Welwyn Garden City · Local news you can trust
Officers still back up to 100 Green Belt homes at New Road, Stanborough, though the draft Local Plan rejected the site. Councillors decide on 11 November.
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Christmas
Where to Buy a Christmas Tree Near Welwyn Garden City 2026
We checked 8 places to buy a real Christmas tree near Welwyn Garden City, from a Watton-at-Stone tree farm to doorstep delivery, for dates and prices. Updated November 2026.
Welwyn
Welwyn Garden City Roadworks This Week: A1(M) and A414
Hatfield Tunnel shuts overnight to Saturday 7 November. The A414 at Park Street closes on several nights, and the A1(M) junction 3 exit shuts on 10 November.
Faith
St Nektarios Service in Brookmans Park on Sunday 8 November
A free evening of prayer at The Twelve Apostles Greek Orthodox Church starts at 5.30pm, remembering those affected by cancer. Updated November 2026.
Food & Drink
Christmas Dinner in Welwyn Garden City 2026: Pubs With Prices
Nine places around Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield serve Christmas Day lunch, from £59.99 to £115 a head, with deposits and pay-by dates. Checked November 2026.
Planning
South Way Hatfield: 120 Homes Approved, 30 Affordable
The layout for 120 homes on fields off South Way, Hatfield, is approved: 90 for sale, 30 affordable, with land kept for a new primary school.
Council
Hertfordshire Mayor: Budget Puts County in Next 10 Deals
Hertfordshire is one of 10 areas set for a mayor, the Budget says. No election date yet; local consultations come next. What a mayor gets and what leaders said.
Housing
Welwyn Hatfield Housing Register: 5 Rule Changes Proposed
3,750 households are on the Welwyn Hatfield housing register; a Band B family waits 36 months for a 3-bed house. The council wants to change who gets priority.
Sport
Commonwealth Medallist Iona Moir Coaches Welwyn Wheelers
Iona Moir, a 2026 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, went back to Welwyn Wheelers on 24 October to coach riders aged 6 to adult at Gosling Velodrome.
Planning
Stanborough McDonald's Approved 8-3 Despite 387 Objections
Councillors approved McDonald's changes to The Stanborough on 22 October by 8 votes to 3. The use was never up for debate; the signs are a separate application.
Welwyn Garden City
Godshaw Jewellers Closing After 79 Years: 50% Off 31 Oct
Steve Godshaw, 78, is retiring and closing his Wigmores North shop, with jewellery and watches half price until the stock is gone. Updated November 2026.
Christmas
Pier Pressure Welwyn: Santa and The Sleighers From 11 Dec
Pier Pressure Welwyn takes Christmas to Mill Green Watermill from 11 Dec: Santa storytime at £10 a child, The Sleighers at £35 and a festive escape room.
Hatfield
Platypus Swimming Club Hatfield Wins £4,143 at 60
Hatfield's swimming club for disabled people has £4,143 from Sport England for pool hire and training, in its 60th year. How to join, and how clubs can bid.
Welwyn Garden City was laid out from 1920 as the second garden city, and the plan is still visible in it: the tree-lined parkway, the separation of houses from industry, the deliberate low density. Hatfield next door grew a different way, around an aerodrome and a great house and now a university. Hertford, the county town, and Ware sit east of both on the Lea.
Welwyn Online covers all four. Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield share one borough council; Hertford and Ware are in a different district, so the answer to a question about bins or planning depends on which side of the boundary you are. We name the right authority every time and link to its own record.
Nothing is published here that we cannot link to a source.