Bishop's Stortford Community Podcast

The Rally School Near Bishop’s Stortford You Didn’t Know Existed - Laura Hagger

The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast is brought to you by: Takeley Chiropractic – Helping local families move better, feel better, and live pain-free through expert chiropractic care. https://www.takeleychiropractic.co.uk/ [https://www.takeleychiropractic.co.uk/] Laura Hagger is part of the family behind Langley Park Rally School, a long-running driving experience business based just outside Bishop’s Stortford. Set in the countryside with space to do something most people never get the chance to try, the school offers rally driving, junior driving experiences, corporate events, parties and more. In this conversation, Laura explains how the business grew from a farming family and a rally-driving hobby into something much bigger. What started with Simon Hagger using part of the family land for a rally track has gradually developed over more than 20 years into a well-established operation, now run across generations of the same family. The episode also highlights how wide the appeal really is. This is not just for petrolheads or experienced drivers. Langley Park works with adults who want to try something new, children learning real car control from a young age, and people with additional needs who benefit from a safe and supportive environment. What comes through strongly is that this is as much about confidence, skill and experience as it is about speed. LINKS Website https://langleyparkrallyschool.co.uk/ [https://langleyparkrallyschool.co.uk/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rallydrivinglangleypark/ [https://www.instagram.com/rallydrivinglangleypark/] Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LPRSEurope/?locale=en_GB [https://www.facebook.com/LPRSEurope/?locale=en_GB] TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@rallydrivinglangleypark [https://www.tiktok.com/@rallydrivinglangleypark] STORTFORD SPOTLIGHT BILLBOARD IN JACKSON SQUARE “Adrenaline-fuelled rallying, junior driving experiences, learning real-life skills, staying safe and joining the Langley Park community.” Laura’s message is for anyone looking to try something different. Her point is that rally driving is not just exciting, but also a chance to build real driving skills and confidence. SECRET SPOT Grange Paddocks - https://www.instagram.com/everyoneactive_grange_paddocks/ [https://www.instagram.com/everyoneactive_grange_paddocks/] Laura highlights Grange Paddocks as a real local gem, especially for families. She mentions the playgrounds, café, space for picnics and the under-fives swimming sessions as part of what makes it such a useful place. LOCAL LEGENDS thisisbs.cm23 - https://www.instagram.com/thisisbs.cm23/ [https://www.instagram.com/thisisbs.cm23/] Laura gives a shoutout to thisisbs.cm23 for consistently helping shine a light on local events and businesses. For her, it is one of the go-to places to find out what is happening locally and discover things she might otherwise miss. SUPPORT THE PODCAST You can support The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast through The Giving Lottery. Every ticket helps fund equipment, recording time, and the ongoing work of telling local stories while also supporting good causes: https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/bishops-stortford-community-podcast-cic [https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/bishops-stortford-community-podcast-cic]

What Three Years as Mayor Taught Richard Townsend About Stortford

The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast is brought to you by: Takeley Chiropractic – Helping local families move better, feel better, and live pain-free through expert chiropractic care. https://www.takeleychiropractic.co.uk/ [https://www.takeleychiropractic.co.uk/] Richard Townsend has been a familiar presence in Bishop’s Stortford for decades, serving the town in a range of roles and, most recently, completing a record-breaking three consecutive years as Mayor. Alongside his work as a local councillor, his mayoral role has taken him into schools, charities, churches, businesses, care homes and community organisations across the town and beyond. In this conversation, Richard reflects on what that civic role has actually meant in practice. Far from being ceremonial alone, it has involved showing up again and again for the people and groups that keep Bishop’s Stortford going. Over more than a thousand engagements across three years, he has seen first-hand the scale of voluntary effort, compassion and quiet commitment that sits behind everyday life in the town. The episode also carries a more personal thread. Richard speaks about grief, resilience and the sense of purpose that came from continuing in public service after deep personal loss. What comes through most clearly is his belief that community is built by kindness, by showing up for people and by recognising those who are already doing extraordinary things without always being seen. STORTFORD SPOTLIGHT BILLBOARD IN JACKSON SQUARE “Be kind to everyone” Richard’s message is for the whole town. His point is simple but important: people are often carrying struggles that are not visible, and a little more patience and kindness would go a long way. SECRET SPOT Rosie Lee - https://www.instagram.com/roseyleatearooms/ [https://www.instagram.com/roseyleatearooms/] Nostimo - https://www.instagram.com/nostimodelicatessen/ [https://www.instagram.com/nostimodelicatessen/] Richard gives a warm mention to Rosie Lee and Nostimo as local favourites he is always happy to return to. LOCAL LEGENDS NHS Social Prescribers Dave at the Holy Trinity Night Shelter - https://www.htwinternightshelter.org/ [https://www.htwinternightshelter.org/] Lesley at DKMS - https://www.dkms.org.uk/get-involved/programmes/herts-essex [https://www.dkms.org.uk/get-involved/programmes/herts-essex] Richard shines a light on the NHS social prescribers for the way they connect people to support, community and practical help. He also gives special mentions to Dave for his work around the night shelter and Lesley for her efforts with DKMS and the fight against blood cancer. SUPPORT THE PODCAST You can support The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast through The Giving Lottery. Every ticket helps fund equipment, recording time, and the ongoing work of telling local stories while also supporting good causes. Support here: https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/bishops-stortford-community-podcast-cic [https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/bishops-stortford-community-podcast-cic]

