Our Broxbourne - July 2023

15 What’s on at the spotlight

Borough of Broxbourne Borough Offices, Bishops’ College, Churchgate, Cheshunt EN8 9XQ.

Website www.broxbourne.gov.uk

Broxbourne Helpline 01992 785577

Out of Hours Emergencies 01992 785528

Fraud Hotline 0300 123 4033

All calls are treated in the strictest confidence.

Message from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Lewis Cocking

A very warm welcome to this year’s summer edition of Our Broxbourne! It has been an exciting few months with plenty of milestones both on a local and national level.

Many of you will have heard the fantastic news that the Planning and Regulatory Committee agreed to grant planning permission for the Brookfield developments. This is a major step forward on the way to the development of a new town centre and much needed new homes, and I couldn’t be more delighted. More information is featured on pages four and five of this magazine.

The King’s Coronation was celebrated with a variety of local community events and activities including Coronation parties held in Hoddesdon and Waltham Cross, which saw thousands of visitors coming together to enjoy nostalgic performances, street food, arts and crafts, and patriotic displays in celebration of our new King and Queen.

Another of the many exciting local projects underway is the Grundy Park Improvement Scheme which began in June. The project is scheduled to complete by the end

of summer, transforming the park to a picturesque open space that I am sure will become a prime location for many of our residents to enjoy.

With continued drive to embrace diversity in our Borough, we were pleased to have been one of 45 councils in the country to be awarded a grant for the Windrush Generation Commemorative Programme. Many educational and cultural projects that bring to life the experiences of British Caribbean people within our community were kick-started in June as a result of this fund. An illustrative Windrush exhibition is currently on display at Lowewood Museum and will remain there until September 2023.

This summer Queen Eleanor Square in Waltham Cross is the main stage for a fresh programme of community events, including circus themed activities and outdoor cinema, so join in the fun!

I hope you all have a fantastic summer.

With best wishes

Reception opening hours

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

Pre-bookable appointments and selfservice support is still available online at www.broxbourne.gov.uk

4 Brookfield gets the go ahead

9 Summer of Fun

If you are a victim of a hate crime, the Council offices are a safe space for you to report the crime.

Coronation

Celebrations!

Thousands of residents across the Borough gathered to celebrate the King’s Coronation during the Coronation weekend. Many streets put on parties with financial support from the Council’s Coronation Big Lunch funding where up to £500 was available for local organisations and resident groups responsible for organising the events.

Hundreds of people attended street parties across the Borough including 100 people in Limes Road, 200 in Carleton Road, 80 in Elderbek Close and 53 in Salway Road! The funding also enabled the Cheshunt and Waltham Cross Girlguiding District to put on Coronation parties for Rainbows and Brownies in Flamstead End and Waltham Cross. Around 350 people enjoyed a Coronation celebration at Goffs Oak Primary School on Friday 5 May.

The Council hosted a Coronation festival at Cedars Park and another in Hoddesdon Town Centre in partnership with Love Hoddesdon. Both events attracted hundreds of people who were treated to family activities, fair rides, live entertainment and street food

The Council also awarded prizes of £250 to the ‘best dressed’ house, business and school in the Borough. A house in Friends Avenue in Cheshunt was deemed to be the best decorated, whilst Tiny Toes Nursery in Ware Road, Hoddesdon won the business category. Dewhurst St Mary C.of.E Primary School in Churchgate, Cheshunt won the school category.

The Council also honoured the King’s passion for the environment through gifts of seed bombs and bird boxes to primary schools in the Borough. Bank Holiday Monday was marked by The Big Help Out, making it a day dedicated to volunteering, one of the King’s priorities, intended to create a lasting legacy of communities coming together for a greater good.

“Local residents have been telling us for years that they want a greater choice of shopping and leisure facilities in the Borough rather than having to travel for them. Brookfield Riverside will deliver that for local people, including a multiscreen cinema. Across Riverside and the Garden Village, there will be new homes for sale, for rent and for shared ownership, and we’re working really hard to convince the NHS to take space at the centre for a new medical facility, as we know this is important to our residents. The Quality of the proposals and the 2,500 jobs that will be created will be transformative, making Broxbourne an even better place to live, work and invest in.”

