The Insider's Guide to Hertford 22/23 from Axis magazine

Home is where the Hart is

Close enough to commute to London, far enough out to escape the congestion and for living to be more affordable, Hertford has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. It’s the perfect blend of old and new – a town that has both history and tradition along with the vibrancy that comes with new generations of families, and businesses, moving in. Hertfordshire’s county town has everything in abundance – both historic and modern properties to call home, good schools, relatively easy transport links, a decent clutch of independent shops and busy restaurant scene. History? How much would you like? – the very first synod of the English church took place here, Elizabeth 1 brought Parliament to Hertford to escape the plague. And of course we have our very own castle! Countryside? Miles of it around us, along with a common for picnics, historic Panshanger Park and the Cole Green Way to explore, plus riverside pubs to relax in afterwards. Whether you’re living or working here, or considering either, The Insider’s Guide will help you navigate the town literally and metaphorically with information on local shops and businesses, as well as some of Hertford’s best-loved features and attractions and a useful map of the town centre. There’s also useful information on the organisations responsible for local services for those times when you find yourself needing to report a pothole or missed bin collection (we know, we know … but sorry, nowhere’s that perfect!)…

Religion, Royalty & Rivers

THE SHAPING OF A MODERN TOWN

Hertford has a rich history with religion, royalty and industry having shaped the town that exists today.

It first came to prominence around the year 673 when the Church of England’s first ever Synod (a gathering of its elders and decision-makers) met at Hertford to discuss matters including the official declaration of when Easter should fall each year. So, if you’ve ever wondered why the date moves around each year, you at least know who to blame… incidentally it’s the first Sunday following the first full moon after March 21st. So now you know!

Many members of the Royal family visited Hertford. Its castle, originally built by the Normans, and rebuilt and altered down the centuries, was much visited and used by a

HERTFORD THEATRE

succession of English Queens.

Elizabeth I chose to use Hertford Castle as the venue for Parliament to meet in 1563 during an outbreak of plague in London. The current Parliament Square was later named in memory of that event. Though little of the castle itself still survives, its impressive gatehouse (known to most these days as Hertford Castle) is now the home of Hertford Town Council. Its grounds host a series of regular events from outdoor cinema screenings to an annual allday rock concert.

Hertford’s infrastructure and communications were improved by the building of the River Lee Navigation Canal in 1767, which took the water from the four rivers

HERTFORD CASTLE

Past, Present & Future

HARTHAM LEISURE CENTRE

that meet in the town south towards London, and the arrival of the railway in 1843.

Its proximity to London and position at the confluence of four rivers was influential in its trade history revolving around mills and brewing. John Tate established Britain’s first paper mill in Hertford in 1488, while family brewer McMullen’s is probably the town’s most famous current business, having been brewing here since 1827.

Another big name that used to be based in Hertford was the Addis toothbrush company, which had its factory in Ware Road from 1920 to 1996, at one point employing around 800 people.

Today, Hertford is an increasingly popular commuter town, with two rail stations making it a good option for young families moving out of North London, with a sense of community that came to the fore during the pandemic.

Without a shopping mall (residents have to travel to Harlow, Stevenage or Welwyn Garden City for those), Hertford’s quaint town centre is made up of mainly locally-owned independent shops and businesses.

2023 is set to be a big year, with the reopening of the new and improved Hertford Theatre, which will include the town’s first cinema showing new release movies since the last closed back in 1982, as well as the opening of Lea Wharf, a leisure, shopping and residential development on the site of the former Bircherley Green shopping centre. The summer of 2023 will also see the completion of the redevelopment of Hartham Leisure Centre which features a new gym and terrace-style café area that will open onto Hartham Common.

For Hertford, it’s now onwards and upwards!

LEA WHARF

Location, location, location

WHERE TO MAKE YOUR HOME IN HERTFORD

Hertford offers something for everyone in terms of property from modern town centre flats to riverside cottages, substantial detached family homes and characterful corners of redeveloped historic estates – although, as with many commuter areas, prices are definitely on a northward trajectory at the moment.

Younger first-time buyers are likely to need to make use of schemes such as Help to Buy (or the less formal bank of mum and dad) to get their first foothold on the ladder although studio and one bed apartments can still be found from £200-250k.

The average house price in the town is around the £450,000 mark which rises to £750,000 upwards for a four-bedroom detached property in one of the town’s more sought-after roads. There is also a thriving rental market, with one and two-bedroom flats from £900 to around £1,300 and two-bed terraced houses around the £1,500 per month mark.

TOWN CENTRE

For period character on a budget seek out one of the apartments above the town’s retail offering in Parliament Square or St Andrew Street. Half-timbered medieval buildings are great for cosy character while some of the town’s Edwardian properties offer high ceilings and more spacious living.

If budget is less of an issue, just across Gascoyne Way lies West Street, one of the town’s

FOLLY ISLAND

LEA WHARF ROOF TERRACE

oldest roads, which boasts a range of period properties including some pretty cottages –along with some tight parking issues!

Folly Island, situated where the River Lea splits into two, and accessed across a narrow bridge at the end of Bull Plain, was once a noisy hub of commercial activity in the 18th century with boats arriving from and departing for London carrying grain, flour and other produce. With the demise of river transport the area was redeveloped by brothers Robert Thornton Andrews and William Frampton Andrews in the 1800s and is now a conservation area of well-kept Victorian cottages, some fronting the river. Expect to pay £400,000 upwards for two beds, £500,000+ for three.

The area around Hertford East station is one where much development is currently ongoing with contemporary apartments, many overlooking the river, being built as well as the redevelopment of historic buildings such as developer Durkan’s remodelling of the Tamworth Road Mill site.

THE PRETTY VILLAGE OF HERTINGFORDBURY

BENGEO

The desirable area of Bengeo was once a village of its own but is now more of a suburb of Hertford, abutting the fringes of the town centre at Port Hill. Popular with families, and well served by two primary schools as well as pubs and local shops, you will find properties in every category here, with a clutch of pretty Victorian streets filled with terraced, semi-detached and detached houses as well as flats.

HERTFORD NORTH & HERTFORD SOUTH

Much of the area around Hertford North station and to the south-east of Hertford, around Richard Hale School and Queens Road, is home to substantial and well-established family houses, some dating from the Edwardian period. Two former country house estates, at Goldings and Balls Park, also offer prestigious homes set in historic parkland, some of which have been converted from the original mansions and stable blocks.

FOXHOLES, PINEHURST & SELE

More recent extensions to the town in the second half of the 20th century, these developments offer a mixture of houses from one-bedroom terraces upwards at generally more affordable prices. Each has its own local

Living Here

shops and is within a couple of minutes of Hertford town centre itself. Croudace Homes is currently working on an extension to Sele called Blakemore Manor which includes properties being developed in conjunction with Network Homes to offer homes through the Help to Buy scheme and at affordable rents.

VILLAGE LIFE

The county town is also surrounded by a number of desirable villages, many of which contain quite substantial family properties. Some of the most popular include Hertingfordbury, Essendon, Little Berkhamsted, Brickendon, Waterford and Bramfield, while Hertford Heath, which is situated between Hertford and Hoddesdon, offers a more affordable alternative for many.

