Here we review the last two months of 2023 as the new year begins.

Plans for 57 homes near the A41 in Watford have been formally submitted to Watford Borough Council. It involves a mix of three, four, and five-bedroom homes with gardens, 87 parking spaces, 114 cycle spaces, landscaping, a play area, and a new road. There are 14 homes for affordable housing.

Drug dealers who ran a commercial cocaine supply network in Watford are jailed – after police seized £900,000 worth of cocaine. They were nabbed last year by Herts Police after an investigation by the specialist organised crime team, Operation Relentless, into the ‘Ace’ drug line operating for several years dealing cocaine in Watford and Three Rivers area. The defendants were jailed for a total of 28 years.

Watford Observer: Left to right: Scott Hocking, Chas Wright, Paul RobinsonLeft to right: Scott Hocking, Chas Wright, Paul Robinson (Image: Herts Police)

Two revamped pubs are set to reopen before Christmas in a boost to Watford’s night-time economy.

The Oddfellows in Fearnley Street and The Horns in Hempstead Road announce plans to serve pints once again.

Watford Observer: The OddfellowsThe Oddfellows (Image: Newsquest)

Stunning tributes in honour of our armed services’ men and women took place to mark Remembrance weekend. His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Robert Voss CBE led the Remembrance Sunday parade to the Peace Memorial – as the new branch of the Watford Royal British Legion had its first public appearance.

Watford Observer: Wreath laid during Remembrance Weekend serviceWreath laid during Remembrance Weekend service (Image: Watford Borough Council)

Mayor Peter Taylor and MP Dean Russell celebrate £16million funding for Watford as part of the government’s Levelling Up cash. It will help transform the High Street and fund extra improvement work on The Colosseum due to reopen in 2024.

Watford Observer: Watford's MP Dean Russell and mayor Peter Taylor.

In December consultation responses for a new passenger transport network that would link Watford to St Albans and then Essex have shown “overwhelming support”.

Hertfordshire County Council says 75 per cent of respondents said they support or strongly support the Hertfordshire Essex Rapid Transit (HERT) plan, prompting the council to confirm it will take the views forward.

Watford Observer: CGI image shared by HCC. The type of vehicle to be used is still not decided.

Poundland opens in the former John Lewis unit in atria shopping centre.

Watford MP Dean Russell raises concerns over Kytes Drive redevelopment plans.

Husnein Amjad, 24, of Fuller Road, Watford, is  jailed after being found guilty of murdering his father. The sentence follows a 13-day trial at St Albans Crown Court.

Watford Observer: A police custody image of Husnein Amjad.A police custody image of Husnein Amjad. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

Santas took over Watford for a festive run in Cassiobury Park. The Mencap Santa Dash on Sunday included a 1km and 5km run for 175 people decked out in their most festive attire.

Watford Observer: December Santa Dash in Cassiobury Park in aid of MencapDecember Santa Dash in Cassiobury Park in aid of Mencap (Image: Watford Mencap)

Council highways officers knock back plans for a 57-home development, partly over an already congested junction. A planning application for the development, between the A41 and Russell Lane in Watford, was submitted to Watford Borough Council at the end of October but many neighbours have objected, particularly over potential access issues.

Several new businesses launch in Watford in December in a huge boost to the town’s economy.

Medical spa Iconic Aesthetics opened in The Parade, High Street, taking over a former estate agents. Jewellers F.Hinds opened in atria Watford and Finecraft Jewellery arrived in Queen’s Road Watford. Puregym also opened.

Watford Observer: Finecraft Jewellery. Picture: Dov Bloom.Finecraft Jewellery. Picture: Dov Bloom. (Image: Finecraft Jewellery)