Councillor Lewis Cocking, Leader of Broxbourne Council

Construction is expected to start in 2024.

Brookfield Riverside

Brookfield Riverside

The £500 million Brookfield Riverside development in Cheshunt, will create a new town centre for the Borough which is envisaged to include up to 315,000 sq ft of retail, 250,000 sq ft of leisure, restaurants and a cinema, 160,000 sq ft of offices including a new civic hub, approximately 250 homes and 100 assisted living units, a 2,000-space car park and major public realm improvements. It will also generate 2,000 jobs during construction and 2,500 new jobs after its development.

Brookfield Garden Village

The Garden Village will provide 1,250 new homes, neighbourhood facilities, a three form entry primary school and, it is hoped, a ‘blue light’ hub for police, fire and ambulance services.

In addition there will be more than 14km of new walking and cycling routes across the whole development, as well as bus services to connect the site to other parts of the Borough and beyond.

The developments are also targeting an increase in biodiversity of 10%, with more than 15,000 trees to be planted across the sites and extensive planting of shrubs, flowers and grassland enhancements.

Brookfield Garden Village

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle…

Out of all the materials that end up in the recycling box, plastic is probably the most difficult to recycle.

Small changes can add up to a big difference and, as part of Plastic Free July, here are some quick wins to reduce plastic waste:

• Consider reusable alternatives for things like razors, toothbrushes, nappies and sanitary items.

• Swap liquid soap for bars of soap

• Plastic bags are made from non-renewable fossil fuels and are a major source of plastic pollution. Switching to alternatives such as fabric shopping bags can have a major impact

• Disposable coffee cups typically have a plastic resin or polyethylene lining which is a petroleum based plastic. Make the switch to reusable coffee cups and water bottles

• Plastic wrap (cling film) is made from PVC or low density polyethylene. Consider alternative methods of food storage, for example cover leftovers with a plate instead of plastic wrap or use reusable containers

• Opt for loose foods rather than pre-packaged

Information on what can and cannot be recycled in your kerbside box and at the Borough Recycling Points can be found at www.broxbourne.gov.uk/recycling

‘Your Tree Our Future’ returns for a second year

Broxbourne Council will once again work in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council to deliver thousands of free trees to Broxbourne residents as part of the ‘Your Tree, Our Future’ scheme.

Residents can choose from eight different species including hornbeam, silver birch and wild cherry. A number of hedgerow packs are also available, which include 36 trees - enough to plant 6m of hedgerow.

Once you have requested your tree(s), you will be sent a confirmation email within two working days. Trees will be available for collection on

Saturday 2 December. You will receive another email in November confirming your closest pick-up location. Your tree will weigh very little, and can easily be transported without the need for a vehicle.

To see what trees are available and to apply, visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/yourtree

Trees are limited to five per applicant (or four trees and one hedgerow pack) and will be available on a firstcome-first-served basis.

Make your garden more eco-friendly

1

Avoid impermeable hard surfaces like concrete paving to allow better infiltration of water.

4

Solar Together

2

When paving your driveway, consider paving only the wheel tracks rather than the full drive.

Garden trees, hedges, shrubs and climbers cool the environment by shading. They also protect buildings from cold winds and low temperatures in winter, and can improve building energy efficiency by 20–30%. For example, in addition to summer cooling, an ivy (Hedera helix) can increase brick temperatures by 3° C in the winter compared to bare walls.

(Building and Environment Vol 92, October 2015).

3

Plants with fine leaves, hairs or waxy leaf cuticles are particularly useful at absorbing air pollutants.

5

Encourage bees and butterflies to visit your garden by planting a variety of flowering plants across the whole spring/ summer season (see table below).

Early season Mid season Late season

English bluebell - Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Currant - Ribes spp.

Grape hyacinth - Muscari armeniacum

Lady’s bedstraw - Galium verum

Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia

Common mallow - Malva sylvestri

ECO4

Residents in Waltham Cross, Rosedale and Bury Green can receive fully funded energy-saving home improvements through Broxbourne Council’s partnership with E.On.

