Showtime: the cream of young talent strutted its stuff at Barnet College last week. More than 400 people turned up to see the talent show, held at Wood Street, Barnet. Organised by 19-year-old Jennifer Shaw, it featured the likes of R'n'B singer Ashleigh
The temperature in the debating chamber went up several notches as education looked like becoming the main battleground for next May's local authority elections. Tories and Labour councillors clashed over school policy during one of the most bad-tempered
Mr Levy as usual is missing the point ('Eruv confusion', Times Letters, December 6). It was the wire that was struck by lightening, the wire that makes up a very component part of the eruv and wire gets easily damaged. Furthermore his notion that the
Buster Bloodvessel returns with the world famous ska band; The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans; Wednesday, December 19; admission 8. December 17, 2001 21:00
Every Monday, traditional and contemporary songs, everyone welcome as singers or spectators; The Bull, High Street, Redbourn; 8.30pm; admission 1; more details from John on 01923 404566. December 17, 2001 21:00
Every Sunday, house band plus guests, floorspots, players and singers welcome; The Portland Arms, Portland Street, St Albans; 8.30pm. December 17, 2001 21:00
Melodic jazz and bossa nova every Friday in the bar; Batchwood Golf and Tennis Club, Batchwood Drive, St Albans; 8.30pm; entry free. December 17, 2001 21:00
Every Thursday mainly English and Irish traditional tunes and songs everyone welcome to listen or to play; Rose & Crown, St Michael's Street, St Albans; 9pm. December 17, 2001 21:00
Presented by Jeanette Perry; Watford Museum, Lower High Street, Watford; runs until Saturday, January 5; admission free. December 17, 2001 21:00
Fine line drawings of Croxley, Rickmansworth, Bushey and Watford by John Kirkham; Croxley Green Library, Barton Way, Croxley Green; runs until Monday, December 24, 10am. December 17, 2001 21:00
Presented by Abbi Torrance; The Bull Gallery, High Street, Barnet; runs until Sunday, January 13. December 17, 2001 21:00
Local scenes of the Rickmansworth area; foyer of Three Rivers District Council Offices, Northway, Rickmansworth; runs until end of December. December 17, 2001 21:00
Ballroom dancing; Orbital Community Centre, Haines Way, Watford; new members welcome; every Tuesday, 2pm to 4pm. Tel: 01923 681054. December 17, 2001 21:00
Remada Jarvis Hotel (A41), Watford Bypass, Watford; no denim, gentlemen shirts and ties required; last entry 10.45pm; every Thursday, 8.45pm. Tel: 020 8393 0914. December 17, 2001 21:00
Moonglow Dance Studios, 38a Estcourt Road, Watford; Tuesday, December 18, 5.30pm to 7pm. Tel: 01923 225195 for further details. December 17, 2001 21:00
School of Dancing, 14 Nascot Road, Watford; Thursday, December 20, 8pm, followed by practice session; no partner required, complete beginners welcome. Tel. 01923 210016 for further details. December 17, 2001 21:00
Dacorum Pavilion, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead; Wednesday, December 21, to Sunday, January 6; tickets 9.50/12.50 adults, 6.50/9.50 children. Tel: box office 01442 228700 for times. December 17, 2001 21:00
Gala Charity Preview Show; Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans; Tuesday, December 18, 7pm; tickets 15; Wednesday, December 19, to Sunday, January 6, tickets 8.50 to 16. Tel: box office 01727 844488. December 17, 2001 21:00
Presented by Blag Theatre Company; The Pump House, Local Board Road, Lower High Street, Watford; runs to Sunday, December 23, 7.30pm; tickets 7. Tel: box office 01923 772320. December 17, 2001 21:00
Jemma Mitcham from the Hendon Youth Sports Centre has confirmed that she is one of Britain's most exciting karate stars with excellent performances in the world and european championships. Only 18, Jemma faced opponents at least three years older in both
Hendon Golf Club is making major improvements to ensure that everything is shipshape for its centenary in 2003. The clubhouse is being refurbished and a £70,000 scheme to improve the irrigation system on the course is under way. David Cooper, retiring
