The Calm - August 2023 - Issue 01

CALM

CALM REVIEWS BOOKS FOOD LIVE MUSIC

LIVE MUSIC REVIEWS LITERATURE DRINK

ARTS CULTURE BOOKS FOOD LIVE MUSIC

THE CALM IS A PROJECT.

Born out of a love for St Albans’ grass roots community, the NME and our independents. Inspired by discussions with young poets, writers, musicians, and artists who welcomed the idea of a print and digital platform for creative expression.

If you are looking for a creative outlet, send your contributions to cunningvixen@thecalm.uk

The Cunning Vixen Curator of gorgeous things and bottle washer.

“This is not a newspaper, nor intended to be mainstream. It’s a celebration of the plethora of creatives, quietly getting on and making things happen. Of the diverse culture, knowledge and experiences to be discovered in St Albans city and beyond. Perhaps you picked this up in a coffee shop or stumbled across it online. We hope it inspires a thought, a conversation, a poem.”

With thanks to:

Art Curator; Aisha Adi Music Curator; Grae Wall Innovations Curator; Chris Blanch Graphical Assembly; 8eCreative Youth Rocks; James McNeil Wildboy; Simon Weil

Keeping it Real; Herbie Gee Dee Hidden Gem; Les O’ Leary Belonging; Helen Singer

Marla Singers’ Book Club

Good reads for insomniacs in between support group meetings.

Hotel Magnifique

Emily J. Taylor.

For a truly magnificent read, full of imagination, magic, love, sacrifice, beauty, wanderlust, friendship, acceptance and finding your own tribe.

Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution

R.F. Kuang.

A celebration of the power of words. England, the mothership of colonialism. An alternative 18th century universe set in the mysterious city of Oxford. Academia has sold its soul to support the pillaging of foreign countries, resources and people. An underground rebellion. For those who love history, magic, mystery, science fiction, and good triumphing over evil. Beautifully written. I cried when the story ended. Just freaking amazing.

Demon Copperhead

Barbara Kingsolver.

A fictional story set in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia. A young boy born into white American poverty. A community pillaged by the coal kings, leaving nothing but black lung disease and severe injuries. Then came the drug companies. My outlaws live in Knoxville, at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. I watched a family member, a successful, caring grandmother, succumb to Oxy, and then, eventually overcome it. Two years ago, a friend in Nashville died of a heroin overdose. A man I loved, a mountain man, a funny man with a big heart who battled for years with his demons. If you have a friend or family member who is an addict, this book will rip your heart wide open. All around our world, millions of people are targeted every minute of the day by those who want to take everything. A cartel, peddling on the street, a dealer with a backpack and a mobile phone, a prescription sold by a crooked medical facility. All they want is your money, they will suck you dry, and do not care if you live or die. Kingsolver is incredible.

An Astronomer in Love

Antoine Laurain.

Recommended by Jane (Books on the Hill) as being a rather beautiful story, full of the charm of Paris in a delightful love story. It was all that and more.

Lioness

Emily Perkins.

Compare and contrast with Kingsolver. A narcissistic, fifty something, entrepreneur who has built a business out of soft furnishings. Recreational ecstasy, champagne, a dodgy property developer husband, a mid-life crisis, lesbian experimentation, an orgy, and pride before the fall. Reads like a 1990s cliché. Part way through I wanted to rush out to a support group for books you cannot unread. However, hang in there. The redeeming features include the story being set in Wellington, New Zealand, it is full of scenic description, there is a must-have stage in some furniture less living room for cathartic emotional outpouring, and Emily Perkins rocks.

Bloody St Albans

Verulam Writers.

An anthology of real and fictional short stories on local crime in St Albans. A centuries old secret tunnel beneath the local bookstore and the Cathedral. A Fleetville shopkeeper protecting her community youth. Learn how to fertilise the garden with a bad egg. Loved that this is local, with a percentage of sales profits going to St Albans for Refugees. Great for a wintertime read by the fire at your favourite pub.

You can find these books at the gorgeous local indie bookseller, Books on the Hill, Hollywell Hill, St Albans. For voracious readers who eat books for breakfast, check out the Oxfam Bookshop on Catherine Street in St Albans

ST ALBANS MUSIC CITY

This month I caught up with local music maverick Mac MacLaren, founder of Lemonrock.com and 50% of popular local duo MacLaren Wall.

