Watford Observer
Sat, 23 May 2026 09:08:33 +0100Watford Junction trains disrupted for hours due to 'animals on the track'
Watford Junction passengers are facing disruption this morning as a result of animals on the track.
Sat, 23 May 2026 07:00:00 +0100Discover the gorgeous Cotswolds town used in a hit Disney+ show 2 hours from Herts
The Cotswolds market town of Tetbury, just two hours from Hertfordshire, has been used in the hit Disney+ show Rivals.
Sat, 23 May 2026 06:00:00 +0100The 'lovely' garden centre tea room in Hertfordshire that's a real 'treasure'
Leafy Oak Tea Room in Ware has been described as a "lovely" and a real "treasure" of Hertfordshire.
Fri, 22 May 2026 17:14:30 +0100Hertfordshire teen charged with preparing to commit act of terrorism
A teenage boy from Hertfordshire has appeared in court following allegations he was preparing to commit an act of terrorism.
Fri, 22 May 2026 17:05:00 +0100Bushey magician performing in Britain's Got Talent semi-final on Saturday
Watford Palace Theatre is being used for rehearsal as a local act prepares for tomorrow’s Britain’s Got Talent semi-final on ITV.
Fri, 22 May 2026 16:29:00 +0100No arrests after man stabbed in row near Watford hotel
Police have confirmed that no arrests have been made following a stabbing in Watford earlier this month.
Fri, 22 May 2026 15:20:00 +0100Police reveal reason for helicopter and dog unit search last night
Dogs and a Herts Police helicopter were used as police tracked offenders through fields and woods near Watford last night.
Fri, 22 May 2026 15:15:00 +0100When Hertfordshire will be hottest as heat warning raised to AMBER
An amber weather warning covering Watford and the rest of Hertfordshire is now in place with temperatures set to soar over the long weekend.
Fri, 22 May 2026 15:00:00 +0100Firefighters rescue occupant as smoke billowed from house fire
Firefighters had to recue a person from inside a Watford house on fire just before 5am.
Fri, 22 May 2026 14:25:00 +0100Arsenal's Mikel Merino celebrates Premier League win with meal at Italian restaurant
Fellow diners were blown away as Premier League winner Mikel Merino celebrated his title victory with a visit to an Italian restaurant.
Fri, 22 May 2026 13:00:00 +0100Pub confirms reopening date after £1.2 million investment
The £1.2 million project to reopen an Elstree pub is nearly complete, with a soft opening set for next week.
Fri, 22 May 2026 13:05:33 +0100Hertfordshire M25 lanes shut as firefighters on scene of 'crash' - recap
Three lanes are currently closed on the M25 in Hertfordshire as emergency services respond to a crash.
Fri, 22 May 2026 12:23:00 +0100Watford school head reflects on 'end of an era' ahead of retirement
The end of the academic year will mark the "end of an era" for a Watford school as its head departs after 21 years at the helm.
Fri, 22 May 2026 11:50:00 +0100Everything you need to know as 256-home plan developer sets out public inquiry case
Full details of the public inquiry over a rejected 256-home plan for Carpenders Park have been revealed as the applicant sets out its case.
Fri, 22 May 2026 10:54:00 +0100Hertfordshire sites included in Aldi 'wish list' for new stores
Aldi has revealed that it is eyeing new Hertfordshire stores in St Albans, Harpenden, Ware, Rickmansworth and Hitchin.
Fri, 22 May 2026 10:26:00 +0100Work finally restarting as eyesore half-done development 'to be finished this year'
Work has finally restarted at an Abbots Langley development left half-done for almost two years.
Fri, 22 May 2026 10:20:00 +0100Watford shops at risk as Morrisons 'set to close 100 stores'
Watford's two Morrisons Daily stores face an uncertain future as the retailer reportedly plans to close 100 of its outlets.
Fri, 22 May 2026 07:55:56 +0100Town centre restaurant plan refused after 'work carried out without permission'
Plans for a new Mexican and Turkish restaurant in Watford town centre have been refused by the borough council.
Fri, 22 May 2026 07:13:10 +0100Harlequin store's closure CONFIRMED
After falling into administration, Quiz has confirmed it will be shutting all 37 of its remaining stores, including in Watford's Harlequin shopping centre.
Fri, 22 May 2026 06:00:00 +0100You Garden's 'number one' best-selling Acer on offer this week
You Garden’s has some ace offers this week.
Fri, 22 May 2026 05:30:00 +0100Male Watford General nurse bringing sex and race discrimination tribunal claim
A nurse’s discrimination Watford Employment Tribunal claim against Watford General Hospital can go ahead despite an application to strike it out.
Fri, 22 May 2026 05:00:00 +0100Memories of nostalgia column and how it started with a phone call
It's five years since Lesley Dunlop starting out on her regular history column for the Watford Observer - an anniversary worth marking.
Fri, 22 May 2026 08:39:35 +0100School's closure CONFIRMED due to low pupil numbers
St Nicholas Church of England Primary School in Elstree will close at the end of August, the county council has confirmed.
Thu, 21 May 2026 18:00:00 +0100New vicar 'delighted' to be joining community
The new vicar for 88-year-old church St Oswald's, Croxley Green, is “delighted” to be joining the community.
Thu, 21 May 2026 17:35:00 +0100Nine fire engines sent to Hemel flats blaze started in sixth-floor kitchen
Nine fire engines were sent to a sixth-floor flat fire which closed Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead.
