This year's cheery trader has been named as Tom Craddock of Saks hairdresser in Fore Street.

The Winning Window’s competition, which was themed on Christmas Carols for 2011, was won by the White Hart public house, with The Twelve Days of Christmas depicted around the ground floor windows. Second place was awarded to Sugar Smith of Post Office Walk, with Hark the Herald Angels and third place was awarded to The Classic Barber in Old Cross, with God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen.

Prontaprint are to close their doors for the last time on Friday (2nd December).

Franchisees Alan and Jennifer Locke are retiring and have been unable to sell the franchise to new owners.

Other staff at the shop will relocate to the nearest branch at Bishop's Stortford.

The departure of Prontaprint will leave the Marquee shopping centre without a single occupant. It is unclear what the owner's intentions are for the property.

Managers from National Express East Anglia will be on hand at Hertford East station tomorrow morning to discuss the timetable changes that are due to come in next month.

Customers can quiz rail company boses between 7 and 9am tomorrow (Wednesday 30th November), with a further session next week at the same time on Thursday 8th December.

The new timetables come in to force on Sunday 11th December.

Details of the changes can be found on the NXEA website at www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com/dec11.

Furniture and home accessories shop Loftcat have announced a closing down sale, exactly a year after announcing their last closing down sale.

The Railway Street store held a closing down sale last November, only to announce some months later that due to public support they were renewing their lease.

The town centre hosts a Christmas Gala tomorrow evening, with entertainment, a market and the switching on of the Christmas lights.

Over 70 retail outlets will be opening late to enable Hertford residents to start their festive shopping.

Craft, community and food markets will be trading in the town centre as well, along with seasonal entertainment and the switch-on of the Christmas lights at 5pm.

Presentations will also be made to the winners of Winning Windows and Cheerful Trader Competitions.

Hertford Dramatic & Operatic Society are presenting three more episodes of Fawlty Towers at Herrtford Theatre this week.

The show opens tonight and features The Hotel Inspector, The Germans and The Kipper and The Corpse.

Tickets cost £12 and are available from the Hertford Theatre box office 01992 531500.

Shows are at 7:30pm nightly from Wednesday 23rd to Saturday 28th, with a matinee at 3pm on Saturday.

A planning application has been submitted for a dog grooming parlour in Parlaiment Square.

If  the plans are accepted, he former Bairstow Eves estate agency will be converted internally an a new entrance added between the existing windows.

Facilities woul include a main salon, bathing and drying area, office and  teaching space.

A Sele Far woman has been charged with arson following a fire in Hawthorn Close last Thursday (10th November).

Sarah Sampford, of Hawthorn Close, appeared at Hatfield Remand Court following the blaze in a first floor bedroom during the early hours of Thursday morning.

The incident was attended by two fire engines and put out just after 5am.

Hertford Civic Society presented their 2011 awards at Hertford Castle yesterday eveing, with two projects winning accolades. The redevelopment of Bircherlety Court in the town centre and  extensions to Warren Lodge on Port Hill received awards from the Civic Society

The Oasis Café at the Methodist Church in Ware Road was also highly commended, as were the changes to Castle Hall to create Hertford Theatre.

A report prepared by a Panel of Judges led by Russell Craig also gave special mention to the repair and refurbishment of the Clock at the former Christs Hospital, extensions at Westfield House, 54 West Street and the repainting of Lussmanns.

Schemes and projects examined by the Panel involved the new public library, a restaurant, a theatre, a day centre, a sea cadet facility, residential extensions and new residential accommodation.

Panel chairman Russ Craig presents an award to Colin Smart and Graham Peel of architects Kyle Smart Associates for the redevelopment of Bircherley Court

The Civic Society Awards have been made since 1973. The purpose of the Awards is to give recognition to those who serve well the cause of improving the environment and amenities of Hertford and thus to encourage others who are in a position to improve the town to act responsibly.

The route for the 2012 Olympic Torch has been announced, with Hertford seeing the torch on Saturday 7th July, on it's way from Chelmsford to Cambridge.

The torch will be carried by 8000 torchbearers during it's 10 week relay, each carrying it for approximately a mile. Those selected for each relay will be picked because of a "personal achievement" or contribution to their community.

Suzanne Rutland-Barsby, Chairman of East Herts Council said Saturday 7th July would be an important day for East Herts. She said: "I very much hope residents from the towns and surrounding villages will come and see the Olympic Flame as it passes through the district and witness the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay. The torchbearers should be cheered every step along the route and we hope organisations and community groups will take up the Local Leader Initiative invitation to hold events along the route."