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Good Morning {{first_name | Reader}},
It's getting very grey, wet and colder. The pumpkins, jackets and brollies are out across Broxbourne, and the scarves can't be far behind.
Broxbourne has a new mayor - scroll for more details. Cheshunt's new AI incubator is up and running, full of local founders building with AI. And we've moved the Supper Club to Tuesday 3 November to fit more of you in, so grab your ticket fast.
Got a project in mind? The Broxbourne business grant closes on Saturday 31 October, so get your application in. Plus the sanctuary row explained, and a packed events list with a big week at The Spotlight.
If you value this kind of local reporting and want to help keep it going, you can support the newsletter by buying me a coffee using the link below. This token support helps pay for the tools I work with. Thanks in advance 😊
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🍽️ Broxtown Supperclub, Tuesday 3rd November
The next Broxtown Supper Club is on Tuesday 3 November, and we've opened more seats
We've opened up the Broxtown Supper Club so more residents can take a seat at the table with some of the people making a difference in Broxbourne, on Tuesday 3 November, 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Fishy Delishy, College Road, Cheshunt.
There are no talks or slides, just a shared supper and good conversation about community, personal brand, AI, small business and everything in between, with a menu from Fishy Delishy built to keep it flowing.
Places are deliberately limited and you never know who you'll be sitting next to, so reserve yours now.
🏛️ HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Hertfordshire is working towards sanctuary status. Here is what that will and will not change for you
Hertfordshire County Council's Cabinet backed a motion on Tuesday 13 October to start working towards Council of Sanctuary accreditation, a process the council says usually takes between 12 and 24 months.
What it does not do. The council says the status has no effect on who comes to Hertfordshire, how many people arrive, or where asylum seekers are housed. Those decisions sit with the Home Office. It also says nothing in the status commits the county to requesting or accepting more people.
What it does. It is a voluntary accreditation focused on reviewing existing services and community partnerships for refugees and people seeking sanctuary who already live here. The accreditation fee is £2,700, and the council says related staff time is paid from central government refugee funding rather than the core budget that runs roads, schools and social care.
The case for. Lib Dem county councillor Adrian England argues the status is a local commitment to support people already in the community, working with charities and voluntary groups. He points to St Albans, which has been working towards City of Sanctuary status since 2022, and says claims that it opens Hertfordshire's borders misstate what it is.
The case against. Broxbourne MP Lewis Cocking, who also sits on the county council, says he is "completely against" the move and argues County Hall should concentrate on fixing roads and the SEND system instead. He has launched a petition asking the council to overturn the decision.
So what for you. Sanctuary status does not give the county any say over immigration, so that part of the argument is settled. The question residents can still reasonably disagree on is whether the council should take on this commitment at all, and whether it is the right priority. The process runs through public meetings, all of which are broadcast, and your county councillor is the person to tell, whichever side you're on.
£1m to fix road cracks before winter turns them into potholes
Highways teams have started a £1m programme to repair small cracks and worn surfaces before frost and rain open them up into potholes. The money comes from the existing highways budget, not new funding, and repairs will be targeted at sites across the county over the coming months. Spot a defect on your street? Reporting it now gives it a better chance of being fixed before it gets worse.
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COMMUNITY UPDATES
Up to £15,000 for your Broxbourne business, but you have until Saturday 31 October to apply
Local businesses can bid for grants of £5,000 to £15,000 through the Ambition Broxbourne Grants for Business scheme, paid for by Google's Section 106 agreement for its Waltham Cross data centre. In other words, money from one of the borough's biggest developments is coming back to local firms.
Who can apply. Businesses and social enterprises in the borough.
What it pays for. New projects that can be delivered quickly and are innovative, sustainable or digital. The council's examples include improving shopfront signage, buying new machinery, bringing a community asset back to life, and adopting sustainable energy or digital tools. It will not cover running costs such as rent or business rates.
