In partnership with
Good Morning {{first_name | Reader}},
Happy Easter. I hope Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday treated you well. Apologies for the delay in gracing your inbox. Technicalities to blame 🙂
It has been a week on the world stage. Pepsi pulled its Wireless Festival sponsorship after Kanye West was announced as headliner. NASA's Artemis astronauts completed their journey around the moon, travelling further from Earth than any humans have ventured in decades. The conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, with the American president making headlines for his language as rising regional tensions push up food and fuel costs here at home. Both the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury used their Easter services to call on world leaders to choose dialogue over confrontation. We share that hope.
Closer to home, NHS resident doctors began strike action this morning. If you have an appointment this week, check whether it is going ahead. Meanwhile, Easter has been well and truly celebrated across the borough — fayres in Waltham Cross and Cheshunt, an egg hunt in Barclay Park, and the weather has been nothing short of excellent. A whole lot happening at Cedars Park too.
I have done the rounds so you do not have to. Scroll through and see what is happening in your community this week.
💌 Love this newsletter? Share it with a friend! 💌
Real conversations, shared over a local table
Bringing people together over good food
Hertstown Dinners are small, curated gatherings of six people, hosted in local restaurants and built around a clear theme. Each dinner brings thoughtful locals together for focused conversation, not networking or pitches. Apply to join the next themed Hertstown Dinner.
Open Application Theme: Rising Cost of Living
This is not a networking event and there are no talks or sales pitches. Just good food, considered discussion, and people who care about where they live. Spaces are limited and allocated by application to keep the experience intentional.
Future dinners will be announced via this newsletter.
🏛️ HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Herts firefighters beat the field, taking two of seven prizes at national apprenticeship awards
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service claimed two awards at the National Fire Chiefs Council Apprenticeship Awards on 12 March — Sue Mottershead named NFCC Apprenticeship Champion of the Year, and the service recognised as Apprenticeship Provider of the Year, having been runner-up in 2024. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Andy Hall said the double win reflects the high standards and commitment to developing talent that ultimately protects local communities.
800 Year 6 pupils spent a fortnight learning about vaping, knife crime and first aid at a real fire station
More than 800 Year 6 pupils from 22 primary schools across St Albans, Harpenden, Redbourn and Colney Heath took part in the annual Crucial Crew scheme at St Albans Fire Station this year, covering vaping, knife crime, fire safety, road safety and first aid. The programme brings together Hertfordshire Police, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue, Oaklands College and the Hertfordshire Mind Network under the St Albans District Community Safety Partnership. One teacher noted pupils were still working through the scenarios long after the sessions ended.
🏛️ NATIONAL
NHS resident doctors are on strike this week - here's what it means for your appointments
Resident doctors began a six-day walkout at 7am this Tuesday 7 April, running until 7am on Monday 13 April, in an ongoing dispute between the British Medical Association and the government over pay and job shortages. This is the 15th walkout since March 2023. The NHS says it will only cancel appointments where absolutely necessary and will contact affected patients directly - if you have an upcoming appointment and have not heard anything, attend as planned and come forward for any care you need.
Smart starts here.
You don't have to read everything — just the right thing. 1440's daily newsletter distills the day's biggest stories from 100+ sources into one quick, 5-minute read. It's the fastest way to stay sharp, sound informed, and actually understand what's happening in the world. Join 4.5 million readers who start their day the smart way.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Barclay Park brought the community together for Easter, wind and all
Hundreds of residents turned out for the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Barclay Park in Hoddesdon on Tuesday, with the Mayor of Broxbourne, MP Lewis Cocking, and a host of local public figures joining families on the trail. The wind did its best to put a dampener on things but failed entirely. All credit goes to the Friends of Barclay Park, whose quiet, consistent work behind the scenes made the whole thing possible.
Cheshunt's Easter trail has been so popular it ran out of eggs. Three times.
The Love Cheshunt Easter trail has been a hit with local families, proving so popular that Tesco Brookfield and Tesco Old Pond have had to step in with emergency egg donations on three separate occasions. Three days of the trail remain, so pick up a map from Dobsons, LMA Studios, or Cheshunt Library — or print one at lovecheshunt.co.uk if you're heading out on Good Friday, and return to Dobsons on Saturday to collect your prize.
Waltham Cross Easter Fayre delivered a proper community day out
The first Love Waltham Cross event of the year landed on a sunny Easter weekend and made the most of it, with an Easter Bunny Egg Hunt drawing families out in numbers alongside stall holders and volunteers who made the whole thing run. The Easter Bunny trail continues until 11 April, so there is still time to take part. Follow Love Waltham Cross on social media for what is coming next.
The Easter Bunny came to the Pavilion Waltham Cross, and shoppers loved it
The Pavilion Waltham Cross marked Easter with a live show featuring a dancing Easter Bunny handing out eggs to delighted shoppers, with music setting the mood throughout. What could have been an ordinary shopping trip turned into something worth stopping for, and the centre went live on Instagram to share the moment with a wider audience. Happy Easter to everyone at the Pavilion and everyone who got their dance in.
