Watford Columnists - Watford Observer

Nans are in a class of their own

11:30am Monday 22nd March 2010

Here’s a question for you. What do the following words have in common: Nan, settee, blouse and lounge? Don’t worry, this isn’t like a round from Only Connect, the fiendishly clever quiz show presented by Victoria Coren on BBC Four.

• Have your say

And the moral of the story is...

11:20am Monday 15th March 2010

These are tricky times for children who appear to be on the receiving end of a neverending stream of the most tedious, moralising claptrap. Whether it’s on TV, in a book, at an infant birthday party, in a lesson and even at a pantomime, for goodness sake, these days there always seems to be some lurking hidden message...

• Have your say

Lent couldn't come soon enough after birthday binge

1:20pm Monday 8th March 2010

If you are reading this on Friday, March 12, then I’ll be exactly four weeks away from my next glass of red wine - or indeed any other kind of alcohol.

• Have your say

Popcorn peril - the horror of cinema snacking

11:00am Monday 1st March 2010

Next time you load up on popcorn at the cinema, take a moment to consider the calories lurking in that family-sized bucket.

• Have your say

Standing up for 'different types of people'

5:27pm Monday 22nd February 2010

Sir Nicholas Winterton’s recent comments about first-class carriages made my blood boil. Apparently, the better class of people like Sir Nicholas - he’s an MP - actually need the peace, silence and surety of a seat to ensure that they are able to work while they are travelling.

Look to TV for a happy marriage

10:21am Tuesday 16th February 2010

I enjoyed reading the story about Britain’s longest wedded couple in the newspapers last weekend.

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be

10:45am Monday 8th February 2010

Recently, several things have conspired to confirm that I am definitely approaching Little Old Lady Land. One minute I was skipping along merrily, convinced that I could easily be mistaken as a foxy extra from Sex and the City, next thing you know I’m browsing the Footglove range in M&S trying to find something sensible for work.

• Have your say

When face and figure don't add up

10:57am Monday 1st February 2010

Last week, as I stared despondently at the form reflected back at me in the bedroom mirror I was reminded of a bit advice I once received from Dame Barbara Cartland: “Of course, you know that after the age of 40, a woman has to choose between her face and her figure.”

• Have your say

Gripes online get trains back on track

11:01am Monday 25th January 2010

For the last few months my train journey into London has reached the nadir of inefficiency and discomfort. Like thousands of others I have the misfortune to rely on First Capital Connect - a company that has so consistently failed to deliver anything approaching a reliable service that it is currently the subject of a Number 10 e-petition demanding that the Government should terminate its franchise.

• Have your say

My furry friend's fashion faux pas

10:53am Monday 18th January 2010

Why real fur is always a really bad fashion statement.

• Have your say

More Columnists»