Watford celebrating a notable victory over the current Premier League champions and heavy snowfall prior to Christmas were among the stories making our headlines in the Watford Observer five and ten years ago this week.
FIVE YEARS AGO
Premier League's top sides may start to respect us more, says Ighalo
Odion Ighalo believes Watford have earned the Premier League’s top sides’ respect following their 3-0 demolition of Liverpool.
The Hornets controlled the game against Jurgen Klopp’s side from start to finish and more than deserved their three-goal winning margin.
Ighalo scored twice in the victory to take his tally for the season to 12. The Nigerian is having yet another remarkable campaign.
As are Watford. Under the guidance of Quique Sanchez Flores the club sit seventh in the Premier League with 28 points from 17 games. It’s an incredible achievement.
“Some people may have been surprised,” Ighalo said. “But I walk out with this team every week and we work hard for each other, we run for each other and fight for every ball. I'm not surprised anymore. But we need to keep going like this.
“This result may make top teams respect us more and not just treat us as a promoted side who are not going to be around the Premier League for long time.”
Health trust in charge of Watford General Hospital makes more than £1.7 million in parking charges
The health trust in charge of Watford General Hospital has made more than £1.7 million in parking charges.
Patients and family members are forced to pay for parking when they visit Watford General Hospital, St Albans City Hospital and Hemel Hempstead General Hospital.
They pay £2 for one hour then £4 for up to two, £6 for three hours, £8 for four hours, £12 for six hours and £15 for up to 24 hours.
Developers agree lucrative contract for South Oxhey Initiative
Developers have agreed a lucrative contract with the council for the regeneration scheme in South Oxhey.
Countryside Properties and Home Group have signed a contract which means they will complete the South Oxhey Initiative.
The scheme is valued at £120-150 million.
Ann Shaw, Leader of the Council said: “The Council is very pleased to have formally entered into contract with Countryside and Home Group.
"We are very much looking forward to working in collaboration to deliver the new high quality homes and shops that South Oxhey needs.”
But the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust has made £1.73 million in parking charges between April 2014 and March 2015.
TEN YEARS AGO
Ice leaves residents 'marooned' on steep street
Freezing conditions have made most roads in Hertfordshire difficult to navigate but for one group of Bushey residents the inclement weather has left them “marooned” in their homes.
Elderly residents, in Bournehall Lane, have been housebound during the cold snap due to the steep hill they face on their icy road.
Despite the gradient, the road is classed as a low priority on the Hertfordshire County Council gritting list and has not been salted since the cold weather began.
Bournehall Lane resident Wendy Skeldon, 70, said: “I'm really incensed. They told us we are on the list to be gritted but nothing has happened.
“If you drive out you can slide down the road to the cross roads but walking on the pavement is near impossible.”
Ellington set for Watford return after no offers
Watford have confirmed they have received no offers for Nathan Ellington and expect their highest paid player to return to the club.
Ellington’s year-long loan at Greek side Skoda Xanthi ends on January 1 and he was scheduled to return to the United Kingdom on Wednesday.
“Nathan’s current situation is that he will come back to us as his loan deal runs out and he is our player,” Hornets manager Malky Mackay confirmed.
“We have not had any official enquiries at the moment for Nathan. We have a period coming up where teams look to bring players in during the window again, where in the last couple of months it has been quiet. So I would expect to start taking phone calls.”
Father-of-two 'relieved' after completing 12 marathons in 12 months
A Bushey father-of-two has described his relief at completing 12 marathons in 12 months and raising more than £3,000 for charity in the process.
Jeff Carter, of Crabtree Close, began his epic challenge on January 24 and, having travelled across the UK and Germany to take part in a series of marathons, finally completed his last run on Sunday, December 12.
The former Royal Air Force engineer, 42, had never run a marathon before he took on the Gloucester event in January, but says he always confident of completing the challenge.
“It was fun,” he said. “I was relieved when it was over but also a little sad as it has become such a part of my routine.”
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