Summer 2017 ABOUT ATFORD

Changes to garden waste collection service - p6

More things to do in our wonderful parks - p12 Imagine bigger and better - p8 It’s hard to believe I’m now entering my final year as Watford’s Mayor! After sixteen years in the job I’ll be handing over the baton to a new Mayor next May. Our town has come a long way since 2002, and there have certainly been plenty of changes. When I first became Mayor you told me that the town was looking run-down, that our leisure centres weren’t up to standard, that the top of the town was unwelcoming for families, and that the council wasn’t performing well - especially when it came to handling the town’s finances. So my team and I set about trying to fix these issues and make Watford a well-managed town, with first class public services, a safe, pleasant and thriving town centre and a family-friendly atmosphere. Baroness Dorothy Fifteen years on and I’m proud that we’ve got two first class leisure centres with Thornhill MBE activities for all ages and abilities, award-winning parks, a thriving High Street with lots Elected Mayor of of exciting shops and restaurants to come, and an exciting programme of big events Watford through the year. This summer’s Big Events series is set to be bigger and better than ever. The first is watford.gov.uk/ Imagine Watford, our popular outdoor arts festival which transforms our town centre electedmayor into an open-air theatre between 24 June and 2 July. Do come along and enjoy a packed programme of exciting street theatre, dance and music, arranged by the Palace Theatre. Find out more on page 8, and for a full list of performances, visit imaginewatford.co.uk Later in the year we’ll see the return of ‘Big Screen on the Beach’, and a fantastic weekend programme of music at our wonderful refurbished bandstand, ‘Big JiveSwing Festival’ – one of the largest jazz festivals in the UK, and lots more. Page 8 has more information, or visit watfordbigevents.co.uk There’s more exciting news this summer - Park’s new paddling pools are opening on 1 July along with a new café - ‘Daisy’s in the Park’ - and new changing rooms. We’re launching a brilliant new adventurous play area at Harwoods Rec too – with zip wires, towers, bridges and a climbing wall! You’ll find out more on page 11. I hope you’re able to get outside and enjoy everything Watford has to offer this summer – and as ever if you’ve got an opinion about Watford I want to know! Over the years we’ve had many suggestions from residents and we have always turned the best ideas into a reality. From new sports pitches to our annual Audentior Awards, residents’ suggestions have made a lasting impact on the life of the town. So if you’ve got an idea make sure you share it with me and my team. What would you like to see more of in the town? What should we be doing differently? What would you do if you were Mayor for the day? I’d love to hear your suggestions. You can find me on facebook and twitter (@mayordorothy), email me [email protected] or give my office a call on01923 278571. Best wishes

Cover image - Dave Parker

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2 About Watford Summer 2017 ABOUT ATFORD

Features

Improvements to reception area - Making things easier for our residents 4 A Pioneer Town - for the Internet of Things 5 Clean and green - Help us keep our borough tidy 5 Green bin collection service - Changes to be introduced 6 Big Events - Our exciting programme of entertainment continues 8 Summer fun for young people - Wats On activities programme 10 Get fit this summer - with Watford Get Active 10 Adventurous Play - Harwoods opening soon 11 Enjoy Watford’s wonderful parks - Check out what’s on offer throughout the borough 12 Watford - our very own mini Hollywood - Filming locations in the borough 14 Watford Riverwell - A new name for a new community 16 Little Cassiobury - Major renovation project announced 17 Neighbourhood Locality Funds - relaunched 19 Modular homes - A revolutionary approach to new housing 19 What’s on! 20 Local Heroes - Audentior Awards 2017 22 Your councillors 23

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watford.gov.uk 3 Improving our reception for residents We have given our customer service area a new look, and improved the way we engage with residents.

Think back to the last time you were at the Town Hall, waiting in a queue at the large reception desk. We’ve now replaced this with a compact ‘pod’ which has provided a lot more space in our reception area for meetings, transactions and help needed by our residents.

Many of our services are available to book, pay for or report online and residents are being encouraged to contact us from anywhere at anytime, on a suitable PC, tablet or phone. This means we can deal with your questions, applications and issues more Our online services include: Our new ‘QMatic’ system is working quickly and efficiently. However, applying for parking permits, really well for those who do come we understand that not everyone changing your address and to see us face to face. Waiting has online access, and we are able contact details, reporting missed times have dropped considerably, to help you when you visit our bins, and much more. The number making the overall experience of Town Hall reception during normal of our residents contacting us visiting the town hall reception office hours through our ‘meet and this way is increasing. We’ve now much better for everyone. greet’ experts, and the provision of made it possible for you to pay new tablets. for your council tax online too, Visit watford.gov.uk for all the and you can sign up to paperless ways to pay for it, report it, apply Some of the new facilities we have billing at the same time. for it and book it. introduced are: • New tablet devices for people to Direct Debit – a simple and convenient way to pay apply, book or report information themselves l Pay your Council Tax and Business Rates by Direct Debit • New self-help telephone area l It’s secure, hassle free and an inexpensive payment option so that you can contact the l Payment dates include 1st, 15th and 25th of the month department you need directly • New reception pod where you watford.gov.uk/directdebit can speak to our ‘meet and greet’ expert if you need to.

4 About Watford Summer 2017 Watford is a Pioneer Town for the Internet of Things The Internet of Things (IoT) is about connecting devices over a wireless network and letting them talk to us, applications and each other.

