Watford Observer

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 06:00:00 +0000
Save up to 20% on Riviera Travel’s 2027 holidays in Black Friday sale
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Thu, 12 Nov 2026 05:30:00 +0000
New head of historic school 'relishing opportunity'
Ben Turner speaks to the Watford Observer about his first few months as head of St Margaret's School in Bushey.

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 05:29:00 +0000
Plan for 'underground bunker' in garden submitted by homeowner
A Watford homeowner has applied for permission to build an underground bunker in their garden.

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Cancer treatment at Mount Vernon could help patients avoid permanent stomas
A new contact radiotherapy programme is giving hope to patients with early and locally advanced rectal cancer

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Museum arts and crafts fair draws crowds of visitors
Bushey Museum's two-day annual Arts and Crafts Fair attracted visitors from across the area, showcasing handmade gifts, jewellery, artwork and festive treats.

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 18:16:28 +0000
'Flammable liquid may have been poured through another letterbox', police say
Police say a flammable liquid may have been poured through the letterbox of a property near where an 80-year-old woman was allegedly set alight in an attempted murder.

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 18:02:00 +0000
Royal Mail van driver taken to hospital after crash with lorry
A crash involving a Royal Mail van and lorry caused traffic "chaos" this afternoon.

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 17:48:00 +0000
Everything we know after pensioner set on fire in attempted murder in Watford
Everything we know after a woman in her 80s was found on fire in Watford, sparking an attempted murder probe.

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 17:08:32 +0000
Pensioner 'set on fire in attempted murder' named by police
Police have named the woman found on fire in Watford as an attempted murder investigation continues.

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 15:41:22 +0000
Road closed amid 'crash involving lorry and van' - recap
Baldwins Lane in Croxley Green is closed amid reports of a crash involving a Royal Mail and a lorry.

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 15:00:00 +0000
Friends' anguish after 'ordinary' pensioner found on fire in 'attempted murder'
Friends of a “friendly and chatty” woman in her 80s who was found on fire in an "attempted murder" have voiced anguish at the “awful” attack as a police probe continues.

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 14:38:21 +0000
Six-day part-closure of key road for 'essential works' begins
A six-day partial closure of The Green in Croxley Green is underway for "essential works".

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 13:59:41 +0000
Watford to get EIGHTH Greggs bakery as plans approved
Yet another Greggs branch is set to open in Watford with plans approved for the town's eighth bakery.

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 12:31:00 +0000
Police stonewalling 'ridiculous', residents claim amid Watford gunshot probe
Residents near a Watford park said they were frustrated by the lack of police information after a shot was fired at a house window on the evening of November 6.

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 12:06:00 +0000
'Positive' start for Watford-based business after opening new Harlequin store
Watford-based business Ovviovita has made a "positive" start to life at the Harlequin.

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 10:13:12 +0000
Herts Police officer cleared of sexually assaulting colleague on Watford night out
A Hertfordshire Police officer has been cleared of sexually assaulting a colleague on a night out in London.

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 09:47:05 +0000
Gridlock M1 traffic and M25 delays amid 'accident' - recap
There are delays near M25 and M1 in Hertfordshire this morning amid reports of an "accident" in the Bricket Wood area.

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 06:00:00 +0000
Get up to 40% off selected jewellery charms for Christmas
Lily Charmed Black Friday offers are here.

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 05:30:00 +0000
New Watford eatery promises 'something special'
A new eatery looks set to open in West Watford, promising "something special".

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 16:00:28 +0000
'Home from Home' – Two Bushey Hospitals remembered
“I had my tonsils removed in 1951. I can still smell the anaesthetic! It was put on a cloth which was then put over my mouth. And no visitors allowed!” That was a patient’s vivid memory of Bushey and District Hospital.

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 19:00:00 +0000
Boy, 18, opens up on mental health struggles in book amid 'Movember'
An 18-year-old from the area is using his story to challenge stigma and start conversations about mental health.

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 18:19:00 +0000
Attempted murder probe after woman in 80s found on fire
A woman in her 80s is in a critical condition after being found on fire in Watford, with an attempted murder probe underway.

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 18:18:56 +0000
Woman in her 80s fighting for her life after she was found on fire
A woman in her 80s is fighting for her life after she was found on fire in Watford.

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 17:19:00 +0000
Takeaway's new 1/5 hygiene score blamed on 'nervous trainee chef'
Hemel Hempstead takeaway Bad Boys has been rated 1/5 for food hygiene by Dacorum Borough Council.

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 16:55:00 +0000
Thousands enjoy fantastic Cassiobury Park fireworks
Families gathered in Cassiobury Park on Saturday night for one of Hertfordshire’s biggest free fireworks displays.

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 15:54:14 +0000
Watford nurse sexually assaulted vulnerable young patient
A Watford nurse sexually assaulted a vulnerable patient during an examination before being jailed for five-and-a-half years.

