Information and notices
This page gives information that maybe of interest to people across Hertfordshire. If you would like to advertise on this website and the Facebook page, please do get in touch.
NHS Health Checks
The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74. It’s designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease or type 2 diabetes. As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing one of these conditions. An NHS Health Check helps find ways to lower this risk. For further information click here
Christmas Tree Collection and Recycling
Christmas Tree Collection and Recycling from Monday 6th – Sunday 12th January, and support the Isabel Hospice.
Community Spaces and Free Activities
There are many free or low cost ‘warm spaces’ across Borehamwood, Potters Bar and Bushey this winter. Check out the posters below for further details. With thanks to Hertsmere Borough Council.
Winter Shelter
The Watford Winter Shelter is based at New Hope’s Haven and with funding from Watford Council, the shelter is a humanitarian response to the colder and wetter weather. If you are concerned about anyone sleeping rough in Watford, please call the New Hope 24/7 line on 0300 012 0168. If it is an emergency, please call 999 or 101 (police non-emergency number) as appropriate. To access the shelter: During the Haven’s opening hours (8.30am – 3pm, Monday to Friday), please go to the Haven, 4 Whippendell Road, WD18 7LU. When the Haven is closed, please call Watford Borough Council’s Out of Hours number on 01923 226 400.
Watford Band
The Watford Band will be playing at various venues throughout Christmas. Come and hear the Watford Band celebrate Christmas 2024, all the events are free.
Staying Carbon Monoxide Safe
Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that cannot be detected by human senses. Basic household appliances such as cookers, boilers, stoves and fireplaces can all produce carbon monoxide. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to stay safe, and help is at hand, if you suspect carbon monoxide, call 0800 111 999.
Hertfordshire Highways
Want to know what roadworks are happening in your area? You can find out more about roadworks and road closures in Hertfordshire and more click here
Gritting Routes
Hertfordshire County Council’s winter service is ready to keep you moving this winter. Their fleet of 70 gritters are on standby to treat 1,500 miles of road and cycleways in the county when the temperatures drop. Visit their website to see their gritting routes. click here
Rickmansworth Aquadrome
The Rickmansworth Aquadrome car park closing hours are changing for the autumn and winter. From October 2024 – March 2025 the car park gate will be locked from 6pm. The toilets close 30 minutes before the gates. Between 1st October and 31st March the car park is open from 8am – 6pm.
Christmas Fair Scams
As we enter the Christmas Craft Market season we are seeing fake Craft Fair adverts popping up. At Community News Hertfordshire we go to great lengths to make sure we only promote legitimate events on our website and Facebook page. We never ask for you to send money or ask you to be a stall holder at any of the events we feature. Nor do we ever ask you to send us money. However we do ask you to be vigilant, as we are also vulnerable to scams.
Please do your homework before booking into any events and make sure the person advertising such events is a genuine organiser. (We are not an organiser, we are simply a promotional site) Call the venue first and double check the event, before parting with any money. Scam craft fair red flags: Venue is not tagged in post, requests people to send a private message, requests a “friends and family” payment via PayPal and no event advertised on the venue’s page. If you spot an advert on our social media pages and think it may be a scam, please let us know, so that we can remove it from our listings.
The Countryside Code: Advice for Countryside Visitors
The outdoors is great for your wellbeing. It is a place for relaxation, peacefulness and activity. Your guide to enjoying our parks and countryside. click here
Baby Baskets
Alternatives, a charity helping families through pregnancy and beyond, is seeking donations for their baby baskets. They are in need of baby toiletries (shampoo, body wash), cotton wool, baby sponges, baby wipes, and nappies (size 0 or 1). If you can help, please drop off items to Windmill Family Centre in Hemel or bring them to any of their groups, you can also donate directly in either of the Alternatives charity shops. To learn more about donating or gifting a basket click here
Childcare Support
Your 2-year-old could be eligible for 15 hours of Childcare Support per week if you receive additional support from the government. Read through the eligibility criteria and apply today via their website click here
Watford Miniature Railway
Watford Miniature Railway opening days over the autumn and winter. The colour coded calendar shows the times and days they will be open over the next few months. Open at weekends until the beginning of November, and daily in the October half term holiday week. During November they will be undertaking some work on the track. To make this easier they will be closed after the autumn half term holiday until Christmas. From the 21st December we will be open for the Christmas holidays, all the way through to the New Year, except Christmas Day. All opening days are weather permitting.
