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Good morning {{first_name | there}},
The heatwave has broken - a cooler breeze is here, and we can finally sleep better. The open water warning stays in place though. At least 18 people have lost their lives in water-related incidents across the UK this year, many of them children. Please have that conversation with your kids before they head out this summer.
Armed Forces Day brought Hertfordshire together beautifully, from Dacorum to Broxbourne, service personnel, cadets, families and council leaders were out in force on a gorgeous sunny day.
As June closes, the big question hanging over the county is Local Government Reorganisation. Two unitary authorities? Three? Four? The announcement is coming. We'll have it covered.
Everything else from across the boroughs is below.
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🏛️ Hertfordshire County Council
⚠️ Urgent warning from the Chief Fire Officer: keep your children away from open water
Hertfordshire's Chief Fire Officer Alex Woodman has issued an urgent public safety warning after at least 18 water-related deaths across the UK this year, many of them children and young people. Even in extreme heat, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and canals remain dangerously cold - jumping in to cool off can trigger cold water shock and cause drowning within seconds. If someone gets into trouble: call 999 and ask for the fire service, tell them to float on their back, and throw something that floats. Never enter the water yourself to attempt a rescue.
You can get free trees this winter - and Hertfordshire just made it easier than ever
Hertfordshire County Council has launched its biggest-ever round of the 'Your Tree Our Future' scheme, offering at least 100,000 free native trees to residents across the county. Each household can apply for up to five individual trees from eight native species, or swap one for a hedgerow pack covering 6 metres. Trees are allocated per district and borough and will be ready for collection from local distribution points in December 2026.
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🎖️ ARMED FORCES DAY 2026
Hertfordshire stood together last week to say thank you to those who serve
Armed Forces Day was marked across every corner of Hertfordshire last week, with councils, veterans, councillors and community organisations gathering for flag-raising ceremonies, civic events and tributes. In Hertsmere, Mayor Cllr Parveen Rani led a flag ceremony at the Civic Offices with the Borehamwood Royal British Legion and a live performance of The Last Post by bugler Adrian Temple. Councils from Rickmansworth to St Albans joined in, united by Hertfordshire's Armed Forces Community Covenant - a standing promise to ensure those who serve are treated fairly and fully supported.
North Herts Armed Forces Covenant → Stevenage Armed Forces Day → Hertsmere tribute → Three Rivers flag raising →
🤖 Are you building with AI in Hertfordshire?
A new WhatsApp group just launched for Hertfordshire-based vibe coders - people using AI tools to build the next generation of SaaS products, automate workflows and drive real business revenue.
If you're experimenting with AI, shipping products, or just want to swap notes with others who are actually building, this is your group.
👉 AI Builders Hertfordshire - join the Vibe Coder WhatsApp Group
📧 Email [email protected] to get the link
NEWS IN YOUR AREA
🏛️ NORTH HERTS COUNCIL
Royston's leisure centre has been transformed - and 800 people turned up to prove it
Royston Leisure Centre reopened in style last Saturday with a free community open day that pulled in over 800 visitors, marking the completion of a £1.8 million gym extension that has more than doubled its original size. Olympic sprint relay athlete Harry Aikines-Aryeetey cut the ribbon alongside council leaders, then spent the day signing autographs and meeting fans across three packed sessions. The pool changing village has also been fully refurbished, and families enjoyed free swimming, fitness classes, wheelchair basketball and pickleball throughout the day.
🏛️ EAST HERTS DISTRICT COUNCIL
East Herts now has an official blueprint for safer walking and cycling routes
East Herts Council and Hertfordshire County Council have jointly adopted a new Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), setting out a long-term network of priority routes for people who walk, wheel and cycle across the district. The plan was shaped by two public consultations and input from schools, cycling groups and local residents, and will now be used to bid for funding from sources including the Department for Transport. Having the LCWIP formally adopted strengthens the councils' ability to secure investment from new developments as well as central government.
The East Herts Community Safety Partnership is running a week of activity from today, Monday 29 June, through to Tuesday 6 July, focused on tackling anti-social behaviour. On Tuesday 30 June (Victims' Day), the council launches a survey to hear directly from people who have experienced or witnessed ASB in the district. Neighbourhood policing teams and community organisations will be out across East Herts throughout the week - if you have been affected, this is the week to report it.
East Herts is giving away 25 free water butts - enter before Wednesday night
East Herts Council is running a prize draw for 25 free 100-litre water butts, open to all East Herts residents. Water butts collect rainwater for use in the garden, cutting reliance on mains water through dry spells. You have until 11.59pm on Wednesday 1 July to enter online.
🏛️ ST ALBANS CITY AND DISTRICT COUNCIL
Central St Albans is one step closer to having its own parish council
Councillors have recommended the creation of a new St Albans City Centre Parish Council covering more than 28,000 households in the currently unparished area of the city. A ballot of local households returned 78% in favour, and the proposal goes to full Council for a final decision on Wednesday 15 July. If approved, a Shadow Parish Council will begin preparatory work ahead of elections in May 2027.
🏛️ DACORUM BOROUGH COUNCIL
Hemel schoolchildren unveiled a safer crossing - and it's part of a bigger connected route
A new signal-controlled toucan crossing has opened on Jarman Way in Hemel Hempstead, improving pedestrian and cycling access between local neighbourhoods, shops and leisure facilities at Jarman Park. Children from Lime Walk Primary School joined county and borough councillors to mark the opening, which completes the second phase of a wider active travel route that began with a crossing over the A414 in 2024. The project was funded through the Government's Active Travel Fund.
