Archive

  • Fabbrini joins Siena on loan

    Watford forward Diego Fabbrini has joined Siena on loan, the Italian side have confirmed. The 23-year-old joined the Hornets in the summer from Udinese and has made 25 appearances this season. He has found the net just once for the Golden Boys

  • Hornets confirm Iriney departure

    Watford have confirmed midfielder Iriney has joined Real Mallorca on loan until the end of the season, subject to the deal gaining international clearance. The 32-year-old was expected to seal a move to the Islanders after undergoing and passing

  • Ten-try rout for Watford at Old Isleworthians

    Watford made their promotion ambitions clear against Old Isleworthians on Saturday, scoring ten times in an emphatic 63-8 victory in Herts/Middlesex 3. Despite the result, Old Isleworthians remain a place and one point above fourth-placed Watford

  • Under-21s crash out of Premier League Cup

    Watford Under-21s saw their Premier League Cup hopes go up in smoke today (Friday) as they were thrashed 6-1 by Reading in a last 16 tie that was played behind closed doors. The Hornets were aiming to book a quarter-final match against Wolverhampton

  • First affordable housing development starts in Three Rivers

    Work has begun on the Watford Community Housing Trust’s first Three Rivers development. The trust’s project in Mill End will see 27 houses being built for social and affordable rent near Chorleywood Working Men’s Club, off Shepherds Lane. Ann

  • Flooding fears for Radlett

    More rain this afternoon could result in low-level flooding in Radlett. Although levels on the River Colne have steadied overnight, they still remain high. The Environment Agency has warned that there is still standing water and rivers are

  • Good Samaritan in M1 tragedy was prolific animal rescuer

    Spencer Bell, the man who got out of his car in the middle of a busy motorway to help someone who had fallen from a bridge, had helped rescue thousands of animals during his lifetime. A journey through the Watford Observer archive also reveals

  • Watford say Tozser is fit enough to feature on Sunday

    The Hornets say new signing Daniel Tozser is fit enough to be in contention for the squad on Sunday as long as he receives international clearance in time. Genoa’s Tozser joined Watford on loan until the end of the season on Wednesday but they

  • Comment: New hospital remains little more than a distant dream

    The health trust in charge of Watford General Hospital moved last week to reassure people about its commitment to rebuild the hospital. Chief executive Samantha Jones insisted in an open letter to this newspaper the trust was “100 per cent committed

  • Coffee shop volunteers needed

    A volunteer-run coffee shop in Abbots Langley is looking for more people to help out. The Coffee Shop, which prides itself on being "A Heart for Abbots Langley" is asking residents to volunteer their time. Anyone who is free on a Friday morning

  • Fused with enthusiasm for life

    When fused glass artist Eva Edery hangs the last of her artworks in the Radlett Centre, the moment will signify more than simply being ready for her exhibition there next month. The show’s title offers something of a clue as to what it will mean to

  • Games evening at Abbots Langley Royal British Legion

    The Royal British Legion is holding a meeting in Abbots Langley next week. Residents are being invited to the event on Monday, February 3 at Manor House Sports and Social Centre, in Gallows Hill Lane. The Royal British Legion is open to all

  • Derek Jarman: Pandemonium

    It has been 20 years since Derek Jarman, the film director, stage designer, author, artist and diarist who was born in Northwood, died of an AIDS-related illness, and to mark the anniversary the Cultural Institute at King’s College London, where he

  • The things they say...

    Back in the early 1960s, the Watford Observer regularly ran a column called “The things they say” in which the paper published the wise, witty or (quite often) bizarre and downright idiotic things said by various people in high office. Here, for

  • Radlett TV executive shakes up EastEnders

    We’ve witnessed Ronnie Mitchell develop into a cold-hearted killer. We’ve seen Janine Butcher get her comeuppance. And we’ve also welcomed the new Carter family, who have moved from Watford to Walford. These latest shake-ups in Albert Square are

  • Watford complete loan signing of Diakite

    Watford have completed the loan signing of Samba Diakite from Queens Park Rangers. Negotiations have progressed quickly today and his loan until the end of the season has been confirmed by both clubs. Diakite’s move to the Golden Boys  stalled

  • Unorthodox in Abbots Langley

    The old Russian Orthodox priest gathers his gold embroidered robes about him and utters the sermon that contains a secret code designed to activate Russian sleeper cells living covertly in the United States, thus setting off a perilous chain of events

  • Men killed on M1 yesterday from Watford and Bushey

    The two men who died on the M1 near Garston yesterday have been named as Alan Trethewey and Spencer Bell. Police were called to the motorway yesterday after reports of a man, later identified as Mr Trethewey, falling from a bridge onto the M1.

