HUNDREDS OF HOMES COULD BE AFFECTED BY NEW ‘MANSION TAX’
Guide Price £700,000
2 BEDROOM APARTMENT FOR SALE IN LONDON ROAD, ST. ALBANS, AL1
A stylish and contemporary two-bedroom split-level apartment, beautifully presented and featuring underground parking, two private terraces, and smart home technology Set within the award-winning Gabriel Square development, the property is ideally located close to the vibrant city centre and just a short walk from the mainline railway station
Offers Over £1,000,000
5 BEDROOM HOUSE FOR SALE IN WATFORD ROAD, ST ALBANS, AL2
An impressive and beautifully appointed five-bedroom detached residence, built in the 1930s and offering approximately 2,700 sq ft of elegant living space Positioned on one of St Albans’ most prestigious roads, this distinguished family home combines period charm with modern sophistication Ideally located for highly regarded local schools, it is also within comfortable walking distance of the mainline station and the vibrant city centre
£1,250 pcm (£288 pw)
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Editor’s Note
Laura Bill, Darren McCabe, Emma Kosh, Eris, Deborah Heath, James Cameron, Elena Hogg, Jess Unwin, Jim Standen, Robert Edrop, St Albans Tour
Caroline Thain.
about Harpenden parking In fact, people go on and on and on, particularly in social media
Council leader unwavering in stance
over Harpenden parking charges
“I was elected as a district councillor when the Harpenden on-street parking proposals were well known The local MP [Victoria Collins] was elected when the Harpenden on-street parking proposals were well known, so much well known that the only thing in the literature of their opponent was the Harpenden parking proposals.
“There was an overwhelming victory for Victoria Collins, there was overwhelming victory for me, so we won't be implementing what a survey says or what the Harpenden Town Council say they would like to happen However, I can assure you that we will look at it with the full amount of attention that it deserves ”
His comments have provoked a backlash from councillors and campaigners in the town, including local businesswoman Elaine Bradford, who has been instrumental in leading the fight against the charges
She told the St Albans Times: “The clear distain for the democratic process is mindblowing, unbelievable in fact
“The fact that the leader of the council can dismiss such concerns or evidence placed before him with a wave of his hand is not in any way shape or form acceptable This is the people and businesses speaking and he still will not listen
This is not democracy
“I and 50 other businesses in the town are still waiting for him to come and meet with us to discuss the impact the parking charges are having on the independent businesses in the town and he still refuses. Rather like a young child he seems to believe if he closes his eyes, we can't see him - but we can see you and you ignoring us won't make us go away
“To Paul de Kort I say with only 1,081 votes making you a district councillor and therefore eligible to be leader of the council, this is hardly the whopping majority you speak of in a town of 31,000 residents who you continually refuse to listen to I think it is time for you to consider his position ”
Meanwhile, councillors are proposing another Controlled Parking Zone in St Albans city centre – this time operating seven days a week from 8 30am-10pm
The CPZ would affect Avenue Road, Hillside Road, Lemsford Road, Manor Road, St Peter’s Road and Townsend Avenue, all of which are currently free to park at any time and are often used by city centre workers during the day Residents’ permits would cost between £15 80 to £483 per year depending on the type and number of vehicles, with a Ford Focus costing between £60 40 to £301 90 per year The maximum stay for visitors will be two hours and will cost £5 SADC says: “The council’s Parking Strategy outlines our aims to deliver an efficient service that provides fair and safe parking across the district to help shape, manage, and deliver the council’s vision for parking It sets out how we manage kerbside space to reduce the impact of parking on the environment.
“By managing the kerbside set out in the proposal, we will make significant improvements and provide benefits as outlined: increase the available provision of resident parking places; reduce instances of inappropriate or inconsiderate parking; improve access to adjacent properties; reduce congestion; improve road safety, and encourage active travel
“[SADC] continues to work hard to increase efficiency and reduce running costs where possible, the cost of providing parking services should be met from the income received from fees and charges, including permitting schemes for parking on street and the issue of Penalty Charge Notices for motorists who park in contravention ”
A consultation on the scheme is currently ongoing, but this has met with a degree of cynicism from motorists and opposition councillors alike.
