• T H E • T H R E E • V I L L A G E S • News & Information covering Great Amwell, St Margarets and Stanstead Abbotts •
Please be aware that Hoddesdon Road will be closed from 3rd to 5th February between 9:30am to 4pm. This is due to Drainage works being carried out.
CARS NEED TO BE MOVED OFF THE ROAD BEFORE THIS WORK STARTS
The following poster contains all the information…
Looking to explore your artistic side or reignite an old passion for art? Join Pencils at Dawn, an inspiring art class in Stanstead Abbotts led by experienced artist, Dawn Coulter. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, these classes offer a relaxed and supportive environment where you can develop your drawing skills, learn how to use watercolour, and discover new mediums and techniques to help fulfil your creative potential.
Dawn’s classes cover a variety of techniques, with a focus on individualised guidance, so you’ll receive hands-on support while learning to experiment, to embrace making mistakes and to develop as an artist.
When and where
Pencils at Dawn meets on a Thursday, 12–1.30pm in The Lounge at The Maltings, Stanstead Abbotts. A new monthly life drawing class also starts at The Lounge on the evening of Wednesday 19th February. These classes will look at clothing and movement as well as the human body. Places are limited, so book with Dawn in advance.
Dawn has taught in secondary schools and in a CAMHS unit, so is also available for home tutoring sessions for children and young people too.
Evening classes in The Red Lion will start again very soon and Dawn has plans to run more daytime classes once new local venues are found.
Don’t miss the chance to develop your artistic skills in a friendly and motivating environment. Contact Dawn to find out more and reserve your spot today.
Contact
For more details or to book a class, email Dawn at dawncoulter@me.com.
Coffee and Coping Hertfordshire have a brand new group concentrating on addiction in all forms, for concerned family members as well as addicts. This community pastoral care is done in conjunction with the The 3 Churches Benefice.
Addiction is a real and present in our community, and those facing this need help and support. Coffee and Coping strongly believe that creating a strong sense of community, providing a safe space to talk with empathetic listeners, as well as offering practical support, is the way to help.
If you are interested in knowing more, or would like to come along to this new group, please drop in. You don’t need to book – just turn up.
HOPE IN ACTION
Addition, heavy use and concern group
When: Every Wednesday, 17:00–18:30
Where: St Mary’s Church, St Margarets on Hoddesdon Road
STARTS 29th JANUARY
Please help Coffee and Coping raise money to support their outreach work if you can – anything helps so much. You can donate via the Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/hopeinaction#sharePage.
Stanstead Abbotts Concert Society will be holding their next music event on Sunday 19th January.
Christina Alden and Alex Patterson in concert with Phil Hewett
Christina Alden & Alex Patterson are multi-instrumentalists and songwriters from East Anglia. Their music is rich with intertwining harmony, sensitive accomplished musicianship and a creative song-writing style that is both delicate and moving. Deeply inspired by the world around them, they have a keen environmental eye to craft stories with the natural world at its heart, reflecting on the relationship between humans and the wild.
WHERE: The Parish Hall, Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12 8AB
WHEN: Sunday 19th January (doors open at 7pm)
More about Stanstead Abbotts Concert Society
The Stanstead Abbotts Concert Society meets on the third Sunday of each month at The Parish Hall, Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12 8AB.
Doors open at 7.00pm, for a 7.30pm start and the evening ends at 10.00pm.
Soft drinks are available but please bring your own alcohol.
Tickets are £10 and are available from Ticket Source or call 01920 870558.
Join a FREE, friendly and volunteer-led group to build your digital skills in 2025!
A reminder that Community Alliance Broxbourne and East Herts offer FREE digital skills sessions at the Nigel Copping Community Building in Sanville Gardens, Stanstead Abbotts.
The first session of 2025 is on 8th January!
BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL
If you’re interested, book your place by calling 0300 123 1034.
Check out all the upcoming 2025 dates below…
Once again we are looking for our next cover image for Issue 13 (March 2025) 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 for entries is 10th January!
Get connected with what is happening in your local area, keep up to date and have your say in what goes on where you live or work in Hertfordshire.
Herts Connected is a free interactive messaging service from Hertfordshire Constabulary.
You will also be able to choose who you would like to receive messages from – including the Police and Crime Commissioner, Neighbourhood Watch and Action Fraud. Your preferences will make your messages bespoke and not just related to your postcode.
It’s quick and easy to sign up.
