1906 100 years ago

A report detailed an accidental death on the canal. It read: "We have to chronicle another sad incident this week, for on Saturday evening a poor woman, evidently of the nomadic fraternity , was found in the canal, having by some means quite unknown, fallen into the water, when apparently endeavouring to get across the gate of lock No.51.

She was seen on several occasions prior to her death and had walked from Tring in company with another man and woman, in order to sell a few laces and oranges, to get a night's lodging.

It is surmised that failing to do this she was making for the Gas Works when she fell into the canal and was drowned.

Her body was discovered in a remarkable manner. One of the lock gates refused to open properly, and the attendant eventually found the body of a woman between the gate and the wall."


The mental capacity of women was indicated to be equal to that of men this week.

An article read "In the opinion of Dr.B.Hollander, the mental power of a woman is not in the least inferior to that of a man. But she is dissimilar, hence the differences of result.

As the doctor forcibly pointed out, all work, mental or otherwise, is directed by motive, and just because a woman is of distinctly emotional character, what she needs, and what she constantly seeks is to gain happiness through her feelings rather than the exertion of her intellect.

This being so, it naturally follows that while she may be the intellectual equal of man, the motive to exert her thinking faculties to the same extent does not exist."


1956 50 years ago

A baby may have saved the lives of eight members of a family.

An article read: "The crying of a six month old baby, probably saved the lives of Mr. and Mrs. R Scrimshire and their six children when fire broke out at their home on Tedder Road, Hemel Hempstead on Saturday morning.

The baby's cries awoke Mrs.Scrimshire at about 3 a.m.

Thinking it was hungry she went downstairs to get some food and was met by thick columns of smoke.

The downstairs front room was on fire. She aroused her husband and together they took the children to safety and Mr.Scrimshire phoned the fire brigade."


A report outlined how a Mayor's appeal helped save some refugees.

It read: "Five lonely and dispirited people will soon no longer be confined to their refugee camps.

The generous response to the Mayor of Hemel Hempstead's appeal to assist Hungarian refugees, has provided enough money for five to be given tuition, which will enable them to take up a skilled trade.

On Saturday at the Salvation Army Hall, the Mayor-Ald. Gilbert Hitchcock-presented the cheque-£366- to Mrs. M. Lewis, a headquarters representative of the United Nations Association."


1981 25 years ago

Local twins who worked at Hemel Hempstead General Hospital for a combined total of 52 years, retired this week.

An article read: "Iris who joined the hospital in 1946 and was high clerical officer in the chest clinic and Joyce who joined in 1964 and was hospital cashier, decided to leave at 59 under the jobs release scheme".

The Rollings sisters both lived in River Park, Boxmoor and "were looking forward to some relaxation as well as perhaps joining a few clubs and travelling."The report continued: "Hospital secretary, Mr.Martin Dunkley, (pictured with the twins), presented them each with a bouquet and a pair of binoculars to use in their hobby of bird watching. They also received presents from their own departments".


The Dacorum District Council was labelled "tight fisted and mean" over its attitude to meals on wheels.

A report read: "The council has refused to find £2,360 which would save the housebound from having to pay another 10p, making the price of mobile meals 50p from December.

Labour Councillor David Jones invited members at last week's council meeting 'to join the festive season' and give assistance to a section of the community dependent on the service.

He said: "There is not one person in his chamber who does not care about the well being of those needing the service, but the Tory members find themselves in a dilemma. Mistakes have been made about the pricing and they don't know how to finance it except by putting up the price."

The report continued with Councillor Mrs.Edie Glatter saying: "The meals have gone up three times in one year, a 67 per cent increase. Has any other section of the community been treated in this way?"

Councillor Jeff Annison pleading for community services to be defended, said: "I can't understand how we can be so tight fisted and mean that we can't spend £2,360 to save pensioners this increase. We have reached a pretty low ebb".


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