MORE than 250 Watford parents have put their signatures to a countywide petition to abolish the controversial SAT examinations. The petition opened to members of the public last weekend was drawn up by the South Hertfordshire division of the National
A TOY library in Three Rivers has been granted charitable status. Rickmansworth Toy Library, located at the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) Project Centre in Bury Lane, was originally established by the WRVS, with funding from Three Rivers District
FOUR different monarchs have ruled the country in the last 107 years but one Chorleywood woman has lived to see them all. Mrs Agnes Graham known as 'nan' to most people, 'aunt nan' to cousins and 'great nan' to her grandchildren was born in 1896
A 16 YEAR-OLD has been arrested and released on police bail in connection with the death of Paul Smith, the Moor Park dentist and senior church warden who died in a hit-and-run road accident on Saturday, June 7. Paul Smith, 51, was travelling on his
A SENIOR police officer from Hertfordshire has been charged with drink driving. Inspector Elizabeth Byron, formerly the head of road policing in the county, is due to appear before magistrates in Bishop Auckland, Durham on June 25. Although she is
A LOCAL boys school will open its doors to parents, students and friends next month when it stages an end of term outdoor concert. The annual event held at Watford Grammar School for Boys on Saturday, July 5 will not only showcase renditions from some
LICENSING bosses have been accused of double standards after they rejected plans for a sex shop, but then agreed to extend the opening times for a lap dancing club in the same street. Watford Council's licensing committee threw out the controversial
A MULTI-MILLION pound programme of improvements to be carried out over the next decade at Watford Junction has been unveiled. The ambitious project includes a multi-storey car park and mixed use development to the east of the track, redevelopment of
MAYOR Dorothy Thornhill got on her bike on Monday, June 16, to herald the opening of a new cycle path in Oxhey Park. Under sunny skies and accompanied by her husband, Councillor Iain Sharp,e and Councillor Tony Poole, she cycled from the Irish Club
A MAN has been charged with five counts of burglary after a spate of high value burglaries in the Bushey and Radlett areas totalling thousands of pounds. Kevin Hutchin, from Elstree, made his first court appearance at Dacorum Magistrates Court last
SWEARING, Irish folk music and weapons of mass destruction were just some of the topics Tory parliamentary spokesman for Waford Ali Miraj debated on Radio Five Live. Mr Miraj, who hopes to be the next MP for Watford, joined Cherie Blair's half sister
JUNIOR members of Kings Langley angling society gathered last week to take part in the club's annual event to clear litter along the Grand Union canal. Supervised by senior members, the group, based in Railway Terrace, walked alongside a section of
CHORLEYWOOD are still searching for their first Home Counties Premier League Division Two East win of the season after snatching a draw against Hoddesdon on Saturday, June 14. After Hoddesdon had set a mammoth 303-7, Wood held on for the draw, closing
THE draw has taken place for the inaugural The Watford Observer Linden Homes Knockout Cricket Plate competition. Conducted by sports editor Anthony Matthews, umpire co-ordinator David Webb, and overseen by an independent person, it reads: Chiltern
TODDLERS of a Radlett Nursery School put their best feet forward on Wednesday, June 11, in a sponsored stroll. The event, known nationwide as Forresters Big Toddle, was organised by the children's charity Barnardo's. A total of 15 children from the
SARACENS have beaten rivals Gloucester to land French international hooker Raphael Ibanez from Castres on what is believed to be a two-year deal. The Men in Black, who have been tracking Ibanez for the last three weeks, lured the former French captain
KYRAN BRACKEN will collect his 45th England cap when he steps out in Wellington tomorrow (Saturday, June 14) to face the All Blacks, completing the latest chapter of what has been a remarkable international career. A thigh injury to Matt Dawson has
BOREHAM WOOD have bounced back from the disappointment of losing George Borg to Hornchurch in May by appointing Steve Browne as their new manager. Browne has a good pedigree after leading Slough Town to fourth place in the Ryman League Division One
RADLETT returned to the top of the Home Counties Premier League Division One with an emphatic six-wicket win over local rivals Beaconsfield at Cobden Hill on Saturday, June 7, to maintain their flying start to the season. Unbeaten in five, Radlett
A SECOND successive five-wicket haul from Martin Bailey enabled improving West Herts second XI to complete back-to-back league wins in Division Four, with an emphatic 104-run success over Ickleford on Saturday, June 7. Following on from his 5-24 seven
ABBOTS LANGLEY second XI continued their winning sequence in Division Six with victory at Tewin on Saturday, June 7, to move into the top five of the table. Billy Battams lit up the field with two spectacular catches in what was a high-quality fielding
MET POLICE BUSHEY kept pace with the Division Nine leaders after destroying second-from-bottom Cockfosters by nine-wickets on Saturday, June 7. Cockfosters won the toss and elected to bat, posting a moderate 136 from their 53 overs, although they
RESIDENTS have criticised the Highways Agency for failing to make safe a crossing point in Garston. Six months after the agency completed upgrade work at the junction of the A405 with St Albans Road, residents can still not use the crossing as it remains
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD fifth XI moved off the basement of Division 11 with a comprehensive 94-run win at Rickmansworth third XI on Saturday, June 7. Ricky were on the back foot before the game even got under way, with one player failing to turn up and another
A FASHION conscious thief swapped his dirty trainers for a new pair before walking out of a shop. Robert Wilson, 19, of Cheshire Drive, Leavesden, went into Allsports in The Harlequin shopping centre, on Thursday, May 1, with two friends and stole the
A NEW support group for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one through suicide is to hold its first meeting this month in Garston. Based at Sheepcot Medical Centre in Sheepcot Lane, the group's aim is to provide a safe, confidential environment
WEST HERTS' grip on The Watford Observer Linden Homes Knockout Cricket Trophy was broken in thrilling fashion by competition newcomers Harefield last Thursday (June 5). In a superb match, featuring more than 300 runs, Harefield booked their place in
WHILE hundreds of teachers heave a sigh of relief next month as they dust down their chalk boards for the well earned summer break, a headteacher from Watford looks forward to brushing up on her communication skills as she takes to Uganda to teach.
