Explosive history

With bonfire night this month, author Harry Smee recounts the explosive story of his family’s firework company, Brock’s, creators of wonders and war-changing weapons

A Day In The Life Of... A Jewellery Designer

Laurie McGrath, senior designer at Harriet Kelsall bespoke jewellery in Halls Green, gives an insight into her working day

Sniffig out clues in THE ASHES

Meet the fire investigation dogs securing convictions against arsonists and murderers who otherwise may go free

The greatest traveller

Exploring ancient civilisations and rising powers, Violet CressyMarcks became the most travelled woman of her age. Fifty years after her death we look at her incredible life

Return of the Queen of Romance

Twenty years after the death of record-breaking novelist Dame Barbara Cartland, Gillian Thornton talks passions, plots and a new audience with her son at the family home in Essendon

In bed with CELEBS

Marking its 70th year, Welham Green soft furnishings company Ashley Wilde has grown from a pile-it-high, sell-it-cheap business into an industry leader with A-list partnerships

Roam with a view

We may not have coastline or mountains, but Herts has beautiful views all the same, if you know where to look

Saving Mrs Tiggy-Winkle

The secret life of a much-loved British mammal and simple steps we can take at home to stop its extinction

A walk down Surreal Street

Paul Crowley draws on his graphic designer’s eye to capture scenes from the country to the street, all tinged with surreality

5 minutes with

Carole Spiers, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce member and founder of International Stress Awareness Week

The Dead Give Life In The Woods

With Halloween this month we venture into the woods in search of the dead...

Something Old, Something New

Amanda Griffiths looks at the latest guidelines around wedding celebrations and how couples can still find a way to plan their big day

Umbrella academy

Changing perceptions of learning disability through music, Electric Umbrella reacted to the pandemic by reaching out to a whole new audience

THE POWER OF PICTURES

A trip to a Zambian school sparked an idea that has helped tens of thousands of people in need around the world. Here St Albans photographer Adam Dickens discusses the work of Taking Pictures, Changing Lives

The big picture

Painting primarily outdoors, Susan Gray is drawn to panoramas of land and sea to create energy-filled works

Sofa styling

Kerry Laird, interior designer at Fishpools in Waltham Cross, gives a guide to dressing your sofa

Passion fruit

October is the month of fruit harvest, but did you know those Conference pears and Czar plums in your shopping basket were created right here in Herts?

Relieved of duty

Karen Fletcher, residential property expert at Longmores Solicitors in Hertford, looks at the impact of the stamp duty holiday on the market

Hidden spaces

With some of Herts’ loveliest countryside and steeped in royal history, Kings Langley holds hidden gems for the walker or cyclist

Halloween thrills

From wraiths to witches, woods to wolves, here are 10 spooky things to give you and the family the willies this Halloween

NEW WORLD PIONEER

Hertford Puritan pioneer Samuel Stone founded what would become a state capital and a keystone in US democracy. This month, 400 years after The Pilgrim Fathers sailed to the New World, we look at his remarkable life and legacy

Making Good Connections

The owner of historic Munden Estate in Bricket Wood is Herts’ new High Sheriff, combining an ancient post with a passion for helping others

Open crisis?

Founded in 1927 to support district nurses, the National Garden Scheme is now the most significant charitable funder of nursing in the UK. So how is the charity dealing with the loss of its primary fundraiser?

OPPOSITES ATTRACT

Bushey’s Martin Langston began his art career in graphic design before moving into art direction. After a hiatus he has returned to his first love, comics

Wildlife without borders

Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust’s Frieda Rummenhohl celebrates the magic of our migrating wildlife

New tricks?

Despite the dog adage, you’re never too old to learn, and doing so can improve your health and wellbeing

Blue sky thinking

A century ago this month, Geoffrey de Havilland founded the Herts aircraft company that would play a major role in aviation history. His legacy is marked by a new £2m exhibition space

Holiday at home

With holidays cancelled and the threat of rapidly changing government advice regarding quarantine, a luxury break at home could be just the ticket. You can do it in style and safety in Herts

Be prepared

Coronavirus made the last school year exceptional but you can help your loved ones cope with whatever the new one throws at them with a little preparation

A Way of life

Marking the diamond jubilee of The Ramblers’ Association 25 years ago, the Hertfordshire Way has grown into a near-200 mile celebration of the county’s countryside and heritage