Good Morning {{first_name | Reader}},

Hello and happy Tuesday!
Caught the evening fog yet? It’s been rolling in lately, with even the sunshine playing nice. If you’ve missed the headlines this week, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with everything worth knowing, straight to your inbox. It is the last day of September - welcome October 🎃 🍁 .

From council leaders at Downing Street to Broxbourne’s MP weighing in on Digital IDs, it’s all in today’s scoop.

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On Monday, Hertfordshire County Council experienced a major phone outage, leaving many residents unable to reach vital services, including highways, children’s services, and adult social care.

The council quickly issued a statement on social media acknowledging the disruption:

To assist the public during the outage, the council shared a dedicated webpage with alternative contact methods and direct service information. At the time of publication, no official update has been provided regarding the full restoration of phone lines.

📞 If you need to contact Hertfordshire County Council, you are advised to use the link below to access online information and service directories:

🔗 Alternative Contact Options and Service Information

Broxtown News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.

The leader of Broxbourne Borough Council, Cllr Corina Gander, has doubled down on her pledge to close the Delta Marriott Hotel in Cheshunt, which is currently being used to accommodate asylum seekers. Accompanied by MP Lewis Cocking, she hand-delivered a letter to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, urging immediate action to end the hotel’s use for this purpose.

Since asylum seekers were first placed in the hotel in 2022, concerns have been raised by local residents and officials regarding the strain on local services and lack of community consultation. The council has now taken legal advice and is exploring enforcement action similar to the approach used in Epping Forest District.

Cllr Gander called the issue her “top priority,” adding, “I will not rest until the hotel is returned to our community.” MP Cocking also spoke out, saying residents feel their concerns about immigration are being “ignored.”

The Labour Government has announced plans to introduce mandatory digital ID cards for anyone seeking legal employment in the UK. The new policy, set to be fully implemented by 2029, would require all working-age individuals to verify their identity via a smartphone app containing key personal details, including name, residency status, and a photograph.

The policy aims to tackle illegal working and reduce unlawful immigration, but it has sparked widespread controversy. Over 1 million people have signed a petition opposing the move, citing privacy concerns and fears of increased state surveillance.

In Broxbourne, MP Lewis Cocking has issued a firm statement denouncing the digital ID proposal, calling it “a flawed solution that does nothing to address the real issues behind illegal immigration.” He added that the system could burden law-abiding employers and workers without making any real impact on border security.

The Labour Government insists the ID will not be used for everyday activities or access to healthcare or benefits and will include options for people without smartphones. A formal consultation is expected later in 2025.

Hoddesdon has once again found itself in the Hollywood spotlight as film crews descended on the town to shoot scenes for the highly anticipated HBO TV adaptation of Harry Potter. Locals were treated to a touch of magic as production teams transformed parts of the area into the wizarding world for the upcoming series.

In recently released behind-the-scenes footage, actor Daniel Rigby, cast as the blustering Vernon Dursley, was spotted filming a scene that saw him bump into a mysterious man in a purple cloak, adding intrigue to what fans can expect from the adaptation.

The new series, based on J.K. Rowling’s best-selling novels, features 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin in the iconic role of Harry Potter. With a fresh cast and a new episodic format, the show aims to offer a faithful, long-form retelling of the beloved books for a new generation of fans.

The series is being produced by HBO and is currently scheduled for release in 2027.

Residents and visitors in Hoddesdon were excited to see their hometown playing a part in one of the world’s most recognisable franchises, a true return to cinematic magic right on their doorstep. Do you recognise any of the onlookers?

Waltham Cross Library has announced that it will be temporarily closed from Friday 3rd October to Monday 3rd November to allow for refurbishment works aimed at improving the space for the local community.

During the closure, library users can continue to manage their borrowed items by:

Library staff have thanked the public for their patience and understanding, and look forward to welcoming visitors back to a newly refurbished library in early November.

It was a week of local celebrations, and one standout moment was the remarkable milestone reached by Dobsons, who marked 90 years of doing business in Cheshunt.

To honour the occasion, their showroom received a full refurbishment just in time for the big day, offering guests a chance to admire stunning new kitchen displays and worktops that beautifully reflected the company’s longstanding craftsmanship.

The event was well attended, with The Mayor of Broxbourne and other local dignitaries joining the celebrations. Visitors enjoyed a fun cupcake icing challenge, live cooking sessions, and the warm hospitality Dobsons is known for.

A special highlight came during a heartfelt speech by Director Helen Dobson, who thanked the community for their continued support and loyalty over the decades.

But perhaps the most touching moment was when a family member, who turned 90 earlier this year, shared memories of working at Dobsons over 60 years ago, right on the very same grounds.

It was a day full of pride, nostalgia, and community spirit. We wish Dobsons every success as they look ahead to their 100-year celebration, and many more kitchens to come!

📣 Last Day! Show Us Your Hertfordshire
We’re wrapping our county photo challenge tonight (30 Sept 2025). Snap your hidden gems, landmarks, or everyday magic—then send them in!

📷 From Broxbourne to Baldock, Ware to Watford—help us tell Hertfordshire’s story, one photo at a time.

➡️ Submit via WeTransfer to: [email protected]

Be in the book—don’t miss out!

👉 Click here to Submit your images

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With no onward chain, this exceptional home is available to view by appointment.

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Tuesday

19°C 🌡 7°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and light winds | ☀ Sunrise 06:58 Sunset 18:41

Wednesday

18°C 🌡 8°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and light winds | ☀ Sunrise 07:00 Sunset 18:39

Thursday

19°C 🌡 12°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and light wind | ☀ Sunrise 07:02 Sunset 18:36

Friday

26°C 🌡 16°C | 🌦 Light rain and a gentle breeze | ☀ Sunrise 07:03 Sunset 18:34

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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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