inward, making it appear smaller. If you are a pattern lover, opt for a bigger and wider pattern. This will make the room look more spacious.

2 Dark walls

Having dark walls can make them appear smaller than they are and can make the overall room look cramped. Lighter colours will add an airy feeling to the room.

3 Too much furniture

There is such a thing as having too

much furniture. Packing every corner of the room can make it look crowded and cluttered. Try spreading the furniture out and make use of things like fitted wardrobes to maximise storage and space.

4 Curtains are the wrong length

If your curtains start just above the window line it could be making the room look smaller. Hang the curtains close to the ceiling instead, this will create height and make the room feel more spacious.

5 Too many colours in one space

Adding a pop of colour into your home is a great way to give it character, however too many colours in one place can make it look too busy and crowded. Opt for two to three colours per room and make sure they complement one another.

6 Cluttered hallway

The entryway sets the tone throughout your home so it’s important to keep it tidy. Having open shoe racks out and coats hanging on display immediately draws the space in.

7 Furniture in front of windows

Allowing in plenty of natural light is one of the key ways to ensure your home feels open, light and airy. Placing furniture in front of windows blocks natural light.

Now is also the time to get back out in your garden and spruce it up in time for the Spring weather. To help you get a head start, the outdoor experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk are sharing their ten-step Spring cleaning guide to help you maximise the potential of your outdoor space. A spokesperson for Garden Buildings Direct said: “Many of us love to declutter our homes and freshen up indoor spaces during the Spring, but gardens and outdoor spaces shouldn’t be forgotten. “Gardens are often neglected during the colder months, so are in dire need of a good Spring clean when the weather warms up. “It is worth the effort – there’s nothing more satisfying than a neat garden space to go with a clean home.”

Here are Garden Buildings Direct’s seven essential jobs to complete in a garden Spring clean:

1 Review your garden

If making additions is a priority, like adding new accessories or garden beds, then reviewing the space and making a plan is crucial to making sure no money is wasted.

2 Tackle the weeds

Catching and removing weeds in Spring is necessary to prevent them from growing out of control. Instead of a hoe, use a hand fork to dig the roots out as soil can still be fairly moist in Spring months and leaving any of the plant in the ground can lead to re-rooting.

3 Edge garden beds

Grass can easily creep out into beds during winter months, and Springtime is an optimal time to remove it. The soil is normally damp and once weeds are removed

it should be fairly easy to spot and pull up.

4 Prune branches and plants

Spring is an ideal time for plants to start growing, and you can encourage this by pruning them. It is best to wait until temperatures are consistently above 10 degrees celsius as insects like native bees and lacewings will hibernate in branches and stems until temperatures increase.

5 Prepare garden accessories

Whether these are ornaments or plant pots, giving them a good wipe after being out in the elements during winter is always an important part of a garden Spring clean. This can include garden furniture, even if it’s been in storage, as it can collect dust and become a spider’s new home.

6 Clean hardscape surfaces

Paving stones can collect moss and become muddy over winter months. Keeping them in tip-top condition by using a pressure hose to wash them down after sweeping any excess dirt off is a great way to add some contrast to your grass, plants, and greenery.

7 Revive the lawn

Grass can grow brown and patchy during winter, so sow seeds into the ground in the places the lawn is suffering and wait patiently. Once it grows back, mow the grass to a consistent level and keep it maintained. Check the forecast before cutting, as wet grass can damage your lawnmower.

Your Spring home

Fireplaces to suit all budgets

Landseer Picture Frames can help you turn your house into your home

High efficiency and value for money has never been more important. The Hertfordshire Fireplace Gallery has been helping customers for over 20 years with their fireplace needs and have a fireplace to suit all budgets. A recent addition to their extensive range of in-house displays at their Potters Bar showroom is the new contemporary Hilton electric fireplace from a UK leading brand (pictured above). This fire is extremely efficient using the latest LED flame technology in a choice of colours.

Call in now to view this new fire plus their full range of inspirational contemporary fireplaces, electric and gas fires and wood burning stoves. 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

www.hertsfireplacegallery.co.uk

FIREPLACES, FIREPLACES

When decorating your house it is the personal, finishing touches that really turn it into your home And putting your own stamp on the four walls that surround you is down to more than choosing the wallpaper or a paint colour. Putting up prints or pictures or framing your treasured photographs or memorabilia really helps to show not only your own history and interests but also your true personality.

