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Good Morning {{first_name | Reader}},
It is going to be a hot one this week. A red heat-health alert is in force across Hertfordshire, with temperatures expected to climb as high as 38°C over the next few days. Please drink plenty of water, stay out of direct sun between 11am and 3pm, and check in on anyone nearby who might struggle in this kind of heat.
On the national front, yesterday we saw Keir Starmer resign as Prime Minister and Andy Burnham sworn in as an MP, setting the stage for a new Labour leader. We have seen this film before, and it rarely ends the way people hope. That said, I am happy to be proved wrong.
On a warmer note, I hope you had a good Father's Day. It was lovely to see so many people making a real effort for the dads in their lives. My family looked after me well and I am grateful for that. For those of you for whom this time of year brings back difficult memories, we are thinking of you.
Now, on to what is happening in Broxbourne.
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🏛️ HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Red heat alert issued for Hertfordshire - here is what you need to do today
A red heat-health alert is in force for the county today, with temperatures in Broxbourne expected to reach as high as 38°C over the coming days. Older residents, young children, and anyone with an underlying health condition are most at risk and should stay out of direct sun between 11am and 3pm, drink water regularly, and keep curtains closed on sun-facing rooms. If you are worried about a neighbour or family member struggling in the heat, contact HertsHelp — and call 999 immediately if you suspect someone has heatstroke.
At least 100,000 free trees up for grabs in Hertfordshire's biggest ever giveaway
Hertfordshire County Council has launched its 2026 "Your Tree Our Future" scheme, offering at least 100,000 free native trees to residents — the most the council has ever made available in a single year. You can apply for up to five individual trees, or swap one for a hedgerow pack big enough to plant six metres of native hedge, with eight species to choose from. Applications are open now and trees will be distributed from local collection points in early December 2026, while stocks last.
Historic County Hall in Hertford is being converted into homes
Hertfordshire County Council has named City & Country as its preferred developer for the historic County Hall site in Hertford, following an extensive bidding process. The developer plans to convert the largely vacant buildings into residential units, while keeping heritage spaces such as the former Council Chamber, ballroom, and committee rooms available for community and flexible working use. The cricket pitch and woodland — both designated as an Asset of Community Value — will remain undeveloped and open to the public.
Someone just spent $236,000,000 on a painting. Here’s why it matters for your wallet.
Late last year, a Klimt sold for the highest price ever paid for modern art at auction.
An outlier sure, but it wasn't a fluke. U.S. auction sales grew 23.1% in 2025. The $1-5mm segment even grew 40.8% YoY.
Meanwhile, Apollo’s chief economist Torsten Slok said to expect ‘zero in return in the S&P 500 over the coming decade.’
Each environment is unique, but after dot-com, post war and contemporary art grew about 24% annually for a decade. After 2008, about 11% for 12 years.
It’s also had near-zero correlation with the S&P 500 since ‘95.*
Now, Masterworks lets you invest in shares of artworks featuring legends like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso.
$1.3 billion invested across over 500 artworks.
28 sales to date.
Net annualized returns on sold works held 12 months+ like 14.6%, 17.6%, and 17.8%.
Shares can sell quickly, but my subscribers can skip the waitlist:
*Investing involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. See important Reg A disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Small housing developments face a new £100-per-square-metre charge — have your say by 20 July
Broxbourne Borough Council is proposing a Community Infrastructure Levy of £100 per square metre on small residential developments of between one and nine new homes — a charge that does not currently exist for these smaller schemes. The levy is designed to ensure that the cumulative impact of small-scale development on local roads, schools, and services is properly funded. The consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 20 July 2026 and you can have your say online.
Barclay Park's Fun Dog Show kicked off the Midsummer Festival in style
The Friends of Barclay Park brought Hoddesdon together on Sunday 14 June with a Fun Dog Show that served as the launch event for Love Hoddesdon's Midsummer Festival. Watch out for the weekend event. Dogs and their owners turned out in force for what sounds like a brilliant afternoon in the park. If you were there and want to share your photos with the community, get in touch with the Broxtown team.
