Hi, Hertford! Welcome to The Hertford Scoop ☕️

Below is your neatly packaged guide to everything worth knowing (and doing) this week.

You’ll also find our hand-picked round-up of Hertford’s most magical Christmas events to pop straight into your diary. And as the silly season edges closer (and the mince pies start calling), it’s the perfect time to give your wellbeing a little extra love - and we’ve got your back.

✨Here’s the lineup 👇

• Things To Do - Events Listings: Christmas Events special for your diary

• Local Business & Town News: Wellbeing special

• Kiddies Scoop: Mini Mind & Motion

• This Week’s Top Deals

• Weather: Wet & Mild

• Mind, Health & Fitness: Susie Benaim Pilates

• Extra Sprinkles: Meal inspo, straight from an Expert Nutritionist

❤️ P.S. We’re fast approaching 1,000 people in our new Hertford Scoop community and it’s truly flattering 😊. If you want to know why we do this, scroll down to the “Why did we start the Hertford Scoop?” section at the end of this email!

✅ If you found something useful, please share it with others by sending them to our free signup page. Don’t forget to also follow us on Instagram: @hertfordscoop - and you won’t miss a thing. 

Let’s jump straight in!

🍦 The Hertford Scoop Team

Things To Do: Events Listings

🎭 Arts & Entertainment Events

• Charity Comedy Gala: Alistair Barrie & Friends 2025

  📅 Wed. 19th Nov. 9pm 📍 BEAM

  Comedian & Hertford local Alistair Barrie hosts his annual benefit for the Hertfordshire Breast Unit Appeal - a tradition he began after his wife’s successful recovery from breast cancer.

  🎟 Book tickets HERE

• The Untouchables

  📅 Sat. 22nd Nov. 8-10:30pm 📍 Southern Maltings, Ware

  Step back to the golden age of Chicago blues with The Untouchables - an electrifying mix of blues, jazz & Latin grooves inspired by the legends of Chess Records. Get ready to move and feel the rhythm of 1950s dance halls come alive!

  🎟 £15 p.p. - tickets HERE

• Music Quiz!

  📅 Thurs. 27th Nov. 8:30-11pm📍 The Old Barge, The Folly

  Every last Thursday of each month. Everything from the 40's to now, rounds include Missing lyrics, speed rounds, guess the year, link rounds, follow me, mash up's, intro's, outro's & more! cash prizes.

  🎟 £2 to play

🏰 Family & Community Events

• Community Christmas Tree Festival & Christmas Fair

  📅 Sat, 22nd Nov. 7-9pm 📍 All Saints Church, Hertford

  📅 Sat, 29th Nov. 11-3:30pm (Chritmas Fair)

  Decorate your own Christmas tree (any size) at home or in the church. Dedicate your tree to a loved one, friend or a good cause. The festival will run until the Christmas Fair.

  🎟 Complete form HERE

• Hertford Town Christmas Gala

  📅 Fri, 28th Nov. 3-8pm 📍 Town Centre

  Kicking off a weekend of festivities, from 3pm the Town Centre will be filled with Christmas market stalls & food stands. There will be fairground rides, Christmas carols on Parliament Square & live entertainment on-stage in Salisbury Square from 4:30pm, including the Christmas light switch-on at 6:00pm with the Mayor of Hertford.

• Hertford Castle Christmas Market

  📅 28-30th Nov. 9:30-11:30 📍 Hertford Castle

  For one weekend the beautiful Castle grounds will be transformed into a traditional Christmas market with stalls offering homeware, crafts, jewellery & much more! Enjoy food and drink stalls, fairground rides & live entertainment.

  • Fri. 28th - 3.30-8pm; Sat. 29th - 11am-6pm; Sun. 30th – 11am-5pm

  🎟 Free event. Donations welcome.

• Hertford Heath Christmas Winter Weekend

  📅 Sat. 29th Nov. 12-4pm & Sun. 30th, 1-6pm📍 The Goat & Holy Trinity

  A festive weekend filled fun & games, treats, Santa’s Grotto, movie night & ice skating!

• Ware Rotary Charity Christmas Market

  📅 Sat. 22nd Nov. 10-4pm 📍 Ware Priory

  Over 20 stalls, there's no better way to support local businesses & charities than this event. From fresh bread & cakes to local artists and wood craft - there something for everyone at this market!

• Women’s Pre-Loved Clothing Sale

  📅 Sat, 29th Nov. 10-1pm 📍 Nourish Cafe, Hertford

  Come along, grab a coffee & browse the rails for a bargain. Many items will be just £5! Most items are new/nearly new. You may even find the perfect christmas party dress!
  🎟 Cash only.

🌱 Health & Wellbeing Events

• Men’s-Only Reformer Ignite Class

  📅 Wed, 19th Nov. 6pm 📍 Everyone Active, Hartham Leisure Centre

  Join Fitness Manager, Joe for a special Reformer Ignite class designed exclusively for men. In honour of International Men’s Day, we’re bringing the community together to support men’s mental health - because movement, mindfulness & connection matter. 💙

  🎟 Book your spot HERE

• Handpan & Breathwork: A Sound Healing Journey

  📅 Wed. 26th Nov. 7pm 📍 The Mill House, Hertford

  Join Matthew Jones @zenevents_co for an immersive evening of breath, sound & stillness with handpan music & conscious breathwork.

  🎟 Book tickets HERE

• Men’s Retreat

  📅 Sat, 29th Nov. 9-4pm 📍 Priory Hall, Ware

  Take a step back from the festive frenzy & join a FREE transformative retreat designed to help you build resilience, uplift you if you’ve been struggling and feel connected again.