SANDY LODGE took a huge stride forward in their bid to succeed Moor Park as Herts Scratch League champions on Sunday, June 8, when they edged Harpenden Common 7-5. The sides finished second and third behind Moor Park last season, but, with both at
WEST HERTS Warriers Basketball Club last week completed the full set, so to speak, after receiving news that their senior team had been accepted into the National Leagues. The Warriers will begin next season, which starts up again in October, in the
BRITAIN's top-long distance runners are set to gather at Woodside Stadium after the Watford athletics venue was named as the host track for this year's Norwich Union World trials and AAA 10,000m Championships. The race, which takes place on Saturday
RADLETT returned to the top of Division One of the Home Counties Premier League with an emphatic six-wicket win over local rivals Beaconsfield at Cobden Hill on Saturday, June 7, thus maintaining their flying start to the season. Unbeaten in five,
KYRAN BRACKEN will collect his 45th England cap when he steps out in Wellington on Saturday, June 14, to face the All Blacks. A thigh injury to Matt Dawson has given Bracken the chance to stake his claim ahead of the World Cup, and, although the Northampton
FORMER Watford striker Bruce Dyer is set to return to Vicarage Road after the Hornets agreed terms with the out-of-contract Barnsley player. The deal is expected to be concluded when Dyer, who became Britain's first million-pound teenager when he left
A BRICKET WOOD pensioner suffering from a fractured spine and pelvis has finally been transferred to a specialist unit after spending almost a month lying in a bed awaiting treatment at Watford General Hospital. Mr John Drinkwater, of Ash Copse, was
BUSINESS was booming at Vicarage Road Stadium on Wednesday when Watford's Enterprise Agency (WENTA) held its first Meet The Buyers networking event. Organised by WENTA's business club, the event brought more than 60 small business owners and sole traders
THE hard work and determination of two Watford Scouts has been rewarded with the top achievement award the Scouting Association has to offer. Zoe Walford and Iain Brunt were presented with the Queen's Scout Award by Hertfordshire County Commissioner
A SCHOOL in Bushey is appealing for a press for its art pupils. Head of art at Queens' School Nicola Bettison used a flat-bed etching press during her fine art degree and wants her classes to experiment with the process, known as intaglio. Intaglio
SARACENS have captured the signature of the French international hooker Raphael Ibanez from Castres, in what will be seen as a major transfer coup for the Men in Black. Capped 63 times for his country, Ibanez captained France in the 2003 Grand Slam
A DRUG addict claimed he was forced to rob a newsagent just days after his release from prison to pay back a drug debt. Spencer Simpson, 24, of South Way, Abbots Langley, had been out of Woodhill prison just weeks when he tried to get away with £2,000
KINGS LANGLEY residents are asked to look out for a missing man known to be fond of the village. Mr Alexis Tachmintzis has been missing since the beginning of the month. The 26-year-old was last seen leaving a relative's house in north-west London
COMPENSATION awarded to a man's ex-girlfriend for assaulting her has not been paid, Watford Magistrates heard. Karl Smith, 33, of The Pelhams, Garston, was ordered to pay £575 in September last year. Included in the amount was £100 for the victim.
