Peril of Bushey parachutist, from the Watford Observer of August 10, 1912

A parachutist who, we understand, is a married lady living in Pinner Road, Bushey, but who is known professionally as “Miss Fleet,” has just had a thrilling experience in Breconshire.

On ascending from Buckland Park on Wednesday afternoon, says the Daily Chronicle, Miss Fleet got into a strong current of air and was carried down the Usk valley in a south-easterly direction.

The greatest anxiety was felt for her safety, as the assembled crowds watched her helplessly drifting farther and farther away from the grounds towards open and mountainous country.

It was learned later that she had been forced to descend by parachute right down into the Usk valley and had actually lighted in a tree growing on a little island in the river. At this spot, which is near the residence of Sir Shirley Salt, the river has a strong current and is very dangerous to any but expert swimmers.

In this dangerous position Miss Fleet remained for over two hours with the rushing river not far beneath her and no apparent means of escape. Had she dropped from the tree she ran the great risk of being carried away by the river.

Mrs Gwynne Holford, of Buckland Park, who had organised the fete, quickly sent off rescue parties in motor cars in search of the aeronaut. On reaching the river bank it was at once seen that the position was a difficult one. The river has high banks on each side. No boat could be obtained and the only possible course was for someone to swim across with ropes.

Captain David Gwynne pluckily did so and with the aid of ropes, Miss Fleet was extracated and safely brought to the bank. She fainted on being landed and was attended by Dr Rees, of Brecon, who was on the spot.

Correspondence: Appeal for jam, from the Watford Observer of August 17, 1912

Sir.—I would like to draw the attention of all friends of the Watford District Hospital to the fact that our stock of jam is at an end and I would be most grateful for gifts of any kind or quantity.

Previous gifts have always been very much appreciated by both patients and staff.

May I look forward to the same generous response as in the past?

All gifts will be acknowledged as usual each week in your paper.

Faithfully yours,

E. O’DONNELL, Matron

"Ridiculously expensive", from the Watford Observer of July 3, 1970

“All the record companies this week seem to be issuing copies of the Beatles number “The Long and Winding Road.” One of the best versions is by a man called Ray Morgan. The only criticism I have of it, is that it sounds perhaps a little too much like Paul McCartney’s original version.

“However, one of these records is bound to be a hit and I think it will be this one.

“Incidentally, perhaps one of the most expensive records ever released must surely be the new “Woodstock” triple album. Do you know it costs no less than £7.10s?

“Personally, I think that to spend this amount of money on one record is absolutely ridiculous but there you are. Perhaps it’s because I can’t afford £7.10s.”

[Mr Musicstage]

NOSTALGIA NOTE: Ray Morgan’s version of Paul McCartney’s classic ballad reached number 32 in the charts. It was his only hit. Others who have covered the song since include everyone from Diana Ross and Cilla Black to S Club 7 via Kiri Te Kanawa.

Be a postman, an ad which appeared in various forms in the Watford Observer in the early 1970s

“£1,000 a year plus (slightly less at Abbots Langley and Rickmansworth).

“Now the postman’s pay packet has really got fatter. An even better reason for taking a really secure, pensionable job where you’ll often have the opportunity to get out and about on your own. It’s a good job you’re doing for the community too, and the unusual hours you work mean much easier travel. Send for details now and read all about it. There are vacancies throughout the area.

“Be a Postman – it’s one of the happiest jobs around.”

CinemaScope is here, from the Watford Observer of July 23, 1954

Regal Manager Mr Harry Ward is particularly proud his cinema will be the first in Watford to instal “CinemaScope”, which, without the use of special glasses, projects a three-dimensional image on to a curved screen to put the viewer right in the middle of the picture.

“The first CinemaScope film, “The Robe”, will be shown at the Regal during the second week of August and workmen are already busy preparing the installation.

“With the new screen and the new projector lenses which make such a wide angle view possible – the screen will be 40ft long and 17ft high – come four loudspeakers through which sound is directed towards the audience from that side of the cinema from which the action is taking place.”

ONLINE THURSDAY: War may be over - but where's Bimbo?

These stories formed part of the Nostalgia column first published in the Watford Observer on August 9, 2013. The next Nostalgia column – with literary notes from 1901 and a picture of Charter Place under construction in 1974, among many other things, – can be found in this week’s Watford Observer (dated August 16, 2013 and available in newsagents now, priced 90p) or read online here from 4pm on Thursday.

If you have anything to add – or would like to tell us anything you think our readers may enjoy about Watford’s history – we are always pleased to hear from you. Contact Nostalgia, by clicking here watfordnostalgia@london.newsquest.co.uk