Friday May 9, 1958 was a Red-Letter Day for readers of the West Herts and Watford Observer, as it was then known. The usual news-packed 4d (2p) issue was accompanied by a doppelganger in miniature form, just 7 inches by 5½ inches (18cm by 14cm), in which news stories could be read with a magnifying glass; an original marketing concept.

The main headline, ‘The ‘Grin-and-Walk-it’ Strike’ related to a bus strike, likely followed by a rail strike. Local people were advised to grin, offer lifts, bring out their cycles or rediscover Shanks’s pony. What struck me was that the article focused on ways to deal with the situation or trusting the rail strike would be averted at the last minute. Only 12 years after World War Two ended, the ‘can do’ attitude was still in evidence.

Watford Observer:

Watford Observer's May 9, 1958 mini-issue. A Scammel's pen for size

In contrast on the front page, ‘Cheques for Charms’ was a competition for the ‘Most Glamourous Housewife’. Readers were asked to sort through their photographs, a select few of which would be published the following week. With first, second and third prizes respectively £25, £15 and £10, local housewives’ attention would have been severely diverted, after all the first prize was worth more than £400 today.

On the subject of kitchens, the Eastern Electricity Board reported a boom in refrigerators, with 10,000 sold in 1957. Gas cookers, meanwhile, cost £33.17s.6d, minus £2 if you traded in your old one at the local gas showroom.

‘Anglers as Seen by Themselves and Their Wives’, ‘Fluoridation on Edge of a Cliff’ and ‘West Herts. Hospitals to Spend More But Some Services will be Pruned’ were amongst the articles, each emotive in their own way.

‘French for Love’ was playing at the Palace Theatre and at the cinemas Alan Ladd was starring in ‘Shane’ (Empire), Zachary Scott in ‘Man in the Shadow’ (Carlton), Anthony Perkins in ‘Desire Under the Elms’ (Odeon), Sybil Thorndike in ‘Smiley Gets a Gun’ (Essoldo) and ‘No Time to Die’ (Gaumont). No, there’s no mistake! It was the first film of that name; a British war epic starring Victor Mature. And yes, we were spoilt with excellent cinemas, all well attended and all in the town centre.

Watford Observer:

Watford Observer's March 15, 1963 mini-issue

On March 15, 1963, the Watford Observer published a second miniature issue, at a time when it was selling 45,000+ copies weekly. ‘Police Shortage Shock, Losing Battle of Crime?’ was the lead headline. The story was of soaring crime and the pressure on local police to work long hours and on public holidays. Also on the front page was a report on the purchase by Watford Rural Council of Oxhey Lodge in Green Lane at £16,000 per acre; the highest price then paid for land in the area.

The death of Arthur Grimsdell, ‘one of soccer’s heroes’, was announced. The Tottenham Hotspur and England left half and skipper had died aged 68 in Carey Place. There were articles on: ‘Watford Draw An Artless Display, Mixed Penalty’; The Operatic Society’s ‘Bless the Bride’ a Winner!’; and ‘Have the New Car Parks Resulted in a ‘Slum’?’ In those days, the Watford Observer ran a ‘Children’s Club by ‘Skipper’, a ‘Teenage Column’ by Roy Markland; ‘Feminine Viewpoint’ by Sheila Sills; local history by Jean Groome; and John Gade’s weekly diary and sport, which covered three pages. Everyone was catered for.

In my 1963 mini-issue, adverts included ‘Fantos’ Furnishing Fortnight’ and Clements’ spring clothing: £9.9s.9d. for a ‘Supershine coat in gold, raspberry, pink and turquoise.’ Don’t forget this was the psychedelic ‘60s!

There was real excitement amongst teenagers. Cliff Richard and The Shadows were advertised as appearing at the Gaumont just two weeks later with Patsy Ann Noble and The Trebletones in support, but all the tickets had been sold.

Watford Observer:

Clements' advertisement and RAFA article quoting Lesley's father

On page seven I read ‘RAFA Chairman Slams the Critics: Private Aid Needed in Welfare State’. The chairman in question was my father. He had challenged the critics of charitable causes at the RAFA Watford & District Branch annual meeting and explained that both officers and committee gave their services voluntarily and the cost of running its Benevolent Fund was one of the lowest of charitable organisations. To quote him: “I suggest that any critics of charitable causes are those fortunate enough never to have required assistance and that they know neither necessity nor need and, further, know little of, or are interested in other people’s misfortunes.” Tough words, but spoken from the heart.

Watford Observer:

Brush Your Troubles Away with the Watford Observer coat brush

An earlier Watford Observer give-away focused on potential advertisers. It was a small wood and bristle coat brush, well used when I acquired it, bearing the words: ‘Brush Your Troubles Away with the Watford Observer’. I think I can safely say that the maxim still applies in the 21st century!

Lesley Dunlop is the daughter of the late Ted Parrish, a well-known local historian and documentary filmmaker. He wrote 96 nostalgic articles for the ‘Evening Post-Echo’ in 1982-83 which have since been published in ‘Echoes of Old Watford, Bushey & Oxhey’, available at www.pastdayspublishing.com and Bushey Museum. Lesley is currently working on ‘Two Lives, Two World Wars’, a companion volume that explores her father’s and grandfather’s lives and war experiences, in which Watford, Bushey and Oxhey’s history will take to the stage once again.