French marigold - Tagetes patula

Golden rod - Solidago spp.

Honeysuckle - Lonicera periclymenum

Solar Together is a county-wide group-buying scheme that helps homeowners, small or mediumsized businesses, and tenants (with a landlord’s permission) to purchase and install a solar panel system at a reduced cost.

It is completely free to register with Solar Together, and there is no obligation to proceed with installation. The second phase of this scheme will launch this summer so look out for announcements from the Council. In the 2022 cohort, over 2,750 Hertfordshire residents signed up to the scheme. Interested residents can visit solartogether.co.uk/landing and select ‘Broxbourne’ from the drop down menu. You will be asked questions about your house, roof and electricity usage. When the scheme goes live you will be contacted by a Solar Together representative to discuss further steps. After you have received your personal recommendation, you will be able to decide whether you want to accept or decline it.

Homeowners may be eligible for the scheme if their home has an EPC rating of D-G and:

• the homeowner receives benefits or

• has a household income of less than £31,000 or

As part of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, eligible households can receive energy efficiency measures such as wall, loft and underfloor insulation, heating controls, and low-carbon heating systems, for FREE. These measures will reduce energy bills, prevent damp, reduce heat loss and improve the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating.

• a household member receives free school meals or has been identified by their doctor as having health conditions that are impacted by living in a cold home

It is hoped to expand the scheme to other parts of the Borough later in the year.

The Council’s partner, E.ON will manage the scheme. You do not need to be an E.ON customer to qualify. Further information, including eligibility criteria, can be found at www.broxbourne.gov.uk/ECO4

There is a fantastic programme of events and experiences for children, young people and the whole family this summer across the Borough:

Lark in the Park

Calling all families and adventure seekers! This action-packed series of events offers something for everyone, including a new session at Cheshunt Park designed for those aged 12 and above. At the new session, teenagers can unleash their inner adrenaline junkie with a range of exciting opportunities. They can climb to new heights on exhilarating climbing walls, challenge themselves with skateboarding sessions, and let their creativity shine through street art workshops. It is the perfect chance to try something new, develop new skills, and create lasting memories with friends and family.

At all afternoon sessions, children of all ages can enjoy water fights, Nerf wars, laser tag battles, and a variety of sports activities like football, rounders, dodgeball, basketball, tennis, and archery. The programme runs 2-4pm every week day between Monday 24 July - Friday 1 September (excluding Bank Holiday Monday) at the following locations:

• Monday: Grundy Park

• Tuesday: Cedars Park

• Wednesday: Cheshunt Park (plus the exciting new session at 4-7pm for ages 12+)

• Thursday: Barclay Park

• Friday: Fishers Close Park

No advanced booking is required; simply sign in at the beginning of the session and let the adventure begin!

National Play Day

Join Broxbourne Council on Wednesday, 9 August to celebrate National Play Day in Cheshunt Park. From 12noon-4pm the park will transform into a vibrant playground, offering a range of activities for all ages. Rediscover the magic of traditional games, inflatable fun, and sporting activities. So gather your loved ones, bring a picnic, and immerse yourselves in a day of laughter, connection, and pure fun.

HAPpy Activity Camps

Looking for an engaging and structured environment for your children this summer? Look no further than the HAPpy Activity Camps at the John Warner Sports Centre (Hoddesdon), Isabella House Nursery (Waltham Cross), and the new cycling camp at Wormley Playing Fields. Aimed at children aged 5-16 who are eligible for free school meals, these camps offer sports, arts and crafts, games, and a healthy nutritious meal, promoting physical fitness, creativity, and social interaction. It is the perfect opportunity for children to make new friends, learn new skills, and have fun in a safe and supervised setting. To book a place at one of the camps, ask your child’s school for a code and then visit www.sportinherts.org.uk/happy/booking.

Waltham Cross

SUMMER oF FUN!

JULY- SEPTEMBER 2023

Summer of Fun in Waltham Cross

An exciting programme of events is taking place in the Waltham Cross ‘Summer of Fun’!

