Good morning and HapPy Wednesday!

Hi everyone! Sorry this newsletter is arriving a bit later than usual—family commitments kept me on my toes earlier this week. But I’m back and ready to catch you up on all the latest!

Today’s a pretty special Wednesday in history: in 1963, Henry Cooper famously knocked down Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) at Wembley (though Clay ultimately won the fight). And in 2016, British astronaut Tim Peake returned to Earth after 186 days on the International Space Station—what an achievement!

The weather is looking gorgeous, so if you get a chance, step outside and enjoy it! Whatever your plans, don’t forget to stay hydrated and look after yourself.

Here’s what’s making headlines in Hertstown today:

🔥 Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue shares hot weather safety tips
🏛️ Councils rule out single-council model
🏅 Local businesses celebrate gold food hygiene awards
👑 Councillors recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours

…and plenty more!

A warm welcome to all our new subscribers—thanks for joining the Hertstown community! Have thoughts or story ideas? We want to hear from you. Let’s make Hertstown your trusted source for everything local.

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

Let’s grow this community together. 💌

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

A warm welcome to all our new subscribers—thank you for joining the Hertstown family! Got thoughts or suggestions? We’d love to hear from you. Let’s make Hertstown your go-to for everything local!

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

Let’s grow this community together. 💌

News at a Glance

Hertfordshire Councils Rule Out Single-Council Plan in Local Government Review

Hertfordshire’s 11 council leaders have come together to officially rule out the creation of a single, county-wide unitary authority, as part of their ongoing local government reform discussions. The decision comes after careful consideration and follows the recent County Council election.

Leaders agreed that a single authority serving all 1.2 million residents would be too remote and unable to effectively represent Hertfordshire’s diverse communities. As a result, no further work will be carried out on a business case for a single council model.

Instead, the focus will now turn to developing options for fewer but larger unitary councils—potentially two to four for the county. These new proposals will continue to prioritize the needs of residents and businesses, maintain excellent local services, ensure public safety, and uphold strong democratic accountability.

Key factors under review include value for money, impacts on vital services such as social care and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), support for future devolution, and making sure local communities continue to have a strong voice in how services are run. The Government has allocated £378,077 to support this project, with final proposals expected to be submitted by November 28th.

Councillor Steve Jarvis, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council, reaffirmed that one large council would be too distant for effective local representation. He emphasized the importance of working collaboratively with partners and residents to shape the best possible structure for Hertfordshire’s future, while also improving current services such as Highways and SEND. Resident and business feedback will be a crucial part of this process as plans continue to take shape.

For more updates on this story and other local government news, stay tuned to Hertstown.

Fire and Rescue Service Issues Hot Weather Warnings

With warm weather sweeping Hertfordshire this week, the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging everyone to stay safe and take extra precautions—both at home and while enjoying the outdoors.

Top hot weather safety tips:

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and avoid excess alcohol or caffeine.

• Avoid peak sun: Try to keep out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm.

• Protect yourself: Wear sunscreen, light clothing, sunglasses, and a hat.

• Look out for others: Don’t leave children or pets in parked cars and check in on vulnerable neighbours and relatives.

Water safety:
As summer holidays approach and with Drowning Prevention Week underway, remember that nearly half of UK accidental drownings happen between May and August. Whether at the pool, river, lake, or beach, always supervise children and follow the Water Safety Code. Find more tips here.

Preventing fire risks:
Hot and dry conditions increase the risk of wildfires and accidental fires.

• Let BBQ or firepit ashes cool for at least 48 hours before binning.

• Store cooled ashes in a metal container and double-check they are cold.

• Don’t have barbecues or campfires in the countryside unless in safe, designated areas.

• Take your litter home and never throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows.

• Remove glass bottles from direct sunlight as they can start fires.

• Avoid bonfires during dry spells and keep matches and lighters away from children.

Barbecue safety:

• Place barbecues away from sheds, fences, trees, and dry garden waste.

• Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby just in case.

• Never use petrol or paraffin to light or revive a barbecue.

• Make sure barbecues are fully out and cold before disposing of ashes—never in plastic bins.

For more detailed advice, visit Beat the heat: hot weather advice - GOV.UK.

Let’s all do our part to keep Hertfordshire safe and enjoyable during the summer heatwave!

Fact-based news without bias awaits. Make 1440 your choice today.

Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.

Sign up now!

Local Businesses Shine with Gold Food Hygiene Awards Across Hertfordshire

There’s plenty to celebrate in Hertfordshire as a wave of local businesses have been recognised for their outstanding commitment to food safety and hygiene. Earning the coveted Gold Food Hygiene Award is no small feat, and it’s a testament to the hard work, dedication, and high standards upheld by our local establishments.

