Home   News   Article A battle-weary Eric Buckmaster retained his Sawbridgeworth seat on Hertfordshire County Council for the Conservatives beating Reform UK Hertford and Stortford chairman John Burmicz (1,230) by more than 500 votes fourth was Liberal Democrat Julia Davies with 318 and fifth was Sarah Santos of the Green Party with 267 who also serves on East Herts district and Sawbridgeworth town councils was the executive member for the environment at County Hall After he was congratulated at the East Herts district count at Wodson Park Sports Centre in Ware by visiting Conservative Broxbourne MP Lewis Cocking Cllr Buckmaster told the Indie he was “relieved” He said: “Because I work so hard in the community I never imagined it would be such a battle It’s been a lot of hard work over the last few months “I’m really pleased that I can carry on working with the community.” Cllr Buckmaster believed that many of the votes cast on Thursday were “people who are protesting because of what they see in national politics” He said it was unclear if that support would hold up in the future He fought the chair of Reform UK’s Hertford and Stortford constituency party chair a former Conservative district and town councillor in Sawbridgeworth and said: “The old orders have changed in terms of traditional parties but I do not know what they [Reform UK] would do without Nigel Farage.” He said that all 78 newly-elected county councillors had a tough task ahead navigating Labour’s plans for local government devolution and new unitary authorities ready for a fresh vote in around two years Plans for a live entertainment venue in a “quiet family-oriented street” in Sawbridgeworth have been approved despite opposition from residents and councillors Planning applications for the former Barclays bank at 28 Knight Street were voted through by East Herts Council’s (EHC) development management committee at its meeting on Wednesday (December 4) The venue – expected to be known as The Vault – is hoping to serve alcohol and hot food It still needs licensing approval from the council While it could have operated as a restaurant without planning permission agreement from the council was needed for a change of use to become a live entertainment venue or bar The proposed opening hours are 8am until 11pm Sundays to Thursdays and 8am until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays Council officers had recommended that permission be granted citing a “significant public benefit” from bringing the grade II listed building back into public use But councillors – including some planning committee members – and members of the public raised concerns about the plans She warned that “anti-social behaviour” may follow the opening of the venue and said: “Should we as a community have to put up with social disorder “Should the primary school [Fawbert & Barnard Infants] opposite have to put up with discarded drinks and broken glass in the morning as children arrive at school?” chair of Sawbridgeworth Town Council’s planning committee spoke from the public seats to say the plan would bring “significant harm” to residents Objectors raised concerns about the impact of noise on residents about a lack of parking at the site and in its immediate vicinity and a lack of a plan for dealing with rubbish from the venue Outside seating is proposed to be added at the back of the pub though officers said its size will be “limited” No objections to the proposals were raised by EHC’s environmental health (EH) department EH officer Claire Spendley told councillors the conditions around reducing noise at the venue would be the “most stringent” possible requiring no noise to be audible at any nearby home There was also a dispute around whether the area was residential or a mix of commercial and residential and therefore whether the plans were suitable for the location Council officers said the area was “mixed use” citing the Queen’s Head pub next door and other nearby businesses told the committee the plans would “fundamentally change the character of this quiet family-oriented street” and warned it would set “a dangerous precedent” He had called the application before the committee for a final decision His concerns were echoed by several councillors including Bishop’s Stortford Liberal Democrat Cllr Sarah Copley who said it would be “completely out of keeping” with the area who described the street as “predominantly residential” the only representative of the town on the development management committee said it was a “residential area” and added that she “frequently” gets complaints from residents about the Queen’s Head when it occasionally plays live music One committee member to disagree was Cllr Yvonne Estop (Lab who said that Knight Street is “a busy part of a vibrant town” and added: “If you live in a town centre then you have to expect that there’s activity as well as residential.” She added that she supported approving the plans “in principle” but proposed delaying a decision on the development until more information was provided about exactly what kind of ‘live entertainment’ the applicant hoped to offer But her proposal was voted down because the deadline for a decision – already extended once – was only a week after the meeting and would require the applicant’s agreement The applicant did not attend the meeting to answer questions from councillors Councillors did vote to add a condition requiring the venue to avoid deliveries around school opening and closing times They also voted in favour of granting listed building consent for changes to be made to the inside of the building Seven months of congestion on the main road between Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth lie ahead for motorists Cadent Gas is set to start work next Monday (February 10) on gas main replacement along the A1184 The utility company will begin at the Pig Lane junction in Stortford and progress southwards until contractors reach Station Road in Sawbridgeworth Temporary traffic signals will operate 24 hours a day and seven days a week with manual controls from 6am to 8pm daily Work at the junction of the A1184 with West Road and Station Road in Sawbridgeworth will be carried out during the school summer holidays will be delivered during the school Easter holidays in April Letters will be sent to affected residents this week and highways authority Hertfordshire County Council says it will “have regular communications with Cadent Gas to monitor programme delivery and address any concerns” Exciting times for local footballers—due to soaring demand the Sawbridgeworth Monday 5 a side & 6 a side league at Leventhorpe School 4G is expanding to 16 teams the league has rapidly grown into one of the most sought-after in the area This expansion gives even more players the opportunity to experience the best small-sided football action around ✅ New Spaces Available – Fresh teams now have the chance to sign up and test themselves against the best ✅ Top-Quality Facilities – The stunning 4G pitch at Leventhorpe School continues to provide the perfect setting for fast-paced football "The demand for spaces has been incredible Expanding to 16 teams allows us to offer more local players the chance to play in a well-run We can't wait to welcome new teams into the league!" ✅ More Competitive Matches – A larger league means greater variety and stronger competition every week now is the perfect time to register your team and secure a spot in one of the region’s most exciting leagues Police want to identify three men – two of them masked – after a burglary in Sawbridgeworth Hertfordshire Constabulary has released CCTV images of the trio after reports a property at The Mews was entered after a window was damaged which happened at around 5.40am on Tuesday December 3 it is believed the suspects left in a white car said: “We are releasing these images because we believe the people pictured may have been in the area and could have information to assist the investigation “Is this you or do you recognise these people? While I appreciate the images are of poor quality, I am hoping someone may be able to identify them. If you have any information, please email me via Marcin.Tyszka@herts.police.uk.” Witnesses can also report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in the force communications room via online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call non-emergency number 101 Guests at Sawbridgeworth mayor’s civic dinner enjoyed an evening