Crossword Genius

Not ignorant of a place in Herts (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aware

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'not ignorant' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'a place in herts' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'a' is within the answer.
The remaining letters 'ware' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aware that I've seen before include "Having knowledge or realisation" , "Having knowledge (of fact)" , "Cognizant" , "Informed; conscious" , "fly" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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