A big well done to everyone across Hertfordshire named in this weekend's King's Birthday Honours, including Chloe Kelly, whose second county moment of the year follows that gritter named in her honour earlier on. The World Cup is in full swing, and Watford FC's Nestory Irankunda has already made history, becoming Australia's youngest-ever World Cup goal scorer in Saturday's 2-0 win over Türkiye. It's also been Green Festival Week across many of our councils, bringing environment-themed activities to families and residents. The weather has been kind this weekend, and it's set to get even warmer next week - more on that below. Scroll on for the stories making news across Hertfordshire this week.

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The county's on-demand minibus service, HertsLynx, has now completed 250,000 passenger journeys since launching in North and East Herts in September 2021 and expanding into Dacorum in December 2023. The service runs 12 accessible minibuses, with bookings via app, website, or phone, and pulled a 96% five-star rating across 12,000 reviews. In a recent survey, Hertford was the most-requested new pick-up location in the North and East area, and Hemel Hempstead Hospital topped the list in Dacorum — the council says it is exploring further expansion.

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For Loneliness Awareness Week 2026, Hertfordshire County Council has published a directory of free local services for residents feeling isolated, regardless of age or background. Options include Age UK Hertfordshire (befriending, gardening, home support), HertsHelp (free confidential advice), Hertfordshire Health Walks (free group walks), Community Spaces (drop-in social activities), and Hospital and Community Navigation Service (help moving safely from hospital back home). Library events, family centres, and volunteering opportunities are also listed — share with anyone who might benefit.

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Four new family homes have officially opened at Blossom Gardens in Cheshunt, part of a 26-home affordable scheme on the site of a former nursery. Delivered by local housing association B3Living, prices for a 30% shared ownership share start from £166,000 — a significant step for families locked out of a borough where average semi-detached prices exceed £500,000 and council waiting lists stretch beyond 23 years. The homes come with air source heat pumps, EV charging points and a B energy rating.

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East Herts Council has opened its first public consultation on a new Local Plan, which will set the direction for housing, employment, infrastructure and green space across the district for the next two decades. This is the early "Scoping Consultation" stage, meaning your input now will shape what questions the plan even asks — residents, businesses, and community groups are all welcome. You can respond online, by email to [email protected], or by post to the Planning Policy Team at Wallfields, Hertford — the deadline is Friday 10 July.

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Hertsmere Borough Council has issued a formal statement on the planned mosque and community facility in Borehamwood after the proposal attracted controversy. The Borehamwood Islamic Society has held a temporary agreement on the former Girl Guide hut site since 2020 and has now secured a 999-year lease for that footprint only — no parkland is being lost, and Maxwell Park itself is unaffected. Any actual construction will still go through the full statutory planning process, including public consultation on issues like traffic and parking.

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Hertsmere Borough Council is consulting on proposals to require planning permission for converting family homes into small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in four Potters Bar wards: Parkfield, Oakmere, Furzefield, and Bentley Heath & The Royds. The proposed Article 4 Direction would give the council more control over how the private rental mix in those areas changes over time. The consultation closes Tuesday 17 June 2026 — if you live or own property in those wards, today is effectively your last chance to respond.

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The redeveloped King George V Skatepark in Hitchin was celebrated with a free community event on 29 May, drawing skateboarders, BMX riders, scooter users and families for a day of coaching, competitions and open riding. The park was designed with input from local riders during 2023 and 2024, and built in partnership with Groundwork East and Canvas Spaces, featuring a mini ramp, street section and open bowl. It also serves as a tribute to local young skater Ben Patane.

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Just weeks before St Albans is due to adopt its first Local Plan since 1994, the Government has instructed the council to start work on another one by the end of June — to bring it in line with revised national planning policies and new housing need calculations. St Albans is one of 39 councils across England issued with this instruction, and must complete the new plan by 2029 — a complication given the council is also due to be abolished in spring 2028 as part of local government reorganisation. The existing plan, which provides for 15,000 new homes and £750 million of infrastructure, remains on track to be adopted next month.

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Custom-built solar panels are to be installed at Verulamium Museum later this year, as part of the council's carbon reduction programme. The project follows the completion of a new sustainable IKO Carrera roof — reportedly the first of its kind installed by any local authority in the country — which both improves energy efficiency and helps convert certain greenhouse gases into harmless compounds. The council has also distributed 12,000 free trees, reseeded nearly 6,000 square metres of land as wild meadow, and secured a £1.5 million Warm Homes grant to help low-income households this year.

