1908 100 years ago
The ever popular Hemel Hempstead Horse Show was approaching. The competition was expected to exceed the standard that was shown on the last two occasions. Prizes for the variety of events averaged about £6 to £7 but the main prize of £15 was for the jumping event. This was expected to attract lots of attention with many people keen to get the money.

Sport lovers were more than pleased at this year's 'Sports in connection with Local Friendly Society's fête at Abbots Langley. The event ran from 2:30 to 7:30pm and the good weather attracted many sports fans. Included at the fête this year was a bicycle obstacle course, where an unfortunate accident happened when crossing a plank, Mr Flint broke his bike. Also there was a football tournament where Abbots Langley won the top prize.

Boxmoor links played host to a very interesting and exciting game of golf on Saturday. The game, played by Mr Frank Cromwell (secretary of the Boxmoor Golf Club) and Mr John Cox, could have been won by any man during the day, but Mr Cox held on and became victorious. The winner had been greatly congratulated for beating such an experienced player.



1958 50 years ago
A new American invention The Hearing Corrector came as very good news for those who were deaf or hard of hearing. The product, which was being displayed in Kinloch and Anderson chemists, was already widely available in America and was set to be a hit here and replace the old-style 'Deaf Aid'. It was billed as simple to use and required no battery or leads which helped people who were too shy to use the 'Deaf Aid' before.

The newly-formed 'Youth Club Concert Party' put on a great show on Saturday and Sunday, bringing the West End to Markyate. The production involved a large youth cast and had a variety of performances ranging from singing to acting, music to comedy. The production organiser Bill Wilson, thanked the audiences at the end of both evenings for their fine support.

Twelve-year-old Pat Stewart was in great spirits as she was crowned 'Rose Queen of Hammerfield' at this year's fair at St Francis Church, Hemel Hempstead. Former Mayor, Alderman Gilbert Hitchcock, crowned the young lady with a colourful, flower-filled crown. Ald. Hitchcock joked that the main aim of the event was to induce people to spend their hard-earned money. This paid off as the event raised £62 for the church funds.



1983 25 years ago
Residents of White Hart Drive, Hemel Hempstead, were warned to be on the lookout for a local garden gnome thief. Mrs Phyllis Johnson had already had three of her gnomes stolen from her back garden. The gnomes, about two feet tall, were not thought to be worth much but had great sentimental value to Mrs Johnson. She hoped the thieves would be caught before they struck again as she 'would hate for other people to lose their gnomes'.

A word of warning was issued for people taking part in the aerobic keep-fit craze. Fitness fans were said to be untrained and were alerted against advice that told them to keep going 'until they burn'! Senior lecturer in adult education, Mr Ray Phillips, said that 'untrained people taking part in classes are not looking at the dangers that exist'. But Dacorum District Council assured the aerobic fans, telling them that its classes were run by qualified people who knew what they were doing.

This year's Buccaneer Trophy for Scouts was won by Chiltern Venture Scout Unit. The team beat 21 other units by a clear 20 points to take the title. Some of the challenges completed included building, sailing and completing the Financial Times crossword. The event was organised by St Albans District, whose commissioner, Mr Gerry Milsted, presented the trophy to the lucky team.