The Berkhamsted magistrates decided that a boy witness, 11 years old, was too young to take the customary oath but the chairman warned him: “You must tell the truth as far as you can.”

[From the Watford Observer of August 26, 1933]

The extension of the Metropolitan Railway system from Harrow via Baker Street to Rickmansworth is looked forward to by the majority of the inhabitants with considerable interest. During the present week, it has been commonly reported that all requisite arrangements are positively being made for carrying out the necessary works as speedily as possible.

[From the Watford Observer of August 25, 1883]

A new plan is being drawn up for The Parade, Watford, in a bid to get rid of the “ghost town” image.

A group of Watford Borough Councillors are already carrying out a survey among shopkeepers, residents of the town centre and Watford Police to see what can be done to improve the area. Ideas being put forward include arcades of small craft shops.

Councillor Sheila Jones, one of the leaders of the project, said: “All these units going for wine bars are all huge. They could easily be turned into arcades for small handicraft shops and businesses for people who cannot afford large shop premises. It’s all very well having these big fancy things like the Harlequin Centre but there is nowhere in the town for small traders.

“There is a general consensus of opinion that something desperately needs to be done at the top part of the town. But the answer is not to turn these big units into wine bars.”

[From the Watford Observer of August 30, 1991]

Adventurous television personality Peter Duncan and his friend Steve Good have had to postpone plans to take a propeller-driven car across the Irish Sea.

The duo had planned to “drive” from Stranraer to Larne on Monday but appalling weather meant the attempt had to be abandoned. Now the stunt, last tried more than 20 years ago, will take place at the end of this month or the beginning of September.

Peter and Steve, owner of Watford’s Cassio Bridge Marina, are attempting the crossing as part of the television presenter’s forthcoming series Duncan Dares.

[From the Watford Observer of August 10, 1984]

The marriage of Mr Hubert Herkomer, A.R.A., with Miss Griffiths, daughter of Mr Thomas Griffiths, of Ruthin, North Wales, was solemnised on Tuesday in the Parish Church of Llanrhydd. The students of Mr Herkomer presented a proof of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper.

[From the Watford Observer of August 16, 1884]

NOSTALGIA NOTE: “Miss Griffiths” was Eliza Louisa (Lulu) Griffiths who was born in Rhyl, Flintshire, in 1849. She died after just a year or so of marriage, aged 35 or 36, of a heart attack, apparently brought on by a traffic accident. Herkomer later named his Bushey home Lululaund in her memory.