Good morning and welcome to Broxtown!

It’s Friday, 25th April—and what a week it’s been!

The month has flown by, and with spring nearly behind us, we’ve had more than our fair share of sunshine (with more on the way next week). But this week? It’s felt like a whole season packed into just a few days.

We began with Easter Monday, a bank holiday marked by reflection and sadness following the passing of Pope Francis. May his soul rest in peace.

By Tuesday, we turned our focus to the planet, joining millions in celebrating Earth Day. If you're looking for meaningful ways to support biodiversity and climate sustainability, click here to learn more.

Then came Wednesday, where we proudly waved the red and white in celebration of St George’s Day, joining communities across England in honouring our patron saint.

Today’s edition includes a thoughtful guest editorial—be sure to check it out. If you’d like to submit your own story or contribute a guest piece, we’re always listening.

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Here’s what’s making the headlines today:

• 🏴 St George’s Day in Broxbourne

• 🍽️ A Dinner Farewell for the Mayor

• ✏️ Parents and SATs Support

• ✍️ Guest Editorial on A Borough on the Rise

• 📆 Weekend Events and What’s Ahead

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News at a Glance

Honouring England’s Patron Saint: St George’s Day in Broxbourne

Each year on April 23rd, communities across England celebrate St George’s Day, honouring the nation’s patron saint known for his legendary courage and chivalry. St George, a Roman soldier and Christian martyr, is famously remembered for the tale of slaying a dragon—a symbol of bravery and the triumph of good over evil. The St George’s Cross, a bold red cross on a white background, has become a proud emblem of English identity.

Here in Broxbourne Borough, residents joined the national spirit with St George’s flags proudly displayed throughout the area, mirroring the celebration led by Hertfordshire County Council. Local businesses added a lively touch online, sharing themed social posts and inviting the community to join in the festivities.

But the celebration isn’t over yet.

The borough is now preparing for the grand event this Saturday at Grundy Park, promising a fun-filled day with activities that are sure to excite—including dog races and more. While the weather forecast has been a bit unpredictable, we’re keeping a hopeful eye on the skies and checking for updates that might swing things in our favour. Whatever the weather, Broxbourne is ready to honour its traditions and celebrate in true community spirit.

A Fond Farewell from the Mayor of Broxbourne

As her year of civic service comes to an end, Councillor Sherrie McDaid, the Mayor of Broxbourne, is inviting residents to an evening of food, fun, and reflection at the Mayor of Broxbourne’s Finale Dinner. The event will take place on Tuesday 6 May at 7pm at Nonna’s Kitchen, Brewery Road, Hoddesdon, EN11 8HF.

The evening promises to be a celebration of community spirit, featuring music bingo, a table quiz, a raffle, and a three-course set meal—all for £39.95 per person. It’s a perfect way for locals to gather, share memories, and thank the Mayor for her service before she hands over the civic chains.

Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended to be part of this special farewell.

SATs Pressure Mounts as Year 6 Parents Seek Calm Before the Storm

With SATs fast approaching, many parents across Broxbourne are rallying behind their Year 6 children as the final weeks of preparation begin. For 11-year-olds, these national assessments can be a source of anxiety—and for parents, a balancing act between offering support and managing stress levels at home.

Educators and local wellbeing experts agree: the key to a successful SATs season isn’t more pressure—it’s more balance.

Here are three key strategies that can make a real difference:

• Keep it short and sweet: 20-minute revision blocks, spaced with breaks, help children absorb more without burnout.

• Routine is everything: prioritise early nights and structured mornings to keep energy levels consistent.

• Talk more, test less: having open conversations about how your child feels can boost their confidence far more than another past paper.

As one Broxbourne headteacher put it, “The best thing a parent can do in the lead-up to SATs is to help their child feel calm, cared for, and capable.”

📬 Coming up next week in Broxtown: simple, stress-free ways to make revision fun—plus a special SATs Care Pack Giveaway for local families! Don’t miss it.

GUEST EDITORIAL

A Borough on the Rise – But Are We Connecting?

Observation by a local resident

There’s something quietly special unfolding in Cheshunt, Waltham Cross, and Broxbourne. More and more professionals and young families are settling here, drawn by the borough’s unique blend of calm, convenience, and character. I should know—I'm one of them.

The appeal is real: excellent transport links to London via Greater Anglia, Stansted Express, London Overground, and the M25 mean you're never far from the city—when the trains are running on time, that is. Add to that the new developments in Cheshunt, Goffs Oak, and Broxbourne, offering modern homes at relatively affordable prices, and you can see why this place is buzzing.

Ask any local estate agent what their weekends look like and they’ll tell you—viewings, viewings, and more viewings. People are moving in faster than ever, attracted not just by the homes, but by the lifestyle: the lower cost of living, low crime rates, and access to beautiful parks like Cedars Park, Grundy Park, Barclays Park, and the stunning Lee River and Lee Valley trails.

There’s something for everyone—a balance between ancient charm and modern convenience, where village life meets town centre energy. But for all its promise, there’s a subtle challenge here too.

We’re seeing packed train platforms between 7am and 9am, but not packed community halls. We pass each other at the gym, the shops, or at our kids' swimming lessons, but many of us don’t really know the people living next door. We’re all here—but we’re not together.

I felt that myself—until I started making an effort to learn about the borough, get involved in local events, support independent businesses, and just... say hello. It changed everything.

So here’s a thought: what if we created a simple, social meet-up? Nothing formal. Just a chance for old and new residents to connect, chat, and feel part of the place we now call home. It’s time we brought people together—not just in postcode, but in person.

