Good Morning {{first_name | Reader}},

What a night yesterday. England went to the Azteca, played more than half the match a man down after Jarell Quansah's red card, and still found a way to win 3-2 against a Mexico side that hadn't lost there since 2013. Bellingham with a brace, Kane converting from the spot, the lot. If you stayed up for it, you'll know it was worth the tired eyes. Norway's up next on Saturday - it’s coming home.

Speaking of things coming home: it's going to be a proper scorcher across the county this week, with highs in the low 30s from today through Thursday and a very high UV warning in place. Get the foil up at the window, dig out the fan, top up the paddling pool, whatever your method. Drink more water than feels necessary and find shade in the afternoons.

Also this week: the MP is pushing lane rental schemes as a way to speed up local roadworks, and we've rounded up AI events happening across Broxbourne this week and the summer, from beginner sessions to a full bootcamp.

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Herts Summer Parks returns for its second year, offering three weeks of free activities for young people aged 12-16, including inflatables, climbing, graffiti art and archery, plus a free food voucher at every session. Sessions run from 3 to 21 August across Borehamwood, Waltham Cross, Watford, Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage, delivered by Sporting Inspirations CIC in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council and Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership. Registration is open now for fast-track entry, and the Watford dates and times are listed in the events section below.

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A family has lost their home after a fire tore through the flat above Simmons bakery on the High Road in Broxbourne overnight on 2 July. Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called just after midnight to find flames well established in the first floor flat and roof space. Crews from multiple stations, backed by an aerial ladder platform and a drone, fought the blaze and stopped it spreading to neighbouring buildings. Nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution and no injuries have been reported.

The flat and roof were badly damaged, with blown out windows and a charred roofline now visible from the street. The fire did not start inside the bakery itself, but Simmons has confirmed the Broxbourne branch will stay closed for several days while safety checks and repairs are carried out.

The community is now trying to reach the family and offer support. A post on the Spotted in Broxbourne, Hoddesdon and Ware Facebook page is asking for donations, practical help, and for the appeal to be shared as widely as possible. If you want to help, email BroxTown and we'll point you to the right channel to make sure it reaches the family directly.

Good news on the high street is rare these days. Cheshunt's Old Pond has watched bank after bank shut its doors over the past few years. Barclays went, next to Tesco. Halifax closed by the Newman Parade. HSBC, opposite Windmill Lane, shut too. Even the Costa that took over the old NatWest site closed without warning, and there was nothing the town could do about it.

So when signs went up in the old Halifax branch reading "coming soon," people noticed. Social media accounts appeared, excitement built, and then, month after month, nothing happened.

Last Monday, it finally opened. Gavé, a cafe in the old Halifax unit at Old Pond, welcomed its first customers, and it's a genuinely impressive space.

Walk in and the size of the place is the first surprise. The staff were warm and welcoming to everyone, not just regulars. Sign up to the app and you start earning points, called beans, and the same app lets you book one of the remote working pods on site. Gavé isn't just a cafe. It's a co-working space too.

The croissant and coffee were excellent, and the seating is well made, firm and comfortable. The name is Gavé, pronounced closer to "gah-veh" than "gaffe," Cypriot Turkish for coffee.

A grand opening is still to come, but the doors are open now if you want to see it for yourself. Cheshunt's Old Pond has a new business worth supporting.

Hertfordshire is forecast to hit 38C on Thursday 9 July, as UK sea temperatures approach levels the Met Office calls "extreme," a classification rarely seen in British waters. London and Berkshire are expected to reach 39C, per Net Weather maps.

The marine heatwave has built through 2026, intensifying after last week's heat dome broke the 1976 record for warmest June day. Coastal waters are already 2C to 5C above normal, and calm weather next week means little chance for the sea to cool before the next spike.

Scientists warn of knock-on effects beyond a hot week. Government fisheries scientist John Pinnegar says warm seas can shift fish populations, damage habitats, and raise algal bloom risk, pointing to a recent octopus surge already hurting crab and lobster catches in the South West.

One warning worth repeating: UK seas stay cold even during a marine heatwave. The Met Office is urging swimmers to stick to lifeguarded beaches, stay between the flags, and call 999 for the coastguard in an emergency.