We’re exploring ways we can benefit from IoT to gateways to provide low range wide area network be more efficient, help our residents and business (LoRaWAN) coverage across the whole borough and customers and save time and money. Examples with our partner, Digital Catapult, a government- you may already be benefiting from are home backed organisation which support and enable heating and energy smart meters. digital innovation, we are providing a free resource for two years to enable local businesses to explore But IoT is more than just smart homes and and test out digital ideas to improve productivity and appliances, it can create entire smart cities – think competitiveness. of connected traffic signals that monitor traffic flow, or smart bins which tell us when they need The potential is endless, and could be hugely beneficial to be emptied. To enable ourselves and our local in terms of increasing efficiency, cutting down costs and businesses to benefit from IoT we have set up four raising revenue for the council and our community. Help us keep our borough clean and green It’s a wonderful time of year to get out and about into our parks and open spaces Having a picnic in the park is a clean and safe – and can benefit Primary School, who are taking great way to enjoy the sunshine other people and the environment. responsibility for helping to keep with family and friends. our borough clean and green. You can take unwanted items to a Don’t forget to clear up your litter local recycling centre or arrange Report it when you’ve finished and help for our partner, Veolia, to collect If you see dumped rubbish, keep our fantastic parks clean and bulky waste from your home. litter or dog fouling please take green. There are litter bins in our There is a fee for this but it’s easy responsibility and report it on parks, but please take recycling to book. Visit watford.gov.uk for our website, we’ll sort it out with home with you to add to your own more information or call Veolia on the help of our partner Veolia. recycling bin. 020 3567 6900 to book. Visit watford.gov.uk then click on ‘Report it’ Be responsible for your waste Alternatively, advertise your Putting sacks of rubbish next to unwanted items on websites like your bin at the kerbside, or leaving freecycle.com or contact local unwanted items like old TVs on the charities who may be interested. street in case other people might want them is fly-tipping and could For more information on fly-tipping, result in you receiving a fixed visit our website and watch our penalty notice. video watford.gov.uk/flytipping

There are better ways of getting rid Our video was made with the of your unwanted items that are help of children from Central

watford.gov.uk 5 Changes to our green bin collection service

New service charges for additional green bins – please pay by 14 July.

Like all local councils, we need As a result, we to manage our budgets very will continue carefully over the next few to collect ONE In order years. This is because central green bin (for government has cut the money your food and to receive the full it once gave us to help provide garden waste collection service local services, and we will have combined) at £3m less to spend by 2020. We no extra charge, for the year, please need to find new ways to raise but introduce an register online and the revenue needed to provide annual fee for pay by 14 July. vital local services. residents who wish to have To help fill this budget gap, many more than one councils now charge residents for green bin for their all their garden waste collections. garden waste. If you currently have more than Following a consultation last year, one green bin and don’t want to where we asked if you would pay Each additional green bin (up to a pay the charge that won’t be a for additional bins for your garden maximum of six additional bins) problem, but our partner, Veolia, waste, there was sufficient support will be charged at £35* per year will only collect one green bin for us to go ahead with this to collect – this is just under 70p a from your property from 1 August. alternative service. week for each additional bin. Additional garden waste can be

1 bin for Up to 6 food and additional garden bins for waste - garden FREE waste only - £35* per year, per bin

* Benefits related discounts available. Please see website for more details 6 About Watford Summer 2017 taken to your local recycling than driving it to a local recycling centre, or composted, along centre yourself.” with food waste such as We will no vegetable peelings, tea bags longer be emptying Visit watford.gov.uk/ and egg shells, in your home additional green bins additionalgreenbins to find out compost. for free from about the service and how to pay, 1 August. as well as information on how to We are writing to everyone who compost your garden and food currently has more than one waste. green bin to explain our new service in detail and what you households will still have one need to do. We will also put more green bin collected at no extra information on our website. charge. This means there is no change to the service for the Cllr Peter Taylor, Portfolio Holder vast majority of residents, which for Community and Environmental is good news. To have your Services says: “Whilst the council additional unwanted garden waste is facing difficult decisions on collected from your home for just how we spend our budget, we 70p a week is great value and have made sure that Watford more environmentally friendly Love Food Hate Waste More leftover food recycled thanks to you and your food caddy.

Our recycling rates are up thanks will help the environment and save to your efforts to put more of you money too! your kitchen and garden waste into your green bin. This not only Kitchen caddies and increases the amount of green biodegradable food waste liners waste collected, it also means less were delivered to all houses rubbish is sent to landfill which in the borough last November is great for the environment and Sadly, it’s a myth that food waste to encourage more food to be helps us save money. breaks down harmlessly in landfill recycled. Use the caddies to store - it creates methane, a harmful leftover food waste, then tip the A massive 679 tonnes of green greenhouse gas. To prevent this, whole lot, liner and all, into your waste were collected from Watford any food waste you put in your green bin to be taken away. You homes in February and March green bin we recycle into compost. can purchase replacement liners this year – that’s nearly one third from the council (Town Hall and more than the same time last year. For ideas on how to cut Wiggenhall Depot) - just £2.50 We think our new kitchen caddies down your food waste visit for a roll of 50. Most have been a real game changer lovefoodhatewaste.com You’ll supermarkets stock in improving how much Watford find great tips on planning meals them too, but please recycles overall. So thank you and and using up leftovers so that you make sure they display keep up the good work. don’t have to throw away food. It the seedling logo.

watford.gov.uk 7 Fantastic Programme of Big Events to entertain the whole family over the summer

With summer well and truly upon us, there’s so much to look forward to in and around Watford over the coming months. Here are a few ideas to whet your appetite and get you out and about this sunny season.

