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Good morning {{first_name | Reader}},
Welcome to June. Summer is officially here, even if the forecast has other ideas this week.
It certainly felt like summer a week ago. The heatwave was glorious, and the weekend was made even better by a certain football club bringing 1.5 million fans onto the streets in celebration. I was there, and it was a sight to behold. We go again next season.
This week is Volunteers' Week across the country, and there are some brilliant local organisations who need your time and energy. Scroll down to find out who you can support right on your doorstep.
The events calendar across Broxbourne is filling up fast as the warmer months arrive, and we have pulled everything together in one place so you do not have to go looking. From the Outdoor Cinema on Hoddesdon High Street to the Goffs Oak Summer Fayre, there is plenty to get out for this month.
One quick note from me. The cost of producing Broxtown every week has grown, and your support helps keep it going. If this newsletter saves you time, informs you or makes you feel more connected to where you live, please consider supporting us. It means more than you know.
Now, let's get into it.
Emeka
🏛️ HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Hertfordshire wants to hear from you - and you have until 12 July to have your say
Hertfordshire County Council has launched its annual residents' survey, asking people across the county to share their views on local services, their neighbourhood and how they prefer to receive information. You have until Sunday 12 July to complete it. Make your voice count.
Over 50,000 extra patrol hours have cut crime across the county
Operation Hotspot, funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner, has delivered more than 50,000 additional patrol hours in identified crime hotspots across Hertfordshire since April 2024. In Broxbourne, officers focused on Waltham Cross High Street and the Holdbrook estate, logging 4,607 patrol hours, making 44 arrests and seizing 14 weapons. The results are significant: violent crime fell 17%, anti-social behaviour dropped 38.8% and business robbery was cut by half in year two of the programme.
Where to Invest $100,000 Right Now, According to Experts
Investors face a dilemma. When the S&P 500 finished its worst quarter since 2022 last month, diversifiers like bonds and bitcoin fell too.
Even with the turnaround in mid-April, analysts at Goldman Sachs and Vanguard have projected low-single-digit annualized returns from 2024-2034.
Bloomberg asked where experts would personally invest $100,000 for their March monthly edition.
One answer that surfaced for a second time? Art.
It's what billionaires like Bezos and the Rockefellers have privately used to diversify for decades.
Why?
Appreciation. The ArtPrice100 Index outpaced the S&P 500 overall from 2000 to 2025
Low-correlation. The postwar contemporary segment has moved independently of traditional investments like stocks since ‘95.*
Resilience. A scarce, physical, and global asset class with decades of demonstrated demand.
Thanks to the world's premier art investing platform, now anyone can invest in works featuring legends like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso, without needing millions.
Shares in new offerings can sell quickly but...
*According to Masterworks data. Investing involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. See important Reg A disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
The Delta Marriott in Cheshunt is no longer housing asylum seekers
After more than three years of pressure from Broxbourne Borough Council, the Delta Marriott Hotel in Cheshunt has now been fully vacated by asylum seekers and is no longer used as accommodation. The Council opposed the arrangement from December 2022, making direct representations to Ministers, seeking legal advice and preparing enforcement action over the unauthorised change of use. Council Leader Councillor Corina Gander said she hopes the hotel will return to lawful hotel use soon, which would bring local jobs and economic benefit back to the area.
Eighteen local athletes have been backed by the council's Opportunities for Excellence scheme
Broxbourne Borough Council has awarded this year's Opportunities for Excellence grants to 18 athletes from across the borough, covering sports from kayaking and cricket to street dancing, go karting and golf. Each recipient gets a year's free access to the Council's leisure centres, including pools, gym facilities and more. If you or someone you know is competing at county, national or international level, the next application deadline is 31 March 2027.
The Waltham Cross Sports Festival is back this August — and it is free
The Waltham Cross Sports Festival returns on Saturday 15 August, running from 12noon to 4pm at Waltham Cross Playing Fields. Basketball, football, mini-tennis, calisthenics, skateboarding, boxing and cycling are all on the programme, with entry free and equipment provided. The Playing Fields have been significantly upgraded since 2024, and the refurbished Sports Pavilion now includes fully accessible facilities, a new kitchen and modernised changing rooms.