Are Harpenden’s Liberal Democrats repeating the mistakes of the Conservatives?
HARPENDEN TOWN COUNCILLOR
RICHARD SCOTT ASKS WHETHER THE CURRENT SADC ADMINISTRATION HAS LEARNED THE LESSONS OF THEIR PREDECESSORS...
interviews Responses remain open until December 22.
This is exactly how local government should work: consult widely, gather evidence, and present it constructively to the authority responsible for the final decision for full consideration
It was therefore highly concerning to hear how the views of the respondents to the HTC survey were summarily dismissed at the December SADC meeting
During Council Leader’s Question Time, Harpenden Conservative district councillor David Heritage asked Cllr de Kort whether residents and businesses could be confident that their input, via the HTC survey, would be taken into account
Cllr de Kort replied: “Not implemented of course. Because they are not in the position to do that ”
Cllrde Kort went on to say that SADC “ won’t be implementing what a survey says or what Harpenden Town Council say they would like to happen,” though he added that SADC would “look at it with the full amount of attention that it deserves”.
Procedurally, Cllr de Kort’s point about implementation authority was correct: HTC cannot direct SADC policy. But his tone and phrasing were unfortunate to say the least I would encourage local residents to view and assess the meeting footage for themselves on the SADC website. Residents and businesses were hoping for reassurance that their views would carry weight during SADC’s 2026 review. Instead, many have since interpreted the response as arrogant and dismissive, a perception that could easily have been avoided
When trust in politics is fragile, as it is in the United Kingdom and many other countries today, elected politicians must take great care to be seen to listen It is deeply unfortunate that, once again, SADC appear to be failing in this regard Two broader factors help explain the sensitivity of this issue
First, the scheme is generating much more income than SADC originally expected
Exclusive Caudalie Skincare Consultation Day at The Maltings
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Souvlaki City recognised for supporting street homeless
Refurbishment of fire-damaged traveller site set to begin
EYES ON CHRISTMAS HUGS
Supporting St Albans Community
Pantry this December
Hundreds
of homes across the district could be affected by Labour’s new ‘mansion tax’
Paradise trees, Snapdragon and Hoodman’s Bluff
CHRISTMAS IN MEDIEVAL ST ALBANS
to pre-Christian times when holly and ivy were seen as male and female so hung up together to create balance
The evergreen leaves used to symbolise renewal of life after winter and protection against evil spirits Christianity has abandoned some of the old pagan customs but kept this one and adapted it. Now with the prickles of the holly represent Christ’s crown of thorns and the red berries, his blood The clinging ivy symbolises the need for believers to cling to God
There are also holy boughs hung from hall ceilings
These are made of holly with a clay figure of an infant Jesus or the holy family attached Everyone wants to stand underneath to be blessed with the good luck that the holy bough brings Little do they know that sometime in the future mistletoe will be added to the bough and its tradition will change!
Christmas Eve is also the day to commemorate the Feast Day of Adam and Eve Paradise trees are erected in churches and public places, adorned with apples and communion wafers to symbolise the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden
This is another tradition that will evolve and return in centuries to come as the Christmas tree.
Christmas is for everyone, whether rich or poor In wealthy homes the cooks are preparing elaborate meat dishes – maybe a peacock, designed to look impressive and show off wealth, rather than to be tasty. It will be stuffed with other foods to make it more palatable
The other main centrepiece will be a boar’s head, stuffed with herbs, salt and cured meats, then covered with a mix of lard and black ash to resemble its hair And if that’s not enough, the feast may also include goose, swan and beef.
Others won’t be able to afford such a lavish meal
Those who keep pigs will have a ham or bacon ready, but for the really poor, Christmas just means larger portions of their usual diet of bread and pottage, if they’re lucky.
