Watford Columnists - Watford Observer

Oliver Phillips moved to a small village in France in 2005 after he retired from the Watford Observer. “Oli” worked for the newspaper for nearly 40 years and, as assistant editor and formerly sports editor, became the oracle on the affairs of Watford FC, writing the definitive book on the club’s history. During later years with the newspaper he also specialised in the history of the area, writing a series of extremely popular supplements and editing the newspapers’ weekly Nostalgia pages.

I became immersed in yesteryear when undertaking decade supplements

The second in the series, which covers South West Hertfordshire from 1939-1959, was launched last Thursday evening, fittingly at Watford Museum where, as I wrote last week, Andrew Lewis, helped me get my teeth into the first supplement, Watford at War, back in 1994.

I am glad to say it's all Andrew Lewis's fault

It did not take long to realise that the Blitz also encompassed Watford quite significantly but even more surprising was the locality’s involvement in prosecuting the war.

I resist the temptation to rail against things because it could become a full-time job

There are two publications/books coming out in the next few weeks. I wrote nearly all of one and a large chunk in another.

I reckoned the leads to my brain would take time to be connected in the mornings

For years I would rise at 6.0 and head out into the morning with two dogs, taking them for a walk and then collecting the morning paper before heading home for breakfast, a browse, a shave and a shower. Then I would drive into work, seldom reaching my desk later than 7.10 or, if it was my day off, the golf tee.

Our trip was rudely interrupted en route to the airport

THE other week, we were preparing to head for Carcassonne airport in order to meet daughter Abbie and her two girls from Dubai. They were popping over to have a look at our new surroundings.

Going back only underlined we were right to move forward

AFTER almost six months into our move down south we travelled up to our former home, our unsold house in Limousin last week.

Sorry, did you say there is a heatwave in France?

THERE have been moments over the last six weeks when I thought perhaps we have made a mistake moving south.

Excuse me officer! I have had the car stolen with the keys in it.

IT was somewhat embarrassing to find myself sitting in the local police station and explaining that my car had been stolen.

The French certainly have their own way of doing things

THERE is no disgrace in France if you have your house on the market for a couple of years. That is par for the course in normal times let alone when financial anxiety on a global scale lurks in the background.

Big wheel keep on turning, Proud Mary keep on burning . . .

THE high tide of 1950s tourism rolled down the Spanish Mediterranean coastline as flight-times were cut with the development of aircraft.