Archive
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Just one more French trip as book is completed
FOR the past two or three years, my wife and I have been researching and writing a book about the natural history of North Western France. As you can imagine, it's been a pleasure. The manuscript is finished and has been sent off to the publisher but,
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Be at the cutting edge of plant stock
INCREASING your stock of plants by taking cuttings can seem quite daunting until you have tried it. I remember when I felt that this aspect of gardening was shrouded in deep mystery and far beyond anything I could ever hope to manage for myself. Basically
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Harry Potter author casts a spell over Brent Cross
Harry Potter author JK Rowling conjured up a magical appearance at Brent Cross for hundreds of young fans yesterday. Ms Rowling signed copies of her new novel, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, for 400 fans, 80 of whom had won tickets through the Times
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Arts centre plan pushed through
by LAURA BENJAMIN Amid heckles from a packed auditorium, councillors voted to approve the controversial Tally Ho arts centre last week. The proposals concerning the £35million mixed use centre will now be considered by a full council meeting on July 27
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Thatcher's aide dies
Margaret Thatcher's election agent, described as the 'man who made her', has died peacefully aged 83. Roy Langstone helped the former Finchley MP and Prime Minister win six general elections in 20 years. He died at home in Whetstone on Monday after a
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Scheme to expand
This summer Boreham Wood FC plan to expand their Football in the Community scheme by offering local children the chance to participate in a new multi-sports and activities camp. The aim of the scheme is to give youngsters a summer of sport fun at an affordable
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Gunners welcome Chinese
Boreham Wood FC is going to have a touch of the Orient about it this Sunday as Arsenal Ladies take on Shanghai. This will be the Gunners' first pre-season friendly and their Chinese guests plan on fielding the strongest squad possible for the game kicking
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Go on the run in the Big Apple
A cancer charity is looking for runners to compete in this year's New York City Marathon. Though the deadline for applicants is July 30 athletes willing to take on the challenge of the Big Apple can obtain places through Macmillan Cancer Relief. As a
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Fleet Street nuggets
Like all good hacks, author John Burns has some colourful tales to tell about Fleet Street. MATTHEW NIXSON talked to him about his latest novel, Spike Fleet Street lore suggests the best stories are not always those that make the front pages of the papers
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Absentees matter
Elstree 101 Watton-at-Stone 179-8 Herts Cricket League Division Seven Elstree went into this game last weekend feeling optimistic but the absence of both opening bowlers and two top five batsmen proved to be their downfall. To give Elstree their due they
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Starlight fund takes off
A Barnet-based team clocked up sixth place in a round-Britain microlight race ,, and hundreds of pounds of sponsorship cash for the Starlight Ward at Barnet Hospital. MATTHEW NIXSON reports Microlight pilot Jay Madhvani has come down to earth with a bump
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The corridor of horror
The Times Group launches a regular column by local historians PERCY REBOUL and JOHN HEATHFIELD. Here, they look at mental illness in Barnet and the greatest peace-time disaster in hospital history Modern methods of treating mental illnesses began in the
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For Full Story
Cybergolf: New system will bring the sport into the Internet age A new computerised handicapping system is going to be introduced into amateur golf early next year following an agreement by the sport's main organisations. Both the English Golf Union (
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New face of the money lender
Borrowing a small amount of money to buy things like shoes used to mean a visit to an unscrupulous loan shark. But three deprived areas in Barnet now have their own credit unions so residents can secure loans safely. ISABEL COE explains how they work
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Chief upset by current wave
by ISABEL COE Crime is up more than 17 per cent in Barnet and robbery figures have almost doubled since last year. This was the damning news which faced Barnet's top officer on Tuesday. The long-awaited crime figures show that robbery offences in Barnet
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Barnet welcome mighty Gunners
Barnet fans are looking forward to a rare treat, with the exciting prospect of Arsenal sending a strong squad to Underhill for Saturday's friendly. Several big names are likely to be included, though Patrick Vieira, Marc Overmars and Dennis Bergkamp were
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Fences hold-up
Barnet have been hit by a further problem in their arduous efforts to satisfy the Football League's requirements for increasing the ground capacity at Underhill. There was confidence in the Barnet camp that the capacity could be increased to 5,000 in
