A MAN has appeared in court charged with an armed robbery where the manager was allegedly held up with a knife and a pistol and locked in the cigarette store before the offenders made off with almost £3,000 in cash, stamps and cards. The robbery at the
WATFORD are one step away from the FA Cup Final, and The Watford Observer will be publishing an exclusive guide to the big Semi-Final clash with Southampton in this week's edition. Our bumper 12-page sports section will have six pages on the Hornets,
THE future of the former Express Dairies site in Rickmansworth could be decided as early as next month. Plans for the site, which lies between Beauchamp Gardens, Church Lane and Middleton Road, have been submitted to Three Rivers District Council and
SO, it's the FA Cup Semi-Final next for Watford, who go into the game boosted by a three-match unbeaten run on their travels thanks to a fully deserved 1-0 victory at out-of-sorts Crystal Palace on Tuesday, April 8. The only goal came courtesy of Palace's
Young writers from Pear Tree Mead Primary School in Harlow put their creative skills to the test when they entered a townwide story writing competition after taking part in a workshop with author Theresa Benison. Winners James Page, Megan Warner, Wing
Blood donor sessions are being held at St Andrew's Methodist Church hall, The Stow, Harlow, between 2pm and 4pm and from 5pm to 7.45pm on Wednesday, April 16. For more details, ring 0845 7 711 711. April 9, 2003 08:30
A careers evening at Mark Hall School, Harlow, saw Year 9, 10 and 11 pupils offered information on a variety of jobs and employment opportunities. Twenty-five organisations, including Pitney Bowes, the Army, Anglia Polytechnic University and Essex University
Security to deter potential fraudsters has been stepped up by the makers of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? at Elstree Film and Television Studios, in light of an army major cheating his way to the top prize. Following this week's verdict of a Southwark
Hertsmere Council's unpopular plan to scrap free-to-use bus passes for pensioners is likely to be dropped later this month. But the price of the Zonal Bus Pass would increase by 351 per cent, from £36 last year to £126.70 in 2003/4, because the cash-strapped
Hertsmere pensioners rightly regard the new half-fare bus pass as unjustified and grossly unfair. The current Tory council has clearly "fouled its nest", whilst pensioners in the London boroughs continue to receive a free pass and free travel on all buses
I would like to echo the appeal from my colleague Councillor Stuart Nagler, the Mayor of Hertsmere, to anyone who has any further information relating the the murder of Wayne Trotter. Please contact the police on 020 8905 1212 or ring Crimestoppers on
When I first read in the Borehamwood & Elstree Times of the 18 per cent increase in council tax, like everyone else I felt it was excessive but council tax has to be paid. However, a few days later, a leaflet, signed by the leader of Hertsmere Borough
Elstree and Borehamwood are set for weeks of traffic chaos later this month, when the county council will close parts of Elstree High Street. Motorists are angry that both lanes are being closed off, but the county insists it would be unsafe to have single-lane
Steve Quinn came out of his shell in the last minute and scored Star's winning goal on Saturday. He received the ball 20 yards out from the Bushey goal, put his head down, and in a close dribble went around two defenders to tuck the ball into the net.
