£1,000,000 A distinguished and immaculately presented character residence, offering expansive and elegantly appointed living spaces. Nestled on Upper Heath Road, one of Bernard's Heath’s most prestigious and exclusive no-through roads, this exceptional home enjoys a tranquil setting with the added benefit of residents’ parking.
3 BEDROOM HOUSE TO LET IN RIVER HILL, FLAMSTEAD, HERTFORDSHIRE, AL3
NEWINSTRUCTION
£1,150 pcm (£265 pw)
NEWINSTRUCTION
1 BEDROOM APARTMENT TO LET IN PROSPECT ROAD, ST ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE, AL1
NEWINSTRUCTION
WANT AN INSTANT PROPERTY VALUATION?
Watch our short step-by-step guide to learn how it works and what to expect from your personalised property report.
1 BEDROOM APARTMENT TO LET IN HATFIELD ROAD, ST ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE, AL1 NEWINSTRUCTION
1 BEDROOM MAISONETTE TO LET IN LARKS RIDGE, WATFORD ROAD, ST ALBANS, AL2 £1,950
APARTMENT TO LET IN HATFIELD ROAD, ST ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE, AL1
NEWINSTRUCTION
RESIDENTIALBLOCK MANAGEMENT
LOOKING FOR A FRESH APPROACH? WE CAN HELP CLICKHERE £1,350 pcm (£312 pw)
1 BEDROOM APARTMENT TO LET IN ALMA ROAD, ST ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE, AL1
Editor’s Note
Although the summer holidays are just around the corner, things show no signs of slowing down on the news front, with plenty happening across the district over the weeks to come But that said, we’re also working on some less time-sensitive features to ensure there’s plenty for you to read if things do get a bit quiet It’s become increasingly apparent in the period the St Albans Times has been publishing that planning ahead for the holidays is just as crucial as reacting to what’s happening on a day-to-day basis, as it gives us a degree of breathing space to concentrate on breaking news stories It also allows us the rare opportunity to tease some of the stories which are coming up, something we don’t do enough of So over the summer watch out for a special preview of this year’s Harpenden panto complete with cast interviews, take a trip back in time to the St Albans of 1982 with rare photos from the time, find out the stories behind another of the district’s graveyards, catch-up with our local MPs for in-depth interviews on the first year of the Labour Government, and meet the Harpenden man who has made it his mission to record the fascinating lives of town residents whose stories might otherwise be forgotten And that’s just a selection of the articles we’re working on at the moment, so expect plenty of surprises in the weeks to come as well!
MATT ADAMS
Editor
Photo by Danny Loo
This beautiful sunset was captured by Dr Robert Wareing looking across from Bedmond Lane wildlife Meadow towards Windridge Farm Send your photos to editor@stalbanstimes co uk
Words chosen by Mimi’s classmates
‘We want to make St Albans
a hostile place to commit crime’
Summertime, and the thieving is easy
Open windows, unlocked cars, spare keys in reach of cloning devices, and a general lack of security are combining to create prime targets for burglars operating across the district
But Temporary Detective Inspector Solomon Beere is determined to use his brief tenure in charge of St Albans police to take a proactive, partnership approach to crime prevention
“The reality is that to solve all crimes you’d need to triple our numbers, so you have to think about where your resources are placed None of what we ’ re doing is groundbreaking, it’s all standardised police techniques, but the difference here is that we ’ re pulling everything all together until we ’ ve resolved the problem
“I’m very keen at solving problems, and I think I tackle police work by being creative I’ve been in the job for about 20 years now, and I know there are a range of tools we can use rather than just see a crime being committed and arrest someone
“In a perfect scenario you have a known suspect, you have a known OCG (Organised Criminal Gang), you have intel, targets, forensics, and you look at the evidence and just tackle it straight on But not all crime trends and problems present themselves like that, and this is the problem we ’ ve got in St Albans at the moment ”
He explained that as a wealthy area, it’s not unexpected that offenders travel to commit crime here, but unusually there is a randomness and unpredictability to what is happening in the district, with no obvious patterns to offences
This has meant a different policing strategy: “What we ’ re basically doing is increasing disruption, identifying problem areas and persons, and increasing detections through joint partnership working In fact, the way that the St Albans station is set up as one big office actually encourages us to all work together ”
Typically officers would turn up for work on a Monday morning, examine the crime stats and realise there are no lines of inquiry, but Solomon wants to turn these usual practices on their head.
“Firstly, I think the public need to know about the problems
Now there is a balance between worrying the public and informing the public, but I believe everyone ’ s reasonably resilient and needs to know the reality of the situation they live in.
“The reality is that you need to know how to protect yourself You're doing people an injustice by not informing them about problems, but there's got to be a balance between scaring people and allowing people to live their lives
Temporary Detective Inspector Solomon Beere.
“We’ve now got quite a decent analytics system in place that looks at all of our stats, so I can now identify hotspots, crime areas, and prolific offenders, and then sending out information to our neighbourhood policing team and changing the patrol plan so it’s not just going out and hopefully coming across a crime, it’s going to the hotspot areas
“A large amount of crime is people just trying car doors, so the best way to tackle that is for the police to have a go and letting the owner know if their car is unlocked, their valuables are on show, and it could have been a crime “It’s very hard to work out what crime prevention does, because when you patrol down a street you don’t know if you ’ ve prevented a burglary, it’d just be a case of seeing if the figures start dipping
“Obviously it's helpful to have police out in high hot spot areas with high-vis jackets, engaging with the community, as they feel looked after, but was can also help them prevent quite a lot of crime ”
Localised messages to small geographical areas are also distributed via the Herts Connected communication platform, telling residents if their street is vulnerable to a particular crime trend
“With regards to thefts of motor vehicles, things have changed quite a lot as a result of keyless cars and relay thefts, so we try to highlight what crime prevention measures owners can do
“Some people buy cheap Faraday bags where the key’s halfhanging out, or forget to put their second key in as well We encourage people to get a steering lock or parking restrictor, or even a ghost immobiliser, which I’m told offenders can’t get past
“Ultimately it’s very hard to absolutely ensure a car won’t be stolen, as thieves could just get a grabber and pick it up, but we want to make it harder than it needs to be.
“They’re now stealing vehicles to break apart, so it’s not just high-value cars, it’s very normal vehicles as well ”
Because of the random times and locations of these offences, Solomon believes criminals are proactively hunting for potential targets, which is why he has adopted this scattergun approach to policing
“We want criminals to realise it’s a no-go area across the whole district, because they never know where our officers will be patrolling, and it can change all the time
“It’s trying to be creative, but it’s also relying on the public, because everything we do starts with them – obviously we carry out patrols, but pretty much 98 per cent of our information comes from the public
“Trust your intuition – if someone looks dodgy, call it in People don’t want to bother us, so we need to see a behavioural change, and that’s part of the community engagement ”
One of the other key tools at their disposal is the use of ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras, including mobile devices moved around the district
“If you get a hit that a vehicle has no insurance, then you ’ re in, and all of a sudden you ’ ve go a name, identification, descriptions, CCTV
“There’s probably about five different routes that we think criminals are using to come in and out of St Albans, so we ’ re working with our countywide team that tackles high-level thefts and burglaries to determine the best locations for this to go.
“Criminals now have to realise that there’s uniformed officers everywhere, there’s people not in uniform, there’s cameras everywhere, and the district is going to be a hostile place to commit crime
“Eventually it’s going to settle in that the difference between you getting arrested and remanded, getting caught up in a police chase, or just having an unpleasant experience, is going to be pure random in St Albans.”
IN OTHER NEWS...
MPs' fears over Government potentially scrapping SEND plans
The MPs for St Albans and Harpenden have condemned rumours that the Labour Government could scrap vital support for the county's pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
12,920 children in Hertfordshire who have EHCPs (Education, Health and Care plans) are at risk of losing support, as it’s rumoured it could scrap EHCPs - a legally binding document that outlines a child or young person's special educational needs and the support they are entitled to receive
Of these, 6,348 pupils with EHCPs in Hertfordshire are in mainstream schools, and may be at particular risk of losing their rights to assessment and support under Labour’s rumoured plans
MPs Victoria Collins and Daisy Cooper are calling for young people and their families to have their legal rights protected after campaigning for SEND improvements for years
Victoria said: “The fact that 12,920 children in Hertfordshire are at risk of losing their SEND support is simply unacceptable Behind these numbers are real families who are being forced to fight for the basic services their children need to thrive in our schools.
“We cannot afford to make any more mistakes when it comes to supporting our most vulnerable young people
Daisy said: “Local SEND families will be incredibly worried by these rumours so the Government needs to urgently clarify what reforms it intends to bring forward and what impact they will have on children
“Local SEND families were let down for years by a Conservative Government that refused to reform the broken funding formula and by Conservatives in County Hall who sat on their hands, failed to deliver the special school places we need and received the worst possible Ofsted rating for their SEND services
“Just as Hertfordshire Lib Dems have made improving SEND services a top priority, so too should this Labour Government - and that starts by promising that no child in Hertfordshire or beyond will lose their legal rights ”
IN OTHER NEWS...
Rituals to open new store in The Maltings Shopping Centre
Luxury beauty and wellbeing brand Rituals is set to open its first St Albans store in The Maltings Shopping Centre.
The St Albans Times can exclusively reveal that Rituals will be taking over the former Television and Movie Store premises, which has been vacant since earlier this year, opposite fashion and homewear store Oliver Bonas.