Imagine Festival - 24 June to 2 July We’re kicking off the festivities with our fantastic show stopper

Now in its seventh year, much-loved outdoor arts festival Imagine Watford, will return to our High Street from 24 June to 2 July and will bring the streets to life with amazing theatre, circus and dance performances, free for all the family.

You can expect random encounters with quirky theatrical characters, acrobats flying through the air, beautiful contemporary dance, a roaming New Orleans brass band, a mysterious smoking man, fantastical mechanical structures, a massive game of bingo, an exciting aerial circus spectacular and much more! Visit the website for full programme details: imaginewatford.co.uk Volunteering for the festival is a brilliant way to be part of the action, support the arts, meet new friends and gain The Festival is programmed by Watford Palace Theatre and new skills. funded by Watford Borough Council and Arts Council England. Big Screen on the Beach - 28 July to 28 August Silver screen, sunshine, Sea Breeze and sand castles – something for everyone!

Get ready for a summer of fun on the beach. Enjoy sunny days while the kids build sandcastles, or leisurely evenings with a cocktail or two at our outdoor cinema and real beach on The Parade by the pond.

Relax while you watch Oscar nominated movies including La La Land, Lion, Beauty and the Beast, Kong: Skull Island, Sully and lots more. There’ll be plenty of your favourite classics too for you and the kids with Sister Act, Harry Potter, Back to the Future, Hairspray and Aladdin. Great food, drinks for all ages, and lots to do – fairground rides, table tennis and more.

And this year you’ll be able to enjoy a Sea Breeze or a Tequila Sunrise on the beach at our cocktail evening – just for the grown ups!

8 About Watford Summer 2017 New to our Big Events programme this year: Big Bandstand - every Sunday until 24 Sept, 2-4pm A jam-packed summer season of free live shows at

Now that our bandstand is back in Cassiobury Park, where it was opened more than 100 years ago, we’re celebrating with a season of great music every Sunday afternoon right through to 24 September.

We’ll have everything from jazz to ukulele pouring out of the bandstand for park visitors this summer. The Voyageurs Ambassadors of Music USA will play a series of lunchtime and afternoon concerts throughout June and Bring a picnic or just soak up the sounds while enjoying July. the park in all its glory.

Big JiveSwing Festival - Sunday 30 July, 1-6pm One of the UK’s largest jazz festivals returns to Cassiobury Park

The Big JiveSwing Festival is one of the UK’s largest free jazz festivals, featuring some of the best internationally acclaimed musicians, bands, orchestras and dancers. It’s a great family day out, with live cabaret, dance classes for children and adults and a vintage photo booth. It’s returning to the area around Cassiobury Park’s bandstand this year on Sunday 30 July from 1pm to 6pm. Refreshments are available to purchase within the park, but you’re welcome to bring your own picnic, seats and blankets too. And there’s more... Big Sports Day Big Skate Saturday 9 September 25 November to 14 January 2018

A great day of sporting activities for all to enjoy in the High Open every day except Street. Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, our outdoor ice rink returns to The Parade for the festive season, featuring viewing area and bar, serving festive food and drinks for all ages. A host of twinkling Big Fireworks Christmas trees and Saturday 4 November fairy lights will bring the festive spirit to life for Fantastic, renowned fireworks display – not to be missed – skaters and those who returns to Cassiobury Park. prefer just to watch.

For more information on all Big Events programmes, opening times, how to book and more visit watfordbigevents.co.uk

watford.gov.uk 9 Wats On activities programme Great activities to keep young people happy over the summer holidays

Our great Wats On activities We’ll be providing all the giving about 15 minutes to sign in programme is back for favourites again this summer as before activities get going, so best the summer. Five weeks of well as adding more. These fun to be on time to get the most out nothing but fun, adventurous, activities will be held all over of each activity. challenging, and exhilarating Watford, in our parks, open spaces activities to keep young people and indoor locations too. Keep an eye on watford.gov.uk/ smiling throughout the summer play for everything you need to – from 31 July to 2 September. Staff will supervise children and know including the programme of young people while they are summer activities. The Wats On activities programme participating in the activities, but for five to 15-year-olds launched at please remember that anyone Easter and our young attendees taking part in the activities cannot couldn’t stop raving about the be prevented from coming and wonderful activities which going as they please. All sessions included: Nerf battle zone, multi are free and participants or their sports, filmmaker workshop, parents/carers must sign in the football, inflatables, tree climbing/ children at each session they rope play, dance, scavenger hunt/ attend. Registration takes place nature walk. at the beginning of each session,

Get fit this summer with Watford Being active and having fun isn’t just for the kids, it’s great for grown-ups too! Check out the Watford Get Active circuit, basketball, walking football Watford Get Active is funded website watfordgetactive.co.uk and lots more. Based at locations all by Sport England and delivered to find out all the different ways over Watford at a variety of times, by Watford Borough Council, in you can get active this summer. including evenings, to suit people’s partnership with local businesses, busy lives. national governing bodies of The Get Active programme sport, community groups, social has some fantastic energetic The fun certainly doesn’t stop organisations and volunteer and sociable activities such as there, free gym and swim is back champions. badminton, women only swimming, this summer for under 19s. Terms open skate club, men’s fitness and conditions apply so make sure Encouraging participation in sport you check watfordgetactive.co.uk and physical activity in Watford has for all the info you need. been boosted by a £120,000 grant to the county from Sport England. Watford Get Active is a project to get more people in the borough For more information about active. So if you’re looking to get events, play activities and things back into sport, to get fit or just try to do in the borough why not something new we have the right register for our e-newsletter at activity for you. watford.gov.uk/newsletter

10 About Watford Summer 2017 Harwoods Adventurous Playground: Opening soon

Watford’s state-of-the-art Harwoods Adventurous Playground is opening soon and we want all our young people to enjoy it.