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For Full Story
Fay secures a tie Brondesbury 228-9 dec. Teddington 228 Grolsch Middlesex County League Division One Ricky Fay was the hero of Brondesbury's first league tie in 423 games, spanning 28 years. He followed a magnificent 71 not out, his highest league score
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For Full Story
Stanmore pay the price Stanmore 187-9 dec. Uxbridge 110-9 Grolsch Middlesex County League Division One Dropped catches proved costly for Stanmore in both their weekend matches. After Uxbridge were allowed to escape with a draw in Saturday's league match
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Loser in love is winner
High Fidelity (12) Popcorn rating 4 .5 out of 5. Based on the best-selling Nick Hornby novel, High Fidelity is a voyage into the life of neurotic record shop owner Rob Gordon (John Cusack). He finds it hard to understand why he's always been a loser in
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Thanks for a lovely day
I feel I must write to congratulate the organisers of the Shenley Fete which my husband, his daughter and myself attended together with our three various size poodles. It was a glorious day weather-wise, showing village life at its best and with everyone
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The corridor of horror
The Times Group launches a regular column by local historians PERCY REBOUL and JOHN HEATHFIELD. Here, they look at mental illness in Barnet and the greatest peace-time disaster in hospital history Modern methods of treating mental illnesses began in the
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Residents hit the roof over new homes plan
Residents fighting against development on the site of the Berwick Road scout hut this week stepped up their campaign after hearing the number of houses had increased. Neighbours of the Seventh Borehamwood Scout group's headquarters collected a petition
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Horrified councillor demands schooling for hyperactive boy
A Borehamwood councillor 'horrified' by the case of a 13-year-old boy who has been without any education for ten months this week demanded he be given a school place for next term. County Councillor Brian York has asked the county's director of education
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Bowls club
Last Saturday, Borehamwood Bowls Club's Margaret Moseley's successful run in the County Singles came to a close when she was beaten 21-10 in the quarter-finals by Gill Carver from Baldock Bowls Club. Borehamwood's men also lost on Saturday, Bushey Bowls
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Christopher gets his teeth into Star Wars
I understand that veteran Hammer star Christopher Lee has signed up to appear in the next Star Wars movie, being shot down in Australia. The 78-year-old actor recently phoned me to say that he has spent the past few months working in New Zealand on a
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Villagers dine out
Villagers tucked into a lavish barbecue amid the beautiful surroundings of Shenley Park's walled garden on Saturday to celebrate the Millennium. The barbecue, enjoyed by more than 150 people, was one of a number of events organised by Shenley Millennium
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County in u-turn over school rules
Parents have forced Hertfordshire County Council into a u-turn over its nursery and primary schools admission policy. On Wednesday last week the council voted unanimously to seek to revise the admission rules to enable more children to attend the same
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Sad farewell to schools
The latest chapter in the history of education in Borehamwood will come to a sad ending tomorrow, when the closure of Hillside and Hawksmoor schools is completed. Hillside, which first opened in 1939, shuts tomorrow, while Hawksmoor, launched in 1972,
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MP quizzes Minister on loss of Green Belt
Hertsmere MP James Clappison warned the Government that its housing plans would result in the loss of valuable countryside in Hertsmere last week. The Conservative MP challenged the Minister for Housing and Planning, Nick Raynsford, over the Government's
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For Full Story
Rough ride: part of the newsletter slating Tory Council meeting 'a waste of time' Filibuster prevents major education debate The sorry failure of Barnet Council's much vaunted re-organisation was cruelly exposed at last week's meeting. There are now only
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Slave trade to stage rave
Fresh from his role in Gladiator, Iranian comic Omid Djalili brings his unique brand of mirth and mayhem to The Bull tomorrow. LEIGH COLLINS reports Hollywood star Omid Djalili pops into Barnet this week for a one-off performance. Britain's only Iranian
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For Full Story
HIGH FIDELITY (15) (East Finchley Phoenix, Finchley Warner Village, Staples Corner UGC) STUART LITTLE (U) Barnet Odeon, Finchley Warner Village, Hampstead ABC, Staples Corner UGC) THE PATRIOT (15) Mel Gibson reprises his Braveheart role in this enjoyable
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Festival proves a success
The sight of big, grey rain clouds did not dampen people's spirits at the Pentland Finchley Carnival on Saturday. In fact, thousands of visitors wrapped up warm to flock to Victoria Park, on Ballards Lane, for the fun-filled main festival on Saturday.