The Maltings centre manager Richard Marrett said: "We’re incredibly excited to welcome Rituals to The Maltings this August As a brand that truly embodies modern luxury and holistic wellbeing, Rituals will elevate our retail offering with its immersive range of indulgent home and body products We’re confident it will become a standout destination for shoppers seeking both quality and calm "
IN OTHER NEWS...
Family-friendly day at Oaklands to kick off the summer holidays
Oaklands College is holding a familyfriendly day on July 26 with two exciting events running back to back
First off, get ready for a roar-some adventure with a thrilling open-air dinosaur show where kids (and grown-ups!) can come face-to-face with Terry the T-Rex and the adorable baby Rexy in an exciting interactive experience
This is a fun, engaging open-air performance perfect for little explorers aged 2-plus, so why not discover the dinomite fun waiting for you!
Then in the evening enjoy an unforgettable evening of music, film, and fun with a special open-air screening of Mamma Mia! followed by a live ABBA tribute performance that will have you singing and dancing all night long
Come along and sing your heart out to the songs you know and love including Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! and many more A night of nostalgia, sparkle, and shared joy awaits!
For tickets for the Dino Show visit: https://www eventbrite co uk/e/135475839 1819
For the ABBA night visit: https://www eventbrite co uk/e/135387595 2419
IN OTHER NEWS...
Secondary school introduces smartphone free policy for Year 7s
New Year 7 students starting at Sandringham School in September 2026 will not be allowed to bring in smartphones under new rules announced this week
The policy will extend to all future Year 7 cohorts in 2027 and 2028, so that by September 2028, no student in Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9) will be permitted to bring a smartphone to school
The policy for Key Stage 4 students will be reviewed once this phased approach is fully in place, suggesting the ban may extend to other year groups
Headteacher Alan Gray told parents: "In recent months, we have carefully considered a wide range of perspectives on this issue. These include the work of the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign, recent decisions made by local primary schools across St Albans, and guidance from leading organisations such as the World Health Organisation, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the NSPCC, the Children’s Commissioner for England, and Ofcom.
"Most importantly, we have listened to you, our parent and carer community, and our incoming families, whose feedback has been invaluable. We have also listened to the view of parents elsewhere in the country
"While we recognise that opinions vary, the majority view is clear: schools have a role in supporting families to shift towards a new social norm, where children are introduced to smartphones at a later age We share this vision and believe that, by working together, we can promote healthier habits and safeguard young people's wellbeing "
He added: "While we are not banning smartphones for current students, this is a valuable opportunity to begin embracing a positive cultural shift
“Families of Key Stage 3 students, in particular, may wish to consider reducing their children’s use of smartphones, especially during routines such as walking to and from school, starting from September 2025 Taking these small steps can help support a healthier balance between technology use and everyday life "
St Albans has been at the forefront of the campaign for tougher restrictions on access to apps and smartphones for young people, since the St Albans Primary Schools Consortium of local primary headteachers issued a joint letter calling on parents not to let their children have a smartphone before they are 14
Last month hundreds of Harpenden parents also signed a petition calling for a blanket ban on smartphones for Year 7s in the town’s secondary schools after pupils attending the town's primaries were told they will not be allowed to bring a smartphone into school from September
It is thought other secondary schools in the district are also considering following Sandringham's lead
EYES ON RETURN OF A LEGEND
Buckle up, sunglasses lovers because something very stylish has just cruised into St Albans. And we mean that literally. Porsche Design sunglasses have relaunched, and the only place in town you can get your hands (or rather, your face) on them is… you guessed it… EYES on St Albans.
Yes, the same Porsche that makes the iconic cars has been quietly crafting equally iconic eyewear since the ‘70s Think precision engineering, high-end design, and that kind of understated cool that says, “I probably own a yacht (even in landlocked Hertfordshire) but I’m too classy to mention it
And now? Theyre back reimagined, reengineered, and ready to grace the good people of St Albans Or at least, the ones savvy enough to pop into the home of spex, hugs and rock ‘ n ’ roll
Engineering meets eye candy (and we’re not talking Jez’s moped)
The new collection is everything you’d expect from the Porsche name: lightweight titanium frames smartly interchangeable lenses aerodynamic lines (yes even on sunglasses), and enough style points to win you a podium finish in the fashion Grand Prix
Take the legendary P’8478 model the world’s first sunglasses with an interchangeable lens system In normal human terms? It means you can swap out the lenses depending on the light conditions your mood or even your outfit Fancy a moody grey lens for strolling through the city? Or a coppery bronze one for drinks in the sunshine? Done It’s like having multiple pairs of sunglasses in one very snazzy package
Orlando Bloom’s in on it too (and one day we’re sure he’ll pop in for a new pair…)
Not that we like to name drop (okay we totally do) but actor and general all-round heartthrob Orlando Bloom is the new face of the 2025 Porsche Design campaign Were not saying the glasses will make you look like him but we ’ re not not saying it either
St Albans exclusive? That’s what we do.
We dont do high street – so its safe to say that EYES on St Albans is the only stockist in the city offering the relaunched Porsche Design sunglasses That means you won’t find them in the high street chains, on the market stalls, or lurking behind the counter of the newsagent Just us Because we ’ re fancy like that
And if youre wondering whether theyre right for you? Pop in We’ll help you try them on, talk you through the collection, and let you experience the joy of sunglasses that feel like a Porsche even if your actual car is more of a Ford Fiesta vibe
ERIS: OPINION WITH BITE
women on the front line
Another week, another woman crying at work. It was very different this time - a video of PC Lydia Ward, punched in the face by Mohammed Amaaz at Manchester Airport. Knocked out, when she came round, she felt blood pouring out of her nose, which had been broken.
In the current court case, she said: “I was terrified to be honest. I was absolutely terrified. I had never experienced that level of violence towards me in my life. I didn’t know who was going to come up at me next. I was scared of going after this male again and being punched in the face again.”
Meanwhile, she says, other people in the pay station area were “shouting stuff” and ‘filming on their mobile phones.”
She said: “Nobody came to assist. I felt that everyone in that room was against us. To be honest, I was terrified.”
PC Ward is a slight female. In pictures of the incident her head appears to barely reach 20year-old Amaaz’s shoulders.
Was she just unfortunate in facing this violence? Or is she a victim of the social beliefs of the last 60 years which have led to the situation where women are expected to subdue increasingly violent men?
As women’s rights have become established and the barriers to entry into different workplaces removed, women have the same rights as men to physically risky jobs where there is the possibility of violence.
In many of these jobs, previous barriers to entry, designed to ensure physically large, strong and fit candidates, have been removed.
For example, the police used to have height restrictions, but these were removed in the 1990s, as they were felt to be discriminatory. There is some merit in this. Sometimes women can calm down a situation that a man might exacerbate. Not when fists are flying though. Some fitness tests remain. You can’t be a Royal Marine unless you can complete a 9-mile speed march, an assault course, a 6-mile
endurance run and a marksmanship test. As well as the 30-mile march with a 32lb pack to be completed with 8 hours and a bleep test, press-ups, sit-ups and pull up assessments.
Although over 900 women have applied, none appear to have completed the course.
Do we relax the rules, or just all learn Russian?
In the media, examples of women being successful in facing off to violence abound, from GI Jane to Keira Knightley in Black Doves. Aggressive women who know how to throw a punch, take one and win.
Great as fantasy. In real life, perhaps not so much?
If we put smaller, weaker, people into the front line to keep order and keep us safe, what do you think is likely to happen?
Are we going to be safer? Are they?
Or do we just watch film of them getting beaten up, then complain about rising violence?
Perhaps we need to balance the scales. Have strict strength and fitness tests? Or give the police guns?
Getting Cosy at Christopher Place
The biggest redevelopment of Christopher Place shopping centre since it opened its doors in the 1980s is close to completion
Behind inauspicious hoardings telling the history of the site and the centre can be found another milestone, the complete transformation of the former French Connection store and defunct snooker bar into an exciting new space.
Property company Bidwells have overseen the scheme to create a 697 sq m site for the city’s first Cosy Club - a new bar and restaurant in a welcoming and luxurious environment quite unlike anything else in St Albans
Customers will access the club from the mall of Christopher Place, with the old stairs out into Lower Dagnall Street now removed, but outside seating will also be available
The St Albans Times was invited behind the scenes to photograph the new space and show our readers what has
already been achieved. Now the major construction work is coming to an end, the Cosy Club fit out is expected to take place over the coming weeks, with a view to opening in September, but our photos show the extent of the new floorspace with the old walls now removed
Next to the Cosy Club will be Pho, offering healthy Vietnamese street food, which will be opening at the same time.
