A group from Great North Road opposed the plans in 2009 and their campaign was successful.

But changes to Green Belt laws brought in by Welwyn-Hatfield MP Grant Shapps, who is the Housing Minister, means the man behind the plan has re-applied with a planning application.

Rowena Ward lives in a location that could border the industrial compost site. She told JACKfm: "Our main cause for concern is nitrous-oxide emissions, because research has identified earth worms as one of the most significant sources of this gas and its effects are greater than the greenhouse gas methane.

"The effects of nitrous-oxide can contribute to the death of the young and elderly through respiratory illnesses, and it can reduce the biodiversity of the environment - damaging trees, crops, plants. It can contaminate surface water and kill off fish."

Click play below to listen to the campaign group's spokesperson, Rowena Ward...

According to the anti-farm group who have carried out extensive research, Mr Thornton's business case is flawed. Rowena explained: "Many existing commercial operators have expressed disappointment over poor outputs and the fact that higher levels of labour and time were required than had initially been forecast.

"A small scale wormery isn't going to satisfy his pocket. He's going to have to, to make it viable, increase the size of the development. So we have absolutely no faith in what he says he will do."

An e-petition called 'No To The Worm Farm' has been set up on the internet. You can click here to add your name to it.

JACKfm has made several attempts to get in touch with Mr Thornton and his planning agent Mr C J Watts, with no success.

Award-winning young business starswho set up their own business have now been invited to The House of Commons by the town's Member of Parliament, Stephen McPartland.

The Nobel School students impressed the MP with their business skills at the North Hertfordshire Young Enterprise Area Finals at North Herts College last Wednesday.

The nine Year 12 students won the top award of North Hertfordshire Company of the Year at the competition for their company ‘Brainwave’ which made a healthy profit after they designed, produced and sold an educational book for young children.

The 16-17 year-olds were grilled by judges from Waitrose, Admin re and Bullion Supermarkets at the competition where they were up against eight other teams of local students. All the students had set up and run their own business for a year, with the help of local business mentors, after taking part in a Young Enterprise scheme which aims to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Catriona Austin, Manager Young Enterprise East England, said: "All the students had great businesses this year and this was their chance to impress Mr McPartland and the judges with their innovative products and business skills.

The invitation to tea at the House of Commons is a fantastic reward for the Nobel School students who will also now progress to the next stage of the competition at the University of Hertfordshire on 13^th June 2012.

Mr McPartland said he had enjoyed the opportunity to meet all the students and hearing about the business skills they had developed through the programme. He delighted the winning students from ‘Brainwave’ with an invitation to have tea with him at the House of Commons and said, "I was very impressed with all the students and high quality companies they had developed. The enthusiasm, ideas and energy of the students was amazing and it was clear that some of our future local business leaders had taken part in the competition. It was a fantastic event and I look forward to welcoming the winners to Parliament."

The ‘Best Company Report Award,’ went to students from North Herts College while a team from the Knights’ Templar School won ‘Best Trade Stand’, and a second team from Nobel School won the prize for ‘Best Presentation.’

Grace Mansfield-Young, a student from Barclay School who took part in the programme last year and who now supports the charity as a volunteer, was awarded ‘Volunteer Of The Year’ and spoke about the fantastic opportunities and work experience she had gained from Young Enterprise.

More than 130 14 to 18-year-olds in schools across North Hertfordshire have taken part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme this year and set up a total of 14 businesses with help from local business volunteers.

Police are appealing for help to identify the man who was found by a member of the public in a lake in the North Met Pit Fishery yesterday morning.

He is described as being aged between 70 and 80 years old, with grey hair, a well-trimmed beard, with a slim to medium build and is between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 8ins tall.

When found around 10:30am, he was wearing a grey tweed jacket, light grey trousers, brown shoes and socks, a blue striped shirt with burgundy braces and a brown patterned cardigan.

Inspector Roy Stammers told JACKfm: "We’re currently working to establish the man’s identity and the circumstances of how he died.

"At this early stage we are treating this as an unexplained death, but we will be trying to trace his last steps.

"I’m sure there’s someone who may be concerned about their loved one and if you believe you can help identify this man, please contact police as soon as possible via the non-emergency number, 101.

"Also if you believe you saw a man matching this description in the area in the past 24 hours I would urge you to contact police.”

Click the play button on the audio player above to hear the tour through the police station...

Speaking before the station's doors opened at 10am that day, the event's organiser Sergeant David Cooke told JACKfm: "We hope this will be a very interesting and informative day and look forward to welcoming lots of visitors to the station. We have lots of fun activities for all the family and this is wonderful opportunity for local residents to meet their local officers and take a peek behind the scenes.” 

Our reporter Bryan Rutherford was there. He said: "Within two hours 200 people had arrived to tour the station's custody suite which included police cells, an interrogation room and the room where a giant breathalyzer is kept."

The Bishop’s Stortford Museum and the Hertfordshire Archives were also there, bringing with them mug shots of past Hertfordshire criminals, as well as copies of the old police records for visitors to look at.

(BELOW: A police officer explains to Ben and his mother how they test people for alcohol)

A selection of police vehicles were on display for children and their parents to climb into and have a fiddle with all of the buttons. The sirens of up to three vehicles could be heard, often simultaneously, and sounding out in intervals throughout the four hour long event.

Click play below to hear JACKfm's Bryan Rutherford trying to contend with the children let loose in the police cars as he attempted to interview Inspector Hunt...

There were also many family activities including a fictional murder map for budding detectives, colour-in and 'create your own' Victorian policemen badges, and the game 'guess what crimes were committed in Bishop’s Stortford over 100 years ago' using true or false cards. 

JACKfm's Bryan Rutherford added: "Although this was clearly an extremely fun day out for kids, it was very clear that parents were loving it too. And for those that weren't there for the fun of it, they were there to find out more about the job that police officers do, or they were learning more about road safety or how not to be a victim of crime from the information stands that were set up."

