Queen of Retail, Mary Portas went back to her home town Watford today (20 June) to celebrate the revival of the town centre, especially the renovated Parade and with a mission – to launch Watford’s Big Events.
The year-long entertainment programme that kicks off today of mainly free events features music, dance, theatre, sport, fashion, outdoor films animation and ice skating .
“Back in the old homeland!” said Mary, “ I have many childhood memories here, including morning discos at the age of 12 and accompanying my father to try on suits at the top of the town. High streets aren’t just about shopping, they’re about encouraging us to engage in where we live. We can never underestimate what the high street means to us. Watford is a vibrant, special town that will always mean so much.”
Celebrations later today include a special fireworks display and an art installation where plants are brought to life with live music, choreography, and theatre.
Check our What’s On section and July issue for updates on Big Events
Pic shows Bread and Goose Theatre Company performing The Eyes Have it , a brand new piece of work for the town centre commissioned by Watford Palace Theatre – a theatrical adventure in search of the things we miss when we blink
The average person blinks 15000 times a day – that’s over 6 days a year spent with your eyes shut. What if we could slow things down, stop blinking, and see everything, just for one day? How differently might we see the world?
This is a show about finding beauty in the small things, looking out for those instances of magic and reveling in what they have to offer. It’s a moment to stop and play in a busy world.
The Eyes Have It will be performed as part of Imagine Watford Fri 21 June at 7.25pm, and Sat 21 June at 1.25pm & 4.45pm. Free