The exciting structure contains (PiPA) to ensure it can be enjoyed The development has been a double zip wire, play tower by children of all abilities. funded as part of our £1.4m with mid-air tunnel, slide, bridge investment in contemporary and climbing wall. The tower – This amazing state-of the-the-art play accessed via a wibbly wobbly adventurous structures for the Harebreaks and bridge – has special panels to playground will Harwoods recreation grounds. reflect light in different colours. Other equipment generates provide hours of Harebreaks Adventurous music and sounds to create fun adventurous Playground opened in February a sensory experience that all play for five to and also has a new tower, climbing young people can enjoy. wall, mid-air netted area and slides. 15-year-olds.

The playground has been fully Cllr Karen Collett, Portfolio See watford.gov.uk/play for more assessed by Plan Inclusive Play Holder for Community details.

There are playgrounds for grown-ups too!

You’ll find outdoor gyms at Harwoods and Harebreaks recreation grounds. They’re easy to use and designed for people of all abilities, so when the kids are enjoying their new playgrounds why not enjoy outdoor exercise for free this summer? What’s more, there are plenty more outdoor gyms in our parks right across Watford, visit watford. gov.uk/outdoorgyms to find out if there’s one near you.

watford.gov.uk 11 More things to do in our new and improved parks

There are over 60 parks and open spaces in Watford, eight of which have the prestigious ‘Green Flag’ status. Here’s a snapshop of what you can expect to find.

Cassiobury Park “push buttons” and flat colours of the coat of arms of the surfaces make it easy for children Capel family – who once owned just got BETTER with disabilities to experience the the Cassiobury estate. It now looks fun with their friends. so good that it’s been shortlisted Watford’s Cassiobury Park is twice for the 2017 Horticulture Week the size of London’s Hyde Park and The nearby hub, a centre for the Custodian Awards’ Best Parks a £6.6m investment from Heritage whole community, has toilets Restoration/Development Project and Big Lottery Funds and Watford and changing rooms, including accolade. The bandstand now Borough Council will ensure Changing Places facilities for attracts musicians from across the there’s always something to see disabled users. There’s an onsite globe. and do at this historic beauty spot. café - Daisy’s in the Park - a The refurbished paddling pools community and exhibition room, The bandstand will play host to ‘Big and Cha Café, new Cassiobury education space and more. Bandstand’ performances every Park hub, and resplendent Sunday from 2-4pm until Sunday bandstand are among the park’s Big Bandstand returns to 24 September, as well as the Big many attractions. Cassiobury JiveSwing Festival from 1-6pm on We’ve put £150,000 into the Sunday 30 July. We’ll be marking Paddling paradise restoration of Watford’s bandstand the summer solstice on Wednesday Part of the investment, £2.8m, is and returned it to its original home 21 June, 6-8pm, with Make Music going into making Cassiobury in Cassiobury Park – where it first Day UK, where ska and mod covers Park’s paddling pools a paradise opened in 1912. band The Iconics will perform. See for children of all ages and abilities, page 9 for details. and the adjacent water play park The investment has seen the has 30 state-of-the-art splash pads, bandstand extensively refurbished Visit watfordbigevents.co.uk for water jets and fountains. The raised and repainted in the original programme details.

12 About Watford Summer 2017 Park North - latest plan Exciting plans for There’s still time to let us know what construction of a new pitch and you think. Please see our proposals changing facilities at Radlett Road Oxhey Park at watford.gov.uk/oxheyparknorth Playing Fields. and leave your feedback. We’ve got exciting new plans to The club moved from their original transform an area in the north of Anyone for base at Oxhey Park so that the Oxhey Park into a hub of sporting land could be used to build a and social activity (see above). tennis? new road, Thomas Sawyer Way, providing blue light access to We want the area to become a We’ve invested £225,000 in Watford General Hospital. family-focused centre for mountain upgrading all of our tennis courts – biking, BMX, skateboarding which are free for everyone to use. Gaelic football is an Irish team and play with a new café in the sport played between two teams park, community facilities and All the courts are being resurfaced, of 15 players, where teams score toilets. Our plans provide a great the lines remarked, nets replaced points by kicking or punching the opportunity to improve the River and, where required, we’re ball into their rival’s goals. To find Colne and open up walking and installing new fencing. The tennis out more visit glenrovers.co.uk cycling routes through the park courts are in Cassiobury Park, and wider river corridor. Playing Fields, Oxhey Grange Playing Fields We received a tremendous and Lea Farm Recreation Ground. amount of feedback from the local community on these plans The courts are for everyone, last year and based on your whether you play already, or you feedback as well as the wider just want to give it a go. You don’t community views, and taking into have to book – just turn up with a consideration opportunities at the racquet and tennis balls! site, we’ve made some changes to our original design. Find out more at watford.gov. uk/tenniscourts We’re continuing our plans for a new skate park, BMX track, café, Gaelic football community room and toilets – as they received a lot public support, club gets a new and we’ve added an accessible An U8s match between home Glen Rovers and St play area, mountain bike track, Colmcilles from St Albans, at the official outdoor table tennis tables, new Watford’s Glen Rovers now has a opening of the new Glen Rovers Gaelic Athletic park walkways and more green new home, thanks to investment Association (GAA) pitch. space and wildlife areas. in new facilities, which include the

watford.gov.uk 13 Our mini Hollywood If you thought you saw Darth Vader creeping about in Whippendell Woods, or David Brent shopping in the town centre you may not have been imagining it!