How it's decided. Funds are limited and a grants panel picks the strongest bids, so a clear, specific project stands the best chance.
Run a charity or voluntary group? A sister scheme, the Broxbourne Community and Environment Grants, offers £2,000 to £15,000 for projects that support sport, the environment, arts, culture and heritage in the borough, with the same deadline.
Not sure if your idea fits? Wenta is running a free online "Ask Us Anything" session on the business grants this Thursday 22 October, 1pm to 2pm (details in Upcoming Events). Applications close on Saturday 31 October.
Broxbourne has a new Youth Mayor, and for the first time two young people share a seat
Zara Djemal, a Year 12 student at Hertford Regional College, was elected the borough's eighth Youth Mayor on Wednesday 7 October, a year after joining the Youth Council on election night. Thomas Vaciago of Goffs Academy is Deputy Youth Mayor, Lily-Rose Blackford of Haileybury Turnford is Health Officer, and Edward Odulaja and Monroe Clarke, also of Haileybury Turnford, tied for the new Social Media Officer role and now share the first jointly held Cabinet post in the Youth Council's history. Got a young person aged 11 to 17 who lives or studies in Broxbourne? The Youth Council is open to them, it is politically neutral, and Zara says she wants it to amplify young people's voices.
Anita Rani is in Hoddesdon tomorrow, and you can pick up free business advice and a headshot while she's there
Vodafone is bringing its free Opportunity Hub pop-up to The Live Room Café, 45 High Street, Hoddesdon, tomorrow, Wednesday 21 October, from 10am to 4pm, and Hoddesdon is one of only five towns in the UK hosting it this autumn. In the morning, Countryfile and Woman's Hour presenter Anita Rani shares how she went from her first radio show at 14 to running her own production company, followed by a Q&A, and in the afternoon Enterprise Nation runs a practical workshop on using simple AI tools to turn a hobby or side hustle into a business, with free professional headshots, drinks and treats throughout. The event also marks Vodafone's network upgrades in Hoddesdon, including around Rye Park and Cranbourne Primary School, which the company says make download speeds up to 12 times faster in places. Book a free ticket now, as spaces are limited and only a few walk-ins will be available.
Cheshunt is "marrying" its old Free Church this Friday, in a bid to save it from sale
Campaigners are holding a symbolic wedding between the town and Cheshunt Free Church, 27 High Street, on Friday 23 October, to celebrate the building's history and draw attention to its future: they say it has stood empty since March and was put up for sale without the community being told. Because the church isn't protected as a historic building, the campaign wants it added to the council's heritage register and turned into a disability-led community hub run by MSGO Hub, with an inclusive play café, a queer community library and creative art workshops. Everyone is welcome: the ceremony starts outside the church at 11.30am, followed by a walk to a reception at Blossom Lounge from 12.30pm to 4pm, where the Mayor is due at 1.30pm, and if you can't make it you can still back the campaign by signing the petition.
Local founders, most of them non-technical, are building AI businesses at a new Cheshunt tech hub
Emerging TEC, a new AI and emerging technology incubator at Theobalds Enterprise Centre in Cheshunt, is under way with its first cohort of local entrepreneurs, building everything from a recruitment platform for women to an AI marketing and social platform. The Google-funded programme is free for the founders and brings workshops, masterclasses and expert mentoring, peer learning and networking, help to find funding to scale, and pitch preparation, with the pilot cohort running from September to a showcase event in January 2027. You no longer need to be a coder to build a tech business in Broxbourne, and this could be the start of a real tech hub on our doorstep, so watch this space and look out for the showcase in the new year.
Disclosure: Broxtown's editor, Emeka Ogbonnaya, is a mentor at Emerging TEC.