Grae: Let’s start at the beginning. How long has Lemonrock been running now and what was your original motivation for setting it up?

Mac: I created Lemonrock in 2000 because it was difficult to find out which bands were playing. Sometimes the local papers printed details, sometimes they didn’t. I had a bit of programming experience so I thought I would set up a gig guide on the web. I published our first page on 1st June 2000, which had about a dozen gigs listed. I thought “Wow, anyone in the world can see that page now!”

Grae: Wow, 23 years, that’s amazing! I guess there’s been quite a lot of changes in that time and the online world has become an even more essential tool for bands and musicians.

Mac: Yes, Lemonrock is a veteran now! We started 4 years before Facebook!

Although I began Lemonrock as a gig guide for the public, it has become indispensable for bands and musicians all over the UK, as it helps them to find new venues to play and reach new audiences in different towns through advertising their gigs.

We have always moved with the times, and recently introduced Android and Apple apps. Bands can use their smartphones to manage their gig diaries, mailshot prospective venues, show when they are available to play, and manage reviews, photos, recordings, and songs. Lemonrock is a one-stop “Swiss army knife” for gig bookings and gig management!

Grae: That’s so cool. The pandemic was really tough on bands and venues. Do you feel like audiences are getting back to pre-covid numbers and enthusiasm again now?

Mac: It’s surprising, but the number of venues putting on live music has increased by around 20% since before the pandemic. There are also around 20% more bands gigging in our pubs and clubs than before. Given the current economic pressures faced by everyone, that’s a clear sign of determination to retain live music as an important part of our social culture.

The potential for making new friends at gigs should never be underestimated. Live music is a life-saver for so many people who otherwise wouldn’t get the chance to socialise.

Grae: That’s really encouraging to hear. A strangely positive legacy I think is the wonderful outside spaces some of our music pubs created and which have remained popular gig spots. What are your favourite pubs and venues to catch live

music locally?

Mac: I have so much admiration for all the pubs who took the initiative in transforming their car parks or expanding their current gardens to provide safe spaces after lockdowns. That took vision, guts, and investment. Two pubs that spring to mind are the Mermaid in St Albans and the Windsor Trooper in Windsor. Both now have amazing live music programmes with a loyal following.

with Grae J. Wall

© Grae J wall 2023

Grae: Absolutely. So, what acts have especially caught your ear locally in recent times?

Mac: Too many to mention! Solos, duos, trios, bands of all genres! I actually use Lemonrock’s gig listings and reviews to find out about new bands. I know that venues do the same to find suitable acts.

Grae: That’s a very diplomatic response! We had some great new acts at Alban Street Festival this year like Tenstringz and the amazing Rosie Bergonzi, worth checking out. So what are MacLaren Wall up to at the moment? Any gigs or recordings planned?

Mac: Not much in the way of new recordings, but we recently posted our entire catalogue online. All 3 of our EPs can now be downloaded from Apple, Amazon and Spotify. We even have a few followers!

Gig-wise, we’ve played a couple of times this year, and we’re looking forward to appearing as part of the St Albans Band Aid (SABA) festival on Saturday 16 September, held opposite St Albans market. It’s a charity gig for Keech Hospice, and lots of other great local bands will also perform.

Grae: Excellent, always good to catch you live. Been great to catch up, thanks so much!

So there you have it folks. Head over to Lemonrock. com and check out what other great gigs are coming up in your area!

Grae is a Senior Arts Officer with St Albans Arts Team, promoter, poet & lomographer. He performs at venues and festivals across Europe with Los Chicos Muertos and Skull Puppets.

Mac Mclaren

© Grae J wall 2023

“Lemonrock is a one-stop ‘Swiss army knife’ for gig bookings and gig management!”

Helen Singer

Arriving and Belonging Stories from the St Albans Jewish community

For those of you who didn’t catch this exhibition at St Albans Museum + Gallery last year, we are delighted to include this incredible story of courage from Kitty Hart-Moxon, whose portrait you can see as you go up the stairs in the Museum. To read other stories from St Albans’ Jewish community, please visit the online exhibition at arrivingbelonging.com

‘I was brought into Auschwitz concentration camp with my mother on 2nd April 1943, when I was 16. After liberation in 1945, I moved to England with my mother, and I have dedicated my life to raising awareness of the Holocaust. I have written two autobiographies and made many programmes about returning to Auschwitz. In 2003 I was awarded an OBE for services to Holocaust education. I moved to Hertfordshire in 2006 to be close to my son’s family.’

