We have been looking back through the Watford Observer archives and here are some of the stories that were making the headlines ten and five years ago this week.
TEN YEARS AGO
New college building opens doors
Hundreds of future students, their parents and inquisitive neighbours got a first look inside Watford’s new West Herts College campus.
The £74million, two-and-a-half year development, in Hempstead Road, will open its doors to more than 2,000 students on Monday, September 13 – on time and on budget.
Students, who will study subjects ranging from hair-dressing to photography, will benefit from some the most advanced learning facilities in the country, including a fully functional television studio and a 120 seat professional theatre.
Young people, however, will not be the only ones to benefit, as the college aims to build lasting connections with both its neighbours and community groups.
Loach unlikely to receive full England call-up
Photo: Action Images
Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach is unlikely to be named in the full England squad for the forthcoming European qualifiers after being called up by the Under-21s.
Loach and Blackburn Rovers’ keeper Frankie Fielding were called up by Fabio Capello for the recent friendly with Hungary but both have been named in the Under-21 squad.
Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere is also back in Stuart Pearce’s 24-man squad for the crucial European Under-21 Championship qualifiers.
Harry Potter actor confirms Leavesden Studios will become tourist attraction
Harry Potter actor Ruper Grint has confirmed that Leavesden Studios is to be transformed into a theme park.
According to reports, at a meet and greet event in London, the actor described how the studios, used to film the popular Harry Potter franchise, would be transformed into a tourist attraction.
Visitors will apparently be able to explore the sets and also cast their eyes over doodles on the walls – made by cast members.
Mr Grint, who has played the character of Ron Weasley in the series, told Wenn.com: “We used to write on the walls and they're actually turning the studio into an attraction, actually recreating all the rooms so you can go into them.”
FIVE YEARS AGO
Ten-year-old Bushey boy gets A* in maths GCSE
A ten-year-old boy from Bushey who achieved an A* in his maths GCSE says he is not stopping there.
Bhunit Santhiramoulesan, of Bournehall Avenue, sat the exam in the summer and now plans on studying critical thinking next year.
The pupil from Bournehall Primary School said: "It's amazing and I am really happy.
"But it is not my favourite subject - maths is just something that I am really good at. I like art and science and I know the whole periodic table."
Flores uncomfortable with number of players at Watford
Quique Sanchez Flores says he is uncomfortable with the number of players currently at Watford but admits he doesn’t know who will leave Vicarage Road before the transfer window closes.
Since winning promotion to the Premier League the Hornets have been busy adding players to their first-team squad.
Twelve additions have been made and the club hope to conclude at least two more deals before the transfer window closes on Tuesday at 6pm.
One of those is Rennes midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure. The Golden Boys hold an interest in the 22-year-old and reports in France state the Hornets have made an £8 million bid.
But the number of signings that have been made this summer has seen Watford’s squad swell to 30 players.
More than 300 children could miss out on a secondary school place in 2019, Watford Observer investigation reveals
Hundreds of parents face the terrifying prospect of their children not getting secondary school places in south west Hertfordshire.
The squeeze on school places will intensify as Hertfordshire County Council estimates show 340 children could miss out on a school place in four years, according to a Freedom of Information request from the Watford Observer.
Education chiefs insist the figures do not include plans to increase the number of places but there are two new schools earmarked in Three Rivers.
Shocked parents now fear they will be forced to teach their children at home because the number of school starters looks set to soar past the number of places available in Watford, Rickmansworth and Bushey in two years.
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