Christmas is coming to Hoddesdon and Waltham Cross, and every event is free
The council has announced its festive programme, opening with Hoddesdon Loves Christmas on Sunday 29 November and closing with the Waltham Cross Christmas Festival on Saturday 5 December. In between, schools from across the borough will sing at the Festival of Carols at Hoddesdon War Memorial and the Pavilions Shopping Centre, with Hoddesdon's day ending in a parade and fireworks and Waltham Cross bringing a giant snow globe and a visit from Santa. Put the dates in your diary now: full listings are in Upcoming Events below.
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
🏡 Local and in-person
🏛️ Landlord and Letting Agent Forum
📍 Council Chamber, Bishops' College, Cheshunt
🗓️ Tuesday 20 October 2026
⏰ 12pm to 2pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Details / Book
🎭 Without
📍 BEAM, Hertford
🗓️ Tuesday 20 October 2026
🎟️ Paid ticket
👉 Details / Book
🎵 Kerry Ellis, Rock Anthems
📍 BEAM, Hertford
🗓️ Wednesday 21 October 2026
🎟️ Paid ticket
👉 Details / Book
🏃 Free Calisthenics Sessions
📍 Waltham Cross Playing Fields, Waltham Cross
🗓️ Wednesday 21 and Wednesday 28 October 2026
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Details / Book
🎵 Legend, Bob Marley Tribute
📍 The Spotlight, Hoddesdon
🗓️ Thursday 22 October 2026
🎟️ Paid ticket
👉 Details / Book
🎤 Kiell Smith-Bynoe's Kool Story Bro
📍 BEAM, Hertford
🗓️ Thursday 22 October 2026
🎟️ Paid ticket
👉 Details / Book
🎉 Cheshunt Free Church Community Celebration
📍 Cheshunt Free Church, 27 High Street, Cheshunt, then Blossom Lounge
🗓️ Friday 23 October 2026
⏰ Ceremony 11.30am | Reception 12.30pm to 4pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Details / Book
🎵 Voodoo Room, A Night of Hendrix, Clapton and Cream
📍 The Spotlight, Hoddesdon
🗓️ Friday 23 October 2026
🎟️ Paid ticket
👉 Details / Book
🎭 Thomas Green, Brainstorm
📍 BEAM, Hertford
🗓️ Friday 23 October 2026
🎟️ Paid ticket
👉 Details / Book
🎉 Wine Bingo Night at The Hertfordshire
📍 The Hertfordshire Golf and Country Club, Broxbourne
🗓️ Friday 23 October 2026
⏰ 6pm to 9pm
🎟️ Paid ticket, £49.95
👉 Details / Book
🎵 Marvin Humes, Noughties Baby
📍 The Spotlight, Hoddesdon
🗓️ Saturday 24 October 2026
🎟️ Paid ticket
👉 Details / Book
🎭 We've Had Such a Lovely Time
📍 BEAM, Hertford
🗓️ Saturday 24 October 2026
🎟️ Paid ticket
👉 Details / Book
🎵 The Eras Experience, Taylor Swift Tribute
📍 BEAM, Hertford
🗓️ Saturday 24 October 2026
🎟️ Paid ticket
👉 Details / Book
🌿 Pumpkin Trail, Pumpkin Hunt and Animal Meet and Greets
📍 Cedars Nature Centre, Waltham Cross
🗓️ Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026
👉 Details / Book
🎵 Barry White, Let the Music Play
📍 The Spotlight, Hoddesdon
🗓️ Sunday 25 October 2026
🎟️ Paid ticket
👉 Details / Book
🎭 Sarah Luke Performing Arts presents Let's Dance
📍 BEAM, Hertford
🗓️ Sunday 25 October 2026
🎟️ Paid ticket
👉 Details / Book
🎭 The Mystery of BEAM Hertford
📍 BEAM, Hertford
🗓️ Sunday 25 October 2026
👉 Details / Book
🏃 Free Holdbrook Multi-Sports Sessions, Ages 11 to 18
📍 Holdbrook, Waltham Cross
🗓️ Monday 26 October 2026
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Details / Book
🏃 Super Star Sport October Half-Term Camp
📍 St Catherine's School, Hoddesdon