TWO sisters have been charged with burgling the home of an 81 year old with the help of a number of juveniles. It is alleged 22-year-old Elen Ward, and her sister, Jeniffer, 24, who live together in Turnberry Court, South Oxhey, committed the offence
A PREDATORY man obsessed with child abuse images has been jailed following an investigation led by Hertfordshire Constabulary child protection officer. Michael Ward, 36, from Station Road, Radlett, was charged with 17 offences of making indecent photographs
VICTIM Support Hertfordshire (VSH) a charity which helps people cope with the effects of crime has had its annual budget slashed by £150,000. The cuts by the National Association of Victim Support Schemes (NAVSS) will mean a £56,000 cut this year
THE county's director of children, schools and families service is leaving to lead a national drive to improve council services for children. Ray Shostak has been appointed strategic advisor for education at the Improvement and Development Agency. He
LABOUR MEP Mrs Eryl McNally from Abbots Langley has written to Prime Minister Tony Blair, asking him to withdraw the governments invitation for a Chilean navy training ship to visit London. The boat, the Esmeralda, was used in 1973 by the regime of
LABOUR MEP Mrs Eryl McNally from Abbots Langley has written to Prime Minister Tony Blair, asking him to withdraw the governments invitation for a Chilean navy training ship to visit London. The boat, the Esmeralda, was used in 1973 by the regime of
A TASTE of the Caribbean is coming to a West Watford church this weekend and everyone is invited to join in the fun. St Michael and All Angels Church in Mildred Avenue is holding its popular Caribbean Festival on Sunday featuring music and food from
CLASS OF '73 (The Magic Roundabout Club) of St. Mary's Primary School, Rickmansworth, is holding a reunion on Sunday June 8 (2.30 - 5.00) at Hemel Hempstead (Camelot) Rugby Union Club, Chaulden Lane, Hemel Hempstead. The reunion is for members of this
REGARDING the Bury Day Nursery, Rickmansworth. I have enclosed photographs of children from the early 1950's. Whoever was enquiring may like to keep them. I was sent there from Leggatts Way Day Nursery when the Bury were short staffed and was there
YEARS ago when the small cottages were demolished in Wells yard our firm excavated and laid storm water pipes and concreted over Wells yard which was at the back of the restaurant. The manager used to let us into a section of the kitchen (there was
With reference to the Primrose Garages in Radlett Road. I too remember the massive corrugated hangars that housed two old biplanes. It seemed to be home to a Mr Oglevie, who used to sit in an old airplane seat either in the back or on sunny days in
A TOTAL of 25 primary and secondary schools across Watford celebrated receiving School Achievement Awards from the Department for Education and Skills. The local schools were among 7,000 nationwide to be presented with the award, which commends the
A WOMAN from Oxhey has recently returned from Sweden where she studied some of choral music's leading musicians. The trip to the Scandinavian country was made possible thanks to the Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship. Ms Joy Hill is choral director
A TANDOORI takeaway in Croxley Green was last week declared by Masterchef to be the best in Hertfordshire. The Croxley Tandoori Takeaway, in Watford Road, has added the award to its array of accolades obtained during the past decade whilst it has been
THE body of a 36-year-old man was found in Watford at the weekend. Police were called to the scene in Jellicoe Road, Watford, at about 9.30pm on Sunday. Officers attended the incident following a call for back-up from paramedics, who discovered the
YOUNG people living in the Three Rivers district and experiencing problems with housing can now benefit from a new scheme set up by Herts Young Homeless Group. The scheme provides one-to-one support for young people aged 16 years to 25 years who are
A MAN who exposed himself to a mother with her three children at a train station will be sentenced later this month for indecent exposure. Watford Magistrates Court heard at a previous hearing how the woman fled after seeing "blank faced" Leon Clarke
A CD of music by Three Rivers teenagers will be launched this month. About 50 youngsters from youth clubs in South Oxhey, Bedmond, Mill End and Rickmansworth have produced the CD, which is aimed at people their own age. Four songs feature on the CD
At the firing of the Christmas lights on Thursday, November 6 by Phixx, Suzanne Carley and James Alexandrew, who plays Martin Fowler in Eastenders. Picture X453423: Simon Jacobs.
At the firing of the Christmas lights on Thursday, November 6 by Phixx, Suzanne Carley and James Alexandrew, who plays Martin Fowler in Eastenders. Picture X453421: Simon Jacobs.
At the firing of the Christmas lights on Thursday, November 6 by Phixx, Suzanne Carley and James Alexandrew, who plays Martin Fowler in Eastenders. Picture X453412: Simon Jacobs.
At the firing of the Christmas lights on Thursday, November 6 by Phixx, Suzanne Carley and James Alexandrew, who plays Martin Fowler in Eastenders. Picture X453410: Simon Jacobs.
At the firing of the Christmas lights on Thursday, November 6 by Phixx, Suzanne Carley and James Alexandrew, who plays Martin Fowler in Eastenders. Picture X453404: Simon Jacobs.
At the firing of the Christmas lights on Thursday, November 6 by Phixx, Suzanne Carley and James Alexandrew, who plays Martin Fowler in Eastenders. Picture X453403: Simon Jacobs.