The Bishop’s Stortford GP Speaking Up for Women’s Health - Dr Gill

The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast is brought to you by: Takeley Chiropractic – Helping local families move better, feel better, and live pain-free through expert chiropractic care. https://www.takeleychiropractic.co.uk/ [https://www.takeleychiropractic.co.uk/] Gill Shields is a Bishop’s Stortford GP with a strong focus on women’s health and menopause care. Alongside her NHS work, she co-runs the Women’s Wellness Clinic, offering additional support for women who may be struggling to get timely or joined-up help elsewhere. In this conversation, Gill speaks openly about the gaps women still face in healthcare. She talks about long waits, fragmented pathways, under-researched conditions and the way too many women are left to carry on with symptoms that are dismissed, minimised or simply not dealt with quickly enough. It is a clear-eyed look at the reality many women already know first-hand. The episode is also practical. Gill explains how women can advocate for themselves better, from booking with the right GP and preparing properly for appointments to understanding that certain symptoms are not something they should just have to put up with. What comes through strongly is that better care often starts with better conversations, and with women feeling more confident to ask for help. LINKS Website https://womenswellnessclinic.co.uk [https://womenswellnessclinic.co.uk] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/womenswellnessclinicdoctors/ [https://www.instagram.com/womenswellnessclinicdoctors/] STORTFORD SPOTLIGHT BILLBOARD IN JACKSON SQUARE “Bleeding through your clothes is not normal. Giving up your job because of menopause brain fog is not normal. Screaming at everyone is not normal. Go and see someone.” Gill’s message is aimed at women who may have normalised symptoms that are seriously affecting their lives. Her point is that these things should not just be endured in silence, and that support is available. SECRET SPOT Albert’s - https://www.instagram.com/albertscoffeeshop/ [https://www.instagram.com/albertscoffeeshop/] Gill gives a strong shoutout to Albert’s for what she describes as the best breakfast around. Her go-to is the full English, and she clearly sees it as one of the local places worth returning to again and again. LOCAL LEGENDS Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club - https://www.instagram.com/bsscswimmingclub/ [https://www.instagram.com/bsscswimmingclub/] Gill highlights the swimming club for the dedication of its coaches and volunteers, and for the role it plays in children’s lives beyond just sport. She talks about it as a place that gives young people routine, friendship, release and confidence. SUPPORT THE PODCAST You can support The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast through The Giving Lottery. Every ticket helps fund equipment, recording time, and the ongoing work of telling local stories while also supporting good causes. Support here: https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/bishops-stortford-community-podcast-cic [https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/bishops-stortford-community-podcast-cic]