Lewis Cocking hosted MP Richard Holden, Shadow Transport Minister, at a local roadworks site to discuss lane rental schemes, a measure that charges utility companies for holding up traffic during works. Hertfordshire County Council is looking at whether the approach could cut the delays roadworks cause on local roads. No timeline or decision has been announced yet.

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The Lea Valley u3a's Sunday walking group, led by Martin, completed a river walk along the Lea in June, finishing with lunch at The Bull in Broxbourne. The group is one of several under the Lea Valley u3a, which is open to new members and running a £10 membership offer until the end of the year. The next main meeting is Monday 13 July from 1pm, with a guest speaker at 2pm, at the Spotlight.

Full list of activities: www.leavalley.u3asite.uk

📍 Hoddesdon Enterprise Centre
🗓️ TODAY — Tuesday 7 July 2026
⏰ 11:00am | 12:30pm finish
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Book here:

🌿 Love Cheshunt Outdoor Cinema

📍 Grundy Park, Cheshunt

🗓️ Friday 14 August 2026

👉 Vote: https://lovecheshunt.co.uk/events

Vote now to pick the 12pm film at this summer's Love Cheshunt outdoor cinema. Choose between SpongeBob SquarePants: The Search for SquarePants or Lilo and Stitch, with the winner shown on the day. Voting closes 10 July, and the result will be announced on social media and the website.

Also showing on 14 August: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at 3pm and Mamma Mia at 6pm.

🤖 Are you building with AI in Hertfordshire?

A new WhatsApp group just launched for Hertfordshire-based vibe coders - people using AI tools to build the next generation of SaaS products, automate workflows and drive real business revenue.

If you're experimenting with AI, shipping products, or just want to swap notes with others who are actually building, this is your group.

👉 AI Builders Hertfordshire - join the Vibe Coder WhatsApp Group

📧 Email [email protected] to get the link

Lark in the Park

Location: Grundy Park, Barclay Park, Cheshunt Park, Cedars Park and Goffs Oak Playing Fields
Dates: Monday 27 July to Friday 21 August 2026
Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Cost: Free, no booking required
More information: https://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/events

Rugby Taster Sessions

Location: Cheshunt Rugby Club
Dates: Throughout July and August 2026
Cost: Free
More information: https://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/events

Youth Skateboarding Sessions

Location: Cheshunt Park
Dates: Throughout July and August 2026
Cost: Free
More information: https://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/events

Waltham Cross Sports Festival

Location: Waltham Cross Playing Fields
Date: Summer 2026 (date to be confirmed)
Cost: Free
More information: https://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/events

AI Coffee & Conversation

Location: Theobalds Enterprise Centre, Cheshunt
Date: Friday 17 July 2026
Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm
Cost: Free, no expertise needed. Sceptics are welcome.
Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ai-coffee-conversation-june-tickets-1989984353771

Tuesday 7 July 27°C 🌡️ 13°C | ☀️ Warm with some sunshine | ☀️ Sunrise 04:50 | 🌇 Sunset 21:20

Wednesday 8 July 26°C 🌡️ 15°C | ☀️ Plenty of sunshine, warm | ☀️ Sunrise 04:51 | 🌇 Sunset 21:19

Thursday 9 July 28°C 🌡️ 15°C | 🌤️ Sunny to partly cloudy, very warm | ☀️ Sunrise 04:52 | 🌇 Sunset 21:19

Friday 10 July 26°C 🌡️ 14°C | ⛅ Partly sunny, warm and pleasant | ☀️ Sunrise 04:53 | 🌇 Sunset 21:18

Saturday 11 July 26°C 🌡️ 15°C | ☀️ Brilliant sunshine, pleasantly warm | ☀️ Sunrise 04:54 | 🌇 Sunset 21:17

Sunday 12 July 29°C 🌡️ 14°C | 🌤️ Partly sunny, breezy, very warm | ☀️ Sunrise 04:55 | 🌇 Sunset 21:17

Have a question, a story tip, an event to submit, or an advertising or sponsorship enquiry?
👉 Get in touch using the link below.

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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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