filled with community spirit on Saturday (Apr 5) began with a three-course meal catered by Magpie Catering following which speeches were delivered by Mayor Cllr Reece Smith and Deputy Mayor Cllr Salvatore Pagdades The mayor’s speech centred on celebrating the remarkable contributions of volunteers across the town He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Sawbridgeworth Town Council team for organising not only this event but the various community events held throughout the year Former town and district councillor Angela Alder – was was granted freedom of the town last year – followed the mayor's speech with a loyal toast Musical entertainment was provided by the talented Leventhorpe School Band whose performance was said to captivate the audience and added to the evening's festive atmosphere Among the distinguished guests were mayors of Bishops Stortford (Cllr Richard Townsend) East Herts Council Vice chair (Cllr Martin Adams) and Herts County Council chair (Cllr Terry Douris) Master of ceremonies and town clerk Chris Hunt said the event was “a resounding success” and raised more than £700 through a raffle with additional funds from the night still to be tallied Proceeds will be donated to Cllr Smith's chosen charities: the Scouts and Sawbridgeworth Young People's Recreational Centre further supporting local youth and community initiatives Mr Hunt added: “Sawbridgeworth can be proud of yet another memorable civic ceremony that not only celebrated our community but also reaffirmed our commitment to giving back.” A driver was taken for medical treatment after his car hit the front of a hair and beauty salon in Sawbridgeworth Members of all three emergency services were sent to the scene of the incident in Bell Street at lunchtime on Thursday (February 27) Police were called at around 1.05pm with reports of a collision at Clique in Bell Street on the corner of the exit from the East Herts Council-owned car park A spokesman for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “The collision involved a grey Mercedes B-Class that collided with the front of a building has been taken to hospital as a precaution.” a spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said that paramedics who attended were told the driver had been taken to a GP practice who had been inside the shop and they did not require transportation to hospital.” Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 1.45pm A spokeswoman said: “One fire engine from Bishop’s Stortford was sent to the scene but on arrival found that there was no fire situation and nobody was trapped Firefighters provided scene safety and assisted in removing the vehicle.” Police closed off the entrance to Bell Street from the main A1184 London Road while emergency services dealt with the aftermath A pub that’s been a landmark in Sawbridgeworth and a popular watering hole for decades could be back in business after two local men took over the lease Damien Devine told the Indie that The Gate in London Road was undergoing extensive refurbishment by pub chain Stonegate before he and partner Noel Wright could reopen it but we’d like to think we’ll be open in April,” he said who has been living around the area for years and ran The Old Red Lion Theatre pub in The Angel said The Gate would have a “softer” style than it has had traditionally “It will be real ale driven with a mix of lagers and ciders on tap,” he said The pub will eventually show TV sports and offer darts and pool “The focus is on getting the place tidied up and open,” said Damien The community of Sawbridgeworth responded to an appeal to send aid to people in Ukraine as the population of the war-torn country struggles to survive under constant bombardment from their Russian invaders Members of the town’s Homes for Ukraine support group hosted a stall at Central Co-op in London Road on Saturday (April 19) and collected tinned and dried food and cooking oil The emergency appeal was launched by Felsted-based UK-AID which said the situation in Ukraine was worsening “On our last visit a couple of weeks ago we sensed that some people are beginning to lose hope; their strength being severely tested by the constant bombardment day in and day out,” said a spokesperson for the charity farmers are finding it harder to grow their crops of wheat and vegetables due to a combination of overhead bombing and their fields being mined Despite Russian president Vladimir Putin announcing a 30-hour truce in the three-year conflict over Easter Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy branded it bogus accusing Putin’s forces of breaking it 2,000 times Another collection will be held at Central Co-op on Saturday May 3 co-founder of the Sawbridgeworth support group thanked Co-op manager Mark Cox for his help Greg Rattey’s Toplines hair salon in Bell Street is also a collection point for the food items UK-AID will return to Ukraine at the end of May to deliver the emergency supplies Residents are being encouraged to attend Sawbridgeworth’s annual town meeting later this month to hear what’s been happening over the past 12 months and to see how they can get involved The meeting takes place on Monday March 24 and is billed as an opportunity to meet representatives of a range of organisations clubs and groups in Sawbridgeworth “in a relaxed setting” Last year’s annual meeting heard reports from the then mayor Cllr Ruth Buckmaster town clerk Chris Hunt and from trustees of town charities Mr Hunt read out highlights from local bodies and a representative of Hertfordshire police read a report for the year Those attending also heard details of the town action plan reports from councillors and there was an open forum for members of the public The annual meeting starts at 7pm and is held at Sawbridgeworth Town Council offices in Sayesbury Manor, off Bell Street. For minutes of last year’s annual meeting, see the town council’s website Leventhorpe School is considering options including repurposing the building or constructing a new facility on the site of Sawbridgeworth’s closed swimming pool The doors of Leventhorpe Pool and Gym shut just before Christmas after the withdrawal of Department for Education (DfE) funding meant the school A campaign had been launched to try to save the much-loved facility with two petitions garnering more than 6,000 names and Hertford and Stortford Labour MP Josh Dean identifying a funding lifeline from the Government news came in January that education authority Hertfordshire County Council’s application to the DfE for “exceptional circumstances” funding had been rejected A joint statement from Leventhorpe headteacher Malcolm White and Cllr Sarah Hopewell East Herts Council’s executive member for wellbeing said they had been working to explore potential alternatives with new commercial partners but “while two parties initially expressed interest neither found the site commercially viable for long-term operation” which has been shared with parents of students at the school continued: “From the latest conditions survey we know that the building needs significant capital investment to remain operational as a pool and gym neither the school nor East Herts Council has access to funding to support this work the pool has been operating at a financial loss presenting further challenges for any potential operator we regret to inform you that the pool and gym will not reopen for community use Sawbridgeworth Town Council and East Herts Council no viable alternatives have been found following the withdrawal of the Department for Education’s annual grant the joint-use agreement between Leventhorpe and East Herts Council will be terminated.” The statement went on to say that the school was “undertaking surveys to assess the options for repurposing the existing building or using the footprint of the pool and gym to build a new facility” securing funding for a full rebuild will take time and this project may take several years to complete “We will take the opportunity in the short term to remodel the gym and changing room areas so that the school can make use of the space as part of our day-to-day activities.” The statement concluded: “We understand this news is disappointing and we sincerely appreciate the community’s support and patience as we navigate this transition.” Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth are braced for more building as East Herts Council (EHC) struggles to supply 1,328 new homes a year in the district the authority has published a list of 282 sites across the district submitted by landowners agents and site promoters as suitable for housing and employment EHC issued a call for sites as part of an update to the District Plan and 21 locations in Bishop’s Stortford and 12 in Sawbridgeworth were put forward the largest proposed development sites are 10 hectares at Twyford Bury Lane and nine at Stortford Park Farm 29 hectares at Redricks Farm are earmarked along with 48 hectares west of the town EHC’s executive member for planning and growth will give the council’s Green and Liberal Democrat cabinet a progress report when members meet next Tuesday (February 11) The council estimates it needs to provide a minimum of 1,265 new homes a year across the anticipated plan period from 2028 to 2043 sites for at least 18,975 dwellings must be identified the council must also maintain a five-year housing land supply and the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework requires a 5% buffer “to ensure choice and competition in the market” This means the overall housing need requirement is currently 1,265 plus 63 – which equals 1,328 new homes per annum Cllr Ward-Glover’s report says: “To update the District Plan a large quantity of underpinning evidence is required to support any strategy that the council will ultimately choose to propose going forward “Now that the call for sites has been completed and the information for each submission collated and summarised the council will use the data to move on to the next stage in the plan-making process “This next stage involves utilising the information provided to begin the preparation of a Strategic Land Availability Assessment (SLAA) for the district “The SLAA will look at land supply for all types of development acknowledging the wider spatial objectives of the planning system and could lead to the future identification of site allocations or broad locations for development “It is important to note that the inclusion of a site in the SLAA is an assessment of whether a site could be developed; it does not make decisions about which sites should be developed.” Even if some of the submissions are allocated within the District Plan Review each site will still need planning permission The council’s planning policy team will now begin an evaluation of each of the 282 submissions • Land north of Dolphin Way for residential • Land at Twyford Bury Lane for residential • Land at Aynsworth Avenue for biodiversity off-set • Apton Road Car Park for specialist residential • Land north of Plantains Wood Cottages and east of the A120 Little Hadham Bypass for employment and renewable energy • Land east of Avanti Grange sports pitches • Land to the rear (east) of the Coach and Horses • Land adjacent to London Road/Thorley Street/Pig Lane • Land south of the A120 and west of the A1184 • Land north of the A120 and south of Wickham Hall for residential • Land east of Thorley Lane East for residential • Land south of Wychford Drive for residential • Land north of Leventhorpe School for residential • Land west of Sawbridgeworth for mixed-use • Grazing land at Reedings Way for community facility A fresh approach to Sawbridgeworth’s annual town meeting enabled better interaction and collaboration among community groups Thirty people attended the meeting in the town council chamber at Sayesbury Manor on Monday March 24 which aims to bring together community volunteers and group members It was inaugurated by town mayor Cllr Reece Smith who emphasised the importance of community solidarity A key highlight was the celebration of achievements by local community groups over the past year The event provided an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and contributions of various organisations that have helped to strengthen the town’s social fabric and to foster progress The annual town meeting serves as a vital platform for local residents to learn about and contribute to the progress of their community It is an essential requirement under the Local Government Act 1972 which mandates that parish and town councils across England hold such meetings each year These gatherings aim to promote transparency accountability and active engagement between local authorities and their constituents This year’s meeting adopted an innovative approach allowing participants to freely mingle with group representatives fostering connections and opportunities for networking Town clerk Chris Hunt said feedback after the meeting was overwhelmingly positive some suggested using a larger venue in the future to accommodate increased participation Mr Hunt added: “The event not only fulfilled its legal obligation but also celebrated local successes and showcased the community’s commitment to growth and unity setting an encouraging tone for the year ahead.” More funding for a bus service which runs through Lower Sheering and Sawbridgeworth means the route will be expanded The 347 runs from Hatfield Broad Oak to Harlow via Hatfield Heath Sawbridgeworth and High Wych before returning Sheering Parish Council has secured extra funding which means the service which runs twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays parish council chairperson Cllr Lesley Paine said: “The grant will be used to run more buses and encourage use by Sheering parish residents of our village hall for events during the day.” The bus stops for the 347 include in Lower Sheering adjacent to The Four Acres near the White Lion pub and adjacent to Springhall Road opposite the Rivers Hospital in High Wych Road and adjacent to the Rising Sun pub A trial of a free commuter bus service in Sawbridgeworth has been extended following “positive feedback from users” The town council launched the two-week trial for its Sawbobus to run each weekday morning and evening to and from the town’s railway station as part of its action plan to reduce traffic and increase public transport Town clerk Chris Hunt said: “Despite a slow start in terms of user numbers the comments from those who have utilised the service have been overwhelmingly positive “Following an assessment by Cllr Angus Parsad-Wyatt and myself we are pleased to announce that the trial will be extended for an additional week.” The service will continue all next week until Friday (Mar 14) “We encourage more residents to take advantage of this convenient and eco-friendly transportation option,” said Mr Hunt “We hope the extended trial will see increased usage and gather momentum reflecting the public’s demand for such a service.” He added: “We invite everyone to give the service a try If you find yourself at the station in the evening who will be happy to ferry you to your drop-off points Let’s work together to make our town a better place to live by supporting sustainable transport initiatives.” Cllr Parsad-Wyatt said: “The Sawbobus commuter service helps commuters get to the station reduces traffic and cuts emissions - all points raised as part of the town action plan “We hope more people will take up the free trial before it ends on March 14 then we can assess whether to make this a permanent Buses stop at The Three Horseshoes at 6.40am arriving at Sawbridgeworth station to coincide with morning trains to Liverpool Street at 6.57am buses leave Sawbridgeworth station at 5.56pm 6.26pm and 6.56pm to coincide with trains from Tottenham Hale arriving at The Three Horseshoes at 6.15pm The Sawbobus community transport scheme was set up in November 2009 by former town clerk Richard Bowran It provides more than 20,000 passenger journeys a year A licensing application has been submitted to East Herts Council (EHC) to have plays on any day of the week at a venue in Sawbridgeworth town centre Permission was granted in December for a change of use at the former Barclays Bank building at 28 Knight Street to allow live entertainment with the sale of alcohol and hot food When the plans – which were originally for a stand-up comedy club – came to light some neighbouring residents were up in arms saying that type of venue was inappropriate for the street Residents attended a meeting in February last year of Sawbridgeworth Town Council’s planning committee en masse to express their anger over the plans Planning committee members also expressed their reservations about the application saying there were “significant issues unaddressed” Chair Cllr Nathan Parsad-Wyatt denied they were a “council of Nimbys” and advised the applicant to liaise with the community building leaseholder Darryl