Paupers will queue as usual at the Great Gateway of the Abbey waiting for gifts of food and fuel from the Almoner. The leftovers from the banquets of the rich will also be distributed to the poor
After all Christmas is a time of giving And the rich will be giving luxury gifts to family and friends on Christmas Day Highly prized is gingerbread, flavoured with ginger, honey and spices, and pressed into elaborate shapes and sometimes even covered gold leaf Or there are marzipan subtleties, moulded decorative treats originally from Persia.
our columnist eris asks - what are your values?
OPINION BITE with
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Oaklands’ student training restaurant reopens after £70K refurbishment
IN OTHER NEWS...
the DIY and gardening section there is a sewing machine, a sander, a hand drill, a glue gun, a ladder and a leaf blower
It is open at The Green House, 46 London Road, from 11am-2 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and on Thursday evenings from 5pm until 7pm
For more information about Share St Albans see https://www sharestalbans org/
Share St Albans teams up with Wickes for free DIY materials
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Meanwhile, newcomer Joe is a confident and brave Jack, with a frisson of believable chemistry in his relationship with Holly Elle Martin’s Princess Jill Chris Gannon provides entertaining comic relief as his bumbling brother Simon, and Rosie Winter excels as Fairy Sunshine, proving a worthy adversary to Fleshcreep in their scenes together Credit should also go to the five dancers who portrayed both the villagers and Blunderbore’s minions, whirling around the EMC’s rather confined stage as if they were in an episode of Strictly. The gags come fast and furious, with plenty of digs at the less salubrious towns around Harpenden like Luton and Hatfield, and an equal array of cringeworthy puns for good measure
A particular favourite was Tilly’s comparing her two boys: Jack – one in a million – and Simon – won in a raffle, but that’s the only spoiler you’re getting.
The choice of songs this year included classics like Dreamgirls’ One Night Only and Bonnie Tyler’s I Need A Hero, but the decision to include popular numbers from Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters was a genius move, as the audience embraced the opportunity to sing along with Soda Pop and Golden, as well as Rosé and Bruno Mars’ much loved APT and Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club.
A veritable who’s who of Harpenden were in the audience for the opening night, including Mayor Cllr Beth Fisher, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Annie Brewster, award-winning photographer Steve Collins and Harpendia magazine editor Ron Taylor, all of whom immersed themselves wholeheartedly in the music and madness of the show
We are unquestionably blessed in the St Albans district to have a choice of two exceptional Christmas pantomimes, and although the EMC’s is often overshadowed by its Alban Arena equivalent, the last few years has proved it can more than hold its own in terms of performances, script and production values Cool beans indeed
INTERIORS
Each fortnight local designers share their viewsonhowtocreateinspiringspaces
Finding Your Design North Star This Christmas
As Christmas settles over St Albans - the cathedral glowing, the shop fronts warming up the early evenings, and the familiar seasonal buzz filling the streets - there’s one symbol of the season that has always captured my imagination:TheNorthernStar
A single point of light offering direction, clarity and purpose.
AndwhileitsmeaningintheChristmasstoryisprofound, it also offers a surprisingly relevant lesson for anyone standing at the start of a home project, wondering where onearthtobegin.
Becauseindesign,thequestionIhearmostoftenis:
“WheredoIstart?”
For many homeowners, the first step is the hardest. There’stoomuchinspiration,toomanyoptions,toomany saved posts and screenshots and samples and “maybe this?” moments. Without something grounding the process, it’s easy to feel adrift. Rooms become collages of goodintentionsbutmixedmessages
This is why every project, regardless of size, style or budget,needswhatIcallaDesignNorthStar.
Your Design North Star is the guiding principle that sets your direction It’s the anchor you return to whenever decisions become overwhelming, or when too many styles start competing for attention It keeps your project coherent,intentionalandunmistakablyyours.
Professionally, designers often use a “north star” as a high-level narrative guiding teams toward a shared goal. In the home, it serves the same purpose - aligning all the individual decisions so the finished space feels cohesive, confidentandintentional.
