🌸 Happy Bank Holiday Monday, Hertstown!

We’re keeping things light and breezy today—and we hope you are too. After a joyful Easter Sunday filled with church services, family gatherings, and a flood of well wishes, we’re taking a moment to soak it all in and celebrate the good vibes that make our community shine.

We hope your Easter weekend was filled with love, laughter, and maybe a chocolate egg (or three)! If you missed our Easter wishes, you can still catch them below. 👇

As always, Hertstown Newsletter is here for YOU—your stories, your events, your community wins. We don’t cover crime, but we’re all about sharing the joy and celebrating the amazing things happening right here in Hertfordshire.

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Here’s what we’re talking about today:

• ✉️ Easter messages across Hertfordshire

• 🗳️ Elections countdown: Voter ID rules you need to know

• 🗑️ Bin collection changes for the week

• ☀️ Solar Panel Scheme extended – save while you can!

• 🌿 Watford unveils the new-look St. Mary’s Open Space

• …and plenty more to keep you in the loop!

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Let’s dive in 👇

News at a Glance

🌸 Easter Greetings Bloom Across the County

Easter Sunday brought a wave of warmth and celebration across the land, with social media lighting up in a burst of seasonal joy. Our county was no exception, as councils, local leaders, businesses, and residents all joined in spreading festive cheer.

From beautifully designed posters to cheerful messages filled with springtime spirit, councils across the area embraced the holiday. Three Rivers District Council shared heartfelt wishes:
“Happy Easter to all our staff and residents who are marking the holiday.”

Watford Council offered a touching note:
“Wishing everyone a joyful and peaceful Easter. Easter is a time of hope, renewal, and togetherness. However you’re celebrating, we hope this day brings happiness and a chance to connect with loved ones. Thank you to all who support our town throughout the year.”

North Herts District Council kept it simple and bright with:
“Happy Easter, North Herts!”

Hertsmere Borough Council left a message on FB: “We would like to wish our Christian communities a Happy Easter from all of us at Hertsmere Borough Council!”

Local Members of Parliament also extended their greetings to the public.
Josh Dean MP said:
“Wishing Christians celebrating in Hertford and Stortford a very Happy Easter.”

And Lewis Cocking MP shared:
“Wishing everyone a very happy Easter.”

The festive spirit wasn’t limited to public offices and politicians. Across the borough, individuals and businesses brought their own charm to the celebration. From floral arrangements to egg-themed displays, restaurants, cafes, and pubs took part in transforming spaces to reflect the joy and renewal Easter represents.

As we continue to enjoy the Bank Holiday, we hope you and your loved ones had a wonderful Easter celebration, filled with peace, connection, and maybe a chocolate egg or two.

Happy Easter from all of us – and here’s to a bright season ahead!

NEWS FROM AROUND YOU

Watford

🌞💦 Last Chance to Splash Before Summer!

Heads up, families! Today, 21st April is your last day to enjoy the Cassiobury Park Paddling Pools before they close for a short break.

🚫 The pools will be closed from 22nd April to 23rd May for maintenance and preparations for the busy summer season.

✅ But don’t worry – they’ll be back open for summer from 24th May to 7th September, with longer sessions based on your feedback!

🕒 Session times from 24th May include:

• 10:00 – 11:30

• 12:00 – 13:30

• 14:00 – 15:30

• 16:00 – 17:15

• 17:45 – 19:00

Each session includes 135 app-bookable spaces (via the Everyone Active app) and 135 walk-in spots. One session per family per day – but if there’s room, you can walk in for another!

💧Entry is FREE, and if you’d like to support the pools, donations are welcome here:

🌼 Watford to Launch Revamped St Mary’s Open Space

Watford is inviting residents to a celebration event marking the improvements to St Mary’s Open Space on Friday 23 May from 12:30pm.

The event will showcase exciting new features designed for everyone to enjoy, including: 🌿 Accessible pathways
🌸 Wildflower areas
🌻 Raised planters
🦉 Birdhouses & bee hotels
🚪 Welcoming entrances

There will be refreshments, fun activities, and even a chance to meet some furry friends – all while discovering more about the natural world.

📅 Set a reminder and join the event via Facebook:
🔗 https://fb.me/e/7jxa7lwSD

Everyone is welcome – come celebrate this new green space in the heart of Watford!

North Herts

🚗 New EV Chargers Coming to North Herts Car Parks

Eight long-stay car parks across North Hertfordshire will soon have new state-of-the-art electric vehicle chargers, installed by Blink Charging UK.