At the family-run Landseer Picture Frames in Ware they understand that, and have been offering a professional framing service for years for pictures of

all kinds as well as memorabilia ranging from medals and uniform badges to film posters, programmes and sports shirts. In addition to offering an expert framing service and advice, the shop also stocks a wide range of readymade frames and prints and an interesting selection of earthenware and stoneware sculptures that have been created by local artists.

Landseer Picture Frames

27b Baldock Street, Ware SG12 9DH 01920 486522

www.landseerpictureframes.com

At our Ware workshop and gallery we offer a professional framing service not just for canvases, prints and posters, but treasured memorabilia including medals, uniform badges, programmes and sports shirts

We also stock a selection of readyframed prints and handmade earthenware and stoneware sculptures made by local artists

Your Spring home

A complete home improvement service from family-run

Herts and Essex Windows and Doors Ltd are a true family-run local business with more than 40 years of experience in the home improvements sector.

Based in Marsh Lane, Ware, they carry out work for both the home and commercial markets across Herts, Essex and London. They offer you a complete home improvement service from start to finish – catering for anything from designing your new front door to creating a fully bespoke extension to add space and value to your home.

All their products are fully tailor-made to your requirements and no job is too big or small. Their work includes the following:

l Windows and doors, in both aluminium and uPVC;

l Conservatories;

l Bi-fold doors;

l Splashbacks;

l Sealed units;

l Glass and glazing – including anything from balustrades to

mirrors and roof lanterns;

l Service work;

l Replacement roofs.

The business itself was founded in 2017 by husband and wife team

Clive and Jayne Travers after many years of working for other companies, and their daughters work in it too as part of the team. Jayne said: “We really do listen to our clients and bring their visions to life. Our team’s professionalism, expertise and experience makes us the perfect company to guide you through your home improvement project.”

To find out what Herts and Essex Windows and Doors Ltd can do for you, call 01920 449229 or visit their website at he-wd.co.uk.

Herts and Essex Windows and Doors Ltd

5 Peerglow Centre, Marsh Lane, Ware SG12 9QL 01920 449229

info@he-wd.co.uk

he-wd.co.uk

local

business

Make use of the latest technology to help keep your home secure

Tindall Security are experts in making your home or commercial premises secure. The company, which was founded in 1932 and has been based in Hertford for over 30 years, offers tailored services to suit your individual preferences and needs. From simple domestic burglar alarms to more sophisticated commercial protection and security solutions, Tindall’s team of experts provide an efficient and trouble-free service.

Sadly, burglaries are a reality of modern life. Research has shown, however, that homes with a secure network of protection are less likely to be targeted. By installing an effective security system in your home, you will be ensuring 24/7 surveillance that will protect your property even when you are not at home.

Tindall Security supply, fit and maintain a range of domestic alarm systems to enable you to protect your home from

Tindall Security can help you protect your property and improve your peace of mind intruders. All come with self-monitoring apps which allow you to set and unset, receive alerts and view via your mobile phone or computer. Its in-house team can design and install the latest technology, ensuring that which is most important to you is protected 24/7, all year round.

Services include a diverse range of security networks, such as CCTV systems, Smart integration and door entry systems. Tindall’s design team will work with you to find you the best possible solution; a professionally qualified team will install your alarm or security system; and a team of maintenance engineers

provide 24 hour, 365 days of the year support, with the best possible service. You can book a free, no obligation survey too.

Tindall Security

Unit 3 Mead Business Centre, Mead Lane, Hertford SG13 7BJ 0800 433 7748

www.tindallsecurity.co.uk

See the latest, updated bathroom displays at Dobsons’ showroom

Award winning Bathroom Designer of the Year Dobsons have some very exciting new developments underway in their Cheshunt showroom.

Their entire bathroom display area is undergoing a complete refurbishment, the first stage of which is almost complete.

Dobsons’ new displays reflect the latest in bathroom trends and show cutting-edge new products. Highlights include a ‘living wall’ made from preserved moss, as well as the latest tile trends such as terrazzo and geometric tiles, alongside natural looking tile finishes like wood effect and stone, which are the other notable trends this year.

Many different types of bathrooms are displayed including wet rooms, walk-in showers, family bathrooms and cloakrooms. New additions include bespoke shower screens and the latest ranges of bathroom furniture from Villeroy & Boch, Keuco and Burbidge.

