Stevenage, Hitchin and Letchworth News | The Comet

The Comet brings you the latest local news from Hitchin, Letchworth, Stevenage and surrounding areas.

Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba and Ariana Grande is Glinda in Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu

Defying Gravity: The making of the new Wicked movie starring Ariana Grande

Cllr Val Bryant: ‘It was great to host so many young people and see them get involved with all the activities we planned’

Cllr Val Bryant: ‘It was great to host so many young people and see them get involved with all the activities we planned’

North Herts students learn about democracy for Parliament Week

(L-R) Paul Briers, president of the Guild, Alex Rebello, and Bishop Nicholas Hudson

(L-R) Paul Briers, president of the Guild, Alex Rebello, and Bishop Nicholas Hudson

Letchworth altar server honoured for 50 years of service

Why is there major disruption on train services between Stevenage and London?

Why is there major disruption on train services between Stevenage and London?

What is causing major train disruption between Stevenage and London?

Major disruption on train services between Stevenage and London - live updates

Major disruption on train services between Stevenage and London - live updates

Major disruption on trains between Stevenage and London - live updates

Baroness Taylor spoke on inheritance tax at a House of Lords discussion.

Baroness Taylor spoke on inheritance tax at a House of Lords discussion.

Inheritance Tax

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Inheritance tax changes 'fair and balanced', says Stevenage's Baroness Taylor

North Herts Heroes award winners 2024

North Herts Heroes award winners 2024

Local government

Nominations open for North Herts Heroes 2025

Almost 1,000 children have been waiting two years to be seen by a community paediatrician.

Almost 1,000 children have been waiting two years to be seen by a community paediatrician.

East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust

Children waiting in excess of two years to see paediatrician

Thameslink has confirmed that an investigation is being carried out causing trains to run at a

Thameslink has confirmed that an investigation is being carried out causing trains to run at a

'Safety inspection' causing train delays between Stevenage and London

Cllr Billing, Cllr Thomas, Charlie Edinburgh, and Joe Williams

Cllr Billing, Cllr Thomas, Charlie Edinburgh, and Joe Williams

Life-saving defibrillator installed in Letchworth neighbourhood

Hitchin Girls' School was awarded an 'outstanding' rating in its latest report.

Hitchin Girls' School was awarded an 'outstanding' rating in its latest report.

Hitchin secondary school achieves 'outstanding' Ofsted report

Josh Mallaburn (left) and Liam Cronin were jailed for attempting to smuggle a family into the UK.

Josh Mallaburn (left) and Liam Cronin were jailed for attempting to smuggle a family into the UK.

5 Hertfordshire criminals who have been convicted in November

Christmas lights switch on Hitchin 2024

Christmas lights switch on Hitchin 2024

Hitchin sees in festive period with annual Christmas lights switch on

The Britton School of Performing Arts (BSPA) has grown from strength to strength since its launch in 2012 and will now have its own practice space.

The Britton School of Performing Arts (BSPA) has grown from strength to strength since its launch in 2012 and will now have its own practice space.

Letchworth performing arts school takes 'next step' into purpose-built venue

The Youth Cancer Trust is staging The Elf Olympics

The Youth Cancer Trust is staging The Elf Olympics

Santa's elves to compete in Olympic-style contest for cancer charity

Snow image from the Watford Observer Camera Club today (November 19).

Snow image from the Watford Observer Camera Club today (November 19).

Ice weather warning issued for Hertfordshire - starting 5pm

Brandles School in Baldock has been rated good by Ofsted.

Brandles School in Baldock has been rated good by Ofsted.

Baldock secondary school for children with EHCPs rated good by Ofsted

Two students from North Hertfordshire College took part in the police operation.

Two students from North Hertfordshire College took part in the police operation.

Retailers in North Herts fail police underage test purchasing

Howard Garden Social Centre in Letchworth.

Howard Garden Social Centre in Letchworth.

Fundraising appeal to help secure future of Letchworth charity

Hitchin MP Alistair Strathern at a bus stop in Shefford.

Hitchin MP Alistair Strathern at a bus stop in Shefford.

Hitchin MP welcomes £15 million bus investment for Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire

Approval has been given to turn a Stevenage house into a children's home.

Approval has been given to turn a Stevenage house into a children's home.

Planning and development

Permission granted to turn Stevenage house into children's home

Spudman - also known as Ben Newman - has become an international 'mash' hit garnering over 3.7 million TikTok followers with videos of jacket potatoes.

Spudman - also known as Ben Newman - has become an international 'mash' hit garnering over 3.7 million TikTok followers with videos of jacket potatoes.

Famous tater Tik Tok-er coming to Stevenage

Four men were arrested after Class A drugs were found in underwear in Stevenage.

Four men were arrested after Class A drugs were found in underwear in Stevenage.

Four men arrested in Stevenage after drugs found in underwear

Reverend Chris Jenkins and his wife Becca

Reverend Chris Jenkins and his wife Becca

Baldock minister takes up new post in Wales after 20 years in town

The Depot Shop in Letchworth is a treasure trove of preloved upcycled items.

The Depot Shop in Letchworth is a treasure trove of preloved upcycled items.

Letchworth upcycling charity shop extends opening hours

The Event Island Community Grant, launched by Stevenage Borough Council, will offer between £100 and £500 to local groups for events taking place on Event Island

The Event Island Community Grant, launched by Stevenage Borough Council, will offer between £100 and £500 to local groups for events taking place on Event Island

Local government

Council grant scheme to fund community events on Event Island

Garden House Hospice Care will be running the service for the seventh consecutive year

Garden House Hospice Care will be running the service for the seventh consecutive year

Hospice Christmas tree recycling aims for £30k

Plenty of businesses have opened in Hertfordshire this month.

