‘Our hospital is safe’

The Government has rejected a new super-hospital for west Hertfordshire, guaranteeing the future of Watford General Hospital in the process. Health Minister Mr John Denham threw out the West Hertfordshire Health Authority proposal on Wednesday, after 10 months’ consideration. The decision ensures the future of Watford General Hospital which has been under a shadow since the health authority first put forward the plan for a super-hospital on a greenfield site in October last year. Hospital campaigners celebrated outside the hospital on hearing the announcement.

[August 6, 1999]

New labels to keep tabs on drinking

Drinkers in Watford will soon be able to gauge how many units of alcohol they are consuming with the introduction of a new labelling scheme backed by the Government. The strategy, launched by six UK drinks manufacturers, will mark more than 150 brands, covering wines, beers, ciders and spirits. Lauded by the health authority, the initiative began on Wednesday last week to help people measure and control alcohol consumption. Mrs Ros Nicholson, director of services at the Alcohol Advice Centre in St Albans Road, Watford, said: “In the age of these super-strength beers and lagers, many people are drinking far too many units per day.”

[August 6, 1999]

Armchair shopping

Shoppers in Watford can now have their groceries delivered to their doorstep thanks to a new service launched by Asda this week. The new Asda depot, in Otterspool Way, Watford, launched the programme Asda @t Home on Monday. The scheme has been designed to make shopping more convenient for the elderly and for people with busy lifestyles. Orders can be taken 24 hours a day using either the telephone, a fax or email.

[August 6, 1999]

Eclipse brings town to a halt

Businesses were brought to a complete standstill in Watford as semi-darkness crept across the town at about 11.20am on Wednesday morning. Those who failed to venture down to Cornwall witnessed a 95 per cent solar eclipse, the first since 1927. Among those to remember the last time Britain was plunged into darkness during the hours of daylight, 72 years ago, was Mrs Joan Welling, 76, of Abbots Langley. Mrs Welling said: “It was such a thrill for me and something I will never forget. I’m totally lost for words.”

[August 13, 1999]

Tee in the Park

There were no hitches on Friday 13 as a celebrity golf day in Rickmansworth went with a swing, raising more than £12,000 for charity. Magician Paul Daniels fronted the event for Sport Aiding Medical Research for Kids (Sparks). The golf tournament was staged last week at Batchworth Park Golf Course in St Albans, where more than 30 celebrities and sports personalities – including Jimmy Hill, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Johnny Ball and Dennis Waterman – took part.

[August 20, 1999]

Council acts to curb town centre violence

The threat of violence to residents in the town centre has prompted Watford Council and the police to consider introducing CCTV in a residential area. The surveillance cameras, if given the go-ahead, would be positioned in Albert Road North and Monmouth Road, and would aim to bring to an end the vandalism and physical violence the area has witnessed recently. The announcement follows the latest mugging in the area, which took place in Albert Road North last Friday. Now Watford Council, working in partnership with the police and residents, may introduce cameras as part of the wider CCTV systems being implemented within the town centre by the end of the year.

[August 27, 1999]

Happy snappers

People in Watford have the chance to get their faces into the Millennium Dome. The Millennium Experience is appealing for photographs for a national portrait of the UK as we enter the 21st century. The unique work of art will be created by artist Mr David Mach and will be the central part of the self-portrait zone.

[August 27, 1999]

Cyber café spins a new web

Computer enthusiasts can surf the World Wide Web while drinking coffee with the first ever Internet advice centre in Watford. E2E Public Internet Xchange, at 130 St Albans Road, is an Internet café with a difference, according to owner Mr Nasir Mahmood. He aims to attract the regular Internet clientele and dispel the fears of computer and Internet virgins. Mr Mahmood said: “We want to show people there is nothing to be afraid of when using computers. We want people to understand how simple it is – everyone needs a computer in their lives.”

[August 27, 1999]

What was happening in the world in August 1999?

• The Sixth Sense, starring Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osmont, premieres (August 2)

• Hundreds of Chechen guerrillas invade the Russian republic of Dagestan, triggering a short war (August 7)

• Russian President Boris Yeltsin fires his Prime Minister and for the fourth time fires his entire cabinet (August 9)

• Charles Kennedy wins the race to succeed Paddy Ashdown as the leader of the Liberal Democrats (August 9)

• An intruding Pakistan Navy plane is shot down in India, sparking tensions between the two nations, coming just a month after the end of the Kargil War (August 10)

• European record high temperature of 48.5 °C (119.3 °F) is attained in Sicily (August 10)

• A total solar eclipse is seen in Europe and Asia (August 11)

• In Belgrade, tens of thousands of Serbians rally to demand the resignation of Yugoslav President Slobodan Miloševi? (August 19)

• The Second Chechen War starts (August 26)

• East Timor votes for independence from Indonesia in a referendum (August 30)