Unlike a lot of bathroom companies, Dobsons, a family business established in 1935, offer the complete service from design through to project managed installation.

Priding themselves on offering consistently high levels of customer service, great products, and their friendly knowledgeable staff, they transform homes with unfailing attention to detail. Last September their senior bathroom designer Andrew Hewson was crowned Bathroom Designer of the Year at the National KBSA awards, so who better to advise on creating your perfect bathroom?

Why not arrange an appointment to come and view Dobsons’ new displays and discuss your ideas with their award-winning team?

Dobsons

128 Turners Hill, Cheshunt EN8 9BN 01992 623066

www.dobsonshome.com

Your Spring home

How to make that dream kitchen become a reality

When it comes to creating your dream kitchen, attention to detail is key – and that is what John Ladbury is all about.

The company, which is based in Welham Green, specialises in designing, manufacturing and installing its unique range of bespoke, handmade kitchens from its Hertfordshire workshop and showroom.

It offers a broad choice of both timeless classic and stunning contemporary styles to suit your individual home and lifestyle.

John Ladbury’s reputation grew from small beginnings into the thriving and productive bespoke kitchen company it is today. Quality and attention to detail, combined with a passion for perfection, has ensured that this family business has continued

to go from strength to strength, using only the best materials from reputable sources, including solid hardwoods, natural stone and other premium quality goods.

The latest trends

At John Ladbury, you can find out about and take advantage of the very latest trends in kitchens, including different coloured sinks and worktops in a variety of different surfaces including copper, stone, enamel and quartz, including the natural veined look. Strong colours are in again at the moment – think dark blues and deep greens – adding real character to the heart of your home. Pantries are also very trendy at present, helping to keep the kitchen organised!

You can find inspiration for your

new bespoke kitchen from the pictures on this page, but to find out more, give the family team at John Ladbury a call and see for yourself what the kitchen of your dreams can really look like.

John Ladbury

Unit 11 Alpha Business Park, Travellers Close, Welham Green AL9 7NT 01707 262966 www.johnladbury.co.uk

Take the first step towards having the kitchen of your dreams by calling John Ladbury today

Discover your dream bathroom by visiting Hoddesdon Tile and Bathroom Centre

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

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 comprehensive 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. A prompt delivery service is also available for larger items. 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 30 years.

Not being based on the high street, with its resulting large overheads, also 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 is open to both the public and trade from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Hoddesdon Tile and Bathroom Centre

Units C2 & C3 Geddings Road, Hoddesdon EN11 0NT 01992 470146

www.hoddesdontilebathroomcentre.com

WHAT’S ON

THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO GO

Book now to see the 60th Hertford Theatre Week

This year sees the 60th edition of Hertford Theatre Week, a six-daylong drama festival that is widely acclaimed as one of the best of its kind in the country.

Organised by Hertford Daramatic & Operatic Society (HDOS), it usually takes place at Hertford Theatre but with that venue’s refurbishment still ongoing it will instead again be held in the Ayckbourn Theatre at Haileybury College, from Monday 27th March to Saturday 1st April.

Throughout the week a different play will be performed each evening as competing drama teams offer a rich variety of entertainment whilst vying for the five different prizes offered by the festival committee. Curtain up is at 7.45pm each night, except for Saturday’s earlier 7.30pm start to allow time for the presentation of the trophies at the end of the evening.

After each performance a professional drama adjudicator will take to the stage to offer a public assessment of that night’s production – often an additional entertainment in itself!

Ticket prices are £16 per night or you can buy a weekly ticket that offers all six plays for only £49 –giving remarkable value. Tickets are available at ticketsource.co.uk (search for Hertford Dramatic and Operatic Society).

The schedule

Monday 27th March

White Cobra Productions, Northampton present The Lonesome West by Martin McDonagh.

Tuesday 28th March

HDOS present Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett adapted by Stephen Briggs.

Wednesday 29th March

Global Theatre Company, Waltham Forest present Home by David Storey.

Thursday 30th March

Barn Theatre Club, Welwyn Garden City present Constellations by Nick Payne.

Friday 31st March

The Company of Players, Hertford present Shakespeare in

Hollywood by Ken Ludwig.

Saturday 1st April Barn Theatre Club, Welwyn Garden City present Peep by Jodi Gray.

Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters previews at Bentley House HDOS’s own production of Wyrd Sisters is also being performed in the Studio Theatre at Bentley House in Pegs Lane, Hertford from Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th March, in advance of Hertford Theatre Week. Wyrd Sisters is a Discworld play and tickets are £13 with performances at 7.45pm nightly with a Saturday matinée at 3pm. Tickets are available at ticketsource.co.uk.

Spotlight and Playhouse launch their Easter pantos

The Spotlight in Hoddesdon will put on an Easter panto for the first time this year – a new production of Red Riding Hood! Produced by the venue, and written and directed by the theatre’s manager Marc Day, the production will be the first show ever created for the venue by the Spotlight team.

Audiences can expect all the usual panto fun, including singing, dancing and audience participa-

tion and the show is suitable for anyone aged from three to 103. Two teams of local children will be appearing in the show alongside a cast of five professional principal actors.

Performances take place from Wednesday 5th to Wednesday 12th April and tickets start at £15.

Book at thespotlightvenue.com or call the box office on 01992 441946.

Harlow Playhouse’s Easter panto is Goldilocks and the Three Bears, which runs from Friday 31st March to Tuesday 4th April. This spectacular panto-style show features seasoned performers and top circus and speciality acts. After the opening night (7pm) there are daytime and early evening performances each day. Book at harlowplayhouse.com or 01279 431945. Tickets are £14 and £16 with concessions available.

Ware Musical Theatre presents Oliver!

A theatre in the round production of the musical Oliver! will mark the first performances of the renamed, award-winning local company formerly known as Ware Operatic.

It will perform Lionel Bart’s famous musical in Ware Drill Hall, Amwell End from Tuesday 28th March to Saturday 1st April. To book your tickets visit waremusical theatre.org uk or call the box office on 07754 781049. Tickets cost between £17 and £21 depending upon the performance and shows are at 7.30pm each night with a 2.30pm matinée on the Saturday as well.

The theatre in the round setting sees the audience on raised seating surrounding the stage area.

Hertford Choral Society performs St Matthew Passion, the final days of Christ’s life, retold by solo voices, orchestra and chorus, on Saturday 25th March at All Saints’ Church, Hertford (SG13 8AY) at 7.30pm. Tickets £16 reserved, £12 unreserved, £4 students from ticketsource.co.uk or by email to tickets@hertfordchoral.org.uk.

Brahms: A German Requiem in Ware

Ware Choral Society presents Brahms: A German Requiem on Saturday 18th March at Christ Church, Ware (SG12 7BS) at 7.30pm. Tickets £15 (all unreserved) from warechoral.org.uk or on the door.

Hertford Theatre Week promises six nights of quality drama

St Matthew Passion by Hertford Choral

Courtyard Arts revives Hertford Art Trail

Hertford Art Trail, which has proved a popular opportunity to promote both local artists and businesses in the county town, will be taking place in April in a new guise and under new management.

Hertford Town Council, which originated the trail, has dropped it from its annual events list but it has been salvaged by Courtyard Arts Centre which hopes to give it fresh impetus this year.

The trail involves local artists displaying an exhibition of their work in a variety of local businesses, including shops, restaurants and other venues, encouraging members of the public to discover both artists and businesses.

The event will run from Saturday 8th to Saturday 22nd April.

Courtyard Arts director Laura Burns said: “Courtyard Arts would like to not only re-build the relationships with local artists and businesses who have previously taken part but involve the new businesses that have become part of our town and grow the

trail over the next few years.” A map will be produced nearer the time for people to use which will contain details of the artists and businesses taking part. But if, in the meantime, you would like to take part in any way, you can find out more at courtyardarts.org.uk.

COUNCIL REBRANDS ARTS FESTIVAL

Meanwhile, Hertford Town Council has rebranded the former arts festival that used to include the trail under the name HArts Fest. It will now involve a series of workshops in Hertford castle grounds in partnership with local groups and businesses between Saturday 8th and Saturday 15th April.

Camera club focuses on summer of events

Bishop’s Stortford Camera Club is preparing to launch its new summer programme of photography meets and social evenings, which runs from April to September.

The club also continues a series of winter talks from visiting professionals, plus club and inter-club competitions, in March. Formed in 1947, BSCC provides local people of all ages and abilities with a forum to discuss and participate in photography in all its forms.