Sydes insisted it was not going to be “some crazy nightclub” adding he had done “everything I was asked to do” in relation to noise concerns EHC’s development management committee issued several conditions on the impact of noise and smells and loading In January a licensing application was lodged with EHC which covers: film screenings and indoor sporting events (Mondays to Sundays • live music and recorded music (Sundays to Thursdays 8am-11pm The applicant also sought permission to supply alcohol Sundays to Thursdays 8am-11pm and Fridays and Saturdays 8am-11.30pm some residents have welcomed the new venue One of Sawbridgeworth’s three district councillors has branded plans to raise short-stay parking charges in the town by up to 55% as “potential profiteering” Cllr Eric Buckmaster was responding to plans by East Herts Council – on which he represents the town with his wife and Cllr Angus Parsad-Wyatt – for increases at Bell Street car park where the biggest hike will be in the tariff for up to two hours “The times when I imagine a large proportion of residents use the car park – up to two hours – has increased by 55%,” said Cllr Buckmaster who is also a county councillor and town councillor so at committee I asked to see the calculations of relative costs for the proposed changes for each time band to sense check the fairness of the proposals.” The other proposed changes to charges in Bell Street car park would be: up to 1hr – up 20p (40%) from 50p to 70p; 3hrs – up 60p (40%) from £1.50 to £2.10; 4hrs – up 70p (33%) from £2.10 to £2.80; 5hrs – up 40p (12%) from £3.10 to £3.50 The charge for up to 30 minutes remains free and the all-day tariff (up to 11 hours) is reduced by £1.10 (20.75%) from £5.30 to £4.20 Cllr Buckmaster said his understanding was the changes would need to go to public consultation He added there were some good points in the plans with the retention of the free 30 minutes and no charge for weekends Previous plans to change parking charges in Sawbridgeworth have met with protests In October 2022 a move to end free parking at the weekend was scrapped after a backlash which then mayor Cllr Greg Rattey said was a victory for local democracy hosting an energy hub stall and running a Tidy Up Sawbridgeworth (TUS) litter pick Residents could learn how to save money on bills reduce their carbon footprint and find grants for DIY at the town’s dedicated energy hub funded by East Herts Council and Sawbridgeworth Town Council Sustainable Sawbridgeworth volunteers and town councillors were on hand at a stall in Bell Street car park on Saturday to talk through suggestions signpost residents to further guidance and offer their own insights into saving energy A life-size replica air source heat pump was on show and volunteers discussed their experience of fitting solar panels using grants to help with costs and getting quotes from suppliers for installing air source heat pumps A “brilliant bunch” of volunteers turned out in the sunshine to tidy up Sawbridgeworth for the Great British Spring Clean were determined to keep the town’s green spaces free of litter and collected 38 bags of the stuff Five-year-old Nicholas said: “I want to do it all over again tomorrow.” Moira collected one very heavy bag of “rubbish” that contained only dog poo bags she had found along the way The volunteers were rewarded with delicious cake from The Shed Coffee House kindly sponsored by Allen House Business Centre Among the TUS group are 15 “amazing” litter heroes who are out and about in the area weekly One of the group’s youngest recruits so far is Freya who moved to the area with her parents last year The town’s Brownie group did some litter picking last month and rewarded themselves with toasted marshmallows litter-picks along the River Stort at least once a month with his fellow canoeists to keep it clear Anyone who wants to join them and get your own litter kit, email Corinne via tidyupsawbridgeworth@gmail.com The planned closure of a road in Sawbridgeworth which is warned will cause chaos has been delayed after residents and businesses did not receive sufficient notice A section of Station Road will be closed for up to three weeks from next Monday (October 7) to facilitate scaffolding for urgent repairs to the roof of a building in The Maltings The road near the level crossing was due to be closed from this Monday (Sept 30) but following complaints from businesses and residents the works were put back a week News of the closure was greeted with horror with businessman Daniel Potter branding it “utter madness” Another asked whom he should send invoices to for loss of trade Daniel has written to Hertford and Stortford MP Josh Dean to appraise him of the “recent appalling traffic issues that Sawbridgeworth has faced” He also spoke of the dangers to pedestrians caused by traffic being diverted via Sheering Mill Lane due to its narrow paths from Enchanted Bridal Boutique based at The Maltings said she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and called the plan “terrible” Melanie moved her business from Crumps Farm in West Road after traders were hit by numerous closures due to the new Sawbridge Park housing development I give my brides a relaxed environment and this is going to stress them out before they even get to me.” In delivering the bad news on the Sawbridgeworth Facebook group Hertfordshire County Council member for Sawbridgeworth posted an initial statement from the county’s highways department saying the road would undergo 24/7 closure from September 30 to October 25 and appreciated it was “short notice” A later post said: “Essex County Council were unhappy with the original proposals of a one-way closure due to safety concerns and therefore the decision has been made between all authorities to proceed under a full closure the level crossing will be closed to avoid traffic backing onto the crossing which would create a safety risk Therefore traffic travelling from Essex/Lower Sheering will unfortunately need to follow the signed diversion route as per Essex County Council’s requirements.” The statement added: “We fully anticipate traffic may choose to cut through Sawbridgeworth town centre to get around the closure and will therefore be working to keep the road network as clear as possible.” Then another statement to Cllr Buckmaster informed him the work would be delayed for a week to “allow some additional time to publicise the closure” and ‘Businesses open as usual’ signs would be put up when the closure is enforced The streets of Sawbridgeworth were filled with festive revellers to watch the town’s Christmas lights being switched on and the yuletide period officially launched with a variety of family-friendly activities food stalls and a Christmas market offering unique gifts and crafts The crowd cheered as the town was illuminated “This event brings our community together and spreads joy and festive spirit,” said the mayor “It’s wonderful to see so many smiling faces and to celebrate the start of the Christmas season with everyone.” which attracts large crowds and was busier than ever Town clerk Christopher Hunt said: “The event appears more successful every year and is growing in size It’s such a magical experience for the children It’s great to see the community come together and support local businesses.” Donations from Father Christmas’ grotto raised nearly £500 for Children in Need Dispersal orders will be in place in Sawbridgeworth and Hertford town centres for Hallowe’en as police crack down on anti-social behaviour The section 35 orders will be in effect from 4pm Thursday (October 31) until 4am Friday (November 1) to help protect members of the public by deterring those who use Hallowe’en as an excuse to commit crime and disorder The orders give police officers the power to direct anyone to leave specified areas in both towns immediately Failure to do so is a criminal offence and could result in an arrest Anyone aged under 16 can be taken home to parents or guardians Extra officers will be on duty carrying out proactive patrols who heads the East Herts Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “In previous years we’ve received an increased number of calls on Hallowe’en regarding anti-social behaviour and crime involving young people officers have had fireworks thrown at them and been injured as they attempted to seize fireworks from people aged under 18 “This kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated – either towards members of