THERE was a time on the way back on the M6 the other Tuesday night when we engaged in higher mathematics. We hit a jam around Sandbach and then proceeded one mile in 54 minutes. We reckoned that we had 150 miles to go until we reached Watford and our
They moved from South Oxhey, Watford, to live in Grafton, NSW, Australia some three years ago. Keith works as Head of Primary at St Andrew's School in Grafton. They have two children, Nicholas and Rosie. petersonkk@hotkey.net.au
He is a former Watford resident, who left in 1955 and now lives in Mt Maunganui, Bay of Plenty, NZ. valkivell@xtra.co.nz
He is now living in Sydney, is a former Watford footballer. He had two spells at Vicarage Road in the mid 1950's and the early 1960's). he went to Australia to play and coach in the late 1960's and has been there ever since. He is retired now
She used to live in Watford, and work at The Watford Observer. She now lives in New Zealand with her parents boyfriend after moving from the UK in December. the_lor@hotmail.com
He lived in Watford Road, Kings Langley, and was educated at St Georges School, Watford, before going on to naval school in the late 1940s. He is now well known in New Zealand as a newspaper cartoonist and interior designer. Living in Auckland
He is from Watford is a marketing communications consultant on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. He does some work for Sunshine Coast Skydivers and also Caloundra Tourism Inc. rodgerhall@bigpond.com
He is from Watford and has been living in Sydney since 1983. He works in the operation centre at the Sydney Opera House. LMcLean@soh.nsw.gov.au
They have lived in Queensland for the past seven years, after leaving Watford, and settled on Mt Tamborine in Queensland. Bob and his son were born within a stone's throw of Watford football ground and Alice comes from Rickmansworth. Bob's parents
Jonathan was born in Watford General Hospital 21 years ago and Janine, his girlfriend, is an Australian teacher who lived in Watford for four years and taught at Westfield Community School. They met in Watford town centre last year and moved
THERE will be a chance for Radlett and Aldenham residents to have their say on community safety at a public meeting later this month. The police authority will hold the meeting, on behalf of Hertsmere's Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP
THE actress Honor Blackman, remembered for her part as Pussy Galore in the James Bond movie Goldfinger, will be hosting a VIP night at an art show at The Harlequin shopping centre gallery in aid of the Palace Theatre Appeal next month. The star, who
THE gloss was taken off a newly wed couple's joy after they returned home to find their beloved cockatiel had escaped. Mr Shahzad Baig and his wife, Pinky, were devastated to find their cockatiel Tammi has flown the nest when they came back from a week's
A RETIRED lorry driver who lost his wife to cancer hung himself because he could not go on without her. Joseph Dennis Christie, of Boundary Way, Garston, was found dead at the home he had shared with his wife for three decades, on Tuesday, August 26
TWO shop workers were threatened at knife point during a robbery at an off-licence in Chorleywood on Saturday night (November 8). At 8.15pm, an offender wearing a ski-mask entered Threshers, on Main Parade, and threatened the two women, aged 19 and
FIREFIGHTERS from Watford battled for an hour to save a burning building in Watford on Sunday. Vandals are thought to have sprayed petrol or lighter fluid around the disused factory-style building in Watford Field Road before torching its ground floor
A PARK in Bushey has picked up a prestigious award for the fifth year running. King George Recreation Ground has been included in the list of winners for this year's Green Flag Award. Councillor Morris Bright, portfolio holder with responsibility
IT could have been a Christmas disaster, but thanks to an appeal carried in The Watford Observer Santa Claus and his sleigh will ride again in Bushey. In an article last month, Bushey and Oxhey Round Table said they feared their Christmas collection
Remembrance Sunday celebrations at Watford Peace Memorial on November 9, 2003. Picture X455124: Ryo Hayashida.
Remembrance Sunday celebrations at Watford Peace Memorial on November 9, 2003. Picture X455123: Ryo Hayashida.
Remembrance Sunday celebrations at Watford Peace Memorial on November 9, 2003. Picture X455122: Ryo Hayashida.
Remembrance Sunday celebrations at Watford Peace Memorial on November 9, 2003. Picture X455121: Ryo Hayashida.
Remembrance Sunday celebrations at Watford Peace Memorial on November 9, 2003. Picture X455116: Ryo Hayashida.
Remembrance Sunday celebrations at Watford Peace Memorial on November 9, 2003. Picture X455111: Ryo Hayashida.
Remembrance Sunday celebrations at Watford Peace Memorial on November 9, 2003. Picture X455110: Ryo Hayashida.
Remembrance Sunday celebrations at Watford Peace Memorial on November 9, 2003. Picture X455108: Ryo Hayashida.
Remembrance Sunday celebrations at Watford Peace Memorial on November 9, 2003. Picture X455106: Ryo Hayashida.
Remembrance Sunday celebrations at Watford Peace Memorial on November 9, 2003. Picture X455102: Ryo Hayashida.
Remembrance Sunday celebrations at Watford Peace Memorial on November 9, 2003. Picture X455101: Ryo Hayashida.
