Electric Umbrella represent 'the very best of' Watford
Did you see Electric Umbrella on Britain's Got Talent? I must admit to feeling quite emotional watching them entertaining the nation on prime-time TV. Electric Umbrella represent the very best of our town – talented, joyful and inclusive.
We are so fortunate to have groups like them making a real difference in our community. In the last few days, I joined the Colour of Generosity, a group of local school children and their families, as they donated over two tonnes of food to our local foodbank. Then I was able to join staff, volunteers and supporters of New Hope as they marked 35 years of making a positive difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness.
It is a real honour to represent our town and meet groups such as these.
I know that my role, and that of Watford Council, is to serve our residents and bring people together. The work we do was recently recognised when won the Council of the Year award.
You may have heard that change is coming to local government. District councils will be abolished and replaced by larger, unitary councils. In a few years' time there won't be a Watford Council or Elected Mayor of Watford.
My top priority is that Watford has a strong voice as we decide these new arrangements. Our town's identity and priorities are important, and they mustn't be lost in a new, larger unitary council.
It is so important that our community continues to be heard. That's why I'm standing in the county council elections on May 1. I want to make sure our local voice is represented as big decisions are made about our future.
I will continue to serve as Mayor until the new council is fully up and running. I know how important it is to keep focused on serving local residents during this period of change.
Peter Taylor is the elected mayor of Watford
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- 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
31-05-2025
- Yahoo
Britain's Got Talent fans have same verdict on Amanda Holden's finale outfit
The grand finale of Britain's Got Talent is currently in progress, but it appears that the audience's attention isn't on the performances. The search for the UK's next star to grace the Royal Variety stage will conclude tonight. Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and Bruno Tonioli will scrutinise the finalists in the 18th season's showpiece event, with Ant and Dec hosting the show. Ten acts will perform for the final time. The betting odds for the final have been disclosed, suggesting that Hear Me Out is likely to clinch the title in 2025. READ MORE: Britain's Got Talent fans all say the same thing minutes into the ITV finale READ MORE: Bruce Springsteen's Liverpool dream as he's hailed for 'life-saving' gesture on BBC show However, it's Amanda's ensemble that has viewers at home diverted from the finalist's performance. The 54-year-old is wearing a low-plunged dress with matching hair accessories. However, not everyone is in favour of the add-ons. Leigh said: 'Someone needs to tell Amanda she's left her hair clips in.' Victoria added: 'I think someone forgot to take out Amanda's hair pins.' Niall wrote: 'Why's Amanda Holden looking like she's wearing an electric shock cap on her head tonight?' Natasha added: 'Amanda needs to fire her stylist... Whatever she's got on her head does not look good.' In a separate comment, Pearl commented: 'Looks like there are claws on the back of Amanda holders head.' However, there were plenty of others on the other end of the argument, loving her look tonight. Rose said: 'Amanda dressed so classy.' Another account added: 'I feel like Amanda keeps proving people wrong.' Teena added: 'Amanda looks stunning tonight.' Amanda Holden, a judge since 2007, recently hit back at the recent Ofcom outfit complaints she's received regarding her clothing options. She told Closer Magazine: "What you see on TV, I really love. I'm always asked about the Ofcom complaints, but every outfit on the show is checked before I leave my dressing room, so I'm never worried. "I think people should have fun with fashion."
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Yahoo
'I faced Britain's Got Talent fix allegations but they're a big compliment'
BGT finalist Harry Moulding has hit back at claims his magic act is a fix after his act ended with an engagement. Jess joined the magician on stage for the final moment of his act and her boyfriend, also called Harry, then popped the question, "Will you marry me?" Moulding talks to Yahoo UK about how his upcoming show-stopping act that will upstage the engagement in the BGT final on Saturday, 31 May. About the 'fixed' allegations — if you want to call it that — first and foremost: thank you so much to everyone for giving their opinions. Just the simple fact that people have their own opinions of magic is great in itself. Ultimately, with magic, almost the biggest compliment to a magician is where someone doesn't know how they don't know how it's done! So often the only explanation for the method they can think of is, "Oh, well, it must be a fix, because if not, I just can't fathom how that would have happened." So just the fact that what's happening is amazing in itself. I was hoping to leave a bit of a talking point for people. Watch Harry Moulding pull off his magic act that ends in a wedding proposal Obviously, it wasn't a fix. Britain's Got Talent is one of the biggest shows in TV and it was absolutely genuine that Jess had no clue what was going to happen that night. No one was in on it. There was no actors. Jess wasn't in on it. The judges weren't in on it. It was real. The fact that people are talking about it. Always with good news, there's always bad but to me, it's not even bad news, it's more just the simple fact that it's got people thinking it's great. For me, the most important thing is entertainment. I just want people to have a good time when they watch me perform or watch any of the magic that I create. It's all about creating an experience with people. Whether it's to make them laugh, whether it's to make them feel moved, to feel amazed, that's what it's about. And if it fools them as well, that's a bonus. Saturday night was the biggest moment of my life and now hopefully for Jess and Harry, it'll be — fingers crossed — one of the biggest moments for them too as well. So to be able to make that happen in such a memorable way was just the biggest honour in the world. With it being live TV and with it being magic, there's so many things that can go wrong. If one element of that act didn't work, the whole payoff would have been ruined. It would have literally been game over. Thankfully, everything just fell into place perfectly. All came together and made the most impossible magical result at the very, very end and I couldn't be happier. But the nerves leading up to it, in all honesty, that just helps build into the excitement and the buzz and it's just such a mix of emotions. It's the best feeling in the world. It doesn't feel real yet that I'm in the final. Last week has just been the most amazing whirlwind ever and the second I managed to find out I got through on Saturday. I was just straight into now trying to make the most of this week and prepare to make this Saturday the biggest performance of my life, so it's not all really sunk in just yet. I still can't believe it. I've been watching BGT since I was seven years old, right since the first series, Year after year, I've always dreamt of being able to get to where I am now, and now that it's actually happening, I can't quite believe it. That definitely overrides any sort of nerves, and it all just channels into such an energy of excitement that I've never been able to before. This is the best thing I've ever done in my life. This act, Saturday night, is genuinely going to be the biggest performance of my entire life. I'm putting everything into it. Hopefully, if everything goes to plan that I'm working on, if it all falls into place on the night, it's going to be the biggest thing that I've ever done before in my life. I'm literally going to be taking magic to the highest point that you could imagine. Wait and see. I can't wait to show you what I've got in store and I hope you enjoy it. Harry Moulding told his story to Lily Waddell. The Britain's Got Talent final airs from 7pm on Saturday on ITV1.