The Hertsmere Flyers Swimming Club hit stunning form at the third and final round of the Hertfordshire Swimming League's Major League Galas on Saturday, April 5, at Biggleswade. The team achieved a season's best when they finished third behind the eventual
Despite being down to the bare bones and three players carrying knocks, Dragon put on a fighting and determined performance. Dragon started well with midfielders Lee Boorman and Clark Williams controlling the centre of the park. N&P found it hard
A sparkling display of football at Meadow Park on Friday evening saw Borehamwood lose their second encounter of the season against a quality Northwood side. Northwood took the lead following a defensive clearance, which was carried by the wind and beat
The Mayor of Hertsmere Stuart Nagler is gearing up for a charity golf day next month. The golf day will be held at the Bushey Golf and Country Club in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief, and will include breakfast, a round of 18 holes and lunch. Mr Nagler
Although they only came away with one point out of six in these two games, Hertsmere deserved more as for long periods of both games they were the better team. Lapses of concentration proved costly, as the opposition converted their chances, whereas Hertsmere
A request for a building to provide accommodation and office-space at Penniwells Riding Centre For The Disabled in Elstree was set to be refused last night, if councillors followed the advice of council planning officers. The riding school, in Edgwarebury
Burglars stole a laptop computer and a digital camera from a property in Featherstone Gardens, Borehamwood, between 8.45am and 2.45pm on Friday. April 9, 2003 15:30
After a five-month battle a Borehamwood man has won funding for his elderly mother to be looked after at home while he goes out to work. Last November computer analyst Simon Richardson found himself trapped at home when his 76-year-old mother suffered
Four cracking goals and some solid defending saw the London Colney Colts U12s progress to the League Cup semi-final after a 4-1 win over Hemel Hempstead Youth. Colney meet Whetstone in the semi final. The under 9s put together an excellent team performance
Cook Alice Maureen Alderton celebrated 25 years working at Borehamwood Fire Station in style on Thursday when firefighters threw a surprise party for her. Mrs Alderton has been providing meals and sandwiches for Borehamwood's firefighters since 1978,
Residents in Partingdale Lane believe they have been victims of threats and intimidation after their High Court victory against Barnet Council last week. In the early hours of Sunday morning, one resident had several wheeled bins of rubbish strewn on
Barnet Council faces a legal bill of more than £50,000 as a result of its mishandling of the reopening of Partingdale Lane in Mill Hill. A council spokeswoman said the case has already cost it £8,200 in barrister's fees and it must also pay residents'
Tabard proved too strong for an enthusiastic Fullerians side on Saturday to win the Herts Presidents Cup for the 11th time. Tabard first won the Cup 20 years ago and on the anniversary of this first win they notched up exactly the same margin of victory
The Fat, The Slow and The Ugly once again showed their championship class against underdogs Venue Elite on Sunday. Venue Elite opened the scoring with a surprise goal in the first half but Ugly's strikers hit back, with Dean Parrot and Wayne Pluck both
The Under 13s had a tough game against Leverstock Green with several players out due to injures. It was all Borehamwood in the first few minutes, Leverstock Green had no time to settle on the ball and it wasn't long before Wood scored. A great ball by
Borehamwood got off to a good start and had most of their possession in Chorley Wood's half, which paid off when a corner taken by Steve Smith was headed in by Mark Starnes. Minutes later another corner was volleyed in by Anthony Bragg, taking the score
The Elstree and Borehamwood Light Operatic Society is searching for new members to take part in its shows, the next of which is the musical South Pacific, at The Radlett Centre, from Tuesday, April 29, to Saturday, May 3. For information on joining the
MORE than 40 years ago former pupils of form 5F at St Albans Girls' Grammar School promised to meet again and will do so on Saturday, April 12. After the girls left the school in 1960 they vowed to have a reunion in ten years. In 1970 seven former pupils
IN the run-up to St Albans local elections schoolchildren are being given the opportunity to try out new voting technology in a series of local democracy events. Mock elections in schools will launch the public education programme leading up to the e-voting
More volunteers are needed to help a Radlett-based pony and cart driving group for the disabled. The Waverley Driving Group, at Hill Farm, has several ponies, and adapted carts and aids, which allow wheelchair-bound people and those with learning difficulties
A GROUP of students from Sandringham School in St Albans proved they have no fear of the limelight after winning the regional finals of the Rotary Youth Speaks Competition. Year 11 students Adam Shorey, Ashleah Strange and Danny Wadeson walked away with