PATRICK PHIBBS, the scrum-half on loan from Randwick, flew back to Australia yesterday (Monday) after his short-term deal with the Men in Black expired. The 22-year-old half-back, who played a starring role in the victory over Harlequins, was recruited
THE ultimate Christmas present for the young man in your life went on show in a charity shop window in Chorleywood today (Monday). The red hot Ferrari F40 is a model version of the stuff big boys dream about and it comes complete with an up-to-the-minute
PLANS for a new multi-million pound fire station in Watford are just days away from being approved. Hertfordshire County Council is set to agree to the station being built in Lower High Street in place of a local tyre garage. The county's development
A NAVY recruit from the military base in Northwood has appeared at St Albans Crown Court charged with rape. Lennie Augustus James, 21, who works at the NATO base in Sandy Lane, is alleged to have carried out the rape on Thursday, August 26. At the
A MISSING woman, whose former partner is offering a £15,000 reward to find her, has come forward to say she is safe and well but does not want to return to him. Tetanya Brochanicko, 24, has been the subject of an intensive search by the father of her
DAVID Wright's job is a load of old rubbish. For the past 40 years, the 57-year-old has been a refuse collector for Watford Council and last month he was presented with a long service award by Watford Mayor, Dorothy Thornhill. It was given to him exactly
COMMUNITY service in West Hertfordshire has been taken one step further with a scheme which will enable offenders to develop skills while undertaking compulsory unpaid work. The Enhanced Community Punishment (ECP) initiative has been adopted by Hertfordshire
SARACENS, lifted by victory over Rotherham on Saturday, received a further fillip this week when Fijian fly-half Nicky Little returned from the World Cup ahead of the visit of high-riding London Irish on Sunday. The 27-year-old, who scored 46 points
RICHARD HILL's hopes of playing a major part in England's attempt to win the World Cup are still hanging by a thread after the influential flanker failed to shake off a hamstring injury ahead of this weekend's Quarter-Final clash with Wales. Hill has
SARACENS have confirmed that they are going to fight the RFU over the decision to dock the Men in Black two points for fielding an unregistered player against Newcastle on the opening day of the season. However, chief executive Mark Sinderberry was
TABARD RFCpowered their way to an impressive 39-15 win over Basingstoke at Cobden Hill in the National League Division Three South on Saturday thanks to a fine performance from the forwards, inspired by Mark Sharp, who grabbed a brace of tries. However
A MUCH-CHANGED Fullerians outfit still had too much in their locker for Barnet and collected the two points in style after a whirlwind start saw them to a 34-19 win in the London North West Division Three. A scrum on the halfway line was wheeled by
A FRIENDLY in the loosest sense of the word, Watford Rugby Club and Datchworth served up an entertaining 80 minutes of rugby on Saturday with a 10-10 draw just about the right result. Both sides started strongly, and the Watford forwards took the heavier
WATFORD Wator Polo club returned to winning ways on Monday with a comfortable 10-1 win over Biggleswade in the Herts League. Without leading player, Graham Martin-Dye who has left to join a team in Australia Watford could have struggled but immediately
NORTH Watford's Chris Yeomans made his Tae Kwon-Do senior debut on Sunday at the Impact International at Haywards Heath in Sussex and performed better than anybody could have hoped for to claim bronze. In his first bout, Yeomans was drawn against the
THE annual Northwood Town Cricket Club Presentation Dinner took place last Friday night at the Cricketers Club in Central London. After a mixed season generally for the Chestnut Avenue outfit in last summer's Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League 22
WATFORD have been linked with former Brentford and Barnsley full-back Paul Gibbs, but it is an old story. "I did contact him when he was released by Barnsley because that was around the time I was trying to come to terms with the fact Paul Robinson
WATFORD's manager will be hoping Nottingham Forest do not come in with a vastly increased offer to tempt the board and the board-allied investors to cash in on Danny Webber. "Every club and every player has his price and it is hard to think that Forest
SCOTT FITZGERALD has come to the attention of Ireland scouts and a story has been floated in the Republic, linking the Watford striker with the possibility of selection to the Ireland B squad. Sources in Ireland point out that Irish strikers are short
SCOTT FITZGERALD has come to the attention of Ireland scouts and a story has been floated in the Republic, linking the Watford striker with the possibility of selection to the Ireland B squad. Sources in Ireland point out that Irish strikers are short
WATFORD fans who took advantage of the Supersaver ticket prices for the visit of Rotherham United have now been given priority booking for the eagerly awaited visit of West Ham United on Saturday, November 22. Tickets had previously been on sale to
RAY LEWINGTON will loan out Jerel Ifil once again despite the player agreeing a new two-year deal with the Hornets. "There are some in this game who feel players like Jerel, if they have not made it by 21, are not going to make it. I don't think that
RAY LEWINGTON will loan out Jerel Ifil once again despite the player agreeing a new two-year deal with the Hornets. "There are some in this game who feel players like Jerel, if they have not made it by 21, are not going to make it. I don't think that
Hyde will join the squad bound for the City Ground tomorrow, (Saturday) and Watford will be hoping the mystery condition will have cleared up. Twice before Hyde has come back only to break down again, troubled by his hamstring, despite being given the
CARTOONIST and former Radlett resident Paul Thomas will open an exhibition of his work this weekend. Mr Thomas, who grew up in Radlett, was first published in the Borehamwood Post more than 25 years ago. His first sketch depicted former Conservative
OVER the past year there have been two, to all intents and purposes unrelated, deaths. The first was flautist Fritz Spiegl and the other was Jimmy Davis, the Manchester United winger on the threshold of his life. Fritz was 77, whereas Jimmy was only
KEEPER Lenny Pidgeley has joined Watford on a month's loan from big spending Chelsea. The Hornets moved for the 19-year-old after Richard Lee suffered a broken arm in traning. Don't miss this week's edition of The Watford Observer for all the latest
FOR the first time, electors in Watford can make sure they are registered to vote by making a quick phone call. Town hall officials are urging locals to make sure they are registered to vote to ensure they can voice their opinions in local and national
A NEW self defence class for women opens this Friday. The KIXA self defence class work on raising women's awareness, self esteem, self confidence and helps relieve stress, addictions and increase stamina. The new KIXA class opens at The Fitness Studio
A BOVINGDON man is proving he's a real high flyer after appearing in a top TV show based on life as an airport worker. Mr Leo Jones, of Chesham Road, hit TV screens recently in the ITV1 programme Airline. The passenger services manager at Luton airport
SEPTEMBER sees the release of a new programme of events for the over 50's. Hertsmere Borough Council's Fifty Plus brochure is now available to residents. It contains listings of one-off events and regular activities for the over fifties in Radlett
READERS can tune in to ITV's Pop Idol 2 every Saturday during the next month for the chance to catch a glimpse of Watford's Suzanne Carley, who has made it through to the final 50. Suzanne, 19, a former student of St Michael's School, Garston, fended
THE new chief executive at Hertfordshire County Council, Ms Caroline Tapster, has taken up the reins following the departure of interim chief executive Mr Charlie Watson. Ms Tapster was previously director of the county council's adult care services.
