Local elections will be taking place across Hertfordshire on 1 May. Are you ready to vote?
Anyone wanting to vote must make sure they are registered. You will need to register if you have not voted before or if you have recently moved house. The deadline is midnight on Friday 11 April.
Find out all of the information you need to get voting, including how to vote in person, acceptable forms of ID, applying to vote by post or how to appoint someone to vote on your behalf (known as proxy) by visiting The Electoral Commission’s helpful webpage HERE: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections
A community space in Stanstead Abbotts is being launched on Saturday 5th April.
WHEN: 11am to 4pm on Saturday 5th April 2025 WHERE: 2b High Street, Stanstead Abbotts, Herts. SG12 8AB
The Hub is a space for workshops, talks and presentations on various subjects focussed on health and wellbeing, as well as an organic food hub where locals can order organic food, home produce, tins, cleaning products and personal hygiene products. All sourced in the UK.
The pet shop at dog grooming parlous will be a permanent fixture and is run by Jo, who has an established shop in South Woodford, so even your pets will get to benefit from this new space!
At the launch event, there will be… * The Nestaurant: serving delicious vegetarian and vegan food. * Phebe’s Bakes: a local pop-up chef serving curries, patties and other tasty dishes.
Please do go along to enjoy some lovely food and find out more about this new venture.
As part of our commitment to supporting local businesses, every month we will highlight one of our advertisers. This month’s winner is Christopher the Locksmith.
A Family Business Built on Trust and Expertise
Founded by Chris’s father, the company has been a cornerstone of the local community for decades. With nearly 30 years of experience, Chris (photographed on the right here), the current face of the business, continues to provide high-quality locksmith services, making him the go-to expert for lock repairs, replacements and security advice for both domestic and commercial clients.
As a Checkatrade Trader and Police Checked professional, Chris ensures that each service is executed with the utmost care, integrity and efficiency. His reputation as a trusted, independent locksmith speaks for itself, with many clients returning time and time again for his honest and reliable work.
Comprehensive Locksmith Services
Whether you’re locked out of your home in the middle of the night or need to upgrade your security after a burglary, Christopher the Locksmith is always just a call away. Available 24/7, Chris aims to arrive at your location within 15–30 minutes, ensuring that help is never far away when you need it most. Some of the top services offered include:
Lock Repairs & Replacements: From snapped keys to faulty catches, Chris quickly repairs or replaces broken locks, offering a no mess, guaranteed workmanship service.
UPVC & Composite Door Specialists: As experts in UPVC door lock repairs and composite door lock issues, Christopher the Locksmith saves you the cost of unnecessary replacements.
Security Upgrades: For those concerned about their home’s security, Chris offers anti-snap lock upgrades to the latest approved standards, ensuring your property is safe from burglars.
Emergency Lockouts & Lost Keys: Locked out or lost your keys? Call Chris anytime for an efficient, caring and friendly emergency locksmith service.
Chris has built a reputation for fast, reliable service. His commitment to the community is reflected not only in his service, but also in his 10% discount for senior citizens and 20% discount for students.
A Personal Touch with Every Service
What makes Christopher the Locksmith truly special is the personal touch Chris provides with every job. Unlike larger chains, you’ll never deal with a faceless representative or automated system. Instead, Chris is the one who answers the phone, provides a free, upfront quote and arrives at your location to carry out the work himself.
Why Choose Christopher the Locksmith?
Family-Run & Independent: Offering personal, reliable and trusted services.
Fast Response Times: Expect Chris to be there within 15–30 minutes, 24/7.
No Hidden Fees: Transparent, upfront pricing ensures no surprises.
Security Expertise: Specialising in burglary prevention, UPVC, composite doors and anti-snap locks.
Discounts for Seniors & Students: Affordable services for everyone in the community.
For any lock-related concerns, whether it’s an emergency or a simple security upgrade, call 07772 111 222 or 0800 988 2424 anytime!
Congratulations to Christopher the Locksmith for being our Advertiser of the Month! For those who value prompt, reliable and expert service from a trusted local business, this is the name to remember.
Hertfordshire County Council are committed to becoming a more sustainable organisation. Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, they have been working with partners and residents to tackle climate change, and its impacts across the county.
To help deliver their sustainability and climate change ambitions, Hertfordshire County Council want to know your thoughts about climate change, its impacts on Hertfordshire and their efforts to tackle it.
Hertfordshire County Council have prepared a short survey that will help to better understand residents’ priorities around climate change, including how they can better communicate and engage with locals on this important issue.
There are only a few days left to have your say! Complete the survey before Friday 21 MarchHERE.
An easy-read version of this survey is also available HERE.
Find out more about our work to deliver the Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy to date, visit their page HERE.
The Hertfordshire County Council has issued several public notices detailing upcoming temporary road closures and restrictions across the county, effective from March 2025. These measures are being implemented under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to facilitate essential works, including utility service installations and maintenance.
Specific to our three villages is the following… B180 Hunsdon Road, Stanstead Abbotts Closure: Starting 17th March, this closure facilitates necessary works over a 90m stretch with a designated detour in place.
