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October Marks the Start of Black History Month!

October Marks the Start of Black History Month!

Black History Month Starts this Month and Our School Kids Need You; Lewis Cocking MP for Broxbourne Shares His September Update

Emeka Ogbonnaya
October 02, 2024

Good morning and welcome to Broxtown!

Welcome to Broxtown! 🎉 We’re thrilled to have you on board. This is your go-to newsletter, made by residents for residents. From local news and events to sports and a dash of fun, we bring you quick updates straight to your inbox.

We are coming in hot this Wednesday morning with the top borough updates—all in under 5 minutes! ⏱️

October Marks the Start of Black History Month! 🖤✊🏽
Lewis Cocking MP for Broxbourne Shares His September Update 💌
Black History Month 2024: “Reclaiming Narratives” Theme Announced
The Importance of Mental Health Awareness for Commuters 🚂❤️
Technical Glitch at Cheshunt Library Today! 📚💻

Let’s go!

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News at Glance

October Marks the Start of Black History Month! 🖤✊🏽

It’s that time of year again—schools across the borough are diving into Black History Month, celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. This means your kids will likely come home buzzing with new knowledge and a bunch of assignments in hand!

If you want to stay ahead of the game and be ready to answer their curious questions, we’ve got you covered. Here are 5 fun facts about Black History Month that will make you look like a pro:

1️⃣ It Started in the USA: Black History Month was first established in the United States in 1976 by historian Carter G. Woodson. It came to the UK in 1987, where it’s now celebrated every October to reflect on Black British culture and history.

2️⃣ It Has Its Roots in “Negro History Week”: Before Black History Month, there was “Negro History Week,” created in 1926. It was designed to highlight the significant roles Black people played in history, and its success led to the month-long celebration we know today!

3️⃣ Why October?: In the UK, October was chosen because it coincides with the start of the academic year—an ideal time for young people to learn and reflect. It’s also a month of harvest and renewal, symbolizing a time to embrace new narratives.

4️⃣ A Platform for Change: Black History Month isn’t just about celebrating the past—it’s about inspiring change for the future. It’s an opportunity to highlight ongoing social and racial issues, promoting awareness, and encouraging action.

5️⃣ Each Year Has a Theme: Every year, Black History Month focuses on a different theme. This year’s theme is “Reclaiming Narratives,” encouraging the Black community to take ownership of their stories and reshape historical narratives.

Learn these quick facts, and you’ll be ready to impress when your kids start quizzing you on everything Black History Month! 🏆

Any Black History Events in Broxbourne? Let me know 🙂 .

BHM2024

Lewis Cocking MP for Broxbourne Shares His September Update

IIn his latest newsletter, Lewis Cocking shared an overview of his recent parliamentary debates and local activities. He focused on key issues such as healthcare in the East of England and SEND provision in Hertfordshire, drawing on his personal connection to SEND and advocating for increased funding to tackle capacity challenges. He also strongly opposed the government’s decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners and urged ministers to reconsider.

On the local front, he visited the newly opened Goffs Kitchen in Goffs Oak and officially reopened the redeveloped Grundy Park in Cheshunt. Cocking continues to encourage constituents to get in touch with any concerns or questions.

Black History Month 2024: “Reclaiming Narratives” Theme Announced

The theme for Black History Month 2024 is “Reclaiming Narratives,” encouraging the Black community to take ownership of their stories and reshape historical narratives. This year’s focus aims to highlight personal experiences, celebrate Black excellence, and address historical misrepresentations.

It’s a call for everyone to participate in storytelling, advocate for accurate history, and inspire future generations. The campaign emphasises collaboration, education, and the power of shared narratives to create a more inclusive understanding of Black history in the UK.

For more information, visit Black History Month 2024.

BHM2024

The Importance of Mental Health Awareness for Commuters 🚂❤️

As we welcome October with its cozy autumn vibes, it’s also time to reflect on some somber events last month. In two separate incidents, fatalities occurred on our local railway lines—one at Bushey Station and another at Cheshunt. While the details remain unclear, these tragic events highlight the importance of mental health support within our community.

