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Own a business in Broxbourne Borough or know someone who does? Imagine your business or their business being seen by thousands of local readers each day. We’re offering exclusive sponsorship opportunities—this prime spot could be yours!

Whether you’re a home service provider or running a fast food service, this is your chance to connect with our highly engaged community and bring new customers through your doors. Don’t miss out on making a lasting impression—join us and grow your business with Broxtown!

Interested? Email [email protected] or complete this form with some details. Let’s give your business the spotlight it deserves!

The Broxbourne Council Tax and NNDR online portal is back up and running smoothly after addressing recent issues. Residents reported broken links on the platform, but thanks to swift action and feedback from the community, the council has now resolved the problem. The portal is fully functional again, providing a seamless experience for users. Kudos to the dedicated team working tirelessly behind the scenes to enhance our digital services! If you haven't tried it yet, log in and explore the improved features today.

Hertfordshire County Council is calling on parents of children in reception, year 1, and year 2 to register for free school meals, which could unlock additional funding for local schools. However, many parents are unaware of this opportunity, and some avoid registering due to concerns about social stigma, even though no such stigma exists. By registering, schools can receive ‘Pupil Premium’ funding, which helps pay for additional staff, learning resources, and activities that benefit all students.

Parents are encouraged to have their National Insurance or Home Office number ready when applying. Contact your child’s school for more information and support. Don’t miss out on the benefits you and your child are entitled to!

Broxbourne MP Lewis Cocking has voiced concerns over Labour’s proposal to impose a 20% VAT on private school fees starting January 2025. Cocking highlighted the potential negative impact this could have on successful partnerships like that between Haileybury and Haileybury Turnford, which has significantly improved academic standards, resulting in the school's first-ever 'Good' Ofsted rating.

Labour aims to scrap VAT exemptions and business rates relief for private schools to fund 6,500 new teachers in state schools. However, the proposal has sparked backlash, with some sectors questioning its fairness, and a legal challenge has already been filed, citing a potential breach of human rights. The debate over this policy remains contentious, with critics arguing that it could threaten the sustainability of many independent schools and limit access for families relying on private education.

This weekend, the MP of Broxbourne, joined Mayor Cllr Sherrie McDaid at the opening of Family Action’s new Food Club in Cheshunt. The initiative aims to provide residents with access to high-quality food at low cost while helping reduce food waste. Additionally, the MP was delighted to attend Cheshunt U3A’s recruitment day, where he learned about the wide range of activities on offer and witnessed the enthusiastic response from the local community.

“It was wonderful to see so many people interested in getting involved,” he shared, emphasizing the importance of community participation in such valuable programs.

With Small Business Saturday around the corner on December 7th, we’re excited to launch the first annual Broxbourne’s Best Small Business Competition! 🎉

This is your chance to show some love to your favorite local spots—whether it’s that cozy café, your go-to pub, or the shop that always has just what you need. 💼🍽️

Nominations are open from September 27th to October 28th. Voting will take place from November 2nd to November 23rd. Let’s celebrate our amazing local businesses!

Green Libraries Week has been buzzing with activities across Broxbourne, focusing on sustainability, re-using, and recycling. Residents have been participating in various events, such as getting advice on environmental issues from The Green House in St Albans and learning from the Wildlife Trust at Bishop’s Stortford Library. Families are enjoying creative workshops like junk robots and nature crafts, while Dr. Tom White from the Natural History Museum delivered an insightful climate change talk at Hoddesdon Library.

With plenty of eco-friendly talks and hands-on activities, there’s something for everyone to get involved in and make a difference! Don’t forget to check out upcoming events like green gardening talks at Radlett and Harpenden libraries and the bike-marking event at Buntingford Library. Celebrate sustainability and community this Libraries Week! 🌍📖

For more details, visit your local library’s event page or drop by and join in on the fun!

Does your child love cars? Then they’re going to LOVE the Wheely Fun Club! 🏎️

Join us for an action-packed session at Matching Village Hall in Harlow this October 20th. With six thrilling zones—Hot Wheels, SpeedTracks, ride-on cars, and more—your little car enthusiast is in for a fantastic time! 🚗🛣️

📅 When: Sunday, 20th October 2024
⏰ Time: 10:15 am & 11:30 am
📍 Where: Matching Village Hall, Harlow, CM17 0QS
💷 Cost: £8.95 (includes one free adult ticket!)

Don’t miss out—book now to secure your spot! 🏁

Attention wrestling fans in Hoddesdon and Broxbourne! The South East’s top family-friendly wrestling promotion, Rumble Wrestling, is coming to The Spotlight on Tuesday, 29th October at 7 pm as part of their thrilling 40th Anniversary Tour.

Get ready for an adrenaline-packed evening featuring the biggest stars from the Rumble Wrestling roster! With special deals available for birthday parties and group bookings, this is an event you don’t want to miss. Early booking is highly recommended as tickets are expected to sell out quickly!

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! 💕

It all started with a simple mistake. I boarded a train from Stratford to Cheshunt, completely absorbed in my book, which—unfortunately—had some rather adult content. I was too embarrassed to look up, so I missed the announcements and stops, only realizing I was at Meridian Waters.

I hopped on the next train back to Cheshunt via Tottenham Hale, when a young man joined me. He was wearing skinny blue jeans, a red long-sleeve shirt, and a black NYC cap. I noticed his rucksack with key rings hanging off it, but what really stood out was his smile—warm, genuine, and electric.

He started talking about how the Bishop’s Stortford train, which should have continued to Cheshunt, never arrived, and we both ended up on this alternative route. His voice was full of good-natured frustration and humor, instantly making me feel at ease. Then, he asked me about my book.

I panicked! How could I tell him about that book? So I fibbed, giving a vague description. He chuckled, clearly seeing through me, but didn’t press further. Our conversation flowed effortlessly through the stops, and with every word, I felt something indescribable—a connection I hadn’t felt in a long time.

But as I stepped off at Cheshunt, I realized I’d missed my chance to ask for his name or number. All I remember is his sandy brown hair peeking out from under his cap and his laid-back confidence.

If you’re out there reading this, I’d love a chance to continue where we left off. If anyone knows a guy who fits this description, please help us reconnect via the Broxtown email. Maybe we could pick up our conversation over a coffee—this time without any fibbing! 💘☕