Category Archives: Competition

Win a Signed Copy of Annette Hannah’s New Novel!

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Have you got a favourite spot beside the water in our local area?

Perhaps you love watching the narrowboats on the Lee Navigation, have a favourite bench beside the River Lea, or enjoy a particular stretch of waterside path. Maybe it’s somewhere you walk regularly, somewhere you’ve been going for years, or simply a place that makes you stop and enjoy the view.

We want to hear about it!

Local author Annette Hannah, who lives in Stanstead Abbotts, has kindly donated a signed paperback copy of her latest novel, Dining at Davinci’s, and we’re giving one lucky reader the chance to win it.

The novel is set across two timelines, following 17-year-old Dolly Davinci in 1975 and Gracie Hart in 2018, whose lives become connected through friendship, art and the discovery of a canal boat filled with memories.

The book’s canal boat setting inspired our competition, so we’re asking you to tell us about your favourite local waterside spot.

And don’t worry about writing an essay — 50 words or fewer is all you need!

How to enter

Send us your answer, along with your name and contact details, to
threevillagesmagazine@gmail.com
by 1 October 2026.

We’ll choose our favourite entry and the winner will receive a signed paperback copy of Dining at Davinci’s from Annette.

So, where’s your favourite waterside spot?

Get your entry in — we’d love to hear about it!

Indoor Equine Table Top Sale and Dog Show

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With the colder weather arriving, Equine Table Top Sale & Dog Show has moved back indoors! Come along on Sunday 27th Sept 2026, 11 till 1pm, to Albury Village Hall (SG11 2JD) and help raise funds for Deer and Wildlife in Danger.

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.

Entry for buyers £1

Tables for sellers £10. Limited tables available booking is essential! 07747300095 to book

DOG SHOW
The dog show is a bit of fun for all, with rosettes 1st to 5th place. Dog show is sponsored by Keiths Canine Services. Dog show will be held outside on the concrete unless the weather isn’t great and dogs are welcome in the hall. Entries will be taken on the day (£2 a class).

CLASSES
11.15am Waggiest tail
11.30am Prettiest lady
11.45 Gorgeous fella
12.00 Best rescue
12.15 Best trick
12.30 Best Junior handler
12.45 Judges favourite

Why not head down to Albury Village Hall this Sunday, have some fun and help a fantastic charity!

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!

The Three Villages Magazine: Our March cover revealed!

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We are delighted to reveal the cover of the first issue of 2026!

It features this amazing photograph by local resident, Annette Hannah, showing the Meridian Stones sculpture, which was commissioned to celebrate the centenary of the Meridian Line that dissects Stansted Abbotts. The blossom really adds to the spring feel!

Annette Hannah is a local author of romantic comedies, the first of which was inspired by St Margarets signal box and is called Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe. The picture of the beautiful cherry blossom trees depicts where the opening and closing scenes of the book are set. 

You can follow Annette on:
Facebook: @annettehannahauthor
X :@annettehannah
Instagram: @annettehannahauthor 
Website: annettehannah.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Annette-Hannah/author/B089YRBQXJ?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

You will be able to pick up your copy of The Three Villages Magazine: Issue 17 at the start of March across the three villages. Don’t forget that our magazine is now FREE!

If you can’t get out to get a copy, please text (07488 914972) or call us (01920 870009) and we will get one to you.

Thank you for your continued support,
The Three Villages Team

Cover Photo Call – March 2026 Issue

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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!

We are looking for a cover image!

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Once again we are looking for our next cover image for Issue 15 (September) of The Three Villages Magazine.

Are you a local photographer, amateur or professional? Would you like your work to appear on the cover of our local magazine?

We are looking for a seasonal photograph that showcases our beautiful local landmarks within the three villages.

If you would like to enter and showcase your work, please email threevillagesmagazine@gmail.com.

THE DEADLINE IS 20TH JULY

The Three Villages Team

The next Equine Bootsale and Dog Show!

