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Paul Winspear has edited Iliffe Media's Bishop's Stortford Independent since its launch in October 2017. A lifelong provincial journalist, he has previously edited the Hertfordshire Mercury and the now defunct Herts & Essex Observer and Harlow Star. He started as a trainee reporter on the Rotherham Advertiser in 1982.

Jewellery, watches and cash stolen in burglary in Stortford

14 February 2025
Jewellery, watches and cash stolen in burglary in Stortford

Jewellery, watches and cash stolen in burglary in Stortford

14 February 2025

The break-in happened in Highfield Avenue, off Linkside Road, during the day on Wednesday (February 12).


Two serious collisions close 23-mile stretch of southbound M11

13 February 2025
Two serious collisions close 23-mile stretch of southbound M11

Two serious collisions close 23-mile stretch of southbound M11

13 February 2025

4am collision between J8 and 7a involving “multiple vehicles including a lorry” followed by one at 8am near J9 between car and motorbike.


Man taken to hospital after multi-vehicle collision in Sawbridgeworth

11 February 2025
Man taken to hospital after multi-vehicle collision in Sawbridgeworth

Man taken to hospital after multi-vehicle collision in Sawbridgeworth

11 February 2025

Elderly man slightly injured and main road closed near Leventhorpe School after up to five vehicles – three of them parked – involved in collision.


Twin brothers join four girls at Herts and Essex in receiving Oxbridge offers

11 February 2025
Twin brothers join four girls at Herts and Essex in receiving Oxbridge offers

Twin brothers join four girls at Herts and Essex in receiving Oxbridge offers

11 February 2025

Edward Chan learned of his Oxford materials science place first – then faced an anxious wait to hear about brother Gordon’s maths offer at Cambridge.


Thief swoops to steal delivery van that was left with keys in

11 February 2025
Thief swoops to steal delivery van that was left with keys in

Thief swoops to steal delivery van that was left with keys in

11 February 2025

The white Ford Transit was taken from High Wych after being left unattended for just six minutes.


Indies Community Awards photo special: Winners, sponsors and guests enjoy big night

05 February 2025
Indies Community Awards photo special: Winners, sponsors and guests enjoy big night

Indies Community Awards photo special: Winners, sponsors and guests enjoy big night

05 February 2025

Photographer Gerred Gilronan captures special moments from the sixth annual Indies Community Awards at Bishop’s Stortford rugby club.


Man, 52, dies in fall from block of flats in Bishop’s Stortford

04 February 2025
Man, 52, dies in fall from block of flats in Bishop’s Stortford

Man, 52, dies in fall from block of flats in Bishop’s Stortford

04 February 2025

The incident happened Friday evening at a block of flats in Riverside in the vicinity of restaurant Skew and Wetherspoon pub the Port Jackson.


Indies Community Awards 2024: 15 worthy winners aged 7 to 77 recognised

04 February 2025
Indies Community Awards 2024: 15 worthy winners aged 7 to 77 recognised

Indies Community Awards 2024: 15 worthy winners aged 7 to 77 recognised

04 February 2025

Stories of selfless service, amazing achievements, devoted care and limitless courage warm the audience’s hearts at the sixth staging of annual event.


Three men still in hospital after weekend’s street stabbing in Stortford

28 January 2025
Three men still in hospital after weekend’s street stabbing in Stortford

Three men still in hospital after weekend’s street stabbing in Stortford

28 January 2025

Two victims aged 19, from Thornwood and Waltham Forest, treated for stomach injuries and arrested Saffron Walden man in hospital with hand injuries.


Man in his 30s arrested after double stabbing in the street in Stortford

25 January 2025
Man in his 30s arrested after double stabbing in the street in Stortford

Man in his 30s arrested after double stabbing in the street in Stortford

25 January 2025

Two young men taken to hospital by ambulance and an arrested man in his 30s from Saffron Walden was also taken for treatment.


Lidl store in Bishop’s Stortford set to open in autumn

21 January 2025
Lidl store in Bishop’s Stortford set to open in autumn

Lidl store in Bishop’s Stortford set to open in autumn

21 January 2025

Opening of the supermarket in Stansted Road, on the former site of Ford motor dealer Gates of Stortford, will create around 40 jobs.


Eight men arrested over huge cannabis farm near Saffron Walden

18 January 2025
Eight men arrested over huge cannabis farm near Saffron Walden

Eight men arrested over huge cannabis farm near Saffron Walden

18 January 2025

Essex police executed a drug warrant at a farm at Debden and found a large quantity of the class B drug in an outbuilding.


Two schoolgirls suspected of stealing wallet from library

17 January 2025
Two schoolgirls suspected of stealing wallet from library

Two schoolgirls suspected of stealing wallet from library

17 January 2025

The victim was using a computer at the library in Bishop’s Stortford, went to collect some printing and returned to find his wallet missing.


Driver arrested as truck crashes into barn and bursts into flames

15 January 2025
Driver arrested as truck crashes into barn and bursts into flames

Driver arrested as truck crashes into barn and bursts into flames

15 January 2025

Firefighters, some wearing breathing apparatus, prevented the flames from spreading in the late-night incident in Takeley.


Two bikes stolen in spate of break-ins in Stortford cul de sac

15 January 2025
Two bikes stolen in spate of break-ins in Stortford cul de sac

Two bikes stolen in spate of break-ins in Stortford cul de sac

15 January 2025

Seven sheds and a summer house in Portland Place, off Portland Road, were targeted on Sunday and Monday nights.


Leventhorpe pool to remain shut as Government rejects funding lifeline

10 January 2025
Leventhorpe pool to remain shut as Government rejects funding lifeline

Leventhorpe pool to remain shut as Government rejects funding lifeline

10 January 2025

Government refuses application from Herts County Council for ‘exceptional circumstances’ funding to enable Sawbridgeworth’s pool and gym to reopen.


That’s grand! Community Christmas sing-along feeds food bank funds

08 January 2025
That’s grand! Community Christmas sing-along feeds food bank funds

That’s grand! Community Christmas sing-along feeds food bank funds

08 January 2025

Fourth annual “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” event at Castle Park bandstand raises over £1,000 for Bishop’s Stortford Food Bank.


Stolen vehicle reported to Herts police every three-and-a-half hours on average

07 January 2025
Stolen vehicle reported to Herts police every three-and-a-half hours on average

Stolen vehicle reported to Herts police every three-and-a-half hours on average

07 January 2025

The 2,452 thefts across the county last year – many of them high-value keyless vehicles – was 252 more than in 2023, a rise of 11.45%.


Heavy rain and melting snow bring flood alert for River Stort

06 January 2025
Heavy rain and melting snow bring flood alert for River Stort

Heavy rain and melting snow bring flood alert for River Stort

06 January 2025

Water levels in the Stort are high between Grange Paddocks and Castle Park, with the river close to bursting its banks at the Link Road car park.


RIP Arthur: A gentle and generous soul to people and animals

03 January 2025
RIP Arthur: A gentle and generous soul to people and animals

RIP Arthur: A gentle and generous soul to people and animals

03 January 2025

Arthur Southwell, who has died aged 85, moved to Stortford to be closer to his son’s family and lived in a retirement complex overlooking the Stort.


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