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Best Start for Families

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Don’t let flu spoil their fun: protect your child with a flu spray  

This autumn, your little one has a superpower waiting for them – and it’s just a spray away!  

All children aged 2 and 3 years are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine, which is given as a quick, painless nasal spray. No needles, no fuss – just a powerful shield to help protect them from flu.  

Flu isn’t just a cold in disguise, it’s a serious virus that can knock little heroes off their feet. It can cause high fever; sore throat; cough and fatigue; chest or ear infections and can even lead to a hospital stay in some cases.  

Young children are especially vulnerable, but with the flu vaccine spray, they can fight off flu.  

Why flu vaccination matters for young children  
• Flu spreads easily and young children are often the ones who catch it first and pass it on to others.
• The nasal spray is quick, safe and painless. No injections, just a small spray up each nostril – done in seconds!
• Having a child with the flu can also be disruptive for parents if you need to take time off work or find alternative childcare.  

The flu virus changes each year, which is why the vaccine is updated annually. Even if your child had the spray last year, they’ll still need it again this year to keep up their super powers and stay protected.  

By vaccinating your child, you’re not just protecting them, you’re helping to protect the whole family, including grandparents, siblings, and others who may be more vulnerable to serious illness.  

How do I get the vaccine?  
If your child is aged 2 or 3, they can have the flu spray at your GP practice or at a pharmacy.  

If they’re at school, look out for the letter explaining when they will get their vaccination – and remember to fill out the consent form the school sends you!  

Children who have certain health conditions that puts them at higher risk from flu, can also have a vaccine from aged 6 months. For these very young children, the vaccine is delivered as an injection, not as a nasal spray.      
Best Start in Life   The Best Start in Life website brings together trusted information and support from pregnancy through your child’s early years and beyond.   You can find out if you are entitled to Childcare and Early Years Education support and a whole lot more by visiting the website.
     
NHS Better Health Start for Life    The NHS Better Health Start for Life website offer guidance and support for families of under 5s supporting you from pregnancy to starting school.      

Would you like to find out more about becoming a Childminder in Hertfordshire?   Use the contact form on our Childminding webpage to get in touch and receive tailored support from our dedicated Development Officer.      
Have you thought of a career with young children?   Perhaps an Apprenticeship is for you? Have a look at the ‘Do Something Big’ campaign and help to give children the best start in life.  

Bus Travel

New and Improved Bus Services Coming to Letchworth Garden City and Baldock
From 31st August, bus routes in Letchworth and Baldock are changing. With improved frequencies and new routes, Letchworth Garden City and Baldock will have increased connectivity in Hertfordshire.
PlusBus Goes Digital!
You are now able to buy the brand-new PlusBus Day eTicket, which will include a QR Code, to use on your smartphone. You can buy eTickets to travel to or from the station at either end of your rail journey, or both, depending on where you’re travelling.
You’ve Asked, We’ve Listened. Accessing Your Ticketing Account Just Got Easier  
For the first time, customers will be able to use just one login to access both the Intalink mobile app and Intalink website. This update streamlines the user experience, making it easier than ever to plan journeys, purchase tickets and manage bus travel across Hertfordshire.
Service Changes – September  
There are significant changes happening across the Hertfordshire network in early September. We recommend checking our Service changes – Intalink pages to see if these changes will affect your journeys, as well as checking the Routes, timetables & maps – Intalink for service timetables.

Parkrun – Aldenham : Sat 06 Sep 09:00

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Parkrun – Aldenham : Sat 06 Sep 09:00
  Bushey and Radlett  Neighbourhood Policing Team will be holding a Meet & Greet Event as detailed below.  

We are keen to hear about any concerns you have regarding Anti Social Behaviour, crime or any other issues affecting you or our local community.