LEA WHARF

The much anticipated Lea Wharf development is in the centre of Hertford on the site of the former Bircherley Green shopping centre. It is a new retail, leisure and housing development built by local developer Chase New Homes and features a collection of one and two-bedroom apartments with a concierge service and private residents’ roof garden. Prices start from £304,995 for a one-bed apartment.

FLATS OVERLOOKING HERTFORD BASIN

We build our mortgages around you

At Handelsbanken, we provide a personal mortgage service, with a dedicated account manager and the power to make clear and timely decisions within the branch. We take the time to understand your needs, to help find a solution that is right for you, whether buying a new home or remortgaging.

Kevin Appleton - Individual Banking Manager

Tel: 01992 538930, Mobile: 07816 119433 Email: kevin.appleton@handelsbanken.co.uk

Mark Wilson - Individual Banking Manager Tel: 01992 538930, Mobile: 07767115284

Email: mark.wilson2@handelsbanken.co.uk

Sherwood House 5 Bluecoats Avenue

Hertford SG14 1PB

Tel: 01992 538916 handelsbanken.co.uk/hertford

Your home may be repossessed if you do not

keep up repayments on your mortgage

Our lending facilities are only available to persons aged 18 or over and are subject to status. Written quotations and Terms and Conditions are available on request.

Handelsbanken is the trading name of Handelsbanken plc, which is incorporated in England and Wales with company number 11305395. Registered office: 3 Thomas More Square, London, E1W 1WY, UK. Handelsbanken plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Financial Services Register number 806852. Handelsbanken plc is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ).

We can offer the personal service you require when buying new furniture for your kitchen, bedroom or study. We work closely with you from the start, through to the completion of your home improvement project. We will ensure we fulfil your expectations every step of the way.

Make yourself at home

LOCAL BUSINESSES TO HELP YOU CREATE YOUR PERFECT HOME

FOR BUILDING AND DECORATING SUPPLIES

Jewson

Foxholes Business Park, John Tate Road SG13 7NQ jewson.co.uk

Screwfix

18 Merchant Drive, Mead Lane SG13 7AY screwfix.com

Toolstation

3 Merchant Drive, Mead Lane SG13 7BL toolstation.com

Wickes

Unit 1 Madford Retail Park, Ware Road SG13 7RQ wickes.co.uk

FANCY UPCYCLING?

If you’re looking for furniture paints for an upcycling project try Goosepig based in The Old Cowshed at Foxholes Farm. You can also buy furniture to upcycle yourself, pre-decorated pieces - or commission them to undertake a project for you! Goosepig also runs some fabulous paint workshops where you can learn to decorate everything from cushions to cupboards. Open Tuesday to Saturday.

The Old Cow Shed, Foxholes Farm, London Road SG13 7NT: 07971 200083 goosepig.co.uk

GARDENS

Daisy Roots vow to only sell plants that they would give space to in their own garden, their specialism being healthy, happy, hardy herbaceous perennials and grasses. The nursery is surrounded by deep borders where you can see examples thriving and gain inspiration for your own garden. The team are regular exhibitors at flower shows including Chelsea, host regular workshops and talks and offer a garden design service. See the website for more. Open Friday and Saturday 10am to 4pm March to October and other times by appointment. Jenningsbury, London Road SG13 7NS daisyroots.com

Tree Heritage

From a ten acre site on North Road between Hertford and Waterford, family-run Tree Heritage offers a huge selection of trees and shrubs from bare root whips up to 1,000 litre specimens. They can supply anything from one plant for your garden to large quantities for landscaping projects. The nursery also offers hedging, topiary and a range of landscaping services. North Road, Hertford SG14 2PW treeheritage.com

The Aquatic Warehouse

If you have, or are looking to create a pond in your garden, The Aquatic Warehouse, offers pond liners, plants and accessories along with fish (specialising in koi karp), fish feeds and more.

Birchall Lane, Cole Green SG14 2NR 01707 391196

FURNITURE

Martins

furniture and flooring

Family-run business offering beds & bedroom furniture, dining tables and chairs, sofas, mobility chairs and sofas, carpet and more.

1 The New Arcade, Railway Street SG14 1SH martinsfurniture.co.uk

Darlings of Chelsea

In the former Gates of Hertford building on Gascoyne Way, offering handcrafted sofas, sofabeds and beds plus home accessories. Gascoyne Way SG13 8EL darlingsofchelsea.co.uk

Nicky Cornell

Shabby chic, French style and mirrored furniture ranges plus accessories to view in the showroom with a huge full range online. 424 Ware Road, SG13 7EW nickycornell.com

VINTAGE & ANTIQUE

Funky Junky

Hand selected mid 20th century vintage furniture to view by appointment in the Railway Street showroom. Moving in late 2022 – see website for updates. 07970 265822 funky-junky.co.uk

Mark Wines Antiques offers

Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian fine quality antique furniture, clocks and curios in a grade 2 listed former Post Office building. 1 St Andrew Street SG14 1HZ markwinesantiques.co.uk

Rossi’s Attic

Vintage emporium offering everything from vintage furniture, lighting, art and homewares to jewellery, clothing and vinyl records. 4 Millbridge SG14 1PY rossisattic.co.uk

OTHER HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAILERS

APPLIANCES

Albany Radio, 63/65 Fore Street SG14 1AL euronics.co.uk

BATHROOMS

Visp Bathrooms, Unit 16 Mimram Road SG14 1NN vispbathrooms.co.uk

FLOORING:

Castle Flooring, 27 St Andrew Street SG14 1HZ castleflooringhertford.co.uk

Direct Carpets of Hertford, 9 Castle Mead Gardens SG14 1JZ directcarpetsofhertford.co.uk

Hertford Flooring, 111 Fore Street SG14 1AS hertfordflooring.com

HOME SECURITY, INTRUDER ALARMS, CCTV

Tindall Security, Unit 3 Mead Business Centre, Mead Lane SG13 7BJ tindallsecurity.co.uk

KITCHENS

Spoons Kitchens, 6 Post Office Walk, Fore Street SG14 1DL spoonskitchens.co.uk

WINDOWS, DOUBLE GLAZING AND DOORS

Hertford Glass, 26 Ware Road SG13 7HH hertfordglass.co.uk

Fabulous foodie finds in and around Hertford

MARKETS, FARM SHOPS & FOOD HALLS

Hertford Market takes place in the town centre each Saturday in Salisbury Square, Maidenhead Street, Railway Street and Bircherley Street with food stalls including fruit and veg and fish in regular attendance. The town’s Farmer’s Market is held between 8.30am and 1pm on the second Saturday of the month in Market Place.

Foxholes Farm

The Smith family has been farming here for almost 100 years. After Catherine Smith started selling home produced beef from the farmhouse pantry 14 years ago, a whole new side to the business was born with a dedicated farm shop today offering the farm’s own meats plus lamb, chicken and game from other local producers, pies, cheeses, fruit and vegetables, store cupboard staples plus wines, beers, spirits and gifts.

