The owners of the sex shop in St Albans Road, Watford, are offering a 50 per cent discount on any purchases made by old-age pensioners or unemployed people.

Miss Julia Cray, a public relations officer for Conegate Ltd, which owns the Private Shop in Watford, says quite a large proportion of the firm’s customers are pensioners. She said: “They did not get a chance when they were young to see these things.”

She said she frequently received letters of appreciation from pensioners, and it was surprising how many widowed pensioners had said they preferred inflatable dolls to the company of another woman.

[From the Watford Observer of August 21, 1981]

 

The country has heard the National Salvage Council’s appeal for fruit stones and nut shells, which are urgently needed for conversion into charcoal for use in the anti-gas masks. The charcoal thus produced greatly increases our soldiers’ chances of coming safely through gas attacks.

Collections of these materials are being organised in towns and villages in every county in England, but more collectors and organisers are needed if we are to give the maximum chance of life to our kith and kin in the firing line. The need is urgent, and is not likely to last more than two months.

[From the Watford Observer of August 17, 1918]

 

Dreams came true for the boys from the Oxhey Jets and the South Oxhey Rumours football teams when they got the chance to star in a video with football idol Gary Lineker.

The England captain and Tottenham Hotspur striker kicked off with the two teams at the Chilwell Community Centre in Chilwell Gardens, South Oxhey. The Rumours are the youth team based at the community centre.

The Warner Home Video (pictured) features the boys being put through their paces by Gary in a fitness programme based on the tough training sessions used by professionals like himself. “Nobody ever got to the top without practice,” Gary said.

[From the Watford Observer of August 16, 1991]


 
A man appeared in court at Watford accused of driving furiously. A police constable in his evidence stated that he saw a horse and cart coming at a furious rate along Hempstead Road. He held up his hand to stop, which he succeeded in doing in about 20 yards. He thought the horse had run away as it was galloping. Defendant was not trying to stop it. He said he was trying to overtake some cyclists to get a book from one of them.

[From the Watford Observer of August 19, 1899]


 
A silver penny from around 1,000 years ago was dug up in Whippendell Woods.

The finders are happy for the coin to go to Watford Museum and the coroner’s decision is awaited.

The silver penny is from the reign of King Athelstan. He was grandson of Alfred the Great and was crowned in 925.

[From the Watford Observer of August 14, 1981]