👋 Interested? Let’s make it happen. Drop us a message or stay tuned—because in next week’s Broxtown, we’ll be sharing plans for our first community meet-up, and how you can be part of it.

MEME of The Day

UPCOMING EVENTS

St George’s Family Fun Day

📅 Date: Saturday 26 April
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Grundy Park, Cheshunt

Celebrate St George’s Day 🇬🇧 with an afternoon full of family fun, community spirit, and some tail-wagging excitement 🐾!

Join us at Grundy Park for the St George’s Family Fun Day, featuring games, activities, and entertainment for all ages. One of the day’s main highlights? Our St George’s Day Dog Show 🐶—a joyful and relaxed competition for proud pet owners and dog lovers alike.

🐕 Dog Show Details:
📝 Registration: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (next to the stage)
⏰ Showtime: 2:20 PM – 3:00 PM

Whether you're entering your pooch or just there for the fun, it’s shaping up to be a fantastic community day out.

Mayor of Broxbourne’s Finale Dinner at Nonna’s Kitchen

🎉 Event: Mayor of Broxbourne’s Finale Dinner
📅 Date: Tuesday, 6 May
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Venue: Nonna’s Kitchen, Brewery Road, Hoddesdon, EN11 8HF
💷 Price: £39.95 per person

Join us for a memorable evening as Mayor Sherrie McDaid bids farewell to the community in style! Enjoy a 3-course set meal, music bingo, a table quiz, and an exciting raffle—all in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Nonna’s Kitchen.

🥂 It’s more than dinner—it’s a celebration of Broxbourne’s spirit and the people who make it home.

👉 Limited spaces remain!

Cheshunt Business Networking Meeting

Meet, mingle, and make new business connections at this friendly networking session for local businesses in and around Cheshunt, hosted at Theobalds Enterprise Centre.

📅 Date: Monday 28 April 2025
🕥 Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 noon
📍 Location: Theobalds Enterprise Centre, Cheshunt EN8 8YD
🔗 Register to attend

Waltham Cross Town Centre Business Forum

📆 Date: Less than a week to go!
📍 Location: Waltham Cross Town Centre
💬 Hosted by: Broxbourne Borough Council

Join fellow entrepreneurs and local business owners at the upcoming Waltham Cross Business Forum—a great opportunity to:

🔹 Get the latest regeneration updates
🔹 Network with local business leaders
🔹 Stay informed about what’s happening across Waltham Cross

Whether you're a small business owner, part of a franchise, or planning to set up shop in the area, this forum is your chance to connect and grow.

Landlord & Letting Agent Drop-In Session

Date: Wednesday 30 April
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Council Chambers, Bishop's College, Churchgate, Waltham Cross EN8 9XG
Hosted by: Simple Lets

Are you a landlord or letting agent in the borough? Join us for this informal drop-in session to connect with the Simple Lets team, meet fellow property professionals, and hear directly from the Simple Lets Manager.

Whether you're new to letting or an experienced landlord, this is a great opportunity to network, ask questions, and find out more about how Simple Lets can support you.

Learn more and register your interest: https://ow.ly/Xt9i50Vvw4S

🎤✨ Disco Quiz Night at Mantos Broxbourne!

📅 Thursday, 1st May
📍 Mantos, Broxbourne

Get ready for a night of music, fun, and fierce quiz competition at Mantos’ Disco Quiz Night! 🌟

🎶 Featuring live performances by the fabulous BEX
🎧 A high-energy DJ set to keep the vibes going
🏆 Fun prizes up for grabs
🧠 And of course, a disco-themed quiz night you won’t want to miss!

Bring your friends, test your knowledge, hit the dancefloor, and celebrate the start of May in style!

🎺 Victory in Europe (V-E) Day Commemoration

📅 Date: Sunday 5 May 2024
🕐 Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Broxbourne Masonic Centre, 152 High Road, Broxbourne, EN10 7BS

Join the community in commemorating Victory in Europe Day, marking the end of World War II in Europe. This special afternoon of music, remembrance, and celebration will take place at the Broxbourne Masonic Centre.

Event Highlights Include:

• Live music and performances 🎶

• Community gathering to honour our heroes

• Refreshments and social time with neighbours

This is a family-friendly event, open to all who wish to reflect on the significance of V-E Day while enjoying the warmth of local community spirit.

Weekend Weather

Friday

15°C 🌡️ 6°C | ⛅️ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 05:44 Sunset 20:13

Saturday

17°C 🌡️ 6°C | 🌧️ Light rains and light winds | ☀️ Sunrise 05:42 Sunset 20:15

Sunday

19°C 🌡️ 7°C | ☀️ Sunny and light winds | ☀️ Sunrise 05:40 Sunset 20:17

Get a Birthday Shoutout When Your Refer Us

While sharing Broxtown with your friends is a huge favour to us, we want to make sure your efforts don’t go unnoticed. To show our appreciation, we have some special rewards lined up for those who go above and beyond in helping us grow! 🏆🌟

• Get 3 friends or family to sign up and we will give you a birthday shout out.

• Get 5 folks to join and we will give you and your best mate a birthday shout out

• Get 15 and we’ll pay for your dinner with a friend at a secret restaurant in the Borough.

• Get 100 and I’ll give you a free Broxtown branded hoodie (£65 value).

• And if you somehow get 1,000 I will buy you a Spa Weekend for you and your best friend anywhere in Hertfordshire.

Thanks for Reading!

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Have a fab Weekend!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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