Centre manager Catherine Morris said: “This is the most exciting news for Christopher Place and St Albans, and will be quite unlike anything else in the city
“Offering all-day dining and drinking, decadent surroundings and a decidedly different experience, Cosy Club is going to be the most talked-about new venue of the year, and Pho is another welcome addition to our portfolio
“I can’t wait to welcome our customers to this amazing new space ”
Get your capes on: The Great StAlbans Challenge is returning
Avengers assemble! Turn on the Batsignal and get your Spidey sense tingling! The Great St Albans Challenge is back for a superpowered sequel, taking place on Sunday October 12 in the heart of the metropolis
This GPS-powered treasure hunt is your chance to channel your inner superhero with teams swooping through the city’s historic streets, flying from hotspot to hotspot to crack clues, complete photo and video missions to rack up the points
But there’s no need for super speed as the top teams win on points, not pace, making it fun and inclusive for all ages and abilities
Teams of up to six people can register for the challenge, which begins at the iconic StAlbans Cathedral and finishes with an awards presentation at The Alban Arena - complete with medals, trophies and surprise guests
Bonus points will be awarded for best dressed participants, so grab your mask, iron your cape, and unleash your alter ego! Inspired by the everyday heroes among us, this fun, interactive event is a chance to do something truly great for a vital local cause. By taking part in the challenge, participants will help to raise crucial funds for Youth Talk - the St Albans-based charity that has been providing free, confidential counselling to young people for almost three decades
Youth Talk is a small charity with a big remit. Demand for its services is growing rapidly, with over 120 young people currently receiving support each week, and around 80 more on the waiting list
It costs the charity more than £50,000 a month to provide its free, confidential counselling service, which is why fundraising events like the Great St Albans Challenge are so crucial Every cape worn and every clue cracked helps make sure no young person has to face mental health struggles alone, as they rely on donations to keep their services free and accessible
CEO David Barker is hoping to beat last year ’ s fundraising total: “This isn’t just a fun day out - it’s a superhero mission for mental health in St Albans Last year, we raised more than £8,000, which helped fund around 160 counselling sessions for vulnerable 13–25-year-olds
“With demand for our services growing, we ’ re aiming even higher in 2025. So do something Thor-some and register your team Together, we can smash our fundraising target!”
Early bird heroes save more! Teams can register online now, with a special £50 early bird rate available until August 15. Visit www greatstalbanschallenge org uk
Local businesses are also invited to be heroes by sponsoring the Great St Albans Challenge or entering a team Details of sponsorship opportunities are also available on the website
Who is this masked man? Only Youth Talk and local media relations agency PR4 have the answer...
FIFTEEN YEARS ON: THE ALBANY CENTRE REFLECTS, REACHES, AND RENEWS
What does it mean to hold space - for others, for ourselves, for growth? It’s a question that seems to sit solidly at the heart of The Albany Centre in St Albans, which this July celebrates its 15 anniversary. th
Since opening its iconic red door on July 17 2010, The Albany Centre has established itself as a sanctuary for personal and professional development - a place where people come to learn, to listen, to speak, and to heal.
Co-founded by Jon Wilson Cooper and Pippa Wilson, the Centre began with a simple but powerful idea: that there is strength in compassion, and that meaningful change begins with honest reflection.
Since its inception in 2014, the Professional Diploma in Counselling course has seen around 150 students train to become counsellors, ably supported by courses administrator Gemma, and an array of valued freelance tutors and guest speakers. Each student represents a ripple outward - into families, workplaces, communities - with empathy at the core.
Training and therapy are central to what the Centre offers: counselling,
clinical supervision, and voice and speech coaching all find a home here. But beyond the syllabus and session rooms, The Albany Centre remains a place where people can breathe. A place where growth is nurtured, not rushed. Its sister organisation, Mosaic Counselling Services CIC, staffed by Dawn and Zoe, extends that ethos outward through affordable, low-cost counselling.
Additionally, in response to the national shortage of adoption-trained
therapists, The Albany Centre has joined in partnership with Barnardo’s to offer online training in this essential area (supported by tech wizard Jed), and soon to be made more widely available for professionals across disciplines.
Jon, whose TEDx St Albans talk in 2024 explored how we lose - and recoverour capacity for empathy, has become a voice for a kinder, more emotionally intelligent world; the talk was later selected as a TED Editor’s Pick, placing it among the most impactful of the year. Perhaps global stages lie ahead - but the roots remain firmly planted here in St Albans.
The Centre continues to develop, and a recent Mindfulness course reflects the increasing hunger for presence in a distracted world; soon this will expand into a coaching programme. Capably administered by Laura, the hiring of the five cosy consulting rooms and the welcoming Training Suite is also part of the offering - a chance to step out of the rush and into a haven.
Pippa lends her expertise in voice and speech coaching to those seeking confidence in communication and selfexpression; whether for work, interviews, or life’s significant moments (a wedding speech perhaps), her work helps people to explore - to find their authentic voice and be heard.
“It’s an exciting time,” Jon and Pippa observe, “and we’re proud of the space we’ve created: a calm, supportive corner of the city where people come to heal and evolve.”
So, here’s to 15 years. To the conversations held behind that red door. To the courage of showing up, again and again. And to the simple truth that, given the right space, we can all begin to grow.
Photos courtesy of Trish CoulterJones
Major inferno at Travellers site destroys 90 per cent of homes
These are the scenes of utter devastation left in the wake of a blaze which tore through Redbourn's Ver Meadows Travellers site at the weekend.
The fire broke out just after 3pm Saturday, and saw eight fire engines on the scene to bring it under control, but despite their efforts, firefighters failed to prevent the destruction of most of the homes
Appeals were immediately launched to provide those affected with clothes and other bedding, and proved hugely successful Tony Finn, speaking on social media on behalf of the site's residents, said on Saturday: "Thank you all for your kind offers and support for those affected by today's devastating fire
"Everybody was safely evacuated but 90 per cent of their homes have been lost to the fire. Those affected have all been safely placed in hotels for the weekend Donations of clothes and bedding are no longer needed
"The families affected have asked that their thanks be passed on to the whole village, whose response has been overwhelming - including those from Hemel, Harpenden and St Albans who have made offers Thank you all "
A JustGiving page has now been set up by Redbourn Parish Council to raise £5,000 for those affected.
It says: "This page has been set up by Redbourn Parish Council to facilitate the huge amount of requests from people in Redbourn (and further afield!) as to how they can help their fellow Redbourners after the devastating events of Saturday 12th July. Further information as to how this money will be managed is to follow "
Herts Fire and Rescue has now completed its investigation into the cause of the blaze and the findings will be released soon Scott Crudgington, deputy chief executive and executive director of resources at HCC, said: “I would like start to by saying how deeply saddened I was to learn of the devastating fire at the Ver Meadows Caravan Park in Redbourn on July 12 My thoughts are with the families and individuals affected at this extremely tough time.
“The fire was fully extinguished by 10 30pm Saturday night and I would like to pay tribute to our excellent Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service for their tireless work to put out the blaze, amid extremely hot temperatures
“I would also like to reassure those affected that we at Hertfordshire County Council, alongside our partners at St Albans district council, stand by you and will be supporting you
“Since the fire, a range of organisations including St Albans district council and Hertfordshire County Council have been working with those affected to ensure they are temporarily rehoused and their needs are met We will continue to help them as they begin the gradual process of rebuilding their lives.”
Cllr Allison Wren, deputy cabinet member for community protection and community safety and local member for Harpenden Rural, said: “Following the devastating fire at the weekend we are working closely with our partners to prioritise the safety and welfare of all those directly impacted. Alongside St Albans district council, local community and voluntary
groups like GATE Herts, we are in regular contact with those impacted, providing emergency accommodation, financial help and a range of other support We have been helping residents to return to the site today to collect their belongings
“The response from the local community in Redbourn has been fantastic. A JustGiving page set up by Redbourn Parish Council has already raised over £7,000 to help those in need, since it was created on Saturday “Their support and that of our partners will be vital as we work together to help residents rebuild their lives, through what we know will be a difficult process ”
A spokesperson for SADC said: "We are working with HCC to support the people made homeless after the fire on their site
We have provided emergency accommodation to those who needed it over the weekend and are talking to them today about their immediate housing needs ”
The Ver Meadows site closed on Tuesday evening in order for HCC to make it safe, with residents temporarily accommodated in local hotels The county is working with individuals and families to find appropriate accommodation moving forwards
HCC has also provided a one-off emergency payment of £200 per pitch to cover the cost of buying urgent items
They are also working with contractors to understand the extent of the works required to rebuild the site and the timescales involved
Campaign group Gypsy And Traveller Empowerment Hertfordshire (GATE Herts) has said urgent action on fire safety at Travellers sites is needed following the inferno
"We are deeply concerned by the devastating fire that broke out at the Redbourn Traveller site, leaving several families without homes and possessions Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy.
"Fires on Gypsy/Traveller sites are particularly dangerous due to the close proximity of caravans, the widespread use of gas
cylinders, and the absence of clear and consistent fire safety regulations These conditions significantly increase the risk of injury, extensive property damage, and loss of life "
The group has highlighted an urgent need for:
Improved fire safety infrastructure on Traveller and Gypsy
sites, including access to fire extinguishers, fire breaks between trailers (at least six meters apart) and safe storage for gas cylinders; Clear national fire safety guidelines specifically tailored for Gypsy/Traveller communities;
Emergency support to be available for affected families, including temporary accommodation, financial assistance, and health resources;
Consultation with Traveller communities to develop and implement safety protocols that are practical, respectful, and effective “It is unacceptable that Gypsy and Traveller communities continue to live in unsafe conditions We call on local authorities, fire services, and the Government to take immediate, coordinated action to prevent further tragedies.” Local busineses have also been rallying round the Traveller community
The Fishy Fryer said: “We are deeply saddened by the recent fire in our village and the impact it has had on so many families. Our thoughts are with everyone affected during this difficult time “As a local business, we stand with our community. If there is anything we can do to help - whether it's providing food, supplies, or any other kind of support - please do not hesitate to reach out to us We are stronger together, and we are here for you ”
Screengrab taken from a video of the fire by @Gypsy-Travellers Essex
Echoes of Italy...