THE deadline for a chance to win a share of £10,000 and publication in an anthology of religious poems is fast approaching. Poets can send one or two poems, each no more than 30 lines, to Sarah Andrew at Triumph House, Remus House, Peterborough, fax on
RICKMANSWORTH second XI remained unbeaten in their pre-Christmas run after a remarkable match with Shefford and Sandy second XI on Saturday, December 15. It was a match that Rickmansworth desperately needed to avoid losing to keep their promotion chances
Watford Sunday League Watford Labour produced a gritty display, but were disapointed not to have anything to show for it at home to Wellington Arms. With ten men, Labour fought back from a goal down to equalise through Gary Horne, only to see Wellington
A Barnet homeless charity will be making a New Year's resolution to get more homeless people off the streets after a grant from the Hendon Times Group. Homeless Action in Barnet in Woodhouse Road, North Finchley, will receive £5,000 from the Gannett Foundation
AFTER coming under relentless attack from all sides, the Conservative party has been rendered little more than a minority pressure group, with just one member at the top table in local politics. Tim Williams, Tory group leader, endured savage attacks
A FRENCH lorry driver who stopped on an M25 slip road to ask directions was critically injured after being hit by a car. The 65-year-old trucker has a fractured skull and pelvis. Both legs are broken. He was taken to Watford General Hospital after the
WATFORD FC face the prospect of a Worthington League Cup semi-final clash with the Premiership's Blackburn Rovers if they can overcome Sheffield Wednesday this week. If the Hornets can get past the Owls in the quarter final on Wednesday, December 19,
A 24-carat seasonal spectacle; Palace Theatre Watford, Clarendon Road, Watford; Saturday, November 24, to January 12. Tel: box office 01923 225671 for times and ticket prices. December 17, 2001 21:00
THE Friends of St Thomas Church in Old Uxbridge Road, West Hyde, will be holding a Christmas concert on Wednesday, December 19, at 7.30pm. The concert, to raise money for the upkeep of the church, will feature the Walbrook Singers. For tickets and more
"Some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over..." We all know what happened next. KEVIN BURCHALL caught up with 1966 World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst to talk about heroes past and present They say that everyone remembers where they were when Kennedy
Embattled Alison Moore this week won support from one of the borough's most influential headteachers. Alan Davison spoke out after Tories called for Ms Moore's head over the report into St John's C of E School in Crescent Road, Friern Barnet. Dr Davison
Times Group history experts PERCY REBOUL and JOHN HEATHFIELD look back to the Forties It is tempting to suggest that our modern Christmases, with their expensive over-indulgence and blatant commercialism, seem to be no more joyful than in wartime with
Our police come in for their fair share of criticism, and I plead guilty to contributing myself from time to time. On the other hand: my car was stolen between 3pm and 4pm on Sunday afternoon, which I duly reported. The police were concerned and helpful
Well, old habits die hard, so tis said, still I turn the pages of the Edgware and Mill Hill Times each week, thinking I will see Bill Montgomery's Notebook. But alas, it is no longer there. Without doubt, his page had a real punch, and I consider him
If you want to give your Christmas a spiritual dimension, here is what's happening at a church near you: BARNET High Barnet Baptist Church, 197 High Street. (020 8449 7891) Christmas Eve: Midnight Mass, 11.30pm Christmas Day: Morning Service, 10.30am
Times Group history experts PERCY REBOUL and JOHN HEATHFIELD look back to the Forties It is tempting to suggest that our modern Christmases, with their expensive over-indulgence and blatant commercialism, seem to be no more joyful than in wartime with
"Some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over..." We all know what happened next. KEVIN BURCHALL caught up with 1966 World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst to talk about heroes past and present They say that everyone remembers where they were when Kennedy