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School sings through history
Hundreds of pupils at a Radlett school dressed in historical costumes for a pageant to mark the past 1,000 years. The 360 seven to 11-year-olds at Fair Field Junior School, in Watford Road, wore outfits ranging from Romans and Victorians, to First World
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Single sex
The fact that Labour and Liberal councillors allowed eight minutes to debate education at last Tuesday's full council meeting underlines their lack of interest in it ,, as shown by their failure to fully fund the teacher's pay award and by the abolition
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Women's Institute hits back
Mr Ron Isaacs, self-appointed apologist for Tony Blair, (Times Letters, June 29) clearly knows little about the Women's Institute. In spite of his assertion, the WI does not claim to be non-political. In recent years some individual members have espoused
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Don't let protests scupper arts development
I am writing with some degree of sadness following the demonstrations mounted outside the Town Hall opposing the planning application for the proposed arts centre at Tally Ho. It was an organised demonstration, by whom I know not for certain, but I sense
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Valpolicella no longer the scourge of the connoisseur
VALPOLICELLA traditionally comes from a row of parallel slopes to the east of Lake Garda in north east Italy. Such was the post-war popularity of this simple, light fruity red that the area of production was stretched down the slopes, south to the plains
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Labour press release goes parking mad
Hold the front page! A Tory councillor has parked his car where he shouldn't. This is the level of childishness to which our local politicians have descended with their propoganda. And since the political group offices at the town hall are funded with
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For Full Story
Rough ride: part of the newsletter slating Tory Council meeting 'a waste of time' Filibuster prevents major education debate The sorry failure of Barnet Council's much vaunted re-organisation was cruelly exposed at last week's meeting. There are now only
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Fifty teaching
posts set to go by MATTHEW NIXSON education correspondent Doomsday predictions of drastic job losses in the borough's secondary schools have come true. Figures released this week show 48.8 posts will go by September after headteachers' warnings were ignored
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A&E wait is longest
by JENI CONNIBEER Patients in Barnet wait longer for treatment in casualty than anywhere else in the country, new statistics from the NHS have revealed. The delays in A&E mean that 63 per cent of patients wait more than two hours for admission ,,
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Schoolboy died after attack
An inquest into the death of a 14-year-old schoolboy ,, who died two months after a street attack ,, opened on Monday. Laurino Babb, of Milton Grove, New Southgate, was assaulted on May 8 in Wood Green. He died at Great Ormond Street Hospital on July
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Woods land of hope and glory
Boreham Wood 1 Arsenal 1 Pre-season Friendly When your previous two home games have returned defeats by the likes of Chesham and Gravesend, drawing with Arsenal has to be a step in the right direction, and all at Meadow Park will be striving to make the
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Bradys back!
