Tuesday, 20th May

Good Morning Reader,

On this day in 1217, the Second Battle of Lincoln saw William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, defeat Prince Louis of France. Back in 1191, King Richard I—‘the Lionheart’—conquered Cyprus on his way to join the Crusades. Feeling brave enough to tackle your own challenges today, or maybe procrastinating a bit? Remember, even great leaders had to push forward.

Welcome back! Hope you had a restful weekend. This week is all about creativity and wellbeing—so don’t forget to take care of yourself and stay inspired.

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of chatting with Ray Lowe, owner of Ray Lowe Studios, who shared reflections on 50 years capturing memories on our high street. The full interview drops tomorrow, followed by a special editorial.

In today’s edition:

🛠️ Waltham Cross regeneration project making great strides
📸 Ray Lowe on five decades of community photography
🎥 Hoddesdon’s outdoor cinema kicks off spring/summer events
🚗 Small business owners: tips on leaving a lasting legacy
➕ And much more…

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News at a Glance

Broxbourne Borough Council Unveils Vibrant Street Art in Waltham Cross Underpasses

Broxbourne Borough Council, working alongside Hertfordshire County Council, has completed a striking transformation of the underpasses in Waltham Cross. Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the project features large-scale murals created by the acclaimed street art collective MurWalls, with additional contributions from local artists Customised Unique.

Each tunnel carries a unique theme reflecting the area’s heritage and community pride:

• Tunnel 1 celebrates Waltham Cross’s rich history

• Tunnel 2 commemorates the 2012 London Olympics, marking Hertfordshire’s only Olympic venue

• Tunnel 3 showcases the town’s newly upgraded recreational facilities, including a skatepark, gym equipment, and interactive sports areas for older children and teenagers.

The artwork forms a key part of Broxbourne Borough Council’s wider regeneration plans for Waltham Cross, expected to be completed by autumn 2025.

Deputy Leader Councillor Steve Wortley expressed his appreciation for the collaboration between artists and council, highlighting the project’s role in enhancing community spaces through creativity and heritage.

Hertfordshire County Council’s Executive Director of Growth and Environment, Mark Doran, emphasised the project’s importance in encouraging sustainable travel by making pedestrian routes safer and more attractive.

An official opening event on 15 May brought together council leaders, the Mayor of Broxbourne, representatives from the Lee Valley White Water Centre, and the artists behind the murals.

📸 Ray Lowe Studios Closes After 50 Years — A Local Legend Reflects

After five decades of capturing cherished moments across Broxbourne, Ray Lowe has closed his iconic photography studio in Cheshunt. On the latest episode of Voices of Our Towns, Ray shared his incredible journey—from humble beginnings in the 1960s, through the evolution of photography, to becoming a trusted part of thousands of local families’ lives.

Ray reflected on the challenges, the joy of building lifelong customer relationships, and the pride in leaving a lasting legacy through his work. Despite the rise of digital and social media, Ray’s commitment to quality and personal connection set his studio apart.

Though closing the studio was a difficult decision driven by age and health, Ray expressed heartfelt gratitude for the community’s unwavering support over the years. He hopes the memories captured will continue to bring joy to families for generations.

🎧 Listen to the full interview on the Voices of Our Towns podcast—dropping this Wednesday.

🎬 Magical Outdoor Cinema Lights Up Hoddesdon High Street

Hoddesdon High Street was transformed into a vibrant open-air cinema this past Saturday, drawing families, friends, and children to enjoy a delightful lineup under the open sky. The event featured the beloved Paddington Bear, a nostalgic documentary celebrating 100 years of Hertfordshire Libraries, and a lively screening of Wicked: The Musical that had the audience singing along with joy.

With popcorn, picnic blankets, and a warm sense of community spirit, the day was a wonderful celebration of stories, heritage, and togetherness.

Next up, the outdoor cinema experience heads to Waltham Cross—get ready for more family fun and unforgettable moments!

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🎨 Hertfordshire Libraries Celebrate Creativity Week with Exciting Events

Hertfordshire Libraries kicked off Creativity Week yesterday, offering a wide range of activities to inspire and boost wellbeing through creative expression. Whether you’re into painting, drawing, crochet, jewellery making, collage, woodwork, or sewing, there’s something for everyone.

Visit your local library to explore an extensive collection of books on creativity for both children and adults. You can also join fun creative groups like Knit and Natter, Craftea, LEGO Club, and Drawn Together.

Don’t miss the special Artist-in-Residence workshops running throughout the week. Check out events at libraries near you and get creative today!

🏡 📖 Nature in My Garden, Nature in My Book

Hoddesdon Library invites everyone to join a creative poetry initiative!

