Author Archives: Anna Bond

The September issue of The Three Villages is here!

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Our latest issue has landed – and, as always, it’s FREE to pick up across Great Amwell, St Margarets and Stanstead Abbotts.

There’s plenty to discover inside this month, including:

  • A chance to win a FREE signed copy of local author Annette Hannah’s new novel, Dining at Davinci’s
  • A look back at the history of St Andrew’s Primary School in our ‘Glimpses into our Past’ series
  • Meet local keen angler Chris Bite in our ‘Meet the Local’ feature
  • Find out more about Good Companions Veterinary Clinic in our Business Spotlight
  • Plus, our regular community news, events, local stories and plenty more!

You can pick up your FREE copy from around the villages, including:

📍 The Village Pharmacy
📍 St John the Baptist Church
📍 St Mary’s Church
📍 St Andrew’s Church
📍 Amwell View Charity Shop
📍 The Lounge at The Maltings Business Centre
📍 St Margarets Train Station

Can’t get out to collect one? No problem! Give us a call or text on 07488 914972 and we’ll get a copy to you.

Remember, The Three Villages is your community magazine, so we want to hear from you! Have you got a local story to share, an interesting person we should meet, a community group doing something great, or an event coming up? Get in touch and help us celebrate the people, places and organisations that make our villages such a great place to live.

Our approximate deadline for the December issue is 3 October, but we can also share your news and events through our News & Events blog throughout the year.

So grab a copy, have a read and let us know what’s happening in your corner of the Three Villages.

The Three Villages Team

Advertiser of the Month: Christopher the Locksmith

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This month we’re pleased to shine the spotlight once again on Christopher the Locksmith, a local family business with almost 30 years of experience providing locksmith services to homes and businesses.

Founded by Chris’s father, the business has built its reputation on reliable service, expertise and a personal approach. Today, Chris is the familiar face behind the business, carrying on that family tradition and providing everything from lock repairs and replacements to security advice and emergency callouts.

Christopher the Locksmith specialises in UPVC and composite door locks, security upgrades, anti-snap locks, lost keys and emergency lockouts. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with Chris aiming to reach customers within 15–30 minutes.

As a Checkatrade Trader and Police Checked professional, Chris is committed to providing a trustworthy service, with upfront quotes, no call-out charges and no hidden fees. He also offers a 10% discount for senior citizens and 20% for students.

One of the benefits of using an independent local business is the personal service. When you call Christopher the Locksmith, you speak directly to Chris, who provides the quote and carries out the work himself.

So, if you need a lock repaired, want to improve your home security or find yourself locked out, Christopher the Locksmith is there to help.

📞 07772 111 222 or 0800 988 2424

Congratulations to Christopher the Locksmith on being our August Advertiser of the Month, and thank you for continuing to support The Three Villages and our local community.

The Three Villages Magazine: September issue cover image reveal!

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The September issue is with the printer, so not long now before it is available for you all. In the meantime, we wanted to share the cover image with you!

This issue features a lovely autumnal photograph of Great Amwell by Eric Skilton. We asked him to tell us a little more about the image and himself…

© Eric Skilton

‘The photo was taken during last Autumn using an i-phone. It was a misty November morning walking from the Amwell Nature Reserve back to Amwell Lane.

My wife Janice and I have lived in Stanstead Abbotts (actually St Margarets) for over 15 years having moved from Cheshunt. We are both retired; I was a structural engineer and Janice a social worker. We love the village and everyone around us is so friendly; it’s a great place to live. I spend a great deal of my time walking and chasing balls of various sizes (golf, racquetball, padel etc).’

Thank you to Eric for letting us use this lovely image on our cover.

You will be able to pick up your FREE copy of The Three Villages Magazine: Issue 19 at the start of September across the three villages.

If you can’t get out to get a copy, please email (threevillagesmagazine@gmail.com), text or call us (07488 914972) and we will get one to you.

Thank you for your continued support,
The Three Villages Team

Don’t miss the Widford Summer Event and Dog Show

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Widford Summer Event and Dog Show
Sunday 23 August, 10am–1pm
Widford Playing Field, SG12 8SH
Entry: £1 adults, 50p children
Cash and card accepted

Get ready for a fun-filled morning for all the family at the Widford Summer Event and Dog Show on Sunday 23 August!

The event takes place at Widford Playing Field, SG12 8SH, from 10am to 1pm. Entry is just £1 for adults and 50p for children, with both cash and card accepted on the day. Bring a chair, spread the word and come along to enjoy the morning.

