Good morning! Hope you had a fantastic weekend.

Sunday had me switching from thick trousers to shorts and even then I was sweating under that blazing sun. But enough about me… what did you get up to? Hit reply and let me know, I genuinely want to hear.

Now, what didn’t happen this weekend? We had rainbows, a blood moon, emergency alerts buzzing across every phone and believe it or not, glorious weather throughout. If you were stuck working, thank you for keeping things running. For the rest of us who managed to soak it all in, what a way to wrap up summer’s last hoorah.

I’ve rounded up the key local stories you might’ve missed. Have a read and I guarantee the last one will give you a proper chuckle.

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

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Following the announcement of the passing of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent, councils across Hertfordshire paid tribute by lowering flags to half-mast and sharing messages of condolence with the Royal Family.

Local authorities from across the county expressed their deep sorrow and joined the nation in mourning the loss of a royal figure remembered for her grace, dignity, and decades of quiet public service.

In their statements, councils extended heartfelt sympathies to His Majesty The King and all members of the Royal Family, recognising the Duchess’s enduring commitment to public life.

Many civic buildings across Hertfordshire also welcomed floral tributes from members of the public, providing a space for residents to reflect and honour her memory.

Hertfordshire County Council has reported progress in improving communication with families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). A new ACT (Accurate, Compassionate, Timely) framework, co-produced with families, has been embedded in staff training. The launch of an EHCP online portal and reduced complaint rates reflect positive changes. Councillors praised the improvements but noted the journey isn’t over. Officials highlighted that reduced staff caseloads and better support networks have allowed more empathetic communication, although monitoring remains a challenge.

Following the launch of the public consultation phase of the Local Government Reorganisation process, all Hertfordshire councils have now released dates for upcoming engagement events.

These sessions — held both virtually and in person — offer residents an opportunity to share their views, ask questions, and help shape the future structure of local government in the county.

To help you stay informed, we’ve compiled all the key dates, times, and venues into a clear and accessible table below. This is your chance to have your say on a significant change that could impact how services are delivered in your area.

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ST ALBANS

St Albans Museum & Gallery turned the pavement into a canvas this weekend with a burst of creative energy. Led by artist @preet.cox, volunteers and visitors took part in a vibrant Rangoli chalk art session right outside the museum doors.

The skies stayed clear, allowing the colourful patterns to shine through – transforming the space into a joyful, temporary exhibition underfoot.

Organisers are urging locals to pop by quickly: “Who knows if the drawings are still visible today?” they said. Rain might wash it away, but the creativity left its mark.

Thanks to all who joined in and made art happen on the streets of St Albans. ❤️

THREE RIVERS

From 19–25 September, residents are invited to join The Big River Watch, a nationwide effort to monitor the health of rivers across the UK and Ireland and your local rivers need you!

All it takes is 15 minutes: download the app, observe a river, answer a few questions, and upload your results.

If you're surveying the River Colne, Chess, or Gade, Three Rivers District Council asks that you also email your results to [email protected].

Every observation helps protect and preserve our precious waterways — so get involved and take part! 🌿💧

https://orlo.uk/z4rKK

BROXBOURNE BOROUGH

Residents across Broxbourne and the wider Hertfordshire area are being urged to take part in a vital consultation aimed at shaping how the county responds to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

The campaign seeks to gather feedback, stories, and ideas from the public to help improve safety for women and girls across Hertfordshire. By sharing personal experiences and community concerns, residents can play an active role in helping authorities understand the reality on the ground and develop more effective policies and support services.

This is a key opportunity for people of all genders to contribute to a safer, more inclusive Hertfordshire, where everyone feels protected in public spaces, at home, and online.

👥 Have your say today and help influence the county’s VAWG strategy by completing the survey here:

👉 https://ow.ly/KRk150WPzYU

The consultation is open to all Hertfordshire residents and takes just a few minutes to complete.

📷 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 31st October 2025.

👉 Click here to Submit your images

WELWYN HATFIELD

Essential improvement works have started today (8 September) at Oak Hill Cemetery in Welwyn Hatfield, as the borough council begins preparations to expand burial space at the site.

The project involves installing new concrete plinths just behind the Oak Hill entrance sign, a move aimed at creating additional burial plots to meet future needs in the community.

Visitors to the cemetery may notice construction activity near the entrance, and the council has thanked the public for their patience and understanding while the work is carried out.

These works are part of ongoing efforts to ensure the cemetery continues to serve local residents with dignity and care.

For the latest updates on the project, visit: https://orlo.uk/shIhJ

WATFORD

Watford Central Library recently took residents on a nostalgic trip with a social media quiz featuring a photo of the historic Cassiobury House, demolished in 1927.

While many correctly identified the building, the post sparked fresh curiosity — why was such a grand estate torn down?

Today’s generation, captivated by its beauty, is calling for more historical context. Though the house was sold and dismantled due to financial pressures, many locals are unaware of the full story.

Residents now hope the library will share more about the estate’s past and why it was lost. The quiz may be over, but interest in Watford’s heritage is clearly alive and well.

WELWYN HATFIELD

Looking to improve your health and wellbeing? The Welwyn Hatfield Healthy Hub is here to help! Our friendly team offers free advice and support on mental health, physical activity, healthy eating, weight management, smoking cessation, and more.

Join us at one of our pop-up clinics this September:

✅ No booking required – just pop in!

👉 Learn more at: https://orlo.uk/nbgM1

BISHOP STORTFORD

A viral video shared by a commuter has sparked alarm in Bishop’s Stortford, showing what appeared to be cat-sized rats casually crossing footpaths near the station. The footage has triggered a flood of resident reactions, from concern to humour, with some blaming litter, rubbish, and neglect in the area.

One councillor confirmed the video provided long-awaited evidence and promised to raise the issue with Solum, Network Rail and Greater Anglia. While some commenters sympathised with the rodents, calling them “poor little things” drawn by food waste, others expressed frustration, describing the site as “disgusting” and “left to rot” after nearby developments.

The clip has since fuelled wider debate on the town’s upkeep, with one local quipping, “There are more rats than people in the UK. It’s hard to spot the difference though!”

We are awaiting response from East Herts to know if this is something they’re looking into or if they are unaware of the situation.

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WELWYN GARDEN CITY

21°C 🌡️ 8°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 06:23 Sunset 19:32

STEVENAGE

21°C 🌡️ 8°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 06:23 Sunset 19:32

HERTFORD

21°C 🌡️ 8°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 06:23 Sunset 19:32

LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY

20°C 🌡️ 7°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 06:23 Sunset 19:33

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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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