Elena Hogg, founder of local culinary company FOOD by Elena, celebrates the complex fragrance and flavours of basil.
Basil hates me. Any basil plant I’ve ever owned has invariably died within days, no matter how shady or sunny the spot it inhabits, the amount of water I give it, or the level of tender care I bestow upon it.
The feeling is, however, not remotely mutual. Basil is one of my absolute favourite herbs.
It’s often associated with Italian cuisine and, the half of me that’s genetically Italian thinks it’s quite fitting that such a punch-packer of a herb be used so prolifically in Italian cooking. Italy has one of the most unapologetically riotous cuisines I’ve come across, with powerful, garlicky, herby flavours abounding. Basil fits right in.
Flavour-wise, basil is often deemed somewhere between black pepper, mint
and anise. Botanically, it is part of the mint family, and so this comparison is to be expected. But where mint is bright and zingy in flavour, basil hits lower tones, with spicy notes and some sweetness too. It’s more complex than its minty counterpart.
The smell is almost better than the taste: fragrant with promised sunshine (in flavour if not in the meteorological sense).
Much like the vine of ripe tomatoes, the smell of a sprightly basil plant transports me immediately to my childhood holidays in Italy.
I remember mealtimes in Poggio Murella, the hilltop village where my aunt Jo and uncle Maurizio lived in a beautiful stone house with a large, fecund garden that overlooked a steep, olive-tree valley.
They owned one half of this valley and the olives it bore would be taken for handpressing nearby and yielded many bottles of cloudy green oil.
This same oil would be drizzled over plump tomatoes grown in the garden, which in turn would be scattered with basil leaves grown in the pots placed along the stone wall flanking the garden. We’d lie on this wall in the evenings around August 10th – the night of San Lorenzo – which is when shooting stars are said to be most visible.
The pitch black of the valley falling away beyond the low wall provided the perfect conditions in which to spot a fleeting flash of starlight.
I never saw many, though, because while the stone wall was picturesque, it wasn’t overly comfortable. Returning to basil and the inspiration my aunt‘s cooking provided, I often now use an entire stalk from the basil plant, with leaves attached, to sit in a bowl of salted tomatoes drizzled with oil, mixing every so often for an even infusion, and sniffing the bowl deeply as I do.
Why the whole stalk? Basil leaves have one fault: they’re not very robust and will discolour and shrivel fast once no longer basking in the sun on a Tuscan stone wall, attached to their plant. Fishing wilted basil leaves out of the tomatoes is a thankless job and so using a whole stalk provides perfume without the painstaking aftermath. You just pull the whole stalk out in one go.
Clearly, when it’s time to eat, a fresh handful of basil leaves can be thrown in for immediate consumption and for that unmistakable, aniseed hit. And when the sad reality dawns that the tomatoes are all gone, there’s a salty, basil-y brine at the bottom of the bowl begging for a piece of bread to soak it up.
Basil is at home in pasta dishes, on pizza or bruschetta, in salads and pesto, and anywhere at all a tomato goes. But it’s a dark horse, our basil, and you may not know how beautifully it complements strawberries.
I once had a gin cocktail that was made with strawberry purée and festooned with small basil leaves.
But it wasn’t the alcohol content that felt intoxicating; it was the heady combination of sweet fruit on the tongue and herby fragrance on the nose. The effect was quite dizzying and I have tried to recreate it in a strawberry and basil sorbet.
Hull about 300g of strawberries and chop them roughly into a bowl. Add a good squeeze of lemon juice – perhaps half a lemon’s worth – and a grind or two of black pepper if you’re feeling cheeky. Add about 100g of caster sugar (taste your strawberries for sweetness first and add a little more or less accordingly) and a stalk or two of basil and let everything sit and macerate for about an hour, mixing frequently and swapping the spent basil stalks for fresh ones halfway through.
Tip the contents of the bowl into a sieve over another bowl, and use a big spoon
to push as much juice as possible through the sieve.
Discard what’s left in the sieve and pour the pulpy juice into a freezer-proof container.
Find a space in the freezer for the container to lie flat (which is probably the trickiest part of this recipe if your freezer is anything like mine) and, as ice crystals start to form round the edges, use a fork every hour or so to break them up and bring them into the centre.
Repeat this process over the next several hours till it’s all mostly frozen – you don’t want to start this recipe too late in the day or you’ll be mixing sorbet in the wee hours. To serve, allow the sorbet to warm up for ten minutes out of the freezer and use an ice cream scoop to make balls.
Accompany with a shortbread biscuit and a scattering of shiny, young basil leaves, and assure your potentially confused guests they will love what they’re about to eat.
Discovering the history beneath our feet at the Rose and Crown
Thousands of people took a trip back into time to explore what archaeological secrets might be concealed under the Rose and Crown pub in St Michael’s village.
The pub is currently being re-developed and as part of the planning process members of the St Albans Museums Archaeology team had a rare opportunity to carry out a community archaeological dig on the site
The pub is located within the historic area of Verulamiumone of the largest Roman cities in Britain - which is itself built over a major Iron Age settlement Verulamium later evolved into St Michael’s village during the Anglo-Saxon period and continued to develop through the medieval and post-medieval eras into the city we know today
The excavation - which was a planning-led development in collaboration with drp archaeology, Minerva Archaeology Ltd, and Verulamium Museum, with guidance from Place Services and Historic England - took place between Thursday and Monday
There were more than 2,500 visitors over the five days including the Mayor, councillors and pupils from St Michael's Primary School, who enjoyed washing materials and learning the fundamentals of archaeology
The excavation found modern, medieval and Roman contexts, and a report will now be written up which will go to St Albans’ archaeological advisor to discuss the next steps in the process.
Archaeologist Tom Lucas, who is responsible for developing, maintaining and advancing the knowledge of archaeology for SADC, was the public face of the process, explaining to visitors what was happening on the site
He elaborated: “This is a phased investigation, an evaluation where we assess what is actually under the ground and whether it's intact and whether it's intact and in a undisturbed deposit
Then that will inform the planning process as to whether they need to go further.”
So the deeper you go, the further back in time?
“It always depends on where you are because, you know, the level of the actual surface here is impacted throughout time, so if someone digs a deep pit in the 1400’s this may cut through Roman archaeology and end up deeper in the ground, but in principal yes, newer deposits will overlie older ”
The pub itself dates back to the 16 century, but before that the site would have been in the medieval village of St Michael’s, with a series of inns all the way down the street to capture the pilgrimage trade visiting the shrine of St Alban Before that was the earlier church of St Michael’s, which would have been surrounded by a series of other buildings, so there is plenty of potential for archaeological finds th
Normally, any archaeological excavations on commercial development sites are boarded off from public scrutiny, but it was felt as this was such a sensitive area there was huge
potential for the museum to get involved
With the excavation having unearthed various finds, what does that mean for the planning process going forwards?
“The archaeological advisor says, right, either you ' ve done what you need to do, and the development can go ahead and or here's some new conditions.
“This could be if it’s not major archaeology, when you actually remove this building, you do a watch and brief where an archaeologist stands over and watches and makes sure nothing comes up that was unexpected
“Or they could say, if you want to build that building here, you need to excavate that whole area, either by preserving it in situ or removing and recording it, which is what happened with a lot of finds at Verulamium.“
What sort of things would they expect to find as standard in a site like this? “Glass, pottery, oyster shells are very common from the late Victorian period, and you’ll always get clay smoking pipes
“We’ve already taken a bunch of them out, and they’re quite neat When you look at them as a pipe specialist they can tell you a decent date just from the width, and if you actually get a bowl at the end sometimes they’re really neatly carved.
“They’re quite cool to see, because you can just imagine someone loved that thing, you know, and then it broke so it’s done.
“It’s a moment in someone ’ s life that we can relate to “The Romans loved their oysters too, but their pottery is what we mostly find and that can tell us a lot about what was going on in specific place and time ”
A NEW CONCEPT IN RETIREMENT LIVING
Nestled within nine acres of mature woodland, The Oakleigh offers a peaceful, nature-rich retreat designed to elevate later living
Devised by Elysian Residences, the site will be opening mid-2026, and is currently arranging drop-in appointments from the new showroom.
Residents will enjoy spacious, contemporary apartments and cottages, which are also available to own, and are designed to support independence without compromising on style or comfort
From formal gardens and wildflower meadows to meandering pathways and quiet corners for reflection, The Oakleigh’s landscaped grounds encourage wellbeing, tranquillity and a strong sense of community
Complementing this serene setting is a suite of exceptional services, including wellness support, dining, and discreet, reassuring security
The team at Christopher Place will be hosting a series of informal events over the summer, offering the opportunity to explore the vision behind The Oakleigh and discover more about early release opportunities for select cottages and apartments
If you’re aged 65+ or helping a loved one explore future living options, contact Leiselle on 020 3743 8368 or email: theoakleigh@elysianresidences.com
A new office and showroom for The Oakleigh, a retirement village next to Burstons on the North Circular Road, has opened at Christopher Place Shopping Centre
OF RATS AND TOLLS OF RATS AND TOLLS
MIKE NEIGHBOUR, AUTHOR OF ST ALBANS’ OWN EAST END, LOOKS AT THE TRUTH BEHIND THE ORIGINS OF THE RECENTLY-RENAMED RATS’ CASTLE PUB...