(ABOVE: For those that visited the station it was just as much about the fun as it was about the education)

Some locals recalled the last time a similar event was hosted by the police was around 20 years ago.

Many people that came through the stations doors that day were keen to find out more about a career with Hertfordshire Police. Others used the opportunity to learn more about volunteering as an unpaid police officer, called a Special Constable.

If you weren't able to make it to Bishop's Stortford's police station, you can listen to the full experience by clicking the play button on the player at the top of this page, and listen to our reporter Bryan Rutherford taking the tour...

"All Against Nothing" are set to perform in front of 6,000 people at the Royal Albert Hall, as part of a Gala concert celebrating Hertfordshire's musicians.

17 year-olds Michael Askew and Joe Young, who attend the Barclay School, are two of the group.

They told us playing the Albert Hall is an exciting challenge - hear them on the audio player below...

{flaAud_http://18.mm.g-media.com/885157.mp3_260} 

In addition, more than 2,100 Hertfordshire pupils aged from 9 to 11 are joining together in a massed choir to sing songs celebrating the 2012 London Olympics.

A new commission 'What a Joy it is' by local composers Michael Davidson and Daniel Basford will follow 'The Winner's Dream', written by Director of Music at Presdales School, Paul Burrell, for these concerts.

Frances Button, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for young people in Hertfordshire to perform at one of the world's greatest concert venues. 

The Gala concert is a fitting way to celebrate the number of talented young musicians in the county and the excellent work of Hertfordshire Music Service."

Find out more about "All Against Nothing" by clicking here.

The main characteristic of the condition is chronic fatique.

But, as Ian explains there's alot more to it: "It's a feeling of flu-like symptons and can give you pain and sleep-disturbances. I didn't sleep for around three years."

Ian also says it can be difficult to get diagnosed: "It took at least three years for me to be diagnosed. The problem with ME is that it can be a range of problems."

Find out more about ME by clicking on the links below...

- Action for ME: www.actionforme.org.uk

- ME Association: www.meassociation.org.uk

Event organiser Sergeant David Cooke said: "We hope this will be a very interesting and informative day and look forward to welcoming lots of visitors to the station.

We have lots of fun activities for all the family and this is wonderful opportunity for local residents to meet their local officers and take a peek behind the scenes."

 The event is being held between 10am and 2pm (May 11th).

Emma Pannell, deputy manager of the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Kimpton said: "Volunteering as an animal respite carer is a great way of helping pets in need if you can't commit to taking one on full time. 

We're looking for short-term care for animals with special needs, such as mums and kittens or nervous dogs who need a break from kennels. 

Why not come along to our Blue Cross Tea Party to find out more over a spot of tea and cake?"

For more information, contact the Kimpton centre on 0300 777 1490, email hertfordshire@bluecross.org.uk.

The pair have been training for the competition at the Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross.

Head Coach Jurg Gotz said: "In the lead up to our Home Games we identified two major International events that will be used as important performance markers for our athletes and coaches: European Championships in Augsburg (mid May) and our home World Cup in Cardiff (early June) these will provide us with relevant information that will feed into final preparations into our London Games end of July."

The finals and medal winning days are on Saturday and Sunday.

A gathering was held at the Memorial Garden in front of the railway station at 12:50pm, before a service at the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady and St Vincent.

The London to Kings Lynn train came off the track at a faulty set of points.

Six people who were killed were on board the train, while another was killed by masonry falling from the bridge on Darkes Lane in Potters Bar.

Network Rail was fined £3 million in 2011 after admitting a breach of health and safety regulations.  

Those that died on were 75 year-old Austen Kark, 29 year-old Emma Knights, 29 year-old Chia-hsin Lin, 42 year-old Alexander Ogonwusi, 80 year-old Agnes Quinlivan, 25 year-old Jonael Schickler and 30 year-old Chia-Ching Wu.

(BELOW: Vicar of St Charles the Martyr church in Potters Bar, Reverend Michael Burns, led today's memorial services)

AUDIO: Listen to today's memorial service in Potters Bar on the audio player below...

 (ABOVE: Pat Smith)

Pat Smith's mother Agnes Quinlivan, was killed by masonry falling from the bridge over Darkes Lane.

She's been paying tribute at this afternoon's memorial service: "I live in Potters Bar and I pass the memorial garden every day. I take time to remember not just my mother, but the other victims and the families involved."

AUDIO: Author Nina Bawden lost her husband Austen Kark in the crash, as well as being badly injured herself...

(PICTURES BELOW: The scene of the devastation at Potters Bar railway station)

 JACK fm's Bryan Rutherford looks back on the events of May 10th 2002...

Within twenty minutes, Gary Sanderson, from the East of England Ambulance service joined his colleagues who were treating the 76 other injured people: "When we were receiving further updates en-route to the incident our thoughts were about what we were going to see when we got there.

We've had experience in the past of dealing with major incidents, but a train involving several casualties and possibly fatalities, it was quite nerve-racking, I must admit."

Gary continued: "My first impression was how many ambulance, police and fire appliances were in the road leading up to the train station. It was like a massive carpark for emergency vehicles. It was chaotic.

There were hundreds of members of the public milling around, all our colleagues and all the blue light services franticly getting equipment off of their vehicles, rushing to the platform where the train had de-railed, and tried to treat and save people's lives.

Members of the public were everywhere. There were dozens of press people turning up, and they were getting in the way, they were held back by the police so that we could get in and treat the casualities.

I cannot believe ten years have gone by that quickly.

Our thoughts are with the families that lost their loved ones, and the injured, and of course the community of Potters Bar who played a massive part in moving on from this tragedy."

(BELOW: Gary Sanderson and colleagues from the Emergency Services speak to the media)

Hear more from Gary Sanderson on the audio player below...

