A car crash which occurred in Langleybury resulted in a woman from Croxley Green tragically losing her life. Judith Cattermoul, 57, of Frankland Close, Croxley Green, was driving a black Ford Ka along Langleybury Lane just after 8am on Wednesday November 21st when the collision occurred. The mother of two and former district nurse was sadly pronounced dead at the scene after firefighters from Garston spent over an hour attempting to free her from the wreckage. A silver Mercedes CLK, a silver Renault Scenic, a yellow Renault Clio and a white Berlingo van were the other vehicles involved in the crash. The drivers of the Clio and Berlingo van were treated for minor injuries, while the 55-year-old driver of the Scenic was treated for shock. All were treated at Watford General Hospital. Jo Squire, who is a Churchwarden at All Saints Church, told My Abbots that Judith had the caring nature in her and was always ready to help people. She said: “She was always helping and visiting someone. She did meals on wheels and because she was a nurse, she was always caring for people. “She helped out with social events for the church and was very popular within the community. She had just retired and planned to do some travelling with her husband. She will be missed very much.” Former Croxley Green resident Martin Booth, who now works on a newspaper in Bristol, was taught by Judith at the Sunday School he attended at All Saints Church and was obviously very sad to hear of her family’s loss. He told My Abbots: “She was very kind and very caring and always put others before herself. Sunday school was a better place for her. “I didn't go to church as much when I got older, but I knew that she always took a keen interest in what I was up to, reading all my stories in the Watford Observer when I was working as a reporter there. And when I did see her, we normally had a good chat.”
An Abbots Langley resident has voiced concerns over three Japanese Fighter dogs that have attacked fellow dogs and one local villager. The Abbots woman, who did not wish to be named, was walking her English Springer Spaniel through Sheppy’s Lane on a Wednesday morning last month, when her dog was attacked by three Akita dogs. The Japanese Fighter dogs left the defenceless Springer Spaniel needing surgery due to her injuries. The owner told My Abbots: “The attack was completely unprovoked and the owner was nowhere to be seen. “I reported the incident to the dog warden who said she would investigate, but now I hear other dogs have been attacked, as well as a local resident,” The incident, which occurred at around 9.30am, came soon after another dog was attacked, apparently by the same group of dogs. We have also been notified that two further incidents have occurred since these attacks, one involving a local resident. “These dogs should not be allowed to roam the streets unsupervised, it’s dangerous for our pets and for us residents. I honestly feared the dogs would attack me next.” Do you have any information on these Akita dogs? If so, we’d like to know who owns them.
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Budgens convenience store reopened its doors following a refit, but not until a few teething problems had been ironed out which left customers stood out in the freezing cold. Residents of Abbots Langley started queuing outside the High Street store at around 8.40am, with the shop due to open its doors at 9am. Queues went back as far as the Lloyds TSB bank, but by 9.10am, the doors were still closed and staff still rushing around inside. It turns out that there was a problem with the tills and an engineer, who was due to come and sort the problem, got stuck in traffic, which resulted in him having to tell staff how to solve the problem over the phone. Staff of the store came out and handed out complimentary coffee to those who waited patiently, while some decided it was far too cold to stand in line and chose to leave. Those at the front of the queue felt Abbots was in need of a refurbished store, because the old one “just wasn’t very good.” One customer said: “I think it’s very important to have this new store and hope it will provide more fresh items.” “I’m hoping that the new store will help prevent people from venturing into Watford, and will be especially useful for the older people of the community.” At 9.40am, the doors were finally opened and the ribbon cut by Joan Ginger, an Abbots resident of 81 years who used to work in Creasy’s Bakery. She said: “My husband and I ran Creasy’s for 50 years. I think this new store is absolutely lovely and will help to keep up with the times. I’ve always shopped in Abbots and think it will make others think about doing the same.” Those who had waited patiently were treated to a number of samples, while also gaining the opportunity to shop in a much larger, cleaner and well presented store. The feedback My Abbots received from the customers we spoke to was 100% positive. Not one person had anything bad to say about the new store, with the hot food counter and the increase in fresh food a notable improvement. Entertainment from Pete’s Fun Time band greeted the customers as they walked in, and even BBC Radio 5 Live made an appearance to report on the very first e-Depot to open in the country. e-Depot, as mentioned last month, allows you to have goods delivered to Budgens, who will hold the item for you until you are able to pick it up for a very small fee (See page14). Owner Dary Sweeney, who has ploughed around half a million pounds into the new store, was overwhelmed with the response of local people, and didn’t imagine so many would turn up. He said: “It’s been fantastic if I’m honest. We’ve had a great team come in to put this all together. “We were stunned as we had one guy come at 7am to see if we were open, and people have come along to see what’s going on.” Overall the day was a great success and My Abbots can honestly say that Dary and his team have done a tremendous job with the store. So why not pop along and have a look for yourself.