I was delighted to hear of the re-opening of Fleetville’s Rats’ Castle pub under a new name: the Old Toll House. Many of us have attempted to re-tell its story, in so doing becoming confused on the detail and therefore missing part of the location’s fascination – at the junction of Hatfield Road and Sutton Road, the former a poorly surfaced turnpike road and the latter what might be described at a private avoiding track.
To evade payment of a toll when leaving the city at the Peacock in Hatfield Road, when travelling eastwards along the Hatfield road, an unknown number of regular users took to making the journey via Sweet Briar and Camp lanes, joining the turnpike along a private track (now Sutton Road) belonging to Beaumonts Farm
A trustee of the Turnpike Trust eventually agreed to legitimise the diversion by building a small and simple house by the trackside on the corner of one of his fields to collect payments as cart drivers found their way towards the turnpike road Rodents had found the thatched roof attractive even as the little house was still being occupied in the late 1870s, by
which time locals were already using the sobriquet the Rats’ Castle and the ground on which it had been built Rats’ Castle Field. Even the 1891 census described the location the Rats’ Castle
Around 1897 the thatched building was torn down and replaced by a house and shop known as Primrose Cottage, and it was not until c1926 that the corner site changed again with Benskins’ purpose-designed public house named the Rats’ Castle designed by St Albans’ architect
Percival Blow The present structure never was a toll house, let alone its use for collecting payments from Hatfield Road traffic, but it shows how informal labels are often acquired and then take on a life of their own
Incidentally, an attempt was made to shorten the pub’s name in the 1980s to The Castle Following a local outcry (or at least much disagreement) the original name was restored within months However, the building now loses the accolade of trading under a unique title Perhaps today’s rename will become more permanent. We wish the Old Toll House much social and trading success
See the story of the location at www.stalbansowneastend.org.uk/topicselection/rats-castle/
(Above right) Primrose Cottage in 1902 – replaced the former thatched roof toll house and remained on the corner until the extant Percival Blow designed building 1926. (Photo: Diana Devereux)
(Left) The Rats’ Castle c2000, showing Sutton Road to the right, what once once the Beaumont Farm track, much narrower and more muddy, which toll evaders used to avoid paying the toll at the Peacock PH.
The story of a tennis prodigy
Five years before he wowed audiences at this year ’ s Wimbledon Championships, St Albans’ tennis star Oliver Tarvet was already showing his flair for the game at The Marlborough Science Academy.
This summer, the 21-year-old became the first British man since 2017 to come through the qualifying rounds at Wimbledon and earn a place in the tournament's main draw, despite being ranked just 719 in the world
Unfortunately Oliver was knocked out in his second round match against Carlos Alcarez, who went all the way to the finals, but to reach that far was no small feat Oliver attended TMSA from 2015-2020, where his PE teacher was Chris Packard, who recalled his pupil’s obvious potential “He loved his sports lessons – he was an absolute natural He stands out through my entire teaching career so far as one ofif not - the most talented sports people I’ve worked with ” He said there were signs of his potential to be an outstanding tennis player from the very beginning.
“You could see the first time he had a racket in hand that he wasn’t just quite good but exceptional We have always had (tennis) club players come to the school but he was well above this As well as having great technical and physical ability he had a strong desire to win and was highly competitive in everything he participated in ”
Chris and his colleagues were instrumental in nurturing Oliver’s talents as a young player: “Like all PE teachers we gave encouragement when things went well or there was a setback “We made sure that he always had respect for others on the sports pitch/court, and worked with his parents to make sure he could have every opportunity to get as far as possible in tennis.”
At a local level Oliver was always playing and training, but was not always able to represent Marlborough.
“We didn’t often manage to get him in the school teams due to his other commitments but when he did he was always levels above the opposition which gave his teammates a huge buzz He was regularly away playing and training all over the country and abroad.”
Away from the tennis court, Chris described him as a “terrific lad” who loved everything and anything sports-related, but also a dedicated and popular student.
“He was attentive to his studies and worked hard in the classroom He enjoyed a joke and some fun when the time was right and made some good friends along the way ”
Ollie left Marlborough in Year 11 during the Covid pandemic and his teachers initially lost touch with him, but then began tracking his progress in collegiate tennis at the University of San Diego
“We watched him play in the junior Wimbledon competition a couple of years ago and have been keeping tabs on his progress the whole time
“Watching him play in [this year ’s] qualifying tournament was nerve-wracking as we were desperate for him to qualify, so, to actually get through qualifying and win the first round was incredible and the interest amongst the students has snowballed since!”
Unfortunately Chris missed out on catching up with his former pupil at the recent M Fest, where Oliver made a surprise appearance
“I wasn’t there due to a prior commitment and I was devastated to miss out on seeing him There are plans to see him in the future and celebrate his current success as well as
Oliver in training at The Marlborough Science Academy Photos courtesy TMSA
hear about his plans for the future He has become a big role model for our students and proven that it’s possible to do anything if you are willing to work hard enough to achieve it ” Oliver will return to San Diego to finish his studies after the summer, and Chris is hopeful for his future: “I’m sure he will win as much as he can on the college circuit before heading into the pro ranks He really does deserve all the accolades that are coming his way. ”
(Above) Oliver returned to Marlborough for this year’s M Fest, where he met up with headteacher Annie Thomson
PROM NIGHT PREP
LAURA BILL DONS HER BEST FROCK AND FINDS OUT HOW THE TRADITION OF PROMS HAS BECOME AN INTRINSIC PART OF SCHOOL LIFE IN THE ST ALBANS DISTRICT.
My school ‘ prom ’ was called a Sixth Form ball at Beaumont, a few years ago now… I think I walked there, wore a ball gown from Next and within an hour I was being sick in the toilets as I learned a very important lesson: red wine and Baileys do not mix well together, especially not on an empty stomach
It was to celebrate the end of our GCSEs and nobody called it a prom. Since 1995, things have changed a little. I do seem to remember my dad having a whinge about it though Something along the lines of: “Why do you need gloves in the summer?” and “But your hair is straight not curly so that’s how it suits you best, surely?” and “The world has gone mad – it’s some American rubbish and you aren’t even leaving the school”
The tradition of proms obviously originates from America and comes from the word ‘promenades’ when people would first go for a walk and then a dance
It’s a big industry with parents often spending hundreds of pounds hiring cars, paying for professional hair and make-up, and of course the outfits can be costly
But there are some initiatives to help lower the cost of dresses, which is usually the biggest expense
Harpenden fashion stylist Karen Jennings runs a pop-up shop for prom dresses People donate excellent quality dressesworn for just a few hours – which can then be enjoyed by girls attending prom in exchange for a donation
She said: “It was a good thing to do and so very much appreciated by girls and mums alike. They say it takes the stress out of touring shops and unsuccessful internet shopping ”
Marlborough School M Store – which helps struggling families at Marlborough Science Academy with items such as food and cosmetics - has some prom dresses available too Meanwhile, the director of St Albans hair salon Trinder, in George Street, Marc Trinder said they now get lots of girls coming in for prom hairstyles, although fashions have changed over the years
“We have seen a big shift to more relaxed contemporary styles. Gone are the days when ‘done’ prom hair was sculptured into a semi bridesmaid look, and now we have a lot more glam glossy waves and relaxed vibes
“The fashion for hair up is very relaxed and not over complicated Textured up-do’s are very popular
“Having your hair styled for an event adds to the feelgood factor and confidence when you complete a look
Hair styling should totally complement the make-up and outfit so it’s important to discuss your total look with your stylist ”
Marc added that styling for a prom is all about the preparation and that using products which are layered into the hair will ensure the style looks great and lasts At Trinder it costs £37 for a blow dry and long hair styling hair-up starts from around £60, so isn’t prohibitively expensive
We spoke to some students and parents about their personal experiences and expectations of proms
St George’s School pupil Brooke Lynch, 16, who lives in St Albans, said she really enjoyed her prom and believes everybody should have their big day to look forward to.
She said: “My prom was really nice A school prom is a lovely opportunity to get all dressed up and celebrate the end of the journey
“You can dance, have fun and have the last photos taken of you and your friends so you ’ ve always got good memories to look back on
“Our prom was in the walled garden at Luton Hoo which was a really nice setting. We had a conservatory with food and beverages and a dance floor with music to celebrate with friends
“An ice cream van was also available and we were given a token to be able to get something as well as three drink tokens. The experience was amazing and I think that everyone should be able to experience it ”
St Albans mum Liz Hill said: “A ticket to the prom cost £55. The expense comes with the dress, hair, make-up and cars etc Then there’s the professional photos, balloon arches and after parties!
“I absolutely recognise that it can be kept at a reasonable price In our situation my daughter, Bibi, is turning 16 on July 23, she’s finishing school and hoping to attend the Fashion and Retail College in London
“It’s unlikely that those who travelled through the last five years together at school will be all together again, so we were a little more extravagant Most importantly, she had the best time and thoroughly enjoyed herself ” Her prom was at Hunton Park Hotel and the ticket price included a barbecue, cakes, a welcome drink and a disco
Anwen Adams, 13, is already looking forward to her school prom which seems to be fairly typical among her peers.
She said: “Everybody goes to prom, it’s a special part of your school journey You get to pick a nice dress and look pretty.
