The rollout of the Covid-vaccine is progressing at pace both nationally and here in Watford - and it is thanks to our brilliant doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers. Everyone in the top four priority groups has now been offered a jab, the over-65s are next in line. We’ve still got a way to go, but the end of the Covid nightmare is finally in sight.

I recently caught up with Elliot Howard-Jones and Cath Slater from Hertfordshire NHS Community Trust - they've been heavily involved in setting up mass vaccination centres across Hertfordshire. You can catch our full conversation in this episode. 

Our local schools are doing an incredible job giving lessons digitally and keeping our children learning. I was excited to virtually visit St Paul's C of E VA Primary in Kings Langley to thank the teachers and pupils and answer some of their questions - Year 6 definitely put me through my paces and you can listen to how it went in this episode! 

Thank you to Watford’s faith groups for pulling our neighbourhoods together and helping vulnerable people throughout the pandemic. In this episode I'm joined by Dr Rev Peter Waddell from Abbots Langley and Bedford Church and we discussed the impact of Covid on the community, mental health, prayer, and much more. 

Did you know Watford Gurdwara's volunteers served meals free of charge to our community during the Covid pandemic? This concept of meals for people regardless of their religion, colour, gender or ethnicity is called 'Langar'. Harjit Singh from Watford Gurdwara joins me in this episode to discuss this and much more. 

Watford's faith groups, like North Watford Jamia Mosque, have been instrumental in helping their neighbours during Covid and I'd like to thank them. I'm joined by Imam Hafiz Saleem in this episode where we discuss volunteering, embracing technology and much more. 

Watford's faith groups have done an incredible job helping the community during this pandemic. And they've had to adapt quickly under difficult circumstances. The Jewish community for instance cannot use technology or electricity for Shabbat, their day of rest on a Saturday, which rules out services on Zoom. You can find out how Rabbi Mordechai Chalk innovated to get round that, and much more, in this episode. 

Shaun Bailey may be the Mayor of London this time next year, and his work and approach will affect Watford residents. He joins me in this episode where I ask him about his background, his priorities, the Met Line extension into Watford, and much more.

Do you still read your local newspaper? I absolutely love to catch up on the Watford Observer every week, but there's no doubt the internet has impacted the industry. And if you're thinking of a career in local journalism, how should you go about it? I'm pleased to be joined by Watford Observer’s Deputy Editor Robert Collins to discuss this and much more. (Yes I got to interview him for a change, normally it’s the other way around!)

As we celebrate the end of World War One and remember our fallen heroes, I feel honoured to have spoken to local veteran Scotty Darroch. Scotty served in the Army for 10 years before becoming an ambassador for charity Give us Time. Scotty joins me in this episode and tells us more about his incredible story. 

Covid and lockdown has had a big impact on mental health increasing stress, fear and anxiety for many people - but it has also given us an opportunity to get to grips with it and do something about it. I brought together some of our fantastic local charities and together we drew up a mental health recovery plan. At the heart of it is making mental health conversations the norm in our schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods.  My ambition is for Watford to lead the way on this. More here with Herts Mind Network; Watford & Three Rivers Trust; New Hope Charity; Signpost South West Herts; and more.