Pick up your poetry sheet, get inspired, and write a 100-word poem titled “Nature in My Garden, Nature in My Book.”Don’t forget to colour in the decorative border!

All poems will be entered into the 100-Day Poetry Festival competition, offering a chance to win a county-wide prize. Submit your entry by 21st June. Selected poems will be proudly displayed during the upcoming Summer Reading Challenge.

To inspire you, we’ve written a 100-word poem below—hope you enjoy it!

Nature in my garden, earthworms glide, 

Wriggling deep where secrets hide. 

Beneath the soil, they twist and turn, 

Helping plants and flowers learn.

Nature in my book, I read and write, 

About these worms that work out of sight. 

They munch the dirt and make it sweet, 

So roots grow strong beneath my feet.

In garden beds and pages too, 

Earthworms show what they can do. 

Quiet helpers, small and bright, 

Turning soil from dark to light.

Nature’s magic, both inside and out, 

Earthworms teach what life’s about.

How Solo Business Owners Can Secure Their Legacy

Many solo business owners struggle to transition their enterprise to the next generation or sell it successfully, risking their hard-earned legacy fading away. Drawing from real-life experiences like Ray Lowe’s studio closure, here are practical steps to ensure your business endures:

• Start Succession Planning Early: Define your vision for the future—whether that’s handing over to family, selling, or merging. The earlier you plan, the more options you have.

• Document Processes and Knowledge: Create detailed manuals and train others in your methods to preserve the business’s unique value.

• Build a Strong Team: Even solo owners benefit from trusted employees or partners who can carry the business forward.

• Engage Professional Advice: Consult legal, financial, and business advisors to prepare for smooth ownership transitions, tax implications, and valuation.

• Explore Alternative Models: Consider franchising, licensing, or partnerships that can help the business grow beyond the founder.

Legacy is more than a business name—it’s the impact on customers, employees, and the community. Proactive planning and openness to change will help your business live on long after you step away. Listen to the Voices of Our Towns Podcast dropping on Wednesday.

MEME of The Day

UPCOMING EVENTS

🎬 Outdoor Cinema Returns to Waltham Cross

Broxbourne is bringing back free outdoor cinemas this spring, turning Waltham Cross town centre into a family-friendly movie zone.

📍 Waltham Cross – Tuesday 27 May

• Paddington in Peru – 11:00 AM

• Moana 2 – 1:30 PM

• Mufasa: The Lion King – 3:00 PM

Enjoy a day of animation, music, and adventure under the open sky. No booking needed—just bring a chair or blanket and join the fun!

🎶🌶️ Windrush Weekender: Music, Food & Culture Celebration

🗓️ Sunday 22 June | 🕚 11am – 7:30pm

📍 Hoddesdon High Street

Join us for the Windrush Weekender, a vibrant celebration of Caribbean and African culture! Beyond the music, enjoy delicious street food stalls serving up authentic jerk chicken, patties, plantain, curry goat, and more.

Bring your appetite and your dancing shoes for a day full of flavour, spice, and tradition!

🎉 Goffs Oak Summer Fayre 2025

🗓️ Friday 14 June 2025
⏰ 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Goffs Oak Community

Join us for a fun-filled Summer Fayre featuring:

• 30+ Commercial Stalls & 20 Community Stalls

• Dog Show & Bouncy Castle

• Punch & Judy Show

• Licensed Bar & Street Food

• Dance & Martial Arts Demonstrations

• Live Music All Afternoon

• Raffle with Fantastic Prizes & Silent Auction

FREE entry for all ages!

Bring your family and friends for a day of community fun and entertainment!

👐 Introduction to British Sign Language with Lindsey Barrell

🗓️ Friday 23 May | 🕑 2:00 PM
📍 Barclay Hall, Hoddesdon
🎟️ £3 (includes tea & cake beforehand)

Join Lindsey Barrell, a refreshingly funny and knowledgeable BSL & Mindfulness teacher, for an engaging introduction to British Sign Language. Perfect for Lea Valley u3a members and guests alike!

All are welcome to this lively and quirky session.

For more info, visit www.lvu3a.org.uk or contact: [email protected]

Tuesday Weather ☀️ ☀️ 

Tuesday

21°C 🌡️ 12°C | ☀️ Sunny and light winds | ☀️ Sunrise 05:01 Sunset 20:53

WORD OF THE DAY

ANTITHETICAL 

Today’s Word of the Day is ANTITHETICAL means directly opposed or contrasted; mutually incompatible.

It’s used to describe ideas, beliefs, or things that are completely opposite.
Example: Her cheerful attitude was antithetical to the gloomy weather.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Reading a book for as little as 6 minutes is enough to lower stress levels by more than 50%” - Dr. David Lewis

Thanks for Reading—See You Friday!

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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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