(ABOVE: The remains of the train after the crash at Potters Bar)

Alison Roome-Gifford was Incident Commander on the day of the crash. 

She is now the Assistant Chief Constable of Hertfordshire Police and says occasions like today don't come any easier: "It certainly doesn't feel like it's ten years on.

Alison continued: "This is a really important opportunity for people to reflect on what happened and pay tribute to those involved and reflect on what was a tragic event.

It's also encouraging to remember the positives of that day, including the tremendous community support."

 (BELOW: Floral tributes are left to the victims)

The return leg is at Bramhall Lane on Monday.

Smith says now his team have made the play-offs, they're in it to win it: "The last five games have contained their own tense and pressured moments.

We want to win it - we're at home in the first leg.

The boys are on great form and are very buoyant - we want to take advantage of that in the first game."

Hear more from Gary Smith on the audio player below...

Two males have been arrested - one's 16 years-old, the other is 21.

The arrests came after an altercation which happened outside the Green Man pub on the High Street in Potters Bar on May 4th around 10.30pm.

Detective Constable Paul Spencer is investigating and said: "I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happens or has any information about who may be involved to contact police."

The two have since been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Herts police say illegal number plates make it much harder for them to identify vehicles that may have been involved in crimes.

As part of Operation Dragon, ANPR officers looked out for motorists with number plates that:

Officers will be joining up to 20,000 of their colleagues from across the UK.

Hertfordshire Police Federation says morale and conditions are being damaged by the slashing of twenty percent of the Force's budget.

They are also concerned that they're being asked to do alot more, with alot less staff.

Vojislav Mihailovia is Federation Secretary: "In terms of Hertfordshire, at our peak we had 2,180 Officers serving the public. That's currently down to 1,980.

We are now back down to the level of Officers that we had before the year 2000."

Vojislav continued: "My colleagues are desparate to get on and serve and protect the public - but we are stretched.

Our intervention Officers are running from job-to-job-to-job and we've got our specialist units running at peak demand.

The expectation is that they will continue to do more with less."

Around 4,000 people have sign an online petition by the charity "Sense About Science."

Rothamsted Research, who are behind the trials, say they have been overwhelmed by the number of people that have signed the petition.

The aim of the petition is not to campaign for or against GM Crops, but to make a stand against the protest.

Meantime, Hitchin and Harpenden MP Peter Lilley has intervened in the row between campaigners and Rothamsted Research.

"Take The Flour Back" are angry that a genetically modified anti-pest wheat is being trialled in an open field.

Mr Lilley's told us he wants to ensure any protests are peaceful: "I am speaking with the local Police to ensure there are security measures in place to deal with any disorder.

I think genuine environmentalists, once they have spoken with Rothamsted, will agree that the work is vital for humanity."

(ABOVE: Hitchin and Harpenden MP, Peter Lilley) 

Meantime, Stevenage's MP is warning anti-GM campaigners that billions of people worldwide will lose out if the research site is destroyed by them.

Mr McPartland says he hopes a planned public debate will put an end to the row: "There is a huge worldwide shortage of food and there does need to be a debate.

These scientists are prepared to share the data, so that it is publicly available.

If their work is damaged it will fall into the hands of the large commercial companies, who won't end up sharing it because of commercial intelligence."

 (ABOVE: Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland)

The circumstances of the death are yet to come to light.

But, the Foreign Office is now looking into it's latest travel advice on safety abroad.

David Walker is Head of leisure safety at ROSPA: "The balcony should reach to roughly where your hip is at 1.1 metres.

The idea is that if you fall or stumble you are held within a 'safe area,' but whether rules are in place or adhered to abroad is questionable.

Holiday companies need to be doing a risk assessment - whether they are abroad or in the UK."

Assistant Chief Inspector Julie Fox, said: "This Core Case Inspection of youth offending work in Hertfordshire took place as part of the Inspection of Youth Offending programme.

Julie went on to say: "Overall, Hertfordshire Youth Justice Service (YJS) performed reasonably well in this inspection. We found examples of creative, thoughtful case management and effective engagement with children and young people and families.

However, the team had been through a period of significant transformation less than a year before the inspection, and was still at the 'bedding in' stage. In this context, we found there were a number of key areas of practice, especially in relation to Risk of Harm and Safeguarding that needed to be improved.

Watford Health Campus will see £6 million spent on improving access to the site, where there will be a new hospital, housing, offices, a hotel, a business park and green spaces for the local community.

Maylands Gateway and Spencer's Park in Hemel Hempstead will also benefit from £3.5 million, to help kick-start housing and business unit schemes.

More than £85m of private sector investment will also go in to boosting economic growth across the County.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety, Richard Thake: "We would like to warn consumers of the dangers of purchasing counterfeit goods. These items are often of inferior quality and can be potentially dangerous.

It is disappointing to see that these items are so easily available but hopefully this latest successful operation will serve as deterrent to other counterfeiters.

We will continue to work with Bovingdon Market and the Police to stamp out the sale of these goods."

Howard Burrell, Stevenage Borough Council's Executive Member for Children and Young People, Culture, Sport and Leisure, said: "It's a great honour for Stevenage to be hosting one of the celebratory beacons, and I hope lots of Stevenage people will come and share this unique experience on 4 June.

The lighting of the Jubilee beacon really is a historic event and, with the firework display to enjoy as well, it promises to be a very special evening."

Commenting on the year-end achievement, as well as the Top 40 Hospitals award, the Trust's chief executive, Nick Carver, said: "Once again, the last 12 months have been amongst the most successful in the Trust's history.

Levels of hospital-acquired infections are at an all time low and patient waiting times are well within the standards set nationally."

 (ABOVE: Shiny Benny, Carol Mumford (with CHKS award) and Siobhan Doyle)

Nick went on to say:"At the same time changes made to the Trust's maternity and emergency surgery services towards the end of last year are proving hugely successful. Women using the new maternity service at the Lister are increasingly happy with the support and care they receive, whilst mortality rates for our emergency surgical services have fallen significantly.