‘On arrival in Auschwitz my mother was tattooed first. Her number was 39933; mine was 39934.

After the war I trained as a radiographer in Birmingham. The uniform’s short sleeves meant the tattoo was visible. I tried explaining to people what it was, but they didn’t want to understand. I asked a plastic surgeon to remove it and when my mother died her tattoo was removed as well. I keep the two numbers together in this specimen case. It’s important to preserve them. When I’m gone, at least it’s there.’ arrivingbelonging.com/hartmoxon

‘This photograph shows me as a little girl in our home town of Bielsko-Biala, in around 1933. You can also see my grandmother, parents and my brother.

Kitty Hart-Moxon

This is the only photo left of my family; only my mother and I survived the war.’

Art Editor’s Letter

What do you learn from working in a community art gallery?

I am fortunate to have met many local artists and share their work with the community and wider public. Its been a great pleasure and has taught me a huge amount about how art is viewed in the community. It’s coming up to three years since we opened the doors. In the early days I remember people hovering outside not quite sure if they should come in. This made me curious and after a few frantic hand signals they ventured through the door. It turned out that some people were unsure about the title ‘Art Gallery’ what was inside? Surely the art would be too expensive and belonged to someone they had never heard of.

How could they relate to the mixed media abstract piece on the wall? It’s been a great pleasure to do my bit to break down those barriers- creating a space where the community felt welcome, a space where they could view art work that they connected withaffordable and on the same route as they took to work, shopping or the school run.

That’s what community art is all about- connecting with people, creating a sense of belonging and engaging with those around us. That’s one of the reasons that I immediately agreed to be the art editor for CALM St Albans. It really embraces the idea of inspiring those around us, creating a platform to share knowledge about arts and culture in St Albans and surrounding areas..

So what will you get from me? Information about local art exhibitions. A focus on local artists in each issue and anything else art related that I think you might like. Should be fun…. I hope so and informative too!

Featured artists...

This months featured artist is Natalia Millman.

Coming up in September in St Albans

The GreenArt Trail

Part of St Albans Arts Team’s GreenArt Effect initiative. The GreenArt trail will feature a selection of paintings, drawings, poems and photography from local artists and from artists further afield. Running from St Albans Museum and Gallery, past the Cathedral and into Verulamium Park. With a focus on sustainability and environmental issues. Coming to railings near you.

St Albans Arts Society

ART EXHIBITION

Baptist Church Hall St Albans AL3 5EE 9th September 2023 - 1st October 2023

Herts Open Studios

Visit artists in their home or in venues in the city during Open studios - 9th September to 1st October. It is a great opportunity to view a wide range of art and learn more about the artists and their practice, Art is also available to buy. hvaf.org.uk

Collective Gallery

Throughout the year we have various group and solo exhibitions. Keep a lookout on our instagram account for more information @collectivegalleryart

Aisha Adi

Natalia Millman

Natalia Millman is a Ukraine-born London based conceptual multidisciplinary artist. She has been part of Insight school of Art since 2013. In 2019 she joined Studio Fridays, a mentoring platform for emerging artist where she continues to research the philosophy of loss, ageing, humannature connection, the role memories and the energy of resilient grieving.

In addition to her studio work, the artist is working on the ongoing community projects: Grief Letter, promoting grief support and the site-specific project #thenatureofmemories.

In October 2021, Millman held her solo show VANISHING POINT in the Crypt Gallery, London. The exhibition grew from the personal experience of loss and explored ageing mind, body and the stigma of dementia. Millman is the Ambassador of Arts4Dementia, a leading UK charity promoting creativity. The artist represented the charity at the Affordable Arts Fair in 2021. Today, she runs workshops for people with dementia in collaboration with Herts Independent Living. She is regularly exhibiting at group shows and virtual exhibition, collaborating with other artists and continuing to submit interviews and blog posts to creative and wellbeing organisations. Millman’s work is included in upcoming exhibitions:

Spitalfields Studios, London, 6th July-7th September

Wells At Contemporary, 5th August to Saturday 2nd September 2023.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My work investigates ageing, diverse notion of loss and the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature interrogating the precautious threshold between the physicality of the body, internal narratives of self, the boundary between life and death.