Off London Road SG13 7NT foxholesfarm.com

Van Hage [out of town]

Today’s garden centres have expanded to offer a wide range of other goods including gifts and clothing. Just along the road at Great Amwell Van Hage now also has a dedicated food hall offering a wide range of products with meat counter, bakery, delicatessen, fruit, vegetables, wines and more.

Pepper Hill, Great Amwell SG12 9RP vanhage.co.uk

Pearce’s Farm Shop [out of town]

From beginnings selling the farm’s own fruit and veg from a shed in the field, the Pearce family have evolved their offering into a destination farm shop selling a wide range of quality fresh produce and fine foods. They sell their own produce, including fruit and veg and fresh flowers as well as that of other local suppliers together with produce from high quality and artisan suppliers from farther afield. Find deli items, cheeses, breads, pasta and sauces, fine wines, spirits and real ales. A gift shop offers high quality homewares, gifts and cards and there's also a highly regarded onsite café.

Hamels Mead, Buntingford SG9 9ND pearcesfarmshop.com

INDEPENDENT & ARTISAN

Tucked away in premises formerly home to Honey Lane Antiques is great little independent Hertford Organic, offering a wide range of grocery items including pasta, rice, cereals and cakes, fruit and vegetables plus household sundries such as laundry liquids, shampoo and toothpaste. Online shopping and delivery within 10 miles available.

4 Honey Lane SG14 1DN hertfordorganic.co.uk

From their bakery in Hatfield, Simmons have been baking bread since 1838. The family-run business now has stores across the county including two branches in Hertford where you’ll find its breads, rolls, cakes and doughnuts and savouries.

3 Ware Road SG13 7DY & 6 Fleming Crescent SG14 2DJ simmonsbakers.com

Part eaterie, part deli, The Store House on Parliament Square offers a small and carefully curated selection of produce, predominantly from British farms, including milk, eggs and bread, meats, cheeses and wine.

8 Parliament Square, SG14 1EY thestorehousehertford.com

Newly opened in the town centre is another independent bakery, Mado. An off-shoot of the next-door Turkish Kitchen restaurant, it sells traditional British and Turkish breads, pastries, cakes and coffee. There’s also a selection of Turkish food products including yoghurt, halloumi and hummus. Open from 7.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday.

13 Maidenhead Street SG14 1DW

Pickett’s of Hertford, just outside the town centre at Sele Farm, is the area’s longest standing independent butchers. The family-run business is a Scotch beef specialist also recognised for its homemade sausages, cured hams and steak and kidney pies.

14 Fleming Crescent SG14 2DJ hertfordbutcher.com

Cavavin is an independent wine merchants that is part of a network that sources wines from France and worldwide as well as offers Champagnes, whiskeys, other spirits and beers and a selection of local wines. Regular tasting events are held while owner Chris Stokes and manager Ritchie Tough and the team are always happy to help you select a bottle or few to suit your taste and budget whenever you pop in.

22 Maidenhead Street SG14 1DR cavavin.co.uk

SUPERMARKETS

Hertford Cake Co offers handmade cupcakes, brownies, milkshakes and desserts from its shop in the town’s St Andrew Street. Everything is baked fresh at its bakery unit in Buntingford. If you’re entertaining at home or hosting a bigger event the shop offers a pre-order service for cupcakes, brownie and blondie stack cakes and slabs. For a special occasion cupcakes can be personalised.

21 St Andrew Street SG14 1HZ hertfordcakeco.com (A second branch has opened within the food hall at Van Hage at Great Amwell – for details see page 15).

Aldi Gascoyne Way SG14 1LH

Co-op Convenience shops

There are two Co-op convenience stores just outside the town centre

Bengeo Co-op: Bengeo Street SG14 3ES Sele Farm Co-op: 26-30 Fleming Crescent SG14 2DJ

Marks and Spencer Simply Food 140-144 Fore Street SG14 1AJ

Sainsbury’s Hartham Lane SG14 1RD

Tesco Ware Road SG14 1QA

Waitrose closed its Hertford store in 2017 citing the unsuitability of its premises in the then Bircherley Green shopping centre to modern retailing. Its nearest store is now in Welwyn Garden City (Bridge Road AL8 6AB)

The Madford Retail Park on Ware Road is home to the town’s branch of Majestic wine supermarket. Ware Road SG13 7RQ

"We pride ourselves on being an integral part of the community in Hertford and welcome people to our lovely shop. We also strive to build a community of customers and create long-term relationships with people so they trust us with telling their stories through jewellery"

Visit us at www.chapter79.co.uk to find out more.

Scan Here

"Our lives are full of stories: events, memories and emotions that define us"

A shout out to some

HERTFORD’S HISTORIC BUILDINGS ARE PERFECTLY SUITED TO SERVE AS HOME TO AN ARRAY OF INDEPENDENT RETAILERS. FROM FLOWERS TO FASHION, HERE’S OUR PICK OF SOME OF THE TOWN’S FAVOURITES…

ART

Community arts centre and gallery Courtyard Arts in Port Vale has a small shop offering artworks along with ceramics, glassware, textiles and gift ideas including jewellery and greetings cards, all made by local artists and makers.

Courtyard Arts, Port Vale SG14 3AA courtyardarts.org.uk

Brothership

Vibrant studios in Bull Plain that are a collaborative space for a number of artists, gallery and shop; plus a second gallery and studios across town in the historic Beckwith’s building in St Andrew Street. These guys proved the value of art during the pandemic when their changing window displays brightened up our daily hour out of the house while their sale of local artist Paul Crowley’s prints of the town under a rainbow kept us all convinced better days were to come while raising thousands for the local NHS.

14 Bull Plain SG14 1DT and Beckwiths, St Nicholas Hall, 41 St Andrew Street SG14 1HZ brothershipstudio.com

FASHION

The town’s most long established women’s fashion boutique, Retail Therapy for stylish ladies’ fashions plus trainers and accessories.

29 St Andrew Street SG14 1HZ retailtherapyuk.co.uk

Gingerlillie

for a carefully curated collection of on trend pieces from independent brands including Sofie Schnoor, Noisy May, Mos Mosh and Saint Tropez. Trainers from Woden, accessories, toiletries and gifts.

7 Market Place SG14 1DF gingerlillieboutique.co.uk

The Women’s Society

Celebrating 16 years in the town in 2022 offering fashion, accessories, shoes and bags for every day and special occasions. Brands include Ash, Barbour International, Paul Smith and Pom Amsterdam.

2 St Andrew Street SG14 1JA womens-society.co.uk

Frankie and Olive for a considered range of stylish, sustainable women’s clothing plus gifts and homewares. The boutique believes in Fair Trade, fair wages and safe working conditions for all workers and buys from labels that share these ethics. Find affordable pieces in natural, sustainable and ethically produced materials.

19 Old Cross SG14 1RE frankieandolive.co.uk

Mint of Hertford for pre-owned luxury brands. Pop in to browse the regularly changing collection of pre-loved fashions that include clothing, shoes and accessories, all in mint condition.

