Watford Borough Council has received a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to partner on a three-year project to bring the River Colne’s history to life and help resident’s shape its future.
‘Tales of the River’ will deliver a programme of events and activities with communities, local groups and schools, designed to strengthen links between the River Colne’s natural heritage. It will also provide an opportunity for those to learn about how the River Colne has shaped Watford’s history. In support of our ‘Rediscovering the River Colne’ project, it will tell the next chapter of the river’s story which comes at a pivotal time as our natural world faces ever-greater challenges from a volatile climate.
Special features will include a ‘Travelling Tales’ exhibition that will be transported around Watford. The exhibition has been designed to bring the heritage and ecological importance of the river to life through sight, sound, smell and touch. It will focus on specific aspects of the river’s history and explore links with the borough, such as: swimming in the lido, water mills, river wildlife, as well as water quality and flooding events.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “We are very pleased to be supported in this way by National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project will really boost the regeneration works we are carrying out on the river under our Rediscovering the River Colne project and help bring our unique river to life again for Watford residents and its wildlife.”
As part of the project two paid internships and volunteering opportunities will be provided giving local people the opportunity to start building green careers.
The project will culminate in a River Colne Festival to celebrate the project with the town’s residents.
Tales of the River launches early next year. To keep up to date on the Rediscovering the River Colne project including Tales of the River go to www.rivercolnewatford.co.uk