There will be plenty to see, do and eat, with food and refreshments including burgers, bacon rolls, hot dogs, homemade cakes, sausage rolls, hot and cold drinks, Pimm’s, Prosecco, beer and ice cream. There will also be a tombola, toy stall, sweets, chocolate, honey and a wide selection of stalls offering everything from 3D toys and resin designs to gifts, jewellery, crystals and natural dog treats.

There’s lots to keep younger visitors entertained too, with bouncy castles and inflatables, a coconut shy, octopus ride, basketball game, candy floss and activities for younger children. Sammies Animal Experiences will be offering donkey rides and pet grooming, while The Glitter Squad will have glitter, hair extensions and face gems.

And, of course, there will be plenty for our four-legged visitors. Lee Valley Dog Training School will be running a dog agility activity, giving dogs the chance to have a go, and Henry’s Hut Dog Grooming will be offering dog trims and nail clipping.

The Dog Show, kindly sponsored by Heath’s Personal Dog Training, is all about having fun, with classes and prizes for the participating dogs. It’s a great opportunity to bring your pooch along and enjoy the day together.

The event is raising money for Cats at ALFS and Widford Playing Field. Signs have been sponsored by Universal Signs and Powells Funeral Directors, and toilet hire has been sponsored by Luxury Toilet Hire UK Ltd.

With food, stalls, activities, animals and the dog show, there’s plenty to enjoy at Widford Playing Field this August. Come along and enjoy a community morning out while supporting two fantastic local causes.

CELEBRITY TV GARDENER TO HOST SPECIAL EVENT IN GREAT AMWELL

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Award-winning horticulturalist and TV presenter David Domoney will be appearing at Van Hage Garden Centre on 2nd September to share his gardening wisdom with audiences.

David Domoney (Image courtesy of Blue Diamond Garden Centres)

An Evening with David Domoney – Step by Step Gardening Live is an entertaining and inspiring event filled with practical advice and insider tips.

Based on the hugely popular Step by Step Gardening YouTube series, this live event brings the channel to life with expert demonstrations, seasonal inspiration and practical techniques to use in your own garden.

This Morning’s resident gardening presenter will guide audiences through essential gardening tasks step by step, sharing professional tips, planting advice and creative ideas to help you achieve stunning results, whatever your level of experience.

Following the talk, guests will have the opportunity to take part in a live Q&A session, where David will answer gardening questions.

Blue Diamond’s Group Events Manager Rebecca Gurnett says: “We are delighted to announce that we will be hosting a series of live David Domoney evenings across our centres. These events are designed to support the continued growth of our Step-by-Step Gardening YouTube programme while providing our customers with an engaging and memorable experience. Whether you’re a passionate gardener, a fan of television or simply looking for an entertaining night out, this is a unique opportunity to meet one of Britain’s best-loved gardening personalities and enjoy an evening full of laughter, inspiration and advice.”

The evening also includes a welcome drink on arrival and an exclusive book signing with David.

Diamond Club customers will receive an exclusive £5 credit added to their membership account, which can be redeemed on their visit after the event.

Early bird tickets are priced at £12 per person and can be booked at www.bluediamond.gg/whats-on

Local Author Annette Hannah’s New Novel

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Fans of local author Annette Hannah have something new to look forward to, as her latest novel, Dining at Davinci’s, is now available on Kindle, with the paperback edition due to follow soon.

Set across two timelines, the story begins in 1975 with seventeen-year-old art student Dolly Davinci, whose life takes an unexpected turn while working in a hotel in the picturesque market town of Bramblewood. More than forty years later, Gracie Hart receives a mysterious bunch of keys from her late friend and mentor, Dolly, setting her on a journey to uncover long-hidden secrets. As the story unfolds, art, friendship, love and loss intertwine, with a canal boat playing an important role in revealing Dolly’s past.

Annette, who lives in Stanstead Abbotts, is well known to many of our readers. After a successful career in marketing, she fulfilled a lifelong ambition of becoming a novelist and has since published several feel-good romantic novels inspired by the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside.

If you’re looking for your next summer read, Dining at Davinci’s promises an engaging story filled with memorable characters, mystery and romance.

Congratulations to Annette on the publication of her latest novel – we wish her every success with its launch. You can follow her on
Twitter @annettehannah
www.sincerelybookangels.blogspot.com
www.annettehannah.com

Government Confirms New Council Structure for Hertfordshire

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The Government has announced its decision on the future of local government in Hertfordshire, confirming that the county will move to a four-unitary council model, subject to Parliamentary approval.