Hundreds of Hollywood great sites from Cassiobury Park Phantom Menace, The Infiltrator blockbusters, TV soaps, dramas to the town centre and we’re really and Bonded by Blood, Watford has and adverts have been filmed in welcoming. Around 50 productions made it to the big screen! Watford over the years. are filmed here every year. Take a look at the map to find Watford is a special place for filming: From EastEnders to recent police out which areas in Watford have it’s a great location, near to London drama, Unforgotten, TV adverts featured. It could be a street close and film studios such as the Elstree including Nationwide and Dominos to you. Studios in Borehamwood; has to blockbusters like Star Wars – The Did you know? BBC 3 series, Witless, Star of TV’s Breaking l Weddings in Albert Square are Bad, Bryan Cranston, was set on the Meriden often filmed in our Town Hall: shot scenes for the estate. The Badger Stacey and Bradley, Ian and Jane Pablo Escobar inspired pub featured u a prominently and Phil and Sharon film, The Infiltrator, in atford Birch Tree throughout. arr ro Walk in tudo l Adverts including Nationwide and

. Domino’s Pizza, E4 comedy series Drifters, Ricky Gervais’ film ‘David Brent: Life on the Road’ and ITV’s Off Their Rockers were all filmed in the town centre Scenes from Numerous TV The Phantom shows and adverts Menace were for companies, l Last summer Tracey Ullman filmed in atford filmed a sketch of a flooding aour uto including Whippendell ark Nationwide Bank house in the pond at the top of ow Wood. a and Domino’s the High Street for the Tracey atford t Pizza, have been tato Ullman Show on BBC 1 arag oad Eastenders tadu filmed on The wedding scenes, Parade in l BBC 3 series Witless was filmed including Ian and Watford Jane and Phil and town centre. on the Meriden estate, with The Sharon, were filmed Badger pub and shopping precinct at the Town Hall. featuring prominently in the series

14 About Watford Summer 2017 Creative England provides a location database, and your property could be just what filmmakers are looking for. That’s right, your property!

To register your property with Creative England please visit creativeengland.co.uk/ film-and-tv/filming-locations l Breaking Bad actor Bryan Creative England’s database Degree in Media Production, Cranston appeared in the film also includes local crew and accredited by University of The Infiltrator. Some scenes facilities. . For information on were shot in Birch Tree Walk and all their courses, how to apply, the house they used featured Registration is free, so whether and their open day on 17 June visit as an American style 1950s you are an experienced westherts.ac.uk property professional or new to the industry, an established business Keep your wits about you - you l The riot scene in Slough town or start-up company, register never know who you might bump centre for Sky One’s ‘You, Me on the database so productions into! and the Apocalypse’ was filmed filming in the area can find you. in our High Street. Over 200 cast and crew were on location If you’re interested in getting into (below) was for the comedy drama which the film or media industry then used for scenes in Star Wars featured Rob Lowe, Pauline look no further than West Herts Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Quirke and Paterson Joseph. College. They offer pathways in notably for the opening sequence The Tudor Arms pub also Film and TV for school leavers, on Naboo when Qui-Gon Jinn and appeared in a number of scenes. right through to a Foundation Obi-Wan Kenobi met Jar Jar Binks.

watford.gov.uk 15 Major Projects update Welcome to Watford Riverwell

Following the on-going clean-up of the area around the Watford Health Campus, the opening of the road to Watford Hospital and the completion of Trade City, we are now ready to deliver our first homes and create a new community and area for all of Watford to enjoy. We’ve also come up with a new name for the area – Watford Riverwell.

Artist’s impression of Watford Riverwell Why Watford Riverwell? plans and opening up space for of the Hospital Trust but our recreation and relaxation for the masterplan takes the Watford The new name reflects the whole community to enjoy. Hospital into account and will importance of the river that continue to support and facilitate runs through the site and is in What’s next? progress. keeping with the surrounding areas of Holywell and We’ve been working on a new Let’s talk Brightwell. masterplan for Watford Riverwell to make sure it’s a place that You’ll have the chance to review The river itself is being cleaned everyone can enjoy. our latest plans and talk to our up as part of the scheme’s team about the progress we are environmental improvements So whether you fancy a walk by making in July when we hold two and will become a key feature of the river, want to go shopping, community exhibitions. These the neighbourhood – providing need an office for work or have open events will take place at open and green spaces to local simply made it your home, Watford Football Club: 10am-2pm, residents and the wider Watford Watford Riverwell will be there to Saturday 8 July. 4-8pm, Tuesday community. welcome you. 11 July. We look forward to seeing you there. And the link to health has not been What about Watford Hospital? overlooked. The new name also West Hertfordshire Hospitals Sign up to our enewsletter and reflects the importance of putting NHS Trust has recently published we’ll let you know more about wellbeing and a healthy lifestyle proposals to forge ahead with our events and plans for Watford at the heart of the scheme, plans for Watford Hospital. These Riverwell as soon as we can – including supporting our hospital’s plans are the responsibility watford.gov.uk/newsletter

16 About Watford Summer 2017 Major Projects update A little TLC for our Little Cassiobury Little Cassiobury is a wonderful, Grade II* heritage-listed building we want to see brought back to life.

