Good morning and welcome to Broxtown!

It’s Tuesday, 8 April, and with spring sunshine and school holidays in full swing, it’s the perfect time to swap screen time for park playtime! We’re also just one month away from the 80th VE Day celebrations—plenty of local events to look forward to.

A big thank you to everyone who came out for the Old Persons Fair last week—it was a real highlight, and I loved meeting some of you in person. More community events are in the works, so stay tuned!

🎙️ Our exclusive interview with Broxbourne MP Lewis Cocking is now live—click here to listen, and let me know if you'd like to be our next featured voice.

🧢 The Space Edition Broxtown merch has landed! Grab yours to support local journalism and rep your borough in style. And if you haven’t voted yet, the Broxtown Jigsaw Puzzle Poll is still open—have your say here.

Now, here’s what’s making headlines this week:

• Old Persons Fair was a resounding success

• Broxbourne to celebrate VE Day at Grundy Park 8th May

• Street Parties, Food & Friendship Near You Soon

• £1 Million Boost to Warm Up Broxbourne Homes

A big welcome to all our new subscribers—it's great to have you in the Broxtown family! Got thoughts, tips, or stories to share? We’d love to hear from you.

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LOCAL NEWS

Broxbourne to Mark 80th Anniversary of VE Day with Beacon Lighting at Grundy Park

This year marks a significant milestone in our shared history—the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, when the Second World War came to an end in Europe on Thursday 8 May 2025. Across the UK and Commonwealth, communities are being invited to come together to remember and honour the generation who served and sacrificed during the conflict.

Broxbourne Council will mark the occasion with a Beacon Lighting Ceremony at Grundy Park, symbolising a national tribute to peace and victory. The event will include local entertainment, and more details will be released in the coming weeks.

Later in the summer, Lowewood Museum will open a special exhibition, “Broxbourne at War”, showcasing local memories, stories, and artefacts from the wartime years. Residents are encouraged to contribute by emailing [email protected] or calling 01992 445596.

It’s a time to reflect, remember, and reconnect—with our past and with each other.

Street Parties, Food & Friendship: How Broxbourne Can Celebrate VE Day 80

The Government is encouraging communities to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with street parties and neighbourhood gatherings—and Broxbourne is getting ready to join in.

The recommended day for local celebrations is Monday 5 May 2025, a designated Bank Holiday, which is being themed as the Great British Food Festival. Inspired by the original VE Day spirit of 1945, it’s a chance to come together over classic British dishes, good conversation, and warm community vibes.

If you’re planning a street party on a public road, you’ll need to apply for permission to close the street through Hertfordshire County Council. Most applications are free—especially if the street is residential and not on a bus route.

🗓️ Last day to Apply was 6th April 2025, if you missed the boat, try your last luck now;
🔗 Apply here

Helpful guidance on organising your party safely is also available on the GOV.UK site.

Let’s make VE Day 80 not just a commemoration, but a celebration of community.

Host a VE Day Street Party? Your Community Could Be a Tip Top Town!

Planning a VE Day street party in Broxbourne? You could earn national recognition as a “Tip Top Town”.

As part of the UK-wide VE Day 80 celebrations, residents are invited to share photos and stories from their events on social media using the hashtag #VE80 or by submitting them to the official Tip Top Towns page:
🔗 Submit your town here

Selected entries will be added to a national VE Day celebration map, and participating communities will receive official certificates for their involvement.

This is a fun and meaningful way to not only remember our history, but showcase the unique energy of Broxbourne’s neighbourhoods. So get your bunting ready, dig out your nan’s recipes, and bring the street to life!

Grants Available for VE Day 80 Events – Apply Now to Fund Your Community Celebration

If you’re part of a community group or organisation in Broxbourne and planning an event for VE Day 80, you might be eligible for funding.

The National Lottery Community Fund has made its ‘Awards for All’ programme available to help cover costs related to commemorative events. That means your group could receive a grant to support decorations, refreshments, entertainment, and more.

🔗 Apply for funding here

This is a fantastic opportunity to bring your community together and get the support you need to make it a memorable celebration.

Don’t wait too long—these grants are expected to be in high demand!

Swap Screen Time for Real Adventures This Easter – Try Hertfordshire’s Fifty Thrifty

This Easter holiday, instead of letting the kids spend their days glued to devices, why not turn the holiday into a chance to reconnect, explore, and make memories together?

Hertfordshire’s Fifty Thrifty Adventures is your go-to guide for keeping kids busy without breaking the bank. Packed with 50 brilliant free or low-cost activities, it’s the perfect way to keep boredom at bay—and bond as a family.