In my work I intuitively consolidate real, imaginary and emotional memories looking at time as a boundary between physical ageing of mind and body, the notion of continuity of “self”. This interest stems from my personal story of loss, when I asked a question: “When one loses their memory, do they lose their identity?”.

I look at the loss of a status, feeling or space: including motherhood, fragmentation of identity due to immigration, war. I explore spirituality and relationship between humans and nature: the contrast between harmony and distress, growth and decay, the energies of spaces, people and the value of mindfulness.

Much of my work is constructed from material found on building sites, which I give another life to by modifying its past function and giving this object hope. I use limited contrasting colours, cutting, burning, repairing, mending techniques.

I have a strong sense of community and run numerous community projects and serve as the ambassador for Arts 4 Dementia.

CONTACT:

www.nataliamillmanart.com @nataliamillmanart

DANCING IN THE STREETS AT ALBAN STREET FESTIVAL 2023

The street parties are always a highlight of the St Albans calendar and this year’s Alban Street Festival was no exception.

with Grae J. Wall

St Albans Arts Team programme and manage the Main Stage working with the wonderful Ian Downs Sound Crew and regular compere Kevee Lynch. For 2023 we went for a rootsy vibe, mixing up jazz, blues, folk, bluegrass and some

enchanting handpan. As the temperature hit the 30’s, St Peter’s end was the coolest place to be, with thousands of happy party people enjoying the sweet sounds along with the excellent food and drink on offer.

Tenstringz © Grae J Wall

Redbourn Jazz Band are veterans of the scene, cooking up a hot storm of trad jazz that sets the tone. Couples show their best swing steps down the front while we swagger for a while to downtown New Orleans. Kelvin Davies & Gary Jones are the real deal when it comes to authentic old-time blues. Kelvin is picking on a vintage dobro for the day, laying down sweet mournful licks whilst Gary provides that all important dirty harp-rasp - transporting us towards the crossroads on that soulful southbound train.

Elizabeth & Jameson are well known way beyond our fair city for their beauteous folk tinged balladeering. Hannah’s fiddle soars and swoops through a set of their own summery songs, along with a few well chosen covers, including their breezy harmonizing on Sweet Child of Mine. Rosie Bergonzi follows, an incredible handpan player, hailing from Brighton and playing here in St Albans for the fist time. For those not in the know, the hand pan looks a bit like a flying saucer and is related to the steel drum family. Rosie is adept at creating hypnotic and beguiling soundscapes with this unique instrument as well as explaining her technique and craft to the intrigued audience – simply heavenly.

Next up is a brand-new St Albans duo, formed from the ranks of the renowned Blue Angel Acoustic Cafe. A fiddle and guitar pairing with a jazz-folk sound built around Hannah Sakoya’s intricate vocals and accomplished songwriting. Definitely ones to watch! Finally, we have a return visit from rockin’ bluegrass legends Bathtub Ginn. This good-time five piece brews up a howling sinful time with gritty and virtuoso aplomb. Ellie’s fiddle finely compliments Amy’s soaring vocals whilst Curtis drives that double bass like a locomotive. The results are infectious and it’s impossible not to boogie hard and hanker after a jug of moonshine!

All in all, a wild and wonderful time was had by all, with an eclectic array of enticing musical ingredients serving up chilli-hot rhythm and sizzling blues to the balmy streets of St Albans Town.

Kelvin Davies & Gary Jones © Grae J Wall

Next street party date for the diary is the always popular St Albans Feastival on Sunday, September 24 – see you down the front!

Elizabeth & Jameson © Grae J Wall

Bathtub Ginn © Grae J Wall

“All in all, a wild and wonderful time was had by all, with an eclectic array of enticing musical ingredients serving up chilli-hot rhythm and sizzling blues to the balmy streets of St Albans Town.”

Rosie Bergonzi © Grae J Wall

Alban Street Festival is managed by St Albans City & District Councils’ Events Team and sponsored by St Albans BID.

