I’ve lived in the heart of Watford since 2011. I settled here, having worked on the bins as a student to earn some cash in the 1990s. One of the reasons it’s now my home is the amazing community that we have here.

Over recent weeks, I’ve enjoyed the amazing fireworks at Cassiobury Park, once we’d all squelched through the mud! I attended a craft fair at the Meriden Community Centre, which showcased the talents of fellow residents in creating beautiful items and tasty jam.

The Navaratri celebrations at Watford Leisure Centre were a wonderful display of colour, music and dance and so too were the talented acts taking the stage at the Watford Celebration at the shopping centre last weekend.

Communities aren’t just about events. Charities undertake valuable work in many areas, especially Foodbanks and helping the homeless. Who, apart from the Home Secretary, thinks living in a tent is a lifestyle choice?

I met with union officials at Asda in North Watford and heard of the work that is going on to get equal pay for its women workers. It is disappointing that despite Barbara Castle’s trailblazing Equal Pay Act in 1970, that the fight for equality must go on.

I’ve also lent a helping hand putting up poppies on lamp posts in Watford. You’ll have seen them, helping us to commemorate and honour those who have given their lives so that others may live, and that will be marked this weekend as part of the acts of Remembrance across Watford.

If you know of community events taking place that you would like to share with me, please get in touch and I’ll try my best to get along.

  • Matt Turmaine is Labour's Parliamentary candidate for Watford