SEVERAL St Albans schools are to receive cash to fund improvement schemes on their buildings from Hertfordshire County Council. Primary schools were required to come up with half the cash for a proposed capital project and the council would fund the rest
A DAY nursery in Welwyn Garden City could benefit from a brand new home if planning permission is granted for a new building next to the existing Ludwick Nursery in Holwell Road. The Squirrels nursery is currently Sir John Newsom School site but by moving
CASUALTY waits at the trust governing Welwyn Garden City's QEII Hospital have improved, partly because of senior nurses drafted in to help doctors out. The percentage of patients waiting more than four hours, which since last April has been around 70
A football hooligan who attacked an Italian man after England's World Cup triumph over Argentina last June faces jail after being found guilty of manslaughter at the Old Bailey on Tuesday. After the match, which England won 1-0, Samuel Francis, 27, of
Schools are to be offered loans by Barnet Council in an attempt to avert mounting debts of up to £450,000 each. After seven weeks lobbying Government, the council is losing hope of securing any additional money this year, despite predictions of widespread
Chiltern Trains Past, Present and Future: an illustrated talk by Donald Wilson, Station Master at Marylebone; Chiswell Green United Reformed Church Hall, Watford Road, St Albans; Thursday, April 10; 7.30pm; visitors welcome. April 9, 2003 00:00
Experience this atmospheric and thrilling production at close quarters in the Studio of the Abbey Theatre, Westminster Lodge, St Albans; Thursday, April 10; 8pm; tickets 6 to 8; box office 01727 857861. April 9, 2003 00:00
The father of murdered Potters Bar woman Sharon Malone spoke of his pain this week at not being able to see his grandchildren. Harry Clinch was speaking after Spanish authorities put his grandchildren in the custody of Harry Malone, the father of Garry
THE county's motorcyclists are being offered the chance to hone their skills at an advanced riding course. The six weekly sessions, which each last one and a half hours, are held every Wednesday at police headquarters in Welwyn Garden City. The price
The subway under Rickmansworth Road by Watford Town Hall - the tiled wall provides a brilliant echo effect. April 9, 2003 12:00
The trouble-hit Christ Church C of E School in North Finchley has registered its first improvements in more than two years but its headteacher Peter Haigh is leaving. For the first time since the school was put into special measures in September 2000,
The image of Barnet as a leafy quiet suburb of London, a safe place to bring up children, is one which is rapidly going stale. Gun crime and reported crime is rising and more and more people feel they are at risk from street crime. But when the Metropolitan
BRITAIN'S economy may be haltering but one industry continues to ride the crest of a wave, Construction firms, particularly in the South East, are blazing a trail in an otherwise frosty climate of global political and economic uncertainty, says the Royal
ENGINEERING consultancy FaberMaunsell has been named one of the top companies to work for. The company, based in Marlborough Road, St Albans, came 56th in the Sunday Times poll published last month. Chief executive Ken Dalton hailed the award as an excellent
A ST ALBANS man has found the perfect excuse to get out of moving house taking part in the inaugural Round Britain Challenge yacht race. Mr Rhys Iley, 31, a divisional sales manager for Marks and Spencer, will be leaving his wife Gwen behind at Oster
A ST ALBANS clergyman is taking part in the Flora London Marathon on Sunday, April 13, to raise cash for Grove House Hospice. Reverend Simon Moore, a curate at St Paul's Church in Blandford Road, has included his collie, Jess, in his training, running
A GROUP offering support and financial aid to past and present members of the armed services and their families says too few people are taking advantage of its help. The Hertfordshire branch of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association Forces
A COMPROMISE has been reached between district councillors over London Colney First Adventure Nursery's fees but parents still say the increases are too high. The cost of day care at the nursery run by Leisure Connection on behalf of St Albans District
ACCUSATIONS against a man alleged to have taken out more money with a colleague's cash card than he had been instructed to withdraw have been disco- ntinued. Mathew Johnson, 24, of Park Road, pleaded not guilty to the allegations of theft from a machine
PLANS to demolish the 104-year-old Clements department store, on which the classic comedy Are You Being Served? was based, have been unveiled to the public. Public relations consultants GKA are holding three days of consultation explaining the proposed
PLANS to relaunch the Palace Theatre Watford with a spectacular Christmas pantomime later this year have literally gone down the drain. The £7.3 rebuilding programme has been delayed by the discovery of two large underground culverts believed to be Victorian
A WATFORD man is to be held indefinitely in a mental health unit after a sudden and vicious attack in the town. David Gardiner, 36, left John Kelly with a fractured jaw, suspected fractured cheekbone, multiple bruising and severe damage to his teeth.
