IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Town Hall, WATFORD, WD17 3HB

Watford Town Hall was completed in 1939 and incorporated the Town Hall Assembly Rooms. In 1995 the assembly rooms were renamed the Colosseum and the building can be seen here from across Rickmansworth Road. The grey brick and glass facade is part of an extension completed in 2011.

The Town Hall's foundation stone was laid in May 1938, and despite the start of the Second World War it was formally opened in January 1940, having cost about £186,000 to build. Watford Borough Council's website is here http://www.watford.gov.uk/ccm/portal/

This large pedestrian and cycle underpass beneath Rickmansworth Road passes between Hempstead Road and the Parade and High Street. The underpass emerges on the south side close to the Pond Image The building on the right is part of the Town Hall. The large building dominating the skyline is the YMCA building situated in Charter Place and housing a hostel and fitness centre. It was built, along with Charter Place in the early 1970s.

The snow has built up on the north side of the lamppost, the trees, the seats and the litter bin but not on the ground.

Looking northwest over The Pond towards the Town Hall (not in sight). The Pond, frequented by a heron which appears completely unfazed by the passing public, has been in existence, although with many transformations, for centuries.

A bandstand in Watford, Hertfordshire. The building in the background is Watford Library.

Watford's Public Library was opened on its present site in December 1928 after 17 years of planning at a cost of £20,000. It was opened by Lieut.-Col. J.M. Mitchell, Secretary of the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust (which contributed over £5,000 towards the cost) who remarked that "You have, on the whole, the best Library of its size in Britain," Today it offers, according to the notice to the left of the entrance, 'Free Internet, DVDs, Bestsellers, Music, Information, Newspapers, Magazines and Children's activities' - worthy literature is notable by its absence! The library houses a good reference section on the first floor with much information of interest to local historians and genealogists. The side wings were originally single storied, the upper storey on each side being added in the 1960s; they house temporary exhibitions and talks.

Watford Central Baths has finally been reduced to a heap of rubble. Watford Library can be seen behind the trees in the centre of the photograph and the building to the right of the trees is the Horns pub.

The demolition continues. The side walls are going and the trees flanking the north-east side of the building have been grubbed out. The blue pool cover, however, is still in place as is the PA system above it. Watford Borough Council plans to replace the building with a new leisure centre with a pool, gym and sports hall http://www.watford.gov.uk/ccm/content/leisure-and-community/leisure-centres-in-watford.en