This is especially so for the fractured hip service, which is based in Princes Wing at the QEII pending a longer term move to the Lister by 2014.

Mortality rates for this highly vulnerable group of patients have improved substantially since the new service was introduced in October 2011. Simply put, the changes we have made are resulting in more people’s lives being saved.

He was last seen wearing a black Nike jumper with a large tick motif in the centre and blue/grey shoulder patches. He was also wearing navy tracksuit bottoms and possibly a black baseball cap.

Inspector Yvonne Carroll, who is investigating Ozan’s disappearance, said: "We are becoming increasingly concerned for Ozan’s welfare with each hour that passes. Ozan, if you see or hear this appeal, please get in touch with us.

If anyone thinks they may have seen Ozan since Sunday evening, I would urge them to get in touch with us immediately."

If you see him or know where he is please contact Herts Police on 101.

The idea's to break the Guinness World Record title for the "Largest Full Drum Kit Ensemble" getting together 800 drummers who will play together for 5 minutes.

The previous record was 582 musicians.

Nick told JACK fm: "As a drummer it's the perfect opportunity to use the skills I have to raise money for charity. They first ran this event in Birmingham in 2009 and raised around £60,000.

I am hoping to take my students along and any other keen drummers from the area.

It's a spectacular event, not to mention the noise which is incredible!"

Hear more from Nick on the audio player below...

If you want to join Nick and some of his students in Manchester, contact Stableyard Music on email: info@stableyardmusic.co.uk or by phoning 01707 264 868.

You can also contribute to Nick's charity efforts by clicking here.

Find out more on the "Stick It To MS" website by clicking here.

There are around 2,000 tickets remaining for the first leg at the Lamex this Friday.

There were big queues outside the ground yesterday (Monday) as Season Ticket Holders collected their tickets for the game.

Sara Betsworth, Big Lottery Fund's Head of the East of England region, said: "Today's grants are fantastic news for communities across the region. Awards for All funding can be used for a variety of activities and it's great to see that reflected in today's awards.

Small amounts of money can make a big difference and we are proud to be able to support so many community groups with a huge £602,668 in grants this month."

Also receiving an award was the Bishop's Stortford Community Initiative. The organisation will use the funding to establish a volunteer bureau in the town.

Gareth Smith, head of Podium, said: The enormous range of skills and approaches demonstrated, combined with the consistently high quality of the projects that were submitted for the Podium Awards, was absolutely astounding.

The competition was fierce and we were delighted to see such a vast selection of ideas and activities which will genuinely impact on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and their legacy."

Paul Deighton, CEO of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: "Colleges and universities have played an integral role in supporting London 2012.

I congratulate all of the Podium Awards winning projects on their exceptional work. The 230 projects nominated all serve as a tremendous example of how the power of the Games is being used to inspire people to make a real and lasting difference."

Police will carry handheld drug detection devices and a breathalyser to test erratic drivers.

The machines are expected to receive approval from the Home Office by the end of the year.

Mike Penning says drug drivers are a menace: "We are introducing roadside drugalizer testing, which is already used in France, Germany and Australia.

We are looking at around 13 different substances which can be tested for at the roadside.

The previous administration did a consultation back in 2008, but didn't do anything about it.

It is difficult to introduce legislation like this, but I am fed up with people being killed and maimed on our roads because others have drugs in their system which impairs their driving."

Figures in today's Sun newspaper show just six girls aged 21 and under were fined by Police for drunken behaviour last year.

That compares to 238 in Northumbria and 209 in Merseyside.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: "Making sure young people understand about the harm alcohol can cause in critical.

We will be launching a new way of helping get this message across later in the year."

Gary Smith's men enjoyed a 3-0 victory over Bury at the Lamex yesterday.

Goals from Craig Reid, Joel Byrom and Chris Beardsley secured the win for Stevenage.

They now face Sheffield at home in the first leg of the semi-final on Friday the 11th of May.

Borough then travel to Bramall Lane on the 14th for a place in the final at Wembley Stadium.

Read more on the Official Stevenage FC website by clicking here.

Stevenage singer Aleks Josh is through to the next round on BBC show "The Voice."

Elsewhere on the show, Hannah Berney and Ruth Ann St Luce are the latest contestants to be booted out. Jessie J and Danny O'Donoghue's teams had to sing for the public's votes this week.

Danny opted to save Max Milner -- who sang Tom Petty's Free Fallin -- over Hannah. Jessie just wasn't impressed enough by Ruth Anne's version of a Cheryl Cole song.

Meantime, dance group Four Corners - which stars Yasmin Crotch from Great Ashby - will perform in tonight's semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent.

Last night, Only Boys Aloud and Asheigh and Pudsey were the first acts through to the final.

Dog act Ashleigh and Pudsey got the most public votes and went straight through to the live finale.

Welsh choir Only Boys Aloud made it through after Simon Cowell put the vote to deadlock - against fellow boyband 'The Mend'.

 (ABOVE: Britain's Got Talent Judge, Welwyn Garden City's Alesha Dixon)

Kath's holding a sponsored walk in Welwyn Garden City today to boost her total. The route will wind it's way through local woods and fields, finishing back at Welwyn Garden City.

(BELOW: Kath Abrahams)

She's told JACK fm: "Working for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, I've been so inspired by our wonderful supporters who fundraise with so much energy and enthusiasm, often spurred on through personal tragedy and, often going to astonishing lengths to raise funds.

So I thought I'd set myself my own personal challenge and become a Booby Bird for 2012.

I have a huge fear of jumping out of a plane, but I'm a great believer in challenging my fears, and if I can raise £20,000 to help save more lives and bring us closer to a future free of the fear of breast cancer, it will be worth more than a few sleepless nights!"

