Archive

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Watford house prices jump £11k - highest in East of England

Watford house prices have seen the highest rise in the East of England as they jumped by £11,000 in a month. In May, the town’s property values increased by 2.3 per cent to £387,277 from £376,035 in April, but stayed below their average of £397,881

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HGV driver on cocaine dodges jail after seven-vehicle M25 crash

A "reckless" driver who caused a seven-vehicle crash on the M25 near St Albans has been banned from driving for three-and-a-half years. Alan Smith, 37, from Stockport, was under the influence of cocaine when he collided with a car which span out

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Memories of Watford taking a trip to the seaside

The idea of footballers occupying their spare time by playing a guitar or practicing their putting on a rug on a hotel floor feels somewhat alien in this modern era of games consoles and Netflix, but that’s how these Watford players helped keep themselves

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Cleverley keen to help Dele-Bashiru find his 'extra gear' after signing new deal

Midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru has an extra gear that head coach Tom Cleverley hopes to help him unlock after the 24-year-old signed a new two-year contract with Watford, that carries the option of a further year. There was some concern that Dele-Bahiru

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Former sports and social club demolition approved as housebuilding set

The demolition of a former sports and social club has been approved ahead of housebuilding. Plans to knock down the vacant Swillet Sports and Social Club building in Stag Lane, Chorleywood, were submitted in October last year and also included

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Council passes motion calling on Labour to confirm hospital rebuild

The borough council will ask the government for formal confirmation that the Watford General Hospital rebuild will proceed as planned. Health Secretary Wes Streeting had confirmed pre-election that Labour would complete the project, but the local

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Hornets unveil their newest batch of Academy scholars

Watford have unveiled 11 young players who have received their Academy scholarships ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. Over the next two seasons each player will be given the chance to develop both on and off the pitch, gaining nationally-recognised

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Housing development helping vulnerable adults get into work

Vulnerable adults are being offered key experience at a new housing development in Kings Langley to help them get into work. Developer Bellway North London has hired the Sunnyside Rural Trust charity to maintain the outdoor spaces at its 65-home

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Does having a driveway increase the value of your home? Find out here

There are a number of ways households across the UK can increase the value of their properties. These often include improvements like loft conversions but installing new features on the outside of your home can also have an impact on its market

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The 21 places children can eat for free or £1 during the 2024 summer holidays

Are you looking for ideas to get you out of the house in the summer holidays and where you can treat the kids to a nice meal without breaking the bank? From supermarket giants like Asda and Tesco to hotel chain Premier Inn or pizza restaurant Purezza

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No mention of crossbows in planned weapons crackdown

Ninja swords are set to be banned under Government plans set out in the King’s Speech, but there is no proposal to take action on crossbows. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said last week she was urgently looking at whether to clamp down on the weapons

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Plans approved for controversial 141-home retirement village

Plans have been approved for a 141-home retirement village in Elstree despite over 250 objections from residents. The proposals by Thrive Living will see an “age-restricted” community built on an undeveloped 5.6-acre site north of Watford Road.

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'Friendly and loving' cat waiting 450 days for 'forever home'

A young cat who is "full of energy and loves to play" has been waiting 450 days to find her permanent home. Dart was born at the RSCPA Middlesex and South Hertfordshire branch in April 2023 after her mum Clarabell was taken in while heavily pregnant

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Restaurant appeals after council blocks opening hours extension

An appeal has been lodged after council officers blocked a restaurant’s bid to open until midnight. Mediterranean eatery La Banq, which opened in December 2022, applied to vary the planning permission conditions for its Abbots Langley High Street

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Learn more about history of fire-fighting at open day

A chance to see and hold fire-fighting equipment from the past will be among the attractions to be enjoyed when Hertfordshire’s only fire-related museum again opens its doors on Saturday. The Herts Fire Brigade Museum, in Lower High Street, Watford

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M25 to close for ANOTHER weekend with long delays expected

Drivers are set for even more traffic chaos as the M25 will close for another weekend this summer, National Highways has confirmed. The UK’s busiest motorway has already shut three times this year as part of a £317 million project to improve Junction

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Which plants do rats hate? Add these to your garden to keep the rodents away

Have you got rats scurrying around in your garden? The pests can be a nuisance and getting rid of them can be tricky and you might not know where to start. While many experts have shared tips for keeping rats out of your garden and home, you can

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Line-up revealed for the Watford Big Jiveswing Festival

Watford's Big Jiveswing Festival - one of the UK's largest free jazz events - has had its 2024 line-up confirmed. The event, now in its 11th year, will be held on Sunday, July 28, within the impressive surroundings of Cassiobury Park. Featuring

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Motorcyclist injured in crash with car at crossroads

The ambulance service is assessing a motorcyclist after she was injured in a crash at a crossroads this morning. A Silver Ford KA and a blue Yamaha R6 motorcycle crashed on the A404 Rickmansworth Road, at the Solesbridge Lane/Dog Kennel Lane junction

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Emergency services called to crash at crossroads - recap

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Under-21s show same style as first team but miss out on friendly win

Watford’s Under-21s were given a pre-season reminder of what can happen if you switch off as they drew 2-2 with local neighbours Kings Langley last night. For 45 minutes, there only looked to be one outcome – a Watford win. Adopting the same

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All the London Underground stations and lines closed this weekend

With the weekend upon us, it's time to check what planned TfL closures are taking place from Friday to Sunday. As with most weekends, some stations will be closed or partly closed for TfL to carry out essential work. We've broken down a list

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Embark on incredible 11 day cruise with Ambassador and save extra 10%

Embark on an unforgettable 11-night cruise aboard Ambassador Cruise Line’s flagship Ambience and immerse yourself in the allure of Northern Europe's captivating capitals. Discover the harmonious blend of history and modernity that defines this

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Temperatures to reach 30C as mini heatwave to hit Watford

Watford looks set for a mini heatwave towards the weekend, with temperatures rising to 30C. It looks like summer may finally be here after well-above-average rainfall figures in the first half of the month, including a weather warning for rain

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Designs for 70-home development at former school site approved

Final plans for a 70-home development at a former school site have been signed off by councillors. Little Furze Primary School in Gosforth Lane, South Oxhey, shut down in 2004 and was left derelict under 24-hour security until it was demolished

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West Herts NHS Trust in top 10 for A&E waiting times

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has risen almost 100 places in two years on the A&E waiting times league table. The trust, which has hospitals in Watford, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans, was recently ranked seventh out of 122

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Harry Potter tour announces new attractions for September

Things are going to be getting a lot darker for visitors to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter in Leavesden later this year. From September 13 to November 10, the Dark Arts feature at the popular attraction will include

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Teen in court over 'Rambo-style knife' at railway station

A teenager is due in court over allegedly having a “Rambo-style knife” when he was just 15. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Monday (July 15) charged with possession of an offensive