Every Saturday in July, August and September, Waltham Cross will host a series of free entertainment including face painting, circus workshops, balloon making, magic shows and more*. Activities will take place between 11am and 3pm in Queen Eleanor Square. Complete a quiz on the day and write why you love Waltham Cross to enter a prize draw to win a family ticket to see a show at the Spotlight. Winners will be announced in October.

In addition, the outdoor cinema will return to the square on Tuesday 22 August where a range of family friendly films will be shown throughout the day.

Do not miss out on these fantastic free events. Follow the Council’s social media (see page footer) to keep up to date with the programme.

*Activities are funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK, investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

Town Centre events

Waltham Cross

• Summer of Fun

July – September

• Classic Car Day

Saturday 5 August

• Outdoor Cinema

Tuesday 22 August

• Eleanor Cross Cycle Ride

Monday 28 August

• Celebrating our Community

Sunday 1 October

• Half Term Fun Fair

Saturday 21 – Tuesday 24 October

• Pop-Up Pumpkin Patch

Thursday 26 October

Hoddesdon

• Outdoor Cinema

Tuesday 15 August

• Rock around the Clock Tower

Sunday 20 August

• Food and Drink Fest

Saturday 16 September

• Hoddesdon Loves Christmas

Saturday 25 November

• Festival of Carols

6/8/13 December

• New Year Fair – Friday 29

December – Tuesday 2 January

Other events

Cheshunt Park

• National Playday

Wednesday 9 August

Lee Valley White Water Centre

Monday 24 July - Friday 1 September (excluding Bank Holiday Monday)

Drop-off between 8.30-9.30am and pick-up between 4.30-5.30pm.

Limited spaces available. Advance booking only. Book online via the website or call on 01992 445375.

Cost: £23.65 per day

*4-12 years

• This Girl Can Festival

Saturday 22 July

• Canoe Slalom World Championships – Tuesday 19 September to Sunday 24

September

Parent and Baby Yoga NEW

at Studio Escape

Becoming a parent can place new stress on your body and mind. Why not dedicate time to calmly focus, adjust and connect with your body and your baby at these new parent and baby yoga sessions.

Sessions are suitable for any parent or carer with a baby from six weeks old to crawling. You do not need to have any previous yoga experience.

Benefits include:

• Stronger back, abdominal and pelvic floor muscles

• Less tension in the back, shoulders and neck muscles

• Improved posture

• Decreased stress and increased relaxation

• Rejuvenated mind and increased energy

• Breathing techniques that can help get you and your baby to sleep

For more information and session times, visit bebroxbourne.co.uk/babyyoga

Learn

to teach!

Are you searching for a rewarding career that is well paid, flexible, sociable and keeps you active?

If you have basic water skills, a willingness to learn and good communication skills, why not train to become a swimming teacher?

You could qualify as a Level 2 instructor in as little as six months and you will be guaranteed a flexible, permanent job earning £19.40 per hour.

For more information email the Group Swimming Coordinator on hello@bebroxbourne.co.uk

Activities for seniors at Laura Trott Leisure Centre

Those aged 65 and over can take part in a variety of group activity sessions at Laura Trott Leisure Centre.

Activities include Badminton, short mat bowls, table tennis, swimming, bowls and gym sessions, and all for a concession price.

Find out more at bebroxbourne. co.uk/activities/ seniors

Active Herts

Active Herts, the Borough’s exercise on referral programme, launched in January 2016 and has now seen around 3,000 referrals.

Each participant will receive six weeks of free activity to help them become more active. After the initial six weeks of activity there is a small fee of £4 per session. There are many exercise sessions on offer each week including swimming, health walks, low impact circuits and stretch and relax classes.

To be eligible for the Active Herts programme, you need to answer ‘yes’ to the following questions:

• Do you currently do less than 30 minutes of physical activity (that raises your breathing) each week?

• Are you over 16 years of age?

• Do you live in the Borough of Broxbourne?

