Talk:Watford

Hosepipe ban

Is the passage referring to Watford as often having hosepipe bans due to droughts really necessary. Seems too topical, exaggerated and irrelevant.

Nightlife

Nightlife I dont know about the pissing in the pond section. Its not quite that bad.. theres quite a lot of police around most nights to ensure that doesnt really happen.

watford

Why is this place called watford and what is its origin

• Althougb the explanation of Watford's origin by 81.145.241.27 seems reasonable, this really needs to be referenced to a reliable source. Cheers •CHILLDOUBT• 21:06, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

Airport

Will anyone object to me changing this section because the airport is now leavesden studios and is not operational

People

Elton John was not born in Watford but Pinner in Middlesex 62.136.238.65 01:03, 15 February 2007 (UTC)

Kate Nash - all sources I can find point to Kate Nash being from Harrow (I'm not convinced working in Watford's River Island is enough for Watford satus). Does anyone have any different information? Will delete after a week unless someone can add a reference. Ceeess 10:11, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

Referencing

The Watford page is poorly referenced, with little or no links to source material to back it up. It could be greatly enhanced by using proper and accurate references for all the material. --Lobster blogster 00:43, 5 March 2007 (UTC)

The formatting is bad also. The infobox is using an obsolete model, and the lead section does not conform with WP:LEAD (it is too long and does not really sum up the article).

See the UK settlement style guide for the correct use of headings. Jhamez84 11:43, 15 March 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the tips here, Dr Finkbottle will follow this up at a later date. I am also aware that the borough arms were granted 16th October 1922 and are not as displayed here. --Dr Finkbottle 08:27, 22 March 2007 (UTC)

Picture

Does any one have a clearer picture of the Watford logo. This one really looks shoody, and I think either we should have a clearer one, or none at all. 24.68.249.197 20:52, 24 May 2007 (UTC)

Gallows

I just deleted the entry on Gallows the punk band. For three reasons: 1. They are not "A Notable Person" 2. The link was to Gallows rather than Gallows (band) [if that has been the only problem I would have just fixed it] and 3. The description was too subjective. Suggest that if the user is very keen they might want to add a specific section on Watford culture or similar.Ceeess 13:46, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

Pronunciation

The IPA pronunciation currently reads /ˈwɒtfəd/. I noticed there's no r in there, but the sound file sounds like the guy is saying -ford and not fod. Is this a typo? Or am I reading the IPA chart wrong? 69.20.226.218 (talk) 21:56, 8 October 2008 (UTC)

I think the sound file is wrong, and it should be an unaccented schwa, which could only have an r before a vowel. The articles on Guildford and Hereford agree, but Oxford doesn't. Kanguole (talk) 22:48, 8 October 2008 (UTC)

Name Origin

Am I right in believing the origin of our town name derives from an old land owner, Watter, of the ford approximately were Tesco Extra is today? The area was known as 'Watter's Ford' then became shortened to Wats-Ford and then ultimately to Watford. This story seems like it could be folk-lore although it does seem credible. I cannot find any online references, does anyone know of any evidence? George5210 (talk) 22:21, 8 December 2008 (UTC)

As the article says, it's one theory of many, according to the book cited. The ford would have been on Lower High Street, but the Colne used to have two streams there, and I'm not sure which one it was. Kanguole (talk) 12:55, 9 December 2008 (UTC)

North of Watford Gap

Is it just me, or is this section completely and utterly wrong? Aside from having no references to anything, the section goes on about the phrase being about north of the Town, but the phrase is correctly quoted as "North of Watford Gap", which indeed means the village area 50 or so miles north of Watford the town. Saying it is linked to Watford Gap is an understatement, as that is where the phrase originates from, not the other way round.

This can easily be proven by multiple references - both online and in physical form - and I am sure that anyone who actually went to school would also have been taught that this is the actual phrase. So, I'm guessing its ok for someone to rewrite this section so it is actually correct? swf blade_talk 16:00, 17 February 2011 (UTC)

Given the way you put the question I'd love to reply it is just you, but a search on google throws up 109000 references supporting Watford Gap as opposed to 148000 for Watford. The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable supports Watford (http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t214.e7617), as does Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable 16th ed. (ISBN 0304350966). So, it is correct and doesn't need someone to correct it. Bazj (talk) 14:36, 18 February 2011 (UTC)

At my age, I have to confess to living in London and having heard the phrase "north of Watford" before the M1 was built and and anyone had ever heard of Watford Gap Services. Emeraude (talk) 14:45, 18 February 2011 (UTC)

And for a reliable source, here's the Oxford English Dictionary: "Watford: The name of a town on the N.W. edge of the London conurbation, used with allusion to the view attributed to Londoners that north of the metropolis there is nothing of any significance to English national or cultural life." Emeraude (talk) 14:49, 18 February 2011 (UTC)

Which is pretty much the opposite of the description given in the article: in other words, the "North of Watford" allusion is used by those living North of London who regard Londoners as blinkered, and unable to see beyond their own borders and the edges of the Greater London "bubble". (e.g. "How would you know, you've never even been north of Watford!") 87.112.40.186 (talk) 19:49, 2 August 2011 (UTC)

The original Watford Gap can be traced back to the middle of the 18th century at the height of the popularity of Stage Coaches and is in Staffordshire close to Sutton Coldfield. It is adjacent to Watling Street, the present day A5 and is close to a major cross road between north-south and east-west routes.here it probably became known as the notional cross-over between the North and South of England. Later it appearred on OS maps so long predates the M1 Servicew Station and the town of Watford. Tmol42 (talk) 20:48, 2 August 2011 (UTC)