A Watford CID man was called upon during the week to deal with a lively intruder capable of doing a lot of harm if allowed to get at large.

Hiding in a crate of lettuces from Spain, the culprit was first detected by greengrocer Mr Horace Bone, of Earl Street, and the police officer confirmed the stowaway was indeed a Colorado beetle.

Placed under close arrest in a matchbox, this unwelcome alien was despatched at once to Rothamsted.

[From the Watford Observer of April 4, 1950]

When a candidate in the Bushey elections visited the house of an elderly lady, she remarked: “I have had this voting paper for three years but nobody has ever called for my vote.”

[From the Watford Observer of April 7, 1939]

‘Never act a 19-year-old unless you are 19 and for goodness sake, ladies, don’t put on trousers!’ This was one specimen of the practical advice given by Mr K.L. Spinks to Aldenham WI members in a lecture on Drama and Make-up on Tuesday.

[From the Watford Observer of April 27, 1951]

The spell of hot weather we have experienced lately has caused many of the bathers in the district to begin their season at the bathing place at the Five Arches much earlier than usual.

Ladies, too, have not been backward in taking advantage of the privilege which was granted last year. The highest temperature so far recorded was on Tuesday evening when the mercury went up to 62 degrees. That is only ten degrees lower than the highest temperature all last summer.

Men have been busy all winter clearing the stream above the bathing place, and a great improvement has been effected. It is now clear to swim up to the first willow, a distance of 120 yards, without running into any mud banks.

[From the Watford Observer of April 27, 1901]

Elton John is poised to sink another £1 million of his own money into Watford Football Club to help pay for the £3 million stand development at the club’s Vicarage Road ground.

“My wife, my career and Watford Football Club are what my life is all about,” he told Sports Editor Oliver Phillips this week. “I can’t think of anything else I would rather spend it on.”

[From the Watford Observer of April 26, 1985]

South Oxhey residents are being warned to be on their guard against Bob-a-Job “pirates” reported to be operating in the area.

Boys wearing Scout or Cub Scout uniforms are said to be calling at houses asking for work.

A spokesman for Bushey and Oxhey Scout District has emphasised offical Bob-a-Job Week starts on April 16 and genuine collectors will carry a card printed in red on a white background and signed by their leaders.

“We think the ‘pirates’ are boys who have left the movement but still have the uniform,” he said.

[From the Watford Observer of April 6, 1979]