A St Albans soldier, who miraculously cheated death against odds of "a trillion-to-one" after a bullet tore through his neck yet fought on to save his comrades, was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross in March. 

Lance Corporal Simon Moloney, 23, of The Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons (Blues & Royals), Household Cavalry, was part of a troop who, with Afghan Army partners, landed by helicopter deep in the insurgent stronghold of Yakhchal as part an operation to gather intelligence and disrupt the enemy.

A new food bank opened in Harpenden in March. The new centre at Batford Early Years Centre, Holcroft Road Warehouse space is provided by Rothamsted Research.