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What a night. England went to the Azteca, played more than half the match a man down after Jarell Quansah's red card, and still found a way to win 3-2 against a Mexico side that hadn't lost a World Cup match on that pitch in nearly forty years. Bellingham, Kane, the lot. If you stayed up for it, you'll know it was worth the tired eyes. Norway's up next on Saturday, and schools are not being told to go easy on late arrivals today, so a 1am kick-off isn't landing as an excuse with attendance officers anywhere in Hertfordshire.
Speaking of things you can't argue your way out of: it's set to be a proper scorcher across the county this week, peaking Tuesday to Thursday with the south and east of Herts likely seeing the high 20s, maybe touching 30. Not quite last month's record-breaker, but hot enough. Get the foil up at the window, dig out the fan, top up the paddling pool, whatever your method. Just drink more water than feels necessary and find some shade in the afternoons.
I've curated more than usual for you today. Normally I keep this tight, but there's genuinely a lot on across Hertfordshire right now, and it's the kind of stretch of summer where the best move is to close the laptop and go find one of these events in person.
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🏛️ Hertfordshire County Council
Over 1,400 pupils learned where their food actually comes from at Hertfordshire Schools Day
More than 1,400 pupils from 39 Hertfordshire schools spent the day at the Hertfordshire Showground near Redbourn on 30 June, taking part in tractor rides, livestock displays and a sheep show as part of the fifth annual Hertfordshire Schools Day. A new Career Inspiration Zone, backed by Hertfordshire Futures, introduced 14-18 year olds to careers in farming, environmental science and food production, with support from the Royal Veterinary College and local employers. The event was organised by Schools' Food and Farming Day, with backing from Hertfordshire County Council and the emergency services.
A Hertfordshire care worker stole from a disabled person in his care, and got a suspended sentence
Callum Lang, a former Hertfordshire County Council support worker, was found guilty of defrauding a vulnerable adult with learning disabilities who was in his care, after the council's Shared Anti-Fraud Service flagged suspicious transactions on the adult's bank account. The offences ran between August 2019 and September 2021, and Lang was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on 30 June to 22 months in prison suspended for two years, 200 hours unpaid work, and ordered to pay £6,858 in compensation plus costs and a victim surcharge. The council says anyone can report suspected fraud confidentially to its Shared Anti-Fraud Service or by email.
Free festival-style sessions for teenagers land in five Hertfordshire towns this August
Herts Summer Parks returns for its second year, offering three weeks of free activities for young people aged 12-16, including inflatables, climbing, graffiti art and archery, plus a free food voucher at every session. Sessions run from 3 to 21 August across Borehamwood, Waltham Cross, Watford, Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage, delivered by Sporting Inspirations CIC in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council and Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership. Registration is open now for fast-track entry, and the Watford dates and times are listed in the events section below.
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NEWS IN YOUR AREA
🏛️ NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE
North Herts hands out £3,858 to fund bike racks, a projector and addiction recovery support
North Herts Council has awarded £3,858 to three Southern Rural community projects following recommendations from the local Community Forum. Pirton School gets £858 for bike and scooter racks, Preston Village Hall receives £1,500 for a projector and screen, and Resolve gets £1,500 towards a key worker delivering group therapy for residents dealing with drug and alcohol misuse. Community groups can apply for future funding through the council's community grants scheme.
Giant inflatable body parts you can crawl through return to North Herts Museum this summer
North Herts Museum brings back its 2019 hit exhibition Blood and Bone, an immersive trail of giant inflatable sculptures modelled on cells, blood vessels and bone structures. It runs free from 4 July to 20 September at the museum on Brand Street, Hitchin, open Tuesday to Saturday and Sunday afternoons. No booking required, and it marks the museum's seventh birthday.
North Herts wants to know your favourite place in the district before it disappears into a reorganisation
North Herts Council has launched Love North Herts, asking residents to nominate the walking routes, buildings, green spaces and views that matter most to them, to build a lasting record of the district's identity. The timing isn't neutral: it's explicitly framed around Local Government Reorganisation, which could see North Herts folded into a larger unitary authority in the coming years. You have until Sunday 12 July to submit a nomination.
Put your bins out the night before, North Herts warns as crews start rounds earlier in the heat
North Herts Council is asking residents to put bins out the evening before collection day as crews start earlier to beat the worst of the heat. Contractor Veolia has introduced lightweight uniforms and extra water breaks for crews during the hot spell. If your bin isn't collected on time, leave it out and the crew will catch up once rounds are back on schedule.