“Everyone makes TikTok videos to show their transition as they get ready You don’t have to go with a boy or a girl, you can go with your friends I guess the tradition came from America to start off with but it doesn’t feel American anymore. ”
RESTAURANT REVIEW
FLEETVILLE LARDER
JAMES CAMERON HEADS DOWN TO THE HATFIELD ROAD DELI TO CHECK OUT THEIR EXTENSIVE RANGE OF CHEESE TOASTIES... BUT WILL HIS VEGAN DINING COMPANION HAVE A SIMILAR CHOICE ON OFFER?
There is something slightly mystical about the Fleetville Larder. I always look out for it when I’m driving along Hatfield Road, just to remind myself where it is, and I never see it
Yet, when I set out on foot to go there it suddenly appears like a Brigadoon Deli The simple explanation is probably that I get distracted by Cheerz Pizza and their claims about being recommended as the best pizza in town (who would make such a recommendation? I would like to meet this person and debate them vigorously), but I prefer the idea that like the A-Team it only appears to those most in need.
Anyway, there must be plenty of people in need of cheese, as the place was very lively when we visited on a Tuesday lunchtime It is clearly a popular spot for catching up and having a cup of tea, and despite the numerous eating establishments on the Hatfield Road there aren’t actually many of this type of casual café type environment If you’re after Peri Peri Chicken or Instagrammable burgers you’re sorted, but tea and cake less so The Fleetville Larder, however, is a lot more than a café but also simultaneously less. There is a wide range of produce available, but most of it is to be taken away rather than consumed on the premises. Their raison d’etre is the cheese, with an enticing international array on offer at the counter and for the true enthusiast the option to join their cheese club I assume this comes with a piece of brie to wear on your lapel and a secret cheesy handshake to identify fellow members, but as I have not yet been invited this remains speculation.
They parlay this impressive selection into what is certainly the widest range of cheese toasties in the district These include such international options as the ‘French Melt’, the ‘Calabrian’ and my choice, the ‘Alpine’ This featured Salami and Gherkins, with Raclette as the cheese element Those who are already members of the cheese club will know that raclette is a method of heating and eating cheese, rather than a cheese in and of itself, but this is presumably the type of Swiss cheese designed for the purpose and therefore more than comfortable being melted down for consumption
The sandwich itself was full of rich earthy flavours, with the tartness of the pickles integral in holding back the potentially overwhelming creaminess of the raclette A word of warning, though, this is quite a pungent dish (as all the best cheeses are) so if you are ordering it you may want to ensure that your companion is a turophile (or cheese fancier) or they might take offense (as
mine did) Whether this would be enough to put you off ordering such a superb sandwich I leave to you and your conscience
As my co-diner was a vegan (one of the reasons she objected to the nasal assault so much) there were less options on the table for her. As well as the toasties there are also bagels (all alas featuring cream cheese) and baguettes, but despite not quite qualifying as a millennial she went for avocado on toast
This came served on a lovely crusty chunk of sourdough, and the avocado was as fresh and tasty as you would want but it could have done with balancing from some form of sweetness from chilli or onion jam This was especially ironic as there was basically an entire wall of condiments not two feet away from us
To accompany our meals they have a fridge full of interesting drinks, from which we went for a selection of Dalston’s soft drinks, a refreshing Cherryade and a lively Ginger Beer
Crisp
selection was a bit disappointing, considering the range of exotic large sharing bags they had but if you wanted an individual one you are mainly looking at Pipers. Good crisps, certainly, but not particularly exciting
We were considering finishing with tea and cake, but from their selection of three cakes the only vegan option also contained nuts.
I understand this is a very specific requirement to our party, but it does point towards the slight issue inherent in the Fleetville Larder. There is no shortage of lovely food here, the larder is certainly not bare, but the majority of it is intended for home consumption.
Even though there is delightful food on offer, and at a very reasonable price (£22 55 for the two of us), you feel slightly short-changed given all of the things you can’t have.
If you know what you’re after though, and what you’re after is a cheese toastie, then get yourself there this instant.
Sun shines on annual Cottonmill Gathering
It’s the highlight of the calendar for residents of Cottonmill and Sopwell, and this year’s annual Gathering was the biggest ever
Hundreds of people braved soaring temperatures to descend upon Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre on Sunday to enjoy a wealth of family-friendly activities, stalls and refreshments
Highlights included a 70ft inflatable assault course, a miniature railway sponsored by the Abbey Line Community Partnership, and live music from the likes of the Purple All Stars and Sopwell Singers
The event was sponsored by Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline and organised by Sopwell Residents Association (SRA) Gail Jackson, chair of SRA said: “This was a fantastic day out for over 1,000 people - sponsored by Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline It was organised by our amazing events team led by the indomitable Elaine Rainsford Michelle Mackenzie produced amazing posters and artwork for the festival, Jo Cooney ensured all our policies were in place Chris Blanch managed the music stage and Janet Charles managed the volunteers on the day One of our aims is to help create joy for our local community - and to bring people together - and this event has smashed it!” Elaine Rainsford, lead for the Events Team said: "Our volunteers on the day included Sally Anne who created a fabulous craft tent for the children, Denise Jeram created the kids Story Tent, Ed and Andy did the litter-picking, and many other volunteers organised the Assault Course, setting up - and clearing up! the combined churches managed the Afternoon Tea, and the extraordinary St Albans Community Pantry provided hot cooked food - rescued from local supermarkets! Thanks to Everyone Active for their strong support on the day - and thanks to all the local stalls, businesses and community groups who turned up to provide things to do, and lovely crafts and food for people to explore.”
Photos by SRA volunteres.
We’re writing tomorrow’s history, today
REV PETER CRUMPLER, ASSOCIATE MINISTER AT ST PAUL’S CHURCH IN FLEETVILLE, EXPLAINS WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO CELEBRATE OUR RICH LOCAL HISTORY...
I’ve been a big fan of the St Albans Times, and all that it has added to the local media scene since its launch in February 2023
But it reached new heights the other week with the major feature on the history of its long-established rival, celebrating the Herts Advertiser’s 170th anniversary
Some may have called the article cheeky, or maybe provocative
For myself, I thought it was important that the milestone was being marked - and with more space and prominence than today’s Herts Advertiser might be able to devote to the commemoration.
I felt much the same way this week when I was shown a brochure from the Campfield Press, dating from the 1940s. The St Albans printing works, owned by the Salvation Army, produced all their publications, including their big circulation ‘War Cry’ for many years until its closure in 1991
It was one of the many printing businesses that gave Fleetville – from Fleet Street – its name.
In those, long pre-digital days, getting into print was a major operation requiring heavy machinery, skilled operators and much patience.
The brochure explained “The process is more intricate than many people imagine A letter to the local newspaper has a direct link with the forests of Scandinavia or Canada, while the smallest handbill owes a debt to the great artists who, through the centuries, have designed the letters we scan so swiftly ”
Both the feature on the history of local journalism, and the Campfield Press brochure were a reminder that history matters, and especially the history on our doorstep It explains how our community got to be the way it is today.
St Albans Cathedral and many of the district’s churches are full of history Many go back centuries, and each tells the story of the communities they are seeking to serve
There are also many new churches and other places of worship that have grown up recently and add to the richness of our shared life
But the churches’ relationship with the media hasn’t always been easy. In the history of the Herts Advertiser, one journalist recalled that in the 1930s, “Church calls provided the opportunity each week to visit the clergy of all denominations for tit-bits of church news
“Many were the interesting and lively discussions that took place, and some even with the Bishop himself.”
“To my lasting memory, I remain accused by the Reverend Kirk Bryce of having altered the Word of God in reporting one of his sermons!”
Those days are long behind us with, today, few journalists or church ministers able to devote time to developing that relationship And that’s a shame
New research has just shown that negative coverage of the church outweighs the positive.
Hardly a shock, especially when the media has - rightly and with justification - highlighted a series of abuse cases within the church.
But often churches and other faith groups are not so good at talking about the positive grassroots work that they do week in, week out, running youth activities, children’s groups, drop-ins and meals for older people, debt counselling, food banks and much more. All this, in addition to hosting a wide range of community events and activities, and – of course – providing services of worship, weddings, christenings, funerals and more.
The recent research also showed that people, especially high-profile believers, talking openly about their faith did win positive coverage for Christianity So maybe that’s an encouragement to anyone with a lively faith
Personally, I think that, over time, organisations tend to get the coverage they deserve And, from Manchester United to Buckingham Palace, they all wished they could win more positive headlines.
In a social media world, many have taken to running their own communications, to tell their own stories, seeking to bypass or augment the mainstream media’s coverage.
The Church of England, for example, has invested much in digital communications in recent years
But publications like the St Albans Times have an important role to play
They are a vital focus for community conversation, for engagement across our social media silos, where the information we see is driven by the algorithms designed by tech companies across the Atlantic.
The churches, and other community groups can play their part by helping to keep conversations going By bringing together people of all ages, types and backgrounds
Churches are called to proclaim faith, and to be community hubs, helping to write the modern-day history of our district and contributing to a thriving future, together.
Wine Times
DARREN MCCABE OFFERS HIS WEEKLY WINE RECOMMENDATIONS (@DMC UNCORKED)
Summertime rosés
This week I bring you a bumper edition of the best rosé wines I’ve been tasting this summer - I guarantee there’s a rosé for everyone! You will have heard me say before that rosé is not just for summer and hot weather and I still stick by that belief, but there’s nothing more satisfying on a hot summer’s day than pulling the cork or twisting that screwcap on a chilled bottle of rosé.