Members have one thing in com-

mon: a passion for photography. The group welcomes photographers of all abilities, from absolute beginners to experienced photographers looking to develop their skills among like-minded people.

Vertu showing at Parndon Mill gallery

Vertu at The Gallery at Parndon Mill in Harlow features oil paintings by Liz Boast based on life drawings and worked on over time until the form is almost lost. Paintings of harlequins are a favourite of the artist and also feature. The exhibition is on until Thursday 6th April. Visit parndonmill.co.uk or call 01279 426042 for details.

Find out more about Panshanger Park Dogs and Daffs Day returns to Hatfield Park

Hertford Museum has organised a Panshanger Study Day on Saturday 25th March from 10am to 4pm, allowing participants to delve into the history of Hertford’s country park with a series of talks on the house and estate followed by a guided walk around the park itself. The cost is £45 including refreshments and lunch and all proceeds will support the work of the museum and the Friends of Panshanger Park. There are limited places available so booking is essential. Book at ticketsource.co.uk.

If you are interested in joining, or would just like to find out more, club meetings are held at 7.45pm every Tuesday at The Hub, Portland Road, Bishop’s Stortford. Find out more about the club at stortfordcamera.club or email membership@stortfordcamera. club. Dogs and Daffs Day returns to Hatfield Park on Sunday 19th March.

This annual charity dog walk and fun dog show runs from 9.30am to 4pm in the historic grounds of Hatfield House.

Event entry including the walk is £7 with dog show classes at £2.50; accompanied children and dogs are admitted free. All proceeds go to the Digswell Place group of the Riding for the Disabled Association. To book tickets visit dogsanddaffs.weebly.com.

Paint and Stitch at Courtyard Arts

Paint and Stitch is a joint exhibition by Peter and Janet Gibbs showing at Courtyard Arts in Hertford from Tuesday 7th March until Saturday 1st April. Peter paints in watercolour and acrylic and Janet stitches her own designs, seeking to capture both natural and man-made structures. Visit courtyardarts.org.uk.

Peter Gibbs

Section from Leeds University car park by Mark Seton

The best new releases on the big screen this month

Creed III (12A)

Out on Friday 3rd March

Adonis Creed has dominated the boxing world but one of his childhood friends – and a former ring prodigy – Damian resurfaces after a long spell in prison and is determined to prove he still has what it takes. The face-off between the two friends is more than just another bout – Creed puts his future on the line against a fighter who has nothing to lose.

65 (12A)

Out on Friday 10th March

A space cruiser crash-lands on a distant plant, with only the captain and a young girl surviving. But the planet is actually Earth 65 million years ago, complete with prehistoric dinosaurs that threaten their survival. Not only that but the asteroid that wiped out said dinosaurs is also on its way so the pair must get back to their vessel and escape before extinction arrives.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods (12A)

Out on Friday 17th March

Ever wished you could shout ‘Shazam!’ at any difficult moment and turn into a cape-wearing superhero? When some idiot cuts you up at the traffic lights for example and you are forced into just a mid-mannered sigh of annoyance (yeah, right)? Well, that’s what happens to teenager Billy Batson yet again in this sequel.

John Wick: Chapter 4 (TBC)

Out on Friday 24th March

Judging by the title of this, the fourth instalment in the John Wick story, the producers have saved their creativity for the film rather than its name. Keanu Reeves is back as Wick, uncovering a path to defeat the High Table. But before he can earn his freedom he must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe.

Dungeons and Dragons:

Honour Among Thieves (12A)

Out on Friday 31st March

The rich world and playful spirit of the legendary roleplaying game comes to the big screen in a funny and action-packed adventure film in which a charming thief and an unlikely band of adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic. Chris Pine stars.

Mummies (TBC)

Out on Friday 31st March

This new animation from Warner Bros studio follows the fun adventures of three Egyptian mummies (and their baby crocodile) who live in an underground city hidden away in ancient Egypt. An unfortunate series of events land the mummies in present day London where they go in search of an old ring belonging to the Royal Family that was stolen by an ambitious archaeologist. Great family fun.

THE HISTORY OF ROCK

Saturday 18th March, 7.30pm

Live band playing the music of Led Zeppelin, Guns n Roses, AC/DC & more!