WATFORD COUNCIL has unveiled its master plan in the fight to retain emergency services at Watford General Hospital. Today (Friday), Watford Mayor Dorothy Thornhill will present health chiefs with a "new and radical" proposal to transfer sections of
WATFORD'S two grammar schools have claimed their cultures of academic excellence are threatened by a Government-appointed adjudicator and took their case to the High Court on Wednesday. The girls and boys grammar schools, in Lady's Close and Rickmansworth
READERS can tune in to ITV's Pop Idol 2 every Saturday for the next five weeks for the chance to catch a glimpse of Watford's Suzanne Carley, who has made it through to the final 50. Suzanne, 19, a former student of St Michael's School, Garston, fended
POLICE are cracking down on drug dealers in Watford under a new initiative aimed at removing class A drugs from the community. Operation Crystal, launc- hed on Monday will use a core team of detectives dedicated to coordinating intelligence across the
A SINGING group, whose future was in doubt because it could not find a new accompanist, will carry on entertaining audiences after an appeal for help was published in The Watford Observer. Members of the Bushey Concert Group, which stages regular shows
SARACENS survived a gutsy Newcastle come-back at Kingston Park on Sunday to get their Zurich Premiership campaign off to the perfect start with a narrow 25-20 win. In fact, the two sides were seperated only by a controversial penalty try awarded by
Preliminary Round: Oxhey United White 0 Whetstone Panthers 1; Riverside AFC 0 Wood Boys 9. Round One: HMH 7 Berkhamsted Raiders 0.
MY association with Rickmansworth began in 1923. I was eight years old and living at that time in Bow Brickhill, a one street village which terminated at the top of the hill at the church gates. Beyond this a footpath wandered through Woburn Sands to
A POSSE of former Watford players and other soccer stars will compete against local talent in a charity match that looks set to be one of the highlights of the West Watford Show on Sunday, September 14. Organisers are hoping for a good turn out for
HE endured blisters and aching legs but now keen rambler Mark Cundy is back at his desk after walking the 280 miles from London to Amsterdam for charity. Mr Cundy, of St Albans Road, Watford, has raised an estimated £750 for Cancer Research UK after
WATFORD are hoping on an outside chance of securing an experienced right-sided player on loan in time for tomorrow's (Saturday, September 13) game. Ray Lewington, already depleted by injuries and a supension, has been looking to replace the loss of Jimmy
THE HORNETS will be hoping Bruce Dyer has rested sufficiently to be fit enough to return to the striking role. With Micah Hyde out with a hamstring injury and Neal Ardley suspended, the Hornets have a few problems ahead of tomorrow's (Saturday, September
RADICAL changes in parking restrictions may soon take place in Bushey. A major consultation with Bushey residents will soon be carried out to determine their views on proposed changes in parking. Speaking at a Bushey Forum, Hertsmere Borough councillor
A PAINTING of historic Cassiobury House in Watford is the latest artwork to be displayed in an online archive dedicated to bringing the work of famed artist Turner to a wider audience. The view of the south west front of the stately home by Joseph Mallord
GOVERNMENT plans to clamp down on bogus charity street collections have been welcomed by Watford MP Claire Ward. Miss Ward said she hoped the proposed new rules announced on Wednesday would help restore public trust and confidence in the charitable
MUSLIMS in Watford are celebrating after the Watford Mosque and Welfare Association became one of the first religious organisations in the UK to be presented with a prestigious Queen's Golden Jubilee Award. The group, based at Watford Jamia Mosque in
A SINGING group, whose future was in doubt because it could not find a new accompanist, will carry on entertaining local audiences after an urgent appeal for help was published in The Watford Observer. Members of the Bushey Concert Group, which stages
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to convert a conservation area terrace into six bedsits has been agreed. The two-storey house in Langley Road, Watford, will be converted despite a row over parking provision. Applicant Ms Jennifer Adams said the development would
A PLAN to build 12 flats and four houses on the site of a former timber yard off St Albans Road has been approved, despite concerns about highway safety. Three one-bedroom flats, nine two-bedroom flats and four two-bedroom houses are set to be built
A POSTMAN found with more than six hundred letters in the back of his car had taken the items out of curiosity Watford magistrates heard. Simon Wall, 25, of Delta Gain, Carpenders Park, had only been in the job a matter of months before amassing the
RAMBLERS are hoping that a public inquiry will end confrontations over a disputed footpath in Letchmore Heath by confirming that everyone can use it. Disagreement has raged for five years about the legal status of the path, which crosses the back gardens
A DISTRAUGHT pet owner talked this week of his heartache at losing a cockatoo which lived with his family for 30 years. Kiki, a sulphur crested cockatoo escaped from his home in Bushey Mill Lane, Watford, last Thursday and has not been seen since.