When we think of rosé, many people automatically think of Provence, and yes, I’m a huge fan too, but as well as bringing you rosé from Provence, I’m throwing in a couple from other parts of Europe too
Minuty M Limited Edition Rose 2024 (£15 00 - £19 99 OCADO, Majestic, Waitrose, Selfridges, Harvey Nicols)
This wine is the result of four generations of Provence Rosé winemaking experience, featuring the iconic ‘corset’ bottle shape designed by Monique Matton in the 1960s
Made from 60 per cent Grenache, 20 per cent Syrah, 15per cent Cinsault, and 5% Tibouren grapes, the Minuty M is a fresh, clean, and rounded wine with red berry notes on the nose and a crisp, fruity palate It pairs beautifully with olives, Salad Niçoise, and skewered prawns
Many, but not all started to fall out of love with Whispering Angel due to the explosion of dupes on the market, however I think its rediscovered itself And Sacha Lichine, founder of Whispering Angel, describes the 2024 vintage as the best to date
It offers a delicate and intricate aroma profile, featuring fresh strawberries, raspberries, peaches, and citrus fruits like grapefruit and lemon There are also subtle floral hints, including rose petals. On the palate, this rosé is lightbodied, crisp, and refreshing
It presents flavours of red berries and melon, with a subtle hint of spice The wine is dry, with a good level of acidity that balances the fruit flavours and provides a clean, crisp finish
Rock Angel (Around £27 Vinitas, Friarwood, Majestic; Waitrose)
For a little more money, this one is certainly my preferred choice and one to enjoy with food, all year round Bertrand Léon, technical director, describes the 2024 vintage of Rock Angel as having “fine concentration, enveloping texture, and dynamic freshness, which provide both balance and ageing potential”
Rock Angel 2024 is crafted from Grenache, Cinsault, and Rolle grapes sourced from vines near Château d’Esclans and select parcels throughout the Côtes-deProvence region
The wine undergoes six months of ageing in tank and barrel, followed by late bottling to allow extended lees contact The nose of Rock Angel 2024 features exotic fruit aromas and a rare minerality for a Côtes de Provence On the palate, it is rich and fresh with a long finish Pairs beautifully with a variety of seafood and shellfish, including oysters, and spaghetti with clams
bit peachy!” Lady A Rosé offers a delightful blend of citrus, pink grapefruit, peach, and raspberry notes
The wine is light and refreshing, with a long, satisfying finish Its crisp and clean profile makes it an excellent aperitif and a versatile companion to a variety of dishes, including seafood, salads, charcuterie and a Thai curry
G de Galoupet 2024 (RRP £22 50 Ocado, Jeroboams, Laithwaites)
For those of you who read my reviews every week, you’ll know I’ve covered this before, but it’s so good, I just had to include it again
The wine is presented in one of the world’s lightest glass bottles, weighing just 300 grams and is made from 85 per cent recycled glass, significantly reducing its carbon footprint by 50 per cent compared to standard bottles
La Balconne Organic Provence Rosé (£18 from M&S and OCADO)
So, I hear on the social media grapevine that this is M&S’ answer to Whispering Angel!
In my opinion, it isn’t, however it is an elegant and sophisticated wine that captures the essence of Provence A delightful bouquet of white peach, strawberry, and wild herbs. On the palate, it is soft yet complex, with a refreshing crispness that makes it perfect for warm weather The wine’s mineral edge adds an extra layer of finesse to its bright berry fruit flavours Enjoy it as an aperitif, or serve it alongside seafood, salads, or cheese
Anyway, why don’t you buy both and put it to the test?
Lady A Rosé (£15 50 down from £17 50 at OCADO, also available instore at M&S)
Crafted by Soho House in collaboration with the prestigious Château La Coste in Provence, is a standout wine available at both M&S and Ocado. Even Damien Hirst got involved by adding his artistic touch to the bottle and its elegant presentation I took this on a recent glamping trip and the first thing my friend said was “that’s a
G de Galoupet is a blend of 60 per cent Grenache, 15 per cent Cinsault, 10 per cent Rolle, 10 per cent Syrah, and 5 per cent
Tibouren - the estate’s signature variety With aromas of grapefruit and exotic fruits, and a silky, saline, fruity palate, G pairs wonderfully with a variety of fresh dishes, including salads, sushi, white fish, and Mediterranean cuisine.
Now it’s time to move away from Provence
Ramón Bilbao Rosé (£8.75 from Co-Op)
Inspired by the classic ‘clarete’ wines of Rioja Alta, Ramón Bilbao introduced its first rosé 13 years ago. With the 2024 vintage, this modern classic gets a fresh look
To mark its 13th year, Ramón Bilbao rosé features a sophisticated new label design that stands out on the shelves as summer arrives The silkscreen printed bottle, still depicting Ramón Bilbao Snr’s vinous voyages from a century ago, now allows the win’s pink hue to shine through, making it a beacon of rosé light on the Coop’s shelves
This perfectly pink rosé is a blend of 80 per cent Garnacha and 20 per cent Viura creating an elegant, sophisticated wine with a bit more colour intensity while retaining the combination of citrus, red fruit, and floral notes that the rosé is known for It pairs wonderfully with pasta, soft cheeses, and white meats
This is completely new to me a pink Vinho Verde! This unique wine is crafted from the Espadeiro grape, a variety rarely found outside Portugal
Winemaker Francisco Leandro has turned it into a specialty at his Casa Santa Eulalia winery, located in the village of Mondim de Bastao The juicy strawberry and cherry notes are complemented by a crisp, mineral finish, making it a perfect choice for warm weather and light meals
Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Rosé Réserve 2024 (£9.25 from OCADO)
The Les Dauphins team set out to capture the essence of the Côtes du Rhône with bright berry fruit, versatility, and valuefor-money, all wrapped up in a pale pink and fantastically fresh rosé
The winemakers enthusiastically accepted this challenge, resulting in a delightful addition to their Côtes du Rhône Réserve Red and White wines
This properly pale pink rosé is a blend of 85 per cent Grenache and 10 per cent Syrah, the backbone of any Côtes du Rhône wine, with a touch of Cinsault for added spice
This wine offers notes of citrus fruits and summer berries with a good finish It is perfect for enjoying on a picnic table with summer salads and charcuterie
BUSINESS>
LITERALLY MINDED
We just love this poster from The Horn, managing to combine minimum effort with maximum humour in equal measure
CITY MUSE
PETS>
REMEMBERINGNORMAN...
Ginger tom Norman was a staple of Cavendish Road in Fleetville, wandering in and out of neighbours homes and basically acting as if he owned the street
A big bold feline he was much loved by all who lived there - apart from perhaps some of the other cats
So when he was tragically killed by a fox back in March his owner Jane contacted SADC s memorial department, and had this fitting sign installed at the entrance to the road
BUSINESS>
DOORSSHUTONTHEVICTORIA...
Sad times for many of our hospitality businesses - with The Victoria the latest pub to close its doors
Tenants Tom and Paula Maloney decided not to renew their lease, and called time at the beginning of the month, leaving regulars mourning the loss of another much-loved boozer
We wish them all the best for the future, and hope The Victoria isn’t empty for too long
Annual winners of the Harpenden
Photographic Society awards named
The winners of the Harpenden Photographic Society’s annual competitions have been announced for the 2024/2025 season
The society, now in its 89th year, holds five internal competitions throughout the season, where HPS members enter Colour Prints, Monochrome Prints or Digital Projected Images (DPI).
The top scoring images in each competition, as determined by an external judge, are awarded points, which cumulatively count towards a final score total for each participating member
Individual category winners were as follows:
Colour Print - Brian Cooke
Monochrome Print - Tim Tate
Digital Projected Image - Ali Asplin
Based on accumulated points across all-three categories in the five competitions, the overall Photographer of the Year was Ali Asplin
The club held two additional annual challenges: Panel of Three (Jarvis Cup) - winner Malcolm Jenkins; Audio Visual (AV) - winner Tim Tate; Awards were also given to Malcolm Jenkins for Best Exhibition Print and to Mark Roberton for Best Newcomer
Ali, who is also the society’s external competitions secretary, said: “The standard of images entered by members this year was incredibly high, so I was absolutely thrilled to win Photographer of the Year again.”
Chair of the society, Steve Collins added: “I am delighted that Ali has won the HPS overall Photographer of the Year title for the second time for her beautiful images.
(Above) Just Out of the Den by Ali Asplin
“Our challenge to win this award is always heavily contested, but it was clear that Ali was going to be our overall winner, as she scored so consistently highly throughout the year Huge congratulations to Ali, and to all of the category winners and runners-up, who entered such wonderful work into the competitions this season ”
Members of the public who love photography are encouraged to join the society when it begins its new season on Tuesday September 2. To learn more about joining HPS, visit www harpendenphotographicsociety co uk
(Clockwise from above) HPS award winners and runners-up; Great Wall of China at Sunset; Alaskan Brown Bear Feeding her Young; Coyote hunting, Yellowstone; Tide Coming In, Vestrahorn; Two Cute for Words All by Ali Asplin
10 FROM 50 LAURA DAWSON
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: Laura Dawson, founder and owner of much-loved ice cream shop Darlish, currently scooping from Christopher Place Shopping Centre.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
As I’m getting older I’m making a point of taking vitamins and supplements and I make a cup of tea and I get straight back into bed with my phone and start replying to emails.
