'My life was turned upside down' - victim of St Albans Christmas Day arson speaks out

• St Albans woman reveals lasting trauma after her Hatfield Road flat was deliberately set alight on Christmas Day.

Today in Hertfordshire

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The local news that matters this morning

Here's the local news from the past 24 hours, made easy to digest.

Watford Observer - News (Newsquest) · Events · yesterday 'Treasured' Grade II* listed building put up for sale in 'human error' blunder • One of an area’s most treasured buildings - with a Grade II* listing - was put up for sale “in error” a council has said.

The Comet - News (Newsquest) · Council · yesterday North Herts makes renewed push to protect county's rare chalk streams • North Herts Council is making a renewed push to protect Hertfordshire's rare chalk streams.

Herts Advertiser · Local news · yesterday Oaklands College encourages adults to learn new skills with campaign • Adults in St Albans and Welwyn Garden City are being urged to swap the sofa for the classroom this autumn as Oaklands College launches a new campaign

The Comet - News (Newsquest) · Travel · yesterday Person hit by a train near Cambridge has died • A person has died after being hit by a train near Cambridge and Royston, British Transport Police have said.

Hemel Today · Safety · 2 days ago Hertfordshire Constabulary records 'significant' fall in reported car thefts • A drop in the number of vehicles being stolen across Hertfordshire was highlighted at the police and crime commissioner’s latest accountability and performance meeting.

St Albans Times · Council · yesterday St Albans politicians pass judgement on halt to Local Government Reorganisation • Plans to scrap Hertfordshire district, borough and county councils and replace them with new unitary authorities have been placed on hold pending a review by the Government – but the creation of a St Albans City Parish Council is ploughing ahead. • Local Government Reorganisation would have seen Hertfordshire divided into.

BBC News - Beds, Herts & Bucks (regional) · Local news · yesterday Sutton sign Stevenage's Knight on loan • Sutton United sign midfielder Joe Knight on a three-month loan deal from League One club Stevenage.

North Herts Council - site RSS · Events · yesterday Royston Leisure Centre invests £205,000 into recovery facilities • Royston Leisure Centre invests £205,000 into recovery facilities gavin.midgley Date 08 September 2026 Date 08 September 2026 Royston Leisure Centre is set to get new recovery facilities as part of a £205,000 investment from Everyone Active. • A brand new ‘Restore Space’ will transform a former colleague area at the centre into two private thermal suites, each with its own infrared sauna and private shower.

Watford Observer - News (Newsquest) · Local news · yesterday 10 confirmed Watford-area school open days in the coming weeks • The Watford Observer has rounded up when 10 schools in our area will be holding their open days over the coming weeks.

Welwyn Hatfield Times · Local news · yesterday Meet the Hertfordshire 'pocket rocket' taking part in the new series of Bake Off • A marketing graduate from Hertfordshire has been announced as a contestant in the 17th series of The Great British Bake Off on Channel 4.

St Albans Times · Local news · yesterday Arson victim reveals devastating impact of fire which destroyed her personal belongings • A St Albans woman whose flat was deliberately set on fire on Christmas Day has spoken out about the impact it has had on her – after the man responsible was sentenced to four years imprisonment. • St Albans Crown Court heard that the arson had caused the woman aged in.

What's on: next 14 days

A quick-view of 47 priority public listings from 47 tracked events over the next 14 days. Tap any item for the source and full details.