Whether it's a nature walk, a bike ride, or a fun bus trip to a local gem, there’s something for everyone, right across the county. With options from north to south Hertfordshire, it’s never been easier to explore your surroundings and enjoy quality time.

So ditch the screens, grab your trainers or scooters, and make this Easter holiday one to remember—with adventure, fresh air, and real connection.

📍 Explore the full list of ideas and get going: Fifty Thrifty Adventures

Kids Eat Free This Easter Holiday – Where to Go in Hertfordshire

As families across Hertfordshire juggle holiday plans and rising costs, many local eateries are stepping up to lend a hand this Easter Holiday. A range of restaurants and cafés are offering free or heavily discounted meals for children, making it the perfect time for families to dine out without breaking the bank.

From supermarket cafés to high street favourites, kids can eat for free or for as little as £1—and sometimes even enjoy extras like fruit or dessert. Parents are encouraged to make the most of these offers, which not only ease financial pressure but help turn mealtime into quality time away from screens.

Here's a roundup of where kids can eat for free (or less) this Easter holiday:

🛒 Asda Cafes

• Kids eat for £1 all day, every day – no adult spend required

• Free fruit with kids’ meal + free Ella’s baby food pouches

• Valid until end of 2025

🍳 Beefeater

• Two kids eat free breakfast with one paying adult

• Newsletter sign-up often includes extra free meal vouchers

• More info

🇮🇹 Bella Italia

• Kids eat free all day Thursday

• £1 meals Sunday–Wednesday before 6pm with adult main

• More info

🍽️ Brewers Fayre

• Up to two kids (under 16) eat free breakfast with one adult breakfast

• More info

🌱 Dobbies Garden Centres

• Kids eat free every day with adult breakfast or lunch

• More info

🍔 Frankie & Benny’s

• Kids eat free with every adult main meal

• Valid: 31 March – 27 April 2025

• More info

🛋️ IKEA

• Kids pasta and drink for 95p / other meals £1.50

• Friday special: Pasta, fruit + drink for just 45p

• More info

🛒 Morrisons Cafés

• Kids eat free with any adult main over £5

• Valid daily including holidays

• More info

☕ Pausa Cafés at Dunelm

• One free kids’ meal with every £4 adult spend

• Includes mini main, 2 snacks + drink

• Find your local

🏨 Premier Inn

• All-you-can-eat breakfast: £9.99, kids eat free (under 16)

• More info

🍻 Sizzling Pubs

• Kids eat for £1 (Mon–Fri, 3–7pm) with every adult main

• More info

🏨 Travelodge

• Breakfast: £9.75, up to two kids under 15 eat free

• More info

🍣 YO! Sushi

• Kids eat free Mon–Fri during school holidays with £10 adult spend

• More info

👀 Keep an eye out—other venues across Hertfordshire are also offering temporary kids’ discounts this Easter, and Broxtown will continue to update you as new deals emerge.

📲 Follow us on social media for the latest family-friendly food offers, local events, and Easter holiday ideas!

MEME of The Day

UPCOMING EVENTS

🧱 Easter LEGO Club – Drop In & Build!

Join us for Easter-themed LEGO fun this April! Use your creativity and STEM skills to build egg-cellent creations 🐣

🗓️ Monday 7 April & Wednesday 16 April
🕒 3–4 PM
🎟️ £4.40 per child | Ages 5+
📍 Just turn up – no booking needed!

🎨📚 Art & Literature Festival – Hertford

Saturday 12 April | 12 PM – 4 PM

Join us for a vibrant afternoon celebrating art, literature, and creativity in the heart of Hertford! This free community event is suitable for all ages and packed with exciting things to see and do.

🎨 What’s On:

• Art, craft & literature stalls

• Creative activities & hands-on workshops

• Live music & dance performances

• Free Book Exchange with Herts Book Festival – Bring a book, take a book!

• Explore Hertford Castle – open to the public for free (donations welcome to the Mayor of Hertford’s Appeal Fund)

📍 Location: Hertford Castle & Grounds
🎟️ Free entry | Donations welcome

Come along, get inspired, and celebrate the stories, talents, and artistic spirit of Hertfordshire!

Tuesday Weather. ☀️ ☀️ 

Tuesday

16°C 🌡️ 1°C | ☀️ Sunny and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 06:20 Sunset 19:45

Thanks for Reading—See You Tuesday!

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Have a fab Day!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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