ECHOES of old Watford, Bushey and Oxhey is the title of one of two new books to be launched on the locality next month. The Echoes book certainly registers just that with me, in that it is based on the writings and photography of the late and lamented Ted Parrish.

Ted was a lover of old Watford, Bushey and Oxhey, took innumerable photos and film of the Watford that was and he was a very influential mover in the formation of Chiltern Open Air Museum where you can actually see some of old Watford re-erected. In fact if they had more donations, the Museum would erect a lot more of the town as they have so much there in numbered kit form.

A well-respected local historian and film-maker, Ted wrote some 96 articles for the old Post-Echo newspaper back in 1982-82, drawing upon his own experiences and local knowledge, telling stories about the locality and all its facets from leisure to business, from VIPs to housing and education.

I recall Ted back in the days when my association with a razor blade was occasional at best and I was trying to make my way as a cub reporter in my first months on the old West Herts Post, on The Parade. The Editor, by the name of Dan Dobson, who actually wore a green eye-shade while working, correctly believed youth was becoming more influential in the early 60s, earmarked a youth page and instructed me to try and fill it.

Ted, who was launching the Kings Jazz Club on Sundays in Clarendon Road, provided me with plenty of copy in the shape of river-boat shuffles etc. The page became a success and I was grateful for Ted’s help.

Ironically, pan on 35 years and I was building up a new concept - the Nostalgia Page in the Watford Observer - and received some support in this venture from Lesley Dunlop, who I then discovered was Ted’s daughter.

So the wheel has turned full circle and I am happy to publicise the fact Lesley has put together her father’s articles, which include memories of a flying circus at Leggatts Farm in the 1920s, going to Bricket Wood Fair in its heyday. Still more recently he captured, on an award-winning film, the loss of much of Watford as it was, as the Council launched its Central Redevelopment scheme, which Ted described as “architectural genocide”.

Aspects of that very same “genocide” are described as they unfolded in our own Watford in the 20th Century (including south west Herts) 1960-79, which is out very soon. This book continues the story from the first two volumes which were published by the Watford Observer over the last three years.

So those with a Nostalgic bent for Yesteryear will be well served by these two books. More about our publication later, but Lesley Dunlop’s project has over 200 pages in the publication which will add greatly to the growing list of books recording the town’s past, as Lesley has lovingly reproduced her father’s work, and added footnotes and letters.

How did she catch the local history bug, which has bitten so many people of my acquaintance?

“Like father, like daughter… by the end of infants’ school, my father, Ted Parrish, had taught me the model and make of almost every car on the road (I think he’d have liked a son too!) and by the beginning of secondary school he handed me his wind-up cine camera.,” Lesley recalls.

“He had a great influence on me and was a brilliant mentor. By my mid-20s I was following in his footsteps, making sound cine films, collecting local memorabilia and writing local history articles. His enthusiasm for Watford, Bushey and Oxhey was second to none and it rubbed off on me.”

Editing and publishing Echoes of Old Watford, Bushey & Oxhey has been an emotional journey for Lesley.

“ I’ve been encouraged with much positive feedback and numerous ‘hits’ on the book’s website – www.pastdayspublishing.com – and am looking forward to the launch on 17 October at Watfoerd Museum. Those attending include people who belonged to local organisations with which my father was involved,” says Lesley.

This 222-page book will be a sentimental journey for some and a true eye-opener for others. Priced at £12.99, it will be available from 18 October from www.pastdayspublishing.com as well as Watford Museum, Bushey Museum and the Oxhey Village Environment Group.