Local young cancer fighters swap hospital for a skateboard, and it shows
Nineteen young people supported by Teens Unite Fighting Cancer attended a skateboarding workshop last week at Manor Place in London, led by instructors from Skates and Ladders. From basic techniques to first tricks, the group made remarkable progress over a single session, with each participant leaving with their own skateboard, gifted thanks to support from Novartis through O3 Elements. The session was designed to help young people rebuild confidence, improve fitness, and connect with others who understand what living with cancer really involves.
A Stevenage film crew gave up a day to tell the Cedars Park Men's Shed story - and one shedder stepped well outside his comfort zone to help
Pearldrop Video Production spent a day at Cedars Park last week interviewing members of the Men's Shed, donating their time and crew to produce a film that will tell the world what the group is and what it does. Simon, Denise, Jemma and Rob from the Stevenage-based production company led the shoot, with a special mention going to Rubyn, who agreed to be interviewed despite it being entirely outside what he would normally take on. He delivered. The shedders are credited with putting on a great show and fully getting behind the crew.
Cedars Park Men's Shed took birdbox-making to Whitefields Estate
A group of shedders visited Whitefields Estate last week to join a Greyline community event for residents, helping attendees assemble flatback bird boxes that the Men's Shed had previously donated for the occasion. Several boxes were completed on the day and will be put up around the estate. The kind of thing that does not make the news but makes a neighbourhood.
Barry and his team from DH Liquid Coatings Ltd donated their time and materials last week to treat the leaking roof on the Men's Shed at Cedars Park, with Mario and Mark spending a full day cleaning and applying coatings to make it watertight for the next twenty years. The Friends of Cedars Park say no words can adequately describe their gratitude. More from the group is on the way.
Wildlife is returning to Cedars Park and the duck house is finally earning its name
Birds are nesting in the duck house at Cedars Park, with the Friends reporting their first visitors of the season moving into the shed this morning. It is the kind of quiet sign of spring that reminds you why community green spaces matter.
Cedars Park pop-up shop, bowls club donation, and volunteer gardeners - all on the same Tuesday
Friends of Cedars Park are running a pop-up shop today from 11.30am to around 2.30pm, so head down for a bargain. The Men's Shed also donated several bowls to Cheshunt Outdoors Bowls Club today as the club returned to the park. And yesterday, volunteers Joan and Linda were doing their thing in the Rose Arch — the kind of unsung work that keeps the park looking the way it does.
Lewis Cocking MP is hosting an Older Persons' Fair in Hoddesdon on 10 April
Broxbourne MP Lewis Cocking is holding an Older Persons' Fair at The Spotlight in Hoddesdon on Friday 10 April, from 10am to 2pm. The event is open to local residents of any age, and you're welcome to attend on behalf of an older friend or relative. No booking is required, but you can confirm attendance on the MP's website.
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
🌿 Easter Egg Hunt — Barclay Park
📍 Barclay Park, Hoddesdon
🗓️ Tuesday 7 April 2026
⏰ Daytime hours
🎟️ Free entry
🧱 Family Fun: Building Buildings — Hoddesdon Library
📍 Hoddesdon Library, Hoddesdon
🗓️ April 2026 — see booking link for dates
⏰ Session times vary
🎟️ Free entry (booking required)
👉 Book your place: https://herts.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/EVSESENQ?SETLVL=&RNI=15956593
🧱 Easter LEGO Club — Waltham Cross Library
📍 Waltham Cross Library, Waltham Cross
🗓️ Tuesday 7 April 2026
⏰ 3:00pm – 4:00pm
🎟️ Free entry (no booking required)
🎉 Kidz Klub Easter Holidays
📍 John Warner Sports Centre, Hoddesdon
🗓️ Tuesday 7 – Friday 10 April 2026
⏰ Daytime sessions
💷 Paid ticket
👉 Learn more: https://ow.ly/HWRB50YrGji
🏛️ Lewis Cocking's Older Persons' Fair
📍 The Spotlight, Hoddesdon, EN11 8BE
🗓️ Friday 10 April 2026
⏰ 10:00am – 2:00pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Confirm attendance:
/
🌿 Herts Go Green & Grow Workshop
📍 Online (Zoom)
🗓️ Monday 13 April 2026
⏰ 12:00pm – 1:00pm
🎟️ Free (members) | £15 + VAT (non-members)
👉 Book your place: https://hertschamber.rubicrm.com/calendar_detail.html?eid=FB938A50-A259-4EE5-8918-7F7CA8C586EF
💼 Working Well: Preventing Burnout in the Workplace (Employees)
📍 Waltham Cross Community Skills Hub, Pavilions Shopping Centre
🗓️ Wednesday 15 April 2026
⏰ 9:30am – 1:00pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/working-well-preventing-burnout-in-the-workplace-for-employees-tickets-1984632068943
Explore Peru with purpose
See Peru through the eyes of the women who call it home on Intrepid’s new Women’s Expedition. Travel with an expert female leader and a small group of like-minded women - trek the Andes, take part in a traditional textile workshop and join a female shaman’s spiritual practice on this immersive 8-day adventure.
