THE RSPCA has said the UK government’s new animal welfare strategy is an ‘important first step’ to improving millions of animals’ lives. The charity welcomed measures announced today which could improve the welfare of farmed animals, pets and wildlife in the UK. The strategy includes…

EAST Herts District Council, in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council, has launched a new Thermal Imaging Camera Loan Scheme in Winter 2025. The initiative will enable residents to borrow a thermal imaging camera free of charge from their local library. The scheme is designed to…

TEAM Tanya was established following the news that local community champion Tanya Harwood Turner was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia in January 2025.  Tanya was born in Harlow and is known to many local people. Her family and friends are very important to her, and…

PUTTING on Alice in Wonderland is incredibly ambitious. Putting on Alice in Wonderland as a first time director (Jess Ricketts) is even more so. The annual Victoria Hall Christmas show is a great showcase for the wealth of young acting talent that we have in…

ULA Samms, aged 8, from Ongar, has turned her love of beekeeping into a sweet success, raising over £2,000 for St Clare Hospice in just three years. By selling jars of honey produced from her family’s own bee hives and donating the profits to St…

RAIL passengers are reminded to check before they travel this Christmas and New Year, so they are aware of earlier last train times on Christmas Eve, and timetable changes due to bank holidays and engineering works. London Liverpool Street station will be closed for eight days while…

SANTA Claus led the whole of Stewards Academy in a Christmas sing-along. Santa took the whole school through a variety of classics, including Last Christmas, All I Want For Christmas, I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day and other classics. Staff also turned out…

ST Clare Hospice is offering a Christmas tree collection and recycling service in January for a suggested donation of £15 per tree. The donation will go directly towards supporting people living with life-limiting illnesses or those facing bereavement. If you are looking for a simple,…

THE rain didn’t dampen the festive spirit as around 140 people of all ages took part in Mind in West Essex’s 2025 Mental Elf Festive Fun Run. The fundraising event at Harlow Town Park on Sunday, December 7th encouraged people to wear festive fancy dress…

PARNDON Wood Crematorium and Cemetery held a Christmas Carol Service on Wednesday night. A spokesperson said: “A wholehearted thank you to everyone who attended our Christmas Carol and Memorial Service. “There was a lovely sense of togetherness as the community came together to pay tribute…

GRIEVING Friends Support Network Centre opened last month. Here is a reminder of its location and when meetings take place.

All Our Yesterdays – a monthly look at Harlow in years gone by. By Ian Beckett Introduction WHERE were you as 1999 ended and the new Millenium loomed?  What were your hopes, expectations, and fears?  Were you worried that you might wake up on 1st…

THERE’S more all-weather racing at Chelmsford Racecourse this Thursday and the evening’s card hosts eight races, featuring a Class Two series final, which is worth over £20,000 to the winner. Read on for a preview of and tips for the Chelmsford card, courtesy of BOYLE…

THE magic of the season is coming right to your doorstep! Mark your calendars for the 2025 Gilden Park Christmas Parade with Santa Claus!   When: Saturday, 20th December 2025   Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM   Where: Touring EVERY corner of Gilden Park! Santa and his…