the grand junction canal in 1798 and the london and birmingham railway in 1837 resulted in watford's rapid growth, with paper-making mills such as john dickinson at croxley, influencing the development of printing in the town. two brewers, benskins and sedgwicks, amalgamated and flourished in the town until their closure in the late 20th century. hertfordshire county council designates watford to be a major sub-regional centre. several head offices are based in watford. both the 2006 world golf championship and the 2013 bilderberg conference took place at the grove.