  • Brrr...baby it’s cold outside

    As the temperature continues to drop this winter, ensure you’re head of the fashion pack with these updated parkas, duffels, trench, military, over-sized and 60s-themed coats, all designed to help you fight the chill in style.   BHS, belted

  • Champions will be back to defend half-marathon titles

    Both of last year’s winners will be back to defend their titles at the Watford Half-Marathon on Sunday morning. Ethiopian Yared Hagos won the event 12 months ago and he is making the long trip down from Newcastle again this weekend. Hagos finished

  • Main road in Rickmansworth closed for roadworks

    A main Rickmansworth road will be closed from today until next week to allow for roadworks to be carried out. Motorists will be unable to travel along Harefield Road, east. Eurovia, working on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council, will be

  • Hertfordshire County Council 'badly failing young carers'

    A Hertfordshire politician has said the county council is “badly failing” young carers, and needed to work harder at identifying them. A report into the number of young people who care for one or more of their parents was heard at Hertfordshire

  • Outspoken Amos

    The title of Stephen K Amos’ new show, The Spokesman, is highly ironic. Among the things that the globally successful London comic would least like to be, a spokesperson is right up there. “I couldn’t be a spokesperson or a role model; people are

  • Week remaining to register for Young Sports Writer Awards

    There is one week remaining for schools and other educational establishments to register so their students can enter the Watford Observer Young Sports Writer of the Year Awards. Kings Langley School have become the first school to register for

  • Watford midfielder agrees move to Spanish side

    Watford midfielder Iriney has joined Mallorca until the end of the season, in what is expected to be a loan deal. The Brazilian has passed his medical and is set to be officially unveiled at a press conference later this afternoon. The 32-year-old

  • Council moves to involve residents more in planning

    New rules have been introduced by a council to make sure residents are consulted on the planning applications that affect them. At a full council meeting of Hertsmere Borough Council last week, councillors voted to update the Statement of Community

  • Evening of big band at Bushey school

    A big band concert will take place at the oldest specialist music school in the UK in March. The Purcell School will host the event, featuring guest saxophonist Simon Allen. The concert will take place on Monday, March 17 at 7pm at the school

  • Young Blades to hold beginners course

    Three Rivers Young Blades junior fencing club will be holding a beginners course in March for all ages from seven to 17. The club trains on a Monday night at the Royal Masonic School in Rickmansworth and has several experienced coaches including

  • Hoban makes first outing in almost a year

    Tommie Hoban is today playing in his first semi-competitive match in almost a year – in a game which also sees new signing Mathias Ranegie have a run-out. Watford are currently taking on Reading in a Premier League Under-21 Cup tie at the Royals

  • Watford agree contract extension for defender

    The Hornets have agreed a contract extension with Fitz Hall until the end of the season, the Watford Observer understands. Hall re-joined the Hornets for a third time on January 6 after signing a second one-month contract, having trained with the

  • Comment: fame game puts focus on Olympics

    As a rule, reality TV programmes leave me cold. My own reality is too tiring without having to worry about the ups and downs of people I don’t even know, and I tend to think people who are daft and desperate enough to enter the Big Brother house deserve

  • Merchant Taylors’ to host largest UK wallball tournament

    Merchant Taylors' School will play host to what looks set to be the UK's largest ever Wallball tournament this weekend, attracting more than 100 competitors from all around the world. The Northwood-based school's state of the art courts will be

  • Phil Cox named as UKIP's mayoral candidate

    The UK Independence Party is due to make its maiden venture into Watford mayoral politics after selecting a candidate to challenge in the May elections. The party’s Watford branch has chosen its vice chairman, Phil Cox, to stand against Mayor Dorothy

  • 40 things you may not know about Watford...

