Archive

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2012 roars in for The Year of the Dragon at Watford Palace Theatre

In Chinese tradition, each year is dedicated to one of 12 specific animals, each of which is said to bestow its unique characteristics on people born in that year. 2012 is The Year of the Dragon, which is all about drama, energy, vitality and excitement

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Rising to the role of Fairy Queen

Oh, for a magic wand to wave about and cure the cares of the world. The works of Gilbert & Sullivan often have a satirical edge and none more so than the political operetta Iolanthe, in which fairy folk cast spells on parliament to keep them in line.

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The treasures of Watford Museum's storeroom

Pupils at Bromet Primary School in Oxhey may well be aware their educational establishment is named after a sculptor but now the work of Mary Bromet (nee Pownell) is getting a wider audience at Watford Museum’s exhibition of Sculpture from the Watford

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Dragon dances to the beat of the DRUM

Chinese New Year is being welcomed in style by Watford’s DRUM (Disability Recreation Unity Movement) members, as it prepare for the launch of its The Orient Express exhibition this weekend. The exhibition is based on China and the Far East and encompasses

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Catching the Tube in all its glory

Four months into his residency at a studio on Rickmansworth High Street, artist Ross Ashmore has left his mark. Glutinous strands of paint have collected along the shelf where he works like candy-coloured drips of candle wax. Using the impasto

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Road markings plan to guide drivers through width restriction

Highways officials have revealed their latest ploy to improve the safety of a controversial Watford width restriction – new road markings. Members of the town’s highways joint member panel this morning requested Hertfordshire County Council

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Chainsaws, swords and 'antiques' lost in Watford

What would you do if you found a wallet, a sword, or even some discarded underwear on the street? These items – and many more – can be found on a list documenting everything handed in to Watford’s police station in 2011. And it makes for interesting

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Want to see your pictures and videos in the Watford Observer?

The Watford Observer has launched a new easy and simple way for readers to share their pictures and videos with the editorial team. Starting this week we have added a ‘send your news, pictures & videos’ button to the top of stories.

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Dyche says Watford looking to strenghten

Sean Dyche confirmed he is looking to strengthen Watford's wide areas but insists they are not rushing into making a signing. Michael Kightly made a big impact on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers but he has since returned and the Hornets seemed

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Friday, January 20, 2012

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Appeal for blood donors

Residents across Abbots Langley are asked to give blood as the National Blood service visits the village. On Wednesday, January 25, donors can give blood at Tanners Wood Hall in School Mead. Prospective donors should be in good health and aged between

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England bowls player passes away aged 92

A successful bowls player from Watford who represented both Hertfordshire and England has died aged 92. Iris Smith passed away peacefully in a care home on January 3. The great-grandmother of six was a committed member of Watford Ladies

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Retorica to perform with the Bushey Symphony Orchestra

Violin soloists Harriet Mackenzie and Philippa Mo, who met as students at the Royal Academy of Music, are the latest guests of The Bushey Symphony Orchestra. These exciting young musicians formed the duo Retorica in 2007 to explore their passion for

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Purcell Student Showcase

Accomplished students from The Purcell School present a varied programme of chamber and solo items. The performers are all senior students from The Purcell School, Britain's oldest specialist school for talented young musicians and holder of the UNESCO

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Dacorum Symphony Orchestra plays Rachmaninov

Entering its 40th season The Dacorum Symphony Orchestra will be playing a whole host of favourites at its next concert, which takes place in Berkhamsted School’s Centenary Theatre. The orchestra, conducted by Thomas Loten, will perform a programme to

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Robber jailed for 12 years

A robber who invited his victim back to a Watford flat before battering him with a metal bar and stealing his belongings has been jailed for 12 years. Daniel Johnson, 28, was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday January 16 after admitting

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Training tips from the Men in Black

Teachers and young leaders from the Three Rivers School Sports Partnership have undergone a tag rugby coaching day from Premiership champions Saracens. Sarries award winning community coaches imparted their knowledge and skills to those in attendance

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Man escapes late-night knife attack

A man has been assaulted by a knife-wielding assailant while walking through north Watford with his girlfriend. Police said the 29-year-old victim heard footsteps behind him while on Windsor Road at 11.25pm on Friday January 6. He was

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New chief inspectors for police divisions

New chief inspectors have been appointed at police divisions in Watford and Hertsmere. Nick Caveney replaces John Dempsey-Brench at Watford Police Station, in Shady Lane, and Dean Patient takes over in Hertsmere from Sue Jameson. Watford

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Donations made to children's ward

DVD players, toys and a selection of board games have been donated to Watford General Hospital’s children's ward today. Specsavers in Rickmansworth and Watford decided to give the gifts after hearing an appeal from the hospital on a local

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Watford MP 'cautiously optimistic' over unemployment figures

Watford MP Richard Harrington says he is cautiously optimistic about the town’s latest unemployment figures, which suggest more people have been getting back into work. A total of 1,770 people claimed Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) in December

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Winter training beings for Watford Town Cricket Club

Watford Town Cricket Club’s winter nets training beings this weekend at Watford Leisure Centre. There will be a session held on Saturday January 21 which begins at 4pm until 7pm and is for boys and girls added six to 16. The senior nets

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Barber shop holds fundraising day next Friday

A barber shop in Croxley Green will hold a special fundraising day with cake and face painting next Friday. CJ Barbers, in New Road, will host the event between 8.30am and 5.30pm on Friday, January 27, to raise money for The Peace Hospice in

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Sarries aim to complete Italian job

Mark McCall expects his side to complete the job this weekend as they look to seal a home quarter-final in the Heineken Cup. The Men in Black only need one point from their trip to Treviso on Sunday but know they will need a win to have a chance of home

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Find love at the library

Single Watford residents aged 50 and over are invited to find love at the library at a special Valentine’s Day event. “Book Match” will be held at Watford Central Library on Tuesday, February 14, between 8pm and 10pm. The event will consist of

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Joggers compete in St Albans

Three Watford Joggers were in action on Saturday as they took part in the first St Albans 5k parkrun. First of the trio to cross the line was Linda McQuaid, who clocked a time of 25.55 over the course, while husband Douglas was not far behind

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Second school needed to ease admissions crisis

A second new school will need to be built in Three Rivers area to help plug a burgeoning shortfall in student places. Funding has already been agreed for a new school to be built in the WD3 postcode since it was announced that by 2015 an additional

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'Nosy neighbour' tells Hakim trial of late night digging

The jury in the trial over the brutal death of well-known Watford man Mujib Hakim, have heard more details about the night he was allegedly murdered. The neighbours of Josh Lewis, who is accused of murdering the 40-year-old, told the court

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Hogg 'touch and go' for Birmingham trip

Midfielder Jonathan Hogg is unlikely to start for the Hornets at Birmingham City tomorrow (Saturday), having not trained with the squad this week. Hogg missed last weekend’s defeat to Reading at Vicarage Road with a knee injury and manager

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Shoot-out defeat for Army Cadet sides

Army Cadets from Three Company Beds and Herts ACF claimed silver medals after finishing second in the Beds and Herts intercompany boy’s six a-side football tournament. The Three Company teams, made up with cadets from Berkhampstead, Harpendon