A difficult start this week. A 17-year-old girl has died after a car carrying four teenagers left the road and hit a tree on Wednesday evening. She's been described as bright, beautiful, caring and loving. If you're a young driver or you know one, please take a moment.

Food prices could be heading up again too. Industry body IGD is warning that food inflation could more than double to above 8% by summer if disruption from the Iran conflict continues.

Closer to home, the Government's consultation on Local Government Reorganisation in Hertfordshire has closed. A decision is expected this summer, and whatever the outcome, we're looking at the biggest shake-up to how local councils work in decades. The countdown starts now.

Big edition this week: a £3.5 million investment in Hertford Castle's grounds, Hemel Hempstead bidding to become the UK's first Town of Culture, community heroes honoured across the county, and a packed Easter events calendar. Let's get into it.

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The Government's seven-week consultation on Local Government Reorganisation in Hertfordshire closed on 26 March after residents and stakeholders had their say on three unitary council models submitted jointly by all 11 Hertfordshire councils and the Police and Crime Commissioner last November. A decision from the Government is expected in summer 2026, with the new authorities due to go live in April 2028. All 11 councils say they are already working together to prepare for a smooth transition, whichever model is chosen.

Hertfordshire County Council has published its Fifty Thrifty Adventures guide for the Easter holidays, a curated list of no-cost and low-cost activities for families across the county. Whether you're walking, cycling, scooting, or jumping on a bus, there's something in every corner of Hertfordshire's 600-plus square miles. If money is tight, there's also support available to help families make the most of the break.

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Helen Maneuf has been confirmed as Hertfordshire County Council's Executive Director for Adult Care Services after leading the directorate on an interim basis since September 2025. Her appointment was unanimously approved by the Employment Committee on 24 March. Chief Executive Angie Ridgwell said Maneuf's expertise would be invaluable at what she called an important and historic time for the county.

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Car parking charges are increasing across Hitchin, Letchworth Garden City, Royston and Knebworth council car parks from 20 April. Most increases are 10p per hour, with post-3pm flat rates staying the same in Hitchin and Letchworth. Parking after 6pm and on Sundays, bank holidays and public holidays remains free. On-street resident permit prices rise from 1 May, with 12-month permits going from £86 to £88. Baldock's Twitchell car park is unaffected.

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Five volunteers were celebrated at the North Herts Heroes awards ceremony at Lucas Lane Sports Club on 19 March, hosted by the Chair of North Herts Council. Winners included Brian Noble (Green Award) for leading the Blitz an Open Space litter-picking initiative, Sybil Wallace (Caring Award) for her work with One YMCA and Best Before Café, and Maureen Horton (Dedication Award) for 22 years supporting vulnerable families at Home-Start Hertfordshire. Maria Esson won the Health Award and Stanley, a sporting apprentice who drew on his own experience with ADHD, took the Young Star Award.

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New sustainable, wildlife-friendly planting is going in at Avenue Park and the High Street War Memorial beds in Baldock as part of the North Herts Bee Corridor project. The perennial and drought-tolerant plants replace annual bedding, boosting biodiversity while cutting maintenance. A family-friendly "Bee Part Of It" event on Saturday 4 April (10am to 2pm) at Avenue Park will feature seed-bomb making, bug hotels, face painting, fire engine visits, and a community seed-bomb scatter at 1pm.

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North Herts Museum's new exhibition, Dinosaurium: Reimagined Creatures, opens on 28 March and runs until 28 June 2026. The family-friendly show traces 200 years of how we've imagined dinosaurs, from the first Iguanodon discovery in 1822 to the modern icons of film and TV. There are hands-on activities for children, and admission to the museum on Brand Street, Hitchin, is completely free.

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East Herts and North Herts councils have partnered with Veolia to roll out 60 new recycling and waste collection vehicles running on renewable diesel made from used vegetable oil, cutting carbon emissions by 90% compared with standard diesel. The new fleet also includes 24 fully electric vehicles such as street cleansing machines and e-bikes, and collection routes have been redesigned to reduce time on the roads. The eight-year partnership covers both East and North Hertfordshire, with new fuel storage tanks already installed at Buntingford and Letchworth depots.