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Councillors have approved the permanent lease of an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) vehicle after a successful 15-month trial, which found it was covering 60% more locations per day than before — the equivalent of four extra parking officers on patrol. The electric vehicle scans plates in real time, flags permit and ticket violations, and alerts Civil Enforcement Officers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices. It costs around £35,000 a year to lease, and in the entire trial only two complaints were received — both from residents who had misunderstood what the vehicle was doing.

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Agrawal Estate Ltd, registered in Harrow, has been fined £14,040 with a £2,000 victim surcharge and £10,000 in council costs after illegally felling 12 Lawson's Cypress and one Blue Atlas Cedar at The Court in Rickmansworth Road, Chorleywood — a Grade II listed building inside the Chorleywood Conservation Area. The company pleaded guilty at St Albans Magistrates Court on 1 June 2026, and a company representative has agreed in writing to replant 30 new trees on the site within six months. Conservation areas legally require six weeks' written notice to the council before any tree with a stem diameter over 75mm can be felled.

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Woodside Leisure Centre in Watford hosted the PowerHouseGames on 10 June, bringing together more than 50 pupils from local primary and secondary schools — including those with additional needs and disabilities — alongside adult day service groups and corporate volunteers. Six inclusive sports were on offer: wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, boccia, goalball, adapted tennis and new age kurling, with all participants mixed across 12 teams. The event was part of Hertfordshire's No Limits 2026 Year of Disability Sport, organised by Power2Inspire with support from Co-op, Watford Borough Council, London Titans Wheelchair Basketball Club and Saracens Wheelchair Rugby Club.

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Watford Borough Council received the Bronze Award in the Economic Development category at the 2026 LGC Awards for its submission on the town centre strategy. Judges recognised the council's long-term approach to treating Watford town centre as one connected journey rather than separate zones — built around economic resilience, greener travel, and community life. Watford was also ranked in the top 10 most sustainable places to run a business in England and consistently achieves some of the highest footfall figures in Hertfordshire.

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Nestory Irankunda, Watford FC's 20-year-old right-winger, scored Australia's opening goal of the 2026 World Cup in Saturday's 2-0 win over Türkiye in Vancouver, becoming the youngest Socceroo ever to score at a World Cup. Born in Tanzania to Burundian refugee parents, Irankunda finished a 27th-minute counter-attack while pursued by three defenders, celebrated by punching the corner flag in tribute to Tim Cahill, and was named Player of the Match. Australia face co-hosts USA next on Thursday 19 June, then Paraguay on Friday 26 June, as they push to progress from Group D.

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Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has taken home the LGC Award for Public/Public Partnership at this year's Local Government Chronicle Awards, held in London on 10 June. The winning entry covered the council's collaboration with Hertfordshire Constabulary and over a dozen other partners to bring the Knife Angel — a 27-foot sculpture made from 100,000 confiscated knives — to Welwyn Garden City for a month in October 2025. The project delivered a full programme of education, prevention and community events, and has left a legacy through a new network of Anti-Violence Champions.

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This Girl Can Week returns to Welwyn Hatfield from Monday 16 to Sunday 21 June, with approximately 50 sports and fitness sessions available, most of them free. Activities include ladies-only kickboxing, volleyball, mixed martial arts, archery, tennis, weightlifting with an Olympic coach, and Ping Pong Social — with something on offer whatever your age or ability. Check the full event calendar and book your spot online at one.welhat.gov.uk/thisgirlcan.

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Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council is consulting on whether to create a new Parish Council for Welwyn Garden City, which would give the town its own layer of local representation for the first time. Parish councils can take on local services, apply for grants, and provide a direct voice for residents on planning and community issues. You can share your views online at the link below.

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📍 Various venues across Welwyn Hatfield
🗓️ Monday 16 June to Sunday 21 June 2026
🎟️ Free entry, most sessions require booking
ℹ️ A week of sports and activity sessions designed to encourage women and girls to get active.
👉 https://one.welhat.gov.uk/whats/girl-can

📍 Allum Hall, Allum Lane, Borehamwood, WD6 3PJ
🗓️ Tuesday 17 June 2026
⏰ 4pm to 9pm
🎟️ Free entry, no booking required
ℹ️ Health stalls, wellbeing talks and local services. All welcome.