    ...unless you own Watford in the 20th Century Volume 1, in which case you’ll know these and thousands more facts about the history of Watford and the rest of south west Hertfordshire. 1. Town stalwarts: Only three Watford institutions have survived

  • Rickmansworth pupils gain lifesaving skills

    Pupils from a Rickmansworth school have been taught emergency life saving skills as part of a British Heart Foundation scheme. The Royal Masonic School for Girls’ Cadogan House students took part in a series of lessons as part of the Heartstart

  • Stags keep promotion bid on track

    West Herts Hockey Club got their quest for promotion from East Premier A back on track with two victories at the weekend. On Saturday, the Stags travelled to Ramgarhia and returned from east London with a 5-0 victory. West Herts were in total

  • Promotion chasers Sun held by Chesham

    Sun Postal Sports are second in Spartan South Midlands Division One after they were held to a 1-1 draw against Chesham United Reserves on Saturday. After a goalless opening period, the deadlock was broken in the 62nd minute as Nathan Pooley found

  • Abbots Langley blood donation drive

    A blood drive will be taking place in Abbots Langley in the coming weeks. Residents are being encouraged to give blood at a special blood donation event at The Manor House, in Gallows Hill Lane, on Monday, March 10. The sessions will run from

  • Garston claim bragging rights after downing Harts

    Garston Ladies Under-14s went home with the bragging rights after beating local rivals Watford Ladies Harts 2-1 on Saturday. After a scrappy start to the match, Garston took the lead when Amy Robb capitalised on a defensive error to steer the ball

  • SWEP on standby

    Each night Watford New Hope Trust houses up to 60 people who may otherwise sleep on the streets of Watford, yet there are more who need shelter, especially when the weather gets bad. For this reason, New Hope offers additional beds when the temperature

  • Councillor to make formal complaint over 'shyster' comment

    A Watford councillor who suggested cutting the salary of the town’s mayor by more than £13,000 has been described as a "shyster". Labour councillor Jagtar Singh Dhindsa proposed slashing the mayor’s salary from £65,738 to £52,590 to help pay for

  • A Wait-rosey Christmas

    In November 2013, Waitrose Northwood invited local homelessness charity, Watford New Hope Trust, to apply for a grant as part of Waitrose’s national ‘Tackling Isolation’ campaign. The campaign aims to tackle isolation at Christmas by funding charities

  • AUDIO: Sannino defends second half changes at Forest

    Watford boss Beppe Sannino says the players that came on in the second half at Nottingham Forest were not to blame for the 4-2 defeat at the City Ground and insists the Hornets win as a team and lose as a team. Sannino brought Almen Abdi on

  • Final push for war memorial revamp

    A First World War memorial in Leavesden looks set to be restored in time for the war’s centenary this year. Leavesden Community Group, a voluntary organisation for residents, has been raising money to refurbish and revamp the stone which is currently

  • Last orders as Hornets fans' pub set to close

    Links with former Watford FC owner Laurence Bassini and problems with the police mean a Hornets fans’ pub could open its doors for the final time this weekend. The landlord of the Yellow and Red Lion, Josh Price, said Sunday’s home game against

  • 'A good day turned into a nightmare'

    A family's dream day out at Manchester City turned into a "nightmare" after a group of Watford fans, including three young children, were told to leave their seats at the Etihad Stadium after celebrating the Hornets’ opening goal. Graham Hall and

  • AUDIO: Forest boss discusses 'great' Watford win

    Billy Davies believes Nottingham Forest should have at least gone into half time level with Watford and described the 4-2 win as a great three points. The Hornets led 1-0 at half time during last night’s match and extended their advantage

  • Chinese New Year: top 10 superstitions

    As the Chinese get set to welcome in the New Year today they will be bearing in mind a whole host of superstitions and myths about their most magical time of the year. China has a completely different calendar to the rest of the world. Working

  • On this date in Watford FC's history

    Saturday, January 31, 1970 Watford hosted Leicester City for the first time in a league game, featuring on ITV's The Big Match. Len Glover gave the visitors the lead, but with time running out the same player handled in the box, Keith Eddy

  • January 31, 1958

    The BBC television's Tonight investigation into the theory that South Oxhey has more neurosis than other communities drew thousands of local LCC [London County Council] tenants to their TV sets on Wednesday. Their reaction - that the BBC had done