🏛️ STEVENAGE
Stevenage wants your feedback on new solar lights at Fairlands Valley Park
Stevenage Borough Council has installed solar lighting along a path near the Cycling Hub and model boat pond at Fairlands Valley Park, aimed at making the route safer to use after dark. The trial runs until late September and follows community feedback about evening safety in the park. You have until 10 October to give feedback via the council's online survey.
🏛️ WELWYN HATFIELD
600 Year 5 pupils take on tug of war and archery at the 15th Welwyn Hatfield Games
More than 600 Year 5 pupils from 16 local schools competed in golf, dodgeball, archery and athletics at this year's Welwyn Hatfield Games at Gosling Sports Park. Now in its 15th year, the multi-sport event began ahead of the London 2012 Olympics, and this year saw pupils representing 28 countries at the opening ceremony. Hertfordshire Constabulary also ran self-defence sessions for the children.
Council seeks views on a proposed crackdown on anti-social behaviour at Parkhouse Court, Hatfield
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council wants residents, businesses and visitors to weigh in on a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order for the area around Parkhouse Court, following reports of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour, drug use and aggressive begging. If approved, the order would give council officers and Hertfordshire Constabulary extra powers to tackle the problems in the designated area. You have until 11:59pm on Sunday 26 July to have your say online.
Nando's, Pandora and a luxury menswear store are coming to the Howard Centre in Welwyn Garden City
The Howard Centre in Welwyn Garden City is bringing in six new or relocated shops, including Nando's on the ground floor with outdoor seating over Howardsgate, and menswear retailer Kensington Avenue in the main atrium. Søstrene Grene is combining three units into a new flagship store, and Pandora and Roman are both relocating within the centre. Once complete, the moves will bring six previously vacant units back into use.
🏛️ HERTSMERE
Hertsmere invests over half a million pounds in street cleaning and enforcement officers
Hertsmere Borough Council has hired more staff and equipment for street cleaning, promising more frequent pavement washing, graffiti removal and litter patrols across the borough. The council has also boosted its community enforcement team, with more officers tackling littering and fly-tipping. The investment totals more than £500,000.
Three new accessible, energy-efficient homes in Borehamwood win a Hertfordshire building award
Three new four-bedroom council homes on Caishowe Road in Borehamwood have been completed, two of them adapted with lifts and hoists for residents with complex disabilities. The scheme, delivered with construction partners Ermine and Pellings, won Gold for Best New Social Housing (Small Scale) at the Hertfordshire Building Control Awards 2026. It's part of the council's wider push to increase affordable, accessible housing in the borough.
RSPCA Southridge in Potters Bar is one of six centres nationally piloting a dog fostering scheme, and needs your help
RSPCA Southridge Animal Centre on Packhorse Lane, Potters Bar, is one of six RSPCA centres nationally to appoint a dedicated fostering coordinator as part of a new pilot scheme, launched as the charity faces record numbers of dogs and cats in its care. Southridge's fostering coordinator, Robin Monk, says taking dogs into home environments gives staff a better sense of their temperament and frees up space in the centre's stretched kennels. The RSPCA covers all costs for approved foster carers, including food, vet bills and equipment. Anyone interested can email [email protected], call 0300 123 0704, or visit the centre on Packhorse Lane, Potters Bar EN6 3LZ.
Potters Bar residents get a second say on plans for a new parish council
Hertsmere Borough Council has published draft proposals for a Potters Bar parish council, including how many councillors it would have and how the town would be divided into wards, after 72% of the 604 people who responded to the first consultation backed the idea. The second stage runs from Wednesday 1 July to midnight on Sunday 23 August. Two in-person drop-in sessions are being held at Wyllyots Theatre: Monday 13 July (12:30-2:30pm) and Wednesday 19 August (6:30-8:30pm).
🏛️ DACORUM
New five-year repairs contract brings live tracking of your Cardo engineer
Dacorum Borough Council's five-year repairs contract with Cardo started on 1 July with changes shaped by tenant feedback, including live appointment tracking and a photo and name of the operative visiting your home. Reporting a repair works the same way as before. The contract also brings local apprenticeships, training and community investment projects to the borough.
Eleven local business owners pitched their ideas to the Dacorum's Den panel and were awarded up to £1,500 each, plus free marketing, sales coaching and networking support. Winners include a schools sustainability retrofit programme, a community wellbeing hub and a board game designer. This year's sponsors were Beeches Group, West Herts College, Sureserve Compliance Central and Cardo Group.
🏛️ THREE RIVERS
Have your say on protecting Rickmansworth's historic character before 12 August
Three Rivers District Council is updating its Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan for Rickmansworth, which could see Rickmansworth Station and the Telephone Exchange on Rectory Lane added to the protected boundary. A public exhibition is being held at Three Rivers House on Thursday 16 July, 3:30pm-7:30pm, where you can view the plan and talk to officers. The consultation closes on Wednesday 12 August.