Andithelpsyoustaytruetoyourself.
A North Star keeps you from being swayed by passing trends or outside opinions that don’t fit your lifestyle. It ensuresyourhomereflectsthewayyouwanttolive-not whatashowroomoralgorithmsuggestsyoushouldwant.
As you choose colours, materials, furniture or artwork, keep checking back in with your North Star If something doesn’t support that vision, it’s a sign the designisdriftingoffcourse
Why Christmas is the perfect moment to choose yours
As the year winds down, homes become fuller, busier and more meaningful We gather, reflect, reset, and start imagining what the next year might look like - both in lifeandinourlivingspaces
SothisDecember,itmightbetheperfecttimetoask:
“What is the guiding star for your next home project?”
And could choosing it now bring more clarity, harmony andjoyintotheyearahead?
After spotting SADC parking lead Cllr Helen Campbell in the audience, you had to wonder what she made of the pointed references to the authority in the script, whether it was the fact that it takes three hours to get into the city and costs £30 to park, how death by a thousand cuts sounds just like St Albans council, or “I’ve got so much money I can afford to park in St Albans ”
Whether it’s giant comedy animals, flying carpet rides, water fights through the aisles, comic book fight scenes, Dame Dolly’s ridiculous outfits or the trademark Alban Arena ghost gag bench, it seems as though there’s so much more to this particular pantomime than we’ve seen in years Every scene seems to be packed to bursting with sharp choreography (top work Emily DavisWells!), snappy lines and show-stopping songs, keeping up the pace and never dragging for a minute
Arguably it’s the music which also packs a punch this year, featuring a wider range of styles and songs than any Arena panto has previously offered, including the likes of Teenage Dirtbag, I Fought
The Law, Defying Gravity, KPop Demon Hunters’ Golden, I Predict A Riot and Common People (“She studied drama at Oaklands College.”).
Of particular note was the rewritten version of Bruce Springsteen classic Born to Run, completely transforming a tale of teenage motorbikers into a celebration of the wares of Dame Dolly’s joke shop
There were even more songs making up the content of the absolutely hilarious barrow routine, which sees the comedy trio of Bob, PC World (Damian Patton) and Charlie (Dave Bibby) work through dozens of vocal extracts used in the place of dialogue
Just putting this together must have taken days on its own, but it’s a fresh and innovative take on the traditional Arena sketch.
Local government reorganisation waiting
retain a portion of taxes to pay for things we know our residents want following a political debate. They do this in America and they do this in Europe
game drags on for frustrated councils
“That’s proper localism, and in our view we don’t see any difference with the unitary model from what we have now, it’s still too big to be dealing with local things ”
An off-shoot of the reorganisation of local government in the district is the campaign to create a city parish council for central St Albans, covering 28,000 households in Batchwood, Bernards Heath, Clarence, Cunningham, Hill End, Marshalswick West, Sopwell, St Peter’s and Verulam wards
“It’s uncontentious across all the parties locally about the parishing of central St Albans rather than the notion that some uber-authority should be deciding where the park benches go, what happens to the St Albans lido, and things like that. That’s proper devolution ”
The issue of a parish council for central St Albans has been bubbling along for decades, with the creation of the city neighbourhoods committee – made up of co-opted representatives from various residents’ associations as well as local ward councillors – going some way towards filling the power vacuum, but still nowhere near far enough
Aside from the staffing issues, the hanging over the future of many and where they see themselves in
“It’s a big shift if you take on resp because it will be much harder to family and care responsibilities, a struggle with that. Diversity does the district council includes youn of school age, others with caring r more of an ethnic diversity than y council – but I don’t know what th “I think some district councillors become the new unitary councillo it? Will enough go for the parish c time for both So it’s another unce And that brings us back to the flaw Councils are expected to carry on strategies that might unravel in th anything about planning ahead un some perception about the numb decide upon.