Your 1980s home could end up on screen — producers are looking in Waltham Cross this July
A production company is searching for a house in the Waltham Cross area with an original, unmodernised 1980s feel for a filming project this July. If your home has kept its period character and you are open to it being used as a location, it could be worth getting in touch. Email [email protected] for more information.
Hoddesdon Library marked Windrush Day yesterday with stories from a generation that shaped Britain
Hoddesdon Library celebrated Windrush Day on Monday 22 June, honouring the contributions of the Windrush Generation and their lasting impact on British culture and community life. If you missed the day, the library's catalogue includes a collection of Windrush-related books, stories, and histories available to explore at your own pace. You can browse the full collection online or pop in to the library to find out more.
Starmer resigns: the seventh prime minister in a decade
Keir Starmer announced his resignation as Prime Minister today, stepping down after mounting pressure from Labour MPs following heavy losses in May's local elections. The weight of that office is real — it lands on whoever holds it, and all of those pressures around the cost of living, energy bills, and what you spend at the supermarket or the fuel court do not go anywhere when the face behind the door of Number 10 changes. Whether his likely successor, Andy Burnham, can shift any of that in a meaningful direction for people in Broxbourne, time will tell.
🍽️ EATERIES TO WATCH
Mysa — Hoddesdon High Street
Delicate salmon, vibrant seasonal greens, and a fresh burst of citrus, finished with a squeeze of charred lemon that brings every flavour together. If you are looking for somewhere to eat well in Hoddesdon this week, Mysa is worth a visit.
📍 76 High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8ET 📞 01992 444415 🌐 mysarestaurant.co.uk
Sorelle Café — Cheshunt (just opened)
A new café has arrived on Churchgate Road. Sorelle opened last week with freshly prepared food, good coffee, and the kind of welcome that makes you want to come back. If you are nearby, pop in and say hello.
📍 236 Churchgate Road, Cheshunt, EN8 9EQ
Fishy Delishy — Cheshunt
Your local fish and chip shop it may be, but Fishy Delishy does not stop there. Everything is fresh, prepared with care, and the menu has a few surprises beyond the classics. If you have not been in yet, it is time to find out what the fuss is about.
📍 13A–14 Newham Parade, Cheshunt, EN8 9NU
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
MEME of The Day
Heatwave is here
HEALTH & WELLBEING TIPS
If it does not look like real food, stop pretending it is food.
Build every meal around protein, fibre and colour, that means lean protein, greens and something bright on the plate.
Drink water before you snack, half the time you are just dehydrated.
Eat slowly, if you cannot remember tasting it, you probably did not need it.
Sponsored by Our Resident Doctor.
🎨 TUESDAY MOTIVATION
The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.— Carl Jung
You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. — Jon Kabat-Zinn
WEATHER ☀ Waltham Cross
🔴 Red Extreme Heat Warning in force — Wed 25 & Thu 26 June. June all-time daily temperature records forecast to be broken. Stay indoors between 11am and 3pm.
Monday 23 June 30°C 🌡️ 18°C | ☀️ Sunny day | ☀️ Sunrise 04:42 | Sunset 21:22
Tuesday 24 June 31°C 🌡️ 18°C | ☀️ Sunny day | ☀️ Sunrise 04:42 | Sunset 21:22
Wednesday 25 June 29°C 🌡️ 17°C | ☀️ Sunny day | ☀️ Sunrise 04:43 | Sunset 21:22
Thursday 26 June Peak heat warning day — temperatures potentially reaching 38°C 🌡️ — | ☀️ Sunny | ☀️ Sunrise 04:43 | Sunset 21:22
Friday 27 June 30°C 🌡️ — | ☀️ Sunny | ☀️ Sunrise 04:43 | Sunset 21:22
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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!
Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya
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