After days of relentless rain great for the grass, not so much for school runs the skies are finally clearing up just in time for the weekend. As children across Hertfordshire returned to school this week, social media has been filled with proud photos of new uniforms and big smiles. But there’s something else making the rounds, and it’s far more serious.

🗳️ Hertfordshire’s councils have launched a major public consultation on the future of local government across the county. This is a big one. From how your bins are collected to how children’s services are delivered, everything could change. Scroll down for a summary and links to have your say we strongly encourage you to get involved.

📢 Also important: A National Emergency Alert is scheduled for Sunday at 3:00 PM. Your mobile phone may emit a loud sound or vibration, even if it’s on silent. If you’d rather not be caught off-guard, especially in a sensitive or private situation we’ve included opt-out instructions below.

Finally, with the weekend weather finally looking up, we’ve curated some great events to help you step into autumn in style.

Let’s get into it 🍁👇

Spotted an event we missed? Let us know, together, we’ll make sure Hertfordshire’s best events always make the list.

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

Residents are being invited to have their say as Hertfordshire’s 11 councils begin a new phase of public consultation on proposed changes to how local government is run.

The move follows the Government’s English Devolution White Paper, which outlines plans to devolve more powers to local areas and simplify England’s two-tier council system.

However, 10 of Hertfordshire’s district and borough councils oppose the idea of a single unitary authority, citing concerns over local representation and calling for a more inclusive, resident-focused approach.

In a joint statement, the councils said:

The County Council has issued a separate response but has yet to reveal its preferred model.

📍 Local consultation events – including in Hitchin – are taking place throughout September. Check out your council for dates in your towns and villages.
🗣️ Have your say on Hertfordshire’s future: You can find out more and share your views online here: https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

An emergency alert test is scheduled to take place at 3:00 PM on Sunday 7 September.
📱 Mobile phones may emit a loud sound, vibrate, or read out a message, even if set to silent.

If you are affected by domestic abuse and have a hidden or private mobile phone, please be aware this alert could reveal its presence.

You may wish to:

🔧 Guidance on how to opt out:
https://www.gov.uk/alerts/opting-out

A new real estate trend called co-ownership is revolutionizing a $1.3T market. Leading it? Pacaso. Created by the founder behind a $120M prior exit, they already have $110M+ in gross profits to date. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO. And you can invest until September 18.

Invest While You Still Can

_{Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.}

🎤 The Comedy Store Players (Improv Comedy Night)
📅 Friday 5 September 2025
📍 BEAM Theatre, Hertford
🎟 Info: https://www.comedystoreplayers.com/venues/beam-hertford
An unscripted night of fast-paced sketches and improv brilliance.

🎶 Garage Nation: Summer Closing Party
📅 Saturday 6 September 2025
📍 The Dog & Whistle, Hertford
🎟 Info: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Hertford/
Julian Fijma headlines this final dance-floor blowout of the summer.

🎨 The World of Martin Brown: Horrible Histories Exhibition
📅 Saturday–Sunday 6–7 September 2025
📍 North Hertfordshire Museum
🎟 Info: https://northhertsmuseum.org/north-hertfordshire-museum/whats-on-2/
Creative, family-friendly exhibition from the famous Horrible Histories illustrator.

🚗 Petrolheadonism Live (Car Show & Festival)
📅 Saturday–Sunday 6–7 September 2025
📍 Knebworth House, near Hitchin
🎟 Info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/petrolheadonism-live-2025-tickets-928372846527
Epic show cars, music stages, food, and live stunts.

🎪 Hitchin Weekend Events
📅 All weekend
📍 Hitchin Town Centre
🎟 Info: https://visithitchin.com/whats-on/
Markets, art events, and family fun throughout the town.

🎙 Luther Live – Tribute to Luther Vandross
📅 Saturday 6 September 2025
📍 Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage
🎟 Info: https://www.gordon-craig.co.uk/whats-on/luther-live/
Soulful tribute packed with hits from the iconic singer.

🎭 Weekend Theatre Listings
📅 All weekend
📍 Gordon Craig Theatre
🎟 Info: https://www.ents24.com/stevenage-events/the-gordon-craig-theatre
Comedy, drama, family shows and more.

🎥 Campus West Cinema – Weekend Screenings
📅 Friday–Sunday 5–7 September 2025
📍 Campus West, Welwyn Garden City
🎟 Info: https://www.campuswest.co.uk/cinema/whats-on/
New releases and family-friendly films showing all weekend.

🛼 Roller City & Soft Play
📅 Friday–Sunday 5–7 September 2025
📍 Campus West, Welwyn Garden City
🎟 Info: https://www.campuswest.co.uk/
Great indoor fun for children and families.