Who was your first best friend?
It was a girl called Bei-Bei and I liked her because she was different and I think I felt quite different being a child of immigrants. Her parents were from China and they worked for the United Nations and they ended up moving to Israel. I remember being incredibly sad when she left. I’ve never forgotten her.
If you could have a conversation with someone who has died, who would it be?
It would be Robin Williams, for sure. And I would talk to him about everything he was ever in. Like Mork and Mindy which I loved as a child. Does anybody else remember it?
What is your worst habit?
My worst habit is I bite my lips when I’m nervous and then probably – two bad habits – I ask somebody to do something and then do it myself. Ha ha.
Have you ever had a nickname?
My nickname was Mowgli (from Jungle Book) because I had a bob haircut and was a bit gangly and always climbing trees.
Do you have any phobias?
It’s not exactly a phobia – but I am terrified of empty swimming pools. I can’t explain it really. I wish I knew but it panics me. Same as ships out of water do. I guess it’s a thingsaren’t-as-they-should-be thing...
Where is your favourite hidden gem in the district?
I really like Fleetville – that’s my favourite hidden gem. I love the places to eat, the charity shops and the park.
What’s your favourite St Albans pub?
The Plough in Sleapshyde. I love the food, the simple menu, and the outdoor space. It’s very chilled.
What was your favourite subject at school?
My favourite subject was English but I think it had a lot to do with the teachers.
Who is your most inspirational St Albans person – living or dead?
It was a gentleman called Mr Barry. He volunteered for St Vincent De Paul Society and he helped our family A LOT when we were younger. He was just really devoted to helping others and he was so jolly.
I am terrified of empty swimming pools. I can’t explain it really. I wish I knew but it panics me. Same as ships out of water do. I guess it’s a things-aren’t-asthey-should-be thing...
Flashback: 1957
WHAT MADE THE NEWS IN THE HERTS ADVERTISER DATED: FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1957
Following our recent acquisition of a bound volume of the Herts Ad from 1957-1958, we present a unique 52part series looking at the stories, ads and photographs featured in the corresponding week 68 years ago, reflecting a period of 20th century history which saw major changes both in St Albans and across the wider district
WEATHER HIT SUMMER SHOW
The warm, dry weather may have been ideal for holiday makers, but gardeners have only one word for it, catastrophic. This was the general feeling among the experts at the summer flower, fruit and vegetable show of St Albans Horticultural Society, held at St Saviour’s Church hall on Saturday. But despite their difficulties, local horticultualists put on a brave show, and the judges were well pleased with the general standard, which though naturally lower than other years, reflected the high reputation of the society. The vegetable section was badly affected, and among the flowers, sweet peas were conspicuous by their absence. Entries totalled 273, over 100 down on last year’s show.
OF HAMMER ATTACK - ALLEGED TO HAVE TOLD ST ALBANS WOMAN, “I WILL MURDER YOU”, BEFORE CRACKING HER SKULL WITH THE TOOL.
SPOTLIGHT STORY: MORE SUPPORT FOR ST ALBANS CITY
Shopkeepers should give more support to St Albans City Football Club, said the newly-elected president of the club, Mr CF Preece, Mayor of St Albans, at its annual general meeting. He said considering the size of the town, the football club received very poor support, and the football served up last season deserved larger dates.
“I do strongly suggest that we induce more of our supporters to join the club, Give the club a chance. It wants a bit of support at the beginning of the year!” said Mr Preece He said he would like to see the number of season ticket holders
increased to 250, which would help the club no end when it came to buying new kit for the players
The treasurer, Mr WG Marriner, said unlike many other clubs St Albans City was going to keep faith with its supporters and make no increase in admission charges, unless support going forwards proved poor.
The meeting heard that 1957-58 was the club’s jubilee season, and secretary Mr HE Dockerill said: “We hope that the players, officials and supporters will all pull together to make our fiftieth year in senior amateur football an auspicious one ”
SCOUT FETE IN LONDON COLNEY
‘Uncle George’, contributor to the Weekend Mail supplement, took time off to open a summer feate in the grounds of Bowmansgreen School, London Colney, and presented prizes to the winners of the fancydress parade. The fete was organised by the 7 St Albans scout group, and includes plenty of interesting events and stalls to keep the visitors busy before heavy showers during the afternoon drove them to shelter.
The proceeds from the fete, which amounted to £150, went towards the fund for a new scout headquarters. (The 7 St Albans would become the 1 London Colney in 1960.)
th st
Sir -I recently read how one of the main increases in dysentry among children of school age is the material from which lavatory basins are manufactured if the material is porous, it is dangerous - as soon as the slightest crack appears, germs of all descriptions can breed within the porous, sponge-like body of the lavatory pan I took the trouble to find out from what material the sanitary appliances now being installed in Hertfordshire County Council schools are manufactured. To my horror I find it is a highly porous material known as fire clay
When we read so much about the cost of schools to-day, it is indeed disturbing to find that our own county council is squandering money in the purchase of sanitary appliances that are apparently a source of danger to the health of children Something seems wrong somewhere Nimbulus, St Albans
A touch of Scotland comes to town for Highland Gathering
Harpenden Lions Club held their 29 annual Highland Gathering on Sunday in Rothamsted Park. th
A large crowd, many of whom had travelled considerable distances to be present, enjoyed good food and drink, live music and a range of traditional activities including Highland dancing and games and falconry and dancing displays
Four pipe bands were present and contributed significantly - and particularly to the day’s ceremonial opening and closing ceremonies
The traditional heavy events drew a good crowd who especially enjoyed watching the putting the stone and weight over the bar competitions as well as the always popular haggis hurling and caber tossing events Some who attended were then able to test their own skills in a have-a-go competition, which was open to those adults and children who fancied their ability at hurling a haggis or trying to toss a smaller and lighter than normal caber
This annual event was well supported by local businesses and advertisers, schools, youth organisations and the town council - and the Lions were particularly pleased to welcome the Harpenden Mayor, Beth Fisher as a guest of honour on this occasion.
The event raises money for local worthy causes and for Lions charities - and this year the proceeds raised will go to support Rennie Grove Peace Hospice and the Lions life skills programme
The latter has, to date and in the last several years, contributed over £300,000 to schools in Harpenden and surrounding villages Report and photos: Guy Kenyon on behalf of Harpenden Lions
Beer and Fizz fest returns to church
The seventh annual Beer and Fizz Festival returned to St Saviour’s Church last weekend, offering three days of great drinks, live music, tasty food, and good times. Acts included The Landlords, The Apple Scruffs, An Absolute Shambles and St Albans Just Sing! Community Choir, but there were also performances from St Albans Morris Dancers and Redbourn Jazz Band. This year’s event was raising funds for The Pioneer Club and St Saviour’s own development project, and was officially opened by St Albans MP Daisy Cooper. Vicar of St Saviour’s, Fr Richard Watson, said: “This year's Beer & Fizz Festival really was bigger and better than ever! It's wonderful to be able to welcome so many people of all ages, and we are once again overwhelmed by the generosity of our pubs and local businesses in support of the work of St Saviour's and The Pioneer Youth Club, this year's festival charity. Thank you to all who helped make this such a vibrant celebration of community here in our part of St Albans!"
Photos by Toby Shepheard
Yesterday Once More: photos from our archives
St Albans Mayor Gordon Myland (2004-05) weighs in at St Albans Health Club.
Image by Tony “Greg” Gregory.
THINGSAREHEATINGUPFORBATCHWOODBOWLERS
Another heatwave to contend with for Batchwood bowlers resulting in some fixtures being cancelled or postponed.
In the Herts County League Batchwood Men played two rinks against St Albans John Bell Brian Parkes Len Pearce & Dave Richardson beat Bob Pomeroy s team 18 – 13 Eddy Clark, Jerry McCauliffe, Mark Trembling and Dave Gauthier beat Andy Kay’s team 18 – 15 Sue Swain played Anne Marie Stuart-Reid of Harpenden in the Ladies District singles An interesting match with fluctuating scoring At 8 ends the scores were level at 5 all At 20 ends Sue was losing 19 – 11 and did not score again for five ends However she scored a single shot on the final two ends winning 21 – 17 Liz Schlatter partnered Sandra Clark in the St Albans & District Ladies pairs against another BHBC partnership, Brenda Bennitt and Jenny Gauthier Liz and Sandra won 21-12 In the next round they will play Linda Brooks of Harpenden BC at home
In the St Albans & District Ladies Rinks League Batchwood Ladies lost to a very strong opposition from Kings Langley Sue Swain s team lost 14 – 19, and Jackie Bell’s team lost 10 – 16
In the St Albans & District Men s singles matches second round John Bell lost to Gary Walton of Welwyn Garden City John was slow to start but played well in the latter half Gary was very good at firing when John was holding and dead ended one end Brian Parkes beat Tony Redford of Harpenden after Tony conceded Dave Richardson had to give his game due to pressure on dates In the second round of the Gorhambury Fours the Batchwood team of John Bell Steve Lea Eddy Thackery and Jerry McCauliffe beat J Earnshaw’s team away at Welwyn Garden City 17 – 7 The other Batchwood team of Mark Trembling, Dave Gauthier, Eddie Clark and Dave Richardson played at Hatfield BC against Alan Harman winning 26 – 0
In the Jones Cup Batchwood Men played Harperbury in a very close game and beat them by one shot