You can find out more and sign up to Herts Connected here: https://www.hertsconnected.co.uk/ or scan the QR code on the poster.
By working together, we can make Hertfordshire an even safer place to live and work.
Hertfordshire County Council have put together lots of information on available resources to get practical help during the cold winter months…
Cold weather health advice
We’ve put together a few top tips to help you protect yourself and others from the effects of cold weather.
From drawing curtains at dusk to keep out draughts, to having at least one hot meal a day, plenty of hot drinks and using a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep warm (but never both at the same time), there are a few things you can do to minimise your risk.
Find out more HERE: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/about-the-council/news/news-archive/be-ready-for-cold-weather
Please check in on anyone who may struggle in cold weather
Please protect yourself as much as possible from the cold conditions and check on others who may be struggling, such as older people and those with underlying health conditions.
If you are finding it difficult to heat your home, or someone you know is struggling to stay warm at home or needs help to get shopping or medicines, please contact HertsHelp on 0300 123 4044 or follow the link HERE.
If you are concerned about the health of yourself or someone else, please call NHS 111, contact your GP or get advice from your local pharmacy.
Come in from the cold
Our online directory of ‘warm spaces’ allows you to find libraries, family centres and community spaces near you where you can stay safe and warm this winter. Lots of the venues will be hosting additional activities, including Age UK Hertfordshire’s ‘Winter Fuel Support Roadshows’ where people impacted by the changes to the Winter Fuel Payment can access expert support and advice. You see this directory HERE.
In our local area, you can find:
The 3 Churches Benefice Coffee Morning
The Wilshere Hall, St Andrew’s Church, Cappell Lane, Stanstead Abbotts,
9.00–11.00am, Every Monday
Come and share a cuppa and a fun activity in our free, warm and welcoming space.
The 3 Churches Benefice Community Hub Drop-In
St Mary’s Church, Hoddesdon Road, St Margarets
10.30–11.30am, Every Wednesday
Open to anyone who needs a cuppa and a chat, practical help or just a safe space.
Get financial support
If you are worried about money, or you are in debt, help is available.
Citizens Advice can give you help and support. You may also be able to get help from the government with energy bills, transport, childcare and household costs. Never ignore bills.
Visit www.hertscitizensadvice.org.uk, call 0800 144 8848 or follow the link below for more cost of living advice.
If you are in immediate financial crisis, you may be able to apply for help from the Hertfordshire Welfare Assistance Service. You will need to meet certain criteria to qualify for help and you can only apply once every three months.
The payment is designed to help you if:
• you don’t have enough money to meet your, or your family’s, immediate needs after an emergency or disaster
• you think there will be serious damage or risk to your, or your family’s, health or safety without the payment
• there is no other help available to you.
Find out more about the Hertfordshire Welfare Assistance Service and view the eligibility criteria here.
Winter Welfare visits
Another free scheme we’re working with Age UK Hertfordshire to deliver is the Winter Welfare Visits scheme.
A ‘handyperson’ service can help with the following:
• Provide and install radiator reflector strips to maximise heat dispersion
• Provide and install draught excluders for doors and windows to reduce heat loss
• Provide and install energy efficient bulbs and night lights
• Provide an electric blanket or a winter duvet (single size only)
• Provide a Warm in Winter bag
• Help to take meter readings and set heating timings and thermostats
• Hang winter curtains (already owned or purchased by client)
For more information contact chris.skrabski@ageukherts.org.uk, call 07903 429743 or visit the link below.
Source: Hertfordshire County Council
We know times are tough right now with the cost of living rising and it’s leaving a lot of people in Hertfordshire feeling overwhelmed. But the good news is there’s help available. If you’re struggling, there are plenty of local services, groups and charities ready to lend a hand.
This winter, Hertfordshire County Council want to make sure that residents know how to access advice and support to help them manage the cost of living.
All information on the help available in Hertfordshire can be found at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/costofliving.
If you need help and don’t know where to turn, contact HertsHelp on 0300 123 4044.
There is help out there, so please reach out!
Source: Hertfordshire County Council
We have some advertising slots for 2025 available! Why not join us? It is only £120 for the year.
The annual fee includes…
A slot within every 2024 issue of the PRINT MAGAZINE
AND
Inclusion in our advertisements directory and scrolling adverts panel (that appears on every page) on the WEBSITE
* 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 year and be entered automatically into our prize draw. Payment must be received by 1st January to secure your spot.
For more information, email threevillagesmagazine@gmail.com.
The Three Villages 