As the evenings draw in, there's something quite magical about the sunsets we've been seeing lately, especially yesterday’s. No science behind it, just a hunch that good things are ahead for our communities.

There's a lot happening across Hertfordshire right now, and I’ve pulled together the latest stories so you don’t have to go looking for them. From local trials of cutting-edge pothole repair tech to inspiring moments at the Hertfordshire SEND Summit, this issue covers the news that matters, plus a standout property of the week.

⚠️ Quick reminder: The deadline to have your say in the Local Government Reorganisation consultation is Tuesday. If you haven’t already responded, now’s the time. Councils across the county, including St Albans, are urging residents to take part. Scroll down for the link. Your voice really does matter. Another remind to join the Hertstown Media Photography Challenge. See details below.

Here’s what’s making headlines across Hertfordshire today:

Let’s get into it 👇

📬 Got an event coming up? Post it with us [here]
📢 Want to advertise your business across Hertfordshire? [Click here]
☕ Feeling generous? Buy me a coffee to support local reporting
💼 Interested in sponsoring a section or editorial? [Get in touch with us here]

🎙️ Want to join us on the Voices of our Towns Podcast? [Get in touch!]

🤖 Interested in learning how to use AI in your business - join my AI tutorials [Get in Touch]

A warm welcome to all our new subscribers,thank you for joining the Hertstown community! If you have thoughts or story ideas, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s make Hertstown your go-to source for everything local!

💌 Love this newsletter? Share it with a friend or family member! 

Let’s grow this community together. 💌

Hertfordshire County Council has completed trials of the latest Roadmaster spray injection patching machine on rural and residential roads across northern Hertfordshire. The innovative technology allows crews to operate entirely from the cab, using high-powered jets to clean, fill and seal potholes in one process for safer, quicker repairs.

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Executive Member for Highways, emphasised the council's determination to tackle residents' biggest frustration with roads. The trial forms part of the administration's commitment to invest in new technology, with effectiveness and value for money evaluation underway to determine wider county deployment.

READ MORE

Dame Christine Lenehan, the Department for Education's strategic adviser for SEND, delivered the keynote speech at Hertfordshire's SEND Summit on 15 September, calling for collaborative efforts to redefine the system. She challenged the narrative of a "broken system," emphasising that children and families live within it daily and many achieve good outcomes.

Dame Christine reflected on her role as Independent Chair of Hertfordshire's SEND Executive, praising the stronger partnerships developed and using the county as a reference point for national improvements. She expressed confidence in Hertfordshire's trajectory for change and the leadership team's ability to continue the improvement journey.

READ MORE

The leader of Broxbourne Borough Council, Cllr Corina Gander, has doubled down on her pledge to close the Delta Marriott Hotel in Cheshunt, which is currently being used to accommodate asylum seekers. Accompanied by MP Lewis Cocking, she hand-delivered a letter to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, urging immediate action to end the hotel’s use for this purpose.

Since asylum seekers were first placed in the hotel in 2022, concerns have been raised by local residents and officials regarding the strain on local services and lack of community consultation. The council has now taken legal advice and is exploring enforcement action similar to the approach used in Epping Forest District.

Cllr Gander called the issue her “top priority,” adding, “I will not rest until the hotel is returned to our community.” MP Cocking also spoke out, saying residents feel their concerns about immigration are being “ignored.”

Excitement is building ahead of the World Food Festival 2026 in Welwyn Garden City, with early applications already flooding in from across the UK—and some big culinary names reportedly in talks to participate. Celebrating global cuisine, culture, and community, the festival promises to bring together an eclectic mix of street food vendors, artisan chefs, and family-friendly experiences.

Applications are open until 31st October 2025, and organisers are encouraging locals to tag their favourite food traders and suggest dream vendors. From Caribbean fusion and Turkish grills to vegan bakes and Brazilian BBQs, this is shaping up to be the town’s tastiest event yet.

🔗 Apply or tag vendors here

The Arts in East Herts autumn programme is officially halfway through, and organisers are reminding residents that there’s still plenty of time to get involved in the celebration of creativity across the district.

The upcoming schedule includes:

From textiles to music, visual arts to memory-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone. The programme is part of East Herts' commitment to enriching cultural life and making the arts accessible to all.

🔗 Explore the full programme

Hertford Library hosted its first live music performance, featuring acclaimed folk artists Lizzy Hardingham and Minnie Birch in an intimate, well-attended evening. The event, which showcased both original songs and well-loved covers, was met with enthusiastic applause and calls for more events like it in the future.

Supported by Tesco Hertford Community, who provided refreshments, the success of the gig signals the beginning of a potential new cultural chapter for the town’s library, where music and community storytelling can co-exist.

Stevenage Borough Council is inviting residents to submit ideas for events and activities that can bring people together in Stevenage Town Centre this autumn and winter. Whether it’s a Christmas craft fair, a live music evening, a festive food market, or a family storytelling session, local individuals and groups can apply for up to £500 to support their initiative.

The grant programme is designed to enhance community spirit and create memorable experiences in the town centre during the colder months. Applications are open now and can be made by emailing: [email protected]

For the sixth consecutive year, Watford Borough Council has been awarded the Gold Charter by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM)—a national recognition of excellence in bereavement services. Watford ranks 31st out of 106 local authorities and remains a leader in delivering respectful, supportive care for grieving families.

