THERE were new heads of a hospital trust and the oldest school in Comet country appointed while repairs to a crumbling 12th century church were started.

? A NEW chairman was announced for the East and North Herts NHS Trust, which runs Lister Hospital.

Ian Morfett replaced the retiring Richard Beazley.

Mr Morfett will hold the role for four years.

Having been vice-chairman for 18 months and a non-executive director since 2005, Mr Morfett said: “I was really pleased that I have been successful in being appointed its new chairman.”

? EXTENSIVE repairs to a crumbling 12th century church began after more than �25,000 was raised for the work.

Restoration work at St Peter’s Church on Church Lane in Arlesey began after the chancel where the altar stands was declared unsafe, as were the roof beams.

A number of people volunteered to help with a fundraising campaign for the repair work, and a letter appealing for financial help was sent to every house in the village.

Rev Susan Edwards said: “All sorts of people gave us money and we have grants from bodies like the town council.”

? A NEW headteacher of the oldest school in Comet country took up his position at a comprehensive school.

Mark Lewis took on the role at The Thomas Alleyne School in Stevenage which was founded in 1558.

School governors said: “He is committed to working in a comprehensive school and believed that every learner should achieve his or her maximum potential.”

? A MAN appeared in court for sentencing after he threw a hamster against a wall and stamped on it to kill it.

Ryan O’Brien, of Wisden Road in Stevenage pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

The 22-year-old killed the hamster called Dave which belonged to his ex-girlfriend Jemma Tracey, after their four year relationship ended.

Mr O’Brien later appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show.

? PLAIN clothes police officers began patrolling a nature reserve in a market a town after police had received an increase in reports of sexual activity.

Police were conducting patrols at Weston Hills in Baldock during the spring and summer as a result of members of the public reporting suspicious behaviour in the woods.

An anonymous letter was sent into the Comet citing one incident of “a man dressed in a yodelling outfit being led around on a chain by another man.”

? THE biggest free festival in North Herts was held.

Walsworth Festival was held on the common in Stevenage and people were entertained by Stevenage Sea Cadet Band, Stotfold Twirlers, Hitchin Youth Band and Letchworth Morris Men.

Chairman of the organising committee, Penny Mitchell, said: “The event went well regardless of the weather.”

? A THREE-day summer rock concert was cancelled leaving local businesses with a black hole in their financial projections.

The Sonisphere festival at Knebworth Park was pulled after event organisers said: “Putting the festival together in what is proving to be a very challenging year was more difficult than we anticipated and we have spent the last few months fighting hard to keep Sonisphere in the calendar.”

The UK leg of the award-winning international touring festival was due to return to the grounds of Knebworth House from July 6 to Sunday, July 8 with exclusive headline sets from Kiss, Queen with Adam Lambert and Faith No More.

Ticket holders were given refunds.

Check back later today (Wednesday) to see what happened in May.

And view April in pictures, by clicking the link above right.