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The next Equine Bootsale and Dog Show on Sunday 6th July will be held on Widford Playing Fields (SG12 8SL), 11am to 1pm.

Pitches £10
Horse boxes/trailer £15
PITCHES ON THE DAY £15
(bring your own table/blanket)

Entry for buyers only £1!

Dog Show Entry £2 per show per dog per class

CASH AND CARD ARE NOW ACCEPTED

Dog Show sponsored by Oaks Funeral Directors – Cuffley.
Toilet hire sponsored by Jimmy Riddles Toilet Hire.

All monies raised will go to HEART (Heart Animal Rescue Team), which was founded by Hannah Bolton after finding there was a need for support within Harlow, Essex and neighbouring areas for local wildlife. Hannah has been rehabbing and rescuing animals for 3 years. HEART is full of a network of some wonderful people who go above and beyond to make sure animals are safe and cared for. To find out more about this charity, visit their website: https://www.heartrescue.co.uk/.

Message Gail on 07747300095 to book your pitches!

Our Prize Draw Winner: Little Blue Van Nursery

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Every issue we pick one of the local businesses that advertise with us to win our Prize Draw. They win a FREE full-page, full-colour advert in a prime spot within the print magazine.

For our March issue, the winner is Little Blue Van Nursery!

Little Blue Van Nursery is based in a beautiful location in Great Amwell, with access to a large open field, secure playground and with a large indoor and weather proof outdoor classroom. Little Blue Van is the perfect location for active, inquisitive children.

The staff at Little Blue Van are all qualified to the higher level of childcare, learning & development qualifications and are all trained practitioners in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. The EYFS is regulated by OFSTED and ensures that each child’s individual learning needs and styles are catered for in a stimulating and educational environment. They promote ‘learning through play’ by using an interactive, engaging and fun curriculum. All staff are qualified to level 3 or above in Childcare, Learning and Development.

Little Blue Van Nursery accepts children from 2.5 years old until they start Reception at their chosen school.

Find out more about Little Blue Van Nursery at their website: www.littlebluevan.co.uk.

ADVERTISE WITH US TO ENTER THE PRIZE DRAW

The annual fee for the rest of the year is now only £90 and includes a slot within every remaining 2025 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.

March 2025 Issue: cover reveal!

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We had some really lovely entries to choose from this issue and found it really hard to agree on a winner, but congratulations go to Paul Marriott.

The March 2025 Issue of The Three Villages Magazine’s cover will feature the work of Paul Marriott from High Flying Drone Shots. The stunning aerial shot was chosen because it shows the beauty of the area in such a unique way.

© Paul Marriott, High Flying Drone Shots

High Flying Drone Shots are a local authorised drone operator. To learn more and the variety of services on offer, check out their website: www.highflyingdroneshots.co.uk .

Thank you to Paul for letting us use this wonderful image on the front cover!

You will be able to pick up your copy of The Three Villages Magazine: Issue 13 at the start of March across the three villages and our magazine is now FREE!

If you can’t get out to get a copy, please text (07488 914972) or call us (01920 870115) and we will get one to you.

Thank you for your continued support.
The Three Villages Team

First Equine Table Top Sale and Dog Show of 2025!

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The first Equine Table Top Sale and Dog Show of 2025 will be held on 19th January!

WHERE: Albury Village Hall, The Bourne, Albury
WHAT TIME: 11am to 1.30pm

EQUINE TABLE TOP SALE
Entry £1 (cash only)
Lots of different stalls offering some lovely items for sale, including some non-horsey things too.
Refreshments including homemade sausage rolls and cakes on sale too!

Book your tables in advance at £10 – numbers are limited. To book a table get in touch with Gail on 07747300095.

DOG SHOW
Entry £2 per show per dog (cash only)
Ribbons awards up to 5th place for all classes.

All money raised will go to Therapeutic Hooves, a Hertfordshire based therapeutic pony centre that offers individually tailored sessions for a wide range of physical and mental health additional needs. Find out more about this amazing charity here: https://www.therapeutichooves.com/

Check out their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/TherapeuticHooves

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