Good morning and HapPy Monday!

What a weekend across Hertfordshire! From the lively Spring Festival in St Albans to outdoor cinema in Broxbourne, book lovers gathering in Ware, and community fun at Hertford Castle—there was something for everyone. What did you get up to? Reply and let us know what made you feel proud to call Hertfordshire home.

Meanwhile, the County Council has released a new video guide to help drivers navigate the soon-to-open Dutch-style roundabout in Hemel Hempstead—a timely update ahead of the June launch.

We’re also spotlighting the ongoing national conversation around assisted dying—a sensitive and important issue. We've included a community poll below so you can share your thoughts.

We’re just a few subscribers away from hitting 1,000 readers—help us get there today by sharing this newsletter with friends and family!

Here’s what’s making headlines today:

• 🚲 New Video Launched Ahead of Dutch-Style Roundabout

• 🔧 Young People in Three Rivers Building Electric Bikes

• 🚨 Local Resilience Training in Hemel Hempstead

• 🦔 Competition to Design a Dream Home for Hedgehogs

• 🌸 St Albans Blooms with Joy at Sun-Soaked Spring Festival
  ...and much more!

To all our new subscribers — welcome to the Hertstown family! We’re thrilled to have you on board. Got a story or suggestion? Drop us a message — let’s make Hertstown your go-to source for everything local.

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News at a Glance

🚲 New Video Launched Ahead of Dutch-Style Roundabout Opening in Hemel Hempstead

Hertfordshire County Council has released a new video to help locals navigate the Dutch-style roundabout opening at Boundary Way, Hemel Hempstead on 2 June. The roundabout features widened footways, improved crossings, and dedicated cycle space for safer travel.

It connects to other upgrades like the new toucan crossing on Breakspear Way, completing the Quietway route and improving links to Leverstock Green, Maylands, Woodhall Farm, and beyond via the Nickey Line.

Part of the Hemel Garden Communities green network, the scheme supports sustainable travel in an area expecting 11,000 new homes and 10,000 jobs by 2050.

🔧 Electric Motorbike Project Gears Up for Young People in Three Rivers

Hertfordshire County Council has launched an innovative Electric Motorbike Youth Work Project through its Services for Young People team, aimed at supporting 12–16-year-olds in the Three Rivers area. Backed by a £96,088 grant from the HS2 Community and Environment Fund, the project will run from autumn 2025 at West Hyde Young People’s Centre.

The programme, led by youth workers and volunteers with specialist skills, will teach participants how to ride and maintain electric motorbikes, while also promoting teamwork, responsibility, and environmental awareness. The project is designed to benefit a wide range of young people, including those with additional needs or not currently in education or training.

The funding will support the development of a bike track, workshop, and shelter, creating a safe and engaging learning environment. As part of a wider effort to provide sustainable and positive opportunities, the initiative also aligns with the council’s commitment to youth development and environmental sustainability.

📍 More information can be found at: www.servicesforyoungpeople.org

🚨 Planning for the Unexpected: Local Resilience Training in Hemel Hempstead

Emergencies can happen without warning—from severe weather to major accidents—and when they do, Hertfordshire needs to be ready. That’s why the Hertfordshire Local Resilience Forum (LRF), a multi-agency partnership, works year-round to plan, prepare, and train for emergency situations before they occur.

This Monday, the LRF will be holding a live training exercise at the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead to simulate a real-life emergency and test their coordinated response. The exercise brings together key agencies including Herts Police, the East of England Ambulance Service, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, and local NHS partners to ensure that when incidents strike, communities get the fastest, most effective support possible.

💙 All emergency services will continue to operate as normal during the exercise.

Hertfordshire’s commitment to resilience ensures local residents are safer and better protected—because being ready can make all the difference.

👉 Find out more and see how you can support your local resilience efforts: https://orlo.uk/gxVq1

🗳️ Assisted Dying Debate: What Did Your MP Vote For?

Parliament has recently voted on the highly sensitive issue of assisted dying, a topic that continues to stir deep emotions and divided opinions. For some, it offers a compassionate option for those facing unbearable suffering at the end of life. For others, it raises ethical, medical, and moral concerns that are difficult to reconcile.

While the national debate unfolds, it’s important to remember that only our elected MPs can vote on our behalf. As residents, we can’t vote directly on these reforms—but we can ask our representatives how they voted and why.

This might be a good moment to attend your local MP's next surgery or community meeting to learn more about their stance.

🗨️ What do you think?
Cast your vote in our community poll below and share your views on the reform.

NEWS FROM AROUND YOU

ST ALBANS

St Albans Blooms with Joy at Sun-Soaked Spring Festival

St Albans burst into colour and celebration yesterday as thousands of residents took to the streets for the much-loved Spring Festival—and what a day it was! Under glorious sunshine, the city centre transformed into a vibrant hub of music, laughter, and community spirit.