the public or to our officers who are simply out doing their job “The orders are being put in place to help protect members of the public from the small minority who use Hallowe’en as an excuse to commit crime and disorder.” Last Friday, Insp Collins issued a half-term warning to children not to get involved in anti-social behaviour (ASB) over Hallowe’en and Fireworks Night that could lead to injury and possible criminal action Uniformed and plain-clothes officers will increase patrols take a “robust approach” to youngsters involved in ASB and “use all legislation” to ensure the public’s safety He urged parents and guardians to make sure they know what their children are up to – and he wants people who hear of any planned activity to report it Advice and information are available on the Herts police website for both Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night Residents are concerned a three-week closure of a section of road in Sawbridgeworth will mean drivers rat-running through their street A small part of Station Road was closed on Monday morning (Oct 7) to facilitate urgent repairs to the roof of a building in The Maltings The closure by highways chiefs from Essex and Hertfordshire county councils was supposed to take place last Monday (Sept 30) but it was delayed after complaints of a shortage of notice for residents and businesses Traffic coming from Sheering will be diverted along Sawbridgeworth Road back towards Hatfield Heath and via the outskirts of Harlow but residents fear those who know the area will use Sheering Mill Lane and go through the back turnings and through the town One resident said narrow Sheering Mill Lane “was not designed to cope with large amounts of extra traffic” and another commenting on Facebook feared the volume of traffic going along the road would be “ridiculous” A resident of Brook Road also feared “chaos” as there were builders’ vans parked near a bend a highways spokesperson said: “We fully anticipate traffic may choose to cut through Sawbridgeworth town centre to get around the closure and will therefore be working to keep the road network as clear as possible.” The level crossing at Sawbridgeworth railway station will be inaccessible for vehicles and some residents were concerned pedestrians would be unable to use the crossing But station staff member Micheal King said that if the crossing was blocked for pedestrians he would “go out and tell them to move them” as the paths should not be blocked Although signs were due to be put up stating it was ‘business as usual’ for firms in The Maltings said the closure would mean “carnage” and said already a bride-to-be was late for an appointment because the traffic signals had been stuck on red Cllr Buckmaster admitted there was no better way to complete the works which needed to be completed before the winter months but stressed the contractor would be working to complete them as quickly as possible Hertfordshire police are appealing for help to trace a 12-year-old girl who has gone missing from Sawbridgeworth Tegan was last seen at around 6.15pm on Sunday (Nov 17) at her home address She is described as being around 5ft 2in with long brown hair She was last seen wearing a purple blazer and purple tie with a black skirt It is believed she has a tote bag with white stitching with her Tegan has links to Hemel Hempstead and Borehamwood in Herts and to Harrow in London Anyone who has seen her since she was reported missing or has information about where she has been is asked to report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in the force communications room via an online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call non-emergency number 101 If you believe you are with Tegan now or have seen her in the last few moments Residents and businesses in Sawbridgeworth have been without internet since around 11pm last night (Monday) Customers for Sky and BT have reported connection issues with one resident commenting on the Sawbridgeworth Facebook Group that his internet provider had informed him there was “rodent damage in the exchange” He added an engineer was on site and repairs were scheduled to be completed by 5.30pm Another said he had been told there was a problem at the Harlow exchange which has knocked out “loads of homes” An elderly woman was lucky to escape injury when a car crashed into the brick garden wall of her home sending debris and shattered glass into her lounge The driver of the white BMW 1 Series and his passenger walked away from the scene in Sawbridgeworth unharmed – and no pedestrians were caught up Police were called at 6.12pm on Wednesday (October 9) following reports of a single-vehicle collision in Station Road A spokesman for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “It was reported that a BMW collided with the front of a property went to hospital as a precaution.” The Indie understands he went of his own accord and was not taken in an ambulance The spokesman added that following enquiries and the driver blowing zero in roadside drink and drug tests no police action would be taken against him A resident who lives a few doors from the incident said: “The house that was hit has had significant damage – thank goodness for the telegraph pole “Our lovely mature neighbour who lives in the property has been extremely shaken up and is extremely lucky she wasn’t in her living room at the time because the impact was massive shattering glass throughout her downstairs living area The resident added: “My neighbours were just leaving their house and could have been seriously injured or worse Fortunately nobody has died and all have managed to walk away.” Another neighbour said: “I live right next to this I heard a car accelerating and then the engine popped as if it was a modded car A young mother who lives across the street and was walking along the pavement only 40 minutes before said: “I am just so grateful to be leaving this terrible road A man who was walking past the crash scene said that according to witnesses he spoke to “Sounds like he wasn’t fully at fault according to them,” he said a member of the town council who also represents Sawbridgeworth on Herts County Council and East Herts Council A plan to bring a market to Sawbridgeworth has been revived with a venue identified and the day that it will be held proposed The town council has been grappling with the idea of holding a market for some years and suffered a setback when the original venue fell through Town clerk Chris Hunt told a meeting of the full town council that following a constructive meeting between town projects manager Joanne Sargant and East Herts Council (EHC) market officer Darren Rowley Bell Street car park had been identified as the venue Mr Hunt said the ideal location would be the west side of the rear of the car park It was felt Fridays would be the best days EHC has been asked if that would be possible and if a charge would be levied East Herts has launched a project to provide EV chargers in the car park and these would need to be accessible on market days Mr Hunt’s report added: “An officer is currently gathering information on other car park-related factors including overall space availability on Fridays revenue implications and compatibility with traffic regulation orders.” Further internal EHC discussions would be necessary and the district council’s forthcoming parking strategy and corporate plan to encourage local trade and markets were also highlighted Knight Street Vault Ltd in Sawbridgeworth seeks a premises licence to offer live music and alcohol sales By Powered by InYourArea and AI · 11 February 2025 Knight Street Vault Ltd has submitted an application for a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 The application pertains to the venue located at 28 Knight Street The proposed licence would allow the establishment to host live and recorded music indoors as well as sell alcohol for consumption both on and off the premises The requested operating hours for these activities are Monday to Thursday from 8am to 11pm This move is intended to enhance the entertainment offerings available in Sawbridgeworth potentially boosting local nightlife and attracting more visitors to the area The application can be inspected at East Herts District Council Offices SG13 8EQ during weekdays between 9am and 5pm The application includes permissions for live and recorded music indoors and the sale of alcohol for on-site and off-site consumption with specified