49 Railway Street, SG14 1BA mintofhertford.co.uk

Ruby Room

Fashion, accessories and gifts for the younger woman and the young at heart from popular and affordable brands plus homewares.

23-25 Railway Street SG14 1BA rubyroomlifestyle.co.uk

great indies

Magpie Amore for one-off quirky vintage items. Expect bold, fun statement pieces, high glamour, cosy knitwear, trendy T-shirts and everything in between in this little emporium that also offers homewares, jewellery and gifts, both vintage and new.

6 St Andrew Street SG14 1JA magpieamore.co.uk

Azir

Designer menswear boutique in a prominent location on Parliament Square. Official stockist of Belstaff, Transit, John Varvatos, Descente and more.

5 Parliament Square SG14 1EX azirfashion.com

JEWELLERY

Chapter 79 is a family-run jewellers that celebrated 16 years of trading in the town in 2022. They specialise in bespoke engagement and wedding rings as well as rings from some of Europe’s finest jewellery houses such as Furrer-Jacot. They also sell a wide range of jewellery and offer an inhouse repair and restoration service.

15 Market Place SG14 1DQ chapter79.co.uk

Jewel of Hearts

Stags of Hertford

Menswear shop offering clothing from Lacoste, Gant, Replay, Barbour, Scotch and Soda, Ted Baker and more.

30 Railway Street SG14 1BA stagsofhertford.co.uk

Harry Joseph Tailoring creates bespoke, made to measure shirts, trousers, jackets and suits as well as offers a limited collection of ready-to-wear items.

1 St Andrew Street SG14 1HZ

1 St Andrew Street SG14 1HZ harryjosephtailoring. wordpress.com

Independent jeweller selling pre-made jewellery but also specialising in creating bespoke jewellery in both traditional and contemporary designs. If you have items of jewellery you no longer like they will remodel them to create new pieces unique to you.

9 Maidenhead Street SG14 1DP hertofgold.co.uk

Grahams the Jewellers

Family-run business with more than 35 years in the industry offering fine jewellery, engagement and wedding rings and bespoke items. The shop also offers pre-loved items in exceptional condition including fine diamond pieces and watches including Rolex.

29 Bircherley Green SG14 1BN grahamsthejewellers.com

F. Hinds Jewellers

F. Hinds is Britain’s largest independent family jewellers. The Hertford branch offers a wide selection of jewellery, watches, diamonds and gifts.

2 Maidenhead Street SG14 1DR fhinds.co.uk

FLOWERS

Jane Maples Flowers

Small but extremely busy floral boutique in Fore Street specialising in designer bouquets, weddings and funeral tributes. Their talents are regularly called upon for weddings at local venues including Hanbury Manor, Fanhams Hall, Brocket Hall and Hatfield House. Closer to home they’re responsible for the fabulous seasonal creations around the shopfront of Morgan Alexander estate agents in Castle Street.

29 Fore Street SG14 1DJ janemaplesflowers.co.uk

Love Flowers

Artisan floral boutique and courtyard garden offering beautiful handtied bouquets (both pre-made and bespoke), wedding and funeral flowers plus plants, wreaths and cards. A sister shop, The Shop in Parliament Square, opened in 2020, offers a similarly tasteful hand selected collection of homewares including furniture, cushions, throws and pots and

HOMEWARES AND GIFTS

Messages

Balloon and partyware specialist stocking a large selection of helium balloons for all occasions with personalisation service; table cloths, napkins, banners, bunting, cards, gift wrap and gift bags and much more. 25-27 Fore Street SG14 1DJ messagespartyshop.co.uk

Eye Mind Heart

Super little independent offering fun, creative and interesting products including home accessories, children’s toys and books, cards and giftwrap and a thoughtful selection of art, design and photography books. Perfect for finding gifts for the creative types in your life. 41 Fore Street SG14 1AL eyemindheart.shop

Five and Dime

Super stylish contemporary homewares and lifestyle store offering trend-led accessories and interior products including lighting, wall art, mirrors and candles plus cards, giftwrap and gift ideas. 91 Fore Street SG14 1AS fiveanddime-interiors.com

The Shop

The success of Yellie and Willie Walton’s Love Flowers (see left), led them to open new premises to house the botanical and lifestyle products formerly stocked among the flowers. The former Botsfords hardware store premises on Parliament Square make the perfect home for their lifestyle store that offers furniture, lighting, throws and cushions, candles, vases, pots and plants.

19-21 Parliament Square SG14 1EX

SHOES

Ok we’ll get to the point. There are no shoe shops in Hertford though a widespread consensus that one (several even!) would be very welcome. Anyone?...

uniforms, dancewear & accessories kids connection Back To ScHooL !

We supply for over 50 local primary and secondary schools, dance and ballet schools

Very helpful staff always on hand to help with sizing and any questions you may have.

We also have in house embroidery and transfer printing via our sister company Connect Embroidery.

We offer online services for delivery, click & collect or delivery to some schools. You can also come into our unit and try uniform on and purchase from us there. If you’re a school looking for a new uniform supplier who can offer a personal, friendly service to parents and children please email us for a quote and samples.

Unit 1A, Great Northern Works, Hartham Lane, Hertford SG14 1QW 01992 587466 store@kidsconnection.co.uk www.kidsconnection.co.uk

Find us on Facebook and Instagram

Please note – there is no onsite parking, please use nearby car parks in Hartham Lane and walk round

CHEMISTS

Avenue Pharmacy

73 The Avenue, Bengeo SG14 3DU

Boots pharmacy (temporary) 31 Railway Street SG14 1BA (new branch set to open in Lea Wharf in 2023) boots.com

Crescent Pharmacy

2 Fleming Crescent, Sele Farm SG14 2DJ crescentchemist.co.uk

Lloyds Pharmacy

5-7 St Andrew Street SG14 1HZ lloydspharmacy.com

POST & DELIVERY SERVICES

Post and Packing (independent postal shop offering mailing services via Royal Mail, DPD, Evri, UPS, FedEx, Transglobal Express and DHL) 71 Fore Street SG14 1AL postandpackinguk.com

Bengeo Post Office

Within Co-op, 19 Bengeo Street SG14 3ES postoffice.co.uk

TOURIST INFO, MUSEUM & LIBRARY

Sheffield Pharmacy 64 Fore Street SG14 1BT

St Andrew’s Pharmacy 44A St Andrew Street SG14 1JA standrewspharmacy.co.uk

Tesco Instore Pharmacy Hertford Superstore, Ware Road SG14 1QA (open late) tesco.com

Well 14 Maidenhead Street SG14 1DR well.co.uk

DRY CLEANING

County Care

4 Market Street SG14 1BD countycaredrycleaners andcobblers.com

Flamsteads

36 St Andrew Street SG14 1JA flamsteadsdrycleaning.co.uk

Iron's, 53 Fore Street SG14 1AL ironsdrycleaners.co.uk

Sovereign Dry Cleaners

5 Evron Place SG14 1PA sovereigndrycleaners.co.uk

FRAMING

Hertford Picture Framing 3 Old Cross SG14 1HX hertfordpictureframing.co.uk

Hertford Post Office UOE Hub, 23-25 Maidenhead Street SG14 1DW uoe.co.uk

Tudor Way Post Office Within Co-op, 26 Fleming Crescent SG14 2DJ postoffice.co.uk