  🎟 Reserve your spot HERE

Local Business & Town News - Health/ Wellness

❄️ Cryotherapy has joined Beyond Beauty Hertford

Beyond Beauty Skin & Cryo. now offers Cryotherapy sessions. Brining all things skin and wellbeing under one roof!

Cryotherapy has incredible health benefits including reducing inflammation, boasting immune system, reducing anxiety and calming the nervous system, speeding up the recovery of new and existing injuries, the benefits are endless.

📣 Special introductory price of £25. Come in and see for yourself how good you feel after a -90 degree blast!

🎁 Soul Seed Christmas Gift Boxes Are Here!

Give the gift of wellness this Christmas with their beautifully curated boxes - designed with purpose, love, and a touch of festive magic.

From Immunity & Inflammation support to Women’s Wellness, Men’s Health, General Wellbeing, and even Dog Lover boxes 🐾 - each one is hand-selected, thoughtfully wrapped, and ready to slip under the tree.

 📣 Bespoke wellness boxes & gift vouchers also available.

🏋🏽‍♀️ New Opening: David Lloyd Harlow

Secure your introductory membership for the brand new Club opening on 18 December in Harlow. A luxurious Spa Retreat and Spa Garden, heated indoor and outdoor adults’ and kids’ pools, boutique classes, premium tennis & padel courts, a cosy Clubroom, exciting kids’ facilities & so much more…

📅 Book your tour to the new Club HERE

Kiddies Scoop

• Mini Mind & Motion

  📅 Every Sunday, 9:45am 📍 The Mill House, Hertford

  Children’s yoga & wellbeing classes taking place every Sunday morning at The Mill House - open to all children aged 3-8.

  🎟 Book classes HERE

• Wicked Playdates | Whinge & Whine

  📅 Fri. 21st Nov. 4-6pm 📍 Saracens Head, SG13 7EB

  Join for an after school playdate filled with fun & excitement. This event is perfect for kids age 5+ who love to craft, dress up & have a great time. We have a variety of activities planned, including bracelet making, potion brewing, wand decorating & more!

  🎟 Tickets HERE

💥 This Week’s Top Deals

🧘🏻 Akasha Wellness X Coffee Lab ☕️

THIS, is our dream combo…wellness & coffee.

@hertscoffeelab (Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford & Ware) locations will be offering coupons for customers who’d like to receive 20% off an Akasha class!

Additionally, @akashawellness will be handing out coupons during classes held between 3-16th November, giving customers 20% off any drink at Coffee Lab.

Running for 2 weeks only!

*Offer valid 3-16th November*

🌦 Hertford Weather: 11 Nov - 17 Nov 2025

A mostly mild week ahead - think clouds with commitment and sunshine making guest appearances. A few showers midweek to keep things British, then brightening the start of next week - just in time for outdoor strolls (and smug coffee runs).

✨ Mind, Health & Fitness

💪🏽 Susie Benaim Pilates

Local group mat pilates classes in Hertford and Ware. These small & highly personalised classes are designed to get you strong, flexible & balanced - progress & challenge you regardless of your age, fitness level or experience.

Susie also specialises in pre & postnatal pilates, offering expert tuition on how to avoid pregnancy aches, build core strength & sustain good pelvic floor health. She is a fully comprehensively trained classical teacher, also offering private sessions on the reformer & other classical apparatus.

👉🏽 Book direct or enquire HERE & receive 50% off your first class with code Scoop50 exclusively for Hertford Scoop readers! 🔥

📧: [email protected] | ☎️: 07980427191

Extra Sprinkles - Maria Tait Nutrition

To keep meals healthy & nutritious this week, Maria Tait - Qualified Nutritional Expert & Certified Health Coach is sharing her mouth-watering Sassy Halloumi Power Bowl.

🥙 Sassy Halloumi Power Bowl

Autumn to winter incoming… a hearty, high-protein bowl that’s quick, warming & full of flavour.

🥕 Ingredients

• 200g halloumi, sliced

• 1 cup cooked chickpeas

• 1 cup cooked lentils

• 2 small cooked beets, sliced

• ½ red onion, thinly sliced (pickled works great)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 tsp smoked paprika or chilli flakes

• 1 tsp cumin

• Fresh parsley

• Salt & pepper

👩‍🍳 Method

1. Boost the base:
Toss chickpeas, lentils, beets, onion, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, paprika, salt & pepper.

2. Crispy halloumi:
Pan-fry halloumi for 1–2 minutes each side until golden.

3. Assemble:
Layer up, add halloumi, sprinkle with extra parsley & a few chilli flakes.

⏱️ Time-Savers

• Use pre-cooked lentils or canned chickpeas.

• To cook dried: soak overnight, rinse, then simmer - chickpeas 45–60 min, lentils 20–25 min.

• Batch-cook & freeze portions to grab and go.

🔄 Swaps

Tofu, chicken, salmon, or roasted sweet potato.

💪 Nutrient Hit

Packed with protein from legumes for energy & satiety.
Beets boost circulation; olive oil & lemon aid antioxidant absorption.
Fibre keeps blood sugar steady - a warm, grounding winter bowl with a salty-crisp halloumi finish.

That’s it! You’re up to date ✅ 

Consider this your permission slip to make this week legendary ✨

With ❤️ from your Hertford Insiders

👉 Got an event, story or feedback to share? Email hello(at)hertfordscoop.com - we’d love to hear from you.

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