Even hopes of a multi-year local g to have been dashed, with council money they are going to receive f half of December, prompting SAD commenced looking at next year ’ has time to consider all options be the new year
“This is why the long-term vision the right way to go, as all councils advance what the numbers are go plan their own council tax increas can think about doing or not doin
“But this isn’t in place because the desperate for money, and they wa a political crisis to throw money a that tax increase, and if they’ve al promises to us then they can’t tak government ”
So now we wait, and time will tell authorities the Government decid including SADC’s own two model proposal.
“That’s the position I’ve taken, and my group totally support me Daisy Cooper gets her own information as MP, and she’s drawn her own conclusion, and will be writing to the Government telling them she wants the fastest possible move to a strategic mayor, because we deserve it and it’s one of the upsides to this process. ”
In the meantime, the next phase of the Community Governance Review is getting underway, with residents invited to have their say on proposed changes
IN OTHER NEWS...
the St Albans and Harpenden area through mediation, outreach services and through their helpline They work across the county supporting vulnerable young people at risk of homelessness to build a more secure future.
Gingerbread tower up for grabs in festive charity raffle
Flashback: 1957
WHAT MADE THE NEWS IN THE HERTS ADVERTISER DATED:
Following our acquisition of a bound volume of the Herts Ad from 1957-1958, we are presenting 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...
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1957
CONSERVATIVES’ CHRISTMAS FAIR
A popular feaure of the Christmas Fair of St Albans Division, Conservative and Unionist Association, held on Saturday throughout the whole day, was the running buffet arranged by St Albans women’s branch. Coffees in the mornings, snack lunches and teas, were served by a band of helpers with Mrs JC Ottaway as catering officer.
Among the many stalls run by various local branches, the country produce stall arranged by St Michael’s, and stocked with pheasants, hares and plants, found a ready sale.
By early evening the salls were practically sold out, and the proceedings ended with the prizes being presented by Mr WML Escombe (president of the association) and Mr AA Slocock (chairman).
The Hon Mrs John Grimston is pictured trying her luck at rolling the coin with other officals at the bazaar.
LEAD STORY: THE HEADMASTER OF LONDON COLNEY SECONDARY MODERN SCHOOL, MR JF DAWSON, APPEALED TO THE PARENTS OF HIS 280 PUPILS TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN UNIFORM.
Studio
SPOTLIGHT STORY: END OF BOOT
Boot and shoe making was at one time a flourishing industry in St Albans, but the end of this year will also see the end of this industry, and its associated crafts, in the city.
Centralisation of the industry at Leicester has led to the closing down of the last of the shoemaking enterprises in St Albans, which occupied the factory on the corner of College Street and Dagnall Street, which was set up about 1880
It was in March of this year that the firm of HE Joyner and Co Ltd ceased to exist, and following this take-over by the Freeman, Hardy and Willis Group, the men employed there rapidly diminished in number as the work was transferred to Leicester
Now, there remain only one or two men and a few women operatives who will have ceased work entirely by the end of the year
The story of the undertaking began four generations ago, when John Freshwater, an outfitter at Welwyn, established for himself a reputation for the hand manufacture of good quality agricultural boots These were made by individual craftsmen working in lofts, sheds and rooms in the district, and were collected by Mr Freshwater and sold by him.