Boreham Wood v Wycombe Wanderers Pre-season friendly Saturday, July 22, kick-off 3pm Meadow Park When Wood generously allowed highly-rated winger Matt Brady to join Wycombe last December, without a fee the package involved a full first team visit by the
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Shenley laughing
Shenley Village 184 Braughing 137 Herts Cricket League Division Nine The Villagers went into this game guns blazing last Saturday after their last two matches had fallen foul of the British summer. Yet Shenley's gung-ho start came a cropper when they
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Author writes his life story
Shaoul Sassoon arrived in this country with no money or posessions after fleeing his native Iraq's oppressive regime. He spoke to ISABEL COE Shaoul Sassoon's first impression of England in the Sixties was through the eyes of a political and religious
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Shenley cant recover
Shenley Village II 114 Monken Hadley 115-3 Herts Cricket League Division Ten Though the Villagers won the toss and elected to bat first on Saturday they were unable to repeat last weekend's strong start. As a result they lost Seinthon (6) with only seven
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Model swaps days of drugs for poetry
Drugs ,, cocaine to be precise ,, were once 'breakfast, lunch and dinner' for Edgware man Richard Wilkins. But now he gets his kicks from poetry. The former model and actor looked comfortable as he sat with his rescued cat, Tig, in the garden of his Edgware
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The blackest taboo
Being black and gay can be a lethal combination according to a new book by a Whetstone academic. ISABEL COE talked to the author If someone told you it was still taboo to be black and gay in the year 2000 you would probably feel rightly shocked, but this
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A dream comes true
Talented Times Group scholarship student Keelie Church has nearly finished her performing arts course. The energetic 12-year-old was picked from dozens of young hopefuls. Proud mum Angela, of North Finchley, said: 'It was a dream come true for Keelie
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Festival proves a success
The sight of big, grey rain clouds did not dampen people's spirits at the Pentland Finchley Carnival on Saturday. In fact, thousands of visitors wrapped up warm to flock to Victoria Park, on Ballards Lane, for the fun-filled main festival on Saturday.
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'After dark' tickets to be won
The London Dungeon and Tower Bridge Experience have joined forces to offer special entry 'after dark' throughout the month of August. Both attractions will be welcoming visitors until last admission at 8pm. The Bridge and the Dungeon are situated within
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Love thy neighbour
by JENI CONNIBEER Loyal neighbours from a Barnet housing estate turned out in force at an area forum on Monday to show their support for a man facing eviction. The protesters gave councillors and officers a hard time over a decision to kick out Stephen
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Met issues warning
by ISABEL COE The Metropolitan police commissioner, Sir John Stevens, sent a clear message to residents in Barnet that antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated at a partnership conference on Friday. Home Secretary Jack Straw recently told local authorities
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Car parks lose out to Tally Ho project
Two car parks in North Finchley are to lose spaces because of the Tally Ho arts centre development. Part of the Lodge Lane car park will be used for a market on Fridays and some of the Woodhouse Road car park will be converted into a bus station. Tim
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Tory rage over adoption policy
Lyon calls for councillor's sacking by MATTHEW NIXSON A senior Tory has demanded resignations following damning criticisms of the council's adoption service. Veteran councillor Victor Lyon says officers have been made scapegoats for Barnet's new structure
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Boys sing for Queen mum
Barnet's youngsters have earned themselves starring roles in the Queen Mother's 100th birthday celebrations. At the birthday pageant in Horse Guards yesterday, 12-year-old Dominic Kraemer from Finchley Children's Music Group stole the show. The young
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Achike eyes medal
Larry Achike, Shaftesbury Barnet's 25-year-old Commonwealth triple jump champion, stamped himself as a lively prospect for a medal in the Sydney Olympics in September with a magnificent victory that helped Britain win the European Cup at Gateshead at
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Cup winners
Hendon, who have released defenders Matt Howard and John Simon White, start their pre-season preparations with a visit to Margate for a friendly on Saturday followed by an away game with league newcomers Arlesey Town on Tuesday. The Dons start their Ryman
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Village have been Warned
