Review of the year: December - Omicron variant spreads

Thanks to the vaccination programme and relative stability of the Delta variant, you'd be forgiven for thinking life had returned to normal after a near couple of years like no other.

But the seemingly extremely contagious Omicron variant has turned everything upside down causing the Government to impose new restrictions like wearing face coverings in certain indoor settings and social distancing where possible.

Even though there are studies to suggest Omicron is milder, scientists remain concerned the sheer number of people catching Omicron could overwhelm the NHS threatening further restrictions like banning indoor mixing and curfews.

Hertfordshire appears to be among the areas worst hit by Omicron, although still behind London, with record number of infections recorded in the likes of Watford, Rickmansworth, Bushey and surrounding villages and communities.

Locally, it hasn't caused a surge in hospitalisations, according to the latest healthcare data published on the Government's coronavirus dashboard.

Away from Covid, the village of Bovingdon was shocked by the news of a murder.

Julia Howse, 61, died after she was stabbed inside a property in Austin Mead on December 11.

Her son, Ashley, 35, has been charged by police with her murder along with the attempted murder of his father.

The Watford Labour party paid tribute to former chairman and parliamentary candidate Mike Jackson who died on December 16 following a long illness at the age of 73.

Mike Jackson

Paying tribute to him, serving chairman Cllr Asif Khan said: "Mike's years of dedication to the town and all the work he put in made him a stand-out local figure who was widely respected across all political parties and the wider community.

"I would like to place on record the Watford Labour Party’s sincere thanks for everything he did and the endless hours he put in.

“Our condolences go to his wife Sue, his daughter Alice and the wider family."