In Welwyn in those days, however, there was considerable influential opposition to the formation of any kind of “factory”, so the work moved into St Albans, and in 1924 was taken over by HE Joyner and Co Ld
By the first world war, the production of women’s shoes and boots was well established, and this continued until about 1935, when mechanisation within the industry brought about the competitive “fashion” trade in women’s footwear and the firm switched over entirely to the manufacture of children’s shoes. Although by his time the handicraft workers were practically extinct, there still remained a necessary high degree of skill in the hands of those who worked the machines which ultimately produced 1,200 pairs of children’s shoes every day
The last of the line of principals of the firm is Mr EA Tansley, formerly a director of HE Joyner and Co Ltd, and now factory manager for the group which has taken over the company The company was previously a subsidiary of Trueform and was joined by Mr Tansley as an apprentice in 1902 At that time, the industry was re-settling after turmoil caused by the advent of the machines
In 1897, for example, hand-workers who were alarmed by the prospect of mechanisation went on strike and halted production throughout the country for several months
The firm specialised in the making of hard-wearing shoes, and moved with the times in developing the production of a range of fittings so that 80 per cent of its child customers had scientifically proper-fitting shoes An important sideline was the manufacture of special shoes for orthopaedic centres and for the Treloar cripples’ [sic] home at Alton, Hampshire
One of the most important workers in the business was the “clicker”, who operated a machine to cut the uppers. His name
AND SHOEMAKING IN ST ALBANS
came from the flexible clicking knife which cuts out the variously shaped pieces of skin from which the uppers are formed The skill of this job lay in the ability to select the right part of the skin for each portion, detecting “stretch” and discarding unsuitable material
The future of the factor in St Albans is still uncertain, but the future of the industry as a whole, as foreseen by Mr Tansley, points to automation, and the production of a different kind of shoe from what we have been used to
Subject to the limitations imposed through the use of “natural” material, Mr Tansley thinks that the already highly mechanised shoe industry will lend iself reasonably to something approaching complete automation, Already, in women’s shoes, the tendency is established to produce goods which will not be repaired, and in a few years it is reckoned that men’s shoes, too, will be made so that the uppers will last just as long as the soles, and the cost of repair will equal or approach that of a new pair of shoes
Plastic injection moulding is a “coming thing” in the industry, the future of which seems to lie no more within the city of St Albans, where it has grown and flourished so much in the past
Pictured is one of the firm’s oldest employees, Mr AE Siggery, who joined in 1912, operating a clicking machine for the last time
Sir -’Housing strangers in St Albans’ - This heading appeared in your issue of November 1 and, as far as I know, no one has praised Councillor TH Thornton for his remarks at the city council meeting up to this moment. I am sure the “locals” will give him a cheer for being so bold
A case in point has come to my knowledge recently. An old age pensioner, born in the city, worked in it, joined Kitchener’s army in World War I, supplied four sons to World War II, wanted a transfer to a ground-floor residence - eight being available, but saw a “stranger” occupy the very first one on the particular site
Thank you Councillor Thornton! Albanian
Note: At the meeting of the city council referred to, Councillor Thornton said: “People have been coming to this city, taking up sub-standard accommodation, getting on to the housing list and getting re-housed several years earlier than they would have done in their own home town
Why it works at Christmas: Its nutty sweetness echoes festive flavours Serve it neat after dinner, drizzle over vanilla ice cream, or pair with mince pies and Christmas pudding It’s also sensational with blue cheese, where sweetness meets salt in perfect harmony.
Serving tip: Chill lightly and pour into a small wine glass for maximum aroma
Akashi-Tai Honjōzō Tokubetsu (£15.95 Cellar Door Wines)
A classic sake with a refined edge “Tokubetsu” means special, and here it refers to extra polishing and care. This honjōzō is clean, dry, and umami-rich, with subtle citrus and a whisper of earthiness
It’s the ultimate all-rounder
Why it works at Christmas: Its crisp profile makes it ideal for starters like smoked salmon or oysters, while gentle warming brings out savoury depth for roast turkey or honey-glazed ham. Few drinks travel the menu as gracefully
Serving tip: Try it three ways chilled for freshness, room temperature for clarity, and gently warmed (around 40°C) for a cosy, umami-rich experience
Akashi-Tai Ginjo Yuzushu (£27 95 Cellar Door Wines)
If you love citrus, this is your festive showstopper Fresh yuzu - a Japanese fruit with a flavour somewhere between lemon and grapefruit - is blended with ginjo sake to create a bright, zesty liqueur that’s pure sunshine in a glass
Why it works at Christmas: It’s the perfect aperitif Serve before lunch to wake up the palate, or between courses as a refreshing reset Pair with oysters, smoked salmon, or even fruit desserts. For a party trick, top with sparkling wine for a Japanese spritz
Serving tip: Serve well-chilled and shake before pouring (the fruit sediment adds texture).
