We are Hertfordshire County Council, and if you live in Hertfordshire, during your lifetime you’re likely to use or learn about some of the many services we provide.
We are with you every step of the way – from your first day at school to staying independent in your own home for as long as possible. We are there for all life’s big moments, and the small ones too.
To keep being here for you, we also need to keep listening to you. So tell us what’s important to you by taking part in our Annual Residents’ Survey 2024. Your responses will help shape how we do things in the future.
An online survey is now open to anyone who lives in Hertfordshire until 11:45pm on 15 September. There is also an easy-read version available.
To keep our county cleaner and greener, our survey is online. You can request a paper survey at your local library or call our Customer Service Centre on 0300 123 4040.
The 3 Churches Foodbank Hub is in need of donations, specifically:
* Cooking sauces for rice * Mashed potato * Tinned meat and vegetables * Toiletries especially soap and shower gel * Marmalade * Most thing as they are low on supplies
Donations can be dropped off on Wednesday morning between 10.30–11.30am at St Margarets Parish Church or to Sue Webb at 8 Miller Lane, Stanstead Abbotts.
This new discount will be automatically applied, and the annual cost will remain the same as well. Therefore, you will not need to do anything with your SaverCard or account to activate the increase, just continue to travel but for less.
New Intalink tickets to replace Intalink Explorer and BUSnet
From Sunday 14th July Intalink Explorer and BUSnet tickets are being replaced by a new and improved ticketing scheme called Intalink Connect. The Intalink Connect ticket scheme provides unlimited travel by bus in Hertfordshire.
Within the scheme, the county of Hertfordshire is divided into 14 separate zones and tickets can be purchased for travel:
Within one single zone
Two zones next to each other
All zones within Hertfordshire and certain points beyond.
You can purchase daily, weekly, four weekly and 10 day ticket bundles through the Intalink mobile ticketing app. These need to purchased before you travel and then activated in the app when required. Daily tickets are also available to purchase on the first bus you board.
The Intalink vehicle will be visiting various towns across the county, our Intalink officer will be available to answer any queries visitors have in regard to the Hertfordshire bus network. We also have leaflets and timetable of local services available. The Intalink vehicle will be visiting Ware on Tuesday, 20th August. It will be located on Ware High Street, outside Coffee Lab, in the parking bays between 09:00 and 13:00.
I would love to raise £1,500 for Marie Curie. I am grateful to The Sun, Hoddesdon for gifting me the use of their function room in order to help me achieve this.
Would you like to help me reach this goal for Marie Curie East Herts?
If you could have total peace of mind that as a responsible dog owner or pet professional, you could recognise, evaluate and react appropriately to a medical emergency. Would you do it?
How would it feel to know that you could approach and evaluate a first aid/emergency situation, calmly, confidently and compassionately? That’s exactly what I am offering here.
This half day course has been developed with members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and covers: * The role of a first aider and legal compliance * First Aid equipment * The primary and secondary survey * Vitals * CPR including practical * Seizures * GDV * Shock * Water Inhalation * Burns & Scalds * Toxicity & Poisoning * Heat stroke * Choking * Bleeds and bandaging * Fractures
On completion of the course, you will receive a certificate that is valid for 3 years.
Owners – have peace of mind that you could provide the very best course of action to your furry friend in an unfortunate emergency.
Professionals – give your customers the confidence that their beloved furry family member will receive the very best First-Class care from your services.
This half day course is just an investment of £50, a special discounted fee just for this fundraising event. The course is CPD accredited and certificated – valid for 3 years.
Captain Fantastic Teams Up with Award-Winning Charity SPACE Hertfordshire to Develop Parties for Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Captain Fantastic, the UK’s premier children’s entertainment franchise company, has teamed up with Award-winning charity SPACE Herts for their support in developing parties for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Captain Fantastic franchise was set up more than ten years ago by actor Tommy Balaam as an entertainment company to create journeys of fun and safe adventure for children across the country, organising more than 2000 parties and events for 60,000 children every year.
Tommy Balaam, founder, Captain Fantastic who was recently featured in Dyslexia Scotland magazine.
‘We are on a mission to spread happiness and make memories. We’d like to ensure that every child like Zac who is on the spectrum or who has sensory issues can enjoy their own birthday party or special event. Sometimes children with special needs can miss out and so we can bring the fun and excitement to them with our tailored parties so that everyone is included. Our Captain Fantastic entertainers will make their special day the best day of the year!’
Captain Fantastic is working with SPACE Hertfordshire https://spaceherts.org.uk/ who are passionate about supporting families of children and young people who are neurodivergent (Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Tourette’s and other neurodiverse conditions) to help design and tailor the SEND parties.
