Watford Observer

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100
Save £550pp on 15-day cruise to Budapest and the Black Sea
Riviera Travel Deal: Beautiful Budapest and the Black Sea

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:28:00 +0100
School’s head leaving after six years as replacement confirmed
Headteacher Cheska Tyler will depart Cherry Tree Primary School in Watford when the summer term comes to an end.

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:17:00 +0100
Popular shop’s former unit could be turned into housing under new plan
Watford Borough Council has received a planning application that would change the use of the former Oxhey Angling Centre in Capel Road.

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:25:00 +0100
Month of 'day and night' road closure at Hertfordshire roundabout begins this week
More than a month of “day and night” closure at the Park Street roundabout in Hertfordshire will begin this week.

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:10:00 +0100
Teacher who had 'long sexual relationship' with child had become 'part of family'
A female teacher from Radlett is on trial over alleged sexual abuse of a child, witnesses told St Albans Crown Court.

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:24:00 +0100
New bar opening this week in one of Watford's most well-known units
New bar and music venue Timmy's is set to open in Watford this weekend, opening in The Parade's former Bar Bodega, Marcel's and Desi Thekka unit.

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:51:07 +0100
'Increasing concern' for teen boy who travelled from Coventry to Watford
Police have said they are "increasingly" concerned for the welfare of a teenage boy who travelled to Watford from Coventry and was last seen on Tuesday morning (July 21)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:34:17 +0100
Appeal launched after 84-year-old man targeted in distraction theft
Police are appealing for information after an 84-year-old man fell victim to a distraction theft in South Oxhey.

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:23:32 +0100
Ricky Gervais announces new Watford show with tickets on sale this week
Ricky Gervais will be performing new material at the Watford Colosseum next month.

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0100
Hertfordshire restaurant included in Good Food Guide as Watford snubbed
Highly rated Hertfordshire restaurant Wild Berkhamsted has been included in the Good Food Guide's top 100 Local Restaurants for 2026 as Watford missed out.

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 07:21:05 +0100
Drought warning for Hertfordshire amid 'prolonged dry weather'
Hertfordshire has been named as one of eight UK areas that are on the brink of drought according to the National Drought Group

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100
Get summer occasions sorted with 20% off men’s suits at M&S
Summer wedding? Job interview or black-tie event? A special occasion commands the right suit, and men have never had so much choice (at last!).

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100
Shoppers 'exasperated' as 5-storey car park's lifts broken for 8 months
Shoppers have been left “totally exasperated” as the lifts at the Citipark Church car park in Watford have been left out of order for eight months.

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:19:24 +0100
Site expansion bid back under the spotlight in rural Flamstead
Dacorum Borough Council has validated a series of new planning applications this week.

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:01:12 +0100
New home could be built on strip of garden land in Hertfordshire
Here are the latest planning applications submitted to Three Rivers District Council this week.

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:50:51 +0100
Major changes proposed for corner plot in Watford suburb
Here are the latest planning applications validated by Watford Borough Council this week.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:23:00 +0100
Man, 68, arrested over 'cannabis, ABH attack and assaulting police' after flats fire
A man has been arrested after police were called to a major fire at a block of flats in Chenies where suspected drugs were discovered.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 22:00:00 +0100
Herts hosepipe ban may last all summer and flouters could be fined - Affinity Water
Affinity Water has failed to rule out its hosepipe ban lasting all summer, and has also responded to calls for discounts amid usage restrictions.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:50:00 +0100
New nursery improving - but mixed Ofsted report finds 4 areas 'need attention'
Ofsted found four areas needing attention in a mixed report for recently Watford nursery Canopy Frogmore House.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:45:00 +0100
Fire service statement on cause of huge Croxley Green field fire
Herts Fire and Rescue has shared a statement on the cause of a huge fire which consumed a field in Croxley Green and near Cassiobury Park.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:10:00 +0100
Helicopter 'rolled' with occupants inside near village - emergency services called
A woman was injured as a helicopter rolled with two people inside between Croxley Green and Sarratt.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:23:10 +0100
Emergency services rush to helicopter incident in field - recap
Emergency services have been called to an incident involving a helicopter landed in a field near Sarratt this morning.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:50:00 +0100
Trial begins for female teacher accused of gross indecency with child
The trial of Hertfordshire teacher Deborah Franklin, who is accused of gross indecency with a boy under 14, has begun.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:30:00 +0100
Work underway at 'chaos' road near schools as parking restrictions considered
Wide-ranging changes to a road outside Parmiter's and St Michael's, which becomes “chaos” at pick-up and drop-off times, are underway.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:28:00 +0100
Fire rips through flats during early hours before dog rescued and given oxygen
A dog was rescued and given oxygen by firefighters after a major blaze broke out at a block of flats near Chesham and Amersham.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:55:00 +0100
Field fire 'arson' in Hemel Hempstead sparks police probe with e-bike riders sought
Herts Police are appealing for information over "arson" after people on E-bikes were seen near a Hemel Hempstead fire.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100
Get up to 40% off with Sykes Holiday Cottages this summer
Summer 2026 has been scorching and if you are looking for a hot offer then your summer breaks are sorted with Sykes Holiday Cottages.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100
Ongoing M1, M25 and A1(M) works bring multiple closures in Hertfordshire this week
The M1, A1(M) and M25 motorways are set for full closures on multiple days during ongoing works in Hertfordshire.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0100
17 Green Flag Awards for Watford parks - the most in Hertfordshire once again
17 parks and green spaces have earned Green Flag Awards in Watford recognising their high standards.

