Watford Observer
Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:30:00 +0100Watford Junction cancellations to last 'all day' with track defects on either side
Major disruption to trains at Watford Junction is set to last all day because of defective track towards London Euston and Milton Keynes Central.
Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:20:01 +0100Classic cars to be showcased in Watford town centre this weekend
A "very special" range of classic cars is coming to Watford town centre this weekend (September 20).
Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:34:28 +0100Hertfordshire teenager revealed as new voice of Thomas the Tank Engine
A Hertfordshire teenager has been revealed as the new voice of Thomas the Tank Engine.
Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:06:39 +0100Details of Watford's Christmas lights switch-on confirmed
Watford’s Christmas lights switch-on date has been confirmed.
Thu, 17 Sep 2026 07:22:30 +0100Watford business moves to new unit occupied by previous tenant for 53 years
A Watford locksmith has moved into a new home in the town.
Thu, 17 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100Save up to £200pp on 5* cruise through Germany's Christmas markets
Riveria Travel’s Deal of the Week: Discover the magical ambience of Germany's traditional Christmas markets with their host of unique, inspired gift ideas, plus the stunning Rhineland in its wintry splendour.
Thu, 17 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100Watford man to face trial after denying 'upskirting'
A Watford man will face trial after denying ‘upskirting’ in St Albans Magistrates' Court.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 17:15:00 +0100'Hertfordshire's 10 most wanted men' announced by police
Herts Police have named the 10 most wanted men in the county as they work to track them down, including one with links to Kings Langley.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:55:00 +0100Man who over-ordered EV chargers at work to sell on eBay admits £177k fraud
A Watford man over-ordered EV chargers at his Octopus Energy job to sell on eBay in a six-figure fraud.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:55:00 +0100Village Christmas lights switch-on date officially confirmed
Kings Langley's Christmas lights switch-on event will take place on November 21 this year.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:55:00 +0100Arrests and £500k seized as Hertfordshire site 'linked to immigration crime' raided
Two men were arrested and £500,000 was seized over alleged immigration and money laundering in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, during raids.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:31:00 +0100Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden to expand nursery set up by Peaky Blinders star
Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden is expanding the nursery set up by Peaky Blinders star Charlotte Riley.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:54:00 +0100Father of autistic child slams plan for more loud events metres from his house
A father has hit out at plans for more events on a field just metres from his home, fearing the impact on his autistic son.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:54:52 +0100Nursery chain with Watford location served ANOTHER safeguarding notice
Ofsted has demanded more action from Bright Horizons, which owns a Watford nursery, after serving an improvement notice.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:10:00 +0100The Hertfordshire areas with the most working-age Pip benefit claimants
New data reveals the Hertfordshire areas with the most working-age Pip claimants, from Stevenage to Harpenden.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0100New supermarket's 'grand opening' confirmed for next week
Details of a new supermarket's "grand opening" have been confirmed.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:30:00 +0100Former family centre and place of worship for sale as 'development opportunity'
The former Beechwood Family Centre and current Watford Velmurugan Temple is up for sale as a “development opportunity”.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 09:59:17 +0100CCTV appeal after man 'exposed and fondled himself' on train
A man reportedly exposed himself and masturbated on a train, sparking a police appeal.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 07:55:15 +0100Popular car boot sale moving to new location outside Hertfordshire
A Bushey car boot sale is to move to a new location outside of Hertfordshire.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 07:20:58 +0100Man WANTED on recall to prison as police issue appeal
A man with links to Rickmansworth is wanted on recall to prison, with police appealing for help tracing him.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100Take an off-peak break and save up to 45% with Shorefield Holidays
Enjoy a refreshing escape and save up to 45% with Shorefield Holidays this Autumn.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100Community bringing 'all the gusto and force we can' to 280-home plan inquiry
The Bushey community is planning to bring “all the gusto and all the force that we can” to oppose a 280-home plan at inquiry.
Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:16:57 +0100How washing machines transformed laundry in Bushey and across Britain
Discover how washing machines and launderettes transformed UK homes, from Bendix’s 1937 arrival to Bushey’s steam laundries and surviving dry cleaners.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:22:55 +0100Plan for six industrial units approved to address 'genuine shortage'
Plans have been approved for six new industrial units to be built at Woodcock Hill industrial estate in Rickmansworth.
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 16:45:00 +0100What happened at the contentious Hertfordshire 'Council of Sanctuary' meeting
A Labour councillor’s call for Hertfordshire County Council to consider becoming a Council of Sanctuary has been supported.
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 16:15:00 +0100Woman and her dog bitten as 'bully-type' dog attacked them on walk
Herts Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman and her dog were bitten by a bully-type dog in Maple Cross.
