Rediscovering the River Colne

‘Tales of the River’ was a three-year project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and delivered in partnership with Watford Council, Groundwork and Museum of Watford. Our goal was to share the rich history of the River Colne and show how it has shaped Watford’s story for centuries, while also restoring the river corridor and promoting biodiversity.

By engaging with our community through a range of activities, we strengthened the links between the river’s natural and industrial heritage and the people of Watford.

We worked closely with the community to design engaging events and activities that reached individuals who may not normally engage with nature or heritage activities. Our programme included opportunities for individuals to develop their environmental skills and learnt about the river’s heritage.

Legacy of Tales of the River project

Listen to the ‘Tales of the River’ podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/1uJUIb3focpQc0Wnudu68s?si=6cb16879922a4ace

Watch our ‘Tales of the River’ video series - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNAChoZixns&list=PLvk4g0YbWnP9HUmJqdxo_tChGNUPhiN9c

Sculptures

Watford Borough Council, supported by Groundwork East and funded by the National Lottery, commissioned artist Tamara Froud of Mosaic Art Ltd. to create a series of sculptural artworks along the River Colne. The initiative celebrates the river’s distinctive chalk bed geology and rich natural heritage, drawing inspiration from residents’ reflections gathered during guided river walks that explored how the environment stimulates the senses. These shared reflections were shaped into a poem that introduced the concept of “Guardians of the River,” leading to an imaginative collaboration with pupils from Lanchester Primary School. From many creative entries, four guardian designs were selected and now watch over the sculptures beside the river.

Each sculpture tells a story:

• Smooth Chalk Flow honours the river’s chalk geology, with fossils etched into its surface. It is guarded by King Colne (Reza)
• The second sculpture features a dragonfly perched on rock, symbolising transformation and resilience. It is protected by The Water Fay and The Princess of Rivers (Nana), chosen for their artistry and depth.
• The Mossy Log, inspired by winter walks and moss-covered fallen trees, is guarded by Gary the Goblin (Fraser) and Hedgehog the Prickly (Dylan), whimsical characters celebrating the river’s magic.