🗓️ Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026
🎟️ Paid ticket, from £16
👉 Details / Book
🍽️ Broxtown Supper Club: Personal Brand, AI and Good Conversation
📍 Fishy Delishy, College Road, Cheshunt
🗓️ Tuesday 3 November 2026
⏰ 6.30pm to 8.30pm
🎟️ Paid ticket
👉 Details / Book
🎉 Hoddesdon Loves Christmas
📍 Hoddesdon town centre
🗓️ Sunday 29 November 2026
⏰ 10am to 6.30pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Details / Book
🎵 Festival of Carols, Hoddesdon Schools
📍 Hoddesdon War Memorial, Hoddesdon
🗓️ Wednesday 2, Friday 4 and Wednesday 9 December 2026
⏰ 9.30am to 3pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Details / Book
🎵 Festival of Carols, Waltham Cross Schools
📍 Pavilions Shopping Centre, Waltham Cross
🗓️ Wednesday 2 and Friday 4 December 2026
⏰ 9.30am to 3pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Details / Book
🎉 Waltham Cross Christmas Festival
📍 Waltham Cross
🗓️ Saturday 5 December 2026
⏰ 10am to 6pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Details / Book
💼 Business and enterprise
💼 Marketing for Your Business, Skills Webinar
📍 Online
🗓️ Wednesday 21 October 2026
⏰ 10am
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Details / Book
💼 The Opportunity Hub, with Anita Rani
📍 The Live Room Café, 45 High Street, Hoddesdon
🗓️ Wednesday 21 October 2026
⏰ 10am to 4pm
🎟️ Free entry, booking recommended
👉 Details / Book
💼 Watford Inclusive Job Fair
📍 Watford Colosseum, Watford
🗓️ Thursday 22 October 2026
⏰ 10am
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Details / Book
💼 Ambition Broxbourne Grants for Business, Ask Us Anything
📍 Online, hosted by Wenta
🗓️ Thursday 22 October 2026
⏰ 1pm to 2pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Details / Book
💼 A Beginner's Guide to YouTube for Your Business
📍 Venue to be confirmed
🗓️ Friday 23 October 2026
⏰ 10am
🎟️ Paid ticket, from £25
👉 Details / Book
💼 How AI Can Help Your Restaurant Get More Customers
📍 Fishy Delishy, Cheshunt
🗓️ Tuesday 3 November 2026
⏰ 11am start
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Details / Book
Disclosure: Run by Townstead AI and featuring a TablePulse demo, both businesses of Broxtown's editor, Emeka Ogbonnaya.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING TIPS
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🎨 TUESDAY MOTIVATION
Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.
- Jane Jacobs, the Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961)
Weather ☀ Tuesday - Sunday
Tuesday 20 October 16°C 🌡️ 12°C | ☁️ Overcast, dry | ☀️ Sunrise 07:32 | Sunset 17:56
Wednesday 21 October 15°C 🌡️ 10°C | 🌦️ Light drizzle, cloudy | ☀️ Sunrise 07:34 | Sunset 17:53
Thursday 22 October 14°C 🌡️ 7°C | ⛅ Sunny spells | ☀️ Sunrise 07:36 | Sunset 17:51
Friday 23 October 15°C 🌡️ 9°C | ☁️ Overcast, dry | ☀️ Sunrise 07:38 | Sunset 17:49
Saturday 24 October 13°C 🌡️ 6°C | 🌦️ Light drizzle, cloudy | ☀️ Sunrise 07:39 | Sunset 17:47
Sunday 25 October 14°C 🌡️ 5°C | ☁️ Overcast, dry | ☀️ Sunrise 06:41 | Sunset 16:45
Monday 26 October 13°C 🌡️ 7°C | 🌦️ Light drizzle, cloudy | ☀️ Sunrise 06:43 | Sunset 16:43
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Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya
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