MEMBERS of Abbots Langley Parish Council have expressed their disappointment at the lack of competition in the forthcoming local elections. Several of the councillors have been re-elected without their position being contested, leaving them upset at the
A DEFENDANT telephoned Watford Magistrates Court to say he would not be able to attend because his car had been clamped. Londoner, Lewis Defreitas, 21, had been due in court at 10am, Tuesday, to answer a theft charge dated Friday, April 4. Magistrates
A new after school club was officially launched at Saffron Green Primary School in Borehamwood this week. Members of the Green Fingers Club are being taught about the creatures that live outdoors, such as worms, frogs and spiders, along with environmental
Boreham Wood again succumbed to lower opposition to continue their poor run of form. Fellow strugglers Braintree looked easy pickings in a fine first half display from the Wood, beefed up by the return of Jeran Meah, who dominated proceedings in the midfield
Plans are with East Herts Council for an extension to the sales kiosk at the Sainsbury's petrol station at the Thorley Centre, along with new pumps and parking. April 9, 2003 08:30
St Clare Hospice's tenth Feet Forward Day which saw 349 people taking part in a 10km run and 170 walkers complete the course, raised £5,429.93 for hospice funds. April 9, 2003 08:30
THE entire Central Line reopens on Saturday 11 weeks after the service was suspended following a derailment at Chancery Lane Station. Initially it will be a Saturday service, but a normal service is expected to resume at about the end of the month. London
Juggling, face-painting and puppetry were on the curriculum at a Borehamwood primary school on Tuesday. Saffron Green Primary School in Nicoll Way organised a range of activities to celebrate National Circus Day, but there was a serious message behind
Yet again motorists in Elstree and Borehamwood are facing weeks of traffic chaos, and it could so easily have been avoided. Road resurfacing work in Elstree High Street could be carried out at night, if the money were to be made available. Instead Borehamwood's
In response to Mr Gormon's letter (Letters, March 28), I write to clarify the legislation governing Hertsmere Borough Council's pension fund. Under the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations (LGPSR), employees of district councils, including Hertsmere
Boreham Wood FC's new manager George Borg hopes to lead the team to victory against Purfleet. He said of the opposition: "They are quite a strong team." But the ex-Aldershot Town manager added: "Knowing, as I do, some of the players from Boreham Wood,
A Hertsmere councillor has been ousted from his position on a county council planning panel, amid suspicions he rocked the county's boat by appearing to delay the sale of its three school sites in Borehamwood. Conservative Councillor Martin Saunders who
Boreham Wood Football Club this week announced a change of manager. Micky Engwell has stood down, although he remains at the club and is fully behind the new appointment, the club said on Monday. The new manager is ex-Aldershot Town manager, George Borg
Borehamwood 2000 won the Herts County Cup on Sunday in a thrilling game against Bishops Stortford. Wood's first goal came in at two minutes with a superb goal from Yayah Kanu, ably assisted by Dayo Oshitola. Minutes later Stortford equalised. But a determined
A depleted Wood team reached the semi-finals of the league cup. Wood had seven players out through illness, injury and suspension, but still had too much fire-power for Harpenden. A brilliant Nuno Gourgel hat-trick and one from Danny Fitzgerald, Martin
The chief executive of a hospice serving Hertsmere has quit following a disagreement over management style. Graham Ball was chief executive of The Peace Hospice in Watford for seven years. April 9, 2003 15:30
Hertfordshire police warned householders to make sure homes were kept locked in light of figures which show up to half of burglaries happen without the culprits needing to break in. A total of 35 unsecured properties were broken into in Hertsmere between
More than 80 people had their blood pressure tested at Borehamwood Village Hall on Saturday as part of a Stroke Association and Rotary Club initiative. The day was organised by Elstree and Borehamwood Rotary Club, and Rotarians David Rose and Dr Ian Campbell
The Wellington had a double header on Sunday at home to Wood Green, knowing that victory here would leave them one win away from clinching the league title. With this in mind The Wellington came thundering out of the blocks and if it wasn't for some poor
Two matches over the weekend produced two wins for Borehamwood Youth Scorpions. After going one down to Enfield Rangers early on, Jim Noakes equalised before Alfie Long put them ahead. It was 2-2 until a late corner from Jack Deranski made it a 3-2 win.Borehamwood
London's Fitzrovia and west Soho will be the first areas to be explored on tours by a Borehamwood historian on Tuesday, April 22. Lesley Davies will be showing people Fitzrovia's Fitzroy Square and BT Tower, and Soho's Liberty's and Windmill Theatre,
Tributes have been paid to popular Borehamwood councillor John Nolan, who died last week after serving the community for more than 30 years. Councillor Nolan died, age 79, at Barnet Hospital last Wednesday, where he had been diagnosed with leukaemia.