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:42:23 +0100
Exhibition highlighting South Asian culture celebrated at town museum
Unity in Diversity: A Mixed Media Exhibition is on display at Bushey Museum and part of this year’s South Asian Heritage Month, which opened on July 5.

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:00:07 +0100
Long M25 delays between London and Hertfordshire after crash
There are long delays on the M25 after a crash affecting traffic around Hertfordshire and London.

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:45:00 +0100
Elbow's Guy Garvey among famous musicians spotted at Hertfordshire pub
Musicians including Guy Garvey, Gruff Rhys, The Staves, and Jane Weaver paid an unexpected visit to a Watford pub.

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:45:00 +0100
'Ukraine smuggling' firm traced to Watford as Boris Johnson demands action
Boris Johnson has called for action after The Mail traced two firms linked to alleged cigarette smuggling in Ukraine to a Watford address.

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:40:00 +0100
Burger business rated 1/5 for food hygiene over management of food safety issues
Food takeaway business Burger Mania has been rated 1/5 for hygiene in Hertsmere over its management of food safety.

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:06:11 +0100
'Brown liquid' poured over car and two vehicles stolen during weekend
Three vehicles in Watford were targeted by criminals over the weekend as one had a “brown liquid” poured over it and two were taken.

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:00:07 +0100
Community raises seven times the target for 'well-loved' garage destroyed in fire
After a fire destroyed “well-loved” business Cramer Motor Engineers, the community has come together to raise more than seven times the target total.

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:50:44 +0100
Found: Girl, 13, not seen since leaving home on Friday afternoon - appeal launched
A 13-year-old girl has not been seen since leaving her home in Hemel Hempstead on Friday afternoon.

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:15:00 +0100
Striking drone footage shows extent of devastation from huge field fire
Drone footage shows the extent of the devastation left by a huge field fire in Croxley Green.

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100
Hot summer essentials and savings to be had at FabFinds
For those summer essentials perfect for the garden, outdoor living, BBQs, and family fun in the sun, look no further than FabFinds.

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +0100
Restaurant launches pavement licence bid for outdoor tables and seating
Watford restaurant Rio Grande Steak House is seeking permission to operate outdoor seating through a pavement licence.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:20:11 +0100
Council bike share scheme records best month as greener transport use rises
Watford Borough Council is celebrating a record month of sustainable journeys through its Transforming Travel.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:38:39 +0100
New HMO standards under consideration in bid for safer, better homes
Hertsmere Borough Council has launched a public consultation on proposed Amenity Standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:20:09 +0100
Police stop 16 drivers in Bushey speeding crackdown
Sixteen drivers have been stopped by police during a speeding crackdown on Park Avenue in Bushey.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:04:43 +0100
Watford mayor urges prime minister to deliver funding for hospital rebuild
Peter Taylor contacted the new prime minister requesting he take "three steps to solve problems that impact on the lives of residents here in Watford".

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:21:00 +0100
New 'exciting and ambitious' stroke clinic unanimously approved
A stroke rehabilitation clinic can be built in Aldenham after Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning committee unanimously agreed to grant planning permission on Thursday (July 16).

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:53:42 +0100
Former England manager Kevin Keegan dies aged 75 after cancer diagnosis
Former England manager Kevin Keegan has died aged 75, he's family has announced.

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 18:00:00 +0100
Welcome home: That’ll be £10 just to escape Stansted
Brett Ellis returns from Spain to discover the flight home was the easy part, as Stansted Airport delivers queues, stress and a £10 pick-up charge.

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 18:00:00 +0100
England, hospital success and safer communities
Watford MP Matt Turmaine reflects on England’s World Cup campaign, progress at Watford General Hospital, protecting Sunday library opening and building safer communities.

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 16:10:00 +0100
Double yellow lines coming to these 7 roads at the end of the month - public notices
New yellow lines will come into force at the end of this month as set out under the latest public notices for the Watford and Three Rivers areas.

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:30:00 +0100
'Big moment' - Final day of printing at Watford's historic Odhams site
After almost 40 years the Odhams building in Watford publishes copies of the Daily Mirror for the last time today.

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