operating hours throughout the week Representations should be made in writing to East Herts Council by February 27 They can also be sent via email to community.protection@eastherts.gov.uk or through the council's website at www.eastherts.gov.uk Those who have any concerns or believe they may be adversely impacted by this application are encouraged to submit their representations before the deadline It is important to note that making a false statement concerning this application is an offence punishable by a fine of up to £5,000 upon summary conviction For further details on this application, please refer to the original public notice published in the Hertfordshire Mercury or visit Public Notice Portal save and share Public Notices that affect you in your local area LoadingDaily Email Updates {{contentTitle}} Sawbridgeworth’s swimming pool is to remain shut after the Government refused an application from Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) for special funding to enable it to reopen The disappointing news was revealed late on Thursday (January 9) – two-and-a-half weeks after the pool and gym at Leventhorpe School in Cambridge Road closed its doors on the Sunday before Christmas The facility – along with the pool and gym at Chauncy School in Ware – was earmarked for closure after Department for Education (DfE) funding was withdrawn Leventhorpe and Chauncy pools were run by leisure contractor Everyone Active on behalf of East Herts Council (EHC) as is the case with the Grange Paddocks and Hartham leisure centres in Bishop’s Stortford and Hertford respectively A campaign was launched to try to save Leventhorpe HCC applied to the DfE for “exceptional circumstances” funding the Indie learned from the DfE that the request was “under assessment” and a decision would be taken “imminently” Leventhorpe headteacher Malcom White wrote to parents on the last day of term on Friday (Dec 20): “As I write we have not heard the outcome of that application We are therefore continuing with the plan to close the pool and gym from December 23 Everyone Active are contacting their clients to inform them of this “The pool will only reopen if East Herts Council and the school can find a financially viable solution with a third party company taking control of day-to-day operations at the site.” said: “Along with other Sawbridgeworth residents It was a big part of my family life as my children were growing up.” He and fellow East Herts district councillor for Sawbridgeworth Angus Parsad-Wyatt had continued discussions with EHC and the school about “potential future options” On Thursday (Jan 9) a spokesperson for education authority HCC said: “We’re disappointed that the Government has rejected the application for continued funding for the swimming pools at Leventhorpe and Chauncy schools “The decision to withdraw this funding means that the schools cannot afford to keep these valuable community facilities open and with no other obvious source of funding available the pools will have to remain closed “We will continue to work with local schools East Herts Council and Everyone Active to ensure that primary school pupils can continue to have swimming lessons at nearby pools.” A spokesperson for Sawbridgeworth Town Council said: “We would like to extend our gratitude to the community town councillors and district councillors for their tremendous efforts in attempting to save the Leventhorpe pool from closure “Despite the significant challenges and exhaustive exploration of all possible avenues we were unable to secure the necessary support “This outcome is a significant loss to the community we are aware that East Herts Council is actively working with local schools to identify alternative locations for swimming lessons for pupils Town councillors will continue to monitor this situation closely.” credited the facility with helping him to lose 8st in weight He said: “I'm really upset it has closed as [I have] so many memories from childhood to adulthood.” Relatives of the man who founded Sawbridgeworth’s historic orchard were among those who attended the launch of a year of celebrations to mark its 300th anniversary Rivers Nursery was established by John Rivers in 1725 after he came to Sawbridgeworth from Berkshire When Thomas Rivers took over the family business in 1837 he developed a plethora of horticultural techniques and was an early pioneer of fruit cultivation under glass continued the introduction of new fruit varieties Czar plum and the renowned Conference pear can be found today in the Rivers Heritage Site and Orchard (RHSO) off The Crest Cllr Eric Buckmaster welcomed a specially invited audience to a presentation at Sawbridgeworth Town Council’s offices of events planned during the anniversary year Town mayor Cllr Reece Smith and East Herts Council vice-chairman Martin Adams attended staff from Audley End and past and present volunteers The business once extended to over 400 acres but closed in the late 1980s What remains of the site is a large meadow and mother orchard containing around 600 fruit trees now maintained by volunteers Orchard trustee Ruth Buckmaster described how Diana Richards and Susan Lankaster (then Clarke) started clearing out brambles to reveal and protect the trees Volunteers worked on the first Sunday of every month and Apple Day and the wassail were established and continue to this day Residents help pick the apples and more than 1,000 bottles of juice are produced to be sold at events throughout the year and at local health food shop Full of Beans and the town council has a rolling lease for the group to access and work on the orchard Elizabeth Waugh presented some highlights and landmarks of the Rivers family business She has written a book entitled Rivers Orchard There has been a reprint and copies are available for sale at the town council Lanier Pole outlined events planned for the year of celebration with the first being the wassailing – an ancient drinking ritual and salutation used to ensure a good harvest On April 26 there will be a celebration day in High Wych Memorial Hall people can discover the “Rivers Orchard House and Fruit Trees” at Audley End House and Gardens In May an art competition will be held for adults Apple Day will be at the end of September/early October In October there will be an art competition for children with a prize-giving and display in November Colin Gill described the approach taken in the selecting and planting of six new Rivers plum trees towards renewal of the orchard as part of the 300th anniversary There were information boards on display and mounted embroideries created by Karin Keddy On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May the Revenues & Benefits Online Forms for Benefits and Council Tax will be unavailable while an upgrade takes place  We apologise for any inconvenience caused.  Participating households have received special blue bags to put all their plastic bags and wrapping in bubble wrap and foil lined packaging (not pet food pouches) They also received full details of the scheme including exactly what can and can’t be collected and how bags should be presented on their usual collection day – with a secure double knot and placed in their (blue lidded) recycling bin Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability said: “We are so pleased to be joining North Herts in this trial Although plastic bags and wrapping don’t weigh that much early results from participants in Knebworth demonstrate that they can take up lots of space in people’s bins and being able to recycle this material is great news for the residents of Sawbridgeworth”   East and North Herts Councils were chosen to take part in this fully-funded pilot and expansion trial to test the collection of plastic bags and wrapping as part of our current fortnightly recycling collections Plastic bags and wrapping are a considerable challenge as they represented 22% of all UK consumer plastic packaging in 2020 the only way to recycle plastic bags and wrapping is at supermarket collection points.   The trial is part of a larger £2.9m Flexible Plastic Fund (FPF) ‘FlexCollect’ project which involves the charity WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and nine local authorities across England and aims to inform government and industry on how plastic bags and wrapping should be added to existing household collection services Most of the £2.9m fund is provided by the FPF the government Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and UK Research and the Innovation Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge Fund.  