Latest news with #WatfordBoroughCouncil
Telegraph
02-07-2025
- Telegraph
Christian artist reported to police over gender-critical views
A Christian artist was reported to the police and banned from her own exhibition because of her gender-critical beliefs. Victoria Culf also claims a council worker wrongly accused her of being under police investigation when she was not. Mrs Culf launched legal action against Watford borough council last year on nine grounds, including breach of contract, discrimination and harassment. The 44-year-old, who has been an artist for 20 years, had been setting up her independently funded exhibition at Watford Museum when she became engaged in a conversation with a council worker about transgender issues. While making a cup of tea, the council official revealed that her child was 'socially transitioning' and that they had tried to get puberty blockers from the Tavistock gender identity clinic. Mrs Culf claims to have politely said that owing to her Christian beliefs and her experience working with children and young people, she believed transitioning to be harmful. The artist claims to have also said the Tavistock clinic should be shut down, reasoning that 'children are too young to properly assess risk'. 'I wouldn't be being true to myself if I agreed with you,' she claims to have said. Harassment allegations While Mrs Culf believed the conversation to have ended 'calmly and amicably', she later received a call from the council informing her of 'harassment' allegations and decreeing that she must give 24 hours' notice before entering her exhibition. According to court documents, Mrs Culf's accuser wrote to Paul Stacey, the council's associate director of environment and communities, in the aftermath of the conversation, claiming the police had 'recorded it as an incident'. The police logbook, however, revealed that the police told her accuser they were not recording it as an incident or investigating it and described what she had said as 'free speech'. The council worker is said to have nevertheless emailed her boss at the council to say: 'The Hate Crime Officer called me. It has been logged as an incident.' The employee is also accused of inventing a crime number. The Christian Legal Centre, which is advising Mrs Culf, will argue that pressure from the council official and the council led to Mrs Culf being excluded from a community art project run by BEEE Creative, her artwork being damaged during the exhibition and ultimately the termination of her contract. Commenting on the latest disclosure of evidence, Mrs Culf said: 'I genuinely feared a knock at the door or a call asking me to explain myself, or worse. 'I now know this was a pack of lies, designed to intimidate me. It's deeply troubling that my accuser misled the council, and yet they were all too willing to go along with it without impartially investigating it for themselves.'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Live music returns to Cassiobury Park bandstand this summer
Live music will return to Cassiobury Park bandstand this summer, with the first event taking place this weekend on Sunday. The event, organised by Watford Borough Council, will see various bands and musicians perform free of charge for visitors to the park. The free concerts will take place every Sunday from 3pm to 5pm from June 15 to September 21. This will include a wide variety of music genres, including jazz, brass, swing, and soul. The line-up for summer 2025 includes the likes of Watford Brass Band and Night Train Band, as well as a special George Harrison tribute from The Apple Scruffs. The event will last from June 15 to September 21. (Image: Watford Borough Council) Watford mayor Peter Taylor said: "Live music returns to the Big Bandstand this summer in Cassiobury Park, showcasing incredible musical talent for all to enjoy. "Set in one of the UK's top green spaces, this popular event creates lasting memories for park visitors. "I encourage everyone to come along, bring a picnic, and enjoy these fantastic live performances." The Big Bandstand is part of the council's Big Events initiative, which organises outdoor events for the community. The schedule for this year includes the Watford Fringe, Big Screen, Big Beach, Colourscape, and Herts Pride. The first event takes place this weekend. (Image: Watford Borough Council) If you're a performer interested in being part of a future season, you can email cassiobury@ The full summer 2025 line-up for the Big Bandstand is as follows: June 15 – Stardust Big Band June 22 – The SJ Jazz 5 June 29 – Grimsdyke Brass Band July 6 – Welwyn Garden City Band July 13 – Night Train Band July 20 – Easy Street Band August 3 – Esta B & The Stings August 10 – Watford Brass Band August 31 – The Out of Handers September 7 – The Apple Scruffs – George Harrison Tribute September 14 – Trinity Swing Band September 21 – JazzTown For more information, visit
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Reopening date confirmed for Cassiobury paddling pools
Watford's popular Cassiobury Park paddling pools are set to reopen later this month, after a brief post-Easter hiatus. The Everyone Active-managed site has been shut since April 21, having opened for two weeks during the school holidays. Watford Borough Council has confirmed that the pools will be open to the public again from Saturday, May 24 - and will remain in use until September. In a social media post, the council explained that this seasonal schedule is based on the usage of the pools in recent years and is aimed at "making sure they're open when families enjoy them most". Cassiobury paddling pools. (Image: WBC) This year's Easter season brought changes that WBC says are designed to "improve the visitor experience". A 50/50 entry split has been reintroduced, meaning here will be 135 places per session available by the booking app ( and 135 walk-in spaces offered on a first come, first served basis each session. Session times have also been increased, with each one now lasting 90 minutes. The Cassiobury paddling pools, managed on behalf of WBC, welcomed 53,000 people last year along – highlighting its appeal as a top family destination, the council has said. Nestled within 190 acres of beautiful parkland, they boast three splashpads, exciting water jets, and fountains for children to enjoy during the warmer months.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Cassiobury paddling pools set to reopen - with new rules introduced