THE WICKED LADY
latter was our overall winner, being a pudding which you end up finishing regardless of how much food has been consumed beforehand No complaints about the crumble mind, although the lemon tart was a little bit too sweet for my partner’s palate, and she would have preferred an extra sharpness for contrast
Finally, no review would be complete without a virtual round of applause for our servers, two exceptionally well-informed and customer-focused young ladies who were attentive and engaging throughout our meal
There are plenty of exceptional country pubs scattered throughout the Hertfordshire landscape, so it takes a lot to stand out from the crowd. On the strength of this visit, The Wicked Lady is definitely worth booking that taxi for
St Albans Girls’ School celebrates 10 Years of Rotary Interact Club service at special anniversary event
Yesterday Once More: pictures from the archives
whereas
This photo of St Albans Morris Men dancing in Cathedral dates back more than 50 years, to June 7 1974 Taken by Tony “Greg” Gregory, it unusual in that it is dated on the rear,
many of his photos in our collection don’t have such details included St Albans Morris are a mixed side of dancers who have been performing the Cotswold tradition of Morris around Hertfordshire and beyond since 1930
Winning design chosen for new Crinkle Crankle Corner gate
Keep your brain alive!
According to medical research, attempting brain exercises for short periods of time each day may well prevent memory loss and at the same time increase mental fitness and preserve and enhance your brain’s capabilities. Each week St Albans-based mathematician Gareth Rowlands, a campaigner for people living with memory loss, will be compiling a brain enhancement exercise aimed at keeping the grey matter active. Find out more about his work at www battledementia co uk
1 Work out: 1 – 0 1 x 0 1 + 0 1 ÷ 10
2 Which is the odd one out in this list of shapes? Square, triangle, parallelogram, rectangle
3 What are the next two letters in this list of letters? S S M T W --- ---
4 The average of 8, 9 and another number is 7 What is the other number?
5. Work out the first and last numbers in this series of five numbers: -- 216 1,296 7,776 --
6. How many 2cm cubes are needed to fill completely a box in the shape of a cube of side 4cm?
7 What is the difference in amount between 10 per cent of £60 and 20 per cent of £30?
8 I think of a number and divide it by 6 and then add 10 The final answer is 30 What number did I think of?
9 What is the difference in size between the largest and smallest four digit numbers made by using the digits 4, 7, 6 and 5?
Last week’s answers
1. the letter m
2. 18
3. Friday was the name of the horseman’s horse.
4 1 and 2 each term in the sequence is doubled
5 18
6 one fifth of a half one fortieth
7 2,500
8 0 109
9 Nine trillion, four hundred and sixty billion, seven hundred and thirty million, four hundred and seventy two thousand, five hundred and eighty point eight kilometres
Dental practice unveils sustainable Christmas tree
Rare medieval artefact at the centre of new exhibition at St Albans Museum + Gallery
Abbey pupils quiz MP Daisy Cooper in new outdoor canopy space
Home care provider launches appeal for volunteers to join award-winning campaign to beat loneliness this winter
The Sun also rises at St Albans Museum + Gallery
Tractor convoy makes its way across district
Massive tractors illuminated with festive lights made their way in a convoy across the district on Sunday as part of an annual fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Society
The event saw farmers drive their machines from West End Barns in Nomansland, through Wheathampstead, Harpenden High Street, Redbourn and finally St Albans during the course of the afternoon
Harpenden photographer Steve Collins was on hand to capture pictures of the event as it made its way through the town
Organiser Joshua Costa-Sa said: "This was the first year of the event and the first I have run When I started planning it I was only expecting a few tractors and a couple of people coming out to support us, "All I can say is just 'wow!' I was genuinely taken aback by the support of the public and the number of tractors which took part. We hope to have even more tractors next year.