Every Wednesday, hosted by local band organised by St Albans blues/rock trio Mojo, guest performers and floor spots are welcome and all performers get a free drink get there early to book your place; Mermaid pub, Hatfield Road, St Albans; admission free
12th heat with Shrapnul plus Surfacing plus Reco; The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans; Tuesday, December 18; admission 3. December 17, 2001 21:00
Funky guest DJs alongside resident DJ Hansi; The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans; Sunday, December 17; admission free. December 17, 2001 21:00
A warm welcome for all every Thursday evening at the Hollybush Folk Club; informal singers night; Old School Room, Hollybush pub, Church End, Redbourn; 8.15pm to 11.15pm; admission 2 on the door; further information on 07710 471862 or 07850 163241. December
Showcasing the work of local craftspeople; Watford Museum, Lower High Street, Watford; runs until Saturday, January 5; admission free. December 17, 2001 21:00
An exhibition of toys, games and childhood memorabilia;Bushey Museum and Art Gallery, Rudolph Road, Bushey; runs until Saturday, February 23; open Thursday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm; admission free. December 17, 2001 21:00
YMCA, Charter Place, Watford; mainly for senior citizens; every Thursday, 2pm to 4pm; admission 1.50. December 17, 2001 21:00
New members welcome; The Orbital Community Centre, Haines Way, Watford; Tuesday, December 18, 2pm to 4pm. Tel: Alison 01923 681054 for further details. December 17, 2001 21:00
A beginners class for ladies; The Oracle, 12 Market Street, Watford; Monday, December 19, 7pm to 8pm and 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Tel: 020 8421 5178. December 17, 2001 21:00
A 24-carat seasonal spectacle; Palace Theatre Watford, Clarendon Road, Watford; runs until Saturday, January 12. Tel: box office 01923 225671 for times and ticket prices. December 17, 2001 21:00
Gymnasts from the Hendon Youth Sports Centre produced some outstanding performances in the National Development Plan Finals at Lilleshall. Ivan Pastore confirmed that he is an outstanding young talent in the U13 age group by finishing runner-up out of
CUSTOMERS of Co-op stores in St Albans will be donating £800 to local charities and community groups this Christmas as part of the Co-op loyalty scheme. As a festive treat, customers to the store are also set to receive £10,000 thanks to the supermarket's
THE 100th birthday of Mr Charles Cockell, who has lived in the St Albans area all his life, was celebrated by more than 80 guests at a party on Sunday, December 16. Mayor John Peters was among the throng who attended the celebration at Shenleybury House
CONSERVATIVE MPs have supported a parliamentary motion urging MP Kerry Pollard to retract his words in the St Albans Observer about Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Mr Mark Francois, member for Rayleigh in Essex, has moved an early day motion, a procedural
ADAM BOWDEN produced the performance of his fledgling, but already distinguished, athletics career to finish a magnificent sixth in the European Junior Cross Country Championships in Thun, Switzerland, and claim gold medal as part of the successful Great
KATHARINE BAKER defied injury to reach the quarter finals of the under 16 Orange Bowl Championships in Florida this week, arguably the most prestigious youth tennis tournament in the world. Baker,15, was due on court at 2pm GMT on Thursday, December 13
WITH Premier Division leaders Hemel Hempstead Rovers in cup action, Kings Sports took maximum advantage of the opportunity to close the gap at the summit by emphatically demolishing basement boys Glenn Sports 12-1. Cameron Riccardi led the rout with a
TRADERS in Chorleywood claim the new parking scheme is affecting their business. The village recently became a controlled parking zone (CPZ) in a move designed to help traders, but Mrs Barbara Green, treasurer of the Chorleywood Business Association,
A Barnet clinic has raised a 300-strong petition in protest at Queen Elizabeth's School after it claimed the school's open days are preventing its elderly and disabled patients from receiving treatment. Wood Street Clinic says parking restrictions imposed