When and Where? Will you attend?
Sat 06 Sep 2025 09:00 – 10:00  
Aldenham Country Park, Aldenham Road
Borehamwood
WD6 3BA

 
If you can’t attend this event, we are still keen to hear about any concerns through this short survey:
Please click here to complete the survey   For online crime prevention advice visit Crime prevention advice | Hertfordshire Constabulary (herts.police.uk)      
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Herts Connected – Free Event for Older People

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FREE Event for Older People – Keep yourself safer & healthier online and in the real world
If you know someone who would benefit from attending this event, then please pass this message on to them:

You are invited to an OPALS (Older Persons Activity Learning and Safety) event taking place on Friday 29th August at 10.00am at Allum Manor, 2 Allum Lane, Elstree, WD6 3PJ.

The aim of the OPALS event is to provide quality information, advice and help available within the local community on a wide range of services available to reduce vulnerability of our older citizens, to provide reassurance, safe and wellbeing support and reduce loneliness. All event guests will be seated and served refreshments and a FREE hot meal.

Representatives from a variety of agencies will offer advice and highlight the services they provide. It is a sociable event, and a great opportunity to meet other residents in the local area. Agencies not giving talks will have stalls that you can visit, to get advice, collect some safety related information and freebies.

The event lasts around 4 hours, please arrive on time to ensure you do not miss out on the speakers or freebies on offer. “Act of Kindness” gift bags will be handed out at the end of the event. The event is targeted to our older citizens, if you would like to attend or have any questions, please contact Terry Morris, on 07740 670 642 or email: terry.morris@hertfordshire.gov.uk with names and contact information, spaces are limited so if you don’t want to miss out then please reserve a space quickly.  

Phillimore Recreation Ground awarded the coveted Green Flag Award as it is officially recognised as one of the country’s best parks

Phillimore Recreation Ground in Radlett raises prestigious Green Flag Award after achieving international quality mark for parks and green spaces

Today, Aldenham Parish Council is celebrating after receiving a Green Flag Award for Phillimore Recreation Ground.

The site is one of 2,250 in the UK to achieve the award, which is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

The news that Phillimore Recreation Ground has met the standards required for the accreditation is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for the green space so that visitors and residents alike can enjoy it.

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in Phillimore Recreation Ground who have worked tirelessly to ensure that it achieves the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.

“Quality parks and green spaces like Phillimore Recreation Ground make the country a heathier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.

“Crucially, Phillimore Recreation Ground is a vital green space for communities in Hertfordshire to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis it is a free and safe space for families to socialise. It also provides important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green space.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

New pay and display machines

Parking machine
We’re rolling out a major upgrade to parking infrastructure with the installation of new pay and display machines across the borough.

The new machines, which will be fully operational by mid-July, provide drivers with a more modern, convenient payment option — including debit and credit card payments for the first time.

The updated machines will no longer accept cash. Motorists will still be able to pay via the PayByPhone app or by calling the PayByPhone line, as well as paying by credit or debit card, giving customers a variety of payment choices to suit different preferences.

The council is replacing all 125 of its existing solar-powered machines, some of which are over 20 years old. This follows a decision made at Cabinet in September 2024, driven by growing concerns over vandalism and theft, as well as the increasing costs associated with handling cash.

Feedback from residents and visitors was a key factor in shaping the changes. The introduction of card payments directly responds to calls for a faster, simpler parking experience.

Blue Badge holders will continue to benefit from free parking in designated off-street bays.

For more information on parking in Hertsmere, please visit: www.hertsmere.gov.uk  

Read the full news story

🌳FREE TREES FOR HERTFORDSHIRE RESIDENTS!🌳

The fantastic ‘Your Tree Our Future’ scheme is back for 2025 — and it’s bigger than ever! As of today, residents can apply for free trees to plant at home and help make Hertfordshire greener, healthier, and more wildlife-friendly.

This year, over 60,000 trees are being made available — part of an incredible effort that’s already seen 191,000 trees given away across the county in partnership with local councils.

With growing demand, the scheme has expanded again — supporting cleaner air, biodiversity, and our fight against climate change. A brilliant way for every resident to take part in shaping a more sustainable future. Apply below!

Hertfordshire County Council