Little Cassiobury is owned by Savills has undertaken an work that will be required and we Hertfordshire County Council extensive survey of the building’s can now start planning how best and we’ve been working condition and drafted a to preserve Little Cassiobury for in partnership, alongside Conservation Management Plan, future use.” interested community members, funded by a Historic England grant to see what can be done with it. and some match funding from the Currently it is very run down, council. and we want to see it brought back into active use. Elected Mayor, Dorothy Thornhill toured the building in March, The compact red brick mansion said: “Little Cassiobury is an house was built in the late 17th iconic part of Watford’s history century as an addition to the and heritage. The survey was the Cassiobury Estate. first step in understanding the

Members of the Savills team took Elected Mayor, Dorothy Thornhill and council officers on a guided tour of Little Cassiobury in March

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As well as providing homes and services across COMMITTED Watford and Three Rivers, Watford Community Housing Trust is committed to building friendlier communities and improving people’s lives. LEARNING

Part-time courses starting all year round For more information, visit westherts.ac.uk

@watfordgateway www.wcht.org.uk /watfordcommunityhousingtrust

We Move Watford - volunteering excellent ad.indd 1 11/11/2016 12:09:11 Funding for your community We’re delighted to announce that we are relaunching our Neighbourhood Locality Funds.

These grants help grassroots l Social activities for the elderly benefit from the Neighbourhood groups deliver community events and vulnerable to stop them Locality Funds please talk to your and projects for the benefit of feeling isolated. local councillors.” our residents. Each of Watford’s 12 wards has £2,500 a year to Elected Mayor, Dorothy Thornhill For the full details, allocate small sums of money to said: “These small grants really do visit watford.gov.uk/ activities for local residents. go a long way – so if you know of neighbourhoodlocalityfunds a project or group which would The hundreds of items and events funded through the grants so far include: l Community clean up days and fun days l Tents, cooking and sports equipment for scouting and youth groups l Bulbs, shrubs, trees and benches for our parks, streets and open spaces

An exciting new approach to building new homes Demand for property in the borough increases every year and one of our top priorities is making sure there are quality, affordable homes for local people on low and middle incomes, as well as vital temporary accommodation. We’ve got big ideas.

We’re piloting an exciting scheme l Subject to the same planning to a very high standard. We’re to build new homes using considerations and building hoping to show just how well modular construction methods. control standards as modular construction could work Modern modular homes provide traditionally built homes. in Watford. good quality accommodation that can be tailored to the look and feel Offsite construction is generally If you’d like to keep up to date with of the neighbourhood. They are: less susceptible to weather delays our progress, why not sign up for and should mean less disruption, our enewsletters. Visit watford. l Built in sections in a factory and noise and mess for local residents. gov.uk/newsletter and subscribe then transported to the site, Most importantly, the finished to the topics of interest to you! where they can be installed in results look like traditionally days, ready to live in straight built homes and have a similar away expected lifespan. l Installed by professionals on pre-laid foundations to provide We’re starting small with a well-insulated and energy- development of just a few units efficient homes on one site and these will be built

watford.gov.uk 19 hat’s on in and around Watford

Art in the Park JUNE Cassiobury Park Saturday 24 June, 1-4pm The Pitman Painters Come and take part in lots of lovely arty activities. See a Monday 12 June to Saturday 17 June, 7.45pm recycled art exhibition by local school children and a land Pump House Theatre - £8 for everyone on Monday, £12 art installation by University of Hertfordshire graduate on Tuesday, £10.50 concessions Dominyka Baraukaite and lots more. No need to book, just From the writer of Billy Elliott comes this triumphant true drop in any time to this FREE event. Location Cassiobury story of hopes, dreams, determination and camaraderie as Park – visit watford.gov.uk/cassioburyevents for details. a group of ordinary British miners achieve extraordinary things. Discovering a new way to express themselves, they unexpectedly become art world sensations. Heralded in JULY London’s West End and on Broadway, this touching play is a heart-breaking, funny and inspirational story that takes Mister Maker & The Shapes Live! you on an unforgettable journey from the depths of the Saturday 1 July at 1.30pm and 4pm mine to the heights of fame. A humorous, deeply moving Watford Colosseum – prices: £16-17 look at art, class and politics. Performed by the Pump CBeebies’ Mister Maker is back by popular demand in his House Theatre Company. pumphouse.info smash hit live theatre tour! With a fabulous supporting cast and art at its heart, this fantastic live show encourages Imagine Watford Mini Makers and grown-ups to sing, dance and make some Saturday 24 June to Sunday 2 July noise! Book tickets online. watfordcolosseum.co.uk or call Various outdoor locations in Watford town centre 01923 571102. Imagine Watford transforms Watford town centre into a place of wonder and excitement with internationally The Wiz acclaimed theatre, circus and dance performance of the Tuesday 4 July to Saturday 8 July, 7.30pm. Saturday highest quality. Celebrate a high impact cultural festival matinee 2.30pm showcasing the best outdoor and site-specific artistic Pump House Theatre – prices vary talent. Free for all the family. imaginewatford.co.uk Many know the story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but in this new super soul musical version it’s a fantasy for today - mysterious, opulent and fanciful. A dream is conjured up by a space-age child with Dorothy’s adventures in the Land of Oz set to a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, gospel and soul. Performed by the Pump House Children & Youth Theatre. pumphouse.info

