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Good morning and Happy Tuesday,

It is 29th April 2025. This day in 2011 saw the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. Our prayers to both of them as they continue to enjoy married life and family. It is also a day before mine - we got married the same weekend in 2011.

Out here however, the sunshine has stayed with us since the weekend, and it looks like we’re in for a warm, balmy week ahead, with temperatures hovering in the mid-20s.

This week, all eyes are on the Hertfordshire County Council elections. In just a few days, residents will have the chance to shape the future of Hertfordshire — whether that means change or continuity. It all comes down to your vote. We encourage everyone to make their voices heard thoughtfully — not out of grievance or frustration, but based on clear, factual understanding of the policies, leadership, and decisions that truly affect our communities, from local services to devolution matters.

In today’s edition:

• Hertfordshire County Council Election Preview

• Local Boroughs Celebrate St George’s Day in Style

• Broxbourne Borough Council Announces VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations

• Free Webinar: Understanding Hertfordshire’s SEND Local Offer

• Community Spotlight: From Waltham Cross to London

• ...and much more!

There’s plenty more to dive into — so keep reading to stay connected and informed.

A very warm welcome to all our new subscribers — thank you for being part of the Broxtown family! As always, we love hearing your thoughts and suggestions. Let’s keep making Broxtown your go-to source for everything local!

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News at a Glance

Hertfordshire County Council Election Preview – 1 May 2025

The upcoming Hertfordshire County Council election will see all 78 seats contested by 424 candidates from five major parties: Conservatives, Greens, Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK.

Current Council Composition:

• Conservatives: 42 seats (majority of 6)

• Liberal Democrats: 22 seats

• Labour: 6 seats

• Independents: 5 seats

• Green Party and Reform UK: 1 seat each

• 1 vacant seat

Party Campaign Highlights:

• Conservatives highlight investments in schools, SEND services, road improvements, and environmental initiatives, promising £1 billion in future investments.

• Green Party pledges to fix roads sustainably, support families, tackle pollution, and end wasteful council spending.

• Labour promises to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, relocate Bishop’s Stortford library, create a SEND taskforce, adopt a zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour, and improve transport.

• Liberal Democrats focus on better SEND support, improved road repairs, expanded EV charging, planting 1.4 million trees, and better use of unused council properties.

• Reform UK criticises council spending and leadership salaries, pledging to audit council finances, tackle pothole issues, reduce wasteful contracts, and oppose unnecessary tax rises.

Voters across Hertfordshire will have the opportunity to shape the future of the county council on Thursday, 1 May 2025.

I will be bringing you the latest on election day straight from County Hall.

Local Boroughs Celebrate St George’s Day in Style

The weekend was filled with festivities as boroughs across the area celebrated the start of St George’s Day in style. In Broxbourne, families enjoyed a lively day out, featuring a special performance of Aladdin, morris dancing, and other exciting acts. Local businesses and charities set up stalls to share information with residents, while rides and activities kept the younger ones entertained throughout the day. It was a fantastic community gathering full of energy and fun.

Grundy Park was a vibrant scene of celebration on St George’s Day, as families from across Broxbourne gathered to enjoy a day packed with entertainment and community spirit. Blessed with warm sunshine, residents relaxed and watched traditional morris dancing and a lively pantomime performance, with the Mayor of Broxbourne making a special appearance on stage of Aladdin to the delight of the crowd.

Throughout the day, council leaders were seen engaging with local businesses, highlighting the borough’s strong support for its community enterprises. Adding to the festive atmosphere, visitors young and old had the opportunity to try their hand at swordplay activities, a playful nod to England’s patron saint.

The event truly captured the essence of a family-friendly community celebration, offering fun, laughter, and plenty of memorable moments. A huge thank you goes to the dedicated council staff and volunteers whose hard work and enthusiasm ensured the day was a resounding success.

The St George’s Day Family Fun Day at Grundy Park marked a perfect start to the borough’s spring festivities — and we look forward to the V Day coming up shortly.

Broxbourne Borough Council Announces VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations

Broxbourne Borough Council will commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday, 8 May 2025, with a day of events celebrating peace and honouring wartime sacrifices.

The programme includes a flag-raising ceremony at the Council Offices, a Remembrance Service at Cedars Park, and an evening of live music, military displays, and the lighting of a beacon at Grundy Park.

Additional highlights include a special screening of The Darkest Hour at The Spotlight Theatre, the launch of a WW2 historical map, and the opening of the ‘Broxbourne at War’ exhibition at Lowewood Museum in July. Town centres will be decorated with bunting to mark the occasion.

Residents are warmly invited to take part in the celebrations throughout the day.

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.

FROM COUNTY COUNCIL

Hertfordshire Launches 2025 County Travel Survey

Hertfordshire County Council has launched the 2025 County Travel Survey, running from 22 April to 16 June 2025. The survey invites selected residents to share their travel habits and experiences across the county.

The feedback collected will play a vital role in helping the Council measure, plan, and improve transport infrastructure and services throughout Hertfordshire. Accurate insights from the survey will guide future projects aimed at making travel easier, safer, and more sustainable for everyone.

Participants who complete and return their questionnaires by 16 June 2025 will be eligible for a prize draw.

Residents selected to take part are encouraged to respond and contribute to shaping the future of transport in the county.