Tickets: £27

LAS VEGAS LIVE WITH THE RAT PACK

Sunday 19th March, 2pm

A live music tribute to Sinatra, Martin & Davis

Tickets: £26

AN EVENING WITH DAVID O’LEARY

Tuesday 21st March, 8pm

Perry Groves interviews the Arsenal legend

Tickets: £21.50, VIP £49.50

Dungeons and Dragons comes to the big screen at the end of March

FOOD & DRINK

Pretty in pink

Another contender for the area’s most ‘Instagrammable’ restaurant has opened its doors – this time in Bishop’s Stortford’s South Street.

Firat, named after owner Firat Dogan, is an all-day 70-cover Mediterranean bistro, cocktail and wine lounge which you’ll find in the premises that were formerly home to Twisted Cellar wine shop.

Open daily from midday until late it offers a range of dishes for lunch and dinner.

At weekends it’s open to non-diners after 9pm for drinks which include fine wines and cocktails. It’s at 30 South Street, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3AT Bookings on 01279 897532 or via OpenTable.

Two can eat for £30 at The Orange Tree in Sawbridgeworth

An offer at Sawbridgeworth’s popular Orange Tree pub invites two diners to enjoy mains from a selection of its Great British Pub Classics, along with a bottle of beer, glass of house wine or soft drink each for a total of £30. Dishes include a steak and kidney pudding served with clotted cream mash, seasonal vegetables and red wine gravy; wholetail scampi with homemade chunky chips and buttered peas; pie of the day served with clotted cream mash, heritage vegetables and

gravy; and a handmade Wagyu burger with bacon, Applewood cheese, beer-battered onion rings and beef dripping fries.

The offer runs from 12noon to 5pm Monday to Friday.

For more information and to see all of the dishes in the offer visit orangetreesawbridgeworth.com, its Facebook page (Orange Tree – Sawbridgeworth) or call 01279 722485.

The Orange Tree is at 166 West Road, Sawbridgeworth CM21 0BP.

Mother’s Day at The George IV

The George IV at Great Amwell has created a special menu for Mother’s Day on Sunday 19th March. You can enjoy a threecourse set menu with all the family for £39.95 per person or £19.95 for children.

The menu offers a choice of three starters and desserts and seven mains, including four roasts, while the separate children’s menu has a choice of two starters and desserts and four mains including two roasts.

A £10 per head deposit is required upon booking which is deducted from your total bill on the day. Book in advance to confirm your place on 01920 870039 or online at georgeivpub.co.uk.

Enjoy a wine tasting evening at Cavavin

Local independent wine shop Cavavin hosts regular tasting events which offer the chance to explore different types of wine, wine from specific growing regions as well as new vintages. Their next event on Friday 10th March is an evening offering visitors the chance to experience a number of Cavavin’s wine buyer’s personal favourites – both for enjoying by the glass or to accompany hearty food.

Starting at 6.30pm it’s an informal evening with tickets priced at £10 per person.

Book by visiting cavavin.co.uk/ hertford and clicking on the events link at the top of the page. Cavavin is at 22 Maidenhead Street, Hertford SG14 1DR. Call 01992 558311 for more information.

Welcome back Il Vino! Hertford Italian reopens with new look

Hertford’s popular Italian restaurant Il Vino re-opened in February after a four-month closure while renovation works were undertaken on the historic building in St Andrew Street. The reopening revealed a fresh new look for the family restaurant whose owner Vini Shahaj also owns Il Vino café and the more recently-opened Market Bar, both in Fore Street. The restaurant retains its warm, welcoming ambience with its oak beams (now painted white) and exposed brickwork continuing to give it the feel of an established trattoria but with a new layout, flooring and lighting, along with a new palette of colours on the walls, bringing a brighter, more modern feel.

The re-siting of the bar and a new layout for the tables has created a more spacious restaurant which is being appreciated by diners especially those accompanied by children for whom coincidentally, Il Vino offers a great value kids’ menu with a pizza or pasta dish, ice cream and drink for just £7.95. For adults there’s a new menu too to coincide with the re-opening and to mark the restaurant’s

10th year in the county town. It’s slightly smaller and lighter in terms of the style of dishes, in keeping with modern trends. But old favourites have been kept with a good selection of starters followed by risotto, pizzas, pasta dishes (including two al forno options of traditional homemade lasagne and an aubergine parmigiana), grill and fish dishes. Whatever your preference for an Italian meal – from a quick pizza or bowl of pasta after work to a three course intimate meal with bottle of Italian wine on a special occasion, there’s something to suit everyone here and still at really accessible prices. Pizza and pasta is around the £11-£14 mark, and fish and grill dishes, with the exception of steak, all well under £20. Combined with homemade desserts, a good wine list and the friendly but professional service that has made this restaurant so popular for the past decade, everything’s looking perfect for another ten years to come!