The decision follows the Government’s consultation earlier this year, during which residents, councils and organisations were invited to comment on three different proposals for reorganising local government across the county.

At present, local services are split between Hertfordshire County Council and the county’s district and borough councils. Under the new arrangements, these councils will be replaced by four new unitary authorities, each responsible for delivering all local government services within their area. The changes are expected to come into effect from 1 April 2028, subject to Parliamentary approval.

For residents in East Hertfordshire, this means the district is expected to form part of the new East Hertfordshire unitary authority, alongside Broxbourne Borough Council.

The announcement has prompted a wide range of reactions across Hertfordshire. While some believe the changes will simplify local government and improve the way services are delivered, others have expressed disappointment that the Government did not choose one of the alternative proposals considered during the consultation.

If you would like to find out more about the Government’s decision, including the consultation outcome, summary of responses and the proposed new council boundaries, further information is available on the Government’s website: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-government-reorganisation-in-hertfordshire

Or you can find out more here: https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/post/government-announces-four-unitary-authorities-in-hertfordshire

Advertiser of the Month: Tiled Perfection

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This month we’re delighted to shine the spotlight on Tiled Perfection, specialists in traditional and period property tiling.

Based locally, Steve and the team have built a reputation for their high-quality craftsmanship, restoring and creating beautiful tiled entrances, pathways and interiors using traditional Victorian and Old English designs. From striking front paths and elegant hallways to bespoke tiled features, every project is completed with great attention to detail.

As well as supplying and laying Old English tiles, Tiled Perfection also undertakes work including stone steps and reinforced concrete bases, helping homeowners preserve and enhance the character of their properties.

If you’re planning a home improvement project or restoring a period home, why not take a look at their impressive portfolio?

Telephone: 0790 527 5530
Website: http://www.tiledperfection.com

Tiny Artworks, Big Creativity: A Celebration in Miniature at St Mary’s Church

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Looking for something a little different this summer? Why not step inside St Mary’s Church, St Margarets and discover a gallery of miniature masterpieces?

A Celebration in Miniature promises to be a delightful exhibition showcasing unique artworks inspired by Stanstead Abbotts & St Margarets. Created by local artists, each piece may be small in size, but together they capture the character, beauty and stories of our villages.

Visitors are invited to browse the exhibition in the wonderful setting of St Mary’s Church and take part in a silent auction, with the opportunity to bid on favourite pieces and perhaps take home a unique work of art. If something catches your eye, simply register at the welcome desk to receive a bidder number and then place your bid on the sheet next to the artwork. You can bid on as many pieces as you like, and at the close of the auction, the highest bidder takes home the artwork.

There is an extra way to get involved too. Visitors will be invited to vote for their favourite exhibit, with the winning artist receiving the People’s Choice Award. So, while you’re admiring the collection, don’t forget to cast your vote and help crown the public’s favourite miniature masterpiece.

The event begins with a Preview Evening on Friday 31 July from 7.00pm to 9.00pm, where guests can enjoy cheese and wine while being among the first to view the collection.

The exhibition then continues on:

  • Saturday 1 August, 2.00pm – 5.00pm
  • Sunday 2 August, 2.00pm – 5.00pm

The exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to spend some time in St Mary’s, admire the talents of local artists and have your say by voting for the People’s Choice Award. There may even be a piece of art that captures your heart and finds a new home on your wall.

After all, sometimes the smallest works of art leave the biggest impression!

Don’t forget! If you’re interested in entering an artwork, get in touch for your entry form asap! Deadline for entry forms is Monday 27th July.

Summer Reading Challenge is back!

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Turn the Page and Turn Up the Volume with the Summer Reading Challenge

Looking for a fun way to keep children reading over the summer holidays? The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge is back, and this year’s musical theme, Read to the Beat, promises plenty of fun for young readers.

The challenge launches at all Hertfordshire Libraries on Saturday 4 July and runs until Saturday 5 September. Children are invited to read books throughout the summer, complete reading challenges and collect themed rewards along the way.

Everyone who completes the challenge will also be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a place at an exclusive workshop with children’s author Gareth P. Jones.

The Summer Reading Challenge is completely free to take part in. Children simply need to be members of Hertfordshire Libraries, and if they’re not already members, joining is quick and free too.

Find out more on their website HERE.

Reading just a few books over the summer can help children maintain their reading confidence before returning to school in September and the Summer Reading Challenge is a fantastic way to make reading enjoyable throughout the holidays.

Whether your child is already an avid reader or just discovering a love of books, why not pop into your local library this summer and join in?

Happy reading!

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