Participating residents are encouraged to not put plastic bags and wrapping loose in their recycling (blue) bin – this will be classed as contamination and the bin will not be emptied There are special blue collection bags for those on the trial Residents not participating in the trial can take their flexible/soft plastics to a local supermarket collection point to be recycled.     For further information, please click the following link: Plastic Bags and Wrapping Recycling Local Collections | Recycle Now  Designed and built by Webcurl Work to repair the roof of a building in Sawbridgeworth which led to a road closure is due to finish today (Monday October 14) – two weeks early A small section of Station Road was closed last Monday (Oct 7) to facilitate urgent repairs to the roof of a building in The Maltings, sparking criticism from residents and traders many questioning why a complete closure was necessary the level crossing at Sawbridgeworth railway station was shut to traffic and diversions were put in place Essex Highways and their Hertfordshire counterparts had allowed up to three weeks for the work but on Monday (Oct 14) the Herts County Council member for Sawbridgeworth posted a statement on the town’s Facebook group saying the road was due to be reopened Cllr Buckmaster attached a statement from HCC saying the closure was due to be lifted at 3pm A Sawbridgeworth church will be spruced up ready for its annual Christmas tree festival this weekend The ‘Grand Christmas Tree Festival’ at Great St Mary’s in Church Street on Saturday and Sunday (Dec 7-8) will feature around 40 Christmas trees The church will be open from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday Father Christmas will be there on Saturday and seasonal refreshments will be available on both days The church held a festival of light on Saturday (Nov 30) to coincide with the switching-on of the town’s Christmas lights A 127-year-old football club has launched a desperate appeal for help after Storm Darragh ripped through its ground over the weekend causing extensive damage to a stand and turnstiles A GoFundMe appeal has been started by Sawbridgeworth Town FC after the storm – which struck from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon – left officials facing “significant challenges” with £5,000 worth of repairs A statement on the online fundraiser page said the storm heavily damaged seating in a stand at its Crofters End ground destroyed turnstiles and damaged a supporting wall “We are reaching out with heavy hearts following the destruction caused by Storm Darragh which has severely impacted our beloved Sawbridgeworth Town Football Club The storm has left us facing significant challenges,” the statement said plays in the premier division of the Essex Senior League The team is due to play three games at home over the next three weeks beginning with a derby on Saturday (Dec 14) against Saffron Walden To donate to the Sawbridgeworth Town FC appeal for £5,000 – which on Monday had reached £1,865 – see here the Bishop’s Stortford area escaped the worst effects of Storm Darragh with Thorley Park amateur weatherman Andy White measuring a maximum gust speed of 40mph and total rainfall over the two days of 35mm (1.378in) when 17mm (0.67in) of rain fell and a gust of 44mph was recorded the area “got away with it” compared to other parts of the country with some of the stalls being moved indoors to Jackson Square shopping centre Hertfordshire County Council’s highways teams and fire and rescue service were busy on Monday and over the weekend responding to more than 500 reports of flooding and fallen branches Hemel Hempstead and Watford were worst hit by strong winds with heavy rain mainly causing problems in Welwyn Garden City executive member for highways at the county council said: “Our teams on the ground have responded brilliantly to the challenges this weekend’s wet and windy weather has thrown at us They’ve been working round the clock responding to calls to help keep Hertfordshire moving “I’d like to thank residents for promptly reporting issues to us over the past few days and for their ongoing patience as we continue to respond This is a timely opportunity for us to remind them of the risks of weather like this and the precautionary steps they can take to protect their own property and stay safe and well as they move around the county.” The mayor of Sawbridgeworth has undergone emergency surgery after falling ill on a business trip to Spain Cllr Reece Smith experienced a health scare while attending a work conference in Barcelona In a statement released on Thursday (November 7) town clerk Chris Hunt said: “After feeling unwell throughout the day prompting a visit to the hospital on Wednesday he was diagnosed with appendicitis and underwent emergency surgery “Doctors informed Cllr Smith that the appendicitis was quite advanced and “He has been advised to remain in the hospital for a few days until he is cleared to travel home to his family.” deputy mayor and fellow Conservative Cllr Salvatore Pagdades will cover his engagements Mr Hunt said: “The mayor expressed his hope to return to supporting the community as soon as possible.” was unanimously elected to the post of mayor by his 11 fellow Sawbridgeworth town councillors in May 20 is supporting Sawbridgeworth Young People’s Recreational Centre and the town’s Scouts group as his chosen charities during his year in office The family moved to Sawbridgeworth from Greenwich in south-east London in 2021 and Cllr Smith was co-opted onto the town council in September 2022 Cllr Pagdades became the youngest person in the town council’s history to take the role of deputy mayor when he was appointed A man pulled a woman from a car in Sawbridgeworth and tried to injure her with a knife on Sunday evening (October 6) near the junction with the A1184 Cambridge Road and Station Road A Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesman said that another woman intervened and The suspect then left the scene in a vehicle The spokesman said: “It is believed the people involved are known to each other.” Police are treating the incident as a case of attempted assault causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) The East of England Ambulance Service sent an ambulance a rapid response vehicle and a paramedic car to the scene A spokesman said: “One person was transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital [in Harlow] with an upper-limb injury.” have been charged with conspiracy to steal motorbikes in Chelmsford A series of warrants was executed at four locations on Monday (March 31) following an investigation into offences committed between last October and March this year Officers from Essex Police made arrests at a hotel and two houses in Chelmsford and at properties in Great Waltham Five of the teenagers cannot be identified because of their ages Sawbridgeworth; a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old from Chelmsford; a 16-year-old and a 15-year-old from Sawbridgeworth; and a 15-year-old from Great Waltham Miller will face an additional charge for cannabis possession They were all remanded in custody to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (April 1) Detective Chief Inspector Rob Huddleston said: “The theft of motorbikes has been a significant issue in Chelmsford and we understand the emotional and financial impact that having their bikes taken has on victims “Our dedicated team have been working to prevent further offending identify suspects and track down stolen bikes “The charges authorised by the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) represent a step forward with our investigation.” The Indie is awaiting news of the seven teenagers’ appearances in court The countdown to Christmas officially begins in Sawbridgeworth on Saturday (Nov 30) when the town’s festive lights are switched on There will be a great selection of festive craft stalls in Bell Street car park with many new faces and some returning from previous years Hoodoo Radio will host performers throughout the event with the Leventhorpe band kicking off proceedings Unleash Your Voice will burst into festive song serving Bailey's hot chocolate and hot churros while the town’s air cadets will return with their barbecue and Sawbridgeworth and District Guides will be back selling mince pies and