Nicky Chaperlin Volunteer and Community Engagement confirmed: ‘It’s all about creating environments to build confidence, and social opportunities where children and families can be themselves. We have been pleased to work with the team at Captain Fantastic to help develop these inclusive events which support the needs of children with neurodiverse conditions so they can enjoy the party they deserve and that families hosting parties feel confident that their events can cater for the ‘whole class’. We will be running a pilot day in September to trial the events with our families before Captain Fantastic launches them to a wider market.’
Tommy Balaam was diagnosed with Dyslexia at acting school. Along with his team of professional entertainers across the UK, Tommy now draws on his unique insight and creativity to engage children at all abilities and levels of development and has created a 360 degree world of entertainment which includes parties, a Youtube Channel called Captain Fantastic Adventures enjoyed by more than 3 million viewers, plus a series of illustrated children’s story books.
Captain Fantastic has been voted the UK’s Number One children’s entertainment company by the trusted reviewing site FreeIndex.
For further information about Captain Fantastic’s parties and events including SEND parties please see: https://captain-fantastic.co.uk/
The next Equine Table Top Sale and Dog Show will be held on Sunday 18th August, 11am to 1.30pm at Widford Playing Fields.
This event is raising money for HEART (Harlow Essex Animal Rescue Team). Harlow Essex Animal Rescue Team are committed to helping wildlife in Harlow and the surrounding areas. They offer support to the public if needed to help our beautiful wildlife.
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
The details Pitches £10 Horse boxes/trailer £15 PITCHES ON THE DAY £15 (bring your own table/blanket)
Entry £1 Dog Show Entry £2 per show per dog CASH ONLY
In case you didn’t know, we are offering the chance to win a FREE full-colour, full-page prime advertising spot within the next print issue to everyone who advertises with The Three Villages.
We are pleased to announce the winner that will appear in the September issue of The Three Villages Magazine is… Farrelly Plumbing!
ADVERTISE WITH US TO ENTER THE PRIZE DRAW The annual fee for the rest of the year is now only £30 and includes a slot within the December 2024 issue of the print magazine, and inclusion in our advertisements directory and scrolling adverts panel (that appears on every page) on the website.
Sign up now to advertise with us for the rest of the year and be entered automatically into our prize draw!
Email us for more information: threevillagesmagazine@gmail.com.
We are thrilled to announce the winner of our cover image for the September issue of The Three Villages Magazine…
Paul Wood took this stunning photograph by the river with the lovely autumnal leaves and rather whimsical bike propped against the raining. We really loved the colours and the dreamy quality of the photograph. It reminded us of a calm autumn stroll by the river.
We asked Paul to tell us a little about himself…
Hi my name is Paul Wood, aged 55, and I live currently in Hoddesdon. I am married to Tracey who grew up in the village of Stansted Abbotts and through her I still have a good connection with village life. Over 10 years ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and at roughly the same time lost my Gran. She left me with a small inheritance with which I used to buy my first digital camera, and thought I would use photography as an outlet to get out and explore the world and fight this disease. Landscape photography chose me as the village is so near, its beauty on my doorstep, I can just walk and never get bored. Since taking up and self-learning photography, I have won several awards, many of which include the village. Autumn is my favourite time of year and that bridge and river too beautiful to ignore.
Thank you to Paul for letting us use this stunning image on the cover.
The September issue is coming soon, so if you haven’t already do be sure to pick up a June issue while you still can. If you need help getting hold of a copy, please do get in touch!
Make Lunch Club, run by The 3 Churches Benefice, is back for the summer holidays!
Join us for fun, friendship and some yummy food too! Make Lunch Club offers a chance for you and your school-aged children (and their younger siblings) to get together, share a meal and have some fun during the school holidays. Make Lunch Club is for you if your school-aged children are eligible for free school meals or if you’re struggling on a tight budget at the moment. Younger siblings are welcome too!
WHERE? Mondays and Fridays, 12 to 2pm at The Wilshere Hall, St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbotts.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is coming to Stanstead Bury Farm!
WHEN: Tuesday 30 July 2024, 7:00 to 8:30 pm WHERE: The Hay Barn, Stanstead Bury Farm, Near Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 8JZ
“I have had a most rare vision. I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dream it was.”
The woods outside Athens are busy this night. Four young Athenian lovers are lost. Oberon and Titania, the king and queen of the fairy-folk, are quarrelling whilst a group of craftsmen (who also happen to be some not-so-very-talented actors) are meeting in secret to rehearse their play.
With its many parts, Shakespeare’s story of love, mistaken identity and magic has remained popular with audiences across the world. Our critically acclaimed production returns this Summer to delight audiences again!
Written by William Shakespeare Adapted and Directed by Sarah Slator Music by Simon Stallard
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This is an open-air performance so please bring chairs/blankets and picnics to enjoy whilst watching. We will perform in all but the very worst weather!
Please note that, given the nature of the venues we visit and the charities we work with, tickets to this event are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you are unable to attend a performance we are happy for tickets to be placed under another name/given to another party.
The Three Villages 