Family Centre Service: Healthy Start Vitamins
The Family Centre Services offer free Healthy Start Vitamins to: Pregnant women, Breastfeeding mothers, Babies aged 1 month and older (excluding those who consume over 500mls of formula per day) and Children between the ages of one and four years. You can obtain the vitamin tablets or drops from your nearby Family Centre hub or child health/well baby clinic. Prior to visiting, we recommend calling 0300 123 7572 to confirm availability.
What can I recycle? A-Z
Batteries should never be disposed of in household or kerbside bins and many other items are the same, to find out what you can recycle and your nearest recycling point click here
Henderson Hub Cafe
Elvira’s, the popular coffee shop at the Henderson Hub, High Street, Abbots Langley, WD5 0AR, is opening on Tuesdays. You will be able to enjoy its warm atmosphere and tasty food and drink on a Tuesday as well as the Wednesdays – Saturdays it is already open. Elvira’s is run mainly by a team of friendly volunteers and its aim is to offer affordable, tasty and ethically made drinks and lunches.
Guitar Lessons
Kings and Abbots Langley local top rated guitar teacher, with over 17 years of full-time teaching experience and a background in professional music, offering personalised guitar sessions suitable for all ages (aged 4+ to senior) and all skill levels, or if online learning suits you better, Skype lessons are available. Give Charlie a call or text him on 07709 118932 to secure your timeslot. For further information click here
Murder Mystery Group
A Murder Mystery group, comprised of amateur performers, giving murder mystery evenings. Clients are usually private clubs/societies who wish to raise funds while having an entertaining evening. However, they have performed in venues open to the public and will consider any suitable venue. You provide the hall/performance room and sufficient tables for between 4 and 8 players per table. You advertise the event and sell the tickets. You provide a private dressing room. The evening concludes in classic Agatha Christie fashion with their detective gathering the suspects together and revealing the murderer. For further information click here
Citizens Advice Watford
Local charity providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to people who live or work in Watford. Drop in service open Mondays – Thursdays from 9.30am – 12.30pm. At St Mary’s Churchyard, Hight Street, Watford WD17 2BE.
The King’s Coronation in Pictures
The King’s Coronation was on Saturday 6th May 2023, click here for some of the best pictures from spectacular coronation day, and click here for more amazing pictures.
Recycling Centres
Due to rising costs associated with our recycling centre services, it has been decided to restrict access to Hertfordshire residents only. People wishing to use recycling centres will need to bring a driving licence or Council Tax Bill or a utility Bill as proof of address. For further information click here
The Queen’s Funeral In Pictures
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II State Funeral was on Monday 19th September 2022. By clicking here you can view some pictures of the day. For more pictures click here
Home Fire Safety
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service offer a free safe and well visit. To book an appointment call 0300 123 4046 or click here
Watford Market
Watford has had a market since the 12th century, and it is an important part of the town that has changed and adapted over the years. The current market is housed over two-storeys with an iconic canopy roof and stalls down the High Street. (Watford House Lane, Watford, WD17 1BJ) For further information click here
Cycle Routes Around Watford
If you are familiar with Watford Cycle Hub you might have discovered the delights of the Ebury Way, the Alban Way and the Colne Valley – but there are always new routes to discover.
How about cycling to Verulamium Park in St Albans, or out to Ashridge? These and many more can be found courtesy of Komoot click here
