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The rain came down hard across Hertfordshire, but it didn’t stop the energy. In London, protesters marched through the storm, blessing or curse, depending on your view. Meanwhile, the Mayor of Broxbourne stole the show at the Waltham Cross Sports Festival, hopping behind the DJ booth and spinning a few surprise tracks. Were you there? We’d love to hear what you thought. Drop us a message.

Looking ahead, this week’s big story is the Local Government Reorganisation Consultation. It’s a major change that could reshape how services are run in Broxbourne. This isn’t just about council structure, it could affect you directly. There’s an in-person event happening tomorrow. Have you got your ticket yet? Scroll down for full details.

Oh, and in case you missed it… we’re now 100 days away from Christmas. What’s top of your festive to-do list? Shopping? Planning? Hiding? Let us know.

And yes, Broxtown turns one next month! We’re marking the milestone with surprise giveaways, including a limited-run Hertfordshire 2026 Calendar and a few wildcards we’ll reveal soon. Stay tuned. You could be getting something special in your inbox.

Here’s what’s inside today’s issue:

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A flag-raising ceremony was held at County Hall in Hertford on Tuesday 9 September, to honour the bravery, dedication, and compassion of the emergency services.

The ceremony recognised the courage, commitment and compassion of those working in the emergency services throughout Hertfordshire. The event provided an opportunity for the council and community to formally acknowledge the vital work performed by emergency service personnel who serve and protect residents across the county.

Emergency Services Day serves as an important reminder of the essential role these services play in maintaining community safety and wellbeing, and the ceremony highlighted Hertfordshire's appreciation for their ongoing dedication.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has announced plans to equip all fire stations across the county with naloxone, a life-saving medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdoses, by the end of 2025.

The anti-opioid medication, administered as a nasal spray, has already undergone successful trials at fire stations in Watford and the Three Rivers areas. Following the positive results of these trials, crews have been trained to carry and administer the emergency medication, marking a significant expansion of the service's emergency response capabilities.

The initiative represents the fire service's commitment to community safety and demonstrates their readiness to tackle the growing challenges posed by opioid-related emergencies. By equipping firefighters with this crucial medication, Hertfordshire is positioning itself at the forefront of emergency response innovation.

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Hertfordshire County Council has announced that funds from the county council's Locality Budget scheme have been distributed to support local organisations addressing a wide range of community needs and requirements.

The scheme provides each of the authority's 78 members with a £5,000 annual locality budget to support community initiatives. Since its launch in 2009, Locality Budgets have continued to make a positive difference to Hertfordshire communities, with thousands of projects receiving funding.

The latest round of grants demonstrates the council's ongoing commitment to grassroots community support, enabling councillors to directly address local priorities and strengthen community services across the county.

Hertfordshire County Council has been awarded Bronze Carbon Literate Organisation (CLO) status by the Carbon Literacy Project, recognising the council's commitment to sustainability and climate action across the workplace.

The award highlights the council's growing role as a leader in sustainability, ensuring staff at every level understand the impact of climate change. This recognition places Hertfordshire among a select group of organisations committed to building carbon literacy throughout their workforce.

The achievement reflects the council's dedication to environmental responsibility and its proactive approach to addressing climate change challenges through education and awareness initiatives.

Councillor Sean Waters has taken matters into his own hands by leading a community clean-up in Waltham Cross, citing growing frustration over the council’s failure to address persistent fly-tipping in the area.

Speaking during a litter-picking event on Eleanor Road, Cllr Waters was joined by local residents in a show of civic action aimed at tackling the mounting waste problem. The initiative comes after what Waters described as “months and months” of broken promises from Broxbourne Borough Council.

“A year ago, we were told there would be a range of measures to tackle fly-tipping, including in Waltham Cross,” Waters said. “But since then, the cabinet member responsible has left, and nothing has improved. In fact, the only thing that’s increased is the amount of litter on our streets.”

Waters emphasized that residents are paying full council tax, yet receiving a substandard level of service. “There’s no discount for living in Waltham Cross, but there’s a clear disparity in the services we receive. That’s not fair,” he added.

Despite his criticism of the council’s response, Waters praised the local community for coming together to take action. “We can't just wait for the council—we’ve got to try and make a difference ourselves. But it shouldn’t have to be this way.”

Residents participating in the clean-up echoed similar sentiments, calling for greater accountability and faster action from local government.

