Young Watford artists from Lanchester Primary School inspire new River Colne sculptures

As part of the Tales of the River project, Watford Borough Council, supported by Groundwork East and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, commissioned artist Tamara Froud of Mosaic Art Ltd. to create sculptural pieces along the River Colne.

This initiative celebrates the river’s unique chalk bed geology and rich natural heritage.

The sculptures were inspired by residents’ reflections during river walks, where they explored how the senses are stimulated by this environment. These reflections became a poem, which introduced the idea of “Guardians of the River.” This sparked an imaginative collaboration with pupils from Lanchester Primary School, who designed guardians that now watch over the sculptures. From many entries, four designs were chosen to feature on the artworks.

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.

In recognition of their creativity, the young artists received certificates presented by the Elected Mayor of Watford.

Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “I was proud to present Reza, Dylan, Fraser and Nana with a certificate in recognition of their outstanding design that has been selected as part of our River Colne project. Their creativity, thoughtfulness, and commitment to environmental design have made a meaningful contribution to shaping a space that celebrates nature, community, and sustainability. Well done!”

The new sculptures have been installed along the River Colne as part of the wider regeneration and environmental improvement works taking place across the river corridor, helping residents and visitors reconnect with one of Watford’s key natural assets.

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