Croxley Green volunteer retires from neighbourhood watch (From Watford Observer)

Croxley Green volunteer, Geoff Ellis, retires from neighbourhood watch

9:00am Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News By Ben Endley, Senior reporter

A Croxley Green neighbourhood watch coordinator who kept the village updated for the last 27 years has retired.

Geoff Ellis, 85, became renowned for shunning modern technology by using a typewriter, a pair of scissors and a pot of glue to produce his newsletter.

Mr Ellis was forced to make a slight concession 15 years ago when he replaced his broken typewriter with an electric one, he also now shares an email address with his wife Daphne.

"I never got used to computers," said Geoff. "I was always happy with my manual typewriter and I could easily cope with producing newsletters.

"The only problem I had was that 15 years ago it stopped working, so I had to find a replacement.

"I could not find another manual typewriter that worked and I was forced to get an electric one.

"Even then they were really old technology but I managed to find a Brother electric typewriter for sale in Argos for about £50 and I have been using that ever since.

"It does not have a spell checker on it so I use an old fashioned dictionary to check my spelling if I have to."

Once the newsletter was lovingly pieced together, Geoff took it to the photocopying shop before handing it out to his street co-ordinators.

He added: "I don’t feel I have missed anything by not having a computer and hopefully the residents have been kept up to date with everything as well.

"I have enjoyed my time as area co-ordinator for the last 14 years - before that I was a street co-ordinator. It has certainly kept me active.

"But it is time to stop now, it takes me longer and longer to do the newsletters and it is about time I moved over for someone younger."

"NhW is very important to help residents and police keep the area safe. It is a partnership with the police who I believe see it as a major help.

"I wish my successor all the very best."

Geoff’s work in Croxley Green will now be shared between Alison Akers, Kelly Keating and David Wynne-Jones.

Sue Thompson, area co-ordinator for Three Rivers Neighbourhood Watch said: "Geoff has been a loyal supporter of NhW in Croxley Green.

"He has attended virtually every area co-ordinators' meetings during the past 10 years since I have been involved. In fact I get worried if he isn't there.

"Geoff is one of the few people these days you could refer to as a "gentleman" in the best sense of the word."

There will be a presentation to Geoff at the next Three Rivers Neighbourhood Watch Area Coordinators meeting on Thursday, February 7 at 7pm in Three Rivers House.