Mill Hill Village 87 Harrow Town 91-4 Middlesex Champ Division One There was only one entry in the scorebook for Mill Hill Village to boast about last weekend ,, the signature of legendary Australian legspinner Shane Warne. As the Village players sat
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Finchley take advantage of slips elsewhere
Finchley 245-7dec Brentham 117 Grolsch Middlesex County League Premier Division Leaders Finchley were the only winners in the league on Saturday and went ten points clear of Brondesbury and Teddington, who fought out a thrilling tie. They completed an
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Barnet tast first defeat
Barnet 163 Hayes 165-2 Grolsch Middlesex County League Division Three Leaders Barnet suffered their first league defeat of the season when comprehensively beaten by Hayes on Saturday. Barnet did not help their cause by loose and over-adventurous batting
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Slave trade to stage rave
Fresh from his role in Gladiator, Iranian comic Omid Djalili brings his unique brand of mirth and mayhem to The Bull tomorrow. LEIGH COLLINS reports Hollywood star Omid Djalili pops into Barnet this week for a one-off performance. Britain's only Iranian
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Little mouse proves big hit
Stuart Little (U) Popcorn rating 3.5 out of 5 Stuart Little is a three-inch-tall mouse who is adopted by Mr & Mrs Little (Hugh Laurie and Geena Davis), much to the annoyance of their son, George who wanted a real brother. The family cat Snowbell would
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For Full Story
HIGH FIDELITY (15) (East Finchley Phoenix, Finchley Warner Village, Staples Corner UGC) STUART LITTLE (U) Barnet Odeon, Finchley Warner Village, Hampstead ABC, Staples Corner UGC) THE PATRIOT (15) Mel Gibson reprises his Braveheart role in this enjoyable
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Why I will vote against extra tax for police
The lead article in the Borehamwood Times, April 20, encouraged me to attend the Public Meeting organised by the Police Community Partnership in Fairway Hall on July 12. According to the article, Hertsmere Borough Council is planning to conduct a survey
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Mencap is looking for holiday volunteers
Summer holidays are something that most of us take for granted, but there are thousands of children and adults for whom a holiday is a real luxury. These are people who have a learning disability ,, people who need the support of others in order to enjoy
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Model swaps days of drugs for poetry
Drugs ,, cocaine to be precise ,, were once 'breakfast, lunch and dinner' for Edgware man Richard Wilkins. But now he gets his kicks from poetry. The former model and actor looked comfortable as he sat with his rescued cat, Tig, in the garden of his Edgware
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Author writes his life story
Shaoul Sassoon arrived in this country with no money or posessions after fleeing his native Iraq's oppressive regime. He spoke to ISABEL COE Shaoul Sassoon's first impression of England in the Sixties was through the eyes of a political and religious
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Police hunt petrol station robber
Detectives are hunting for a man they believe was responsible for robbing two petrol stations at knife-point in the Borehamwood area over the past week. The Total service station in Allum Lane, Elstree, was robbed on Tuesday night, and the Murco station
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Loveable ancients to wed
When engaged 80-somethings Doug Hammatt and Emily Bowen look into each other's eyes you realise you are never too old to fall in love. The pair joke, tease, laugh, chat, play games and kiss like any teenage couple, only Doug is 80 and Emily is 82. Doug
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Scouts hit out over Governments new £10 vetting charge
Scout groups in Borehamwood could face serious cut-backs when a new law forces them to pay £10 to the Government to check every new volunteer. The new law will see the Government set up a Criminal Records Bureaux to store records about anyone with a history
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'After dark' tickets to be won
The London Dungeon and Tower Bridge Experience have joined forces to offer special entry 'after dark' throughout the month of August. Both attractions will be welcoming visitors until last admission at 8pm. The Bridge and the Dungeon are situated within
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Serial flasher hunted
A serial flasher is exposing himself to women on a regular basis in Borehamwood. Police believe the same man is to blame for a series of incidents near Elstree Way. The flasher strikes in the mornings, and always appears naked except for a tee-shirt,
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The final act for Hillsiders
Hillside students are sure to look back on their final few days at the school with fond memories, after enjoying an exciting programme of leisure and career-related activities. More than 350 pupils have been involved in activities including trips to EuroDisney
