Two mobile phone companies have won permission to install a mast directly outside a car showroom, despite fears it could have an adverse effect on the business. Telefonica O2 Ltd and Vodafone submitted plans for the 17.1m high mast on the corner of Caxton
THE other week I was relating how our granddaughter in Spain is learning lessons by rote and that prompted me to reflect on my own education back in the late 1940’s and 1950’s. I remembered the endless long-division and multiplication sums my father used
A woman was left badly shaken when her car careered into a telegraph pole in Watford this afternoon. The pole, in Bushey Grove Road, was left dangling from the phone lines after the blue Audi knocked it from its base. The woman did not
The Watford Observer is giving one lucky couple the chance to win the wedding of their dreams. Together with The Noke by Thistle Hotel in Chiswell Green, St Albans, we are giving away a spectacular wedding package which includes everything a bride
Firefighters were called to a roof blaze at Leavesden Studios this morning. Construction workers refurbishing an old office building on the site were evacuated when piles of rubbish on the roof caught fire, at about 9.45am. Smoke could
Dynamic and enterprising new voices are a feature of Watford Philharmonic Society’s next concert at Watford’s Christ Church. The Watford Phil are pleased to welcome soloists soprano Charmian Bedford, who recently took on the role of Belinda in an innovative
The dreams of youth collide with the wisdom of reality in Mike Bartlett’s Love, Love, Love, which opens at Watford Palace Theatre next week. Following a critically acclaimed tour in 2010, Paines Plough’s premiere production traces the lives
An expectant mother from Garston, who thought her labour had begun on Sunday, is still waiting to have her baby. Helen Clarke, from Gardener's Way, was rushed to Watford General Hospital on Sunday evening after her waters broke. After
No place sums up Watford’s past, present and future better than Watford Museum, which celebrates its 30th birthday next week. TV funnyman Terry Scott opened the museum on March 14, 1981 when he was at the height of his fame in the sitcom Terry
Residents can have their say on the future of health services in Watford at a public meeting next week. The Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust is holding the meeting as part of its consultation on plans to become a community foundation trust
A new policy on sex clubs in Dacorum is to be adopted by the borough council. The guidelines will give the public more of a voice over applications to open “sexual entertainment venues” in the area. It sets out how the council will deal
Free internet access is now available in community centres and charity offices in Three Rivers. A pilot internet scheme using refurbished council computers has been launched at the Mill End Community Centre, Watersmeet Theatre and Mencap in Rickmansworth
Fans have raised “concerns” with Watford Football Club about family seating next to away supporters. About 25 seats in the Vicarage Road stand had to be replaced this week after they were ripped up and thrown by visiting Millwall FC fans during
Residents across Dacorum could be in with the chance of winning a free tour of the Olympic Village. The competition has been organised by Dacorum Borough Council in the hope to inspire more people to get involved in the 2012 games. The
New CCTV images have emerged in connection with an attempted armed robbery in north Watford. A gunman entered Kays newsagents, in St Albans Road, and demanded money from two members of staff, a man and a woman, before shooting the 70-year-old
Chocolate and coffee were among the items on offer as shoppers indulged themselves during Fairtrade Fortnight in Watford. Councillor Jackie Connal, who represents Holywell at Watford Borough Council, is a founding member of the Watford Fairtrade
A "lively and energetic" former Watford resident has celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family. Marion Taylor, has lived in Canada for the past 40 years, but spent much of her earlier life in and around the Watford area.
