Sixteen adults supported by Harpenden Mencap have been provided with new homes in the town by the District Council.
Most of the adults, who have learning disabilities, were living at Harpenden Mencap’s Stairways site – a residential care home and supported living facility in need of redevelopment.
The charity appealed to us for help in finding accommodation for the adults while options for the building are examined.
We responded by identifying seven of our modern houses in Harpenden which could be leased and made suitable for the residents.
All the homes were specially adapted to allow the adults considerable independence.
Hertfordshire County Council’s Community Commissioning for Disabled Adults team was also involved in the project.
Photo: Harpenden Mencap tenants George, Niall and Rebecca at their new home.
We’re excited to welcome nine talented graduates to our 13-week summer internship programme.
Our interns will be working across a variety of teams, getting involved in meaningful projects that support our services and make a positive difference to the local community.
This programme is a fantastic opportunity for them to gain hands-on experience in local government, develop their skills, and explore potential career paths within the public sector.
We’re proud to support early career development and are committed to nurturing future talent through internships, apprenticeships and work experience placements.
If you’re interested in joining our team or exploring opportunities with us, click on the button below.
Come along to see the finds from an archaeological dig at the Rose and Crown pub in St Michael's Village.
The inn, located within the former Roman city of Verulamium and an Iron Age settlement, is being redeveloped.
As part of the planning process, there is a rare opportunity to carry out an archaeological dig which will uncover layers of history spanning thousands of years.
This begins with a small test pit survey to assess the extent and significance of the remains that lie underneath and how they can be preserved.
You can come along to the site from now until Monday 14 July, 10am to 4pm, to talk to the archaeologists and view what they have found.
Volunteers working on the dig will be led by the St Albans Museums’ Archaeology Team.
Main photo: an excavation at Verulamium in 1958.
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Say hello to Helen Lemon who has been selling hats at St Albans Charter Market for 33 years.
Helen opened her Hat Stand stall in 1992 when John Major was Prime Minister and the first ever mobile phone text message was sent.
She has been going from strength to strength ever since, selling a wide range of hats for men and women.
Her summer collection includes men’s straw hats and cottons for women while in winter some of her best sellers are men’s flat caps made from Harris Tweed.
She said: “This is the best market around and I have loved every minute of my time here. I’ve built up a loyal group of customers who come year after year and I enjoy a nice chat with them all.”
 Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre is undergoing £500,0000 of improvements including showers, toilets, changing rooms and spa facilities.
The centre, which remains fully open during the works, is owned by the Council and managed on its behalf by leisure contractor Everyone Active.
Westminster Lodge is one of the District’s busiest and most used community facilities, attracting over a million visits every year.
It has 6,500 fitness members and hundreds of children take part each year in weekly swimming lessons. Some of the work has already been completed with the rest due to be finished by the end of the year.
Everyone is welcome to drop in at our Community Day in London Colney on Thursday 17 July.
Our housing team will be outside the Caledon Community Centre from 3pm to 6pm to listen to any concerns you may have about antisocial behaviour or other issues.
Morgan Sindall Property Services - our council housing repairs contractor, Citizens Advice, the Police and Fire Service will also be there to answer questions and give advice.
There will be fun games and activities to encourage children to play outside.
Acoustic monitoring technology was installed last month to help address the long-term neighbourhood policing priority of anti-social driving, illegal car meets and excessive noise along the A405 in Chiswell Green.
The work follows numerous complaints by residents about excessive noise and organised car meets.
The Herts Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is funding the innovative technology, which includes cameras, to track vehicles emitting noise above the legal threshold.
The local Neighbourhood Policing Team has been working on the complex long-term neighbourhood priority of vehicle related anti-social behaviour on the A414 North Orbital Road with Starbucks, Herts Highways, Herts County Council, local Councillors, Burston Garden Centre and the PCCs office.
Photo: left to right, Neighbourhood Sergeant Hannah McLaughlin, Herts Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Herts County Council's Executive Member for Public Health and Community Safety Ajanta Hilton, and PCSO Louise Traxon.
Get connected with what is happening in your local area, keep up to date and have your say in what goes on where you live or work in Hertfordshire.
Residents will receive updates from your local policing teams through Herts Connected.
Please select ‘police’ when you sign up.
HAPpy activity camps are returning this summer - providing eligible children and young people with the chance to meet friends and have fun during the summer break.
Children and young people who are in a Hertfordshire school, reception to year 11, and are in receipt of free school meals can attend.
Every camp is inclusive and able to meet the needs of most children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
You can find out more information and book by clicking the button below.
The HAPpy programme is funded by Hertfordshire County Council and the Department of Education and coordinated by Herts Sport and Activity Partnership and the Hertfordshire Community Foundation.
Our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2025-2030 has been published - setting out what we will do to make sure our services are accessible and everyone is treated fairly.
