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/

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.

“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.

Rosie Lee - https://www.instagram.com/roseyleatearooms/
Nostimo - 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.

NHS Social Prescribers
Dave at the Holy Trinity Night Shelter - https://www.htwinternightshelter.org/
Lesley at DKMS - 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.

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

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/

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.

Website
https://womenswellnessclinic.co.uk

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/womenswellnessclinicdoctors/

“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.

Albert’s - 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.

Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club - 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.

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

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/

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.

Water Lane Theatre Company
https://www.waterlanetheatrecompany.co.uk/

Tickets
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/waterlane

“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.

Southern Country Park
Albert’s on Thorley Park - 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.

TouchPoint - 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.

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

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.

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 or download the app

www.pressreader.com

‎Libby, the library app App - App Store

www.facebook.com/BishopsStortfordLibrary

https://www.instagram.com/bishopsstortfordlibrary/

“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.

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.

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.

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

Franco is a local resident, competitive eater and creator behind Franco’s Feast. Over the past few years, he has built a distinctive niche by combining food challenges with something more community-minded: helping independent venues get seen.

In this conversation, Franco explains how the idea came together after Covid, when he saw more and more businesses struggling and wanted to find a way to support them. Already interested in food, fitness and the world of competitive eating, he began approaching local venues and turning their challenge dishes into content that could travel much further than a single meal ever would.

What comes through clearly is that Franco sees himself as secondary to the venue. The real purpose is not just to show how much one person can eat, but to give people a closer look at what a business offers, what makes it different, and why it is worth visiting. In that sense, the challenge is only the hook. The bigger aim is getting more eyes on independent food businesses and helping them bring in new customers.

Website
https://francosfeast.com

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/francos_feasts/

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Francosfeasts

TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@francosfeasts

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@FrancosFeasts

“Enjoy yourself, take the opportunity to enjoy life and just take it all in.”

Franco’s message is for everyone. It reflects his wider attitude that life should be enjoyed properly and that people should make the most of what is around them.

No single venue. Franco flips the question and says people should get out and support as many local venues as possible.

Rather than keeping one place to himself, Franco uses the moment to encourage people to visit local independents including places he has already worked with such as EAT17, South Street Pantry, F. Cooke and Smokes BBQ.

Nick Hyde at Blythe Financial

Franco gives a shoutout to Nick Hyde, describing him as someone who has done a lot for the local business community, including through the Bishop’s Stortford Chamber of Commerce.

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

Kerry Hart is the founder of The Secret Mum Club, a home organisation business helping busy families create spaces that feel calmer, more practical and easier to live in. After 20 years in the reinsurance industry, she stepped away from corporate life and turned something she had always instinctively done into a business of her own.

In this conversation, Kerry talks about what home organisation really means. It is not about creating a picture-perfect house or chasing an unrealistic standard. Instead, her focus is on putting simple systems in place that save time, reduce stress and make daily life work better for the people living there.

The episode also touches on the emotional side of clutter and the pressure many families feel around home life. Kerry shares practical thinking around decluttering, keeping only what is needed, and being intentional about what comes back into the house. What comes through clearly is that an organised home is not about perfection. It is about giving yourself more breathing room.

Website
https://www.thesecretmumclub.com/

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_secret_mum_club

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Secret-Mum-Club/61565336115912/

“Your home should support you and not overwhelm you”

Kerry’s message is for everyone. Her view is that home should feel like a place that gives you energy and calm, rather than another source of pressure.

Gina’s Beauty in Great Hallingbury - https://www.instagram.com/beautygi_/

Kerry gives a shoutout to Gina’s Beauty, praising both the quality of the treatments and the relationship she has built with her over the years.

Rising Tide Collective - https://www.therisingtidecollective.co.uk/

Kerry highlights Rising Tide Collective, describing it as an inspiring women’s business group that offers support, encouragement and connection for people running businesses on their own.

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

Dominic Smith runs Norso Creative, a video production business helping companies make thoughtful, well-produced content without the weight and cost of a large agency setup. Working across everything from corporate and thought leadership videos to social-first content, he positions Norso as a practical extension of a client’s marketing team.

In this conversation, Dom explains what a videographer actually brings to a business. While most people now know they should be making video, there is still a big gap between filming something quickly on a phone and creating content that genuinely reflects a brand well. He talks through where that difference matters, when it makes sense to invest, and how the right approach can help a business feel more confident, credible and consistent.

The episode also touches on the role of video in modern marketing more broadly. Dom makes the case for educational content, founder-led content and thoughtful planning, rather than just filming for the sake of it. Alongside that, he shares a little of his own local story, including how moving to Bishop’s Stortford and joining a community running club helped him settle into the town.

Website
https://norsocreative.com

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominicasmith/

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/domfromnorso/

Email
dominic@norsocreative.com

“Just go for it”

Dom says this is advice he was given when starting his business, and it is the message he would pass on to others. His view is that trying something and learning from it is always better than never starting at all.

Crumbs - https://crumbsbakery.co.uk/locations/bishops-stortford/

Dom gives a shoutout to Crumbs, especially for the dark chocolate and sea salt cookie and the general atmosphere of the place. He describes it as one of those local spots he loves returning to.

Bubbleworks Run Club - https://www.bubbleworksrunco.co.uk/

Dom highlights Bubbleworks Run Club for helping him get to know people after moving to town. He describes it as a welcoming, low-pressure group where people can run, chat and feel part of something.

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

Janine and Niki are part of the team behind Stortford Gymnastics, a not-for-profit club based on Twyford Industrial Estate that has been working with children and families in Bishop’s Stortford for the past 10 years. From babies and preschoolers through to older children in trampolining classes, the club now supports a wide range of ages, abilities and needs.

In this conversation, they explain how the club has grown from a gymnastics base into something broader. Alongside regular gymnastics classes, they now run trampolining sessions, holiday camps, birthday parties and daytime sessions for children with additional needs, including one-to-one support and school partnerships. What comes through clearly is that the club has worked hard to respond to what local families actually need.

A big theme of the episode is movement as a foundation. Janine talks about gymnastics as a strong base for coordination, balance, strength and confidence, whatever sport a child may go on to do later. At the same time, the club also creates pathways for children who want to compete more seriously, while making sure those who simply want to move, play and belong still feel just as welcome.

Website
https://www.stortfordgymnastics.com

Email
enquiries@stortfordgymnastics.com
clubmanager@stortfordgymnastics.com

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/stortfordgymnastics

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/stortfordgymnastics/

“Always show kindness”

Janine says this is a message for everyone. It is something they promote inside the club and a reminder that no one ever really knows what somebody else might be carrying that day.

Silver Squirrel - https://www.silversquirrelltd.co.uk/

Janine highlights Silver Squirrel, a reformer pilates studio near Stansted. She praises the teaching there and the difference it has made to her own strength, fitness and body awareness.

Nostimo - https://www.facebook.com/DelicatessenUK/

Janine gives a shoutout to Nostimo, the Greek coffee shop and restaurant in town. She highlights the warmth of the family behind it, the customer service and the quality of the food, and says she would love to see more people supporting them.

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