Expect delays on Riverside Drive, Rickmansworth this Thursday and Friday as diseased willows come down
Contractors will remove three willow trees with basal decay and prune two more on Riverside Drive on Thursday 9 July, with temporary two-way traffic lights near Ebury Way Play Area from 9:30am to 3:30pm. Work continues on Friday 10 July without traffic management, though marshals will be on hand for the shared cycle and footpath. Plan ahead if you use this route.
🏛️ EAST HERTS
Tell East Herts what you want from housing and growth before Friday 10 July
East Herts Council is running a Scoping Consultation for its new Local Plan, which will set out how the district grows while protecting its character. Key issues include housing, employment, infrastructure, and the health and wellbeing of local communities. You have until Friday 10 July to have your say.
🏛️ BROXBOURNE
Free Lark in the Park activities return to Broxbourne parks this summer
Broxbourne Council's Lark in the Park programme is back, running free activities across the borough's parks every weekday from Monday 27 July to Friday 21 August. Full details on locations and timings are expected closer to the start date.
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📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
Neighbourhood Day Litter Pick
📅 Date: Wednesday 8 July 2026
🕘 Time: 9:00am to 3:00pm
📍 Location: Pathway between Riversmeet and Aldi, East Herts
💷 Cost: Free, drop in
ℹ️ Details: Bring gloves, water and a packed lunch.
🔗 More information: Riversmeet Self Help Facebook page
Carers in Hertfordshire Drop-in Information Event
📅 Date: Tuesday 7 July 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00am to 2:00pm
📍 Location: Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage
💷 Cost: Free, booking requested
ℹ️ Details: Information and support for unpaid carers.
🔗 More information: Call 01992 58 69 69 or email [email protected]
Riverside Drive Tree Works (Traffic Delays)
📅 Date: Thursday 9 to Friday 10 July 2026
🕤 Time: Temporary traffic lights, 9:30am to 3:30pm (Thursday only)
📍 Location: Riverside Drive, near Ebury Way Play Area, Rickmansworth
💷 Cost: Not applicable
ℹ️ Details: Tree works taking place. Expect traffic delays.
🔗 More information: https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/news/tree-works-riverside-drive
Rickmansworth CAAMP Public Exhibition
📅 Date: Thursday 16 July 2026
🕞 Time: 3:30pm to 7:30pm
📍 Location: Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth WD3 1RL
💷 Cost: Free
ℹ️ Details: No booking required.
🔗 More information: https://haveyoursay.threerivers.gov.uk/rickmansworth-conservation-area-appraisal-consultation
NASA Live Q&A with Dr Nicky Fox
📅 Date: Friday 17 July 2026
🕠 Time: 5:30pm to 6:30pm
📍 Location: St Mary's Church, Hitchin
💷 Cost: Tickets sold out
ℹ️ Details: Livestream available.
🔗 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/c/stmaryshitchin
Peartree Park Community Event
📅 Date: Saturday 18 July 2026
🕐 Time: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
📍 Location: Peartree Park, Shephall, Stevenage
💷 Cost: Free
🔗 More information: https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/news-and-events/events/peartree-park-community-event
Potters Bar Parish Council Drop-in Session
📅 Date: Monday 13 July 2026
🕧 Time: 12:30pm to 2:30pm
📍 Location: Wyllyots Theatre, Wyllyots Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 2HZ
💷 Cost: Free
ℹ️ Details: Drop in.
🔗 More information: http://www.hertsmere.gov.uk/CGR
Potters Bar Parish Council Drop-in Session
📅 Date: Wednesday 19 August 2026
🕡 Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
📍 Location: Wyllyots Theatre, Wyllyots Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 2HZ
💷 Cost: Free
ℹ️ Details: Drop in.
🔗 More information: http://www.hertsmere.gov.uk/CGR
Dacorum Summer Housing Open Day
📅 Date: Thursday 23 July 2026
🕑 Time: 2:00pm to 7:00pm
📍 Location: The Forum, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead
💷 Cost: Free
ℹ️ Details: Family-friendly event with face painting.
🔗 More information: https://www.dacorum.gov.uk/home/housing
The Divine Symmetry: David Bowie Tribute
📅 Date: Thursday 30 July 2026
📍 Location: Hertfordshire Studios, Studio 1, Brewery Road, Hoddesdon EN11 8HE
💷 Cost: Paid ticket
🔗 More information: https://www.hertfordshirestudios.com/event-details-registration/the-divine-symmetry-david-bowie-tribute
Big Summer 2026
📅 Date: Monday 27 July to Sunday 16 August 2026
📍 Location: Various locations across Welwyn Hatfield
💷 Cost: Free and low-cost activities
ℹ️ Details: Activities for children and young people aged 0 to 19.
