An intrepid great-grandmother was taking a flight in Spitfire, fatbergs clogging up Watford’s sewers, a couple were preparing to play their part in London 2012 and Watford’s new chief executive was explaining a change of management were among the stories making the headlines in the Watford Observer five and ten years ago this week.

FIVE YEARS AGO

101-year-old great-grandmother takes to the skies in Second World War Spitfire

Family members were overcome with emotion as a 101-year-old great-grandmother took to the skies in a Second World War fighter plane.

Eva Lewis found out about the surprise flight at her birthday party in May.

Being no stranger to adrenaline-fuelled birthday parties – she rode on a Harley Davidson motorcycle and met the Queen for her centenary celebrations last year – Eva’s family felt compelled to provide her with another unforgettable experience.

Watford Observer:

Eva Lewis prepares for her hair-raising flight

“How do we top that? We thought ‘let’s get nan in a Spitfire’,” said granddaughter Dawn, a South Oxhey resident who works in animal rescue.

“We had to warn her though so she could prepare herself. She was very anxious but very excited.”

Watford Observer:

A pipe clogged with fat

YUCK! Watford is becoming a hotspot for 'fatbergs' - a congealed mass of grime and wet wipes

Fatbergs are wreaking havoc in Watford’s sewers, according to a water utility company.

Engineers at Thames Water clear at least one major blockage from the town’s sewers every fortnight, leading the area to be labelled a fatberg hotspot, and become a target for a new awareness campaign.

Formed when leftover cooking fat and wet wipes congeal into a solid mass in sewers, fatbergs block pipes and can cause sewage to back up into homes, polluting waterways and the wider environment.

In the last three years, 12 properties in Watford have been flooded with sewage as a result of fat and wipe blockages.

Watford Observer:

Plans for the Metropolitan Line Extension continue to be amended

New plans for Met Line Extension station submitted

While funding for the Metropolitan Line Extension appears to have dried up, plans for a new station in Watford are still being amended and updated.

Following discussions between London Underground and Watford Borough Council, plans outlining amendments to the design and layout of the proposed Vicarage Road station were recently submitted.

The proposed changes to the station include the introduction of new “back of house” escape routes to the north and south of the station, revisions to cycle stand arrangements, and amendments to external lighting.

Under the plans, the planned Vicarage Road bridge deckspan will also be removed and replaced, while new vehicle restraint systems will be installed to “facilitate the interface” with the proposed station.

TEN YEARS AGO

Kings Langley couple to take part in Olympic opening ceremony

With the opening ceremony of London 2012 just days away, many wait with baited breath to see what Danny Boyle’s £27million extravaganza will deliver.

But for a Kings Langley couple there is more reason to be excited than most as they will be among the 10,000 performers bringing the opening ceremony to life.

Watford Observer:

Peter Donn with ceremony director Danny Boyle

Tamara and Peter Donn, both 46, have been practising for months ready to play their part as the eyes of the world turn to the Olympic Stadium on July 27.

The couple, who work as emotional freedom technique practitioners from their home on Love Lane, got involved after they were encouraged to audition for a drumming role – although neither will be drumming during the show.

Watford Observer:

Scott Duxbury

'Dyche did remarkably but Watford's ambition changed'

Watford's new chief executive claims Sean Dyche did a remarkable job considering the financial constraints at the club but said the Hornets’ ambition changed overnight following the takeover.

Scott Duxbury became Watford’s CEO following the Pozzos’ buyout and one of his first jobs was to tell Dyche he would be leaving the club.

But when Duxbury spoke to the Watford Observer on Tuesday night, he stressed: “It was clear Sean and his staff did a remarkable job and I don’t think people understand the financial problems that the club actually have, although now is not the time to go into it. But it is quite remarkable, given that backdrop, what they achieved under serious constraints.

“But with the Pozzos’ wealth and infrastructure, the club’s ambition changed overnight. What they want to achieve on the pitch and off the pitch, in terms of changing the infrastructure in search of success, changed overnight.

“So their idea once they had the club, in terms of what they wanted and who they wanted to achieve that ambition, changed.

“It is no disrespect towards Sean and it is more about the fact the Pozzos don’t have any knowledge of Sean. They have nothing but respect for his record but they have a clear idea about who they want to achieve their ambition.”

Watford Observer:

Sarah-Jane's adventure of a lifetime

Sarah-Jane's adventure of a lifetime

A woman from Bushey is embarking on the challenge of a lifetime by trekking to Everest Base Camp to raise money for charity.

Sarah-Jane Parker will attempt the incredible feat in August and according to the 21-year-old her aim is to raise cash for children’s medical research charity Sparks.

She was inspired to support the cause after Sparks advertised the challenge at Loughborough University, where she studies Drama and English, not long after she successfully climbed Kilimanjaro for Childreach International.

Miss Parker said: "I am so grateful that I have been fortunate in having a healthy life which enables me to take on such challenges, that I really want to try and improve the quality of life for children affected by serious illness and disability, giving them the chance to live a full and active life.

"Children’s medical research is desperately underfunded, but there is some great work going on across the UK and Sparks funding is vital in helping this work continue so I am very proud to be a part of it."