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 15:22:32 +0000
How Watford passengers could be impacted by upcoming TfL Tube strikes
Recently announced strike action on the London Underground could impact Watford commuters, with the first walkout set to take place later this month.

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 14:28:00 +0000
Famous engineer's Hertfordshire house could be demolished for two new homes
A famous engineer’s Hertfordshire home could be demolished to make way for a “high-quality” pair of new houses.

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 13:32:52 +0000
Man jailed over one-punch attack that killed dad-of-two at Hertfordshire pub
A man has been jailed following a St Albans pub attack that killed a father-of-two.

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 12:49:00 +0000
Watford and surrounding areas gather for Remembrance services and parades
Remembrance events held across Watford and surrounding areas People across Watford and nearby areas gathered for services, parades and memorial events.

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 10:25:00 +0000
'Tragic' death at Watford leisure centre confirmed
A man has died while attending an event at Woodside Leisure Centre in Watford, Haddon Events has confirmed.

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 10:25:02 +0000
Business raids targeting criminal gangs sees £13k worth of illegal products seized
Businesses in Watford and across Hertfordshire have been raided as part of a national crackdown on organised crime gangs.

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000
Pop culture & LEGO weekend heads to Watford
Watford Woodside is preparing to welcome fans, collectors and families as two distinct pop culture events take over the sports venue next weekend!

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 06:00:00 +0000
Celebrate Christmas with English Heritage and snap up a membership offer
From dazzling light displays, the chance to meet Father Christmas and the Walking with The Snowman™ Trail, this season will be ever more magical with events at English Heritage locations.

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 05:30:00 +0000
Hearing set over objections to town centre bar's 3am opening bid
A Watford town centre bar's bid to open later on Fridays and Saturdays has been dealt a blow by neighbours who fear the impact of loud music on their sleep.

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 14:44:15 +0000
Watford youth leader champions democracy at Commonwealth
A YOUNG leader from Watford has met King Charles III while representing young people at an international Commonwealth gathering

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 16:02:43 +0000
100 Aker Wood marks 30 years as Winnie-the-Pooh turns 100
100 Aker Wood marks 30 years and Winnie-the-Pooh's 100th birthday as Friends group launches fundraising to secure Aldenham attraction's future.

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 12:27:57 +0000
David Walliams tried to block publication of sexual misconduct allegations
Multiple women have accused David Walliams of sexually inappropriate behaviour and grooming, which he denies

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 11:45:12 +0000
Decision on 'grotesque' £2.5bn data centre delayed after chaotic meeting
A decision on whether a £2.5 billion data centre in Watford can be built has been delayed following a chaotic meeting of Hertsmere Borough Council's planning committee.

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 17:46:00 +0000
One of Hertfordshire's best-rated pubs to temporarily close amid water leak
One of the best pubs in Hertfordshire is set to temporarily close for "essential works" later this month.

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 15:38:13 +0000
Two big-name comedians confirm new Watford Colosseum shows
Comedians Richard Ayoade and Chris McCausland have both announced new shows at the Watford Colosseum.

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 14:12:00 +0000
Andy Burnham visits Watford and promises 'no more delays' for hospital rebuild
Andy Burnham promised no further delays to the long-awaited rebuild of Watford General on a visit to the hospital this morning (November 9).

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 13:30:00 +0000
Gunshot fired through home's window - but victim possibly not intended target
A suspected gunshot was fired through a home's window in Watford - sparking a police investigation. Here is what we know so far.

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 12:27:29 +0000
Man dies after 'medical emergency' at leisure centre
A person has died following a medical emergency at Bushey Leisure Centre.

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 11:21:00 +0000
New £4.1m supported living home with 'high-quality' flats unveiled in Watford
A new supported living home has opened in Watford for adults with learning disabilities.

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 10:32:56 +0000
Prime Minister visits Watford General Hospital - recap
Prime Minister Andy Burnham pays a visit to Watford to promote a healthcare policy announcement

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 10:19:32 +0000
More roadworks at key Hertfordshire roundabout starting TONIGHT
Motorists face more disruption at the Park Street Roundabout in Hertfordshire starting tonight (November 9).

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 09:50:00 +0000
Watford doctors train for rare 'clamshell' emergency using new trauma manikin
Doctors are using a new trauma manikin to train for one of medicine’s most extreme emergencies.

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 06:00:00 +0000
Just Go's Black Friday sale is on...10% off ALL holidays
From quick UK escapes to European city breaks and longer adventures, Just Go Holidays make getting away just that little bit easier.

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 05:30:00 +0000
New café unveiled as zero-waste business completes year-long revamp
RefillAbell has opened a new zero-waste café in Watford after transforming a former garage with help from a £5,000 crowdfunding campaign.

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