For more information about Kath's jump visit her Virgin Money Giving site by clicking here.  

Stevenage's 1st Great Ashby Guides, Brownies and Rainbows helped to celebrate the launch of the Herts Air Ambulance Challenge Badge.

Tina Honeysett, Girlguiding Stevenage Division Commissioner, who worked closely with the Charity in order to put the Challenge together said: "I'm really proud to be part of the Challenge badge team.

Helping others is a key element of Girlguiding UK and the Herts Air Ambulance Challenge is a fun way to raise the profile of the Air Ambulance whilst raising vital funds and learning something new."

(ABOVE: Stevenage's 1st Great Ashby Brownies celebrate the launch of the Herts Air Ambulance Challenge Badge)

Some of the birds live at the RSPB reserve all year round, while others make it their home after travelling halfway around the world.

 (BELOW: The sunrise taken at last year's Dawn Chorus walk)

The 4-and-a-half mile route was originally held to formally mark the boundary of St Albans.

The event starts at 2pm at the pudding stone in front of Kingsbury Mill in St Michael's village.

(BELOW: A plan of the boundary)

The Mayor, Cllr Aislinn Lee, said: "Beating the Bounds is a traditional event for St Albans that brings alive the history of the City."

At four key points along the way, the Mayor's Chaplain, Father Tim Edgar, will say a short prayer and then members of the accompanying group will be invited to beat the 'bounds' with willow wands. The four locations are:

It was the only Liberal Democrat held seat up for election on Thursday.

Robin Parker said: "We ran a very local and personal campaign in Manor Ward, telling people what we have done in their street and in their very local area of Chells Manor and Mobbsbury.

We have always used this style and it clearly strikes a chord with voters, because we have won Manor each year since the ward was created in 1999.

Chief Inspector for events planning, Dave Partridge, said: "The Sawbridgeworth May Fair is a local family event which has is greatly received.

We want people to come along and enjoy this year's fair, we will be holding a police operation to ensure it remains a community fun day for all attending."

DILLEY Amanda Gloria Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts 101

GARDNER Michelle Elaine Labour and Co-operative Party 814 elected

HEARN Sharon Conservative Party 492

SEGADELLI Barbara 92 Liberal Democrats 105

(BELOW: UKIP Candidate Sean Howlett)

***Bedwell(Turnout 31.1%)

BETTS Debra Valerie Christine Liberal Democrats 78

CROPTON Ian John Green Party 88

CULLEN David William Labour and Co-operative Party 897 elected

GLENNON Steve Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts 39

HOWLETT Sean UK Independence Party 218

JOSEPH Ellin Conservative Party 258

(ABOVE: Labour's Vickie Warwick)

***Chells(Turnout 31.05%)

PICKERSGILL Mark Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts 100

STEINER Gareth Morgan Rhys Liberal Democrats 201

WARWICK Vickie Labour and Co-operative Party 875 elected

WYATT Matthew Paul Conservative Party 382

***Longmeadow(Turnout 36.44%)

BASKERVILLE Ralph Christopher Liberal Democrats 172

BELL Lorraine Labour Party 778 elected

HURST Matthew Ashleigh Steven Conservative Party 596

KERR Helen Dorothy Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts 109

***Manor(Turnout 36.62%)

KING Amanda Labour and Co-operative Party 566

SMITH Susan Conservative Party 432

SNELL Graham William Liberal Democrats 837 elected

(BELOW: Labour's Maureen McKay)

***Martins Wood (Turnout 29.73%)

AYLWARD Kevin Alan Neil Liberal Democrats 130

CLARK Dilys Ann Conservative Party 425

MCKAY Maureen Labour and Co-operative Party 835 elected

(BELOW: Labour's Jim Brown)

BROWN Jim Labour and Co-operative Party 1020 elected

FRASER James Robert Conservative Party 783

SNELL Matthew Benjamin Robert Liberal Democrats 99

STURGES Elizabeth Genevieve Green Party 159

***Pin Green (Turnout 31.94%)

KUMAR Michael UK Independence Party 188

PIROTH Amanda Louise Liberal Democrats 97

SPELLER Simon Kirby Labour and Co-operative Party 861 elected

WHELAN Bill Conservative Party 336

(ABOVE: Councillor Graham Clark is the Leader of the Conservative Group)

***Roebuck(Turnout 30.30%)

BASKERVILLE Denise Carlyle Liberal Democrats 83

CLARE Bryan David Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts 41

LLOYD John Labour and Co-operative Party 758 elected

MITCHELL Adam Conservative Party 424

WHITE Graham Crawford Green Party 130

***Shephall(Turnout 28.62%)

BASKERVILLE Nicholas Trevelyan Liberal Democrats 91

CALCUTT Michelle Conservative Party 215

CLARE Barbara Jane Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts 48

PICKERSGILL Jack Labour and Co-operative Party 760 elected

TAYLOR Andrea UK Independence Party 181

(BELOW: Leader of the Labour Group, Sharon Taylor)

***St Nicholas (Turnout 28.92%)

HENRY Richard Joseph Labour and Co-operative Party 860 elected

MOULD Gillian Ann Conservative Party 352

SNELL Heather Mary Liberal Democrats 162

***Symonds Green (Turnout 33.60%)

CHESTER Laurie Labour and Co-operative Party 953 elected

HEARMON Clive Liberal Democrats 123

MOULD Paul Conservative Party 431

***Woodfield(Turnout 30.30%)

CALLAGHAN Jim Labour and Co-operative Party 521

LLOYD-MANNING Katherine Jane Liberal Democrats 131

NOTLEY Margaret Penelope Conservative Party 614 elected

Brookmans Park and Little Heath Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  36.48%