If you meet the above criteria, please contact Broxbourne’s Get Active Specialists to arrange a consultation. They will help signpost suitable exercise sessions which are tailored for your individual needs and ability level.

Andrew Rix: 07506 503316 or email Andrew.rix@broxbourne.gov.uk Brian Aggett: 07970 833045 or email Brian.Aggett@broxbourne.gov.uk

For further information visit www.activeherts.org.uk

“I hated exercise when I first started. I couldn’t even roll my shoulders for a warm up without wincing, my joints were so stiff. Now I love feeling fitter, stronger and socially included”. Rose, Active Herts participant

Learn to ride a bike with free adult sessions at Wormley Playing Fields!

Taking place on Saturday 5, 12 and 19 August, from 10 am to 12noon, the experienced instructors will guide you through the basics, from balancing to pedalling confidently.

No bike or helmet? No problem - all equipment is provided. Discover the joy of cycling, improve your fitness, and explore the beautiful surroundings. Do not miss this opportunity to learn a valuable skill and embrace the freedom of riding a bike.

Contact community@broxbourne.go.uk for more information and to book.

Thank you to those who volunteer

VOLUNTEERING in the Borough of Broxbourne

Volunteers are the heroes of the community making invaluable contributions to the areas they live in, supporting the work of the Council in different areas.

There are many opportunities for residents to become involved and make the Borough an even better place to live and work:

Friends Groups are passionate about the work they do in parks and open spaces such as Cedars Park, Old Highway, Barclay Park, Wormley Open Spaces and Cheshunt Park. Friends Groups carry out regular tasks including litter picking and weeding, tidying and, in the case of Cedars Park, bee-keeping.

The Wednesday volunteers undertake small construction projects such as replacement trellis and fencing as well as hedge planting, pruning and tree planting in open spaces across the Borough.

The Council’s Adopt a Street programme encourages individuals and community groups to help keep their local area clean and tidy in between scheduled street cleaning by the Council, or as oneoff events in a particular area. Litter picking equipment and collection is provided by the Council.

The Broxbourne Health Walk Scheme promotes physical activity by offering free led walks for people of all ages and abilities. If you are interested in becoming a Health Walk leader the Council will provide free training via the Ramblers Association.

The Broxbourne Citizens’ Panel has been established to provide an opportunity for local residents and businesses who are willing to give their views about Council services, policies and neighbourhood improvements.

To sign up visit www.broxbourne. gov.uk/citizenspanel.

If you would like to get involved in any of the above activities or for more information, please email community@broxbourne.gov.uk

There are other opportunities to volunteer, working with local organisations to deliver support to those that need it. Visit the Broxbourne Volunteer Centre at www.communities1st.org.uk/ why-volunteer, telephone 01727 649950 or email volunteer@ communities1st.org.uk to find out more.

I have been a volunteer Walks Leader for many years. For me it is a joy to see these people join in and make new friends. That gives me a lot of satisfaction and makes it all worthwhile

Frank Sluter,

Health Walk leader

Broxbourne Council would like to thank each and every volunteer in the Borough for the hard work they do and the support they provide, not only to the Council, but to other organisations and individuals.

Whether it is helping with uniformed organisations, coaching a youth football team, collecting provisions for a food bank, or in any other role, your support is appreciated.

The Council holds an annual awards ceremony, the Borough of Broxbourne Awards, which recognises the hard work and dedication of local people and organisations in making Broxbourne an even better place to live. Please do consider nominating anyone you think deserves an award when nominations open later this year. Details will be in the December edition of this magazine.

I’ve been litter picking for over 20 years and get a great sense of satisfaction for giving something back to the community. I find it quite therapeutic as I’m only thinking about clearing the rubbish - all worries go on the back burner!

Elizabeth Adopt-a-streetAmbrose,volunteer

I joined the Council’s ‘adopta-street’ programme in order to help improve my local environment. I have found my efforts satisfying and very worthwhile. I would recommend other residents to support this scheme

Murray Scott, Adopt-a-street volunteer

Lowewood Museum exhibitions

Currently on display at Lowewood Museum is an exhibition embracing the highs and lows that impacted and defined those from the Windrush Generation. The exhibition features a series of interviews with members of the local community sharing their own experiences of arriving in Britain. The exhibition is open until 16 September 2023.

