Although French is still the premier foreign language learned by English students, Russian is climbing in the local language stakes. It is now studied by about the same number of people who take Spanish at the Languages Laboratory at Cassio College of Further Education.

Mr C.L. Davies, head of the general studies department, told the Watford Observer this week that students of Russian ranged in age from about 17 to 50, and seemed to take up the language for all sorts of reasons – general interest, holiday making and possibly for business reasons. One student is even learning it because he wants to be able to read Russian books in the original.

Russian is a difficult language to master and it has been found that the language laboratory is of great help, particularly in the early stages.

[From the Watford Observer of July 1, 1966]  

 

Ever had a shock when in a bus? Not the mental variety received when the fares are “readjusted” but a physical, electric one?

London Transport has now issued a statement on reports of passengers receiving shocks from bus handrails. They point out that shocks are possible in all road vehicles, and are liable to occur only “in fine cool weather with low humidity,” sagely adding:

“This combination of circumstances does not occur frequently in this country.”

The statement adds: “The shock is due to a discharge of static electricity built up within the vehicle when in motion. While the charge produced may be built up to a high voltage, the duration of the discharge and amount of energy involved is infinitesimal. There is no record of any injury, burns or other adverse after-effects as a result of shocks sustained by people touching the vehicles. The element of surprise is the most important factor and reaction to what amounts to a slight shock depends largely on individual temperament.”

Whatever your reaction or temperament, there’s good news. London Transport and tyre boffins have found shocks can be practically eliminated by the use of specially electrically conductive rubber in the tyres, as developed during the war to combat static electricity in aircraft.

[From the Watford Observer of July 4, 1952]

 

During a case of careless driving at Hemel Hempstead Police Court against a woman motorist, the defence put forward by Mr T.E. Penny was that the defendant could not be guilty of an offence as she acted involuntarily during a state of unconsciousness produced by carbon monoxide fumes.

[From the Watford Observer of July 7, 1934]

 

Pop star Andrew Ridgeley was nursing a broken nose at his Bushey home this week after a “play” fight with one of his best friends.

Andrew, half of the chart-topping duo Wham, was injured at a promotion party in Orpington by his friend of seven years, singer David Austin.

The two poured champagne on each other during a friendly quarrel over a girl friend, but things then became out of hand.

A member of Wham’s management team said: “David picked up an ice bucket, but instead of pouring the ice over him, he dropped the bucket on him.

“It was quite a nasty accident and Andrew has had some stitches. It is not true that he was cut from nose to ear and he is not going to be scarred for life.
“He will look lovely once the bandages come off!”

She added that the two were still close friends. They appeared together in Bushey recently when they attended the opening of an exhibition of photographs by Andrew’s father Albert Ridgeley.

[From the Watford Observer of July 6, 1984]


Traffic lights near Watford Junction, which were turned off more than a year ago, look set to be scrapped for good.

The lights at the junction of Station Road and Woodford Road were installed in October 2003, but were switched off and bagged last year after causing massive traffic jams.

Hertfordshire county councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst said: “It is quite clear to all of us who live in the area that it is much easier without the traffic lights on. The only reason the lights would be re-activated is if there was a vast increase in the number of pedestrian accidents on the site.”

A recent report to the Watford Joint Highways Panel revealed the number of accidents in the area was no higher than when the lights were operating.

[From the Watford Observer of July 29, 2005]

 

The spirit of Rome hit the streets of Watford on Wednesday night after Roberto Baggio twice hit the back of Bulgaria’s net to send Italy to the World Cup final.

About 100 Watford-based Italy fans came out after the final whistle and honked car horns, waved green, white and red flags, jumped for joy and went crazy.

Italy’s 2-1 defeat of Bulgaria put “the Azzurri” into the World Cup final for the first time since Paolo Rossi and company won the tournament in 1982.

Fans began appearing on the streets at 11pm, once the New York semi-final had finished.

Within minutes, car-loads of Italian supporters were driving around West Watford. Horns were merrily honked, flags were proudly draped out of windows and yelps of happiness could be heard all over the area.

An hour after the final whistle, the carnival-type atmosphere was still going strong.

Police Inspector Keith Emmerson described the celebrations as noisy but good-humoured.

He said: “There was a lot of noise in various parts of Watford.”

[From the Watford Observer of July 15, 1994]


Just one Watford ambulance worker was on duty during busy Friday and Saturday night shifts this weekend, it has been revealed.

The news came as fears grew that a life-threatening situation is being created by cutbacks in overtime work.

This was said to be a frightening situation for the workers and morale among staff is now very low in many areas of the county.

[From the Watford Observer of July 17, 1992]

 

Sunday trading was finally launched in Watford at the weekend.

More than 11,000 people walked through the doors of The Harlequin on Sunday despite the beautiful summer weather.

Traders were delighted with the large turnout which seemed to justify a massive advertising campaign.

More than 100 major stores, with the exception of Trewins, opened and a further 100 smaller shops were also trading.

The Harlequin has been receiving hundreds of calls each week from people asking when the shops would be open on Sundays.

The decision to open seven days a week was taken by the Watford Retail Group in February.

It is hoped the move will create extra employment in the area and will enable The Harlequin to better compete with competitors at the Lakeside Centre in Thurrock and the Galleria in Hatfield, which already open on Sundays. Brent Cross is expected to follow suit shortly.

One of Watford’s big stores enjoying brisk trading was Marks and Spencer.
Deputy manager Ms Sally Lambie was full of enthusiasm for Sunday retailing.

She said: “We have several branches which open on Sunday, particularly in tourist areas and the larger stores in out-of-town shopping centres like Lakeside, but also in centres like The Harlequin.

“Sunday shopping has a different feel to it. We see it as being about service and being a kind of fun day – a family day.”

[From the Watford Observer of July 28, 1995]