Missed a Royal Mail parcel?... Hertford Delivery Office is at Greencoates SG13 8AB royalmail.com

i

Love Vintage Unit 7 Priory Wharf, Priory Road SG14 1RJ buylovevintage.com

KEY CUTTING & LOCKSMITHS

County Care

4 Market Street SG14 1BD countycaredrycleaners andcobblers.com

Lock Stock and Barrell

2-3 Warren Place, 2 Railway Street SG14 1BB locksmiths.co.uk

Hertford Library Dolphin Yard, Maidenhead Street SG14 1DR

Hertford Museum 18 Bull Plain SG14 1DT Hertford Town & Tourist Information Centre 10-12 The Wash SG14 1PX

MOBILE PHONE REPAIRS AND ACCESSORIES

Bandarband

13A Bull Plain SG14 1DX bandarband.com

Map of Hertford town centre

This map shows Hertford town centre and is reproduced courtesy of Hertford Town Council. The circled numbers relate to a series of landmarks which are listed on the following four pages. Turn over now to find out more about each of them…

Hertford Museum

Landmarks of

HERTFORD CASTLE

There has been a castle at Hertford since Norman times with features including its original motte mound and bailey wall still visible today.

Fortified and reconstructed, it was later to serve as a royal palace for some 300 years.

Today the building known as Hertford Castle is actually a brick gatehouse, now grade 1 listed, built by Edward IV in 1463, and all that remains of the palace buildings.

The ‘castle’ is home to Hertford Town Council and is open to visitors on a number of days during the year with its grounds hosting an annual programme of events.

You can view a model showing what the castle would have looked like in 1550 in Hertford Museum in Bull Plain.

THE WAR MEMORIAL

Along with Hertford Castle, one of the most recognised features of the town.

The war memorial was unveiled in 1921 in the centre of Parliament Square, itself created after the end of the First World War by the clearance of a number of shops and cottages.

The memorial was designed by architect Sir Aston Webb in obelisk form and features a life sized sculpture of a hart by Alfred Drury at the top.

The Portland stone used for the memorial and its surround came from the same quarry as The Cenotaph in Whitehall. It is grade 2 listed.

THE FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE

Dating back to 1670 and upgraded in 2019 by Historic England to grade 1 listing in acknowledgement of its historic significance, this building is the oldest purpose-built Quaker meeting house still in use in the world.

Quakerism began in the second half of the 17th century. Its ideas, including that all humans were equal, that individuals could experience God without needing a priest or the bible, and that there was no need for rituals or sacraments to practise religion, put it at odds with the established church.

A Quaker preacher first came to Hertford in 1655; by the late 1660s there were several hundred Quakers in the town and surrounding area. The meeting house hosts a number of open days during the year – see hhq.org.uk for details. It is at

50 Railway Street SG14 1BA.

Hertford

SAMUEL STONE STATUE

Commissioned for the millennium by Keith Marshall, owner of longstanding (now closed) furniture shop Marshalls, the statue depicts 17th century puritan minister Samuel Stone who was born in Fore Street in 1602 and baptised at All Saints Church.

A nonconformist with beliefs at odds with the established church, he left for New England in 1633 along with friend Thomas Hooker, first settling in Newtown (now Cambridge), Massachusetts, before heading with 120 members of the community along the River Valley to establish Hartford, Connecticut – so-named after Stone’s home town. The Hertford hart still takes centre stage on the Hartford flag and city seal.

McMULLEN’S VICTORIAN BREWERY BUILDING

A much-loved fixture on the Hertford skyline, the grade 2 listed former brewery building was orginally purpose-built for McMullen's in 1891.

Today it has been redeveloped into housing (a new modern brewery, The Whole Hop Brewery in Hartham Lane, has replaced it), but it remains a recognisable and and iconic local landmark.

McMullen's have been brewing in the town since 1827, and as well as producing their famed cask, keg and bottled beers, own a large portfolio of pubs and pub-restaurants across Hertford, Hertfordshire and the wider home counties. The company is celebrating 195 years in business in 2022, having been founded in 1827.

THE CORN EXCHANGE

Hertford Corn Exchange and Public Hall was built between 1857 and 1859, replacing a more modest building that dated from around 1840. The neo-Classical frontage features a pediment with the inscription Corn Exchange and Public Hall with a central circular panel showing the Hertfordshire hart against a background of sacks of corn.

Carved bases above the pediment (still visible) once carried large carved urns and a statue of Ceres, goddess of the harvest and made the building far more prominent in the streetscape than it is today. These were removed during the Second World War, being potential hazards in the event of air raids, and were not replaced. Today the building is subdivided at ground floor level into shops with frontages in Market Street with the first floor public hall, now a live music venue, accessed from Fore Street.

SHIRE HALL

Commissioned to replace an earlier sessions (court) house building that was demolished in 1768, the Georgian-style Shire Hall, designed by James Adam, was completed in 1771.

The projecting clock on the south elevation of the building was a later addition and was manufactured and installed in 1824 by Hertford bellfounder and clockmaker John Briant.

The building originally housed the assembly rooms and courts for the county along with the town’s corn exchange on the ground floor until the exchange moved into its own building. For a time, it was also the meeting place of Hertfordshire County Council until the organisation moved to County Hall in 1939. The crown court function was moved to St Albans in 1971 and today the Shire Hall houses the area’s magistrates court.

42 FORE STREET

Egyptian style became fashionable after the Egyptian campaigns in the Napoleonic wars, and the opening of William Bullock’s Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly in 1812 sparked a series of Egyptian-style buildings around the country.

42 Fore Street which dates to around 1825 and is grade 2* listed and a similar Egyptian House in Penzance (c1835) which is now in the ownership of The Landmark Trust, are prime examples.

The Hertford building was built as a shop with residence above. It has been home to a range of businesses, those in recent decades all being restaurants including Café Pasta, Lussmanns (now farther along Fore Street) and today, Anexo tapas restaurant.

CHRIST’S HOSPITAL/THE BLUECOAT BOYS

Christ’s Hospital was founded in 1552 to care for and educate the fatherless and the poor children of London. Many children were infants who were sent away to Hertford, Ware or Hoddesdon to be looked after by nurses and attend local day schools until they returned to London at the age of 10 to be educated. After the Great Fire of London saw many of the school’s buildings in Newgate Street burnt down, many more children were billeted in Hertford before the site at the end of Fore Street was acquired in 1682 and a self-contained boarding school built which remained in the town for some 300 years.

The statues at the end of Bluecoats Avenue, which is now a mix of residential and office buildings, depict two students in their distinctive uniform. Christ’s Hospital School has been based in Horsham, Sussex, since 1902.