Thu, 21 May 2026 16:25:00 +0100Watford roads among 5 Hertfordshire hotspots for motorists caught running red lights
Two Watford roads have been named among Hertfordshire’s worst for drivers running red lights, alongside a route in Hemel Hempstead.
Thu, 21 May 2026 14:45:33 +0100House to be knocked down for replacement after neighbour concerns addressed
A Rickmansworth property is set to be demolished and replaced after planning permission was granted by Three Rivers District Council.
Thu, 21 May 2026 14:00:07 +0100Train strike starts TOMORROW as Watford passengers face 'very limited service'
Watford passengers have been warned to expect a "very limited service" as a walkout takes place over the weekend.
Thu, 21 May 2026 13:40:00 +0100'Real attempt to kill' with homemade bomb in Hertfordshire lands man in prison
A “real attempt to kill someone” with a homemade bomb in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, has landed a man a 29-year prison sentence.
Thu, 21 May 2026 13:30:00 +0100'Complete revamp' underway as pub prepares to unveil new-look garden for summer
New owners are hard at work creating a new-look garden complete with a live music stage in time for summer at The Coach and Horses in Croxley Green.
Thu, 21 May 2026 12:59:00 +0100Watford school head to retire after 21 years
The long-serving head of Watford's Nascot Wood Infant & Nursery School is set to retire at the end of the school year.
Thu, 21 May 2026 12:50:00 +0100School bus driver working in the area jailed over child sexual offences
A Hertfordshire school bus driver for a company providing Kings Langley and Chorleywood services has been jailed over child sexual offences.
Thu, 21 May 2026 12:32:00 +0100Potential Harry Potter casting call for Watford-area teens
Teenage boys living within 45 minutes of Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden are being sought for the filming of a production that may well be series two of the Harry Potter HBO adaptation.
Thu, 21 May 2026 12:21:00 +0100Hertfordshire school congratulates former pupil on Arsenal Premier League title win
Aldenham School has congratulated Arsenal star and ex-pupil Myles Lewis-Skelly after his Arsenal side won the Premier League title.
Thu, 21 May 2026 11:35:00 +0100TWO 'dangerously out of control' dogs now believed to be attacking pets in park
Herts Police now believe there may be two “dangerously out of control” dogs reportedly attacking other pets in King George Recreation Ground, Bushey.
Thu, 21 May 2026 10:35:00 +0100Award-winning Watford pub confirms reopening date as new landlord found
The reopening date has been confirmed for Watford's White Lion pub after a new landlord was found.
Thu, 21 May 2026 08:05:14 +0100Award-winning coffee shop applies for outdoor seating
Award-winning coffee shop My Coffee Affair has submitted an application for outdoor seating.
Thu, 21 May 2026 07:07:34 +0100'All lines of enquiry exhausted' after sex attack on girl, 15, at park
Police have ended their investigation without any arrests after a 15-year-old girl was forced to perform sexual acts on an unknown man in a park after being threatened with a "bladed article".
Thu, 21 May 2026 05:30:00 +0100The towns and villages around Watford with the most expensive homes
Rightmove data shows which of the Hertfordshire towns and villages surrounding Watford have the most eye-watering house prices.
Thu, 21 May 2026 05:30:00 +0100School's head 'incredibly proud' of new Ofsted report
The head of St Meryl's Primary School in Carpenders Park has said he is "incredibly proud" of its new Ofsted report.
Thu, 21 May 2026 06:00:00 +0100Save £500 on an 11-day Canada trip with Riviera Travel deal
Riviera Travel’s Deal of the Week: There’s never been a better time to discover Canada’s east coast in all its glory.
Thu, 21 May 2026 08:42:05 +0100Final decision on primary school closure to be made TODAY
A final decision on the future of St Nicholas Primary, in Elstree is set to be made at a meeting today (May 21).
Wed, 20 May 2026 19:03:49 +0100RECAP after drivers met with long delays after M25 crash closes lanes
Two lanes are closed on the M25 and drivers are warned of long delays following a crash.
Wed, 20 May 2026 17:33:40 +0100Knifepoint robbery at Hertfordshire store sparks police appeal
A robbery at a convenience store in Chiswell Green, Hertfordshire, has prompted a police appeal for witnesses and information.
Wed, 20 May 2026 17:20:00 +0100Teachers strike over 'shameful' fire and rehire tactics at prestigious schools
Teachers at Haberdashers Boys and Girls Schools have taken strike action after fire and rehire tactics soon to become illegal were used over staff pensions.
Wed, 20 May 2026 16:40:00 +0100Bungalow could be demolished for five-bed house as plan submitted
Knocking down a Wimborne Grove, Watford, bungalow to make way for a five-bedroom house has been proposed.
Wed, 20 May 2026 14:27:35 +0100Heat health warning issued as Watford temperatures set to soar
Temperatures are set to soar in Watford and across Hertfordshire as the government issued a five-day heat health warning.
Wed, 20 May 2026 14:15:00 +0100Newlywed police officer sacked for groping colleague at Christmas party
A newlywed Met Police officer who groped a female colleague’s bottom at a work Christmas party at Aldenham Country Park has been sacked.
Wed, 20 May 2026 13:30:00 +0100Hertfordshire road wins 'amazing' £1 million in Postcode Lottery
Nine neighbours in a Hemel Hempstead road have won £1 million in the Postcode Lottery, with a charity in the same road also benefitting.
Wed, 20 May 2026 12:55:00 +0100Watford General featured on ITV News after eradicating 'corridor care'
Watford General has been featured on the national news after a turnaround that has seen it eradicate corridor care.