Il Vino

3

SG14 1HZ 01992 550582

ilvinorestaurant.co.uk

Ritchie’s wine notes

By Ritchie Tough of Cavavin

The rise of vegan wines

You might think that wine would be automatically vegan as it is derived from grapes. However, it is not always the case.

In its usual state, wine would be cloudy to look at but the world demands clear wine so fining agents are often added to improve colour, flavour, texture, clarity and stability.

A large number of these are animal-derived products such

DINING OUT GUIDE

as gelatine, milk, marrow, egg white and fish oil.

Is there another option?

Well, there are a number of other fining agents that are animal-friendly and are being used to make vegan wines, including carbon, bentonite clay and silica gel.

Time is also something that wine-makers can employ to achieve the same results –according to many experts

simply giving a wine an extra few months will see it become less cloudy.

At Cavavin, we offer lots of vegan wines and, if you’re not sure what wine is vegan do just ask.

The most popular ones we sell are the collection from J Mourat (£12.50, and pictured above), which comes from just

south of the mouth of the Loire river. This is a cool, under-ripening region which leads to a nice red berry expression. The low tannins provided by the blend of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc give us a medium-bodied crowd pleaser of a wine that works well with tomato-based pasta dishes (assuming you can find any tomatoes at the moment of course!).

The white from the same area is a very fresh and bright wine, a blend of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc that has a clean palate and is very easy drinking. Throughout the month of March we are offering a further discount on all wines using discount code DISCOUNT5 online at checkout.

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

PIRCIO Italian & Turkish

Pircio is a family-run independent restaurant in Bishop’s Stortford that offers two different menus of Italian and Turkish cuisine. Both menus are cooked by teams of specialist chefs and diners can choose from pizza, pasta and other Italian classics or dishes such as halloumi, falafel, moussaka and lamb tagine. The historic Drill Hall building has been smartly refurbished and can seat 200 people downstairs whilst there is also a mezzanine for private dining. Pircio is open seven days a week, all day.

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

01279 898181

www.pirciorestaurant.com

THE DUSTY MILLER Country pub

The Dusty Miller is a country pub and casual dining venue. Situated just outside Harlow on the road towards the village of High Wych, it is surrounded by countryside and close to the river. Here you can enjoy freshly-cooked pub food, using local suppliers wherever possible, including a pie of the day and other pub classics, together with a good selection of gluten-free and vegan dishes. 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.

Burnt Mill Lane, Harlow CM20 2QS

01279 424180

www.dustymillerharlow.co.uk

BROHMON Bengali

Voted Best Restaurant in Essex at the 4th annual British Restaurant Awards 2022, Brohmon, which means Journey in Bengali, is the brainchild of Karim Ullah and his wife Sultana who have made it their mission to bring high quality food from the Bengal region of South Asia to Britain. They began by running pop-ups in Hertfordshire before opening their own restaurant in Stansted Mountfitchet near Bishop’s Stortford. They have also opened a takeaway and delivery outlet in Hertford – you can order through gogetters.co.uk.

8 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8AG

01279 815688

www.brohmon.com

THE GEORGE IV Pub & Dining

Nestled in the picturesque village of Great Amwell, The George IV is the perfect spot for you to enjoy imaginative, freshly prepared dishes, including traditional pub classics, served in a friendly pub atmosphere or on the fully heated terrace area. The George IV can also be the perfect venue for your next event. From intimate weddings, birthday parties and anniversaries to baby showers and corporate events, they’ve got it covered with their beautiful function room and variety of dining options.

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

KHAO YAI Thai

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

18 Brocket Road, Hoddesdon EN11 8NZ 01992 445988

www.khao-yai.co.uk

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

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

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

ronisrestaurant.co.uk

THE BEEHIVE Country Pub

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

Epping Green, near Hertford SG13 8NB / 01707 875959

www.beehiveeppingreen.co.uk