Watford's popular Cassiobury paddling pools are set to reopen this weekend with 'longer sessions and fairer access'. The Everyone Active-managed site has been shut since September but will welcome visitors back from Saturday, April 5, for the Easter holidays until Monday, April 21. It will then close temporarily before opening daily for the summer on Saturday, May 24, until September 7. Watford Borough Council says it has introduced 'important updates to improve the visitor experience', including the return of the 50/50 entry split. This means there will be 135 places per session available by the booking app and 135 walk-in spaces offered on a first come, first served basis each session. The council added: 'To ensure fairer access for all, families will only be able to book one session per day, helping to prevent sessions from being blocked out and allowing more people to enjoy the facility. 'Visitors who attend a pre-booked session are welcome to wait and join another session later in the day if space is available.' Responding to public feedback, session lengths have been increased, giving families more time to enjoy the water. The new 2025 session times are: 10:00 – 11:30 12:00 – 13:30 14:00 – 15:30 16:00 – 17:15 (75 mins) 17:45 – 19:00 (75 mins) (Image: WBC) WBC said it reserves the right to close the facility if temperatures drop below 15C or to ensure visitor comfort and safety. The Cassiobury paddling pools, managed on behalf of Watford Borough Council, welcomed 53,000 people last year along – highlighting its appeal as a top family destination, WBC said. Nestled within 190 acres of beautiful parkland, the Cassiobury Park Paddling Pools boast three splashpads, exciting water jets, and fountains for children to enjoy during the warmer months. It also includes two splash pools that allow children to control the water flow, creating an interactive and playful environment. Changing and toilet facilities are conveniently located nearby.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Where new parking restrictions are planned in and around Watford
New parking restrictions, including double yellow lines, are set to be introduced in several locations in and around Watford. Watford Borough Council has published details of the planned restrictions in the Public Notice Portal. This is used to access upcoming and recent information about various restrictions and applications. The portal has also been used by Herts County Council to give details of the latest planned road closures for roadworks. All temporary closures are valid for up to 18 months from the date they take effect, but the restrictions only apply at times shown on signs at or near the relevant locations. Here are five notices we've rounded up which could affect residents in and around Watford: Watford Council is intending to introduce 'no waiting at any time' restrictions at these locations: - On north side Middle Way from its junction Middle Ope - On west side of Gade Avenue on approach to the junction with Rickmansworth Road - On the west side of Sheepcot Lane, between property no. 88-92 - On Sheepcot Drive from its junction with Sheepcot Lane - On Munden Grove from its junction with Balmoral Road - On Hill Farm Close from its junction with Hill Farm Avenue - At the junction of Avon Close and Severn Way - Around the turning circle on Farmers Close - At the junction of the vehicular access into property no. 12-42 with Haines Way 'No loading at any time' restrictions are set to be introduced at these locations: - Around the turning circle outside the North Watford Cemetery Entrance (A41 North Western Avenue) - At the junction of Briar Road and North Approach Furthermore, a single yellow line 'No Waiting Monday - Friday, 8am - 6.30pm' restriction is planned to be introduced at Balmoral Road, between Sandown Road and Bradshaw Road. Anyone wishing to make representations in support or objection to the proposals must do so in writing to Justin Bloomfield, Parking Services Lead, Town Hall, Watford, Herts, WD17 3EX by Friday, March 14. Herts County Council is intending to make an order to close the following lengths of road, except for access, and to prohibit vehicles from waiting at any time on both sides of these lengths of roads whilst works are in progress: - Talbot Road, Rickmansworth from its junction with High Street south eastwards and south westwards for a distance of approximately 298m. - The road fronting Nos.9-15 The Gossamers, Watford from its junction with The Gossamers south eastwards for its entire length. - Felden Close, Watford from its junction with Garston Lane north eastwards and clockwise for its entire length. This order, if made, will come into force on March 10. The county council is intending to make an order to prohibit vehicles from using Radlett Road, Watford, from its junction with Queens Road north eastwards, south eastwards, north eastwards and north westwards to its junction with the Orphanage Road roundabout, a distance of approximately 504m. This is to allow sewer cleaning works to be carried out. If made, this order will come into force on March 10. An order is intended to be made to close the following lengths of road, except for access, and to prohibit all vehicles from waiting at any time on both sides of these lengths of roads whilst works are carried out: - High Street, Abbots Langley from its junction with Gallows Hill Lane north eastwards to its junction with Tibbs Hill Road, a distance of approximately 660m. - Long Lane, Heronsgate from its junction with Heronsgate Road south eastwards to its junction with the A412 Denham Way/M25 junction 17 roundabout, a distance of approximately 1365m. - A4145 Moor Lane, Moor Park from its junction with the A404 London Road roundabout north eastwards, south eastwards and north eastwards to its junction with A4145 Tolpits Lane, a distance of approximately 2230m. - White Hill, Rickmansworth from its junction with Northwood Road north eastwards to its junction with A404 London Road, a distance of approximately 1303m. This order, if made, will come into force on March 11. Herts County Council is intending to temporarily close Woodmere Avenue, Watford, from its junction with A41 North Western Avenue Colne Way south westwards to its junction with Douglas Avenue, a distance of approximately 79m. If made, this order will come into force on March 7 and it is needed to allow a utility pole to be replaced.