New planning rules are in place to shape how Hemel Hempstead grows over the next decade
Dacorum Borough Council and St Albans City and District Council have jointly adopted two Supplementary Planning Documents guiding the development of Hemel Garden Communities, the major growth project covering land to the north and east of Hemel Hempstead. The documents set out how new neighbourhoods should be built and how community assets and infrastructure will be managed long-term. They will be a material consideration in any planning applications for the Hemel Garden Communities area going forward.
🏛️ WATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
Watford's bin crews faced 490 abuse incidents last year - last week the town said thank you instead
Veolia and Watford Borough Council marked the first-ever High-Viz Heroes Day last Thursday, celebrating the refuse collectors, street cleansers and recycling sorters who keep Watford clean. The campaign shines a light on a troubling trend: in 2025, Veolia recorded 490 cases of abuse towards frontline staff nationally, including physical attacks. Residents were invited to share compliments and words of thanks, which were passed directly to the crews who rarely hear them - you can still add yours using #HighVizHeroesDay on social media.
🏛️ HERTSMERE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Eight people just completed Hertfordshire's first LGBTQ+ mentoring qualification - and the next cohort is open
Eight learners graduated from the county's first-ever LGBTQ+ Mentoring Skills programme at a celebration hosted at Hertsmere's Civic Offices, receiving nationally recognised NCFE Level 1 qualifications. The course, designed by LGBTQ+ people for LGBTQ+ people and delivered by Hertfordshire-based Impactful Governance, ran from January to June 2026 and covered mentor skills, preparing for mentoring relationships and supporting others in the community. Recruitment for the 2027 cohort is already open.
🏛️ STEVENAGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
St Nicholas in Stevenage has £20 million to invest in its community - and needs a chairperson to help guide it
St Nicholas has secured long-term Pride in Place funding to improve local neighbourhoods and give residents a stronger voice, and is looking for an independent volunteer chairperson to lead inclusive meetings, bring people together and oversee how the £20 million fund is used. No formal experience is required — just strong links to the St Nicholas community and a commitment to keeping decisions fair and open. Note: the application deadline was midnight on Sunday 28 June - this has now passed. Contact the team directly to check if late expressions of interest are being accepted.
🏛️ WELWYN HATFIELD BOROUGH COUNCIL
Welwyn Garden City has a free self-guided heritage trail - and it's worth your summer afternoon
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has launched a free self-guided heritage and public art trail through Welwyn Garden City town centre, taking in historic landmarks, public art and hidden gems. An interactive online map and printed guide are both available, along with a separate child-friendly version for younger explorers. The trail starts at Campus West, and free printed guides can be picked up at locations across the town.
Oak Hill has just won Gold Standard bereavement accreditation - and donated £17,000 to a local heart charity
Oak Hill Lawn Cemetery and Crematorium, run in partnership with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, has been awarded Gold Standard status for both its cemetery and crematorium services, recognising excellence in bereavement care. The team has also donated £17,000 to Hearts for Herts - a local charity providing defibrillators and life-saving education - from proceeds raised through a metals recycling scheme.
🌟 Give your child the AI skills schools aren't teaching yet
SparkAI Academy's AI Entrepreneur Summer Bootcamp is a free workshop for young people aged 11–16, designed to equip them with the AI fluency tomorrow's workplace will demand.
📅 Monday 21 July 2026 | 5:00pm – 6:30pm
💻 Online via Zoom
🎟️ Free — only 15 spots available
📧 Sign up: [email protected]
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
🎉 Golden Days, Watford FC Legends Evening
📍 Metropolitan Bushey, Aldenham Road, Bushey, WD23 2TR
🗓️ Wednesday 8 July 2026
⏰ Doors open 6:30pm, Meet & Greet (Aldenham Room), Main event starts 8:00pm
💷 £25 per ticket
🔗 https://www.w3rt.org/golden_days
🍺 Hertford Castle Beer & World Food Festival
📍 Hertford Castle, Hertford
🗓️ Saturday 4 July 2026
⏰ 12:00pm to 6:00pm (Free entry to the castle until 4:00pm)
🎟️ Free entry
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/hertfordcastle
💼 SparkAI Academy, AI Entrepreneur Summer Bootcamp
📍 Online (Zoom)
🗓️ Monday 21 July 2026
⏰ 5:00pm to 6:30pm
🎟️ Free workshop, only 15 places available (Ages 11 to 16)
📧 Register: [email protected]
🌿 Camp Unity 2026
📍 Borehamwood
🗓️ Sunday 26 July to Friday 31 July 2026
💷 £50 per child for the week
📅 Booking closes 12 July
📧 Book: [email protected]
MONDAY MOTIVATION
Every storm runs out of rain. Every dark night turns into day. Your season is changing
— Unknown
Happy Monday!
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
MONDAY WEATHER 🌦 WATFORD
WATFORD
Monday 29 June 24°C 🌡️ 14°C | ⛅ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 04:41 | Sunset 21:21
Tuesday 30 June 24°C 🌡️ 12°C | ⛅ Sunny intervals
Wednesday 1 July 24°C 🌡️ 14°C | ⛅ Sunny intervals
Thursday 2 July 25°C 🌡️ 12°C | ⛅ Sunny intervals
Friday 3 July 25°C 🌡️ 13°C | ☀️ Sunny
Source: BBC Weather — updated 28 June 2026
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Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya
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