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Grove primed for world summit

8:53am Friday 4th April 2008

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Helicopters will be hovering over a Watford hotel while armed police patrol the grounds today as a who's who of the most powerful politicians on the planet convene in the town for a two-day world summit.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown will host 15 of the world's leaders at the progressive governance conference, to be held at The Grove.

Among the illustrious guests attending the summit are Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, South African President, Thabo Mbeki and Chilean premier Michelle Bachelet.

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark and the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf are also attending the conference on globalisation.

Other guests are expected to include the head of the IMF, director of the World Trade Organisation and the head of the United Nations Development Programme.

Both The Grove and Policy Network, the international think-tank organising today's conference, have kept details of the summit under wraps until the last minute.

However, members of the resort's health spa, Sequoia, have been warned in advance that they may have their handbags or gym bags searched before they enter the hotel.

They have also been told they cannot bring a guest into the spa today or tomorrow.


Your Say YourWatford Observer

Roy Stockdill, says...
9:03am Fri 4 Apr 08

>Among the illustrious guests attending the summit are Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, South African President, Thabo Mbeki and Chilean premier Michelle Bachelet. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark and the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf are also attending the conference on globalisation.<

Illustrious??? Am I alone in never having heard of any of them? I doubt they should be worried about being blown up by terrorists in Watford. They're not important enough.


Jimbobfury, Watford says...
9:43am Fri 4 Apr 08

So Bill Clinton dropped out at the last minute!!
Would have loved to see him throwing shapes in Area tonight!

Jimbobfury, Watford says...
2:05pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Well my guess is that Bill Clinton will be waving his chopper at our Mayor Dotty, and aking if she would like to have a puff on his cigar!

captainsensible, watford says...
3:00pm Fri 4 Apr 08

So many negative vibes ! Watford will be showcased around the world. Watch out for the hordes of tourists descending on the sights of Watford like...um....er....

Tory Boy, Riverside Drive says...
3:54pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Jimbobfury wrote:
Well my guess is that Bill Clinton will be waving his chopper at our Mayor Dotty, and aking if she would like to have a puff on his cigar!
I heard that he doesn't like the old ones like Mrs Mugabe

Mrs B, watford says...
11:30pm Fri 4 Apr 08

I think you'll find that the Grove is not in Watford at all. It is situated within Three Rivers

VoR, Watford says...
11:55pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Technically incorrect....
Hempstead Road Watford not Chandlers Cross Rickmansworth!!!

Mrs B, watford says...
12:01pm Sat 5 Apr 08

The address is
THE GROVE | LONDON'S COUNTRY ESTATE
Chandler's Cross, Hertfordshire, WD3 4TG

The Grove is part of Three Rivers

Igloo, Watford says...
5:43pm Sat 5 Apr 08

If you key WD3 4TG into your sat nav it will take you to the the Grove's tradesman's entrance in Three Rivers. If you want to go there as a guest and use the front door it's in WD17 which you'll find is a Watford postcode. Sometimes I just can't believe how many toffee nosed snobs there are around!

Sara, says...
11:14pm Sat 5 Apr 08

The hotel itself and all the associated properties are in Three Rivers.

alloageorge, watford says...
1:37pm Sun 6 Apr 08

I did a removal for an East European couple recently.They work at the grove and told me that after two years they are still paid minimum wage but expected to work to a very high standard.They should strike during the visit.

alloageorge, watford says...
2:16pm Sun 6 Apr 08

Roy Stockdill wrote:
>Among the illustrious guests attending the summit are Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, South African President, Thabo Mbeki and Chilean premier Michelle Bachelet. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark and the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf are also attending the conference on globalisation.<

Illustrious??? Am I alone in never having heard of any of them? I doubt they should be worried about being blown up by terrorists in Watford. They're not important enough.

A historian that has never heard of Thabo Mbeki.I'm impressed.

Roy Stockdill, says...
12:36am Mon 7 Apr 08

alloageorge wrote:
Roy Stockdill wrote: &gt;Among the illustrious guests attending the summit are Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, South African President, Thabo Mbeki and Chilean premier Michelle Bachelet. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark and the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf are also attending the conference on globalisation.&lt; Illustrious??? Am I alone in never having heard of any of them? I doubt they should be worried about being blown up by terrorists in Watford. They're not important enough.
A historian that has never heard of Thabo Mbeki.I'm impressed.
You miss the point. We historians are not remotely interested in current world leaders (or so-called leaders). They only become interesting when they become...well...part of history!

skint, South Oxhey says...
1:40pm Mon 7 Apr 08

The bloke on the BBC said Watford and their always right.

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