Shakespeare Meets Football in Bishop’s Stortford - Richard Pink

The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast is brought to you by: Takeley Chiropractic – Helping local families move better, feel better, and live pain-free through expert chiropractic care. https://www.takeleychiropractic.co.uk/ [https://www.takeleychiropractic.co.uk/] Richard Pink has been part of Water Lane Theatre Company for decades, acting, directing and helping shape one of Bishop’s Stortford’s long-running theatre groups. Over the years he has taken on many roles within the company, but this latest project brings together several of the things he clearly loves most: Shakespeare, outdoor theatre and finding a fresh angle that makes a familiar text feel new again. In this conversation, Richard talks about directing Comedy of Errors as this year’s outdoor Shakespeare production. Rather than playing it traditionally, he has built the show around a football theme, with the action beginning just after the final whistle of a match. It is a playful way into a story already built on mistaken identity, confusion and people turning up in exactly the wrong place at exactly the wrong time. The episode also gives a glimpse into the wider work of Water Lane Theatre Company and the appeal of outdoor theatre itself. Richard explains why Shakespeare seems to come alive in open air settings and why this year’s production, spread across four different venues, should feel a little different in each place it lands. What comes through strongly is that local theatre is not only about performance. It is also about atmosphere, community and the shared experience of watching something live in an unusual setting. LINKS Water Lane Theatre Company https://www.waterlanetheatrecompany.co.uk/ [https://www.waterlanetheatrecompany.co.uk/] Tickets https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/waterlane [https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/waterlane] STORTFORD SPOTLIGHT BILLBOARD IN JACKSON SQUARE “Come and see Comedy of Errors at one of our venues. You won’t see anything like it anywhere else.” Richard’s message is a direct invitation to the town. His point is simple: this is not a standard Shakespeare production, and the football spin should make it unlike anything else around. SECRET SPOT Southern Country Park Albert’s on Thorley Park - https://www.facebook.com/albertsthorley/?locale=en_GB [https://www.facebook.com/albertsthorley/?locale=en_GB] Richard gives two answers here. He highlights Southern Country Park as a peaceful place to clear your head, especially around the lake, and praises Albert’s for the coffee, food and atmosphere. LOCAL LEGENDS TouchPoint - https://www.thetouchpoint.org/ [https://www.thetouchpoint.org/] Richard shines a light on TouchPoint in Stansted for the support it offers people who may be vulnerable or isolated. He highlights its food share, dementia café, activities and radio station, and says it deserves to be better known. SUPPORT THE PODCAST You can support The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast through The Giving Lottery. Every ticket helps fund equipment, recording time, and the ongoing work of telling local stories while also supporting good causes. Support here: https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/bishops-stortford-community-podcast-cic [https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/bishops-stortford-community-podcast-cic]

How Bishop’s Stortford Library Is Doing More Than You Think - Elizabeth Basey

Elizabeth Basey is the library manager at Bishop’s Stortford Library, a role that places her at the centre of one of the town’s longest-standing and most quietly important community spaces. While the current library site has been open since 1997, library provision in Bishop’s Stortford stretches back to the late 1800s. In this conversation, Elizabeth talks about what the library is doing now and how much broader its role has become. Alongside books, the library hosts children’s activities, author events, local history sessions, reading groups, digital support and community meet-ups. It is a place where people come not only to borrow, but to learn, connect and spend time. Elizabeth talks about the National Year of Reading, the importance of helping children build a reading habit early, and the many ways the library supports people across different ages and circumstances. From home library visits for housebound residents to digital platforms for audiobooks and magazines, what comes through clearly is that the library is still evolving, but its core purpose remains the same: helping people access stories, information and each other. LINKS www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/libraries-and-archives [http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/libraries-and-archives] - search the catalogue, check out events, join online and more! Hertfordshire Library members can read eboooks, eaudiobooks, newspapers and magazines for free. You just need a borrower number and PIN: Hertfordshire Libraries - BorrowBox [https://hertfordshire.borrowbox.com/] or download the app www.pressreader.com [http://www.pressreader.com]  ‎Libby, the library app App - App Store [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/libby-the-library-app/id1076402606]  www.facebook.com/BishopsStortfordLibrary [http://www.facebook.com/BishopsStortfordLibrary] https://www.instagram.com/bishopsstortfordlibrary/ [https://www.instagram.com/bishopsstortfordlibrary/] STORTFORD SPOTLIGHT BILLBOARD IN JACKSON SQUARE “Books change lives” Elizabeth says this is a message for everyone. For her, books help shape language, communication, family connection and opportunity from the very earliest age. SECRET SPOT Birchanger Woods Elizabeth highlights Birchanger Woods as a peaceful local place for a walk, especially during bluebell season. For her family it has been somewhere to explore, relax and build dens over the years. LOCAL LEGENDS The volunteers at Bishop’s Stortford Library Elizabeth gives a heartfelt shoutout to the library’s volunteers, from home library service helpers and digital champions to events volunteers and summer reading challenge supporters. She makes the point clearly that many of the library’s services simply would not run without them. SUPPORT THE PODCAST You can support The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast through The Giving Lottery. Every ticket helps fund equipment, recording time, and the ongoing work of telling local stories while also supporting good causes. Support here: https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/bishops-stortford-community-podcast-cic [https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/bishops-stortford-community-podcast-cic]