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East Herts Council has received over £108,000 in government funding to begin work on a new Local Plan, the document that shapes where development and housing can happen across the district. The council plans to formally start the process in June, followed by six weeks of public engagement on the plan's scope. Preparatory and technical work has been underway while the council waited for new national regulations to be confirmed.

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Hertford Town Council has secured £3.5 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to renew the grounds of Hertford Castle, the largest single investment the site has seen in a generation. The plans, developed over 18 months with East Herts District Council and Hertfordshire County Council's Countryside Management Service, include conservation of the motte and curtain wall, restoration of the River Lea's riverbanks, a completely redesigned children's play area, step-free access routes, enhanced planting for wildlife, and a full programme of community events and volunteering. Improvement works are expected throughout 2028 and 2029, subject to statutory permissions. Hertford Town Council is contributing nearly £496,000 of its own funds to the project.

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Hertford Town Council held its Annual Town Meeting on Thursday 26 March, where the Mayor of Hertford, Cllr Steven Watson, presented Community Awards to three winners: Hertford Men Shed (Community Award), Viv Jones and the River Beane Restoration Association (Nature and Environment Award), and Paul Barnett and Andrew Brookman for their free monthly acoustic sessions at BEAM (Arts, Culture and Heritage Award). The meeting also heard highlights from the civic year, including the council's Gold standard recognition and over 77,000 visitors to the castle's free community events. Cllr Alex Daar, Leader of the Council, also addressed local government reorganisation in Hertfordshire, saying the focus should remain on the services that matter to local people.

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Local charities have until Friday 1 May 2026 to apply to become the official charity beneficiary of this year's Rock at the Castle festival, taking place on Sunday 2 August at Hertford Castle from 12 noon to 7pm. Over the past 20 years, the event has raised more than £50,000 for local charities. Last year's beneficiary, Hearts for Herts, raised £2,886.59 towards a solar and wind powered defibrillator at Hartham Common.

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HAPpy Camps are running on selected days from 30 March to 10 April for children and teens living in Hertfordshire who receive benefits-related free school meals. The camps are fully funded and include SEND options. Contact your school now for a booking code to secure a free place.

Book your free place →

Welwyn Hatfield has been awarded Tree City of the World status for the seventh consecutive year, making it one of just 26 UK towns and cities recognised in the 2025 awards. The borough's tree officers manage around 30,000 individual trees across woodland areas, allotment sites, open spaces, micro-orchards, and several sites of special scientific interest. The international scheme recognises places that demonstrate clear tree management responsibilities, budgets, policies, and community engagement.

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Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has completed a new development of 14 modern, one-bedroom social rent apartments at Ludwick Green, replacing eight flats that had to be demolished due to structural issues. Each flat has its own balcony, parking space and EV charging access, with three designed for wheelchair users. The homes achieve energy ratings of B or A, meaning lower bills for tenants. Final checks are underway before residents can move in.

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A by-election will take place in the Bentley Heath & the Royds Ward on Thursday 7 May 2026 following the resignation of Councillor Meenal Sachdev. If you've recently moved, turned 18, or haven't registered to vote, the deadline is midnight on 20 April 2026. Remember, you'll need photo ID to vote at your polling station.

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The upgraded Barton Way Play Area in Croxley Green reopened on 27 March with new slides, trampolines, see-saws, swings, monkey bars, a table tennis table, fitness station, and a chess table. New landscaping also creates habitats for local wildlife. Croxley Green Parish Council contributed financially to the project.

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The St Albans Enterprise Agency (STANTA) offers free one-to-one advice, business skills workshops, and flexible office space for new and growing businesses. Coming up: Attracting Customers to your Website (SEO) on 26 March, and Building your Pipeline and Smarter Selling using LinkedIn on 15 April.

See all workshops →

Dacorum Borough Council has submitted an Expression of Interest for Hemel Hempstead to be considered as the first UK Town of Culture 2028 in the large-town category, backed by the council's new Arts and Culture Strategy 2026–2030. If shortlisted, the town would receive £60,000 to develop a full bid, with the overall winner getting £3 million to deliver a cultural programme. Tring Town Council is also submitting a bid in the small-town category, meaning two Dacorum towns are in the running. Hemel Hempstead celebrates its 80th anniversary as a New Town next year.