Free summer activities are coming to parks across the borough from late July
Lark in the Park returns this summer, bringing free activities to parks across Broxbourne every weekday from Monday 27 July to Friday 21 August. Full details of what is happening on which days and at which locations are available in the event poster. Keep an eye out for updates as the dates get closer.
HABS is running a coffee morning for parents and carers in Hoddesdon
HABS is hosting its next Coffee Morning on Thursday 11 June, offering a welcoming space for parents and carers to connect and access support on topics including mental health, emotional wellbeing, SEND and financial worries. The session runs from 9:30am to 11:30am at the Trevor Jones Conference Room, Hoddesdon Enterprise Centre. Everyone is welcome, no booking needed, just pop in.
The Men's Shed has a fresh coat of paint, and the bees are back
Volunteer Cliff has been hard at work painting the local Men's Shed this week, and the results are looking impressive. Separately, the group's beekeeping team has had a tough year, suffering significant losses to their hives, but has now restocked with new bees collected from a local supplier and transferred into their National Hives. A big thanks goes to Big Kev for helping transport the new colonies.
Lowewood Museum's Egyptology weekend drew a strong crowd
Lowewood Museum in Hoddesdon wrapped up its two-day Egyptology event last week to a strong turnout, with visitors, staff and volunteers all praised for making it a success. The museum thanked everyone who attended and gave a nod to the team who made the event possible. If you missed it, keep an eye on future programming from Lowewood for the next special event.
HILS is celebrating Volunteers' Week - and looking for more people to get involved
HILS is marking Volunteers' Week by spotlighting the people who give their time to support the community across Hertfordshire. The organisation is also actively recruiting new volunteers, so if you are looking to make a difference locally, now is a good moment to find out what is on offer. Visit www.hils-uk.org to explore current opportunities.
If you or someone you care for lives near Cuffley and is looking for a welcoming day centre, HILS runs sessions at Station Road on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 3pm. The centre offers creative activities, music, gentle movement, a hot lunch prepared on the premises and plenty of social time. Contact HILS on 0330 2000 103 or email [email protected] to find out more.
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
National Fish and Chips Day
🌿 Broxbourne Big Green Fest
📍 Location: Cedars Park, Broxbourne
🗓️ Date: Sunday 07 June 2026
⏰ Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm
🎟️ Cost: Free Entry
ℹ️ Details: Swap shops running throughout the day. Bring used books, toys, clothes and plants to exchange.
☕ HABS Coffee Morning
📍 Location: Trevor Jones Conference Room, Hoddesdon Enterprise Centre
🗓️ Date: Thursday 11 June 2026
⏰ Time: 9:30am – 11:30am
🎟️ Cost: Free Entry (No Booking Required)
🎉 LEGO Club — Love Hoddesdon Midsummer Festival Theme
📍 Location: Hoddesdon Library
🗓️ Date: Saturday 13 June 2026
⏰ Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
💷 Cost: £4.40
ℹ️ Details: Ages 5 and over. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
🎉 Goffs Oak Summer Fayre and Family Fun Dog Show
📍 Location: Valley View, Goffs Lane, Goffs Oak, EN7 5ET
🗓️ Date: Saturday 13 June 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
🎟️ Cost: Free Entry to the Fayre
💷 Dog Show: £3 per class
ℹ️ Details: Dog Show registration from 12:00pm, judging begins at 1:00pm. Live music, food and drinks, 50+ stalls, raffle, bouncy castle, Punch and Judy, mini golf and fitness challenges. Dog Show categories include Waggiest Tail, Best Rescue and Best in Show. Raising funds for Stargardt's Connected, The James Foundation and Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.
🔗 More Info: www.goffs-oak-community.com
🏃 Youth Multi-Sport Sessions
📍 Location: Barclay Park, Hoddesdon
🗓️ Date: Tuesday 16 June & Thursday 18 June 2026
⏰ Time: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
🎟️ Cost: Free Entry (Just Turn Up)
ℹ️ Details: A variety of sports for children aged 8–12. No booking required.
