Under the Bishop’s Stortford Cemetery Act 2024 and Faculty 1903 in the Diocese of St Albans the Council is granted the powers necessary to reuse graves for the purpose of providing additional space for burials.
The powers are subject to certain conditions and protections for relatives of the deceased including a requirement to post specified notices. A formal notice relating to the proposed use of these powers appears here
Bishop’s Stortford Town Council invites all arts and music societies, residents, community groups, local organisations, and businesses to get involved in the town’s bid for UK Town of Culture 2028.
Join us for an Open Evening to share your ideas about how our town can celebrate its creativity, heritage, and community spirit.
The UK Town of Culture 2028 programme gives towns across the country the chance to celebrate local culture and pride, with £3 million awarded to the winning town and £250,000 to each of two runners-up.
Everyone is welcome - no registration required. Come along and be part of shaping Bishop’s Stortford’s cultural future.
If you are unable to attend, you can still share your ideas by emailing events@bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk
Find out more about the national competition here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-town-of-culture-2028-expression-of-interest/uk-town-of-culture-2028-expression-of-interest-guidance-for-bidders
The Annual Town Meeting is held at South Mill Arts and is an opportunity for electors (i.e. residents who are able to vote) to have their say on anything they consider to be important to the people of Bishop’s Stortford. This is not a meeting of the Town Council, it is a meeting facilitated by the Town Council. It is your meeting!
In a change from previous practice, questions will not be sought or accepted in advance of the meeting. The meeting is also an opportunity for some of the Town’s local groups and charities to showcase their work and to make the community aware of their services and opportunities to volunteer to help.
The Town Mayor chairs the meeting. If the Mayor or Deputy Mayor is not able to attend, then the meeting will elect a chairperson from amongst those electors present.
Other Town Councillors usually attend and will speak if need be. However, the purpose of the meeting is to enable electors to have their say. Councillors will listen with interest and, as electors themselves, also have the opportunity to raise questions and make comments if they wish. There will be no Council reports but the Mayor will make a short speech at the start of the meeting. The public are encouraged to attend Town Council meetings for Town Council business.
The agenda will be published on the website and town noticeboards.
Minutes of the meeting are taken and approved at the following year’s Annual Town Meeting.
Come and have your say!
Notice Issued by: Bishop's Stortford Town Council, The Old Monastery, Windhill, Bishop's Stortford, Herts CM23 2ND.
Cllr Richard Townsend - Town Mayor
Cllr Miriam Swainston - Town Council Leader
Mr Huw Jones - Chief Executive Officer
First Eco Fair in the Square comes to Bishop’s Stortford this Earth Day
Bishop’s Stortford Town Council is delighted to announce its first Eco Fair in the Square, taking place on Earth Day, Wednesday 22 April 2026, in Market Square from 10:30am to 4:30pm.
This free community event will bring together local environmentally focused organisations, charities, community groups, and traders to celebrate sustainability and encourage practical, everyday actions that support the environment. The event is open and accessible to people of all ages.
Visitors can enjoy eco-friendly stalls, hands-on activities, and interactive demonstrations, including seed planting and energy-generating bikes. The fair will also showcase local sustainability initiatives, providing opportunities to connect with organisations working across Bishop’s Stortford and discover simple ways to make a positive impact at home and in the community.
For more information, please contact Bishop’s Stortford Town Council on 01279 715001 or email events@bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk.
For more information, please contact Bishop’s Stortford Town Council on 01279 715001 or email events@bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk.
UK Town of Culture 2028 – Bishop’s Stortford’s Opportunity to Shine
The UK Town of Culture 2028 competition, launched by the UK Government in January 2026, gives towns across the country a chance to celebrate their unique identity and creativity. The programme aims to boost local pride, strengthen the economy, and highlight the distinct cultural stories that make each community special.
The winning town will be awarded £3 million to deliver an exciting year-long cultural programme in 2028, with two runners-up each receiving £250,000 to support cultural projects.
Bishop’s Stortford Town Council is seeking ideas, input, and suggestions from local organisations and community groups to help shape its BID proposal. The deadline for the Town Council to submit its Expression of Interest documentation is 31st March 2026.
If your organisation would like to contribute ideas or get involved in the planning process, please get in touch at events@bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk
Bishop's Stortford Town Council organises festive lighting of Bishop's Stortford Town Centre (North Street, Potter Street, Market Square and South Street) each year. The Council is tendering for a four year contract to run from the year 2026/27 to 2029/30. Further information can be found here.
Bishop's Stortford Town Council is inviting proposals to operate an ice cream van/kiosk during the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons on two sites at Castle Park (comprising Castle Gardens and Sworders Field). Further information can be found here.
The Town Council has secured Christmas Taxi Marshalling at Bishop’s Stortford Train Station during the festive season with the help of a Safer Towns Centres Grant Scheme from the Police & Crime Commissioner of Hertfordshire.
There will be two people on duty for each 5 hour shift. The aim is to help manage the queue and get people safely into taxis at the end of their night out.
The marshalling takes place on the following dates this December:
Friday 5th December - 10.30pm to 3.30am
Saturday 6th December - 10.30pm to 3.30am
Friday 12th December - 10.30pm to 3.30am
Saturday 13th December - 10.30pm to 3.30am
Friday 19th December - 10.30pm to 3.30am
Saturday 20th December - 10.30pm to 3.30am
Sunday 21st December - 10pm to 3am
Monday 22nd December - 10pm to 3am
Tuesday 23rd December - 10pm to 3am
Wednesday 24th December - 10pm to 3am
Friday 26th December - 10.30pm to 3.30am
Saturday 27th December - 10.30pm to 3.30am
Sunday 28th December - 10pm to 3am
Monday 29th December - 10pm to 3am
Tuesday 30th December - 10pm to 3am
Wednesday 31st December - 10.30pm to 3.30am
The BID commented: “The taxi marshals will be a great help on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout December, which are traditionally busier with more people celebrating the festive period. Ensuring everyone can get home safely after enjoying a night out in our town is priority for us all. As we work with the Town Council and other partners in the town to achieve Purple Flag status, the certification of a safe night out, this is a great step. We thank the Town Council for funding this service.”
Cllr Miriam Swainston, Council Leader added: “The Town Council is pleased to continue providing Taxi Marshals for another year. It has identified the importance of Community Safety in its Strategic Plan, and these Taxi Marshals will support that aim. A night-time economy is really important, and we want residents and visitors to enjoy the extra busy Christmas period safely. We will continue to assess how well the scheme is working and if it is helping, then we will certainly consider keeping it as a regular service each year.”
Bishop's Stortford Town Council is seeking a contractor to undertake consultation, preparation and construction of a truck grade turning area at Sworders Field, Bishop's Stortford. Further information can be found in the tender documents here.