Noel's a jockey in every sense of the word

But back in June 1973, the 24-year-old Noel Edmonds had just taken over the Radio 1 Breakfast Show from Tony Blackburn, and was fast making a name for himself as one of the country’s most popular disc jockeys.

And so it was when Edmonds opened the Bushey and Oxhey Round Table donkey derby.

The previous year’s event had been a complete washout and according to the Watford Observer of June 29, 1973, “many thought the Bushey and Oxhey Round Table would be asses to run another donkey derby. But it takes more than a downpour to dampen the enthusiasm of Tablers when it comes to raising funds for worthy causes.”

And so, well-worn cliches aside, they went ahead at Bushey’s King George V recreation ground – and a fine time, it appears, was had by all.

“Attracted by sunshine, the fun of a flutter and the array of competitions, stalls, sideshows and rides, families turned out in their hundreds,” the paper reported, adding that as a result, a record £500 profit was raised which the Tablers donated to the Samaritans and the Reveley Almshouse Trust.”

You very rarely see donkey derbies these days, so for anyone who’s baffled by what went on, on this occasion there were seven donkeys in each of seven races, with a colourful commentary given by Terry Seabrooke, the popular entertainer and magician who lived in the village.

Before the day, each donkey was “sold” to a sponsor for £2.50, and the owner of each winning donkey received a trophy and a bottle of champagne.

Often with fetes these days, no sooner has the celebrity guest cut the ribbon and signed a few autographs, than he or she is off, job done, with a large cheque in their back pocket. Not so with Mr Edmonds. After the autographs were over, he accepted the challenge of Table chairman Barry Ditchfield to a donkey race – and was cheered to victory.

Last week, Nostalgia reprinted part one of an article which first appeared in the Watford Observer on June 16, 1934. The first extract featured the stories of various highwaymen who operated in Hertfordshire in days gone by. This week we turn to witchcraft and ghosts. We begin with the story of Lord Capel who, you may remember, made his latest appearance – apparently – just a few months ago.

“In the old villages, tales of witchcraft and ghosts are common. Even in modern Watford the tale went round among the credulous children only a year or two ago that the ghost of Cassiobury had been seen in Cassiobury Park about the time the mansion was demolished.

“Cassiobury certainly had its ghost legend. It was said that the headless figure of a Stuart nobleman appears on the anniversary of the night of the execution of Lord Capel, who was beaheaded for his support of the cause of Charles I.

“Today, in the grounds of the old house, innumerable modern suburban villas have been built and it is doubtful whether any late reveller from a dinner in the town would be believed if he declared he had seen Lord Capel’s ghost on his way home.

“In Kings Langley, too, it has been said that on a certain summer night, ghostly friars might be seen, near the old Friary on the hill above the village, digging for treasure beneath the trees.

“At Hatfield House there is the legend that a spectral coach and horses drive up to the main entrance, up the staircase and vanish, though who are its ghostly occupants none can tell.

“Elsewhere there are reputed to be apparitions of a headless pedlar, a woodcutter, a grey lady at Hitchin and at Tring even a phantom black dog of prodigious size.

“Yes, Hertfordshire has its full share of ghosts and ghost legends.

“Among other interesting people in the past, the county has been the home of several reputed witches. In fact, it was in Hertfordshire that the last trial for witchcraft was ever held in this country.

“This was at Hertford in 1712. The alleged witch was Jane Wenham, of Walkern. A young girl had been suddenly and miraculously cured of a dislocation of the knee and evil spirits were feared to have worked their spell on her.

“The unfortunate Jane, at once suspected of witchcraft, was subjected to some extraordinary tests. It was stated that, although a pin was repeatedly inserted into her arm, she neither felt the pain nor bled. Added to this it was proved she could not repeat the Lord’s Prayer exactly, and that cats showed an uncanny fondness for her.

“She was sent for trial and the 12 good men of this county found her guilty. She was sentenced to death but, through the clemency of the judge, was pardoned.

“She was afterwards given a cottage at Gilston near Sawbridgeworth, where she found kindlier neighbours than those who had persecuted her at Walkern.

“In 1751, however, there was a peculiar case of “lynch law” at Long Marston near Tring where a mob drowned a supposed witch and killed her husband by their treatment of him. A farmer met with misfortunes to his stock after having refused provisions to a wizened old woman, Ruth Osborn, and her husband, when they came apparently begging at his door.

“The unfortunate couple were hounded from the church, where they had sought refuge, and ducked in the village pond. Ruth was drowned and a chimney sweep named Colley created further amusement by prodding her body with a stick while it floated in the pond, afterwards passing the hat round for some tangible recognition of his efforts.

“He got more than he bargained for, it seems, for he was arrested and sent to Hertford Assizes. Hanged for his crime near the village where it was committed, he was rather regarded as a martyr although before his death he signed a statement denying his belief in witches and their supposed powers.”

ONLINE TOMORROW: A cricketing life from the early 20th century