Nobody told the weather it was mid-May. After weeks of cautious optimism, spring apparently had second thoughts this week, coats were retrieved, blankets reconsidered, and a chill arrived that had absolutely no business being here.

It was quite the weekend regardless. Eurovision delivered its annual spectacle in Vienna, with Bulgaria's DARA storming to victory with "Bangaranga", sweeping both jury and public vote with 516 points. The United Kingdom, competing automatically as a Big Five nation, finished the contest with a single point. One. We shall say no more.

On a considerably more uplifting note, the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride took place this weekend, riders turned out in fine style to raise funds for the Movember Foundation, supporting prostate cancer research and men's mental health. Scroll down for the pictures. They did not disappoint.

Right then - let's get into this week's Hertfordshire.

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Hertstown Media is launching Voices of Our Towns — a new podcast series going live this summer, and we're looking for founding sponsors to be part of it from day one.

The series will feature in-depth conversations with the local politicians, business owners and community figures who are shaping how people live across Hertfordshire. Recorded in our brand new studio and distributed across all our social platforms and YouTube, every episode will reach an audience that already knows and trusts us.

Here's what that means for your business. Hertstown Media runs the Hertstown Newsletter, read by over 10,000 residents across the county every week, with some of the highest engagement rates in local media. Sponsoring Voices of Our Townsputs your brand directly in front of that audience, every episode, all series long.

This is not a banner ad. This is your business woven into content people actually want to watch and listen to.

Founding sponsor spots are limited. If you want in before we open the doors, register your interest now.

👉 Register your interest here

Joseph Atoyebi, 33, was employed full-time by Hertfordshire County Council from July 2024 while secretly holding a simultaneous full-time role at Croydon Council, which he never declared. His wife Rachel Odumosu, 30, compounded the fraud by providing a forged employment reference using her own employer's details. Sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on 11 May, Atoyebi received a 20-month suspended prison sentence, 200 hours of unpaid work, and 30 rehabilitation days; Odumosu received a 12-month community order and 5 rehabilitation days. The council is now reclaiming all salary paid to Atoyebi during his employment.

Read more →

From September 2026, Hertfordshire County Council will switch to Personal Travel Budgets (PTBs) as the default support for young people aged 16 to 18 who currently use council-arranged transport to school or college. The cabinet approved the change on 13 May following a public consultation that drew more than 1,600 responses, almost two-thirds of them from families of statutory-age SEND pupils. Students already on contracted transport keep their current arrangements until they turn 19 or change address or education provider. Families who genuinely cannot use a PTB can apply for contracted transport through a rapid assessment process.

Read more →

There are more than 1,000 children in Hertfordshire currently needing safe, supportive placements, but the county has only around 300 foster carers. Hertfordshire County Council is hosting an in-person information evening on Tuesday 19 May, 6:45–9pm at the Mid Herts Centre for Music and Arts in Hatfield (AL10 0PS), where you can meet the fostering team, hear from current carers, and ask questions with no pressure or commitment. All types of fostering are covered: short-term, long-term, teenagers, siblings, and more.

Book your free seat →

Staying behind on tech trends can be a career killer.

But let’s face it, no one has hours to spare every week trying to stay updated.

That’s why over 200,000 engineers at companies like Google, Meta, and Apple read The Code twice a week.

Here’s why it works:

Join 200,000+ engineers who read The Code to stay ahead of the curve.

North Herts Council has launched the first public stage of its new Local Plan — a document that will determine how the district grows and changes through to 2028 and beyond. The Scoping Document Consultation runs from 11 May to 28 June 2026, and the council is asking residents what the big local issues are: housing, jobs, transport, climate, high streets. If you don't have internet access, paper copies are available at the Gernon Road office in Letchworth (open 9am–5pm weekdays).

Submit your comments →

North Herts ran a government-backed flexible voting pilot over the May bank holiday weekend, letting Royston electors cast their votes on Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 3pm across three Hub locations, ahead of the main polling day on 7 May. Observers from the Ministry of Housing, the Scottish and Welsh Governments, the Electoral Commission, and Democracy Volunteers from Canada all attended. The government will now evaluate the Royston results alongside parallel pilots in Cambridge, Milton Keynes, and Tunbridge Wells, with reports expected later this year.