SCORES of new streetlights are to be installed in Watford, it was announced this week. Hertfordshire County Council will spend more than £52,000 on fitting 66 lights throughout the borough over the next two months. Forty areas are set to benefit including
WATFORD COUNCIL'S new £90,000 a year managing director started work on Monday. Alastair Robertson joins from Three Rivers Council where he worked for 14 years as its chief executive. Before this he was based at councils throughout the country including
WATFORD may not have collected all three points from a fiery 1-1 draw with Burnley on Tuesday, but Ray Lewington will have breathed a sigh of relief after his side saw out the final 20 minutes with only ten men to secure a valuable point. Earlier,
WATFORD may not have collected all three points from a fiery 1-1 draw with Burnley on Tuesday, but Ray Lewington will have breathed a sigh of relief after his side saw out the final 20 minutes with only ten men to secure a valuable point. Earlier,
WATFORD Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has been awarded a high profile "Quality Mark" for the standard of advice it gives to its clients. The Community Legal Services Commission confirmed the award on the CAB for the way it advises people who are in debt
SILENCE met Councillor Frank Ward's motion of no confidence against the leader of Hertsmere Borough Council last week. Speaking at a meeting of the council on Wednesday, September 24, Councillor Ward said that in the past two years the council had witnessed
WATFORD COUNCIL has pledged to make the town a cleaner place, but for one woman the administration should concentrate its efforts a little closer to home. During a debate at the town hall on street cleaning, she suffered an asthma attack because of
PAEDOPHILE Trevor Brooks was jailed for life after he was convicted of raping two young sisters. Brooks befriended the girls' single mother after meeting her through a chatline dating agency. Before long the 40 year old painter and decorator had wormed
MILK in Hertfordshire shops has been given the all-clear by the county's trading standards department following a series of spot checks. Three hundred samples of skimmed, semi-skimmed and whole milk from towns and villages in Hertfordshire were taken
SARACENS' unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end on Saturday when they were handed a 30-7 defeat by Gloucester at Kingsholm. The result extended the Men in Black's miserable record at the home of the Cherry & Whites, where Sarries have
Watford's Pop Idol hopeful Suzanne Carley has failed in her bid to get into the next round of ITV's talent show. Despite receiving praise from the show's judges for her version of Whitney Houston's Run to You, Suzanne was voted out by the public, coming
Suzanne Carley has failed in her bid to get into the final ten of ITV's talent show Pop Idol. Despite receiving praise from the show's judges for her version of Whitney Houston's Run to You, Suzanne was voted out by the public, coming in fifth place
Round One Bovingdon v London Rd; Brookside v Sawbridgeworth Jun; Chipp Cor v Riverside Hib Gn; Cheshunt Yth v Garston Jun; Harp Colts v Ware; Herons Yth v Bishop Stortford Swifts; Nascot Rgrs v Colney Heath; Northolt Utd Jun v Borehamwood Yth; St Albans
Round One: St Albans Rgrs v Waltham Cross Yth; Northolt Utd v Abbots Yth; Tring Tigers v Evergreen; East Herts Yth v Suffolk Yth; Sun Postal Yth v Harvesters.
Round One: Acorn Rdrs v Harvesters Sth; Alex Pk Sth v Nascot Rgrs; Berk Allstars v Everett Rvrs; Bovingdon v Abbots Yth; Chiltern Utd v Comet Vipers; Chorleywood Red v Evergreen Jun; Croxley Guild v Harp Barons; Gadeside Rgrs v Hemel Red; Hemel Aces v
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN moved to within one match of lifting The Watford Observer Linden Homes Cricket Knockout Trophy for the second time in three years with an ultimately comfortable 23-run victory over Bushey on Tuesday, July 1. After making a slow
PARENTS are warned to watch out for sparkler danger as bonfire night celebrations reach a climax this weekend. Sparklers cause many injuries to young children each year and the county's chief fire officer Steve Seaber has urged mums and dads to take
TALES of talking squirrels are set to delight youngsters when a local author publishes her first children's book this month. Abbots Langley writer Doreen Cooper recently found success when she published a booklet sharing her memories of Langleybury
POLICE have renewed their appeal to the public for help in identifying a woman whose body was found in woodland near Northwood Hills nearly a year ago. On Monday they released a "facial reconstruction" of the woman who was found by ramblers in Copse
Round Two: Harp Colts Pumas 0 Edson Yth 7; Woodhall Wands 1 Harvesters Nth 4; Alex Pk Nth (walkover) v William Morris; Hertsmere 13 Tornadoes JSC 1; Chorleywood Blue 6 Berk Rdrs Blue 0; Omonia 6 St Albans Rgrs 0; Cassio Blue 1 Moor Pk 1 (aet Moor Pk
Round One: Echoes Amber 6 Edmonton Scorp 0; Edmonton Lionhearts 5 Alex Pk Sth 1.
