Tuesday, 24th June

Good Morning Reader,

What a treat this weather's been—scorching days followed by beautifully mild evenings. You don't get that combination very often, so we're definitely counting our blessings!

Speaking of weather, it's quite the contrast to this day back in 2005 when Glastonbury Festival was battling serious storms at Pilton. Heavy rain flooded the site, dozens of tents were lost underwater, and lightning knocked out power lines. Thank goodness we're enjoying much kinder conditions—hope you've sorted your tickets for Glastonbury 2025!

In today's edition:

• 🏛️ Hertfordshire County is selling the County Hall

• 📝 SEND survey launched across the county—your voice matters

• 🚧 Revolutionary pothole-fixing machine hits our roads

• 🎉 Broxbourne celebrated community spirit with Windrush Legacies and Armed Forces Day

• ➕ And much more…

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News at a Glance

County Hall Site to be Sold for Alternative Use

Hertfordshire County Council plans to market the entire County Hall site in Hertford for residential or commercial development, with final Cabinet approval scheduled for Monday 23 June.

The decision reverses previous plans to retain the Council Chamber, saving approximately £9.7 million and reducing running costs. County Hall has been marketed for employment use since September 2023 following the council's move to Stevenage Campus, but attracted limited interest.

Democratic meetings will relocate to the Stevenage campus. The Grade II* listed building's heritage features must be protected by potential bidders.

Councillor Chris Lucas said the sale supports making better use of resources and reducing borrowing to invest in vital services. The council will continue renting the site for TV and film projects during the sale process.

Hertfordshire Seeks Input on Future SEND Services

Hertfordshire County Council has launched an online survey and announced a series of in-person listening events across the county for people to share their experiences and ideas about Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision.

The survey will be open for the next 6 weeks (19 June -31 July) and will help shape the upcoming SEND Summit scheduled for September 15th. The engagement aims to inform the development of the county's future SEND strategy.

Councillor Mark Watkin, Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, emphasized the importance of community input: "It's so important that we hear your views. I am determined that a wide range of voices will inform us in the next phase of our improvement journey and help shape the future of our SEND services."

The SEND summit will be an invitation-only event bringing together parent carer representatives, schools, professionals and partners to explore challenges, share learning, and build shared ownership of the changes needed. The summit will also examine national SEND policy developments and their local impact.

Families and professionals can participate in the survey online, with additional listening events being held across Hertfordshire throughout the consultation period.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled: Revolutionary Pothole Machine Hits Hertfordshire Roads

Broxbourne residents, while this exciting trial isn't coming to our streets just yet, it's definitely something to watch out for in the near future!

Hertfordshire County Council's trial of their new pothole-fixing approach started yesterday (June 23rd) in Abbots Langley, Leavesden, Garston and North Watford. For the first time, they're using the innovative Roadmender machine - a revolutionary piece of kit that works like a giant plaster for roads, using asphalt to fix potholes and seal the area in one go.

Here's what makes it special: instead of just patching one pothole and moving on, the crews are identifying and fixing ALL the worst potholes in a section, plus tackling issues that could cause future problems. It's preventative road surgery at its finest!

What we can expect if it comes to Broxbourne:

• A more thorough approach to road repairs

• Less disruption as multiple issues are fixed in one visit

• Better, safer road conditions that should last longer

• Particular benefits for cyclists who are most affected by potholes

The two-week trial runs until July 4th, and if successful, there's real potential for this innovative approach to roll out across our county - which could mean Broxbourne streets getting the same treatment soon.

As Cabinet Member Stephen Giles-Medhurst says, this could be a game-changer for tackling the national pothole problem. So while we wait our turn, it's exciting to know that better road maintenance could be heading our way!

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Broxbourne Borough Leaders Mark Armed Forces Day with Flag-Raising Ceremony

Broxbourne Borough Council honored the armed forces community this morning with a flag-raising ceremony outside the Council offices to mark Armed Forces Day, which takes place on Saturday 28 June.

The ceremony brought together key borough leaders including Council Leader Councillor Corina Gander, Deputy Leader Councillor Steve Wortley, and Councillor Peter Chorley, alongside colleagues and guests, all showing their support for the armed forces community.

The flag-raising event served as the borough's official tribute ahead of the national Armed Forces Day celebrations this Saturday, demonstrating the council's commitment to recognizing and honoring those who serve and have served in our armed forces.

The ceremony reflects Broxbourne's ongoing support for military personnel, veterans, and their families, emphasizing the important role the armed forces community plays in our society.

You Choose: Vote for Waltham Cross Outdoor Cinema

Waltham Cross residents, it's time to grab the popcorn and have your say! The council has launched a poll asking you to choose which movies you'd like to see at the next outdoor cinema event.

You can select your top 3 movie picks from the list, and the films with the highest votes will be screened under the stars for the whole community to enjoy.

The outdoor cinema is scheduled for Tuesday, 19 August in Waltham Cross, promising another fantastic evening of entertainment for all ages.

Don't miss your chance to influence what's on the big screen - whether you're hoping for a family-friendly adventure, a classic feel-good film, or something with a bit more excitement, your vote counts!

Voting is quick and easy, so make sure you get your picks in early. The top 3 movies will be announced ahead of the event, giving everyone something to look forward to on what promises to be a brilliant summer evening out.

Mark your calendars and start thinking about those movie preferences - Waltham Cross outdoor cinema is back!

Windrush Weekend: Broxbourne Borough Celebrates in Style

This weekend showcased the vibrant community spirit across Broxbourne borough, with exceptional Windrush celebrations bringing people together in Waltham Cross and Hoddesdon for an unforgettable weekend of culture and remembrance.

The Windrush Legacies celebrations created an incredible atmosphere across both Saturday and Sunday, transforming the streets into a real Caribbean party. Despite rain threatening what was supposed to be the hottest day of the year, residents endured and embraced every moment with energetic street dancing, uplifting soca calypso music, authentic Caribbean flavors, and powerful personal stories that brought the Windrush legacy to life.

The weekend featured outstanding live performances from Lewis Sycamore, Abdiel Pearl, Hugh Crawford, Panchita Latouche, Shaggy Dagger, Lady Smurf, and many others. DJ Terry G kept the crowd moving all afternoon and evening, with his selection of tunes ensuring there were plenty of "skinny legs wobbling" throughout the celebration.

What made the event truly special were the personal stories shared by performers about the arrival of the Windrush generation, their lasting legacies, and remarkable accomplishments over the years. The Mayor and several councillors were in attendance, showing strong community support for this important celebration.

After Saturday's success in Waltham Cross, the event moved to Hoddesdon on Sunday, where it was met with another excellent turnout and the same infectious energy.

Huge congratulations to the organizers and volunteers who made this weekend possible. If you missed this one, make sure you don't miss the next - it was truly a celebration not to be forgotten!

MEME of The Day

Tuesday Weather ☁️ 

Tuesday

25°C 🌡️ 14°C | ⛅️ Light cloud and a moderate breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 04:42 Sunset 21:23

Thanks for Reading

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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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