THE VERGER’S HOUSE AND ST NICHOLAS HALL

The oldest surviving dwelling in the town is the distinctive former Verger’s House next to St Andrew’s Church, built around 1450. At the side, and today joined with it to form one building, is the Arts and Crafts style St Nicholas Hall. The hall was built in the late 1800s to provide a venue for meetings and social gatherings tor the parish and named in commemoration of the former ancient parish of St Nicholas which had been unified with St Andrew’s early in the 18th century. The Verger’s House was home to Beckwith and Son antiques for more than 100 years. Today it houses art gallery Brothership (which has another base in Bull Plain) while part of the building is currently being converted to residential use.

THE GREEN DRAGON HOTEL

Built in 1903 The Green Dragon Hotel stood at the corner of Maidenhead Street (number 31-33) and The Wash. The grade 2 listed building is now home to a number of businesses including the British Heart Foundation shop and Ladbrokes on the ground floor with residential accommodation above. Just around the corner in The Wash were the stables, garage and bonded vaults associated with the hotel, also grade 2 listed. The Dutch gable facing The Wash and next to the entrance to the vaults features raised lettering advertising the hotel and its facilities.

HERTFORD HERITAGE TRAIL

Hertford has an enormous wealth of other historic and architecturally interesting buildings as well as buildings that once served as home to a number of famous individuals – the author of the Biggles books, Captain W.E. Johns for example, lived in a house in Cowbridge.

A few years ago Hertford Town Council, in partnership with the Hertford Civic Society, installed plaques on buildings with historic importance around the country town, creating the Hertford Heritage Trail. 41 buildings feature. You can download a map at gohertford.co.uk or pick up a copy from the Town and Tourist Information Centre in The Wash.

A walk in the country

SITUATED IN THE EAST HERTS COUNTRYSIDE AND AT THE CONFLUENCE OF FOUR RIVERS, HERTFORD HAS MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS TO ENJOY THE OUTDOOR LIFE, INCLUDING GREAT WALKS.

PANSHANGER PARK

The impressive Panshanger House which once stood within the 1,000 acre park is no longer standing but the grade 2 listed parkland, designed with input from both Humphry Repton and Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, and today owned by Tarmac, is open to the public. It offers hours of walking and exploring opportunities with features including the remains of the orangery and the historic Panshanger Oak plus an abundance of wildlife to see. panshangerpark-tarmac.com

HARTHAM COMMON

This well-established public open space is in the centre of Hertford and features river corridors, cattle-grazed meadows and a network of footpaths as well as Hartham Leisure Centre, two play areas, a skate park and sports pitches. A series of circular walks can be found online. eastherts.gov.uk

KING’S MEADS

King’s Meads (also known locally as The Meads) is a large area of grazed riverside flood meadow between Hertford and Ware. A cycle route runs along the River Lee on The Meads’ northern boundary. It is also home to rare plants and is a great spot for bird-watching, being a haven for birds and insects. It is managed by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

COLE GREEN WAY

The Cole Green Way runs along a former railway route between Hertford and Welwyn Garden City and is now a highly popular route for cyclists, walkers and horse riders. The site of the demolished Cole Green station is also a picnic spot; its platforms and railings remain intact.

KAYAK DOWN THE LEE

Ever wondered where those canoeists you often see on Hertford’s waterways come from? They are members of the Herts Canoe Club which is based at Hartham Common. Members paddle many different craft including kayaks, Candian canoes and playboats. The club operates on Sundays for members and also on Tuesday evenings in the summer. hertscanoeclub.co.uk

RIVER CRUISES

The Hertford and Ware Waterbus cruises along the River Lee between Hertford and Ware usually from April to September. While work has been ongoing at Lea Wharf, the service has operated from Ware Priory only but it is hoped it will return to departing from Hertford again during 2023, with the Lea Wharf development on the site of the former Bircherley Green shopping centre due to be completed soon. leeandstortboats.co.uk

Eateries to dine for

Hertford has a wealth of eateries. Contemporary, Thai, Indian, Tapas, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Turkish… but if anyone fancies opening a good Chinese to eat in at, you’ll be most welcome!

Lussmann’s Sustainable Fish & Grill restaurant is always a good bet, its sustainability credentials matched by its nous and quality of food. The Salisbury Arms, which has just been refurbished and is due to reopen in late 2022, is a traditional favourite while lively spots include The Hummingbird (an Instagrammer’s dream), Cinnabar for breakfast and brunch and Hertford House with its diner and late night cocktail lounge.

Lovers of Thai food can choose between Baan Thitiya, Old Siam and Elle’s Kitchen, whilst Mr Tanaka’s is a cool choice for Japanese-inspired food which you can also find at Oishii by Elle (same ownership as Elle’s Thai Kitchen).

Il Vino offers traditional a Italian menu, whilst Proove Pizza has ‘prooved’ popular since opening on Parliament Square. The ever-reliable Pizza Express should not be overlooked either.

Dinnio has Italian and Mediterranean menus. Indians include the modern and award-winning Ruby, the well-established Shahenshah, Spice Hut and The Raj Tandoori, whilst Dirties offers Mexican-inspired street food and cocktails. Fans of Turkish food can choose between Veysos and Turkish Kitchen. For tapas, try Anexo

LUSSMANNS PROOVE

RUBY

PUBS

Hertford is home to McMullen's Brewery and Macs, not surprisingly, runs a number of the town’s drinking holes, including the contemporary Practitioner in Fore Street, the relaxed White Hart in Salisbury Square and the riverside Woolpack on Millbridge. Traditional ale houses include Old Cross Tavern in St Andrew Street, The White Horse in Castle Street and The Black Horse in West Street. The Old Barge on Folly Island is another popular riverside destination. Wetherspoons has a presence in the town with The Six Templars in The Wash while those seeking a cooler, younger vibe will enjoy the Dog and Whistle and The Hummingbird in Fore Street.

COFFEE SHOPS

Hertford Coffee Lab in Bull Plain is the coolest coffee shop in Hertford to hang out in; it even roasts and sells its own coffee under the name of the Bionic Bull Roastery. Upstairs is a co-working space. This is a locally-based independent which now has shops in Hitchin, Ware and Welwyn Garden City. Other indies offering coffee include Brad and Dills and Tilly’s Gelato (see Little Gems below), Pickle and Slice in Fore Street, Leaf Café in Old Cross (which doubles as a children’s bookshop), Bebo in Salisbury Square, Mudlarks Garden Café and Il Vino coffee bar in Fore Street. The chains are represented by Caffe Nero in Salisbury Square and Costa Coffee in Maidenhead Street.

LITTLE GEMS

Two of these opened in the summer of 2022 – Brad and Dills bagel and coffee bar in Market Place (this is their third opening after Harpenden and St Albans) and Tilly’s Gelato, an Insta-friendly independent in Railway Street selling artisan ice cream, Arabica coffee and cakes. Farther along Railway Street is Pearl Milk Bar, Hertford’s first bubble tea specialist which was born out of a lockdown delivery business. Hertford also has many specialist takeaways, many of which use the locally-based delivery service GoGetters to deliver, including the vegan Veg Heads in Ware Road and Indian Brohmon, which opened in October '22.

