Author Archives: Anna Bond

Health Walks Winter Timetables online

Posted on by Leave a comment

Get active for free! We have a range of great walks with a variety of lengths to suit all abilities and backgrounds. And there’s no need to worry about not being fit enough. There is a volunteer at the front and one at the back, no-one gets left behind.

For those of you just getting started, there are more than 30 short walks to choose from. Our shortest walk lasts around  20 minutes. It is ideal for people with long-term health conditions looking to improve their activity levels and those recovering from an injury or illness. Our friendly volunteers in their bright yellow jackets will welcome and support you all the way. 

To view our Winter Timeables CLICK HERE.

If you are a new walker, you can register HERE in advance and save time on the day.

Advice for walkers joining a walk for the first time

If you are thinking about joining a free Health Walk, the  first thing to do is find a walk that is suitable for your fitness level and starts near where you live. We make it easy for you by grading our walks  by how long they last and the terrain covered. Walks graded 3 and above are aspirational/progression walks. First Steps are our shortest. Other things to consider are:

  • Start gradually – join a short walk first
  • Communicate – arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the start to listen to the pre-walk briefing

Be prepared – wear sturdy footwear and warm clothing. For longer walks, bring essentials like water, snacks and rain gear even if the weather looks fine.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Health Walks
Hertfordshire County Council

Rucksack Early Years Autism Programme for Families

Posted on by Leave a comment

Are you a parent or carer of an autistic child or a child on the autism pathway? This FREE course delivered for the Early Years SEND Team is designed just for you!

  • Gain essential knowledge
  • Learn practical strategies
  • Access valuable resources to support you and your child in everyday life

Course Topics:

Week 1: Understanding Autism
Week 2: Sensory
Week 3: Communication
Week 4: Play and Social Interaction
Week 5: Emotional Wellbeing and Behaviour
Week 6: Using My Rucksack

Spring 2026 course starts end of January!

To register your interest please complete our registration form.

Early Years Service, Hertfordshire County Council

An Evening of Outstanding Folk Music in Stanstead Abbotts

Posted on by Leave a comment

On Sunday 18 January 2026, Stanstead Abbotts Concert Society is delighted to welcome Terence Blacker and Kath Tait, joined by Sally Vinson.

Taking place at Stanstead Abbotts Parish Hall, this promises to be a real treat for lovers of folk, acoustic music and live performance.

Event Details
The concert will be held at Stanstead Abbotts Parish Hall, Roydon Road, SG12 8BU. Doors open at 7.00pm, with the performance starting at 7.30pm.

Performers
Terence Blacker and Kath Tait will perform, with support from Sally Vinson. The event is presented by the Stanstead Abbotts Concert Society and supported by the English Folk Dance and Song Society.

Tickets and Booking
Tickets are £10 and can be booked online at http://www.ticketsource.co.uk or by calling 01920 870558.

Additional Information
Soft drinks and snacks will be available on the night, and guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol.

Whether you’re a long-time folk enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable night out close to home, this concert is an excellent choice.

Cover Photo Call – March 2026 Issue

Posted on by Leave a comment

Once again, The Three Villages Magazine is inviting local photographers to help shape the look of our next issue. We are currently seeking a cover image for Issue 17 (March 2026).

Are you a local photographer – amateur or professional? Do you have a photograph that captures the beauty and character of our three villages? This is your chance to have your work featured on the cover of our free community magazine.

For our March issue, we’re especially looking for a Spring-inspired image that highlights a recognisable local landmark or scene. We also welcome seasonal photographs that could be considered for future covers in June, September, or December.

Submission Guidelines

  • Orientation: landscape images work best for our cover or portrait images that can be cropped to fit the aperture.
  • Image size: High-resolution images required (21.6cm wide at 118ppcm or the largest image files you can send)
  • Format: JPEG/TIFF files are ideal
  • Editing: Light editing is fine, but please avoid heavy filters
  • Credit: Photographers will be credited, so please provide your preferred wording
  • Caption: Please include a short caption with the location and your name

If you’d like to submit a photograph and showcase your work, please email your image to
threevillagesmagazine@gmail.com

Submission deadline for March Issue: 26th January

We can’t wait to see the three villages through your lens!

Explore the Story of Olives Farm

Posted on by Leave a comment

The Stanstead Abbotts Local History Society is hosting a fascinating talk by Miles Dymock this Friday 9th January and everyone is invited to attend.

WHEN: Friday 9th January at 7.30pm
WHERE: Stanstead Abbotts Parish Hall, Roydon Rd, Stanstead Abbotts, Ware SG12 8EZ
WHAT: ‘Olive Farm: from Bronze Age to where we are today’
DETAILS: Free to members, £3 for non-members, includes refreshments

The talk promises a journey through centuries of local history, showing how one place has evolved through different eras.

About the Society
The Stanstead Abbotts Local History Society collects and shares information about the history of Stanstead Abbotts and neighbouring St Margarets. Their website features articles and archives on a wide range of local topics from ancient times through more recent village life, and they encourage contributions of photos, memories or research from the community.

The society’s events and talks are open to both members and non‑members (unless stated otherwise), with meetings held at Stanstead Abbotts Parish Hall most months. Find out more on their website: salhs.co.uk

The First Equine Table Top Sale & Dog Show of 2026!

