Bushey’s old parish church of St James’s is in dire peril from the death-watch beetle – “a very bad case,” says architect Felix Lander.

The beetles (a few of which can be seen in a small bottle in the church) have eaten away the heart of some of the main beams supporting the roof. The damage has been discovered in the nick of time, says the Rector (the Rev J.H. Humphries) but the cost will be about £2,000 and some five thousand houses in the parish have been circulated with an urgent appeal for funds.

[From the Watford Observer of March 3, 1950]

A large audience assembled at the Corn Exchange on Thursday evening to hear Professor Frederick Abbott lecture on his “Swiftograph”. This is a simple system of shorthand, which the lecturer undertakes to teach in an hour. Though the system has only been out about five years, it has already been adopted in over 500 schools and colleges.  

[From the Watford Observer of March 5, 1898]

Among eight football referees who sailed from Southampton yesterday (Thursday) is Mr C Dean of Watford. The referees will spend a year in the Argentine and are making the trip at the invitation of the Argentine Government. They will introduce British methods of control in league games and other matches.

[From the Watford Observer of March 12, 1948]

There is a £5 start in life in store for a local baby. Rickmansworth and Chorleywood Savings Committee is celebrating the golden jubilee of the savings movement by setting aside an amount of £5 for the baby or babies born in its area on March 1.

Babies in Croxley Green, Mill End, Maple Cross and West Hyde will be included. If one only is born, he or she will start with a £5 bank balance. If more than one is born, the money will be shared between all the new arrivals.

[From the Watford Observer of March 4, 1966]

A bird’s nest in the geyser flue is believed to have been the cause of eight members of the Kings Langley Football Club being gassed on Thursday last week.

The players had been training and afterwards crowded into the pavilion bathroom. Suddenly Mr W.W. Armstrong, the hon. secretary of the club, who was in the act of dressing, saw R Johnson, one of the players, come out of the bathroom and flop down to the floor. He was followed by other players, who collapsed in a similar fashion.

The players were put on benches and the windows of the clubhouse were opened. Dr Brown was sent for and ordered the gassed players to be sent to the West Herts Hospital. After treatment six of the players were able to return home, but [two] remained the night at the hospital.

[From the Watford Observer of March 12, 1937]

‘How to Swear’ — this was the somewhat startling title of an address delivered by the Vicar at the men’s service at the Rickmansworth Parish Church on Sunday afternoon. There was a good congregation.

[From the Watford Observer of March 11, 1899]

These stories conclude the Nostalgia column first published in the Watford Observer on March 7, 2014. The next Nostalgia column – with information on a puzzling shop name, an appeal for information about a stained glass window, and a love story from a "Yank from Bushey Hall" among many other things, – can be found in this week’s Watford Observer (dated March 14, 2014 and available in newsagents now, priced just 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