A party of four ladies have completed a journey by water from Bristol to Kings Langley.

The party, four in number, left Bristol on May 18 in a Canadian canoe, and arrived at Kings Langley on June 3, having traversed 187 miles on the rivers Avon and Thames, and the Kennet and Avon and Grand Junction canals.

They carried with them a small tent which they pitched each evening and slept in. The last night was spent in Cassiobury Park. The adventurers arrived in excellent health and spirits, though somewhat travel stained, full of enthusiasm about their trip, and are now seeking new waterways to conquer.

[From the Watford Observer of June 11, 1921]

The Watford Parish Church bellringers last month rang a peal of London Surprise Major, 5,184 changes, in three hours seven minutes. It is of interest to mention that Watford is only the third place in the county where a peal of London Surprise has been rung entirely by local ringers. The other two places are Bennington, as long ago as 1870, and Oxhey in 1910.

[From the Watford Observer of June 2, 1934]

Television viewers who were tuned in on Monday evening to watch ITV’s popular panel game I’ve Got a Secret will have seen Mrs J.E.A. Thoms, of Aldenham, who is chairman of the Watford Rural District Council and a Watford magistrate.

The panel, which comprised Zoe Gail, Catherine Boyle, Dick Bentley and Jon Pertwee, were unable to guess Mrs Thoms’ secret so she was presented with the maximum prize of £8 from the chairman, Ben Lyon. Mrs Thoms’ secret? “My great, great grandfather rode the first ever Derby winner.”

Her grandfather’s name was Samuel Arnull – one of three famous racing brothers – and the horse he rode was Diomed. These three brothers accomplished quite a feat in racing circles when between them they won 12 of the first 25 Derby races.

[From the Watford Observer of June 8, 1956]

Irritated by a Communist meeting at east London, FT, aged 60, a retired railway official of Kings Langley, tipped the platform over.

This was stated at Clerkenwell Police Court when he pleaded not guilty to a charge of insulting behaviour whereby a breach of the peace might have been occasioned.

“I have a son who is in Flanders, if he is alive, and another son also in the Forces. To listen to a young man inciting other young fellows to disobey the King’s commands and refuse to go to the assistance of the men in Flanders made my blood boil.” he declared.

“I went down the road to find some white feathers but could not find any. Therefore I went behind him and I admitted I lifted his stand at the back a few inches and the law of gravity precipitated him in front of his audience.”

Announcing the defendant would be bound over to keep the peace for 12 months, the Magistrate (Mr Brodrick) pointed out this would enable him to raise the matter elsewhere by means of an appeal.

[From the Watford Observer of June 7, 1940]