AN early brace from Elliott Godfrey ensured Watford Reserves returned from Barnet with a fine 2-0 victory over Arsenal Reserves on Monday, November 3. The young striker was in the right place to head home Jerel Ifil's flick on from a Rob Martin corner
ONE of Watford's major employers is considering closing down, sparking fears among workers of widespread redundancies. Ink manufacturer Sun Chemical, which employs 120 people and has had a presence in the town since the 1930's, confirmed on Thursday
WESTGATE department store in Watford town centre is to close down after just two years of trading. The High Street-based store, which sells everything from hair dryers to holidays, will shut its doors to customers for good on Sunday, December 21.
Round Two: Harp Colts Pumas v Edson Yth; Woodhall Wands v Harvesters Nth; Alex Pk Nth v William Morris; Hertsmere v Torn JSC; Chorleywood Blue v Berk Rdrs Blue; Evergreen Yth v Northwood; Omonia v St Albans Rgrs; Cassio Blue v Moor Pk; Everett Rvrs v
Echoes Orange v Omonia White; Nascot Wood v London Rd; Hemel Aces v Oxhey Utd; London Col v Borehamwood 2000; Omonia Gn v Cassio Lions; Harp Hawks v Cassio Pumas; Alex Pk East v St Albans Rgrs; Riverside AFC v Bushey Hawks; Chorleywood v Everett Rvrs;
As a result of playing an unregisterd player in the first matches of the season on 7 September, both Albion Rovers FC and Sebastin Coe FC have had 3 points deducted from their total of points obtained. The Division 2 table must therfore be read bearing
RICHARD HILL has been given another week to shake off the hamstring injury that has so far limited his involvement in England's World Cup campaign. The 30-year-old Saracens flanker, badly missed in the far from convincing win over Samoa, has not played
MORGAN WILLIAMS , Saracens' Canadian scrum-half, will step off a 20-hour flight from Sydney tomorrow (Saturday, November 1) morning and will be pitched straight into the squad for the crunch clash away at Rotherham Titans just hours later in a bid to
MEALS on Wheels volunteers are urgently required in Dacorum. Drivers and other volunteers are needed by the service, which delivers 650 hot lunches and tea-time snacks to elderly residents across the borough each day. Dacorum Borough Council has pledged
SHOPPERS at Borders in Watford can help bring some Christmas cheer to children in the Hornets Ward at Watford General Hospital. Borders, in Waterfields Retail Park, is encouraging customers to donate gifts to the ward through its giving tree scheme.
A LANDMARK legal ruling on a phone mast in Chorleywood could provide an extra weapon for anti-mast campaigners if the decision is fed into Watford's planning guidelines. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's decision to quash a successful appeal by
WESTGATE department store in Watford town centre is to close down after just two years of trading. The High Street-based store, which sells everything from hair dryers to holidays, will shut its doors to customers for good on Sunday, December 21.
WATFORD have turned down a £450,000 bid from Nottingham Forest for striker Danny Webber. The club's chairman, Graham Simpson, dismissed the offer as "a bit cheeky". While it was thought the Hornets were open to offers for most players because of their
WATFORD's director of football, Terry Byrne, has resigned to become David Beckham's personal manager in Spain. "It is an unbelievable opportunity. He has been head-hunted. He goes sadly with my blessing and Ray's (Lewington) as well," said chairman
passed away on October 16, 2003, aged 94 years. Sadly missed by family and friends. Funeral to take place on Friday, October 31, 2003, at West Herts Crematorium, at 11am (South Chapel). Flowers welcome or donations to R.S.P.B c/o Macleans F.H. 01923 894116
ONE of the culprits who vandalised Westfield Community Technology College by smashing windows causing thousands of pounds of damage has been convicted by Watford magistrates. Despite being found at the scene with glass in his clothes 18-year-old Ricky
A DRUGS and alcohol rehabilitation clinic is to open in Watford town centre. The applicant, Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust, was granted planning permission to use an empty office building in Station Road by Watford Council on Monday. The Community
I CANNOT claim to know all the ins and outs behind Wimbledon's move to Milton Keynes. They certainly seemed to suffer at the hands of an indifferent local council and some of the blame for the whole saga lies with the council who were not as constructive