At The Hive Organic & Vegan Salon, our friendly team offer all aspects of hairdressing. Whether you’re used to being in the hot seat or feel nervous we strive to make your visit as comfortable as possible, with a thorough consultation and refreshments. Our aim is to meet your hair goals, guided by our creative and professional eye.

W h a t a r e w e b u i l d i n g ? 3 n e w f i r s t f l o o r f u l l t i m e c i n e m a s c r e e n s a 5 5 0 s e a t a u d i t o r i u m w i t h b a l c o n y a 1 5 0 s e a t s t u d i o t h e a t r e w i t h b a l c o n y n e w f i r s t f l o o r b a r u p g r a d e d g r o u n d f l o o r c a f e k i t c h e n n e w r i v e r w a l k w a y i m p r o v e d a c c e s s t o H e r t f o r d ' s 1 2 t h c e n t u r y m o t t e

A centre for culture

THE CORN EXCHANGE

Hertford’s premier live music venue is the Corn Exchange in Fore Street, which reopened in 2022 after being taken over by the team who already run The Horn in St Albans and The Horn at The Half Moon in Bishop’s Stortford.

The historic building now plays host to a quality roster of live bands and performers who have included Toyah and The South, featuring members of The Beautiful South, as well as top tribute bands such as Absolute Bowie, up and coming local artists and theme nights.

Hertford Comedy Club is also held here.

To view the latest listings visit cornexchangehertford.co.uk.

COURTYARD ARTS

Courtyard Arts is a thriving hub of artistic creativity which offers regular classes and workshops for artists of all levels as well as changing exhibitions in its gallery space. It originally began as a group of friends who met to draw together in the 1980s. But they had aspirations for a permanent venue to empower the wider arts community and, with the help of East Herts Council, they found and converted a derelict stable block in Port Vale, on the road from Hertford town centre to Bengeo, which was opened as Courtyard Arts in 1996. The centre is now run by a group of trustees and comprises its gallery, three teaching studios, one artist studio, a shop with work from local artists and makers and a café. Find out more at courtyardarts.org.uk.

HERTFORD THEATRE

Hertford Theatre is currently undergoing a major redevelopment and transformation as part of its ongoing growth and legacy project. The popular venue is due to reopen in late 2023. The theatre closed in June 2021 after four years of work preparing for the £24million project. When completed, the building will include Hertford’s first cinema showing new release films since the 1980s with three screens, an expanded main auditorium, new studio auditorium and riverside café-bar. The Hertfordshire-based nationwide contractor GPF Lewis is on site in The Wash carrying out the development works.

While the theatre has been closed, its team have been busy maintaining community links and have also put on smaller festive productions at other local venues, including the Southern Maltings and Drill Hall in Ware. hertfordtheatre.com

Be part of Hertford’s arts community

HERTFORD CHORAL SOCIETY

Hertford Choral Society is a friendly, nonauditioned choir with over 110 singers which rehearses on Tuesday evenings in Hertford and is directed by Manvinder Rattan. It performs major choral works alongside modern pieces at four concerts a year with professional soloists and orchestras, usually at All Saints’ Church. hertfordchoral.org.uk

HERTFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

HSO is one of the UK’s leading non-professional orchestras. In addition to playing traditional concerts, the orchestra also gives popular family concerts. hertfordsymphonyorchestra.org.uk

HERTFORD ART SOCIETY

Hertford Art Society runs a full programme, meeting almost every Tuesday, throughout the year. From September to April members meet in the URC Hall for talks, demonstrations by professional artists, critiques and practical evenings. In the summer members paint in the area round Hertford. hertfordartsociety.co.uk

HDOS

Hertford Dramatic & Operatic Society, or HDOS, has been established for over 90 years. It produces five shows a year and also hosts and organises the renowned annual drama festival Hertford Theatre Week. Based at Bentley House, with has its own rehearsal rooms and a studio theatre, the company’s usual venue for its public performances is at Hertford Theatre. hdos.org.uk

THE COMPANY OF PLAYERS

The Company of Players has its own theatre, The Little Theatre in Balfour Street, where it produces five plays a year which usually run for eight days each. The auditorium itself is an intimate space to enjoy a production, with 63 seats. cops.org.uk

HERTFORD HAS A THRIVING ARTISTIC COMMUNITY, WITH A VARIETY OF SOCIETIES CATERING FOR VARIED INTERESTS. NEW MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME AT THESE GROUPS.

HERTFORD THEATRE WEEK

HERTFORD CHORAL SOCIETY

The year

in Hertford

Hertford plays host to a number of significant public events. The exact dates do, of course, change each year but here's a quick guide to what to expect…

Hertford Arts Festival, April and May

A series of pop-up exhibitions featuring the work of local artists in local shops and other venues. gohertford.co.uk

Hertford Theatre Week, March 23-April 1 2023

A week-long drama competition organised by Hertford Dramatic & Operatic Society featuring companies from around the country. hertfordtheatreweek.org.uk

Hertfordshire Festival of Music, June

A high quality week-long festival of classical music concerts, workshops and events. hertsmusicfest.org.uk

Hertford Food and Drink Festival, July Food stalls in the town centre, special offers from restaurants and the Hertford Castle Beer and World Food Festival. gohertford.co.uk

Rock at the Castle, early August

A day long live music festival across three stages in the grounds of Hertford Castle. gohertford.co.uk

Hertford Castle Open Air Cinema, August

Open air cinema screenings take over the lawn with Hertford Castle as a graceful backdrop. gohertford.co.uk

Musical Mystery Tour, Last Sunday before Bank Holiday in August

Organised by Hertford’s Mr Music Kev Saunders. Hundreds of acts play across dozens of venues – all free from noon to late. hertfordmusicfestival.co.uk

Hertford Christmas Gala, late November

The turning-on of the Christmas lights plus festive stalls on the last Friday in November and Hertford Christmas Market on the castle lawn over the weekend. gohertford.co.uk

ROCK AT THE CASTLE

MUSICAL MYSTERY TOUR

Hertford Art Society

We meet every Tuesday, 7.30pm –9.30pm in the URC Hall, Cowbridge, Hertford SG14 1PG for talks, critiques, demonstrations, workshops and painting sessions.

In the summer we go out painting in the local countryside.

Sample an evening as a guest (£2) or join up (£40 for the year).

This winter’s programme and other information at www.hertfordartsociety.co.uk or ring Jill Rolfe (07914 567204). Members’ Exhibition – last weekend of October.

THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR SERVICES IN HERTFORD Who does what?

With three separate councils providing services to homes, businesses and individuals in Hertford here’s our handy guide to each and when you might need them…

The roles of each local authority are distinct, although as part of their work they may be required to consult with each other and, on occasions, will work jointly to deliver a service, project or improvements to the area.

Each is made up of councillors, elected by residents in local elections and, in the case of the county and district councils, run by a leader and cabinet made up of councillors of the majority political party.

The chairman or mayor will chair meetings and also carry out civic and ceremonial duties.

Councillors are not salaried but get an allowance and expenses towards their costs.

It is these politicians that control the council and determine its priorities for work and spending.

Officers are the paid employees of each council who work in departments such as education, planning or housing and deliver council services.