(Temporary Closing Of B180 Hunsdon Road, Stanstead Abbotts) Order 2025 NOTICE is given that Hertfordshire County Council intends to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, to prohibit all vehicular traffic from using that length of B180 Hunsdon Road, Stanstead Abbotts from its junction with B181 Roydon Road north eastwards and a distance of approximately 90m (“the Road”), except for access.
An alternative route will be via B181 (Roydon Road/High Street/Station Road), A1170 (Pepper Hill/Amwell Hill/London Road/Viaduct Road), B1004 (Bridge Foot/Star Street/Widbury Hill/Ware Road) and B180 (Hunsdon Road/ Widford Road/High Street/Stanstead Road/Hunsdon Road).
The Order is needed because works are proposed to be executed on or near the Road.
If the Order is made, it shall come into force on 17 March 2025 for a period of up to 18 months.
However, the restrictions specified shall only take effect at the times indicated by signs on or near the Road.
If you have any queries about the proposed Order, please contact Rajesh Goutam tel. 0300 123 4047 at Ringway.
Residents are encouraged to review these changes as they may impact daily commutes and travel plans. For information regarding other road closures in Hertfordshire, see HERE.
The first issue of 2025, but also the first FREE issue.
Hopefully you will have seen the news that as part of our plans for 2025, our print magazine is now FREE. We have made this decision in order to help facilitate the magazine reaching more of our residents in the three villages.
Not everyone carries cash these days, so now you can just grab a copy when you see one. We have also increased our print run by 100% and you will be able to find the magazine across more locations in the villages.
You can get The Three Villages Magazine from, but not limited to, the following locations: The Village Pharmacy St John the Baptist Church St Mary’s Church St Andrew’s Church The Bridge Shop The Red Lion George IV The Jolly Fisherman The Oak The Maltings Café St Margarets Train Station
Furthermore, if you can’t get out to get a copy, you can 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
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.
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
This engaging four-week programme will be held at Community Alliance Skills and Learning Centre, 67 Fore Street, Hertford, SG14 1AL.
Dates: 19th February, 26th February, 5th March and 12th March. Sessions: Morning (09:30am – 12:30pm) or Afternoon (1:00pm – 4:00pm)
What to Expect Throughout the course, you will receive a slow cooker and all the food needed to create delicious, healthy meals without breaking the bank!
Slow cooking is not only an energy-efficient way to prepare food, but it also enhances flavours while promoting healthier eating. This course will teach you how to minimise food waste and make the most of your ingredients.
How to Book To book email sarah@communityalliancebeh.org.uk.
Launched at the end of 2021, with the first print issue publishing in March 2022, 2025 marks the fourth year The Three Villages has been active!
So, what have we achieved?
In the last three years, we have published 12 issues (with Issue 13, March 2025 on its way very shortly!) filled with content focused on our three villages. We have had interviews with locals; featured local businesses in our Business Spotlights; focused on the vital work of local charities; heard some inspiring stories and updates from our parish councils, schools and community groups; discovered some fascinating local history; held writing and art competitions to engage with our resident creatives, especially within our schools; and our covers have showcased some stunning images from local photographers and artist of all ages/walks of life. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Our Facebook page, website and News & Events Blog have gone from strength-to-strength as our reach continues to increase every month. Our highest number of views in a month was 2818 (November 2023). We see people following our page from other parts of the world as they want to stay connected to home. Our average month sees 650 people checking out our website to see what we have going on in the three villages. It’s the place to go for all the latest news and up-to-date information, so if you haven’t done so already do check out our website, follow/like our Facebook page and subscribe to our News & Events Blog (see below for details).
What do we have planned moving forward?
Many of you were kind enough to complete our recent Future Plans Survey. It gave us a really good idea of what people liked about our offering and areas that we need to improve. We got some brilliant comments too, so thank you to those that took the time to complete it. You can see a summary from our results here in the image below…
At the end of 2024, we sat down and made some exciting plans for 2025. So what are they?
From March 2025 onwards our print magazine will be FREE!
We are increasing our print run by 100% to increase our distribution
We are finding more ways to reach out to those that might not be able to get out and collect a copy of the print magazine: you can now call/text for a copy
We have welcomed two new members to our team, bringing fresh ideas and experience
Across our print and online formats, we have worked hard to build community as we share local news and information, showcase local talent and support local businesses. We hope that you have enjoyed the journey as much as we have! Thank you for your continued support.
The Three Villages Team Building Community in Print and Online Share • Showcase • Support
Check out our WEBSITE: http://www.thethreevillages.com Sign up to our NEWS & EVENTS BLOG: www. thethreevillages.com/news-events/ And follow/like our FACEBOOK PAGE: search @TheThreeVillagesMagazine
Stanstead Abbotts and St Margarets Neighbourhood Plan Public Consultation 30th January–14th March 2025
Your responses to this consultation will be submitted to a local planning inspector and following his review, and incorporation of any changes he requires, the Neighbourhood Plan will be voted on by the electorate in the Neighbourhood Plan area. If approved it will be adopted by East Herts District Council.
Paper copies can be viewed at Village Café, The Lounge Coffee Shop, Stanstead Abbotts Parish Council and East Herts Council. Representations made in writing must be received by 5pm on 14th March 2025.
The Three Villages 