This autumn will see Borough Beats: Rock and Roll in the Borough: 1950s - 1970s, which tells the story of the many performers and musicians in the local area who were inspired by the fashionable new sound of rock and roll coming from America.

Do you remember seeing these groups perform locally from the 1950s – 1970s? If so, the museum would love to hear from you! Please send your memories to info@ lowewoodmuseum.org.uk

Lowewood Museum, High Street Hoddesdon, is open Friday and Saturday, 10am-4pm

Canoe Slalom World Championships 2023

Get ready for the adrenaline-packed Canoe Slalom World Championships, which will be held at the Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross from 19-24 September.

Join the enthusiastic crowd, cheer on Team GB, and be captivated by awe-inspiring performances.

With individual and team races in the kayak and canoe events, as well as the dramatic kayak cross, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. As well as the

coveted World Championship titles on offer, athletes from all nations will be competing to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Secure your spot by getting your tickets today at www.

britishcanoeingevents.org.uk/ slalom2023/tickets.

Affordable Homes available to buy in Broxbourne

Further opportunities to purchase a shared ownership home in Broxbourne from local housing associations have emerged as part of new developments in the Borough. These homes are prioritised for Broxbourne residents or those working in the Borough.

What is Shared Ownership?

Shared ownership is a home-buying scheme that allows you to buy a minimum 10% share of a property and pay rent to the housing association for the shares you do not yet own.

Shared ownership is an exciting opportunity to join the property ladder in an affordable way. Over time, more shares can be purchased providing the opportunity to own the home outright. This is known as ‘staircasing’.

Am I Eligible?

There are eligibility requirements to qualify for shared ownership, such as having an annual household income of less than £80,000 and you must be able to afford a deposit and mortgage payments for a home suitable for your needs. Further eligibility requirements can be found at www.sharetobuy.com

A Taster of our Autumn season @

1999 The Ultimate Prince Experience

Friday 1 September, 7.30pm

Big Girls Don’t Cry The Internationallyacclaimed tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons

Saturday 16 September, 7.30pm

The Dreamboys No Strings Attached

Thursday 5 October, 8pm

Psychic Sally Britain’s Best Loved Psychic live on stage

Wednesday 11 October, 7.30pm

Greatest Love of All A Tribute to Whitney Houston Monday 16 October, 7.30pm

Big Fish Little Fish, Family Rave! Monster Ball

Sunday 22 October, 2 – 4pm

Mum’s The Word From Netflix and EastEnders Cheryl Fergison

Saturday 4 November, 7.30pm

Cinderella A Traditional Family Pantomime You shall go to the Ball! 12 – 30 December

Now serving freshly prepared authentic stone baked Italian pizza. Doors and bar open one hour prior to performance start time.

Box office: 01992 441946 Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm Book online at thespotlightvenue.com

The Spotlight, High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8BE

BOROUGH OF BROXBOURNE

Broxbourne Borough Council has 30 members elected to represent residents from all Borough wards.

There are 27 Conservative Group Councillors and three Labour Group Councillors.

Councillors are elected for a four year term. The role of a councillor includes:

• Agreeing Council policy

• Deciding priorities for the Council

• Setting the level of council tax and the Council’s budget

• Making certain decisions on matters such as planning and licensing

• Representing the Council and the Borough at meetings and on outside bodies

• Helping individuals living in their ward.

You may contact your local Councillor to talk about local issues or problems in your area by telephone or via the following email format, cllr.[surname]@broxbourne.gov.uk. Surnames must be written in full as underlined on the adjacent Councillor profiles.

2. HODDESDON TOWN & RYE PARK

3. BROXBOURNE & HODDESDON SOUTH David Taylor

4. WORMLEY & TURNFORD Mark Mills-Bishop 07812

Connolly

7. CHESHUNT NORTH

Mobbs

Crump

Siracusa

9. CHESHUNT SOUTH & THEOBALDS

Conservative Labour