News in Hitchin

Good morning. Welcome to the Hitchin Nub News daily briefing: A one-stop-shop for the essentials of our town today.

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Phase is a small Hitchin charity with a big mission – to work alongside young people to promote their wellbeing and resilience.

Across the last year their mission has become even more important as we all face the challenges of lockdown, social distancing and stress caused by Covid.

Crime drama series, The Serpent, has proved a great success since it came to our screens in January. But the man who produced the hit TV series advises you not to watch it on your own!

It was developed by Mammoth Screen for BBC One and Netflix and tells the story of how conman and murderer Charles Sobhraj, played by Tahar Rahim, was eventually caught with his girlfriend Marie-Andree Leclerc, played by Jenna Coleman.

North Herts District Council have agreed their budget for 2021-2022 - with council tax set to rise to offset the impact of the Covid crisis.

At a meeting of NHDC's full council earlier this week councillors agreed the budget for the next tax year.

Vaccination appointment letters on their way to over-65s across north Herts including Hitchin.

Letters from the national booking system are expected to start arriving from today, with people able to book appointments for next Monday (February 15) onwards.

Households across north Herts including Hitchin will be asked to take part in Census 2021 this spring.

The census, run by the Office for National Statistics, is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales.

A pilot scheme in Hertfordshire which offers pregnant women up to £300 in shopping vouchers as an incentive to give up smoking has been helping dozens try to kick the habit.

The £49,500 scheme was launched by Herts County Council in January last year and pregnant women who agreed to set a quit date would initially receive £50 in vouchers.

A teacher at Etonbury Academy is bringing a community together through lockdown, by recording a song uniting neighbouring schools.

Emily Hardy, Head of Music at the extended secondary school in Arlesey, has written the 'BEST Song' which pupils have been learning during live remote lessons this term.

Good afternoon! We've launched a weekly Nub News newsletter and would love you to sign up!

Nub News Hitchin announced the launch of our free new weekly newsletter this month.[.B]

North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC) and Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation (LGCHF) have announced plans to redevelop Town Lodge and properties located on Gernon Road.

After some years of lying empty, the site is to be redeveloped by Croudace Homes Limited, who have been granted planning permission to build two detached buildings comprising of nine flats and one office building, following demolition of the existing buildings.