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.
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.
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.
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
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)
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.
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.
Want to master your computer, tablet or phone? Join a FREE, friendly and volunteer-led group to build your digital skills!
Community Alliance Broxbourne and East Herts offer FREE digital skills sessions at the Nigel Copping Community Building in Sanville Gardens, Stanstead Abbotts.
The last session of the year is on 11th December, from 2.30 to 4pm.
BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL If you’re interested, book your place by calling 0300 123 1034.
The December 2024 issue of The Three Villages Magazine is here and available to purchase for £1 across the three villages. Be sure to pick up your copy!
You can find it at a number of locations: The Village Pharmacy, Stanstead Abbotts St John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell St Mary’s Church, St Margarets St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbotts The Bridge Shop, Stanstead Abbotts
In this issue, along with all our regular features, you will find the latest in our Local Historic Faces & Places series, a charity focus on SPACE Hertfordshire, an updated on the Neighbourhood Plan and announce the winners of our Schools Christmas Art Competition.
If you are struggling to get a hold of a copy, please do get in touch and we will get one to you.
Thank you for your continued support, The Three Villages Team
The December issue of The Three Villages Magazine is nearly here!
For this issue, we have broken from our normal cover photography to showcase the winning entries from our Schools Christmas Art Competition. Congratulations to our winners!
After the success of our Christmas art competition last year, we once again asked the schools if they would like to take part in a ‘Christmas Star Competition’. The students who took part didn’t let us down!
Pick up a copy of the December Issue to find out who our winners are!
Do keep your eyes open for these special stars as we hope to use them, along with all the other stars that were entered into the competition, to decorate Stanstead Abbotts high street! Why not see how many you can spot?
Thank you to everyone who took part in the competition. You did yourselves and your schools proud!
Hertfordshire residents and visitors can now enjoy free bus travel thanks to the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding, which has made 10,000 free bus tickets available.
The new Intalink Connect ticket offers unlimited all-day travel across 14 zones in the county, with flexible options for single-zone, two adjacent zones, or all-zone travel.
Tickets can be claimed through the Intalink App using the discount code CATCHBUS24. A maximum of one ticket per Intalink App account is available.
I you haven’t already done so, please do complete our ‘Future Plans’ Survey!
The December issue (that is now with the printer) marks the conclusion of three full years of The Three Villages in print and online! We are taking this opportunity to reassess how we can best share, showcase and support our three villages in future publications.
We want to hear from you! Completing the survey takes only 5 minutes.
Have your say and shape the future of our publication.
The Three Villages 