The Giggle Inn Comedy Club has been running for just five months but it has already cemented its spot as the place to be in Watford on the first Sunday of every month. After attending the curtain-raiser in October, I have yet to miss a show
An appreciative audience enjoyed the second of Octagon Music Society's Sunday afternoon concerts at Watford's splendid concert hall, the Clarendon Muse. The artists were the cellist Tim Lowe and pianist Stephen Guttman who presented an intriguing programme
The closest to grand opera that Gilbert & Sullivan ever got, Yeomen of the Guard is regarded by many as their finest work. Certainly their most serious and intense, its richly woven juxtaposition of tragedy and comedy, coupled with its glorious
For a second time, Watford Musical Heritage and Classic Concerts Trust went to the Great Hall of Merchant Taylors' School for one of their current season of concerts. This time, the string section of the English Classical Players (some two dozen
Staff at John Lewis Watford have raised £4,000 for its charity of the year. Workers at the Harlequin Centre department store held a number of different fundraisers, including a quiz night and a Christmas craft fair, for Michael Sobell House. The hospice
An unusual musical experience was provided for members of the Radlett Music Club by Lucie Skeaping and The Burning Bush (the group's name relates to a story in the Bible). Lucie explained to the audience that her inspiration was interest in her
A man is in a critical condition after he was hit by a bus in Bushey yesterday evening (Wednesday). The pedestrian, who is in his forties, was seriously injured, in Sparrows Herne, at the junction with Steeplands, at about 7.15pm. Police
TWO CHAMBER CONCERTS Purcell School with Estonian guests While the Colosseum remains closed for alterations, orchestral concert organisers in Watford have a problem, which was especially acute on Sunday, January 30 when there were two concerts on the
Saracens hooker Ethienne Reynecke has joined the Stormers on loan. Reynecke has not featured recently after falling behind the pecking order at Sarries due to the emergence of Jamie George and Schalk Brits' form. The South African can
Three men have been told to prepare for jail after they were found guilty of a violent attack that marred St George's Day celebrations. Adam Mullin, 23, of Birkdale Gardens, South Oxhey; Karl Hartnell, 25, of Brookside Road, Oxhey; and Ryan Finn, 30,
The French horn is the instrument of choice for Trinity Orchestra’s spring concert as Harrow’s premier community ensemble continues its 30th anniversary season. The orchestra’s musical director Michael Murray is professor of horn at Trinity College
Plans to expand primary schools across Watford are set to be approved next week. Hertfordshire County Council's education and skills cabinet panel is expected to confirm on Tuesday that six schools will take on more pupils to cope with the
Jewish heritage is celebrated in the works of Wolf Mankowitz, and Harrow’s Proscenium Theatre Company is preparing to stage not one, but three of his works in its next production at the Compass Theatre. Director Anne Gerrard from Harrow Weald says
Public sector pensions have been put in the spot-light this week, as part of a major overhaul in the way people save for their retirement. Lord Hutton is expected to suggest new measures to help make savings in public sector pensions, including
Intuitive is how north London artist Bindi Nicholls describes the process of her work. Bindi, the daughter of Rolf Harris, says she can’t remember a point when she hasn’t produced art. “It’s not been a decision, it’s part of who I am,” says Bindi. “
An eyewitness has described the scene after a man was hit by a bus in Bushey. Richard Davis was walking his dog past the incident, near the Royal Mail sorting office, in Sparrows Herne, shortly after the emergency services arrived, at about
CCTV footage has been released as part of an ongoing investigation into the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl in South Oxhey. The footage, taken from a camera in Northwood Headquarters, shows a man that police would like to talk to.
A popular waste depot in Watford will finally close its doors this weekend. After plans to shut the Wiggenhall Road Household Waste and Recycling Centre were first proposed in 2008, Hertfordshire County Council voted for the proposals last November.
Bats ended Urban Progress’s 100 per cent record in the Watford and District Table Tennis Premier League. Stuart Seaholme led the way with three singles and his teammates won the doubles to end UP’s 16-game unbeaten run as the match ended in a 4-4 draw
When thieves stole an unused church bell from a Watford church, they unwittingly scuppered plans to send it to an African village. Now after receiving some insurance money as a result of the theft, St Mark's Church, in Leggatts Way, hopes it
West Herts Hockey Club ensured their Premier survival with a 3-2 win over Blueharts. The home side were up against it falling 2-0 behind at the break before a second-half comeback. The Stags pulled one back when Marc Parry found the net.
The last exhibition at the Queens Road pop up gallery promises to be a truly all-encompassing affair with local and national artists showcasing work in a variety of medium including ceramics, glass, paint, pen and leather. The creative space
A former teacher has denied trying to kill a friend by hitting him over the head with a hammer during a drunken attack. Richard Hurworth, 43, said he remembered little of the incident, which left Archibald Gwata rushed to Watford General with a suspected
A male pedestrian was hit by a bus in Bushey last night. Police and ambulance services were called to Sparrows Herne, which was closed for several hours from about 7.45pm. More to follow.
Sunshine and spills marked the Rickmansworth Pancake Race on Tuesday March 8th, organised in aid of Watford Mencap. Three Rivers DC Chairman Cllr Ron Spellen, accompanied by his wife Nina Spellen, started the race. Estate agents Gibbs Gillespie won comfortably
Performers from a dance club are to take to the floor on Saturday, as they compete in regional heats for the British Red Cross’ Dance for Life competition. The aspiring dancers, from Georgie’s School of Dance and Drama, are all aged under 18 and come
The takeover of Watford Football Club took a giant step closer this morning with the announcement an offer for the parent club will be made by Watford FC Limited. Watford FC Ltd was set up by orthopaedic surgeon Panos Thomas in January and