"We chose to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society this year as they have lost a lot of their funding, and we have raised just over £2,100, I couldn't have done it without my amazing team helping with all the organising behind the scenes, I would like to say from the bottom of my heart a massive thank you to all the public who came out to support and donated and we look forward to seeing you all next year, from all the farmers on the run we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year."
Soraya Bowen, Alzheimer’s Society Community Fundraiser, said: “We are so grateful that St Albans Farmers have chosen to support Alzheimer’s Society. Each hour people generously give to fundraise for us, every event they take part in, every pound they donate, they’re making a life-changing difference to people living with dementia
“Alzheimer’s Society provides vital support to people living with dementia, funds ground-breaking research and campaigns to make dementia the priority it should be It will take a society to beat dementia
“There are around a million people living with dementia in the UK including more than 16,500 in Hertfordshire We all have a role to play in ending the devastation dementia causes We simply can’t reach everyone who needs us without the continued support of our incredible fundraisers like St Albans Farmers ”
Anyone worried about dementia symptoms in themselves or a loved one should speak to their GP You can also use the Alzheimer’s Society dementia symptoms checklist at alzheimers org uk/checklist
Old Albanians 31 - Westcombe Park 40 - National League 2 (East)
Report by Times rugby correspondent Gary Wiles, photos by Neil Baldwin
Park and then from a five metre lineout Park's Taine Wagstaff went over for the first of them, with Max Brown making no mistake for the conversion to bring it back to 21-24
A fantastic individual try by Westcombe's Kyan Braithwaite - converted by Brown - was quickly followed by a four-minute brace of tries from Nick Cook to put Park firmly in the driving seat 24-40 despite Brown missing one of the conversion attempts
Rocked back on their heels, Old Albanians went on the attack to try and find a way back into the game Another high tackle from Park led to further scuffles which needed cool heads and some intervention from the officials
With time ticking, OAs managed to ship the ball out to Seyi Ajeigbe who sprinted over in the corner The referee didn't give the try and went to speak to her touch judge who had spotted an infringement in the build-up It was unclear exactly what had transpired but OAs were awarded a penalty try, saving Eliot McPhun having to attempt the conversion close to the touch line It was too little too late for the league leaders however, as full time was blown, going down 31-40
Next up for Old Albanians is an away trip to Havant where they hope to end their two game losing streak against second-placed Oundle who took the opportunity to go to level on points with the league leaders after a win against Sevenoaks OAs’ next home game is on December 20 when they welcome London Welsh to Woollams
problems as City started to turn up the gas Mia had a shot deflected over then Millie robbed the keeper but had her shot blocked on the line before we had what was possibly the turning point in the game Sofia attempting to bring the ball out of defence was robbed by Megan Foord who strode forward but shot narrowly wide with only Jess to beat Three minutes after that let-off The Saints were level three minutes after that they were 3-1 ahead!
Millie attempting to dribble around the entire Colchester defence was hauled back and referee Jason Dawson gave a free kick a yard outside the penalty box in a central position Chloe Farrell stepped up with a delightful chip that struck the underside of the cross-bar and was tapped home by an onrushing Kayleigh Two minutes later a shot was beaten out by substitute keeper Kaine and Mia rifled home her first ever goal for The Saints
Even before the fans had stopped cheering and retaken their seats Millie blasted home another from the edge of the box
The Saints were now firing on all cylinders as Kayleigh fired narrowly over the bar, Chloe with an amazing mazy dribble and shot that Kaine tipped around the post before substitute Fran Grazioli who had only been on the pitch for thirty seconds picked up a loose ball in the inside-right channel and fired home from the edge of the box
Overall an excellent display from The Saints whose heads didn t drop when they went behind and put their opponent to the sword with some delightful football and devastating finishing This was a fine all-round team performance with two substitutes getting on the scoresheet and with significant contributions from the younger members of the squad which bodes well for the future of this fledgling team
The Saints are next in action on Sunday December 14 against Bowers @ Pitsea at Clarence Park
