Good Morning {{first_name | Reader}},
March is wrapping up, and April is around the corner, my birthday month, so I’m claiming a bit of excitement there.
But beyond that, the national news cycle is loud right now. A mix of facts, noise, and speculation. It’s easy to get lost in it.
That’s why this matters. This is your local filter. Real updates, grounded in what’s actually happening across our communities.
A few things to keep on your radar. Meningitis has been in the headlines. There are no known local cases, but don’t ignore symptoms. If something feels off, speak to your GP.
The Local Government Reorganisation consultation also closes this week. This is one of those decisions that will quietly shape how services run in your area for years. If you haven’t had your say, you’ve got until tomorrow night.
Everything else you need is below. The stories shaping our borough, and the events worth showing up for this weekend.
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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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: Local Government Reorganisation
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
Hertfordshire's Director of Public Health issues meningitis warning for residents
Meningococcal disease has not spread to Hertfordshire from the current national outbreak, but the county's Director of Public Health is urging residents, particularly parents and young people, to check their vaccinations are up to date via the NHS app or their child's red book. Key symptoms to watch for include a rash that doesn't fade when pressed with a glass, sudden high fever, severe headache, and stiff neck. If you suspect meningitis or sepsis, call 999 immediately and do not wait for all symptoms to appear.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Over 1,000 students meet local employers at Generation Broxbourne 2026
The fifth Generation Broxbourne careers event brought together more than 1,000 Year 10 students and over 30 employers at The Spotlight in Hoddesdon on 17 March. Funded by Broxbourne Council and Hertfordshire Futures, the event gave young people direct access to industry leaders across a range of sectors. If you want to explore apprenticeships and career opportunities in Hertfordshire, the Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal is your starting point.
71 new homes delivered at High Leigh Garden Village in Hoddesdon
SettleParadigm has completed 71 homes at High Leigh Garden Village, including a full block designated for social rent. The development is part of Broxbourne's wider effort to meet local housing need and support residents across the borough. More detail on the project is available via the link below.
Cedars Park plants 18 Sakura cherry trees gifted from Japan
Eighteen cherry trees have been planted at Cedars Park as part of the Japan-UK Sakura Cherry Tree Project, originally launched following a joint agreement between the two governments in 2017. The trees form a new Avenue of Blossom along the park's rear footpath and are expected to create a striking seasonal display each spring as they mature. The planting reflects the diplomatic and cultural ties between Japan and the UK, with over 7,700 trees now planted across the country since 2019.
Lowewood Museum wins Hertfordshire Association of Museums Innovation Award 2026
Lowewood Museum took the prize for its "Boards Out & About!" project, which sends exhibition boards into the community rather than storing them after a show ends. Volunteer Community Curators take the boards to schools, care homes, and festivals, dramatically expanding reach. In 2025 alone the boards were seen by around 10,400 people, a 358% increase on standard in-museum exhibition footfall.
B&M opens in Waltham Cross this Friday, on the old Homebase site
B&M opens its new Waltham Cross store on Friday 27 March 2026, taking over the site previously occupied by Homebase. Locals are already planning a busy opening day, with strong community interest building ahead of the launch. If you're planning to visit, expect queues.
LGR consultation closes Wednesday, last chance to have your say
The government's consultation on replacing Hertfordshire's county and district councils with two, three, or four unitary authorities closes on 26 March 2026. This decision will reshape how local services are delivered across the county for years to come. Visit the consultation site to read the proposals and submit your response before the deadline.
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
🎉🌿 Community Litter Pick
📍 Meeting point TBC
🗓️ Friday 27 March 2026
⏰ 10:00am
🎟️ Free entry — volunteers welcome — contact [email protected]
💼 Waltham Cross Town Centre Business Forum
📍 Waltham Cross
🗓️ Friday 27 March 2026
👉 Learn more: Eventbrite — search "Waltham Cross Business Forum"
🎤 Jongleurs Comedy Night
📍 Hertfordshire Studios, Hoddesdon
🗓️ Friday 27 March 2026
💷 Paid ticket
👉 Learn more: https://jongleurs.com/shows/jongleurs-cheshuntfc-4/
🎤 Jongleurs Comedy Night at CheshuntFC
📍 CheshuntFC, Cheshunt
🗓️ Friday 27 March 2026
💷 Paid ticket
👉 Learn more: https://jongleurs.com/shows/jongleurs-cheshuntfc-4/
🎉 Teens Unite Charity Bingo Night
📍 The Glass Lounge, Hoddesdon, EN11 8BP
🗓️ Thursday 26 March 2026
⏰ 7:00pm – 9:30pm
💷 Paid ticket — includes 5 games of bingo, prizes and light nibbles
👉 Learn more: https://www.teensunite.org/events-1/bingo-night-7
💼 Herts Go Green and Grow
📍 Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce
🗓️ Monday 13 April 2026
💷 Paid ticket
👉 Learn more: Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce
🎉 Spring Fayre and Heritage Day
📍 Hoddesdon Town Centre
🗓️ Saturday 18 April 2026
⏰ 10:00am – 5:00pm
🎟️ Free entry
💼 Women in AI and Data — Broxbourne Enterprise Centres
📍 Broxbourne Enterprise Centres
🗓️ Wednesday 23 April 2026
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Learn more: Broxbourne Enterprise Centres
🎨 May Day Fayre — Lowewood Museum
📍 Lowewood Museum Garden, Hoddesdon
🗓️ Friday 2 May 2026
💷 Stall holder tables £20 — limited availability
👉 Contact Lowewood Museum to book a table
🌿 Easter Trail at Cedars Nature Centre
📍 Cedars Nature Centre, Cheshunt
🗓️ Easter holidays
⏰ Animal presentations every 45 minutes
💷 £2.40 per person | Under 2s free | No prebooking needed
MEME of The Day
Gif by rvappstudios on Giphy
HEALTH & WELLBEING TIPS
Eat 2–3 portions of fruit each day (about cupped‑hand or tennis‑ball sized pieces).
Choose a rainbow: mix berries, citrus, apples, bananas, and others for different vitamins and antioxidants.
Eat whole fruit instead of juice whenever possible to keep the fiber and feel fuller.
Pair fruit with protein or healthy fat (like nuts or yogurt) to balance blood‑sugar spikes.
Wash fruit well and keep skins on (when safe) to get more fiber and nutrients.
Sponsored by Our Resident Doctor.
🎨 TUESDAY MOTIVATION
You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
— A. A. Milne
You’ll see it when you believe it.
— Wayne Dyer
The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.
— Alan Watts
Courtsey Raw Lowe
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
List your open job opportunities..
Weather ☀ Tuesday - Friday
MONDAY WEATHER 🌦 HODDESDON
HODDESDON
Monday 23 March 10°C 🌡️ 4°C | 🌦️ Showers, some sunny breaks later | ☀️ Sunrise 5:56am | Sunset 6:18pm
Tuesday 24 March 11°C 🌡️ 5°C | ☁️ Light cloud, feeling fairly mild | ☀️ Sunrise 5:53am | Sunset 6:19pm
Wednesday 25 March 9°C 🌡️ 3°C | 🌧️ Chilly with light rain showery spells | ☀️ Sunrise 5:51am | Sunset 6:21pm
Thursday 26 March 8°C 🌡️ 2°C | ❄️ Cool, mainly cloudy with a few showers | ☀️ Sunrise 5:49am | Sunset 6:23pm
Friday 27 March 7°C 🌡️ 2°C | 🌧️ Rainier and a touch windier, umbrella recommended | ☀️ Sunrise 5:46am | Sunset 6:24pm
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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!
Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya
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