Free Webinar: Understanding Hertfordshire’s SEND Local Offer

Hertfordshire County Council is hosting a free webinar to help families learn more about the Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer, a dedicated resource providing information, support, and services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The webinar will take place on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, at 8pm. Participants will be guided through the Local Offer website, showing how to easily access a wide range of support and resources available across Hertfordshire.

This session is ideal for parents, carers, and families who want to better understand the services available to them and how to navigate the Local Offer platform.

For more information, visit the Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer Facebook page.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

What You Didn't Know About Waltham Cross and Charing Cross — Now You Know!

Many of us pass by Waltham Cross almost daily, seeing the grand stone monument near the town centre without a second thought. Some of us hop on a train to London and step out at Charing Cross station, the heart of the capital. But did you know that these two places — one here in Broxbourne, one in the middle of London — are forever connected by a story of love, grief, and royal devotion?

Both Waltham Cross and Charing Cross are part of an extraordinary chapter in our shared history — they are two of the original Eleanor Crosses, built over 700 years ago by King Edward I.

In 1290, Queen Eleanor of Castile, Edward’s beloved wife, died in Nottinghamshire. Stricken with grief, Edward ordered that a beautifully carved stone cross be erected at every overnight stop made by her funeral procession as her body was transported to Westminster Abbey for burial. In total, twelve memorial crosses were built — and Waltham Cross was one of them.

Our very own Waltham Cross, still standing proudly today, marks the place where Queen Eleanor’s body rested on its final journey south. Crafted by medieval stonemasons with incredible skill and care, the monument remains one of only three surviving Eleanor Crosses in England.

Charing Cross, near Trafalgar Square in London, was the last of these stops. Although the original medieval structure no longer survives, the name "Charing Cross" lives on, now synonymous with London’s bustling heart. A Victorian replica of the cross stands outside Charing Cross Station, a nod to its historic roots.

So next time you stroll through Waltham Cross, look up at the intricate stonework. You’re standing at a site woven into the royal tapestry of England’s past — a place tied to love, memory, and the very founding of one of London’s most iconic landmarks.

Now you know — and it’s one more reason to be proud of our borough’s hidden stories.

MEME of The Day

UPCOMING EVENTS

VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations

🗓️ Dates: Thursday 8 May – Friday 9 May 2025
📍 Locations: Cheshunt, Waltham Cross, and Hoddesdon

Join Broxbourne Borough Council as we mark 80 years since VE Day with a series of special events:

Thursday, 8 May:

• 9:00am – Flag Raising Ceremony at the Council Offices, Cheshunt

• 9:30am – Dig for Victory and Remembrance Service at Cedars Park, Waltham Cross

• 6:00pm onwards – Family event at Grundy Park, Cheshunt, featuring music, military vehicles, food, and the lighting of the beacon at 9:30pm

Friday, 9 May:

• The Darkest Hour film screenings at The Spotlight, Hoddesdon

Celebrate, remember, and reflect with your community.

🎖️ Learn more: www.broxbourne.gov.uk/veday80

Family Fun Fest at The Bulls Head

🗓️ Date: Saturday, 3rd May 2025
🕛 Time: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
📍 Venue: The Bulls Head

Join us for a fantastic Family Fun Fest packed with games, sweet treats, face painting, glitter tattoos, festival hair styling, a tombola, and a raffle with great prizes! Enjoy the outdoor bar, cocktails, and live entertainment throughout the afternoon.

🎟️ Activities:

• Games: £2 a go

• Cakes: £2 each

• Sweet cones: £2 each

• Face painting: £5

• Glitter tattoos: £3

• Festival hair: £5–£12

• Tombola: £2 a go

• Raffle: £2 a strip or 3 for £5

🎶 Live music and outdoor bar entertainment all afternoon!

All proceeds will support Cheshunt Animal Rescue and Isobel Hospice. Come along and make a difference!

Windrush Weekender – Celebrate Caribbean & African Culture

🗓️ Date: Sunday, 22nd June 2025
🕚 Time: 11:00am – 7:30pm
📍 Location: Hoddesdon High Street

Experience the vibrant spirit of the Caribbean and African cultures right in the heart of Hoddesdon!
Join us for a day filled with live music, dance performances, delicious food, local crafts, and cultural celebrations as we honour the legacy and vibrancy of the Windrush generation.

🎶 Music
🍗 Food
🛍️ Local Traders
💃 Dance and Culture

Bring your friends and family for a fantastic community celebration — everyone is welcome!

🎉 Let’s celebrate together!

Tuesday Weather ☀️ 🥶 

Tuesday

22°C 🌡️ 7°C | ☀️ Sunny and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 05:36 Sunset 20:21

WORD OF THE DAY

ALACRITY

Today’s Word of the Day is ALACRITY means cheerful readiness, eagerness, or promptness in response. It describes someone doing something quickly and willingly, often with enthusiasm.

How it’s used:

• In a sentence:

  • She accepted the job offer with alacrity.
    (Meaning: She accepted it eagerly and happily.)

  • The volunteers responded with alacrity to the call for help.
    (Meaning: They quickly and enthusiastically offered their assistance.)

Key Ideas:

• It’s positive — showing energy, willingness, and a prompt attitude.

• It’s often used when someone is happy to act, not reluctantly or slowly.

Thanks for Reading—See You Friday!

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Have a fab Week!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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