Abbots Langley Gilbert & Sullivan Society presents The Gondoliers Wednesday 5 July to Saturday 8 July – evenings Big Bandstand 7.30pm, Saturday matinee, 2.30pm Every Sunday until 24 September, 2-4pm Watford Palace Theatre – prices vary Cassiobury Park – all performances FREE The scene is Venice and the dashing and gallant Our historic 100-year-old bandstand is back in its gondoliers, the Palmieri brothers, adored by all the original home in Cassiobury Park. And we’re celebrating contadine, are ready to choose their brides and a double throughout the summer with bands playing at the wedding is planned. Meanwhile, the Duke of Plaza Toro bandstand every Sunday afternoon. What’s more, the arrives from Spain and informs his daughter, Casilda, that Voyageurs Ambassadors of Music USA will play a series of she was betrothed at birth to an incognito Prince. Who will lunchtime and afternoon concerts throughout June and win Casilda’s hand? Live orchestra. Book tickets online at July. Programme available at watfordbigevents.co.uk watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk or call 01923 225671.

20 About Watford Summer 2017 Moses Cook Walk Lost and Found Summer School for 11 to 15-year-olds Saturday 22 July, 2-4pm Monday 31 July to Friday 4 August, 10am-4pm Cassiobury Park – FREE, but booking essential Watford Palace Theatre - £95 per person; sibling Moses Cook, gardener to the king, laid out large parts discounts available of the grounds of the Cassiobury home of the Earls of There’s a found mobile phone, and a story to tell! A week- Essex. Part of their estate was bought by Watford Borough long exploration of drama, games, character development Council between 1908 and 1913 and became Cassiobury and theatre technology. Limited places – early booking Park. The manor was pulled down in 1927. Find out more recommended. To book phone 01923 225671. To learn on this informative walk. Book by email cassiobury@ more email [email protected] watford.gov.uk or phone 01923 278590.

Heritage Walk AUGUST Sunday 23 July, 11am-1pm Cassiobury Park – FREE, but booking essential Whippendell Wood Playdays – part of our Wats On Discover the history of Cassiobury and the lives of the activities programme Earls of Essex as you walk around Watford’s largest park, Every Tuesday from 1 August to 22 August, 2-4pm double the size of London’s Hyde Park. Book by email Join us to enjoy rope swings, campfire cooking and other [email protected] or phone 01923 278590. forest fun! Sessions for five to 15-year-olds, families can stay and play too. Park at the Grove Mill Lane car park in Big Screen on the Beach the woods and follow the signs. FREE, no need to book. Friday 28 July to Bank Holiday Visit watford.gov.uk/play for the full programme of Monday 28 August summer holiday activities. The Parade by the pond Returning for its second year, this Try Angling FREE month-long movies marathon Every Tuesday in August, 1-4pm will be a bustling hub for Watford’s Cassiobury Park – £2 families, residents, businesses Find us by the Iron Bridge Lock on the Grand Union and visitors. Watch blockbusters Canal to learn how to catch fish, identify what you and classics on our large outdoor have caught and put the fish back safely. We’ll be with cinema screen while enjoying our experts from the Watford Piscators Fishing Club. All real sand beach, a wide variety of equipment provided. Book your slot on the day. For more children’s activities, and evening information call 01923 278590 or email cassiobury@ events for the grown-ups. Movies watford.gov.uk include La La Land, Sing and Lion as well as old favourites: Sister Act Superheroes Summer School for seven to 11-year-olds and Back to the Future Part 2. Monday 7 August to Friday 11 August, 10am-4pm For the full programme visit Watford Palace Theatre - £95 per person; sibling watfordbigevents.co.uk discounts available Join theatre staff in creating stories for the mightiest Stand By Me: A celebration of Ben E King & The Drifters of superheroes. A fun week of smashing drama games, Friday 28 July at 7.30pm storytelling and puppets. Limited places – early booking Watford Colosseum – prices: £27.50-£28.50 recommended. To book call 01923 225671. To learn more Stand By Me celebrates the musical history of one of email [email protected] the biggest selling bands of all time. The successes, challenges, controversy and conflicts are told through Bat Walk anecdotes of former members on screen, alongside Friday 25 August at 7.45pm more than 50 hits from the last six decades, including Cassiobury Park – FREE, but booking essential Under the Boardwalk, Saturday Night at the Movies, Up See real bats and learn more about them during this on the Roof, On Broadway and many more. Book online fascinating nocturnal experience. To book call 01923 watfordcolosseum.co.uk or call 01923 571102. 278590 or email [email protected]

Big JiveSwing Festival Babe the Sheep Pig Sunday 30 July, 1-6pm Friday 25 August to Sunday 27 August, various times Cassiobury Park at the bandstand Watford Colosseum – prices vary The Big JiveSwing Festival is one of the UK’s largest FREE Meet the lovable Babe in a heart-warming tale of jazz festivals, featuring some of the best internationally friendship, adventure and bravery. When Babe arrives at acclaimed musicians, bands, orchestras and dancers in Hogget’s Farm he is taken in by the trusty sheep dog Fly the UK. It’s a great family day out, with live cabaret, dance and discovers a talent for herding. With the help of his classes for children and adults and a vintage photo booth. adopted mum, our polite piglet soon wins over the most Refreshments available to purchase in the park, but you suspicious of sheep. But can a small pig make it in a dog’s are welcome to bring your own picnic, seats and blankets. world, and when his farmyard friends are in trouble can Suitable for all ages. Find out more at watfordbigevents. Babe save the day? Book tickets at watfordcolosseum. co.uk co.uk or phone 01923 571102.

watford.gov.uk 21 Who are YOUR local heroes? Every day there are people achieving special things for Watford – now’s your chance to make sure they are recognised - nominate them for one of our Audentior Awards.