🔗 More information: https://orlo.uk/xxBjl
Herts Summer Parks
📅 Date: Thursdays 6, 13 and 20 August 2026
🕒 Time: 3:00pm to 6:00pm
📍 Location: King George V Playing Fields, Tolpits Lane, Watford WD18 9QD
💷 Cost: Free
ℹ️ Details: Registration recommended for fast-track entry.
🔗 More information: https://bit.ly/HertsSummerParks2026
Lark in the Park
📅 Date: Monday 27 July to Friday 21 August 2026 (weekdays)
📍 Location: Parks across Broxbourne Borough
💷 Cost: Free
🔗 More information: https://www.broxbourne.gov.uk
Colourscape
📆 Date: Saturday 22 to Monday 31 August 2026
🕚 Time: 11:00am to 4:10pm daily
📍 Location: Cassiobury Park, Watford
💷 Cost: £6 adults, £4 under 18s
ℹ️ Details: Advance booking recommended.
🔗 More information: https://bit.ly/Colourscape-WBC
Mosaic Masterclass
📅 Date: Saturday 11 July 2026
📍 Location: Verulamium Museum, St Albans
💷 Cost: £70
🔗 More information: https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on
Museum Minis
📅 Date: Friday 10 July 2026
📍 Location: St Albans Museum + Gallery
💷 Cost: See organiser for details
ℹ️ Details: Suitable for ages 2 to 4.
🔗 More information: https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on
Naked Feminism: The Fight for Women's Bodies
📅 Date: Tuesday 14 July 2026
📍 Location: St Albans Museum + Gallery
💷 Cost: £10 in person, £6 online
🔗 More information: https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on
Accessories Exhibition Photography Session
📅 Date: Friday 24 July 2026
📍 Location: St Albans Museum + Gallery
💷 Cost: Free
ℹ️ Details: Booking required.
🔗 More information: https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on
Make Your Own Enchanted Garden Ornament
📅 Date: Saturday 25 July 2026
📍 Location: St Albans Museum + Gallery
💷 Cost: £40
🔗 More information: https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on
Colourful Clay: Sausage Dogs & Other Creatures
📅 Date: Tuesday 28 July 2026
📍 Location: St Albans Museum + Gallery
💷 Cost: See organiser for details
ℹ️ Details: Suitable for ages 5 to 11.
🔗 More information: https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on
Tots Tales
📅 Date: Friday 24 July 2026
📍 Location: Verulamium Museum, St Albans
💷 Cost: See organiser for details
ℹ️ Details: Suitable for ages 2 to 4.
🔗 More information: https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on
Archaeology for Families
📅 Date: Wednesday 29 July 2026
📍 Location: Verulamium Museum, St Albans
💷 Cost: Free
ℹ️ Details: Family activity.
🔗 More information: https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on
Orchid Art Day
📅 Date: Saturday 1 August 2026
📍 Location: St Albans Museum + Gallery
💷 Cost: £25
🔗 More information: https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on
A Growing City: Commercial Gardening in St Albans
📅 Date: Until Monday 31 August 2026
📍 Location: St Albans Museum + Gallery, Keeper's Galleries
💷 Cost: Free
🔗 More information: https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on
Weekly Family Activities at St Albans Museums
📅 Date: Throughout July 2026
📍 Location: St Albans Museum + Gallery and Verulamium Museum
💷 Cost: Free (selected activities)
ℹ️ Details: Includes Sunday Crafternoons (ages 5 to 11), Messy Monday Mornings (under 5s), and family activity weekends every Saturday and Sunday at Verulamium Museum.
🔗 More information: https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on
MONDAY MOTIVATION
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.— Helen Keller
Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor. - Thich Nhat Hanh
Happy Monday!
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
Stevenage and Surrounding. Courtesy: Paul Hoenes
MONDAY WEATHER ☀ RICKMANSWORTH
Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire
Monday 6 July
32°C 🌡️ 14°C | ⛅ Breezy, warm with sunny spells
Tuesday 7 July
30°C 🌡️ 16°C | 🌤️ Partly sunny, very warm and breezy
Wednesday 8 July
31°C 🌡️ 17°C | ☀️ Sunny and very warm
Thursday 9 July
34°C 🌡️ 19°C | ☀️ Hot with high cloud
Friday 10 July
33°C 🌡️ 17°C | ☀️ Very hot, mostly sunny
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Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya
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