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🎵 Ukulele Evening with SOUP
📍 Location: Goffs Oak Community Library
🗓️ Date: Tuesday 16 June 2026
⏰ Time: 7:30pm
💷 Cost: £1
ℹ️ Details: Tickets available from Goffs Oak Community Library.
💼 Working Well: Preventing Burnout in the Workplace
📍 Location: Online
🗓️ Date: Thursday 18 June 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm
🎟️ Cost: Free Event (Booking Required)
🔗 Book: https://ow.ly/F8Gu50Z2zn7
🎬 Outdoor Cinema — Hoddesdon High Street
📍 Location: Hoddesdon High Street, Hoddesdon
🗓️ Date: Saturday 20 June 2026
⏰ Times:
• 11:15am — Mufasa: The Lion King
• 1:30pm — The Goonies
• 4:00pm — Grease
🎟️ Cost: Free Entry
ℹ️ Details: Bring your own chairs and blankets.
🎉 James Foundation Family Fun Day
📍 Location: Cedars Park, Theobalds Lane, Waltham Cross, EN8 8RU
🗓️ Date: Saturday 27 June 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
🎟️ Cost: Free Entry
ℹ️ Details: Inflatables, face painting, live entertainment, food and activities. Hosted by The James Foundation, a baby loss charity.
🎨 Paint Our Library Rock Snake — Free Drop-In
📍 Location: Hoddesdon Library Garden
🗓️ Date: Saturday 27 June 2026
🎟️ Cost: Free Entry (Drop-In, No Booking Required)
ℹ️ Details: Children can paint a pebble to become part of the library's giant Garden Rock Snake. Sponsored by Hertfordshire Zoo.
📚 Summer Reading Challenge — Volunteer Recruitment Open
📍 Location: Hoddesdon Library and Libraries Across Hertfordshire
🗓️ Date: Saturday 04 July – Saturday 05 September 2026
🎟️ Cost: Free to Volunteer
ℹ️ Details: Volunteers must be aged 14 or over.
🔗 Apply: http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/src-volunteers
🏃 Lark in the Park — Free Summer Activities
📍 Location: Parks Across Broxbourne Borough
🗓️ Date: Monday 27 July – Friday 21 August 2026 (Weekdays Only)
🎟️ Cost: Free Entry
ℹ️ Details: Check the event poster for the full schedule by location and day.
🏃 Waltham Cross Sports Festival
📍 Location: Waltham Cross Playing Fields, Waltham Cross
🗓️ Date: Saturday 15 August 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
🎟️ Cost: Free Entry (Equipment Provided)
ℹ️ Details: Basketball, football, mini-tennis, calisthenics, skateboarding, boxing and cycling. All ages and abilities welcome.
Pic of The Day
Hello Summer
HEALTH & WELLBEING TIPS
Stay hydrated - especially on cloudy days
Most people only drink water when they feel thirsty, but by the time thirst kicks in, you are already mildly dehydrated. Cloudy, cooler days like the ones forecast this week make it easy to forget. Aim for 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. If plain water feels dull, add a slice of lemon or some cucumber. Your energy levels, concentration and mood will all thank you.
Sponsored by Our Resident Doctor.
🎨 TUESDAY MOTIVATION
The groundwork for all happiness is good health.
— Leigh Hunt
MONDAY WEATHER 🌦 HODDESDON
HODDESDON
Monday 1 June 21°C 🌡️ 14°C | ☁️ Cloudy | ☀️ Sunrise 04:47 | Sunset 09:12
Tuesday 2 June 19°C 🌡️ 12°C | 🌧️ Light rain clearing to a clear night | ☀️ Sunrise 04:47 | Sunset 09:12
Wednesday 3 June 18°C 🌡️ 13°C | 🌧️ Light rain, remaining partly cloudy overnight | ☀️ Sunrise 04:46 | Sunset 09:13
Thursday 4 June 17°C 🌡️ 11°C | 🌧️ Light rain followed by a clear night | ☀️ Sunrise 04:45 | Sunset 09:13
Friday 5 June 18°C 🌡️ 12°C | ☁️ Mostly cloudy, shifting to partly cloudy at night | ☀️ Sunrise 04:44 | Sunset 09:14
Source: Google Weather — updated 1 June 2026
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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!
Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya
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