The Comet

The Comet is a weekly publication that serves the English towns of Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth, and Baldock, along with nearby villages in north Hertfordshire and south-east Bedfordshire. Located in Stevenage and part of the Archant group, most of its copies are either delivered locally or available for free pickup, although it is also available for purchase. The newspaper is released every Thursday in three different editions: one dedicated to the Stevenage area, another for Hitchin, and a third that highlights Letchworth and Baldock. As of 2016, John Francis holds the position of editor for the paper.

Local

English

Newspaper

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Global

#102524

United Kingdom

#4342

News and Media

#260

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Articles

Bedfordshire fire to review handling of tops officers’ misconduct

3 days ago | thecomet.net | John Guinn

Tuesday’s meeting (June 3) heard the proposed disciplinary process outlines how complaints against “principal officers and designated statutory officers” would be handled. These roles include the chief fire officer and other senior posts such as the monitoring and finance officers.
3 Britons could face death penalty in Indonesia over alleged drug smuggling charges

3 days ago | thecomet.net | Carlo Simone

Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 28, and Lisa Ellen Stocker, 29, were arrested on February 1. Prosecutor I Made Dipa Umbara said customs officers halted them at the X-ray machine after finding suspicious items in their luggage disguised as food packages. Mr Umbara told the District Court in Denpasar that packets of Angel Delight powdered dessert mix in their luggage contained 993.56 grams of cocaine, worth an estimated six billion rupiah (£272,000).
Krispy Kreme to give away free doughnuts this week (but there's a twist)

3 days ago | thecomet.net | Carlo Simone

Krispy Kreme will be giving away original glazed doughnuts on Friday, June 6 (Image: Krispy Kreme) Krispy Kreme will be giving away free original glazed doughnuts to mark National Doughnut Day (Friday, June 6), but there's a twist. The company wants to reclaim their title "as the OG of the glazed doughnut". Therefore, they are encouraging customers to bring “Faux-G doughnuts” into a Krispy Kreme store, which they can "upgrade" to an original glazed doughnut for free.
Hitchin theatre group adapting 'Blackadder Goes Forth' for the stage

5 days ago | thecomet.net | Anne Suslak

Rehearsals for 'Blackadder Goes Forth' (Image: The Bancroft Players) An adaptation of Blackadder Goes Forth is heading to the Queen Mother Theatre in Hitchin. The fourth series of the BBC sitcom was written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton and first aired in 1989, winning a BAFTA for 'Best Comedy Series'.
In the dock: Latest court results for Stevenage and North Herts

6 days ago | thecomet.net | Dan Mountney

Find out who was in the dock this week. (Image: Archant) Here are the latest court results for Stevenage and North Herts, with offenders appearing at Stevenage and St Albans magistrates' courts. Stevenage Magistrates' Court - May 28 Fay Graves, 36, of Beale Close, Stevenage. On March 29, 2025, had 89 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit, while driving in Bucklersbury, Hitchin.
Plans submitted to turn Hitchin property into children's care home

1 week ago | thecomet.net | Dan Mountney

The plans, put forward by OptimumCare4u, would see 186 Whitehill Road become a home for three children with "emotional, behavioural, or mild learning difficulties". "The intended use of 186 Whitehill Road is as a residential children's home accommodating up to three children with emotional, behavioural, or mild learning difficulties, living alongside three resident carers in a single household setting," the proposal reads.
Stevenage sandwich shop closes as new café takes its place

1 week ago | thecomet.net | Dan Mountney

Sarnee operated from 87 High Street but has now been replaced by Nefel. (Image: Google Maps) A sandwich shop in Stevenage has closed down but quickly been replaced with a new café that has moved in. Sarnee, which operated from 87 High Street in Old Town, shut suddenly without any announcement online. The unit was not empty for long though as its distinctive yellow and blue frontage was turned black, with new café Nefel opening for the very first time last week.
Retired detective would have dismissed for continue pursuit of women

1 week ago | thecomet.net | Dan Mountney

Detective Inspector Andy Southam, who retired before the gross misconduct hearing took place earlier this month, initially faced allegations relating to conduct towards nine women he had met on the dating site. His conduct was said to breach the Standards of Professional Behaviour for integrity, authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct.
Fresh appeal launched on three-year anniversary of Stevenage rape

1 week ago | thecomet.net | Dan Mountney

On Monday, May 30, 2022, a man raped the teenager in a wooded area between Hampson Park and Lonsdale Road, sometime between noon and 1pm. An e-fit image was released at the time of a man who might have had information, with detectives hopeful that he can still be found. The image has been re-released in an effort to identify him, and officers have also been handing out leaflets as part of efforts to solve the case.
Fairlands Valley Aqua Parcs returns for summer but splash park opening delayed

1 week ago | thecomet.net | Dan Mountney

Stevenage Borough Council confirmed that the inflatable water park was back on the lake as we head into June. "Aqua Parcs, one of the UK’s best-known inflatable water parks, has returned to Fairlands Valley Park and is now open for summer," a post on Facebook read. "For more info and to make a booking, visit www.aquaparcs.co.uk." Unfortunately, the opening of the much-loved Fairlands Valley Splash Park has been delayed, with no date given for its return.