Police are investigating after thieves broke into the taxi of Borehamwood Councillor Leon Reefe and stole a radio. The councillor, who represents Brookmeadow ward on Hertsmere Borough Council, had parked his black cab in the car park of the Wyllyotts
THE soft drink Ribena was the unusual inspiration for a collection of work by a student from Harpenden at the London Alternative Fashion show recently. Ms Victoria Weaver from Luton Way, Harpenden, studies printed textiles at Middlesex University. As
Borehamwood firefighters risked their lives to put out a blazing roof in Mill Hill. Six firefighters from the station tackled the blaze by entering the roof through a burned out loft-hatch, after being alerted at around 4pm on Thursday last week. Leading
A STUDENT from Harpenden is looking for local businesses to help her become a volunteer teacher in South America. Ariana Densham, an A-level student at St George's School in Sun Lane, is taking a gap year before studying law at Sheffield University in
Borehamwood and St Albans City, the two sides chasing the treble this season, clashed in the Challenge Cup on Sunday. St Albans were demolished by the rampaging Wood side, celebrating their tenth consecutive win. Luke O'Malley scored with an unstoppable
A Government cash injection of £6million for schools in Hertfordshire has benefited two in Radlett. Hertsmere Jewish Primary School, in Watling Street, has received £154,260 for the modernisation of its kitchen and £16,740 for special educational needs
A developer has launched an appeal against a decision by Hertsmere Borough Council not to allow 13 homes to be built on a site in Borehamwood's Cowley Hill. Preston Bennett Development had asked the council for planning permission to demolish 107 Cowley
Prolific criminals in Hertsmere will be brought to justice more quickly under a new scheme. The implementation of the Persistent Offender Scheme is a priority for the newly-formed Hertfordshire Local Criminal Justice Board. The board is using a new computer
The charity Homestart Borehamwood and District has been granted £2,000 of funding from The Hertfordshire Community Foundation. The money will help the charity to carry out its work, helping families with young children to cope. Co-ordinator Sarah Harris
Its that time of year again, when runners can be spotted in Borehamwood's parks and streets training for the town's half-marathon. The Borehamwood Half Marathon a run of just over 13 miles via Borehamwood, Shenley and Radlett will take place on Sunday
STUDENTS, guests and staff at St Albans School were privileged to dine with sporting legends last week. Award-winning after-dinner speaker Bob "The Cat" Bevan entertained the audience at the St Albans Schools Annual Sports Tours Dinner last Wednesday,
A-LEVEL performance tables were released last week four months late and with a new point score system described as flawed by education professionals. The tables originally due out in January are now ranked using the average points per student (APS) aged
MORE than £9,000-worth of computers and electrical equipment was stolen from two offices in Hatfield town centre last week. The burglaries took place between 7.15pm on Tuesday and 8.40am on Thursday when thieves forced open the back door to the town centre
RESIDENTS of Roe Green are celebrating after learning that the University of Hertfordshire's plans to build new student accommodation on a field in College Lane, Hatfield, have been dropped. The Roe Green Residents' Association was told last week that
OUTRAGE has greeted the announcement that the gravedigging service at South Way cemetery in Hatfield is to be privatised. The service, previously performed by two employees of Welwyn Hatfield Council, will be handled by John O'Conner (GM), the contractor
From Edinburgh to Samoa, via France and America, this is a simple but engaging account of the life of Robert Louis Stevenson, with a lively and sparkling text; Maltings Arts Theatre, The Maltings, St Albans; Thursday, April 10; 8pm; tickets 8.50; box
Patients are more likely to die at Barnet and Chase Farm hospitals than in any others in London, according to a study released over the weekend. Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust has the worst mortality rate in the capital, placing it in the bottom
A DISSIDENT writer from Myanmar, as Burma is now known, will give a talk about human rights abuses there in Welwyn Garden City on Tuesday, April 15. Mr Pascal Khoo Thwe, who fled the country in 1988, has been invited to address a meeting at the Focolare
OTTERS, great crested newts and Natterer's bats are among the wildlife that could benefit under a conservation plan agreed by Welwyn Hatfield Council this week. The council's biodiversity plan sets out how valuable wildlife habitats in the district will
One of the borough's prime beauty spots could be dried out within 100 years and turned into a stale woodland if controversial plans by Barnet Council are approved. Darlands Lake, the 18th Century artificial lake, a Grade I-listed site of borough importance
JOB prospects in the region are looking healthy, says recruiting company Manpower. Its latest employment trends survey reveals that ten per cent of companies in the East of England are expecting to take on staff, well above the UK average. Mr Paul Smith
THE trust responsible for St Albans City Hospital has suffered the worst financial problems in the NHS, says the National Audit Office. Bosses at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust ran up debts of £11.5 million equivalent to 6.6 per cent of its income
