Category Archives: News

Can you help the Foodbank?

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.

Any donations are gratefully received.

Lyn Paddon, The 3 Churches Foodbank Hub Manager

Bus Travel: the latest news!

Adult SaverCard discount increasing to 50%

From the 14th July the Adult SaverCard (for ages 26–59) will be offering 50% discount on multi-operator bus tickets, previously described as Explorer and BUSnet. This is a change to the current Adult SaverCard, which up until now has only offered 15% discount on Intalink Explorer and BUSnet tickets.

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.  

Find out more about Adult SaverCard and other SaverCard products.

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.

Find out more about the Zones and prices on the Intalink Connect Ticket page.

Intalink vehicle visits

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.  

Captain Fantastic & Charity SPACE Herts Team Up!

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.

Tommy Balaam, founder and director of fun at Captain Fantastic explains: ‘Inspiration to set up our SEND parties came from our office manager Ali Warren who has an autistic son, Zac Our Autism Journey – Captain Fantastic (captain-fantastic.co.uk).

‘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/

For the Captain Fantastic Adventures YouTube channel please see:  Captain Fantastic Adventures – YouTube

For actors and professional entertainers interested in exploring Captain Fantastic’s flexible franchise opportunities please see:  https://captain-fantastic.co.uk/jointheteam/childrens-party-franchise/

About SPACE Hertfordshire
For more information please see https://spaceherts.org.uk/

Art created by young people at a SPACE Herts graffiti session

The next Equine Table Top Sale & Dog Show!

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

Their lovely sponsors
Dog show sponsored by Prue Relland Veterinary Physiotherapy
Signs sponsored by Universal Signs
Toilet sponsored by Jimmy Riddles Toilet Hire – All on Hire Ltd

Contact Gail on 07747300095 for more information or to book a pitch.

The latest winner!

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.

September Issue Cover Photograph Revealed!

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 is back!

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.

WHEN?
JULY: Friday 26th and Monday 29th.
AUGUST: Friday 2nd, Monday 5th, Friday 9th, Monday 12th, Friday 16th, Monday 19th, Friday 23th and Friday 30th.

Email makelunch@3churches.net to book your place. We look forward to welcoming you!

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Stanstead Bury Farm

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.

Running time: Approximately 85 minutes

TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS CLICK HERE

Critics have said of our Shakespeare productions:
“Shakespeare would have envisioned his play to be enjoyed exactly this way!” – Visit Brighton

“A must-see for theatre fans and an education in how to make Shakespeare relevant again!” – Binge Fringe

Great Amwell Village Games

Great Amwell will once again be holding a Village Games event!

Join us for an afternoon of fun at the Glebe Field behind Great Amwell Parish Hall on Saturday 27th July, 5pm to dusk.

Bring along a picnic and enjoy games, races, fireworks and more! 

Fun for the whole family and a fantastic opportunity to get the community together.

If you are able to help, please contact Suzie@GreatAmwellVillage.co.uk.
To donate, please scan the QR code (left)

See the poster below…

Advertise with us for only £60!

We have some advertising slots available! Why not join us? It is now only £60 for the rest of the year.

The annual fee for the rest of the year is just £60 and includes…

a slot within the remaining two issues of the PRINT MAGAZINE
AND
inclusion in our advertisements directory and scrolling adverts panel (that appears on every page) on the WEBSITE.

JOIN US AND…
* BE RECOGNISED AS A TRUSTED LOCAL TRADER *
* SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE *
* REACH CUSTOMERS ACROSS THE LOCAL AREA *

PLUS!
We are offering the chance to win a FREE full-colour, full-page prime advertising spot within the next print issue!

Sign up now to advertise with us for the rest of the year and be entered automatically into our prize draw.

For more information, email threevillagesmagazine@gmail.com

DEADLINE TO BE INCLUDED WITHIN THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE: 26th JULY 2024

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