🍎 Rickmansworth Sunday Market & Autumn Harvest Festival
📅 Sunday 7 September 2025
📍 Rickmansworth High Street & Community Garden
🎟 Info: https://rickmansworthresidents.org/events/
A wholesome family day with market stalls, live music, and a seasonal harvest theme.

🎵 Rickmansworth Folk Festival
📅 Friday–Sunday 5–7 September 2025
📍 Rickmansworth town centre & canal areas
🎟 Info: https://rickmansworthresidents.org/latest-news/
Free folk performances and family fun throughout the weekend.

🎉 Pub in the Park – St Albans 2025
📅 Friday 5 – Sunday 7 September 2025
📍 Verulamium Park, St Albans
🎟 Info: https://www.enjoystalbans.com/whats-on/pub-in-the-park-2025/
Featuring live music, celebrity chef demos, street food, and a buzzing festival atmosphere. Acts include Dizzee Rascal, Judge Jules, and The Amy Winehouse Band.

🖼 “Urge to Paint” – Keith Church Exhibition
📅 Open Friday & Saturday (until 30 September 2025)
📍 Lowewood Museum, Hoddesdon
🎟 Info: https://lowewoodmuseum.com/
Emotive paintings from a local artist, exploring war, identity, and memory.

📸 “Curated by Goffs Oak” Photography Exhibition
📅 Open Friday & Saturday (until 29 November 2025)
📍 Lowewood Museum, Hoddesdon
🎟 Info: https://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/events/event/202/curated-by-goffs-oak/
Locally submitted photos celebrating everyday life and heritage in Goffs Oak.

🕰 “Broxbourne At War” Exhibition
📅 Open Friday & Saturday (until November 2025)
📍 Lowewood Museum, Hoddesdon
🎟 Info: https://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/events/event/203/broxbourne-at-war/
A look into Broxbourne’s wartime past, featuring artifacts, stories, and community memory.

🚶 Broxbourne Walk: Rivers & Woods
📅 Saturday 6 September 2025, 11:45 AM–1:45 PM
📍 Broxbourne Riverside Car Park, EN10 6SG
🎟 Info: https://www.meetup.com/hatfield-social-meetup/events/310444323/
Leisurely 4-mile walk through Broxbourne’s riverside and woodland with a friendly local group. Free for first-timers.

🎷 Omari Johnson – Live at Mad Squirrel
📅 Friday 5 September 2025
📍 Mad Squirrel, Watford
🎟 Info: https://www.madsquirrelwatford.co.uk/events
Smooth jazz, slick grooves, and chill vibes with local favourite Omari Johnson. Perfect way to kick off the weekend.

🎤 A Night of Music with The Rodwells & Friends
📅 Friday 5 September 2025
📍 St Andrew’s Church, Watford
🎟 Info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-night-of-music-with-the-rodwells-friends-tickets-1554281571019
An uplifting evening of live music and community spirit featuring The Rodwells and special guests.

🎭 General Theatre & Venue Listings
📅 All weekend
📍 Watford Colosseum & Watford Palace Theatre
🎟 Info:

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We want to hear all about it!

Been to a café, bar, pub, or restaurant recently that blew you away?
Whether you're a regular customer or the proud owner, if you’ve had an experience worth shouting about — we want to help you hype it up!

✅ It has to be genuinely great
✅ You’ve got to stand by your review
✅ We’ll follow up, and if it’s as amazing as you say — we’ll share it with everyone across Hertfordshire!

👉 Share your story, dish the details, and we’ll do the rest.
Let’s shine a light on the best local spots — the ones that deserve the spotlight.

📩 Submit your review now!

📷 Show Us Your Hertfordshire!
Hertstown is creating a stunning new photo book that captures the true spirit of our towns and villages — and we need your lens on it.

We're calling on residents across Hertfordshire to put their cameras to work and send in images that represent the heart of their community. Whether it's a hidden gem, a well-known landmark, or a moment of everyday beauty, we want to see what makes your town special.

🌄 From Broxbourne to Baldock, Ware to Watford, let’s tell the story of Hertfordshire — one photo at a time.

💌 Submit your photos and help shape a fresh, visual celebration of where we live.

👉 Click here to Submit your images

WELWYN GARDEN CITY

21°C 🌡️ 9°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 06:19 Sunset 19:40

STEVENAGE

21°C 🌡️ 9°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 06:18 Sunset 19:40

HERTFORD

21°C 🌡️ 9°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 06:18 Sunset 19:39

LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY

21°C 🌡️ 9°C | ☀ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 06:18 Sunset 19:39

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

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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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