Read more →

North Herts Council has launched a Digital Inclusion Customer Survey asking residents how they access council services online, how confident they feel doing so, and what gets in the way. Crucially, the survey is explicitly open to people who do not use digital services at all, the council wants to understand the barriers, not just hear from those already comfortable online.

The survey covers device access, internet confidence, accessibility needs, security concerns, and experiences of the council's own website. Paper copies are available at the District Council Office on Gernon Road in Letchworth (open 9am–5pm Monday to Friday), as well as at leisure centres, libraries, and town halls. If you need help completing it, call 01462 474000 or email [email protected].

Deadline: 3 June 2026.

Complete the survey →

East Herts Council is formally beginning preparation of a new Local Plan to shape housing, employment, infrastructure and environment across the district until 2044. Subject to Full Council approval, a Scoping Consultation will launch on 11 June 2026 and run until 10 July 2026 — the earliest public opportunity to feed in views on what the plan should prioritise. More details on how to take part will be published closer to the launch date.

Read more →

Councillor John Dunlop was elected Chairman of East Herts Council on 13 May, taking over from Cllr Martin Adams. Dunlop has nominated Space, a local award-winning charity supporting neurodivergent children, young people and their families, as the focus of his charitable fundraising during his term. Cllr Joe Thomas was elected vice-chair alongside him.

Read more →

Cars at the Castle returns to the grounds of Hertford Castle on Sunday 7 June 2026, 12pm–4pm, and this year electric vehicles join the 60-plus modern and vintage cars and motorcycles on display. Highway Cycles will be running a free e-bike test ride track on the Island Lawn, and the Mayor of Hertford will be judging competition categories including Best Paintwork, Best Interior, Best Pre-1970 Classic, Best Post-1970 Classic, Best British Car and Best International Car. Ware-based sponsor Farécla Products will also be running live paint polishing demonstrations and prize giveaways throughout the day. Entry is free.

Event details →

Hertford Town Council hosted its Eco Fest and Family Fun Day at Hertford Castle on 10 May, bringing together smoothie bikes, upcycling stations, a Bugfest wildlife experience, sustainable fashion stalls and e-bike test rides. Beyond the event, the council's own environmental record is worth noting: electricity use at council buildings is down 37% year on year, all food waste from council offices is now composted on site at Hertford Castle, non-organic pesticides have been banned across all eight allotment sites the council manages, and a new fully electric van now supports council service delivery with zero associated emissions. Five new live parking information signs have also been installed at key entry points into Hertford in partnership with East Herts Council and HCC.

Read more →

Images surfaced over the weekend showing severe destruction of Stevenage town centre public toilets, and the level of damage has left the whole town stunned. Residents have taken to social media in force, demanding CCTV footage is reviewed and those responsible are identified. Police are aware and the message is clear: these people will be found.

Stevenage Borough Council has partnered with FiveDinners.com to give residents free premium membership to the meal planning platform, which normally costs £86 a year. The service generates weekly personalised meal plans and shopping lists, with options for affordable meals, low-calorie diets, family-friendly recipes, allergy adaptations, and more. Sign up at FiveDinners.com and scroll down to find Hertfordshire, then enter your postcode to get started.

Read more →

More than 450 entries came in from local primary school children across Dacorum when the council launched its "Name the Bin Lorry" competition in March. On 8 May, the Mayor of Dacorum unveiled the winning names across all 45 vehicles at Cupid Green Depot in Hemel Hempstead. Pupils from 14 schools made the cut, with names including Binny McBinface, Optimus Grime, Sir Stinks a Lot, The Pooper Trooper, Justin Dustbin, Obi One Binobi, and The Bincredible Hulk. Each winner gets a certificate and a school visit to meet their named lorry.

Read more →

AI Workshop for Local Small Businesses

Most local businesses are sleepwalking into a disadvantage.

Your competitors are already using AI to save time, cut costs, and move faster.
If you’re not, you’re falling behind. Simple.

This hands-on workshop is for local businesses and entrepreneurs who want to build real applications using AI tools, not just talk about it.

No fluff. No theory. Just practical ways to gain an edge before someone else takes your market.

⚠️ Learn it now, or compete with those who did.