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Mery time at school
Children from Meryfield School in Borehamwood took a break from their schoolwork recently to enjoy their annual summer fun day. The day was organised to raise money for new equipment at the school, and the children soon got into the spirit of the event
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Crime rise spurs extra police vote
As the Government came under fire this week for escalating crime figures, Hertsmere moved one step closer to paying for extra police officers to make residents safer. The crime statistics, released by the Home Office on Tuesday, showed crime in the borough
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Labour press release goes parking mad
Hold the front page! A Tory councillor has parked his car where he shouldn't. This is the level of childishness to which our local politicians have descended with their propoganda. And since the political group offices at the town hall are funded with
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Little mouse proves big hit
Stuart Little (U) Popcorn rating 3.5 out of 5 Stuart Little is a three-inch-tall mouse who is adopted by Mr & Mrs Little (Hugh Laurie and Geena Davis), much to the annoyance of their son, George who wanted a real brother. The family cat Snowbell would
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Loser in love is winner
High Fidelity (12) Popcorn rating 4 .5 out of 5. Based on the best-selling Nick Hornby novel, High Fidelity is a voyage into the life of neurotic record shop owner Rob Gordon (John Cusack). He finds it hard to understand why he's always been a loser in
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Villagers have fun in the sun
A century of village life was celebrated on Sunday when Shenley held its annual Village Fete and Carnival procession. Despite being rescheduled from a month ago because of bad weather, the day was a great success and hundreds of people came along to the
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A dream comes true
Talented Times Group scholarship student Keelie Church has nearly finished her performing arts course. The energetic 12-year-old was picked from dozens of young hopefuls. Proud mum Angela, of North Finchley, said: 'It was a dream come true for Keelie
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Fathers 3-year battle for road safety works goes on
A frustrated father is still petitioning after three years for road safety measures to protect himself and his daughter on their daily walk to school. Stephen Ward is calling for the council, police and the Department of Transport to make significant
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Top movie stars caught in the act
Have you ever heard the one about Lawrence of Arabia trying to break into Elstree Film and Television Studios? Well, that is how things might have appeared when Peter O'Toole, famed for his screen portrayal of the wartime hero, arrived at the Elstree
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Kind kids are top of the fundraisers
Pupils at Holmshill School can feel very proud this week after raising thousands of pounds for the NSPCC ,, more than any other school in Hertfordshire. At the start of term, the school heard a talk from Wendy Horne, the NSPCC's area fundraiser for Hertfordshire
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Happiness rains on school fete
The first summer fete at Shenley's new Jewish school, Clore Shalom, was declared a success, despite bad weather. Around 300 adults attended Clore Shalom School's recent summer fete, the first at the school which opened in September last year, in Hugo
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Happy Spiceday!
A Borehamwood man got a spicy surprise which was not on the menu when he visited a town restaurant to celebrate his 21st birthday. Adam Bell got the chance to meet Spice Girl Emma Bunton when he visited the Toby Carvery Borehamwood, in Studio Way, with
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Tally Ho flats could lead to wind tunnel
Barnet Council's planning application for a massive block of flats on the former Gaumont site at Tally Ho, North Finchley, will, according to expert advice, lead to serious wind tunnel effects both around the area and through the underground bus terminal
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Digging deep
The perpetual round of fundraising at borough primary school's seems perfectly admirable on the surface if it. After all, money generated through raffles, newspaper recycling schemes and school trip fees for the school in question serves to improve the
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Poor policing
In this borough we need money to be spent on police to be seen on the streets ,, and this is not happening. Hendon Police Station has closed. Finchley Police Station is to close for refurbishment and I suspect Golders Green Police Station will close in
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Residents needed at meeting
David Gutmann (Times Letters, July 13) is clearly confusing the situation in Torrington Park with Barnet Council's proposals to reinstate the width restrictions in Ashurst Road, Buxted Road and Friary Road. By the standards of the council's so-called