mulled wine The Churchgate Sausage Shop will also provide hot food and drinks Father Christmas will welcome children to his new magical grotto outside the town council offices Children enter for free and will get this year’s 2024 Christmas badge and a bag of sweets To coincide with the lights switch-on a Taste and Craft Fayre will be held at Sawbridgeworth Memorial Hall in The Forebury An art exhibition is also being held in the memorial hall A Sawbridgeworth man will be hoofing it for a cause close to his heart when he runs The London Marathon later this month James Woolley will be among a team of eight taking part in the iconic event around the capital’s streets on April 27 in aid of The Donkey Sanctuary James is no stranger to pulling on his trainers and heading out for a run having completed a handful of half marathons He’s also planning to keep in good shape following the London and will be attempting his first half Ironman later this year Donkeys were never far away from his childhood as he remembers a pair of them living in a field next to their family home in Cambridgeshire The donkeys had been rescued by the farmer’s daughter and lived very happy lives in their countryside setting chasing off the occasional unwanted intruder from their field “They've always had a spark to their personalities With tremendous support from his wife Hannah James is managing to balance his busy work and home life with a rigorous training schedule By supporting the work of The Donkey Sanctuary in this way James is also keen to set a good example to his young son that caring for animals is incredibly important James said: “I think like any keen runner London is the marathon that everyone dreams of doing and to be able to run the course and absorb the energy from the crowd and the city will be an incredibly moving experience; I'm very excited about it.” To support James, visit his Just Giving page here An elderly man was taken to hospital after up to five vehicles – three of them parked – were involved in a collision in Sawbridgeworth Police were called at 11.47am on Tuesday (February 11) following reports of a multi-vehicle collision on the main A1184 Cambridge Road near Leventhorpe School Officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary attended alongside paramedics from the East of England Ambulance Service A police spokesman said: “Up to five vehicles were reportedly involved suffered slight injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.” The road was closed to enable emergency services to attend Recovery for the vehicles arrived at 1.03pm The Reform UK candidate who came third in Hertford and Stortford in July’s General Election has been appointed chair of the party’s new East Herts Association a former mayor of Sawbridgeworth and East Herts district councillor helped to overturn Conservative Julie Marson’s 19,620 majority from December 2019 the Reform UK hopeful took 15.4% of the votes Just 16,060 electors endorsed Mrs Marson and for the first time in the seat’s 41-year history Josh Dean won it for Labour with 20,808 votes Reform UK won 14% of the popular vote and returned five MPs to Westminster is joined on the new committee by vice-chair Jill Dwyer and campaign co-ordinators Jon Dann and Colin Woodward Dr Burmicz said: “Jill is well known in Sawbridgeworth and is a good campaigner and John is ex-military and also a good campaigner.” Mr Woodward is a former Bishop’s Stortford mayor and town councillor who also served on East Herts district and Herts county councils as a Conservative He told the Indie: “Reform UK has seen phenomenal growth of membership nationally and this has been reflected locally as the new constituency branch welcomes hundreds of new members former Conservatives dismayed and disappointed by the self-destruction and mismanagement of the previous Government which had started with a sizeable majority the new Hertford & Stortford Constituency Reform branch has attracted members across the political spectrum including some not previously engaged or aligned who have been somewhat influenced and energised by the actions and inactions of our own local councils and having a strong desire for change attracted by Reform UK’s radical yet common sense contract offered to the electorate “Thus vetting of candidates is under way for the new branch to field candidates for the local elections next May encouraged by Reform already gaining local councillors across the country.” The new association has already had its first meeting and is hoping to welcome new members at a larger gathering provisionally set for Parsonage Lane Community Centre on Saturday November 23 from 12.30pm to 2.30pm Train commuters will be able to hop on the Sawbobus as a two-week trial is being held to help residents get to work reduce traffic and cut emissions in the town The Sawbridgeworth Town Council-run bus will be running three free services each weekday morning and evening to and from the town’s station starting on Monday February 24 and ending on Friday March 7 The bus will stop at The Three Horseshoes pub in Spellbrook Lane East and Sawbridgeworth station in Station Road The town council said it was a non-guaranteed The trial will be to test demand and timings The council stressed there would be no service after March 7 and in time it would be a paid-for service Buses will stop at The Three Horseshoes at 6.40am arriving at Sawbridgeworth station to coincide with morning trains to London Liverpool Street at 6.57am buses will leave Sawbridgeworth station at 5.56pm to coincide with trains from Tottenham Hale A petition against parking charge increases in Sawbridgeworth town centre has garnered “thousands” of names – but organisers are urging more to sign East Herts Council (EHC) is proposing hikes in fees of up to 55% at Bell Street car park from Monday April 7 sparking protests from traders in the town and the launch of the petition All tariffs at the car park will increase – apart from all-day parking which will go down £1.10 (20.75%) from £5.30 to £4.20 The biggest increase will see the charge for up to two hours of parking rise 50p (55%) from 90p to £1.40 There are also fears that weekend free parking is at risk one of the town’s three Conservative members on EHC says the only reason the Green and Liberal Democrat-run administration has not axed it is because it would need a statutory consultation and Traffic Regulation Orders to remove them East Herts Council announced the increases in parking charges in January as part of a bid to balance its budget led by Sawbridgeworth town councillor Greg Rattey who runs Toplines hair salon in Bell Street who is the town council’s business champion He said that although only 400 had signed the online petition shops in the town had gathered “thousands” more names “We’ve had thousands sign it and everybody has rallied round,” said Cllr Rattey Asked whether he believed it would make a difference he said: “The very least they could do is listen.” The petition forms will be collected from shops on Friday and delivered to East Herts Council on Monday (March 24) Residents can sign the petition in several shops in Bell Street and Knight Street or on change.org online Police are holding a series of community engagement events in Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth this month to listen to residents’ concerns about crime Officers in the neighbourhood policing team will meet members of the public ahead of setting their next round of policing priorities for the two towns Having kicked off with an event in Jackson Square shopping centre on Saturday (April 5) officers will next be at Parsonage Lane Community Centre on Monday April 14 from 6.30pm to 8pm; St Michael’s Mead Community Centre on Wednesday April 16 6.30pm-8pm; and finally Bullfields in Sawbridgeworth on Thursday April 24 Police work alongside partners to focus on solving long and short-term neighbourhood issues They set local policing priorities every four months to provide a specific focus on issues causing most concern to residents locally A dedicated team of PCs and PCSOs then work to address key concerns through increased police presence engagement events and targeted enforcement Supt Anna Wright said: “Feedback from members of the public plays a big part in our decision-making and is used to help shape the priorities “We want to ensure that local policing resources are focusing on the issues that matter most so I’d encourage everyone to share their views with us.”