In the play “The Pay-Off” (at the Palace Theatre, Watford, last week) actor Felix Deebank was supposed to have his neck broken by a bottle wielded by Jeffrey Segal. During Saturday night’s performance, the bottle actually struck the back of Deebank’s head and he had to go to hospital after the show to have the wound stitched. Felix did not notice he was hurt until he combed his hair and found the comb covered with blood. Happily he was not seriously hurt and was able to appear on Monday.

[From the Watford Observer of October 7, 1949]

 

This season Watford fans will be keeping an even closer eye on their team’s results on a Saturday for every time Watford win or draw, they could qualify for a free pint of Benskins beer!

The idea is a simple one. Benskins have started a new club called the Pennant Supporters Club. Membership is free and anyone can join at their “local” once they have filled in an application form and it was been countersigned by the landlord. Each member receives a free pint between 7.45 and 8.15pm on a Thursday – provided Watford have won or drawn their previous Saturday’s match. Members will also be entered into weekly and monthly draws for signed footballs, tickets to Watford matches and other prizes.

“If Watford carry on with the successful start they’ve made to the season, then this could mean an awful lot of free pints, perhaps 50,000,” says Benskins’ marketing manager, John Cavey.

Watford’s manager Graham Taylor is very enthusiastic about the promotion. “It means the man on the terrace will be able to celebrate a good Watford result with a pint – and a free pint at that. I think it’s a terrific scheme.”

[From the Watford Observer of October 9, 1981]

 

An amusing situation cropped up at a football match at Watford on Monday. The teams who had twice previously striven for supremacy, were lined up ready to begin and the referee was about to blow his whistle when it was discovered there was no ball! It proved rather useful to one of the teams when it eventually arrived, the final score reading 7-0.

[From the Watford Observer of October 4, 1930]

 

A motorist emerging from Leavesden Road into St Albans Road accelerated to avoid another car, mounted the opposite footpath and knocked down a belisha beacon, the globe of which flew off and knocked a pedestrian unconscious. In Watford Court on Tuesday the driver was fined £2 and costs for careless driving.

[From the Watford Observer of October 12, 1935]

 

It seems as though there is great difficulty in giving money away in Watford. This week, as the town reaches the heights of its Jubilee celebrations, is also Watford Chamber of Commerce’s Shopping Week.

But Jubilee Joe, the character who is giving gift vouchers away to shoppers who can answer just one simple question, is having his work cut out.

Questions such as: “Who is the Mayor of Watford?” have received answers like: “Have we got one?”

[From the Watford Observer of October 20, 1972]

 

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