Good Morning! Happy Friday!!

With just five days to go until Christmas, many are preparing for their final weekend travels. The RAC motoring group has predicted that nearly 14 million drivers will take to the roads this weekend, and with rail disruptions expected, congestion is likely to be significant. If you have travel plans, make sure to check your route in advance and start your journey early to avoid delays.

Today’s edition is a little different. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible support you’ve shown Broxtown this year. I’ll also be sharing some exciting plans for 2025 and, at the end, asking for a small favor where your input will be invaluable.

If you’re new to Broxtown, welcome! This is your local source for good vibes, community stories, and content that informs, connects, and inspires. We’re always eager to hear your thoughts, so feel free to drop us a line with your suggestions.

Let’s dive in! 🎄✨

A Year-End Message from the Founder of Broxtown Newsletter

As the year draws to a close, I want to take this moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for choosing to stay with Broxtown Newsletter and for being an integral part of the local stories we share. Over the past few months, it has been an absolute privilege to bring you news and updates from across Broxbourne. The journey has been nothing short of amazing for us, and your continued support has made it all the more special.

We’ve been humbled by the incredible feedback and positive messages flooding our inbox. Your words of encouragement inspire us to keep pushing forward. I’ve had the pleasure of connecting personally with some of you and your families, and it’s been a joy to see how our stories resonate and build a sense of community.

As we head into 2025, a year that brings its own challenges—particularly with the devolution agenda looming—we trust our local leaders to navigate these changes in ways that benefit us all. At Broxtown, we remain committed to being your trusted local news source, bringing you the latest on community happenings, back-room updates, events, and stories that uplift and connect.

We promise to steer clear of doom-and-gloom headlines and sensational clickbait. Instead, we aim to bring hope, celebrate community champions, and spotlight the unsung heroes and businesses that make Broxbourne such a remarkable place to live and work.

As we embrace the holiday season, I want to personally wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Together, let’s look forward to another year of sharing good vibes, fostering community spirit, and highlighting the very best of Broxbourne.

Warm regards,
Emeka Ogbonnaya
Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Broxtown Newsletter

Broxtown’s Editor-in-Chief Sharing Behind The Scenes Stories And 2025 Plans

Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of interacting with many of you, and I continue to be amazed by your passion, insights, and unwavering support for Broxtown Newsletter. Your thoughtful feedback, kind words, and encouragement have been a source of immense motivation for us. Many of you have highlighted the dedication and consistency we’ve shown in delivering local news five days a week, and while we’re proud of what we’ve built together, I want to share a bit of what happens behind the scenes.

Running Broxtown has been a labour of love—a passion project fueled by a deep commitment to our community. However, balancing this with full-time jobs and personal responsibilities has sometimes taken a toll. To be transparent, Broxtown isn’t profitable yet, but that hasn’t stopped us from pouring our energy into creating content that informs, connects, and inspires. Your engagement and support are what keep us going.

That said, as we look ahead to the new year, it’s clear we need to make some changes to ensure Broxtown can continue to grow, innovate, and serve the community for years to come. These changes aren’t just about us—they’re about all of you. Broxtown is, after all, for the people, by the people.

Here’s where we need your help.

Your Voice Matters: Shaping Broxtown’s Future

We want to hear from you—our readers, our community, and our greatest supporters. Below is a survey where you can share your thoughts on some of the changes we’re considering:

1. Adjusting Our Frequency

   While we’ve loved delivering local news five days a week, the workload has become unsustainable. We’re looking to reduce the frequency of updates to maintain quality and consistency, but we want to know: how much of a reduction would work for you?

2. Supporting Local Businesses

   We’re passionate about helping local businesses thrive and bringing customers to their doors. We have a few ideas for initiatives to support this, but we’d love to know: what do you think would be most effective?

3. Making Broxtown Sustainable

   To continue producing high-quality local news, we need to find ways to fund our efforts. We’re exploring options to grow Broxtown and generate income—from sponsorships to subscriptions—but your input will help guide us. What would you like to see, and how do you think we should approach this?

How You Can Help

Your voice is crucial in shaping Broxtown’s future. Please take a few moments to complete the survey linked below. Your feedback will help us make informed decisions that align with the needs and expectations of our community.

As we navigate these changes, our mission remains the same: to be a trusted, positive, and uplifting source of local news that celebrates our community, connects neighbors, and fosters growth.

Thank you for being an integral part of Broxtown’s journey. With your help, we can create a platform that’s not only sustainable but also a true reflection of the vibrant community we all call home.

Calling All Local Storytellers, Writers and Content Creators.

As local news faces challenges like the decline of print media, dwindling trust in traditional outlets, and social media algorithms prioritising everything but community stories, Broxtown stands as the last frontier for authentic, local storytelling. We’re here to connect, inform, and celebrate the people who live and work in our community—and we need your help.

Broxtown is on a mission to keep local news alive, driven by one simple goal: to provide reliable, community-centered information that fosters connection and identity. With no ulterior motives, our purpose is clear: Broxtown is for the people, by the people.

Why Join Us?

As a journalist, writer, or content creator, your voice matters here. Joining Broxtown means:

• Shaping the Narrative: Share stories that matter most to our community, from local businesses to sports, entertainment, and even the latest neighborhood gossip.

• Making a Difference: Be part of a platform that prioritizes trust and authenticity over clickbait.

• Creative Fulfillment: Tell the stories that you’re passionate about and see their impact on your neighbors and community.

• Expanding Horizons: Collaborate with like-minded individuals to grow Broxtown’s reach and explore diverse topics.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for contributors to help us expand our coverage in:

• Local Business: Highlighting entrepreneurs, hidden gems, and thriving local industries.

• Entertainment: Covering events, cultural happenings, and local talents.

• Sports: Reporting on grassroots teams, school competitions, and community leagues.

• Gossip: Yes, the lighthearted chatter that keeps us all connected!

Why Now?

AI-generated content, social media noise, and national outlets can’t capture the heart of our community. That’s where you come in. Your voice and stories have the power to bring people together, create understanding, and celebrate the unique identity of Broxbourne.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Changes to Waste Collection Dates

If your usual waste collection is scheduled for Monday 23rd, Tuesday 24th, or Wednesday 25th December, please note that your collection date will be brought forward.

To find your exact collection date, click the button:

Recycling Cardboard Waste? ♻️

• Please fold cardboard flat and break it down to a size no bigger than the base of your kerbside box or communal recycling bin.

Thank you for your cooperation and helping us keep collections running smoothly this festive season!

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday: 

9°C 🌡️ 4°C | 🌧️ Light rain and gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 08:04 Sunset 15:52

Saturday:

14°C 🌡️ 6°C | 🌧️ Light rain and moderate breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 08:05 Sunset 15:52

Sunday

14°C 🌡️ 6°C | ☁️ Gusty winds and sunny intervals | ☀️ Sunrise 08:05 Sunset 15:53

Broxtown referral program

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—See You Monday!

Have questions or suggestions to improve our newsletter? Got a story to share? Email us at [email protected].

Interested in advertising with us? Drop us a line at the same email address.

If someone forwarded this email to you, be sure to thank them—and don’t miss out next time! Subscribe here.

Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

Cheers,
The Broxtown Team