The chargers will offer reliable, user-friendly access for residents, businesses, and visitors in:

• Letchworth – Garden Square, Hillshott

• Baldock – The Twitchell

• Hitchin – Bancroft, The Lairage, Woodside

• Royston – Civic Centre, The Warren

⚠️ Each site may experience up to five days of disruption. Advance notice will be posted, and local residents will be informed directly.

UPCOMING EVENTS

🎉 Upcoming Events in Broxbourne – Mark Your Calendars!

St. George’s Family Fun Day – A Festive Day for All!

📅 Saturday 26 April
🕛 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Grundy Park, Cheshunt

Get ready for a fun-filled celebration at this year’s St. George’s Family Fun Day – a fantastic day out packed with entertainment for all ages!

🎭 Activities include:

• Live re-enactments

• Traditional Punch and Judy show

• Giant inflatables

• Climbing wall

• Arena performances

• Community stalls

• Morris dancers

• A magical Aladdin panto

• …and much more!

✨ Whether you're coming for the history, the performances, or just a great day in the park, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Bring the whole family and celebrate England’s patron saint in true community spirit!

🎉 Upcoming Events in Three Rivers – Mark Your Calendars!

🎈 Watersmeet’s Mayday Community Fun Day

📅 Monday 5 May | 🕥 10:30am – 3:00pm
📍 Watersmeet – Rickmansworth

Celebrate Watersmeet’s 50th anniversary with a fun-filled day of excitement for all ages! Enjoy: 🎡 Traditional fairground games
🎈 Giant inflatables
💃 Dance displays
🍦 Vintage treats

Bring friends and family along for a day packed with fun and community spirit.
🔗 Find out more and plan your visit

🧠 Chair’s Charity Quiz Night

📅 Date TBC | 📍 Watersmeet – Rickmansworth

Put your general knowledge to the test at this year’s Chair’s Big Quiz Night, supporting:

• A gynaecological cancer support charity

• A local soup kitchen

Expect an evening of laughter, friendly competition, raffles, auctions, and prizes!
🔗 Book your tickets

👴👵 Three Rivers Seniors Forum

📅 Wednesday 23 April | 🕝 2:30pm
📍 Rickmansworth School, WD3 3AQ

Senior residents are warmly invited to join the Three Rivers Seniors Forum for an engaging afternoon of discussion, local updates, and community connection.

📩 Please book your place by emailing:
✉️ [email protected]

🏆 St Albans City FC 24/25 Season Awards – Join the Celebration!

📅 Monday 21 April
🕐 1:30 PM – Academy Awards
⚽ Post-Match – U23s, Women’s Team & Men’s Team Awards
📍 Clarence Park Stadium

Celebrate the incredible talent and achievements across the club at the St Albans City FC 24/25 Season Awards! The day kicks off with the Academy Awards, followed by post-match presentations for the U23s, Women’s Team, and Men’s First Team.

🍻 Bars open from 12:30 PM
Enjoy 10% off draught beers and cider until 2:00 PM – come down early and stay late to raise a glass with the squad!

🎟️ Tickets available now – online and at the turnstiles:
🔗 https://loom.ly/7qhOIvI

Don’t miss this fantastic day of football, awards, and celebration with the Saints!

🇬🇧 VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebration – Countywide Tribute

📅 Thursday 8 May

Communities across the county will be coming together to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day with a variety of events taking place throughout the day at different venues.

Expect live entertainment, family activities, street parties, and special moments of remembrance — including a national tribute and beacon lighting in the evening.

🎉 Whether you're enjoying music, sharing a picnic, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, it's a chance to honour the past and celebrate together.

🪑 Bring a blanket or chair and be part of something memorable – you won’t want to stay at home for this one!

Stay tuned for updates and full event listings from your local council.

MONDAY WEATHER ⛈️ ☔️ 

WELWYN GARDEN CITY

15°C 🌡️ 4°C | ⛈️ Thundery showers and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 05:53 Sunset 20:08

STEVENAGE

14°C 🌡️ 4°C | ⛈️ Thundery showers and a light winds | ☀️ Sunrise 05:52 Sunset 20:08

HERTFORD

15°C 🌡️ 4°C | ⛈️ light rain and a gentle breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 05:52 Sunset 20:08

LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY

14°C 🌡️ 4°C | ⛈️ Thundery showers and a light winds | ☀️ Sunrise 05:53 Sunset 20:08

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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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