Plenty of businesses have opened in Hertfordshire this month.

5 Hertfordshire businesses that have opened or closed this month

Police carried out knife sweeps in Stevenage as part of Operation Sceptre.

Police carried out knife sweeps in Stevenage as part of Operation Sceptre.

Police step up patrols to combat Stevenage knife crime

Our biggest flash sale yet!

Our biggest flash sale yet!

Comet readers can subscribe for just £25 for all of 2025 in this flash sale

The Lonely Herts Club holds its events in The Barn at The Victoria pub in Hitchin.

The Lonely Herts Club holds its events in The Barn at The Victoria pub in Hitchin.

Call for men to join Hitchin Lonely Herts Club event

Hertfordshire residents woke up to snow fall this morning.

Hertfordshire residents woke up to snow fall this morning.

Is snow set to continue in Hertfordshire?

North Herts Council offices in Letchworth. Credit: Will Durrant/LDRS

North Herts Council offices in Letchworth. Credit: Will Durrant/LDRS

North Herts Council

New group aims to make housing developers pay their way

There are long delays on the A1(M) southbound, between Junction 9 and Junction 7.

There are long delays on the A1(M) southbound, between Junction 9 and Junction 7.

Warning of long delays on A1(M) southbound and Letchworth Gate

Hertfordshire Chief Constable Charlie Hall, Isla Rasit, and the chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council Chief Constable Gavin Stephens.

Hertfordshire Chief Constable Charlie Hall, Isla Rasit, and the chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council Chief Constable Gavin Stephens.

Bravery award for Stevenage woman who saved man on bridge edge

Snowy Ball and Gritchie Anderson, two of Hertfordshire’s newest gritters

Snowy Ball and Gritchie Anderson, two of Hertfordshire’s newest gritters

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'BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show' gritters ready to keep Hertfordshire moving

Team of the Year Award: Sitting front Chief Constable Charlie Hall and Deputy Chief Constable Bill Jephson with members of the Hostage and Crisis Negotiator Cadre.

Team of the Year Award: Sitting front Chief Constable Charlie Hall and Deputy Chief Constable Bill Jephson with members of the Hostage and Crisis Negotiator Cadre.

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Winners of Hertfordshire Chief Constable's annual awards announced

The A505 Nightingale Road is closed both ways between Dacre Road and the B656 Walsworth Road, causing delays in the area.

The A505 Nightingale Road is closed both ways between Dacre Road and the B656 Walsworth Road, causing delays in the area.

'Heavy delays' in Hitchin due to roadworks and road closure

The Leys' wellbeing champions celebrating the award

The Leys' wellbeing champions celebrating the award

Stevenage school receives Emotional and Mental Wellbeing in Schools Mark

Seven vehicles were involved in a crash on the A1(M) this morning.

Seven vehicles were involved in a crash on the A1(M) this morning.

Seven-vehicle pile-up on A1(M) at Stevenage

Derek has been teaching yoga for almost 40 years.

Derek has been teaching yoga for almost 40 years.

Stevenage yoga instructor, 79, 'defies age-related limitations'

Under the plans, eight flats will be created above TUI Holiday Store in Queensway, Stevenage.

Under the plans, eight flats will be created above TUI Holiday Store in Queensway, Stevenage.

Planning and development

Green light to turn Stevenage town centre offices into flats

Data has shown the distribution of children with special educational needs across Hertfordshire

Data has shown the distribution of children with special educational needs across Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire County Council

Data shows distribution of children with EHCPs in mainstream schools in Herts

Difficulty maintaining recommended temperatures for vulnerable people are expected.

Difficulty maintaining recommended temperatures for vulnerable people are expected.

'Amber' cold health alert in place for Hertfordshire until Saturday

The proposed development site west of Stevenage.

The proposed development site west of Stevenage.

Planning and development

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Planning permission granted for up to 1,500 homes in Stevenage

Stevenage serial rapist David Carrick has pleaded not guilty to nine further offences.

Stevenage serial rapist David Carrick has pleaded not guilty to nine further offences.

Stevenage serial rapist pleads not guilty to further offences

Last year, Councillor Graham Snell was recognised for his long service with Stevenage Borough Council. Pictured here with then mayor Myla Arceno

Last year, Councillor Graham Snell was recognised for his long service with Stevenage Borough Council. Pictured here with then mayor Myla Arceno

Stevenage councillor who 'worked tirelessly' dies suddenly at home

Newsquest is asking readers to help us bring hope to children over the festive season by donating cash or buying toys to support our NSPCC Christmas appeal

Newsquest is asking readers to help us bring hope to children over the festive season by donating cash or buying toys to support our NSPCC Christmas appeal

‘Childline saved my life’ – why you should donate this Christmas

Police have urged residents to be aware of scammers targeting Christmas shoppers

Police have urged residents to be aware of scammers targeting Christmas shoppers

Police warning to be aware of scammers targeting Christmas shoppers

One in four women and one in six men will be affected by domestic abuse during their adult lives.

One in four women and one in six men will be affected by domestic abuse during their adult lives.

Hertfordshire County Council

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County council adopts ‘zero tolerance’ to domestic abuse

Hertfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards

Hertfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards

Christmas cards

Christmas card competition launched for Hertfordshire children

The Comet death notices

The Comet death notices

In memoriam: Death notices in the Comet last week

Latest court results

Latest court results

Latest court results for Stevenage and surrounding area

These are the best breakfast places in Stevenage according to reviews

These are the best breakfast places in Stevenage according to reviews

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These are the best breakfast places in Stevenage according to reviews