12 Sep · The Wash, SG14 1PS Hertford, United KingdomCape Fear (35th Anniversary) (18)- part of Scorsese Season

19 Sep · 39 Fore Street, SG14 1AL Hertford, United KingdomEmo Night ft. Kerrank! | Corn Exchange, Hertfordd

14 Sep · British Red Cross CentreFirst Aid at Work Requalification Course - Hertford

12 Sep · Babylon Lounge, HerefordHard Revival 6 - Davide sonar & Mzone

12 Sep · PANSHANGER PARKHeritage Open Days Parkland Restoration Tractor Tour

12 Sep · PANSHANGER PARKHeritage Open Days Walk & Talk: Stories of Panshanger Park

9 Sep · BEAMJonathan Pie: Work in Progress

19 Sep · Hertford Corn ExchangeKERRANK! Live & Loud in Hertford

11 Sep · Corn Exchange - HertfordMotown & Soul Night w/ Uptown Funk | Hertford Corn Exchange

20 Sep · PANSHANGER PARKNature Explorers at Panshanger Park

12 Sep · The Dog And WhistleOnce Upon A Disco

20 Sep · Corn Exchange - HertfordOutlaws and Sinners - Line Dancing Night | Corn Exchange, Hertford

19 Sep · Dog And Whistle, HertfordRNB MANIA | Hertford's R&B Festival

18 Sep · Hertford Corn ExchangeThe Blockheads in East Hertfordshire

13 Sep · PANSHANGER PARKThe Marvellous Miss Midd - A Heritage Open Weekend Talk

12 Sep · 39 Fore Street, SG14 1AL Hertford, United KingdomThe Rolling Clones | Corn Exchange, Hertford

11 Sep · The Book and BottleVeganissima Book Launch

10 SepAuthor Event: L.M Kemp - author of I Spy

18 SepLive Music - Mario

12 Sep · The breakfast clubArt Supper with Mandy Johnson — Colour Conversations & Playful Watercolours

17 Sep · Highfield Park TrustBat Safari

13 Sep · St Albans Museum + GalleryBig Battlefield Walks Weekends - Battle of St Albans 1455

17 Sep · St Michael's ChurchHarry Christophers and the Sixteen

10 Sep · Alban ArenaJimmy Carr: Laughs Funny

19 Sep · Heathlands Drive, Saint AlbansNorthern Soul at Pioneer

11 Sep · St Michael's Manor HotelSip & Paint at St Michael's Manor Hotel

20 Sep · The Yoga HallSound Journey and Sacred Cacao with Lia

12 Sep · The Yoga HallSt Albans Dance Collective featuring Felix Oram, Temenos Dance Collective

12 Sep · The Marlborough Science AcademySt Albans Freestyle - Saturday 12th September 2026

12 Sep at 10:00 · Greenwood ParkSt Albans Mosaic Making Workshop - Sat 12th Sept 10am-2pm

13 Sep · Megan's at the old Bell Restaurant (St. Albans)Sunday Bump Club, St Albans

11 Sep · Alban ArenaThe Smyths - Alban Arena - 11/9/26

12 Sep · The Horn, Victoria Street, AL1 3TE Saint Albans, United KingdomTotally Blondie | The Horn, St Albans

13 Sep at 11:00AI Academy Open Day

12 Sep · The Pump House Theatre and Arts CentreRandom Café's Beer Tasting and Meet the Brewer Evening

12 Sep · 107-115 The Parade Watford WD 17 1LUReveal Your Soul

19–20 Sep · South Oxhey Leisure Centre (Watford, UK)Sensei Hitoshi Kasuya London Seminar 2026

12 Sep · Zoo nightclub, WatfordSoul Daze - Watford's 80's Soul, Jazz funk & Disco Day Party

12 Sep · The ZooUKG BINGO Sat 12th Sep Watford

13 Sep · Unit 7, Moor Park Industrial Centre, Tolpits Lane, WD18 9SP Watford, United KingdomUNIT Vii CAR MEET

13 Sep · Cassiobury Park BandstandUPDATE: Grimsdyke Brass Band at the Bandstand

12 Sep · Future Academies WatfordWATFORD YOUNG ACHIEVERS GOT TALENT GRAND FINALE AWARDS CEREMONY 2026

13 Sep at 10:00Community Apple Picking and Pressing

14 Sep at 19:00Join Brush Party to paint 'View to the Blue' - Watford

21 Sep at 21:00Watford Palace Theatre Open Mic

9 Sep at 08:00Watford Town Centre Open Mic/Jam Night

18 Sep–31 Oct18th September - 31st October 2026 Paul Davey

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Did you know? · Hertfordshire

Cecil Rhodes' birthplace in Bishop's Stortford, Netteswell House, is now the town museum, opened in 1938.

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