👉 Register your interest: https://tally.so/r/woYA6b

📅 Hertfordshire Fostering Information Evening
📍 Mid Herts Centre for Music and Arts, Hatfield, AL10 0PS
🗓️ Tuesday, 19 May 2026
⏰ 6:45 PM – 9:00 PM
🎟️ Free, booking required
🔗 https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/childrens-social-care/fostering/open-events-register.aspx

Location: St James’s Church House, Bushey, WD23 1BD
Date: Tuesday 19 May 2026
Time: 2:30pm to 8:00pm
Admission: Free

Have your say:
Hertsmere Local Plan Consultation

📅 Hertfordshire Health Walks: Volunteer Training
📍 Bunyan Baptist Church, Basils Road, Stevenage, SG1 3PY
🗓️ Thursday, 21 May 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
🎟️ Free, booking required
📞 01992 555888
📧 [email protected]

📅 NHS Free Health Check
📍 Oxhey Library, Bridlington Road, South Oxhey, WD19 7AG
🗓️ Thursday, 21 May 2026
⏰ 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
🎟️ Free, ages 40–74
🔗 https://orlo.uk/casfs

📅 Polish Heritage Day
📍 White Lion Square, Hatfield
🗓️ Saturday, 23 May 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🎟️ Free entry
🔗 Contact event organisers for details

📅 KidZone: Bluey Meet & Greets, Donkey Rides & Carnival Fun
📍 Event Island, Stevenage Town Centre
🗓️ Saturday, 23 May 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🎟️ Free entry
🔗 Contact Stevenage Borough Council social media channels for details

Location: Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Frogmoor Lane, Rickmansworth, WD3 1NB
Date: Thursday 28 May 2026
Time: 10:00am to 11:30am
Admission: Free, booking required

Details: Outdoor play and nature-based activities for children under five.
Reserve a place:
Wellies in the Woods Booking Link

📅 Guided Tour of Tewin Greens Market Garden
📍 Tewin Greens Market Garden, Welwyn Hatfield
🗓️ Monday, 8 June 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
🎟️ Free, booking required
🔗 https://orlo.uk/ZQOrF

Location: Broadway Cinema & Theatre, Letchworth
Date: Wednesday 10 June 2026
Schedule:

Tickets: £4 adults

More information and tickets:
Broadway Cinema & Theatre Event Page

Location: Oxhey Bowls Club, Watford
Date: Sunday 14 June 2026
Time: 11:00am to 4:00pm
Admission: Free

Details: Free taster sessions, tuition, and refreshments available throughout the day.

Location: Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead
Date: Saturday 27 June 2026
Time: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Admission: Free

More information:
Dacorum Armed Forces Day 2026

📅 This Girl Can: 10th Anniversary Week
📍 Various venues across Welwyn Hatfield
🗓️ Sunday, 15 June – Saturday, 21 June 2026
🎟️ Free, varies by activity
🔗 https://orlo.uk/hMCdb

📅 Working Well: Preventing Burnout in the Workplace (Online)
📍 Online Event
🗓️ Thursday, 18 June 2026
🎟️ Free, booking required
🔗 https://ow.ly/25v150YY1UK

📅 Armed Forces Day Celebration
📍 Halsey Hall, Rickmansworth Road, Watford
🗓️ Saturday, 27 June 2026
⏰ Doors open at 11:00 AM
🎟️ Free entry
🔗 https://www.halseyhallwatford.org/

📅 Great Big Green Week: Free Film Screening
📍 Three Rivers
🗓️ Date and time via Three Rivers District Council
🎟️ Free entry
🔗 https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/news/free-film-screening-honour-great-big-green-week-2026

Photo credit: Veloce Club

HODDESDON

Monday 18 May 13°C 🌡️ 6°C | 🌧️ Light rain and showers | ☀️ Sunrise 5:03 | Sunset 8:50

Tuesday 19 May 16°C 🌡️ 10°C | 🌧️ Light rain and showers | ☀️ Sunrise 5:01 | Sunset 8:51

Wednesday 20 May 17°C 🌡️ 11°C | 🌧️ Rain showers | ☀️ Sunrise 5:00 | Sunset 8:52

Thursday 21 May 18°C 🌡️ 12°C | 🌦️ Rain clearing to sunny intervals | ☀️ Sunrise 4:58 | Sunset 8:53

Friday 22 May 25°C 🌡️ 16°C | ☀️ Sunny and warm | ☀️ Sunrise 4:58 | Sunset 8:55

Source: weather-forecast.com

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Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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