Actor Christopher Timothy, who used to appear in a television commercial advertising The Sun newspaper, came to Elstree last week with a bitter attack on the national press.

Many Fleet Street men, he said, were pigs.

Timothy, star of All Creatures Great and Small, said: “You can tell the Press the truth but, if they don’t like it, they will write something else anyway. I believe the only thing actors owe the public is a good performance.”

Timothy, speaking at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls, was referring to the bad publicity he received after leaving his wife and six children to live with actress Carol Drinkwater.

He said: “After saying I wanted to play it down to make things easier for my children, reporters told me I should have thought of that before I left them. That means they are setting themselves up as judges as well as reporters. They are pigs, most of them.”

[From the Watford Observer of July 9, 1982]  

 

Two elderly lady civil servants have pulled off a £10,000 win on the horses – for a mere 20p stake.

The two, who live in north Watford, picked all six winners in Saturday’s ITV six accumulator bet – including 20-1 and 33-1 shots. They placed their bet, 10p each, at J. Ward Hills’ betting office in Leavesden Road, after selecting their “pin prick” formula horses.

They returned on Tuesday to receive a cheque for £9,772.91 from shop manager Roger Paul. They have asked to remain anonymous. Mr Paul said: “It’s a once in a lifetime win.”

And one of the lucky punters said: “We shall be trying our luck again this week.”

[From the Watford Observer of July 12, 1974]

 

The roses in the garden look almost good enough to eat. In fact, they are good enough to eat.

In early Victorian times, dainty sandwiches made with rose petals were no unusual thing. If you want to cause a sensation at your next tea party, hand round some rose petal sandwiches, decorating the dish with the smallest rosebuds you can find; only be careful you don’t include green fly with the decorations.

[From the Watford Observer of July 14, 1934]

 

Actor Pierce Brosnan was rushed to Mount Vernon Hospital on Friday after an accident on the set of the new James Bond movie in Frogmore, near St Albans. Mr Brosnan was filming a fight scene when he was hit in the mouth by a guard’s helmet.

Plastic surgeon Paul Cussons treated the gash with eight stitches.

Mount Vernon spokesman Mark Purcell said: “The nurses have told me Mr Brosnan was extremely charming. Obviously it was quite exciting for them to be treating James Bond – any break from the routine is good news in a hospital.

“He was very patient while being treated. He left after three and a half hours – shaken but not stirred.”

Filming of Tomorrow Never Dies, the 18th Bond movie, should end next month.

[From the Watford Observer of July 25, 1997]