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:30:00 +0100Plan to knock down and rebuild home with pool, gym and cinema after £1.5m sale
A £1.5 million Nascot Wood Road, Watford house could be demolished and replaced with a four-bedroom home featuring a gym, cinema and pool.
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:05:00 +0100Multiple upcoming M1 closures for Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire
Multiple road closures on the M1 in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire are on the way, National Highways has warned.
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:30:00 +0100'Major disruption' expected during daytime works in one of Watford's busiest roads
Drivers face “major disruption” when two-way traffic lights are installed on one of Watford’s busiest roads.
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:05:00 +0100Prosecution authorised over death of girl, 2, after choking at nursery
Hertsmere Borough Council has authorised a prosecution over a two-year-old girl’s death after choking at a Radlett nursery.
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:50:00 +0100Drone footage shows sprawl of dealership's cars as deliveries continue
Aerial footage shows the sheer number of Chinese-brand cars sprawling beyond a Watford dealership’s lot as neighbours fume.
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:05:00 +0100Teens found guilty of GBH but NOT attempted murder after man stabbed in neck
Five teenagers have been found not guilty of attempted murder after a targeted stabbing in Watford which left a community “in fear”.
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100Countdown to Christmas with Wentworth Puzzles advent calendar and save 10%
Every year advent calendars from our favourite retailers gain much anticipation, and while some may be extravagant, there are many which are not just a joy to open but also purposeful too.
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100'Heil Hitler' and swastikas graffitied in Herts green space during Rosh Hashana
Shocking racist, antisemitic, and homophobic graffiti is being investigated after ‘Heil Hitler’ was sprayed onto a field.
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:11:16 +0100Watford hospital praised for eliminating corridor care through teamwork
RCN chief Nicola Ranger praises Watford General Hospital nurses as West Herts Trust eliminates corridor care through teamwork and better patient flow.
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:00:00 +0100Bushey teacher planned to rape girl, 10, and bragged about abusing another child
Ex-Bushey Meads PE teacher Matthew O'Kelly was jailed after plotting to abuse a 10-year-old girl and amassing child abuse material.
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 16:40:00 +0100Bushey man denies indecent child images and extreme pornography charges
A Bushey man has denied having indecent child images and “extreme pornography” at St Albans Crown Court.
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 16:05:00 +0100The three companies which own around a third of Watford's pubs
Three companies, Green King, Stonegate, and Heineken, own around a third of Watford pubs, with one company behind around six different boozers.
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 14:30:00 +0100Fox rescued after 'crashing around garden' with lantern stuck on head
A fox had to be rescued after “crashing around” a Rickmansworth garden with a lantern stuck on its head.
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 13:16:12 +0100Nursery for 60 kids to open as vacant building conversion approved
A new Rickmansworth nursery for up to 60 children will open after plans to convert a vacant church hall were approved.
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 11:55:00 +0100Watford named among 'UK's shisha bar capitals'
Watford is one of the UK’s biggest shisha bar hotspots, with 2.75 per 100,000 people according to a new study.
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 11:15:00 +0100Opening date confirmed for new Watford restaurant this week
The opening date for new Watford restaurant Burger Boi has been announced and there is not long to wait.
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:40:00 +01001,200-home plan to roughly double size of village takes step forward
Plans for 1,200 homes across 128 acres by the Hertfordshire M25 in Maple Cross have taken a step forward.
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100Save £60pp on Just Go Holidays Hayling Island Country Music Break
Enjoy a slice of Americana every night with country music entertainment and daytime activities at Hayling Island’s popular resort
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 05:30:00 +0100Watford school makes top 50 in new GCSE league table
A Watford school is among four in Hertfordshire to make the top 50 of a new league table based on this year's GCSE results.
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 16:55:29 +0100M1 southbound to close overnight for two weeks during resurfacing works
New High Elms Lane parking rules, Bushey plans for 280 homes, solicitors’ office changes and M1 overnight closures among public notices.
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:03:14 +0100Watford MP backs campaign for better education on dense breasts and mammograms
On September 2, Watford MP Matt Turmaine backed the Dense Breasts Campaign’s call for NHS breast density education and clearer mammogram advice in Parliament.
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:23:50 +0100Vicarage Road Parade upgrades tackle ponding and improve accessibility
Public space upgrades have been completed to improve accessibility and appearance.
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 16:20:36 +0100Oasis confirms Hertfordshire show for 2027 UK tour – how to get tickets
Oasis are to return to Knebworth more than 30 years after their original gigs at the Hertfordshire park, as part of their 38-show Live 27 world tour.
Sun, 13 Sep 2026 15:52:13 +0100New plan sees green belt site eyed for 40-home development
New plans have been brought forward for 40 homes on the green belt in Bedmond.