Conservative Hold

Haldens Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  29.94%

Labour Gain

Handside Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  43.57%

Conservative Hold

Hatfield Central Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  24.85%

Labour Hold

Hatfield East Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  28.96%

Conservative Hold

Hatfield Villages Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  21.44%

Conservative Hold

Hatfield South Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  22.66%

Labour Hold

Hatfield West Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  25.71%

Labour Gain

Hollybush Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  23.99%

Labour Hold

Howlands Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  30.04%

Labour Hold

Northaw and Cuffley Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  31.23%

Conservative Hold

Panshanger Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  25.68%

Conservative Hold

Peartree Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  24.24%

Liberal Democrat Hold

Sherrards Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  39.13%

Conservative Hold

Welwyn East Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  34.72%

Conservative Hold

Welwyn West Ward - 1 Seat  Turnout  38.19%

Independent Gain

Parish Council Election: St Paul's Walden

Vacant Seats: 7 | Electorate: 1046 | Ballot papers issued: 359 | Ballot papers rejected: 1 | Turnout: 34.32%

It's come about after officials put in a bid for cash with their "Big Herts Big Ideas" proposals.

Rob Smith, Assistant Director of Transport Management at Herts County Council said: "We want to encourage more residents to use public transport in Hertfordshire and these new services and initiatives will help to drive up the quality and convenience of bus services in St Albans, Harpenden and right across the district."

The details...

- Arriva has been able to change the times of its 300 and 301 service to improve reliability during rush hour thanks to the purchase of a new bus. There have also been some changes to Sunday services to improve overall reliability and a new S8 and S9 timetable has been produced

- Evening service route 301 has changed on Monday to Saturday. The journey from Hemel Hempstead terminating at QEII Hospital has been extended to Welwyn Garden City bus station and timings have been changed to improve connections with rail services and other bus routes

Michael Cakebread of Cadmore Court, Hertford, was detained following a public appeal to establish his whereabouts, after he failed to attend his court case.

The 23 year old was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Cakebread appeared before Stevenage Magistrates Court yesterday afternoon and pleaded guilty to theft from Boots in Hertford on the 11th and 17th Apri,l where he stole cosmetics. He also pleaded guilty to the assault of a staff member at the retail giant who tried apprehending him on one of those occasions.

Another charge the 23 year old pleaded guilty to was the theft of meat from the Hertford branch of Waitrose on the 17th April.

They've also taken part in roadside demos and had close calls with the Police, which Claire admits was surprising: "Here were two people who were putting their freedom on the line to bring about positive change, I couldn't ignore that."

Claire went on to say: "In many ways it took over my life, I'd found these extraordinary women, this amazing story and I couldn't let go.

Whether or not you share their beliefs I think you'd be hard pushed not to raise a smile at some of the antics they get up to."

VIDEO BELOW: One of the short documentaries from Stevenage documentary-maker Claire Pope

You can see the short documentaries on the www.disarminggrandmothers.com website by clicking here.

His body was discovered on the 27th of May.

(BELOW: Martin Collett)

By the time of her return to the UK, the relationship was at an end, but she allowed him to stay on at her home, sleeping in a separate bedroom, as they sorted out the break-up.

The 42-year old was cycling along the cycle track with her son, near to the Coopers Inn Pub, when she cycled into a piece a wire which had deliberately been tied across the path and the cycle track.

Luckily the wire became detached and although it became coiled around the woman’s neck, it did not cause her serious injury.

The incident happened around 4.30pm on Monday April 30th.

If she had been cycling faster or had been riding a moped she could have been very seriously injured or even killed.

It is only a matter of time until we trace those responsible and I believe there is more than one person involved due to the length and nature of the wire used.

All staff at Stevenage Police Station are hunting for the offenders and if you have any information I would urge you to contact police before someone else is seriously hurt."

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. You do not have to give your name and you could be entitled to a cash reward.

 (BELOW: The GlaxoSmithKline site at Stevenage)

Trials at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden are experimenting on the crop to deter pest attacks

"Take the Flour Back" are planning a major protest there later this month.

In an open letter to the campaigners published today, the scientists wrote: "We know we cannot stop you from taking the action you plan, nor would we wish to see force used against you.

Therefore we can only appeal to your consciences, and ask you to reconsider before it is too late, and before years of work to which we have devoted our lives are destroyed forever.

(ABOVE: An extract of the letter from Scientists at Rothamsted to the Campaigners)

 The letter goes on to say: "You have described genetically modified crops as 'not properly tested'. Yet when tests are carried out you are planning to destroy them before any useful information can be obtained.

What you are planning to do is reminiscent of clearing books from a library because you wish to stop other people finding out what they contain. We remind you that such actions do not have a proud tradition."

A member of the campaign group calling herself Helen told The Telegraph there were no plans to cancel their protest in response to the letter and that if the scientists did not abandon the trial voluntarily, the group would break into the site and "remove" the crop.

She said: "We're not taking this lightly. We really don't want to be pushed into this action. We're not anti-science. It's just about doing things responsibly."

Read more on the Rothamsted Research website here.

A sample of fifteen GP practices across three areas in England found that where there were prescribing or monitoring errors, most were classed as mild or moderate, but around one in every 550 prescription items was judged to contain a serious error.

The most common errors were missing information on dosage, prescribing an incorrect dosage, and failing to ensure that patients got necessary monitoring through blood tests.

Dr Maisoon Ghaleb from the University of Hertfordshire said: "There are 990 million prescriptions per year dispensed in England, most of them written out by GPs who are typically very busy. 

In our investigations, we found a number of factors that are associated with increased risk of prescribing errors. 

These included the number of medicines a patient was taking, the age of the patient and the type of medicine prescribed. There is a need for further research to improve our understanding of the human factors involved in the occurrences of these errors."

The European Space Agency chose Astrium to construct a 300 million euro space probe that will get the closest to the sun than any man-made device has ever done.

The firm says it'll investigate how the Earth's communications and power supplies are disrupted by the sun's weather.

The probe won't be launched until 2017 and won't reach it's destination until 2020.