From live bands and street performers to pop-up theatre and dance acts, every corner had something magical to offer. Families strolled through rows of food and drink stalls, kids got hands-on with creative workshops, and friends soaked up the festive vibes.

It was such a joyful day that hardly anyone stopped to post about it online—everyone was too busy living it. The festival wasn’t just an event, it was a moment: of play, connection, discovery, and pure springtime joy.

Were you there? We’d love to hear what you enjoyed most—and what could be better. Your feedback will help shape future events that are even more exciting, inclusive, and unforgettable.

👉 Share your thoughts and help us make the next celebration even better!

Welwyn and Hatfield

Design a Dream Home for Hedgehogs – Win a Ready-Made Hedgehog House!

Welwyn and Hatfield Borough Council is inviting local children to put their creativity to the test in a fun and meaningful challenge: designing a home for a hedgehog! The competition aims to raise awareness and encourage young people to help protect one of the UK’s most loved and vulnerable animals.

To enter, children simply need to:

• 🏡 Design a hedgehog home of any size using any materials

• ✏️ Label its features and explain their purpose

• ✍️ Include their name, age, and email the design to: [email protected]

The deadline is Friday 30 May, and five lucky winners will receive a ready-made hedgehog house for their garden or school.

For full details, visit 👉 https://orlo.uk/w38AB

This fun competition is a great way to inspire young eco-heroes and support biodiversity in local green spaces. Good luck to all the young designers!

Hertford

🌿 Hertford Eco Fest Draws Crowds for a Greener Future

Hertford Eco Fest made a vibrant debut on Sunday 11th May at Hertford Castle, drawing crowds for a fun, free celebration of sustainability. Organised by Hertford Town Council, the event showcased how small actions can lead to big environmental change.

Visitors enjoyed live music, workshops, storytelling, eco-stalls, repair cafes, e-bike demos, and interactive kids' activities. Local groups like Mudlarks, the Woodland Trust, and Beekeepers Association shared hands-on tips for greener living, while sessions like the Climate Café and Hertford Eco Quilt encouraged creative reflection.

Part of a wider sustainability programme, the festival also featured a screening of Ocean with David Attenborough and launched the town’s Safer Cycling Map. 67 bikes were also security-marked on-site.

🔗 Find out more: www.hertford.gov.uk/eco-fest-2025

🇬🇧 Hertford Marks VE Day 80 with Tribute and Celebration

Hertford Town Council commemorated the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday 8th May with a day of remembrance, music, and community spirit. The day began with a flag-raising ceremony at Hertford Castle, followed by a Remembrance service organised by the Royal British Legion.

The evening welcomed residents back to the Castle grounds for live performances by Just Love to Sing, The Barn-ettes, and a flash mob from The Rock Choir, blending celebration with solemn reflection. A tribute by the Lord Lieutenantand the lighting of the Castle beacon closed the night with moving significance, followed by a performance of I Vow to Thee My Country.

Children enjoyed crafts and games hosted by the Girl Guides and Scouts, while guests tucked into classic fish and chips.

The Council also unveiled a new community art project and named the new Wildeshausen Bridge, marking 30 years of friendship with Hertford’s German twin town.

Stevenage

🏃‍♂️ Fairlands Valley Spartans Celebrate Relay Wins and Handicap Highlights

It was a winning week for Fairlands Valley Spartans, with standout performances across multiple events.

At Thursday’s 4x400m Relays in Welwyn Garden City, Spartans dominated:

• The senior men’s team of Mike Jeffs, Michael Fisher, Jay Papa, and Nick Gill won overall in 4:06, with Fisher clocking an impressive 58 seconds.

• The veteran women’s team of Liz Crowley, Sam Sutton, Sharon Crowley, and Jo Cooksley took first place with 6:11.

• A second-place finish also went to the senior women’s team featuring Tracy Jackson and Georgie Hooper.

Back in Stevenage, Amanda Vickers won the 5K Handicap, smashing her PB by over a minute. Nic Cashman was first male, while Nathan Kirley was fastest overall in 18:56.

Big thanks to all 19 participants and organiser Mark Freeman for making the event a success. The next Handicap 5K is on Thursday 19 June.

Broxbourne Borough

📸 Ray Lowe Studios Closes After 50 Years — A Farewell to a Local Legend

After five decades of capturing cherished moments, Ray Lowe Studios in Cheshunt has officially closed its doors. A beloved part of the community, the studio has been a fixture for weddings, portraits, and family memories since the 1970s.

To mark this milestone, MediaTown paid a special visit to Ray Lowe, sitting down with him for an exclusive interview on the "Voices of Our Towns" podcast. In the episode, Ray reflects on his remarkable journey, the evolution of photography, and the legacy he leaves behind.

