Category: Hertfordshire County, England

MP says hospital will ‘succeed’ despite remaining in special measures

Watford MP Richard Harrington says he remains “committed” to Watford General Hospital after it emerged yesterday that it would remain in special measures. England’s chief hospital inspector Mike Richards said West Hertfordshire Hospital Trust, which runs the hospital along with St Albans and Hemel Hempstead, still required improvement despite it making progress since 2015.

Church set for windfall after oil painting priced around 10,000 at auction

A Watford church is set for a A 10,000 windfall next month when it sells a 100 year old oil painting by a Bushey artist. St Michael and All Angels Church, in Mildred Avenue,Watford, is selling the painting titled Love Divine at an auction at Bonhams in London on March 1. The six feet by three feet picture was painted in 1910, and exhibited at the Royal Academy in London that year, by George Henry Grenville Manton, who lived and worked at Pen-y-Bryn, in Bushey Grove Road, Bushey.

300m to make train company more reliable

The Transport Secretary confirmed that A 300 million will improve resilience across the network and will contribute towards improving the reliability of areas known to cause delays. Mr Dowden said: “This is important progress in my ongoing campaign to bring about a better service for passengers between Radlett and Elstree & Borehamwood and London.

Blues star Chantel McGregor returns to Harpenden Public Halls

She will be performing tracks from her recently-released album Lose Control and her acclaimed debut album Like No Other from 7.30pm. Chantel has been described as having the tone of Robin Trower, the inspiration of Hendrix, the influence of Stevie Ray Vaughan, the energy of Bonamassa, the intensity of Walter Trout and the vocal of Stevie Nicks.

Burns Night 2017: Discover the best places to celebrate

Every year people throughout the world celebrate the life and work of the Scottish poet Robert Burns , on his birthday of January 25. Traditionally festivities will include eating a traditional Scottish meal, drinking Scottish whisky and reciting works by, about and in the spirit of the Bard. They will be celebrating with a glass – or three – of whisky and a traditional meal including haggis, tatties and neaps.

Natalia Wilkanowska’s body lay undiscovered under rubble for 12 years in Luton

Missing mother’s body ‘lay under garden rubble for 12 years and was only discovered after ex-husband’s brother revealed: ‘He killed her and chopped her up and she’ll never be found” The body of Natalia Wilkanowska lay undiscovered for more than 12 years after she was killed by her ex husband, a jury heard A woman’s body lay under builder’s rubble in a back garden for more than 12 years before it was discovered, a jury heard today. Natalia Wilkanowska, 50, disappeared in 2003 after visiting her ex-husband Gerald Doherty in Luton from her home Eastbourne.

Nappies and human faeces left in bucket during Christmas break

Brian Chisholm, of Gaddesden Crescent, in Garston, allowed two employees from Watford Community Housing Trust into his back garden on Christmas Eve as they were inspecting sewage systems. In Mr Chisholm’s garden he has two drains – one for his sewage and the other for his neighbours – after draining his neighbours, the men filled a big blue bucket full of raw sewage including nappies and human faeces.

Classic film director dies at the age of 85

Jeremy Summers, who was born in St Albans in 1931 to Dora, an actor, and Walter Summers, a film director and screenplay writer, died on December 14 at the age of 85. Summers began working as a runner at Elstree Studios, in Borehamwood, when he was 16 and became an assistant director on films such as The Dam Busters and Moby Dick . His son Julian Summers said: “Walter had come back from the second world war a physical and nervous wreck and had already acquired a reputation in the film industry for being difficult.

Councillor cash goes to worthwhile local projects

Hertsmere Borough Council ‘s Ward Improvement Initiative Scheme gives each of the 39 councillors A 500 to spend on projects throughout the year. Cllr Morris Bright , Leader of the Council, said: “Our Ward Improvement Initiative Scheme is all about funding small projects in local areas to benefit active communities.