Last year’s “Face of Abbots” is in a serious but stable condition after being critical following her involvement in a car crash last month. Jade Aston-Hales, 17, of Chapel Way, Bedmond, was a passenger in a Renault Clio travelling south along Bedmond Road just after midnight on Sunday November 18th. The vehicle came off of the carriageway to avoid a fox which had run into the road, and hit a telegraph pole, causing the car to flip over onto its roof. Jade took most of the force of the impact, fracturing her pelvis in three places, breaking her left leg and causing internal injuries, while the driver of the vehicle, Fay Thomas of Abbots Langley, escaped with minor cuts and whiplash.
Jade’s injuries were so severe that she was taken to Watford General Hospital, along with 17-year-old Fay, where she is still being treated, but continues to progress week by week. Thankfully, the Pro Cut trainee hairdresser is awake and has spoken to her family, who are keeping a vigil at her bedside, but is still very ill.
A motorist who drove by minutes after the collision said: "I drove past and saw the car upside down with a girl still trapped inside. People were gathered round the car, and one girl was screaming. "Where they were was a real blind spot. The road is a death trap - something needs to be done.”
The thoughts of the driver were echoed at the recent Parish Council meeting earlier this month. Councillor for Bedmond and Pimlico, Geoff Emery, was very concerned with the number of accidents which have occurred on the Bedmond Road this year, and has proposed that the council write to Three Rivers District Council to ask for electronic speed restriction signs to be installed. Councillor Chris Daily also proposed that they request new lighting along the road. He said: “I travel along that road quite often and there are some major dark spots.” Both suggestions received backing from the rest of the council, and My Abbots will keep you posted as to whether these proposals progress. The police are appealing for witnesses with any further information. Anybody with anything which can help with their investigation should contact the Western Area Policing Unit on 01923 472388 or 0845 33 00 222. We at My Abbots wish Jade a very speedy recovery.
A car crash which occurred in Langleybury resulted in a woman from Croxley Green tragically losing her life. Judith Cattermoul, 57, of Frankland Close, Croxley Green, was driving a black Ford Ka along Langleybury Lane just after 8am on Wednesday November 21st when the collision occurred. The mother of two and former district nurse was sadly pronounced dead at the scene after firefighters from Garston spent over an hour attempting to free her from the wreckage. A silver Mercedes CLK, a silver Renault Scenic, a yellow Renault Clio and a white Berlingo van were the other vehicles involved in the crash. The drivers of the Clio and Berlingo van were treated for minor injuries, while the 55-year-old driver of the Scenic was treated for shock. All were treated at Watford General Hospital. Jo Squire, who is a Churchwarden at All Saints Church, told 
An Abbots Langley resident has voiced concerns over three Japanese Fighter dogs that have attacked fellow dogs and one local villager. The Abbots woman, who did not wish to be named, was walking her English Springer Spaniel through Sheppy’s Lane on a Wednesday morning last month, when her dog was attacked by three Akita dogs. The Japanese Fighter dogs left the defenceless Springer Spaniel needing surgery due to her injuries. The owner told 
Budgens convenience store reopened its doors following a refit, but not until a few teething problems had been ironed out which left customers stood out in the freezing cold. Residents of Abbots Langley started queuing outside the High Street store at around 8.40am, with the shop due to open its doors at 9am. Queues went back as far as the Lloyds TSB bank, but by 9.10am, the doors were still closed and staff still rushing around inside. It turns out that there was a problem with the tills and an engineer, who was due to come and sort the problem, got stuck in traffic, which resulted in him having to tell staff how to solve the problem over the phone. Staff of the store came out and handed out complimentary coffee to those who waited patiently, while some decided it was far too cold to stand in line and chose to leave. Those at the front of the queue felt Abbots was in need of a refurbished store, because the old one “just wasn’t very good.” One customer said: “I think it’s very important to have this new store and hope it will provide more fresh items.” “I’m hoping that the new store will help prevent people from venturing into Watford, and will be especially useful for the older people of the community.” At 9.40am, the doors were finally opened and the ribbon cut by Joan Ginger, an Abbots resident of 81 years who used to work in Creasy’s Bakery. She said: “My husband and I ran Creasy’s for 50 years. I think this new store is absolutely lovely and will help to keep up with the times. I’ve always shopped in Abbots and think it will make others think about doing the same.” Those who had waited patiently were treated to a number of samples, while also gaining the opportunity to shop in a much larger, cleaner and well presented store. The feedback 
Last year’s “Face of Abbots” is in a serious but stable condition after being critical following her involvement in a car crash last month. Jade Aston-Hales, 17, of Chapel Way, Bedmond, was a passenger in a Renault Clio travelling south along Bedmond Road just after midnight on Sunday November 18th. The vehicle came off of the carriageway to avoid a fox which had run into the road, and hit a telegraph pole, causing the car to flip over onto its roof. Jade took most of the force of the impact, fracturing her pelvis in three places, breaking her left leg and causing internal injuries, while the driver of the vehicle, Fay Thomas of Abbots Langley, escaped with minor cuts and whiplash.