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Good Morning {{first_name | Reader}},
Nobody ordered a heatwave for the bank holiday, but here we are. If your home has been impossible to sleep in these past few days, you are not alone. Stay hydrated, keep the windows open at night, and if you are heading to the free outdoor cinema in Waltham Cross today, bring water and sunscreen. It is going to be a warm one.
It is half term this week, so there is plenty going on for families across the borough. Everything is in the events section below.
One more thing before we get into the news. I certainly celebrated with the best football club this weekend and I watched as they lift the trophy that has eluded us for decades. Congratulations to Arsenal and every Gooner who has waited years for this. The league title is back where it belongs. Now let's talk Champions League.
Today's edition has everything you need to be the most informed person at the dinner table this week. Stories, events, funding opportunities and a few things worth knowing before the week is out. Read it through.
Before you go make sure to watch this short film on No Man’s Land from a Cheshunt Boy - Jacky Carr. It takes you back to memory lanes, if you’ve lived in Cheshunt longer than 30 years.
If this newsletter is useful to you, you can support it by buying me a coffee using the link below. It helps cover the tools that keep this running. Thank you. 😊
💌 Enjoying Broxtown? Share it with someone in your area who would love it.
Investors see ANOTHER return from Masterworks (!!!!)
That’s 6 sales in 7 months. 29 all time. And the performance?
16.5%, 17.6%, and 17.8%, net annualized returns on sold works held longer than one year (See all 29 at Masterworks.com)
It’s not from stocks, private equity, or real estate… it’s from contemporary and post war art. Crazy, right?
With Masterworks, you don’t need to be a BILLIONAIRE to invest in multi-million dollar art anymore.
Historically, the segment overall has had attractive appreciation and low correlation to stocks.*
Masterworks targets works featuring legends like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso, identifying what they believe to have significant long-term appreciation potential, not just at the artist level but at the level of individual artworks.
As one of the largest players in the art market, with $1.3 billion invested over 500 artworks, they pass critical advantages through to their 70,000+ members to add art to their portfolios strategically.
Looking to diversify your investments in 2026?
*According to Masterworks data. Investing involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. See important Reg A disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.
🏛️ HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Hertfordshire confirms urgent need for more foster carers - here's how you can help spread the word
Hertfordshire County Council is running its HELP fostering recruitment campaign to address an urgent shortage of foster carers across the county, a problem felt nationally. Last Friday, the Mayor of Broxbourne, Cllr Patsy Spears, attended the campaign's East launch and added her message to a growing community quilt alongside contributions from children currently in foster care. If you know someone who might consider fostering, sharing the campaign's social media posts or downloading a poster from the HCC website could make a real difference.
County council votes to close primary school in Elstree at end of August
Hertfordshire County Council's executive committee has confirmed the closure of St Nicholas Church of England Primary School in Elstree, with the school set to shut its doors at the end of August. The school has just 46 pupils against a capacity of 210, a deficit of £372,000 rising to an estimated £700,000 by 2027/28, and only two children applied for 2026 enrolment. Councillors voted unanimously after hearing that 80% of local parents already choose alternative schools, and that nearby housing developments would not generate enough pupils to make the school financially viable within a reasonable timeframe.
Foster carers in Hertfordshire: should the county be paying more?
Conservative councillors have called on Hertfordshire County Council to review what it pays foster carers, after data revealed a £700-per-week gap between the cost of in-house placements (around £500) and those placed through independent fostering agencies (around £1,200). The motion put to the county's children and families cabinet panel asked officers to model the impact of increasing direct payments to see whether greater investment in in-house carers could ultimately reduce spending on agencies. Officers acknowledged neighbouring authorities such as Essex offer higher rates, including a £2,000 welcome fee, though no vote was taken at the 12 May meeting.
COMMUNITY UPDATE
Broxbourne joins the rest of England in the hottest May bank holiday on record
The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat health alert covering the East of England, including Hertfordshire, valid until 5pm this Wednesday. Amber is the second highest level on the alert scale and means the heat is expected to put pressure across the whole health service, with the wider population at risk, not just the most vulnerable. The alert has been in place since Friday afternoon.
The groups most at risk are older people, particularly women over 75, those living alone or in care homes, people with heart or lung conditions, diabetes or Parkinson's, and babies and young children. Heat exhaustion is the main danger to watch for. Signs include dizziness, headaches, excessive sweating, nausea and extreme thirst. If someone does not cool down within 30 minutes, heat exhaustion can become heatstroke, which is a medical emergency.
If someone near you shows these signs, move them to a cool place, remove unnecessary clothing, give them cool water and cool their skin with a fan or cool water spray. The NHS advises staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, closing windows during the day and opening them at night, wearing light clothing and a hat, and avoiding alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks while the heat continues.
Community art project brings Broxbourne residents together at Lowewood Museum
Lowewood Museum visited Broxbourne library this month with its Community Threads project, inviting residents of all ages to design fabric squares using buttons, felt, crayons and textured materials. Each square will be stitched together with others from across the community to create a unique cloak that will go on permanent display at the museum. If you missed the session, keep an eye on Lowewood Museum's social channels for future events.
Deadline Wednesday: small grants available for Broxbourne community projects
Local community groups, charities and individuals have until Wednesday 28 May to request an application form for a Peabody Micro Grant of up to £1,000. Peabody is a large housing association with homes across Hertfordshire and the grants are aimed at projects that directly benefit Broxbourne residents. If you run or support a local group with a project idea, email [email protected] before the deadline. You will need to be a Community Alliance member to apply, but membership is free.