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🎶 Lunchtime Live | Young Artists – Holy Week Concert
📍 Dunstable Priory, Lady Chapel
🗓️ Monday 30 March 2026
⏰ 12:30pm
🎟️ Free entry — retiring collection
👉 Walk in, no booking required

🐉 Easter Dragon Quest
📍 Across Hertfordshire
🗓️ Monday 30 March – Friday 3 April 2026
⏰ All day
🎟️ Free or paid (varies)
👉 Learn more:

🌿 Bee Part Of It
📍 Avenue Park, Baldock
🗓️ Saturday 4 April 2026
⏰ 10:00am – 2:00pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Learn more:

🥾 Gander.gpx Hike Club – Chess Valley
📍 Station Approach, Hertfordshire
🗓️ Saturday 4 April 2026
⏰ 11:00am
💷 Paid ticket
👉 Book here:

🎶 Back 2 Batchwood – The Return
📍 Villa 2 Lounge Bar
🗓️ Saturday 4 April 2026
⏰ 1:00pm
💷 Paid ticket
👉 Book here:

🎧 Practice Roomz Presentz 3AM
📍 The Practice Roomz
🗓️ Saturday 4 April 2026
⏰ 5:00pm
💷 Paid ticket
👉 Book here:

🎉 EVADE Easter Bank Holiday Party
📍 Cinnabar, Hertford
🗓️ Sunday 5 April 2026
⏰ 9:00pm
💷 Paid ticket
👉 Book here:

🐣 Easter Family Activities at The Hertfordshire
📍 The Hertfordshire
🗓️ Sunday 5 April 2026
⏰ Time TBC
🎟️ Check venue
👉 Learn more:

💍 The Premier Hertfordshire Wedding Fair
📍 Alban Arena, St Albans
🗓️ Monday 6 April 2026
⏰ 11:00am
💷 Paid ticket
👉 Book here:

🎓 Tourism, Hospitality & Events Student Symposium
📍 University of Hertfordshire, de Havilland Campus
🗓️ Tuesday 7 April 2026
🎟️ Check details
👉 Learn more:

👶 Preparing for Parenthood – Hertford
📍 Hertford Selections Family Centre
🗓️ Wednesday 8 April 2026
⏰ 4:00pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Register:

⛪ Resurrection to Revival
📍 REVIVALL Church
🗓️ Wednesday 8 April 2026
⏰ 7:00pm
🎟️ Free / donation
👉 Learn more:

👶 Preparing for Parenthood – London Colney
📍 London Colney Family Centre
🗓️ Friday 10 April 2026
⏰ 9:30am
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Register:

🎨 Hertford Art & Literature Festival
📍 Hertford Castle
🗓️ Saturday 11 April 2026
⏰ 12:00pm – 4:00pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Learn more:

🏰 Hertford Castle Open Day
📍 Hertford Castle
🗓️ Saturday 11 April 2026
⏰ 12:00pm – 4:00pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Learn more:

🎻 Hertfordshire County Youth Orchestra Concert
📍 Watford School of Music
🗓️ Saturday 11 April 2026
⏰ 7:00pm
💷 Paid ticket
👉 Book here:

👶 Preparing for Parenthood – Hitchin
📍 Oughton Family Centre
🗓️ Tuesday 14 April 2026
⏰ 6:30pm – 8:30pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Register:

🙏 Hope Explored
📍 Letchworth Baptist Church
🗓️ Tuesday 14 April 2026
⏰ 7:30pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Register:

🧠 Men’s Mental Health Day
📍 Hertfordshire Studios
🗓️ Tuesday 14 April 2026
⏰ Time TBC
🎟️ Check details

🎉 St Albans Spring Festival
📍 St Albans City Centre
🗓️ Saturday 17 May 2026
🎟️ Free entry

🎵 Rock at the Castle 2026
📍 Hertford Castle Grounds
🗓️ Sunday 2 August 2026
⏰ 12:00pm – 7:00pm
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Learn more →

WARE

11°C 🌡️ 4°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and a moderate breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 06:41 Sunset 19:30

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Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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