In October, a story that could have been a tragedy turned into one of our most wonderful stories of the year as a young man met the woman who saved his life earlier that year.

Tommy Beddard was spotted at a location in Borehamwood by Gillian Assor and her husband on one night May. Tommy admitted he was ready to end his life, but thanks to some kind and reassuring words from Gillian, he was convinced by her that there was a future for him.

It was a secret between the pair of them until Tommy bravely appealed to find the woman who saved him on Facebook, while sharing his story with thousands of people.

The appeal worked and the pair met up at the Alfred Arms for an emotional reunion.

Hertsmere Borough Council were very much in the spotlight in October too.

Despite protests from campaigners in Well End, the planning committee granted outline planning permission for a new primary school and 58 homes, to the disappointment of residents.

But it means that Maxwell Park, which was considered to be another option, is safe.

Developers will still have to seek full planning permission once details about the new builds have been finalised.

Meanwhile, the council granted an additional £352,000 for the Crown Road temporary homes development, on top of the £2.2m which has already been set aside.

Yet this one could rumble on after a petition was launched calling for a public enquiry into the Crown Road project – on the back of it being the most objected development in Hertsmere. More than 500 people had signed it by the end of October.

The council were in the public’s good books however after it confirmed it would be installing posts around Ripon Park in Borehamwood to prevent travellers getting on while it said it would look at the possibility of bringing in a borough-wide court order, following public pressure.