A chief executive or, in the case of the town council, a clerk , is the paid head of each organisation.

HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford SG13 8DQ hertfordshire.gov.uk

Provides a wide range of services to residents of the 10 districts that make up the county including:

• Adult Services - including care and accommodation for older adults

• Children’s Services - including care, education, fostering and adoption

• Countryside management including rights of way

• Fire and Rescue

• Highways, roads and pavements including road repairs and gritting

• Libraries and archives

• Public Health

• Registration service for births, marriages and deaths

• Trading Standards

• Waste and recycling including recycling centres (nb: East Herts carries out bin collections).

Council leader: councillor Richard Roberts

Chairman: councillor Annie Brewster

Chief Executive: Owen Mapley

Council Services

EAST HERTS DISTRICT COUNCIL

Wallfields, Pegs Lane, Hertford SG13 8EQ eastherts.gov.uk

East Herts District Council is responsible for:

• Benefits and support including housing benefit and universal credit

• Bin collections (including chargeable garden waste collections)

• Car parks and parking enforcement

• Collection of council tax and business rates

• Electoral Services

• Environmental health (including air quality & noise pollution, pest control, dog fouling and dog control, stray dogs )

• Housing

• Leisure services including sports centres and theatres

• Licences and registrations (ie taxi licences, street trading, food premises registration)

• Parks and open spaces

• Planning and building control services

Council leader: councillor Linda Haysey

Chairman: councillor Ian Devonshire

Chief Executive: Richard Cassidy

HERTFORD TOWN COUNCIL

The Castle, Hertford SG14 1HR hertford.gov.uk

The first tier of local government in the area’s best-known building, Hertford Town Council is responsible for:

• Administration of a number of grants

• Allotments (there are six across the town)

• Hertford Cemetery in North Road

• Town and Tourist Information Centre – a dedicated shop in The Wash provides maps, guides and local information, ticket sales for local events and local souvenirs.

*The council also organises a growing number of community events such as open air theatre and cinema in the castle grounds, an annual food festival and music event Rock at the Castle.

Council leader: councillor Sally Newton

Mayor: councillor Susan Barber

Clerk: Joseph Whelan

QUICK GUIDE TO MOST USED SERVICES

I want to…

Take on an allotment

Apply for a blue badge for my vehicle

Apply for benefits

Report a missed bin collection or request a bin

Get help with adult or children's care services

Report a lost or found dog

Report noise nuisance

Who to contact

HTC

HCC

EHDC

EHDC

HCC

EHDC

EHDC

Seek planning permission or comment on an application EHDC

Report a pot hole

Apply for a school place

Report a street light out

HCC

HCC

HCC

A Who’s Who of Hertford Who’s Who

INFLUENTIAL AND NOTABLE FACES IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

OUR LOCAL MP

Elected in 2019, Julie Marson is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Hertford and Stortford. As well as representing the interests of the area in the House of Commons, Mrs Marson undertakes constituency duties which see her and her team offering support and advice to residents who approach her on matters of concern. You can contact her via email at julie.marson.mp@parliament.uk. Her constituency office is at Harlow Enterprise Hub in Edinburgh Way CM20 2NQ and her team can be reached on 01279 312 197. juliemarson.org.uk

POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER

David Lloyd is the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire whose responsibilities are to determine the policing priorities of the area, to control the policing budget and to appoint the area’s chief constable. Police and crime commissioners are elected by the public every four years. Mr Lloyd, a Conservative, has held the post since 2012. hertscommissioner.org

THE LORD-LIEUTENANT OF HERTFORDSHIRE

The Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE CStJ, is the King’s representative in the county, appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. The lord-lieutenant’s duties include, among other things, arranging visits by members of the royal family, attending each visit and escorting royal visitors, and playing a role in the civic, business and social life of the county. lord-lieutenant-herts.org.uk

MAYORS AND CHAIRS FOR 2022/23

Chairing council meetings, acting as ambassadors for their area, carrying out ceremonial duties and raising money for their chosen charities for the year is the role of the Chairman or Mayor of each of our three local authorities.

Councillor Susan Barber is the Mayor of Hertford Town Council

Councillor Ian Devonshire is the Chairman of East Herts District Council

Councillor Annie Brewster is the Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council

MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE COVER OF THIS INSIDER'S GUIDE...

Paul Crowley

You might not know his face but you will probably know his name – and you will certainly know his work.

Paul Crowley is an artist and designer whose work helped keep Hertford smiling during the Covid lockdowns.

As the community – and the country – struggled to come to terms with staying indoors for almost 24 hours a day, Paul’s bright and colourful rainbow prints featuring Hertford landmarks, which were promoted with the help of Nick Shipton and his Brothership gallery in Bull Plain, helped to lift the gloom, raise spirits – and money for NHS charities.

A Hertford boy with a

background in graphic design that goes back 30 years, Paul has gone on to show and sell his work through Brothership – and has also designed the front cover of this new Insider’s Guide.

He loves all things photographic, especially black and white street photography, has exhibited photographic work in London and sells framed prints of his work.

His latest project is fascinating – exploring how Hertford can be represented in graphical information pieces, such as Hertford Connections (a Tube map of Hertford places shown on the opposite page), Colour Palette and the Hertford 100

Pub Crawl. Paul says: “This is partly about my information design background but equally about memory and taking a personal trip down memory lane, then recreating it.”

Paul Crowley is an artist who never seems to rest. His latest projects include a short film about Hertford Museum, further information design pieces about mapping Hertford and the history of Hertford Music Festival and, potentially, a local photographic exhibition.

In the meantime, you can view and buy much of Paul’s work online through Brothership at brothershipstudio.com.

PAUL’S HERTFORD RAINBOW ON THE EGYPTIAN HOUSE IN 2020. AT THE TIME THE BUILDING HOUSED LUSSMANNS EATERY, WHICH HAS SINCE MOVED ALONG FORE STREET

...AND ITS PUBLISHERS...

Axis Publications

This Insider's Guide to Hertford is the first publication of its type brought to you by the team behind Axis magazine.

Based in the centre of Hertford, Axis was founded in March 2003 and marks its 20th anniversary in 2023.

The area's newsbased magazine, it is an independent, intelligent guide to everything that happens locally, covering not just Hertford but the wider East Hertfordshire area,

including Ware, Hoddesdon, Broxbourne, Cheshunt, Harlow, Sawbridgeworth and Bishop's Stortford.

Copies are delivered in selected areas, can be picked up free every month at various venues locally and can be read online at axismagazine.co.uk or at issuu.com (just search for Axis magazine).

Local businesses interested in advertising in Axis, the next Insider's Guide or any of our other publications should call 01992 500198.

Chase New Homes is proud to deliver a brand new hub for leisure and socialising in the centre of Hertford.

Explore the vibrant mix of restaurants, cafés and shops at the central piazza, perfect for sipping cocktails and catching up over brunch.

For leisure and fitness head to the Yoga and Pilates studio to unwind or the brand new health & fitness facilities for a HIT workout.

Computer generated images indicative only. Information correct at time of press.