Once there it will monitor solar storms than can affect communications satellites.

AUDIO: JACK fm's Bryan Rutherford has been behind the scenes at the Stevenage company - hear his report on the audio player below...

{flaAud_http://18.mm.g-media.com/851275.mp3_260} 

Head of Astrium UK, Colin Paynter, told us: "I am delighted that Astrium has won Solar Orbiter, which reaffirms our leading position in science and exploration missions

The water is also likely to be absorbed by the soil and not make its way into underground aquifers.

Mike Pocock, Water Resources Manager of Veolia Water explained: "The rain that falls is mostly used by plants. It's held in that sponge-like layer on the ground. It doesn't actually penetrate down into groundwater and that's where we really need it. We won't see those sorts of benefits until the autumn of this year."

According to the water company, the critical period for recharging our aquifers is between October and March each year.

Mike added: "The recent rain's been really helpful, particularly to gardeners, farmers, getting water back in the rivers, but everyone needs to bear in mind that we had two years of low rainfall and it takes a lot longer to overcome that deficit.

"The recent rainfall is unlikely to replenish groundwater levels in our region."

Veolia say after unusually dry weather over the past 24 months, a prolonged and substantial rainfall over next autumn and winter is needed to recharge our aquifers and to move us out of a drought situation.

The reports claims that, although people are getting more help in hospital than ever before, patients being discharged back into the community are typically not in a position where they are fully recovered, with approximately a third of stroke survivors carrying on with their condition for many years afterwards.  

The charity's chief executive, Jon Barrick who is from Hitchin, told JACKfm: "Here in Hertfordshire we've gradually begun to see the local authorities respond by commissioning more services for stroke survivors, but it's patchy. There are still many parts of Hertfordshire that aren't covered by services.

"If you don't put the right resources in, then people can't make the right recovery. We don't want people having to resort to welfare benefits because they can't cope, so we do need to make sure that people are given the maximum opportunity to recover."

The Stroke Association is calling for:

- For those who are commissioning services to provide an equity of services across the region because while support is strong in some areas, it is lacking in others, much like a postcode lottery.

Responding to the Stroke Association's report, NHS Hertfordshire told JACKfm: "We have been aware for some time that services for people who have had a stroke need to improve and here in Hertfordshire we established the  'Integrated Stroke Pathway Group' to oversee the improvement in the quality of care for stroke survivors.

"The agency that provides community health services - Hertfordshire Community Health Trust (HCT) - is required to contact patients discharged from hospital after a stroke, within 72hrs of being discharged.

"The social care team at Hertfordshire County Council have commissioned the Stroke Association to pilot reviews of patients six months after they have suffered a stroke. These reviews aim to pick up on any problems or unmet needs, and signpost stroke survivors and carers to local services."

John Barrick told JACKfm: "My mother had a stroke. The enablement team came round, but they didn't have a physiotherapist as part of that team, so if they don't have the range of people that are needed and the resources, then people aren't going to make their recoveries."

Speaking to our newsroom, Hertfordshire County Council commented: "We have been working closely with NHS Hertfordshire, Herts Community Trust, heart and stroke network and carer representatives to improve outcomes and pathways for stroke patients in Hertfordshire.

"As part of this we have arranged some extra training about after-care for stroke patients for the Hertfordshire Enablement teams this summer.
 
"A strategy for a healthy and happy Hertfordshire is being drawn up by Hertfordshire’s new shadow Health and Wellbeing Board. The board, which is a partnership between Hertfordshire County Council, GP commissioners, the NHS, and district and borough councils, wants to hear the views of local people on whether the right factors have been considered in drawing up the initial priorities and whether it should include other priority areas. An online survey runs until 16 July 2012 after which the final strategy will be developed."

BELOW: full statements from Hertfordshire's health and social care authorities...

NHS Hertfordshire:

"We welcome the Stroke Association's highlighting of this issue. We have been aware for some time that services for people who have had a stroke need to improve and here in Hertfordshire we established the  'Integrated Stroke Pathway Group' to oversee the improvement in the quality of care for stroke survivors.

There are a number of ways that we make sure people who have suffered a stroke are looked after properly. For example:

• We have multi-disciplinary teams at the acute units working with community services to ensure stroke patients are discharged into the appropriate service.

• Patients being discharged from hospital now have a comprehensive assessment and joint care plan completed and this addresses both health and social care needs.  The care plan helps stroke survivors and their carers set rehabilitation goals, understand what to expect after they leave hospital, and also includes contact details of a key worker to contact if there are any problems. Details of support available for carers is also included. Both of the acute trusts in Hertfordshire have exceeded the national target for providing these joint care plans.

• The agency that provides community health services - Hertfordshire Community Health Trust (HCT) - is required to contact patients discharged from hospital after a stroke, within 72hrs of being discharged.

• The social care team at Hertfordshire County Council have commissioned the Stroke Association to pilot reviews of patients 6 months after they have suffered a stroke. These reviews aim to pick up on any problems or unmet needs, and signpost stroke survivors and carers to local services.

• The social care team also work with the Stroke Association to make contact with patients on the stroke unit to provide support and give information to patients."
  

Hertfordshire County Council:

"Hertfordshire County Council is working closely with NHS Hertfordshire, Herts Community Trust, heart and stroke network and carer representatives to improve outcomes and pathways for stroke patients in Hertfordshire.

As part of this we have arranged some extra training about after-care for stroke patients for the Hertfordshire Enablement teams this summer.

A strategy for a healthy and happy Hertfordshire is being drawn up by Hertfordshire’s new shadow Health and Wellbeing Board, with an initial eight key priorities ranging from tackling obesity to supporting people with learning disabilities after thorough consideration of Hertfordshire’s key issues.

The board, which is a partnership between Hertfordshire County Council, GP commissioners, the NHS, and district and borough councils, wants to hear the views of local people on whether the right factors have been considered in drawing up the initial priorities and whether it should include other priority areas.