Among the standout winners this year are Mudlarks Community Garden and SOKA Food, both based in East Herts, who have each received the prestigious Herts Responsible Food Award. These accolades celebrate not just excellent food hygiene, but also the positive steps taken to support local health and protect the environment.

The awards are a clear sign of the pride and passion local businesses put into their work every day, making Hertfordshire a safer, healthier, and more vibrant place to live and dine. With many more businesses joining the list of winners, it’s a great time to support your favourite local spots and discover new ones that are committed to the highest standards.

For a full list of Gold Award recipients and more information on the Herts Responsible Food Awards, visit: this link.

Congratulations again to all the winners—your efforts keep our community safe and thriving.

Hertfordshire Councillors Honoured in King's Birthday List

Great news for Hertfordshire's local government! Two of the County Council's long-serving councillors, Stephen Giles-Medhurst and Seamus Quilty, have been recognized in the King's Birthday Honours list.

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst received an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire). He shared his delight, highlighting that this honour isn't just for him, but a wonderful tribute to the vital, often unseen, hard work everyone in local government does to make a real difference in people's lives.

Councillor Seamus Quilty was appointed a BEM (Medallist of the Order of the British Empire).

Councillor Laurence Brass, Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council, extended heartfelt congratulations to both Stephen and Seamus, commending their decades of dedicated service to their local communities as both county and district councillors.

It's fantastic to see their long-standing commitment to Hertfordshire officially celebrated!

COMMUNITY UPDATE

NORTH HERTS

Cut Your Energy Bills: Free Home Upgrades for North Herts Residents!

Struggling with high energy bills or a chilly home? North Herts residents may qualify for free energy-saving improvements through the Warm Homes: Local Grant.

You could be eligible if:

• Your home’s EPC rating is D, E, F, or G

• Your household income is under £36,000

• Or if you live in a qualifying postcode or receive certain benefits

Upgrades include insulation, better heating, and more—helping you stay warm and save money.

Check your eligibility today and get ready for a warmer, more affordable winter in North Herts, click button!

WATFORD

Cassiobury Park Splash Pools Face Ongoing Technical Issues

It’s been a frustrating few days for families hoping to cool off at Cassiobury Park’s popular splash pools. In the past 48 hours, the splash area has opened and closed several times due to persistent technical issues—leaving many residents confused and disappointed, especially with temperatures on the rise.

The council has been posting updates on social media as the situation changes. Out of frustration, some are asking what summer will look like without the splash pools in action.

Here’s the latest from the council:

🚫 “Unfortunately, our splash pools are currently closed due to a technical issue. We're working to get things back up and running as soon as possible and will let you know when they're open again. Thanks for your patience and understanding!”

💦 “We are pleased to announce that the Cassiobury Park splash pools are now open! Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

For real-time updates and information, visit: Cassiobury Park Activities

We’ll keep you posted as soon as there’s more news!

STEVENAGE

Stevenage’s “Zebra Women” Cycle London to Brighton for Rare Disease Awareness

Five inspiring Stevenage women—Hazel, Jenny, Karen, Penny, and Tracy—will cycle 55 miles from London to Brighton this Sunday, joined by their eye-catching “zebra” mascot. Their mission: to raise funds and awareness for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a little-known and often misdiagnosed connective tissue disorder.

The ride is especially personal for the team, as Tracy’s daughter Abbie was recently diagnosed with EDS after years of unexplained symptoms. EDS can cause severe pain, fatigue, and even require wheelchairs or feeding tubes, but most sufferers struggle for years before getting the right diagnosis.

The group is supporting Ehlers-Danlos Support UK, a charity offering vital information and advocacy for those living with EDS.

Support their cause and learn more: justgiving.com/page/pez-eds

WEDNESDAY WEATHER ☀️ 🌡️ 

WELWYN GARDEN CITY

25°C 🌡️ 12°C | 🌤️ Sunny interval and light winds | ☀️ Sunrise 04:41 Sunset 21:23

STEVENAGE

25°C 🌡️ 12°C | 🌤️ Sunny interval and light winds | ☀️ Sunrise 04:41 Sunset 21:23

HERTFORD

25°C 🌡️ 12°C | ☀️ Sunny and light winds | ☀️ Sunrise 04:41 Sunset 21:23

LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY

25°C 🌡️ 11°C | ☀️ Sunny and light winds | ☀️ Sunrise 04:41 Sunset 21:24

Thanks for Reading!

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

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]