This is the theory being put forward by a resident of Merle Avenue, Harefield, who lives opposite The Harefield pub, which bore the brunt of the gas leaks when it was forced to close for business earlier this Autumn.

She said: "The gas main which has been the cause of numerous leaks during the present summer, was laid in 1903.

"The gas main was laid from Watford, lower end of High St. Watford, to The Filicol Cement Company, The Main, Church Hill, Harefield.

"My grandfather was a member of the gang who were hand digging the trenches along the whole distance of several miles.

"He told me the story of the General Foreman who was the only man licensed to 'make the joints' but as he had a 'liquid lunch' in the Prince of Wales, on Batchworth Heath, he sometimes made a mistake when jointing.

"He simply used clay or mud from the trench to make the joint instead of the correct compound, thus causing the gas leaks when the clay or mud dried out and shrank away from the sides of pipes."

So what do you think? Is a 100 year urge for a lunchtime pint and lazy workmanship the result of the village's gas problems?

The tree will be 20 foot high, and WILL have lights, despite health and safety worries that it would not.

He said: "We have ordered it today and it will hopefully arrive later this week.

"The pit for the tree is already in, and it will have plain lights on.

"We will organise an event to switch on the lights in due course."

The 'Tree For Harefield' Camapign has received backing from several in the village, with the Gazette inundated with e-mails and coupons after we asked villagers for their support.

THIS mock-up picture shows how Harefield's war memorial could look- if a bid to get it lit up is successful.

A horrific bottle attack in early October at the war memorial prompted calls for changes, to prevent the site becoming a magnet for yobs to gather and intimidate.

Police have so far met a dead end with enquiries, but an investigation is still ongoing.
The Harefield Tenants and Residents Association have since submitted a letter to Hillingdon Council, asking if the memorial could be lit up at night.

Pauline Crawley, chair of HATRA, said: "It would make it look important, we could also put a little fence around the base to stop people sitting on it.

"The effects would be two-fold, we want the younger generation to grow up respecting it.
"There are a lot of young children in the village and they are the future, and the chance to educate them about what the war memorial stands for is not one to be missed."

The memorial, in tribute to 'the glorious dead' stands as a poignant tribute to all those who gave their lives for their country during the world wars.

Police are re-issuing calls for information on the attack which they described as 'cowardly' and took place on Friday October 2 at 11.50pm.

Anyone with information should call Hillingdon CID on 0208 246 9316.

Harefield Councillor Henry Higgins, who has agreed to fund the tree out of the village's ward budget, has said the project is 'moving along nicely.'

"Although it is not like me just writing a cheque, it has to go through processes and be signed off by different people.

"But it will happen, as far as the height of the tree goes, we will push it to the limits of what we can get, it is important for the village, I've gone for one that will have a permanent fitting."

However, health and safety rules may mean the tree will go up without lights this year, but Councillor Higgins insists it is better than not having one at all, and has not ruled out having it lit up in future years.

The campaign for the tree has also gained more backing from the village, as the prospect of a Harefield Christmas tree has gripped the village in festive spirit.

Carol Patel, of St Mary's Road, said: "I wholeheartedly support having a Christmas tree in Harefield Village.

"My children have grown up but it would still be great to see one up. I have lived in Harefield for 3 and a half years. Let's do it."

Paul Stone, Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator said: "I think its a good idea, the baskets went up without a problem, a Christmas tree would be good."

Show your support by e-mailing dancoombs@trinitysouth.co.uk or filling out a coupon to send to the Gazette.

Rumours had been abound that plans were being made behind the scenes for part of the hospital to become a base for soldiers returning injured from war.

However, a spokesperson from the Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We can categorically state that there have been absolutely no discussions at any point about turning Harefield Hospital into a military hospital in 2012."

Harefield Hospital, in Hill End Road, is forever entwined with military history, and indeed may never have existed had it not been for the need to set up medical support for injured ANZAC soldiers during the First World War.

It can be viewed on the following link http://www.hillingdonnhw.co.uk/

The wheels are already in motion for the festive treat, and it has already secured the backing of several Harefield villagers.

Harefield Councillor Henry Higgins has already pledged his support and says he is the man who can help make it happen.

Speaking to the Gazette last week he said: "Let's do it, its a good idea, it should not be too much of a problem to get a tree, we just have to look at how to decorate it."

Funding for the tree would be available through Harefield's new annual ward budget, which funded the hanging baskets in the High Street.

The plan has also backing the support of the Harefield Academy, based in Northwood Way, Harefield, with senior teaching staff discussing the plan and offering support.

Pauline Crawley, chair of the Harefield Tenants and Residents Association, said: "It would be a lovely idea, we have discussed it in previous years but nothing was done about it.

"Obviously we would not want it to be vandalised so it should be sited in view of CCTV cameras."

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Councillor Higgins added that he was looking into securing a permanent fixture to hold the tree, meaning it would not just be a one off, but could be re-introduced every Christmas.

Atul Sodha, who runs Londis, in Moorhall Road, Harefield, said: "I think it is a brilliant idea, I'm up for it we need to get as much support for the idea as possible.

"In truth I'd like to see two trees, one in the south of the village as well, I don't know how possible that would be."

The biggest threat to the tree going up would be in the form of Health and Safety 'Grinches' who may scupper the plans if any lighting is deemed to be unsafe, but inventive ways of decorating the tree are being looked into.

To show your support for the campaign leave your messages below.

In the attack- opposite The Harefield pub,in High Street, Harefield, a man in his 30s suffered head injuries and cuts and bruises to his face and is believed to have been hit with a metallic object.

During the incident a woman appeared at the scene, grabbing one of the suspects and tried to get him to stop the confrontation, and police are very keen to trace her.

It is believed the suspects were seen at the Princes Lodge car park later that night.
The suspects are both white, and the first aged between 20 and 30, six foot, and was wearing a black top and blue jeans.

The second, who hit the man with a weapon, is estimated to be aged between 18 and 25, five foot 10 inches tall, and was wearing a white shirt.

The witness the police are keen to trace is described as white, five foot six with shoulder length brown hair.

DC Adrian Back, said: "This was an unprovoked attack on the victim who had been walking in the area of Harefield High Street.

"At the time of the attack there would have been drivers in the vicinity, busy local public houses and many pedestrians in the main thoroughfare.

"In particular we would like to speak to the female who appeared to be the peacemaker just before the attack.

"It may have appeared to some people that they were witnessing a domestic argument between a man and a woman.

"This assault has left the victim badly shaken and he is still recovering from his injuries."
Anyone with information should call Hillingdon CID on 020 8246 1447 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Antony Hawkins, 33, of Barden Close, Harefield, appeared before Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Monday.

He has been released on bail, and is scheduled to appear before Isleworth Crown Court next Tuesday (10/11) for a preliminary hearing.

Hillingdon Council approved the plans to build the sites at Mount Pleasant, Ash Grove, and Taylors Meadow.

The areas are part of a £1.2 million investment programme in facilities in Hillingdon over the next two years.