The accolade reflects the continued hard work at North Watford and Vicarage Road Cemeteries, which have recently undergone notable enhancements including a new Centenary Memorial Garden and restoration of historic iron gates.

Mayor Peter Taylor praised the teams involved, saying, “Supporting families through the most difficult of times is one of our most important duties. I’m incredibly proud that our borough continues to meet the highest standards.”

🔗 Read more

A major step forward in sustainable transport infrastructure has been made with the launch of a six-bay ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Garston, Watford. Located at 883 St Albans Road, the station is run by LEAP24 UK and offers 300kW of charging power—enough to top up most EVs in under 30 minutes.

The site, formerly a derelict garage, now offers competitively priced charging at 69p per kWh, making it both practical and affordable. Watford’s elected Mayor Peter Taylor officiated the opening, highlighting the town’s growing green credentials and focus on future-forward infrastructure.

🔗 Read more

St Albans City and District Council has begun implementing a £730,000 investment programme to upgrade its three cemeteries—Westfield Road (Harpenden), London Road, and Hatfield Road. The project aims to create serene, eco-conscious environments with new gardens of rest, ash scattering areas, woodland walks, and meadow burial options.

Councillor Helen Campbell welcomed the improvements, saying they will ensure "dignified and beautiful spaces for remembrance" that reflect modern environmental values while respecting tradition.

🔗 Read more

In a move to address housing needs and fire safety requirements, Telford Court in St Albans will be demolished and redeveloped into a new social housing scheme led by Hightown Housing Association. The 50-year-old site will be replaced with modern, compliant homes, with the council retaining nomination rights for tenants.

Cllr Simon Johns praised the outcome of the procurement process, describing it as "a significant step forward for the local community."

🔗 Read more

A Community Governance Review is underway in St Albans to explore the potential formation of a new parish council covering the currently unparished central area of the city—home to around 28,000 households. The review also considers preserving the historic mayoralty and reviewing boundaries of the existing nine town and parish councils.

Residents can share their views via public consultation until 6 October 2025.

🔗 Read more

Hertfordshire residents have until midnight on 30 September 2025 to contribute to the public consultation on a major local government reorganisation that could replace the current two-tier system with unitary authorities by May 2028.

Cllr Paul de Kort described the move as “the biggest shake-up in 50 years” and urged residents to take part in shaping the future of local services.

🔗 Read more

Offers Over £1,750,000
5 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 2,418 sq ft | Freehold

Set on one of St Albans’ most desirable roads, this elegant 1930s detached home blends period charm with modern family living. Ideally located close to outstanding schools including Sandringham and Wheatfields, it's just a short walk to The Quadrant’s cafés and shops, and within easy reach of the city centre.

Inside, a welcoming hallway leads to a bright family room with a bay window and doors to the garden. The heart of the home is a stunning open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area with sleek stone worktops and a central island – ideal for entertaining or relaxed family life. A separate lounge provides a quiet retreat, while a dedicated study is perfect for working from home.

The first floor offers four spacious bedrooms, including a main suite with shower room, plus a stylish family bathroom. A top-floor en-suite bedroom with Juliette balcony provides flexible space for guests, teenagers, or a private escape.

Outside, the beautifully landscaped 200ft south-west facing garden is a true highlight, featuring a large patio, veranda, and mature planting – perfect for summer entertaining and family fun.

This is a rare opportunity to own a substantial home in a prime St Albans location. A must-see – arrange your viewing today.

📷 Show Us Your Hertfordshire!
Hertstown is creating a stunning new photo book that captures the true spirit of our towns and villages — and we need your lens on it.

We're calling on residents across Hertfordshire to put their cameras to work and send in images that represent the heart of their community. Whether it's a hidden gem, a well-known landmark, or a moment of everyday beauty, we want to see what makes your town special.

🌄 From Broxbourne to Baldock, Ware to Watford, let’s tell the story of Hertfordshire — one photo at a time.

💌 Submit your photos and help shape a fresh, visual celebration of where we live. The challenge closes 30th September 2025. Send via WeTransfer - [email protected]

👉 Click here to Submit your images

MONDAY

17°C 🌡️ 7°C | ☀ Sunny and a light winds | ☀️ Sunrise 06:58 Sunset 18:44

TUESDAY

18°C 🌡️ 6°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and light winds | ☀️ Sunrise 06:59 Sunset 18:42

WEDNESDAY

17°C 🌡️ 8°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and light winds | ☀️ Sunrise 07:01 Sunset 18:39

THURSDAY

18°C 🌡️ 11°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 07:03 Sunset 18:37

Have questions or suggestions to improve our newsletter? Got a story to share? Email us at [email protected].

Interested in advertising with us? Drop us a line at the same email address.

If someone forwarded this email to you, be sure to thank them—and don’t miss out next time! Subscribe here.

Love the newsletter? ☕
Support it by buying me a coffee! Your contribution helps keep this weekly resource alive and thriving. Thank you!

Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

P.S. Want to sponsor our newsletter? Email us at [email protected]