Posted on by Leave a comment

** POSTPONED ** Please note that this event has been postponed until March 8th…

Join us for a relaxed and family friendly community event this Sunday 11th January, combining an Equine Table Top Sale with a fun Dog Show, all in support of a wonderful cause.

The event will take place from 11am until 1pm at Albury Village Hall, SG11 2JD, and is entirely indoors, so you can enjoy the day whatever the weather brings. Even if conditions outside aren’t great, the event will still go ahead as planned. In the event of bad weather, the dog show will also be held indoors.

🐶 Dog Show

The dog show is all about having fun and getting involved, rather than serious competition. There will be prizes awarded from 1st to 5th place, kindly sponsored by Essex Cooling. It’s a great opportunity to show off your dog, have a laugh and enjoy the community atmosphere.

🐴 Equine Table Top Sale

Browse a variety of equine-related items and other small business-holder stalls, meet fellow enthusiasts, and pick up some great finds in a warm, indoor setting.

❤ Supporting a Great Cause

All funds raised from the event will go towards Rose Cat Rescue, helping to support their important work caring for cats in need. You can find out more about this great charity on their website: https://www.rosecatrescue.co.uk/

Whether you’re an equine enthusiast, a dog lover, or simply looking for something enjoyable to do on a Sunday, this event promises a lovely couple of hours for everyone.

We look forward to seeing you there!

SEND Strategy 2026–2029 Consultation

Posted on by Leave a comment

The Hertfordshire SEND Local Area Partnership has developed a new SEND Strategy for 2026–2029, which sets out their shared ambitions to improve outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This strategy has been shaped by the voices of children, young people, families, and professionals across education, health, and social care.

Local people are being invited to have their say on the ambitious new draft strategy for SEND that has greater collaboration at its core by completing a short online survey.

The consultation seeks to find out:

  • Do the ambitions reflect what matters most to children and young people with SEND and their families?
  • Are there any parts which are missing, unclear or need strengthening?
  • What do you think is the single most important priority for us to focus on?

DOWNLOAD THE DRAFT STRATEGY HERE:

send-strategy-2026-2029-pdf-3.64mbDownload

RESPOND TO THE SURVEY HERE: https://surveys.hertfordshire.gov.uk/s/SENDSC/

Consultation start date: Friday 14 November 2025
Consultation closing date: Friday 6 November 2026

Be sure to have your say!

A Christmas Message from The Three Villages Team

Posted on by One comment

As the festive season draws near, we’re filled with warmth and gratitude for the sense of togetherness that Christmas brings. It’s a time to celebrate – with sparkling lights, delicious food and the joy of connecting with those we hold dear. But we also understand that for some, the holidays can be a time of struggle. Whether due to personal challenges, loss, or the pressures of the season, we know that Christmas isn’t always filled with cheer for everyone.

To those who may find this time difficult, please remember you’re not alone. Our community is strong, and we’re here for each other. We encourage you to take this season at your own pace, to embrace the small joys and to reach out if you need support. Every step forward, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.

Christmas is about connection: not only through festivities, but through kindness, understanding and lifting each other up. Together, we can create moments of light and hope for all, making sure no one feels left out or forgotten.

From all of us at The Three Villages Team, we wish you peace and the strength to make this season your own. May it be filled with warmth, comfort and the quiet joy of knowing you are part of a caring and supportive community.

With best wishes,
The Three Villages Team

Quick reminder for anyone in crisis over Christmas:
If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or in crisis, Herts Mental Health Helpline (0800 6444 101) is open 24/7 for advice and support.

The Neighbourhood Plan: FINAL STAGE

Posted on by Leave a comment

East Herts Council have approved our plan and we now move to the final stage (Referendum).

The Polling Station will be set up in January 2026 ready for your vote, so keep an eye out for your voting card.

In the meantime, and before you vote, please visit the website and read the final plan HERE to find out the advantages of saying yes. The final plan is supported by all three Parish Councils and East Herts District Council.

View the website here: https://www.stansteadabbottsneighbourhoodplan.uk/ and read about the importance of a Neighbourhood Plan HERE.

Julia Davies

The Three Villages: Advertise with us in 2026!

Posted on by Leave a comment

As you know, here at The Three Villages one of our primary goals is to champion and support local businesses, especially for those that choose to advertise with us!

In 2025, we implemented some significant changes, which have proved a success:
* Our print magazine became FREE!
* We increased our print run by 100% to boost our distribution
* We offered a text/call service for delivering magazines to those that might not be able to get out and collect a copy
* We launched our Instagram and got to over 125 followers in the first two months, with numbers on the increase, and average monthly views of over 700.

With each issue we are seeing increased engagement through our social media platforms (Facebook, News & Events Blog, Instagram), and we are confident that things will continue to rise.

So why not join us?
* BE RECOGNISED AS A TRUSTED LOCAL TRADER *
* SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE *
* REACH CUSTOMERS ACROSS THE LOCAL AREA *

The fee of just £120 includes a slot within every 2026 issue of the print magazine AND inclusion in our advertisements directory and scrolling adverts panel on the website.

PLUS
* We offer the chance to win a FREE full-colour, full-page prime advertising spot within every print issue!  
* We also feature an Advertiser of the Month on our News & Events blog, shared to our Facebook and Instagram.

For more information, email threevillagesmagazine@gmail.com.

The deadline is 1st January, so grab your spots now!

« Older Entries Recent Entries »