The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Partnership which oversees the strategy has also set the priorities for this year.
These are engaging better with children and young people; tackling digital exclusion; and ensuring communications are accessible to all.
The Council's work recently saw it accepted as a member of the UK Network of Age-Friendly Communities.
You can find more information about the work we are doing on our website.
You can access the strategy by clicking the button below. For a paper copy, email Peggy Sharp at equality@stalbans.gov.uk or telephone 01727 819340.
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Congratulations to our housing repairs contractor Morgan Sindall Property Services (MSPS) for being awarded Work Experience Employer of the Year by Oaklands College.
The College’s Employer Celebration event honoured the achievements of their employer partners and apprentices at the St Albans Campus.
MSPS’s award follows the success of their immersive work experience programme, delivered in collaboration with the College and the District Council.
Students were given the chance to explore different areas of their business, take part in workshops and gain insight into a career in the housing and property services sector.
Photo: Chloe Sykes, MSPS Social Value Officer, Helen Sheen, MSPS Head of Social Value, and Jacqueline Page, Oaklands College Deputy Principal.
Morgan Sindall Property Services, our housing repairs contractor, recently led a two-week redecoration project at the Caledon Community Centre in London Colney.
Alongside contractors Horwood Bros and CBC Carpentry, they volunteered their time and skills to refresh the large halls, creating a brighter, more welcoming space for local residents.
The project was supported by paint donations from Dulux and help from the grounds maintenance team of London Colney Parish Council which owns the centre.
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A multi-sensory exhibitiion highlighting the difficult issue of bereavement is to be held at St Peter’s Church next month.
Curated by artist Natalia Millman, it includes 200 personal letters written in moments of grief and reimagined as visual installations, soundscapes, scent pieces, video works and live performances.
The exhibition, which runs from Wednesday 6 to Thursday 28 August, is intended to create an environment that is both gentle and thought provoking. It is supported by Arts Council England in partnership with Cruse Bereavement Support and entry is free.
A CompassionART Café is providing support for people who are lonely due to a diagnosis or bereavement.
The café is run by Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care, in partnership with Camphill Village Trust at Café on the Corner (St Albans).
Drop-in sessions take place on the first Thursday of every month, 2pm to 3.30pm. They include a guided arts and crafts activity and provide a safe space to chat and connect with others, share memories and create lasting connections over a cup of tea.
Tapping into art and creative activities can help with relaxation and mindfulness, giving attendees something to focus on.
The next session takes place on Thursday 7 August and you are welcome to come along.
 Painting up the Park: Roman Verulamium Explored, Sunday 27 July, from 10:00am
Join the Museums' team as they outline some of the amazing Roman buildings right beneath your feet in Verulamium Park.
Excavated in the 1930s and 1950s, Verulamium Museum now focuses on studying and protecting Britain's third largest Roman city through remote sensing and conservation.
Speak to the Verulamium Museum archaeology team about plans to bring the Roman city to life digitally and the effort to preserve its Scheduled Ancient Monument status.
There will be some fun activities for all ages, including dressing up, and building Roman mosaics.
 Mini Mela, St Albans Museum + Gallery, Assembly Room, Saturday 16 August, 11am - 3pm, free
To celebrate South Asian Heritage Month (July 18th - August 17th) the Museum + Gallery will be holding a Mini Mela, a South Asian festival.
Drop in any time during the day and help us to celebrate our rich and diverse communities.
Explore South Asian culture, take part in craft activities and have lots of fun.
 St Albans Healthy Hub is your centre for health and wellbeing information, advice and support.
You can get help with many issues including how to lose weight, quit smoking, cut down on alcohol, become more active and manage money.
The organisations involved include Citizens Advice, Communities 1st, Mind in Mid Herts and many more. You can find more information on the Healthy Hub webpages.
Are you looking to be more physically active outdoors but don’t know where to start?
If so, Hertfordshire Health Walks can help. They offer free walks in St Albans District, each supported by two friendly volunteers, one at the front and one at the back. The shortest walks are 20 to 30 minutes and keep to a gentle pace.
There are summer evening walks, including routes around Verulamium Park, Batchwood Hall and Nomansland Common, as well as longer weekend walks.
There is also a new gentle, Grade 1 taster walk in Wheathampstead for those looking to increase their physical activity and meet new people.
All walks are free and no booking is required. You can find out more, including the full programme and how to register, by clicking on the button below. Alternatively, you can contact a member of the team on 01992 555888 or healthwalks.cms@hertfordshire.gov.uk.
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Music24 provides support for people living with dementia and their carers across Hertfordshire.
Group sessions take place twice a month at various locations across the county.
The aim is to use music to enhance and maintain emotional, mental and physical wellbeing.
You can make an enquiry about joining a session by calling 01582 250024 or emailing info@music24.org.uk.
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