Over 300 guests gathered at the Sri Krishna Haveli for talks, storytelling, dinner and live music around the theme ‘All You Need Is Love’

Bhaktivedanta Manor was pleased to welcome more than 300 guests to Sri Krishna Haveli on Saturday 18 July, as it hosted the first-ever TEDxWatford.

TEDxWatford is an independently organised TEDx event, held under licence from TED. Across five hours, the Manor hosted a thoughtful evening of short talks, storytelling, dinner, live music and conversation.

The chosen theme, ‘All You Need Is Love’, felt especially meaningful at Bhaktivedanta Manor. The phrase is closely connected with George Harrison and The Beatles and George later gifted the Manor estate to ISKCON in 1973. It was fitting to welcome an event centred on love, service, connection and the ways people care for one another.

The evening brought together nine speakers, each looking at love through a different part of life: relationships, technology, health, sport, storytelling, family and spiritual practice.

Lawrence Rosenberg opened the talks by reflecting on genuine connection and the limits of transactional networking. Vrinda Kishori, Lali and Janaki shared the ancient story of Dhruva, reminding the audience of the value of stories, family and presence.

Tom Meyer spoke about artificial intelligence and the importance of protecting human attention and creativity. Harpreet Kaur reflected on where our understanding of love begins, especially in the relationship we have with ourselves.

Elliot Bird, Hannah and Jeffery shared how football can help young people move beyond labels and build self-belief. Dr Kapil Chawla spoke about the “disease of disconnection” and its effect on health. Giancarlo Gaglione showed how football can create space for honest conversations around mental wellbeing. Radhika Das closed the evening with mantra, reflection and live music.

As hosts, it was moving to see these conversations unfold in our own halls. Each talk approached the theme differently, but many returned to the same simple message: connection is built through how we listen, respond and show up for one another.

Joanna Conetao, who travelled from Milton Keynes said: “What really stayed with me was the variety of speakers and how each talk returned to the importance of genuine human connection. The story shared by Vrinda and her daughters was particularly moving, while the discussion around AI felt very relevant to the way we live now – it’s a timely reminder that technology should support our lives without taking away the presence, relationships and human connection that matter most.”

The evening reflected much of what Bhaktivedanta Manor has stood for over many years: reflection, learning, hospitality, spiritual culture and community.

Devotees from the School of Bhakti, KCSOCs and Pandava Sena were glad to host this first TEDxWatford gathering and look forward to welcoming more opportunities for people to come together in this spirit.