Waltham Cross residents wanted for new wellbeing programme survey
Community Alliance Broxbourne and East Herts is exploring a new community programme in Waltham Cross focused on health, wellbeing, skills for work and financial confidence. They are asking residents, local businesses and community organisations in the area to fill in a short survey about local challenges and what they would find useful. If you live or work in Waltham Cross, your voice shapes what gets built. Contact Community Alliance to find out how to take part.
Free summer walks launching across Hertfordshire - no booking needed
Hertfordshire Health Walks has published its summer timetable for East Hertfordshire, running from May to August 2026. The walks are free, friendly and open to all fitness levels, with no need to book in advance. They are a practical way to get outside, stay active and meet people locally. The summer schedule is now live on the Hertfordshire Health Walks website.
Give a few hours this June: the Big Help Out returns 5 to 8 June
The Big Help Out is back for another year, running from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 June, and it is open to everyone. There is no organisation required and no formal commitment — the idea is simply to do something useful in your local area over the long weekend, whether that is a litter pick, helping a neighbour, or supporting a local charity for the day. It is the same initiative that brought thousands of people out during the King's Coronation weekend and has grown steadily since. Find out how to get involved at the Big Help Out website.
New £40m national trust could fund Broxbourne community spaces
A new charity, the Queen Elizabeth Trust, has launched with £40m of government funding on the centenary of the late Queen's birth, with King Charles as patron. It will fund the restoration of shared community spaces — things like underused buildings, green areas and neighbourhood hubs — and will also support communities in developing the skills to run local events and projects. It is early days and no local applications are open yet, but community groups in Broxbourne should keep an eye on the Trust as it begins its grant-making. Further details are available on the Queen Elizabeth Trust website.
Volunteers Week is coming in June - could you give some time?
Volunteers Week runs in the first week of June each year and is a national moment to recognise and celebrate people who give their time to support others. If you have been thinking about volunteering locally, it is a good moment to take the first step. Local organisations across Broxbourne are always looking for people to help, and Community Alliance Broxbourne and East Herts can help you find opportunities that suit your skills and availability. Visit the Community Alliance website to explore options.
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
🎬 FREE Outdoor Cinema | Waltham Cross
📍 Queen Eleanor Square, Waltham Cross
🗓️ Tomorrow, Tuesday 26 May 2026
⏰ 10:00am to 5:00pm
🎟️ Free entry
🎥 11:00am | Zootropolis 2
🎥 1:00pm | The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
🎥 3:00pm | Wicked: For Good, Sing-Along Edition
🐕 Medical Detection Dogs Talk
📍 Cheshunt Library, Cheshunt
🗓️ Tomorrow, Tuesday 26 May 2026
⏰ 7:00pm
💷 £1 entry
👉 Book your seat at the library
🌿 Broxbourne Big Green Fest
📍 Cedars Park, Broxbourne
🗓️ Sunday 7 June 2026
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Learn more: https://ow.ly/29Lo50YQoTp
💼 Public Speaking and Presentation Skills Workshop | Step2Skills
🗓️ Wednesday 11 June 2026 and Wednesday 2 July 2026
💷 Paid entry, price via website
👉 Book now: https://events.hertfordshire.gov.uk/step2skills
MEME of The Day
Gif by muffinnuts on Giphy
HEALTH & WELLBEING TIPS
🥜 This week's health tip: five reasons to eat more nuts
1. They are good for your heart. Nuts contain healthy unsaturated fats that help lower bad cholesterol. Regular consumption is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, which remains one of the leading causes of death in the UK.
2. They keep you fuller for longer. The combination of protein, fibre and healthy fat in nuts slows digestion, meaning a small handful as a snack can reduce the urge to reach for something less nutritious an hour later.
3. They are packed with nutrients most of us are low on. Depending on the variety, nuts are a good source of magnesium, vitamin E, selenium and zinc. Brazils in particular are one of the richest natural sources of selenium, which supports immune function.
4. They support brain health. Walnuts are particularly associated with cognitive function. Their high omega-3 content supports brain health and there is growing research linking regular walnut consumption to improved memory and concentration.
5. A little goes a long way. You do not need much to benefit. A small handful, around 30g, is the recommended daily amount. Unsalted and unflavoured varieties give you the benefits without the added sodium or sugar found in many processed snack versions.
Sponsored by Our Resident Doctor.
🎨 TUESDAY MOTIVATION
Your subconscious mind does not argue with you. It accepts what your conscious mind decrees.
— Dr. Joseph Murphy
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.
— Maya Angelou
MONDAY WEATHER 🌤️ CHESHUNT
CHESHUNT
Monday 25 May 26°C 🌡️ 15°C | ☀️ Sunny, very hot, heatwave conditions | ☀️ Sunrise 04:54 | Sunset 21:00
Tuesday 26 May 27°C 🌡️ 15°C | ☀️ Sunny, continuing hot | ☀️ Sunrise 04:53 | Sunset 21:01
Wednesday 27 May 21°C 🌡️ 13°C | ⛅ Turning fresher, some cloud | ☀️ Sunrise 04:52 | Sunset 21:02
Thursday 28 May 22°C 🌡️ 13°C | ⛅ Sunny intervals, warm | ☀️ Sunrise 04:51 | Sunset 21:03
Friday 29 May 27°C 🌡️ 14°C | ☀️ Sunny and warm again | ☀️ Sunrise 04:51 | Sunset 21:04
Source: Met Office / The Weather Outlook — updated 25 May 2026
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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!
Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya
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