For driving a car or lorry through the crowded streets of Bedford every day for a year without an accident, the Bedford “Safety First” Council have presented certificates to 112 drivers.

[From the Watford Observer of June 16, 1934]

In the “Evening News” a series of interesting accounts of motor bus trips around the outskirts of London by Mr W. McCartney has been appearing. The concluding article, in Wednesday’s issue, gives the following pen picture of Watford Market: — “The country markets are always attractive and the motor omnibus traveller should choose market days for going to such places as Watford. What I could have bought there yesterday! Peas at 3½d a pound, cherries at 9d, strawberries 10d, socks, sweets, stockings, bicycle tyres, flowers, ice cream, rubber heels, braces, cows and sheep – everything!”

[From the Watford Observer of June 18, 1921]

 

Watford people will have a chance to fly in a Boeing 747 “Jumbo Jet” on Sunday, July 18 [1971]. The sample flight has been arranged by London Country Bus Services in conjunction with BOAC and Ian Allan Publications Ltd.
For a mere £7.50 (or thereabouts) prospective Jumbo passengers will be picked up by a coach at Garston, Watford, St Albans, Hitchin, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City or Hatfield, run down to Heathrow, and then into the Jumbo for an hour’s flight out over the South Coast, returning via Bristol along the Western approaches to London.  Refreshments “in flight” will be provided.
Anyone for the joyride? Full details at your local London Country Bus garages, inquiry offices or local agents.

[From the Watford Observer of June 22, 1971]

NOSTALGIA NOTE: Did anyone out there actually go on this trip? What was it like? Please write and let us know.

 

On two days this week, a man from Australia House has been at the Ministry of Labour office in Water Lane, Watford, giving information about assisted passages – £10 for each adult and children under 14s free – to the Commonwealth.

The official’s visits from place to place have been advertised widely and given an ITV spot, and between 40 and 50 inquirers, mostly married men, came along to get first hand news of prospects for them and their families Down Under.

The man from Australia said at the present stage the inquiries were largely exploratory but that experience showed well over 90 per cent of the passage-assisted emigrants from England to Australia settled down happily in their new homes.

[From the Watford Observer of June 1, 1956]

 

When British forces withdraw in the face of overwhelming odds, the German propagandists sneer at us. But when the position is reversed, the Nazis whine and say: “It isn’t fair.”

When, with America’s great aid, our Air Force outnumbers and overwhelms the Luftwaffe, we shall hear the same sort of bleat. We shall be glad to hear it. A whining German is a beaten German.

[Keeping upper lips stiff – from the Watford Observer of June 13, 1941]