🎉 Hoddesdon Spring Fayre & Heritage Day
📍 Hoddesdon Town Centre
🗓️ Saturday 18 April 2026
⏰ 10:00am – 5:00pm
🎟️ Free entry
👩 Women in AI and Data
📍 Theobalds Enterprise Centre, Cheshunt
🗓️ Thursday 23 April 2026
⏰ 10:00am – 12:00pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-in-ai-and-data-tickets-1985500101251
💼 From Plans to Proposals: Crafting Strong Funding Applications
📍 Nigel Copping Community Building, Stanstead Abbotts
🗓️ Thursday 23 April 2026
⏰ 1:30pm – 4:30pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/from-plans-to-proposals-crafting-strong-competitive-funding-applications-tickets-1984291337807
🏴 St George’s Family Fun Day
📍 Cheshunt
🗓️ Friday 25 April 2026
⏰ Daytime hours
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Sponsorship enquiries: [email protected]
🏠 Landlord and Letting Agent Forum
📍 Broxbourne Borough Council, Churchgate, Cheshunt
🗓️ Tuesday 28 April 2026
⏰ 5:30pm – 7:00pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/landlord-and-letting-agent-forum-tickets-1985904538935
💼 Working Well: Preventing Burnout (Entrepreneurs & Leaders)
📍 Online (virtual session)
🗓️ Thursday 30 April 2026
⏰ 10:00am – 1:00pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/working-well-preventing-burnout-in-the-workplace-for-managers-tickets-1984633929508
💼 Social Media & Digital Marketing Surgery
📍 Online (1-to-1 sessions)
🗓️ April 2026 — multiple dates
⏰ 45-minute sessions
🎟️ Free entry (Broxbourne residents & businesses)
👉 Book your session: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/social-media-and-digital-marketing-surgery-april-2026-tickets-1981319442789
💼 Business Start-Up Fundamentals
📍 Online (webinar)
🗓️ Tuesday 12 May 2026
⏰ 11:00am – 12:00pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/business-start-up-fundamentals-tickets-1984633217378
MEME of The Day
Lovely Weather Alert!
HEALTH & WELLBEING TIPS
☀️ Health Tip: Sunbathing — Good or Risky?
A bit of sun can help more than you think. It boosts vitamin D, supports mood, and can improve sleep by regulating your body clock.
But here’s the part people ignore.
Too much sun exposure increases the risk of skin damage, premature ageing, and skin cancer. That “nice glow” can come at a long-term cost if you overdo it.
The balance:
Get short, regular exposure (10–20 minutes), avoid peak midday sun, and use sunscreen if you’re staying out longer.
Sunlight is powerful. Use it deliberately, not casually.
Sponsored by Our Resident Doctor.
🎨 TUESDAY MOTIVATION
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge. but whoever hates correction is stupid. (Proverbs)
The life you want is on the other side of the work you keep avoiding. (Unknown)
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Lowewood Museum | Hoddesdon Five consultancy roles: Business Planner, Building Use Consultant, Fundraiser, Governance Consultant, Learning Consultant. Part of the National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported Futureproofing Our Community's Heritage project, running to February 2028. Deadline: 12 April 2026 | Apply now
CHEXS | London Marathon 2027 Volunteer fundraising opportunity. Run 26.2 miles for a local charity supporting children and families across the Broxbourne area. Register your interest
Weather ☀ Tuesday - Friday (HODDESDON)
Tuesday 7 April 14°C 🌡️ 4°C | ☀️ Sunny | ☀️ Sunrise 6:18am | Sunset 7:58pm
Wednesday 8 April 17°C 🌡️ 6°C | ⛅ Mostly cloudy | ☀️ Sunrise 6:16am | Sunset 7:59pm
Thursday 9 April 15°C 🌡️ 6°C | ⛅ Partly cloudy | ☀️ Sunrise 6:14am | Sunset 8:01pm
Friday 10 April 11°C 🌡️ 3°C | ☁️ Cloudy | ☀️ Sunrise 6:12am | Sunset 8:03pm
Saturday 11 April 13°C 🌡️ 7°C | ⛅ Sunny intervals | ☀️ Sunrise 6:10am | Sunset 8:04pm
Source: timeanddate.com — updated 7 April 2026
What did you think of today’s edition?
Thanks for Reading!
Have a question, a story tip, an event to submit, or an advertising or sponsorship enquiry?
👉 Get in touch using the link below.
If this newsletter was forwarded to you, share it with friends and family so they stay in the loop too.
Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!
Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya
P.S. Want to sponsor our newsletter? Email us at [email protected]