Sometimes a simple smile, greeting, or eye contact on your daily commute can make a huge difference. Taking a moment to connect can potentially save a life. If you or someone you know is struggling, here are some ways to support yourself and others:

Check In: Ask friends and family how they’re doing—really doing. It shows you care.
Connect During Your Commute: Take a break from scrolling. A friendly nod or chat can lift someone’s spirits.
Share Resources: If someone mentions feeling overwhelmed, direct them to local mental health support groups or helplines.
Be Kind to Yourself: If you’re going through a tough patch, speak out. Share your feelings with a friend or seek professional help. A problem shared is a problem halved.

Let’s take care of each other and build a community where everyone feels supported.

Photo by cottonbro studio

Technical Glitch at Cheshunt Library Today! 📚💻

If you’re planning to swing by Cheshunt Library today (2nd October), be prepared for a mini tech blackout until 1pm! Due to some scheduled maintenance, there’ll be no access to public PCs, printing services, or Wi-Fi printing. Yep, it’s an old-school, tech-free morning—perfect excuse to crack open a good book! 📖😉

So, if you need to print that urgent document, you might want to wait a few hours or swing by another spot. Until then, enjoy the offline vibes and maybe practice your handwriting skills! ✍️😄

Cheshunt Library

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Sports

Football

Arsenal 2 | 0 PSG

Arsenal claimed their first win in the new Champions League format by beating PSG 2-0 at Emirates Stadium. Goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka in the first half set the tone, with Havertz heading in after 20 minutes and Saka scoring from a tricky free-kick. PSG had their chances, hitting the woodwork twice, but couldn’t capitalize. Despite a shaky second half, Arsenal held on, and Arteta gave a debut to new signing Mikel Merino, sealing a confident night for the Gunners.

BBC Sport

Upcoming Events

💌 Commuter Romance 💌

In this section, we share stories from readers who’ve experienced fleeting romantic eye contact that never led to more. Need help turning that moment into a date? Share your story with us, and let’s see if we can help you find your romantic connection during your commute! 💕

A Moment on the Stansted Express

It was a busy Tuesday morning on the Stansted Express from Liverpool Street. I settled into my seat, not expecting much beyond the usual rush hour chaos. But at Tottenham Hale, everything changed. He boarded the train—brown hair peeking from beneath a black beanie, holding a suitcase and scanning for a seat. He ended up right across from me.

We exchanged a polite nod, and I went back to scrolling on my phone. But I couldn’t help but notice him sneak a glance every now and then. I’d look up, and our eyes would meet before one of us would quickly look away, both grinning like teenagers.

As the train pulled into Broxbourne Station, we both stood to leave. He hesitated and said, “Hope you have a good day.” It was simple, but something about it felt different, like an unspoken connection.

If you’re reading this, suitcase guy, I was the one with the green backpack. Maybe next time we can chat and see if this little moment on the Stansted Express was just the beginning. 😊🚆

Motivational Quotes

“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” ―Neil Gaiman

Whatever challenges you’re facing, remember they’re conquerable. Stay strong, keep fighting, and overcome your “dragons” today! 💪🌟!

“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching, love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like there’s nobody listening, and live like it’s heaven on earth.” —William W. Purkey

Embrace each moment and live fully without worrying about judgment. It’s your time to shine!

Wednesday Weather

16°C 🌡️ 7°C | 🌦️ Thundery showers and a moderate breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 07:03 Sunset 18:34

Word of the Day

EMBELLISH

Today’s Word of the Day is EMBELLISH - means to enhance or exaggerate something by adding extra details or decorative elements. It’s often used to describe making something more attractive or interesting, whether it’s adding ornaments to a physical object or including extra details in a story to make it sound more appealing.

How to use it:

"During the party, Sarah couldn’t resist embellishing her story about her vacation, adding a few extra adventures that never actually happened!."

In this context, "embellish" indicates that Sarah added extra (and possibly exaggerated) details to make her story more captivating.

Submit the Word of the Day by clicking here. 👈️

Refer us to win FREE Breakfast with 3 Friends

Join the Broxtown Big Breakfast Challenge this October. Click here for details of the challenge.

Refer with the link below for it to count.

Thats all!

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