Friends of teenager Catherine Wynter were left devastated in January after the "bright and confident" young woman was murdered by her boyfriend.

The 19-year-old was found lying in a pool of blood by her mother, Joy Briscoe, as she babysat two small children on Boxing Day.

Best friend Aimee Foster paid tribute to the art student via social networking site Facebook, saying she “always had a smile on her face”.

In June, her killer Tony Bushby was sentenced to life behind bars.

Tributes were also paid to dedicated ballet teacher Pauline Anna Mills, who died aged 74.

Known as Miss Anna to her pupils, she taught ballet, tap, modern, and natural movement in Borehamwood for more than 30 years.

The following week, a woman was distraught after vandals stole a Christmas tree she planted on her father’s grave.

Linda Willis said it “felt like someone had put a knife through my heart” when she arrived at the Allum Lane Cemetery, Elstree, where her father George Gould was buried, and saw what had happened.

In happier news, the founder of a boxing club for children was astounded after being handed a grant for £1,500 to help run it.

Bob Williams, who runs Box Cleva, was given £1,500 from three councillors to continue holding sessions in 2012.