Nominations are open until work for the good of the community These are all about celebrating Thursday 6 July at watford.gov. by providing activities or services outstanding sporting uk/audentior2017. All winners for others, with an established track achievements in Watford – and runners up will be invited record of great work. particularly by young people. to a glittering awards ceremony at Watford Colosseum later this l Charitable Business Award l Special Achievement Award year. Can you recommend a local This award may be given business which actively for making an exceptional The categories are: supports the local community by contribution to the wellbeing of encouraging staff to volunteer the town. Who do you know who l The Mayor’s Award through an incentive scheme, deserves this award? Do you know someone who has gives staff time off to volunteer dedicated their life to their work or helps a local group or charity Elected Mayor, Dorothy (paid or voluntary) - a high profile financially? Thornhill, said: “Watford has person in the community who has countless people who regularly made changes for the good of l The Lewington Price Disability do wonderful things for the others? Award community – be it as a carer, This special award recognises volunteer, business person or l The Chairman’s Award for the efforts and achievements of neighbour. These people speak Volunteer of the Year individuals or groups who live with volumes for Watford and have Can you recommend a volunteer disability, and shops, businesses really put the town on the map. - someone who generously gives and service providers who provide Help us to say thank you by up their time and talents for the excellent disabled access. nominating a person or group benefit of the community? now.” l The Mayor’s Sporting l Charitable Group Award Achievement Awards To learn more, visit watford.gov. Help us celebrate the groups who (individual and group) uk/audentior

Elected Mayor, Dorothy Thornhill (front row, third left) with winners and nominees from last year’s event

22 About Watford Summer 2017 How your council lines up

In Watford we have an Elected Mayor, Dorothy Thornhill, who was re-elected for a four-year term in 2014. You can contact the Mayor if you wish to raise an issue with her directly.

Watford Borough is divided into 12 wards. Each ward has three councillors whom you Dorothy Thornhill elect to represent you for a four-year term. Councillors can be contacted on the phone Liberal Democrats numbers shown or by email and are there for you to discuss any issues or concerns you 01923 278371 have about your neighbourhood or the town. [email protected]

Callowland Central Holywell

Sohail Bashir Ahsan Khan Robbie Laird Stephen Aga Dychton Rabi Martins Nigel Bell Jackie Connal Matt (Lab) (Lab) (LD) Bolton (LD) (LD) (LD) (Lab) (Lab) Turmaine (Lab) 07769 355750 07956 666659 07548 158950 07504 824042 07936 404305 07904 857831 01923 256774 07812 362806 07411 153095 sohail.bashir@ ahsan.khan@ robbie.laird@ stephen. aga.dychton@ rabi.martins nigel.bell jackie.connal matt. watford.gov.uk watford.gov.uk watford.gov.uk bolton@ watford.gov.uk @watford. @watford. @watford. turmaine@ watford.gov.uk gov.uk gov.uk gov.uk watford.gov.uk

Leggatts Meriden Nascot NEWLY ELECTED

Bilqees Richard Smith Asif Khan Amanda Paddy Kent Kareen Jane Johnson Mark Hofman Mark Watkin Mauthoor (Lab) (Lab) Grimston (LD) (LD) Hastrick (LD) (LD) (LD) (LD) (Lab) 07976 350871 07931 529164 07702 815172 07952 251406 01923 682508 07815 419910 01923 239893 01923 255715 07958 566037 richard.smith@ asif.khan@ amanda. paddy.kent@ kareen.hastrick jane.johnson@ mark.hofman@ mark.watkin bilqees. watford.gov.uk watford.gov.uk grimston watford.gov.uk @watford. watford.gov.uk watford.gov.uk @watford. mauthoor@ @watford. gov.uk gov.uk watford.gov.uk gov.uk

Oxhey Park Stanborough NEWLY ELECTED NEWLY ELECTED

Maggie Parker Iain Sharpe Peter Taylor David Barks Peter Jeffree Nikki Steele Keith Crout Derek Scudder Tim Williams (LD) (LD) (LD) (LD) 01923 (LD) (LD) (LD) (LD) (LD) 07958 518838 01923 440426 01923 442589 288466 07854 842669 07989 905911 07972 912711 01923 492546 01923 519882 maggie. iain.sharpe peter.taylor david.barks@ peter.jeffree@ nikki.steele@ keith.crout@ derek.scudder tim.williams parker@ @watford. @watford. watford.gov.uk watford.gov.uk watford.gov.uk watford. @watford. @watford. watford.gov.uk gov.uk gov.uk gov.uk gov.uk gov.uk Tudor Vicarage Woodside

Stephen Joe Fahmy Darren Jagtar Singh Mo Mills Nasreen Shah Stephen Glen Saffery Karen Collett Johnson (LD) Walford (LD) Dhindsa (Lab) (Lab) (Lab) Cavinder (LD) (LD) (LD) (LD) 01923 888454 01923 336450 07803 610441 07956 212238 01923 253783 07941 306219 07939 218788 01923 661616 07910 391375 joe.fahmy@ darren. jagtar.dhindsa mo.mills@ nasreen.shah@ stephen. glen.saffery@ karen.collett stephen.johnson watford.gov.uk walford@ @watford. watford.gov.uk watford. cavinder watford.gov.uk @watford. @watford.gov.uk watford.gov.uk gov.uk gov.uk @watford. gov.uk gov.uk

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