Community leaders and volunteers involved in the initiative hope their efforts will not only improve the immediate environment but also pressure the council to take more decisive action against fly-tipping and service inequality.

The event serves as both a grassroots response to a long-standing problem and a broader call for Broxbourne Council to urgently prioritise the needs of Waltham Cross.

Broxbourne’s new mayor, Patsy, says her historic appointment on 13 May 2025 is about “service, not titles,” setting out a year focused on health and wellbeing, youth participation, and support for SEND families.

In a conversation for the Voices of Our Towns podcast, the Mayor, well‑known locally after three decades as a community midwife and later practice nurse, outlined plans to champion everyday exercise (chair‑based routines, walking, dancing), deepen outreach to SEND parents, and strengthen youth voice through school civics and the borough’s youth council.

Her official charities: Windrush Legacies (education and workshops on Windrush history) and Active in Hope (youth mentoring, homework support, practical life skills). She also backs grassroots efforts such as a Waltham Cross breakfast club. On inclusion and safety, she’s working with local police on hate‑crime awareness and sits on a Race & Inclusion forum. Environmental ideas include identifying sites to plant black poplar saplings with county partners.

On potential local‑government reorganisation, she noted reforms could move Broxbourne from a ceremonial mayor to a directly elected model and urged residents to engage with consultations as details emerge.

Residents can invite the Mayor to community events via the Broxbourne Council website (Secretary Karen Hughes).

In a lighter moment, the Mayor described overcoming a fear of snakes during a Cedars Park charity visit proof, she says, that “we can all try something new.”
The complete conversation will be available on our Voices of Our Towns podcast in the coming days.

The Government is proposing to simplify councils across England, and Hertfordshire’s 11 councils want to hear directly from residents about what these changes could mean for local services.

To give you the chance to learn more and share your views, Broxbourne Council is hosting an in-person event where officers will outline the proposals and answer your questions. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard on decisions that could shape the way services are delivered in our community for years to come.

📅 Wednesday 17 September (tomorrow)
🕕 6pm – 7.30pm
📍 Broxbourne Council Offices, Bishops College, Churchgate, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross EN8 9XQ

Your opinion matters, don’t miss this chance to influence the future of local services in Hertfordshire.

👉 Learn more and book your place here: https://ow.ly/76rA50WWzXe

What began as a rain-soaked afternoon that threatened to derail the much-anticipated Waltham Cross Sports Festival turned into an unexpectedly heartwarming community moment, complete with music, martial arts, and a mayor on the turntables.

Originally postponed due to poor weather forecasts, the festival was rescheduled with high hopes. But nature had other plans. A slow start gave way to thunderous downpours, leaving organisers and families scrambling for shelter as rain battered the grounds for nearly 30 minutes.

“It really felt like a washout,” said one attendee. “You couldn’t help but think—here we go again.”

But just when spirits seemed to be dampened beyond recovery, the skies cleared—and the community came roaring back.

With families returning to the field and music filling the air, a surprise moment stole the show. The Mayor of Broxbourne, Patsy, who had attended to show support for local residents and businesses, made her way to the DJ booth. In a light-hearted twist, she encouraged the DJ to step aside for a moment—and for a few unexpected seconds, became the "Spinning Mayor", playfully taking over the decks to the crowd’s delight.

“She was only on for a short while,” laughed one local vendor, “but honestly, she had better rhythm than the DJ!”

The festival saw strong support from local businesses despite the weather. Notably, Hertz Grappling Martial Arts School, based in Waltham Cross, showcased their youth programmes and training opportunities, alongside a host of other food, craft, and community stalls.

While the rain nearly washed out the event, the resilience of attendees and the good-humoured presence of the mayor turned the festival into a symbolic end-of-summer celebration that many won’t forget. Thanks to all the volunteers and organisers who made it a great event.

Looking ahead, Broxtown will continue bringing you the best of local events, markets, and community moments throughout the autumn and winter months.

Tuesday

18°C 🌡 11°C | ⛅ Sunny intervals and a moderate breeze | ☀ Sunrise 06:36 Sunset 19:13

Wednesday

18°C 🌡 15°C | 🌦 Light rain and a moderate breeze | ☀ Sunrise 06:37 Sunset 19:11

Thursday

22°C 🌡 14°C | ☀ Light cloud and a moderate breeze | ☀ Sunrise 06:39 Sunset 19:09

Friday

23°C 🌡 12°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀ Sunrise 06:41 Sunset 19:06

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Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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