An online survey runs until 16 July 2012 after which the final strategy will be developed."

But, Hertfordshire County Council has responded to the claims.

A spokesperson said: "Like many other Local Authorities, Hertfordshire is in a challenging position with an increase in the size of this year's reception cohort. 17 additional forms of entry have already been made available for September 2012, through planned increases as part of the authority's primary school expansion programme.

Applications received for reception places in September 2012 have proved to be even higher than anticipated, with an increase of over six per cent on last year.

This has meant that additional places have been made available to make sure there are enough places for all children who need one for September.

The County Council is working hard to ensure that primary places are available to meet rising demand and has committed a significant level of capital funding so that the appropriate level of additional classroom accommodation is provided to meet this need. 

This includes the permanent expansion of existing schools, supporting provision of new schools where required and also through temporary expansions to meet immediate need delivered through the procurement of high quality temporary classrooms. 

Regardless of how places are provided, the County Council will ensure that all additional accommodation provides a high quality learning environment for children."

"Trading Faces" features numerous professions including a fireman, optician, singer, joiner and even a boxer.

JACK fm's Steve Folland has also been captured on camera.

Knebworth-based Mark Bryan told us the inspiration came from a fellow photographer: "We went to an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, which was a study of Irving Penn's work.

He started a project called 'Small Trades' in the 1950s, featuring traders with a prop or tool of their choice."

 (BELOW: JACK fm's Steve Folland and Photographer Mark Bryan)

Mark says he's been impressed by the number of people wanting to get involved: "The profession that took my interest the most was a traditional toymaker; an extremely talented person who made toys out of recycled tins."

'Trading Faces' runs until May the 26th at Hertford Theatre on The Wash, with the exhibition supporting Hertfordshire's Air Ambulance.

Find out more by clicking here.

Laura Blackband, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said in most cases a screwdriver was used to force open doors at the back of properties in the Letchworth and Hitchin areas.

The homes were searched untidily and jewellery, cash and electrical items were stolen.

Cazfest was established with a view to funding the heart screening of all Sixth Form students initially in the Bishops Stortford area, but then subsequently to roll the programme out to cover as much of Hertfordshire and Essex as funds allow.

Last year's event drew in a crowd of more than 4,000 people and raised in excess of £20,000.

More details can be found on the official Cazfest website by clicking here.

The British Olympic Association named five slalom canoe athletes - they are David Florence, Richard Hounslow, Lizzie Neave, Etienne Stott and Tim Baillie.

With 93 days to go, today’s announcement brings the total number of athletes officially selected to Team GB for London 2012 to 66 across five sports: athletics – marathon, boxing, canoe – slalom, sailing and swimming.

The five-strong British squad will be aiming to achieve the first ever Olympic gold for Team GB on home water at the Lee Valley White Water Centre this summer.

Team GB’s slalom canoeists have claimed five medals over the last five Olympic Games – four silver and one bronze – since the sport was introduced consistently to the Olympic Programme at Barcelona in 1992.

The British contingent will be led by Beijing 2008 Olympic silver medallist David Florence who will compete individually in the men’s C1 event. He will also compete alongside Richard Hounslow in the men’s C2, an event in which the pair have claimed medals at both World and European Championships.

(BELOW: Canoe slalom athlete David Florence)

Etienne Stott and Tim Baillie will also compete in the C2 event, while Lizzie Neave will be Team GB’s sole female representative, racing in the K1 class – the only women’s event on the canoe slalom Olympic Programme.

The formal announcement of the selected athletes follows a three-day selection event which took place at the Lee Valley Olympic Slalom Course from 13-15 April. The athletes were formally nominated to the BOA for selection to Team GB by the British Canoe Union, the National Governing Body for canoeing in the UK.

Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said: "I am very pleased to welcome a full complement of five canoe slalom athletes to Team GB for London 2012. The quality of the recent Olympic selection event demonstrated the fantastic strength in depth that has been developed in GB slalom canoeing and is a tribute to the performance personnel at the National Governing Body.

With five medals in the past five Olympics, canoe slalom has made an impressively consistent contribution to the Team GB medal count and we will do everything possible to support them in their quest to win their first ever gold medal on home water this summer. Roared on by a 15,000 strong home crowd at the fantastic Lee Valley White Water Centre, I am sure they will rise to the occasion."

(BELOW: Lizzie Neave)

John Anderson, GB Canoeing Performance Director and Team GB Canoeing Team Leader said: "I am delighted that our canoe slalom team has been officially announced today as part of Team GB and that we have been able to select a full team of five athletes across all four classes. I believe this is probably the strongest Olympic team we have been able to field for some time, with all of the athletes capable of challenging for the podium. Having two C2 boats selected will also give us a significant advantage."

David Florence said: "Just to go to one Olympic Games is absolutely massive, and the aim since Beijing has been to compete again in London in two categories. So to know I have finally been selected for Team GB at a home Games makes all the hard work over the last four years worth it. The hype and excitement of a home Games is going to be amazing."

In recent months, members of the public have reported an increase in suspicious behaviour in the woods, which are located to the east of Baldock.

Safer Neighbourhoods Sergeant Jon Vine commented: "This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable in a public environment, not to mention illegal.

We will work alongside North Herts District Council to ensure that dog walkers, walkers and families are able to use the woods and conservation area without trepidation.

Plain clothes officers will be conducting patrols in the area over the coming months and anyone caught acting in an appropriate manner will run the risk of arrest for outraging public decency."

Hertfordshire Constabulary are asking any members of the public to immediately report anything suspicious by calling the non-emergency number 101, and in an emergency, 999.

Officers believe the man shown in the image may have information that could help with the investigation.

Anyone who believes they know this man or who has any information on the offence should police on the non-emergency number 101 quoting crime reference (B1/12/962).

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, the independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.