📍 Knebworth Community Library, Knebworth
🗓️ Friday 19 June 2026
⏰ From 10:30am
🎟️ Free entry, donations welcome (cash only, please bring change)
ℹ️ Part of Knebworth Festival Week. All donations support the library directly.

📍 Parade starts at South Mill Arts, Bishop's Stortford, followed by a fun day at Sworders Field
🗓️ Saturday 20 June 2026
⏰ Parade from 11:15am | Fun Day 12pm to 5pm
🎟️ Free entry
ℹ️ Free parking available at Northgate End, courtesy of East Herts District Council.
👉 https://www.bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk

📍 White Lion Square, Hatfield
🗓️ Saturday 20 June 2026
⏰ 11am to 4pm
🎟️ Free entry
ℹ️ Local makers, community groups, face painting, games and activities for children.

📍 Hertford Castle, Hertford
🗓️ Saturday 20 June 2026
⏰ 12pm to 4pm
🎟️ Free entry
ℹ️ Live performances, Garden City Samba, circus skills, karaoke, stalls and food vendors. Sponsored by GSK.
👉 https://ow.ly/8fwb50Z9Qqx

📍 Hoddesdon (venue to be confirmed by Broxbourne Council)
🗓️ Saturday 20 June 2026
⏰ 11:15am, Mufasa: The Lion King | 1:30pm, The Goonies | 4pm, Grease
🎟️ Free entry
ℹ️ Bring chairs and blankets.

📍 Radley Care Home, Gregson Close, Borehamwood, WD6 5RG
🗓️ Tuesday 23 June 2026
⏰ 12pm to 2:30pm
🎟️ Free entry, no booking required
ℹ️ Bring your own picnic and blanket. Chair tennis, arts and crafts, board games, plus local dementia support organisations. Open to people living with dementia, carers and loved ones.
👉 https://www.communities1st.org.uk/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=7365

📍 Welwyn Garden City Golf Club
🗓️ Saturday 27 June 2026
⏰ From 12 noon | Kids Zone 6pm to 9pm (booking required)
🎟️ Free entry for members and their guests
ℹ️ Bouncy castle, inflatable surf simulator, mini golf, magic shows, BBQ and bar.

📍 Ware Priory, Ware
🗓️ Saturday 11 July 2026
⏰ 12pm to 11pm
💷 Advance tickets £6 (includes a complimentary half-pint ale token) | Children free with a paying adult
ℹ️ Featuring 27 real ales, ciders, live music and a BBQ hosted by 5th Ware Scouts. All proceeds support local charities.
👉 https://www.waretowncouncil.gov.uk

Free 12-week Stop Smoking Support — Three Rivers Three Rivers Healthy Hub is offering a free 12-week Stop Smoking Support Programme. Drop in to any of the hubs to start or get advice — no appointment needed. Call 01923 727239 or visit: https://orlo.uk/M3skN

HODDESDON

Monday 16 June 19°C 🌡️ 9°C | ⛅ Partly cloudy | ☀️ Sunrise 04:40 | Sunset 21:20

Tuesday 17 June 23°C 🌡️ 13°C | ⛅ Partly cloudy | ☀️ Sunrise 04:40 | Sunset 21:20

Wednesday 18 June 21°C 🌡️ 15°C | 🌧️ Patchy rain possible | ☀️ Sunrise 04:40 | Sunset 21:21

Thursday 19 June 25°C 🌡️ 11°C | ⛅ Partly cloudy | ☀️ Sunrise 04:40 | Sunset 21:21

Friday 20 June 28°C 🌡️ 15°C | ☀️ Clear and sunny | ☀️ Sunrise 04:40 | Sunset 21:21

Source: Holiday Weather — updated 14 June 2026

Heads up: hotter weather is coming the week after next.

Forecasters expect temperatures across Hertfordshire and the south-east to climb significantly from the weekend onwards, with the Met Office's long-range outlook (16-25 June) pointing to high pressure becoming more dominant and conditions turning "very warm", possibly above 30°C around Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 June. UV and pollen levels will be high. The Met Office has not declared this a heatwave, but it's a sharp jump from the cool, wet start to the month - worth planning around if you have young children, elderly relatives, or outdoor commitments next week.

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