Hertford Town Council have announced grants totalling over £4,000 to six Hertford-based organisations.

The money will be shared between six local organisations.

Hertford and District Churches Together were awarded £1,200 to contribute to funding for the initial set up and running costs of a new food bank to be based at the United Reform Church in Cowbridge.

Hertford and Ware Street Pastors were awarded £1,000, towards the purchase of equipment and training.

Country Bus Rallies were awarded £595 towards the cost of event publicity, print costs, public liability insurance and the running costs of the popular classic bus tours.

Home Start East Herts were awarded £500 to contribute towards the cost of running the group, summer outings and a Christmas Party for 2013.

Hertford Cricket Club Under 15s were awarded £750 to assist with a cricket playing tour of Gibraltar and mainland Spain.

East Herts Neighbourhood Watch were awarded £342.50 to fund "Operation Stomp" which is designed help protect elderly or vulnerable residents from possible break ins and scams.

The Town Council sets aside a sum of money each year for Community Grants, awarded for a range of purposes, including public events, projects being undertaken by local voluntary organisations and endeavours by individuals which show a clear benefit to Hertford residents.

Hertford's Annual Town Meeting takes place on Thursday 28th March 2013 at 7.30pm at Hertford Castle.

This year?s meeting has a varied agenda, including a presentation by Hertford Town Football Club on their growth plans, a representative from Groundwork Hertfordshire will speak about the exciting new community allotment scheme at Sele Road, as well as there being an update on the activities of your Town Council. The meeting is open to everyone and concludes with an open forum which provides an opportunity for residents to raise any matter relating to the town, although only those resident in the parish boundaries are eligible to vote on any issues raised.

The Pinehurst Community Committee has been allocated a grant of £1,000 to help support the redevelopment of the playground and open spaces on the Pinehurst estate.

County Councillor Sally Newton has allocated the funding from her locality budget to pay for a consultation on plans for the redevelopment of the open spaces on the estate.

The Pinehurst Community Committee runs activities and support services for residents on the estate and, following the consultation, will be raising the funds and managing the redevelopment.

Hertford Town Council has awarded grants worth over £4,000 to six Hertford-based organisations.

Each year the Council sets aside a sum of money for Community Grants, awarded for a range of purposes, including public events, projects by local voluntary organisations and endeavours by individuals which show a clear benefit to local residents.

At a meeting on Monday, Councillors agreed that the following sums be awarded:

• Hertford Civic Society - £1200 towards the cost of a bronze resin of Alfred Russell Wallace to commemorate the centenary of his death.
• Sele Farm Carpet Bowls Club was awarded £200 towards its running costs.
• Mr D Howells, a pupil of Richard Hale School was awarded a £200 contribution towards a school expedition to Tanzania.
• Hertford Football Club was awarded £1200 towards the cost of the refurbishment of the changing facilities and a replacement boiler.
• River Beane Restoration Association was awarded £100 towards its running costs.
• Rotary Club of Hertford was awarded £1200 towards the organisation of Hertford Carnival.

Chairman of the Finance, Policy and Administration Committee, Cllr Miss Chantal Geall, said: "Hertford Town Council is pleased to be able to support a diverse range of organisations and activities, all of which make a positive difference to life in our town. We welcome grant applications for community grants from individuals and organisations resident in Hertford ."

Two of the town's facilities for drug and alcohol users are to merge if plans are given the go-ahead.

The integrated drug & alcohol recovery service would be based at Graham House in Ware Road, recently vacated by The Probation Service. The facility will replace those existing srrvices being offered from Fore Street and Priory Street by the Herfordshire Drug & Alcohol Service.

Staff in the unit would include qualified nurses, doctors, recovery workers, counsellors and training co-ordinators. The unit would be open Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 6pm.

A new group has been formed to stimulate and protect Hertford.

The Hertford Futures group is made up of local businesses, residents, councillors, Hertford Civic Society and Transition Hertford.

The group recently met to discuss  a draft plan written by East Herts Council's economic and development manager Paul Pullin. The plan covers five key areas - business & investment, retail & hospitality, environment & tourism, transport and "civic pride".

A further meeting will be held on 14th December when the results of a benchmarking exercise will be presented to the group.

Nominations are now open for Hertford's Cheery Trader 2012 award.

The town gave it's first award in 1983 and following it's successful re-introduction in 2010, the Town Council have now launched the 2012 competition.

Nominations are open until Wednbesday 21st November and the winner will be announced during the Christmas Gala evening on Friday 23rd November.

Nomination forms are available from the Town & Tourist Information Centre in Market Place.

East Herts Council are seeking residents' views on draft proposals for the future of Hartham Common.

The Council are working with the Countryside Management Service to map out the future of The Common from 2013 to 2018.

Local people are being asked to take a look at the draft plan and submit comments by the end of October.

Hartham Common Greenspace Action Plan 2013-18

The 2013 Hertford Calendar was launched on Sunday, when 11 local photographers were presented with certificates by the Mayor, Cllr Jane Sartin.

The calendar features 12 local views taken by the town's residents and chosen by the town council following a competition.

The calendars are available for £5.99 for the Tourist Information Centre in Market Place, Vintage At No.8 and Clock Cards in Railway Street.

County Councillor Sally Newton has been deselected by her local Conservative Party and will not stand for the party at the next election in 2013.

No reason has been given for the move but there is speculation that her criticism of the Tory led District Council may have influenced the decision.

Mrs.Newton is also a Town Councillor and fellow Conservatives on the Council are unhappy with her removal.

Favourite to replace Sally Newton in the All Saints Constituency is Stevenage councillor Philip Bibby.