🎧 Listen now to this heartfelt tribute to a local legend:

UPCOMING EVENTS

🌍 SustFest Seasons: Local to Global

🗓️ May 16 – May 19 | 📍 Various Locations | 🎟️ FREE

Join the second weekend of SustFest Seasons 2025, celebrating the theme “Local to Global”. From community walks and inspiring talks to eco-displays and a sustainability market, this 4-day festival explores how local actions can make a global impact.

Got a story or idea to share? Host your own event and be part of the movement!

👉 Register here: sustainablestalbans.org/submit-a-sustfest-event

🦋 Wilding Our District: Online Panel Discussion

🗓️ Wednesday 18 June | 🕢 7:30 PM | 💻 Online | 🎟️ Free & Open to All

Join St Albans Greener Together for a special online panel event exploring efforts to boost biodiversity across our district. Learn from experts at Butterfly Conservation, Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, Wilderhood Watch, Heartwood Forest, and Hertfordshire County Council as they share insights and practical actions on wilding our spaces.

Whether you're curious about rewilding your garden or supporting community efforts, this is a chance to discover how we can all help nature thrive—locally and beyond.

♻️ Let's Talk Recycling: Your Questions Answered

🗓️ Wednesday 11 June | 🕢 7:30 PM | 💻 Online | 🎟️ Free & Open to All

Curious about how recycling really works in St Albans District? Join St Albans Greener Together and The Green House for a live online panel where your questions take centre stage.

Hear directly from representatives of St Albans District Council, waste and recycling contractor Veolia, and community group Soil Squad. Learn what goes where, how it's processed, and what more we can all do to reduce waste.

Don't miss this chance to get the facts and feel more confident about recycling right!

🙌 Watford Volunteers Fair 2025

🗓️ Saturday 7 June 2025 | 🕘 9am – 3pm

📍 Atria Watford – Atrium Area | 🎟️ Free Entry

The much-loved Watford Volunteers Fair is back! Join a vibrant mix of local charities and community groups — including Small Acts of Kindness, ShopMobility UK Watford, One YMCA, and W3RT — for a day of connection, inspiration, and opportunity.

Whether you're passionate about youth, health, the environment, education, social justice, or animal welfare, this is your chance to discover meaningful ways to get involved, meet like-minded people, and explore volunteering options — including corporate and employer-supported opportunities.

Perfect for seasoned volunteers and first-timers alike!

🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e2R4PK2N

📩 Email: [email protected] | 📱 Call: 07908 209908

🛡️ Free Cyber & Fraud Awareness Event

🗓️ Wednesday 4 June 2025 | ⏰ Drop in anytime

📍 Watford Central Library | 🎟️ Free Entry – No Booking Needed

Worried about scams, online fraud, or cybercrime? Join us at Watford Central Library for a free drop-in event packed with expert advice to help you stay safe online.

💡 Learn how to protect yourself from phishing, rogue traders, fraud, and more.

🎤 Free Talks Schedule:

• 11:00 – Rogue Traders & Scams

• 12:00 – Fraud Against the Council

• 12:30 – Victim Support & Scams

• 13:45 – Cybercrime & Fraud Prevention

📞 More info: hertfordshire.gov.uk/libraries or call 0300 123 4049

💡 Save Energy & Cut Costs – Community Drop-In at South Oxhey Healthy Hub

Looking for ways to reduce your energy bills and live more sustainably? Pop into the South Oxhey Healthy Hub where the Grand Union Community Energy Champions will be on hand to offer practical advice and support around energy saving at home. 🏠🌍

🗓️ Thursday 22 May

🕙 9:30am – 12:30pm

📍 Oxhey Library, Bridlington Road, South Oxhey, WD19 7AG

Whether you're struggling with rising energy costs or just want to be more eco-friendly, this is a great opportunity to ask questions and get helpful tips.

👉 See what else is happening at our Healthy Hubs: https://orlo.uk/GGtoi

🌍 Great Big Green Week is Coming to Welwyn Hatfield!

🗓️ 7–15 June | 🎟️ Free Eco-Friendly Events

Join us for a week of climate action with the theme ‘Let’s swap together for good’ — promoting sharing, reusing, and sustainable living.

🌱 Enjoy clothes swaps, river dipping, seed planting, litter picks and more!

📅 View the full schedule: https://orlo.uk/lF5O7

ℹ️ Some events require booking – check the details!

💚 Learn more: https://orlo.uk/Cqyd7

MONDAY WEATHER 🌥️ 

WELWYN GARDEN CITY

19°C 🌡️ 6°C | ☀️ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 05:02 Sunset 20:53

STEVENAGE

19°C 🌡️ 6°C | ☀️ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 05:02 Sunset 20:53

HERTFORD

19°C 🌡️ 6°C | ☀️ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 05:02 Sunset 20:53

LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY

19°C 🌡️ 6°C | ☀️ Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 05:02 Sunset 20:53

Thanks for Reading!

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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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