Redbourn Jazz Band © Grae J Wall

COMEDY CLUBS ST ALBANS

I’ve been checking out the Comedy Scene in St Albans as there’s no generic listings. It seems that we have a number of venues, with more to add in the future. And if you like a Norwegian guy in a hi-vis waistcoat, check out the ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Winner, Viggo Venn at the Alban Arena in November:

Comedy Night at The Hub

A hilarious night of Comedy with special guests. They host regular, monthly comedy nights, on either the 3rd or 4th Thursday of the month. Show lasts around 1hr 30 mins

Address: The Terrace, 5b Verulam Road, St Albans, AL3 4DA Phone: 01727 855224

Tickets: £15/£10 members info@thehealthypubco.com

https://tickets.thehubonverulam.com/Comedy-Nightat-The-Hub

Dates: 21 September, 9pm

Jimeoin

Live Nation & MZA presents JIMEOIN – THE CRAIC!

An hilarious evening of World-Class stand-up from live comedy’s internationally acclaimed Irish master! You’ve seen him on ‘The Royal Variety Performance’, ‘Live at the Apollo’, ‘Sunday Night at the Palladium’, ‘Conan O’Brien’ or perhaps online where he has clocked up hundreds of millions of views of his comedy clips… but NOTHING beats seeing Jimeoin live.

Award-winning with a wide appeal and a cheeky, nogimmicks and superbly observed sense of humour, Jimeoin has audiences in stitches across the UK, Europe, USA and of his adopted homeland of Australia.

Address: Civic Centre, St Peter’s St, St Albans AL1 3LD Phone: 01727 844488

Tickets: £20.00. A transaction fee of £3.50 per booking is charged for online and telephone transactions. alban-arena.co.uk/events/jimeoin-79

Date: Sunday 29 October, doors open 6.30pm, show starts 7.30pm. Age restriction 14+

Phil Wang – ‘Wang in There, Baby’

Hot off the heels of his critically acclaimed Netflix special, David Letterman appearance, and role on Life & Beth with Amy Schumer, Phil Wang is bringing a brand-new stand-up show to venues nationwide. He’s chatting race, family, nipples, and everything else that’s been going on in his Philly little life.

Address: Civic Centre, St Peter’s St, St Albans AL1 3LD Phone: 01727 844488

Tickets: £26.00. A transaction fee of £3.50 per booking is charged for online and telephone transactions alban-arena.co.uk/events/phil-wangs-wang-in-therebaby

Date: Saturday 7 October, doors open 6.30pm, show starts 7.30pm. Age 16+

Viggo Venn

Norwegian clown Viggo Venn moved to this country with one dream: to be a British comedian.

The rest, you already know about. After blowing away the competition in an explosion of hi-vis jackets, balloons, and joyous idiocy, Viggo became the most talked-about new entertainer in the country by winning Britain’s Got Talent in June 2023. Don’t miss him as he staggers bewildered into your town for a first national tour.

Address: Civic Centre, St Peter’s St, St Albans AL1 3LD Phone: 01727 844488

Tickets: £23.00. A transition fee of £3.50 per booking is charged for online and telephone transactions alban-arena.co.uk/events/viggo-venn

Date: Sunday 12 November, doors open 6.30m, show starts 7.30pm. Age restriction 12+

With Chris Blanch

Jest Another Comedy Club

@ The Crown with Desmond Feehily

This is a free, weekly comedy club.

Address: 144-146 Hatfield Rd, St Albans AL1 4JA Phone: 01727 853347

Tickets: comedyinthecrown.co.uk

facebook.com/people/JEST-Another-Comedy-Club

Dates: Every Wednesday, 8pm

Tim Vine

Address: Civic Centre, St Peter’s St, St Albans AL1 3LD Phone: 01727 844488

Tickets: £26.50 A transaction fee of £3.50 per booking is

charged for online purchases

alban-arena.co.uk/events/tim-vine-breeeep/

Date: Saturday 23 September, doors open 6.30pm, show starts 7.30pm. Ages 12+

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks

Currently have a pro comedy night in July with 3 comedians and an MC, including Mad Ron, Patrick Monohan and Masai Graham. Further dates tbc and may be bi-monthly/twice yearly. This is their first comedy night, but more are planned.

Address: 16 Abbey Mill Ln, St Albans AL3 4HE Phone: 01727 869152

Tickets: reservations@fightingcockssa.com

For information on upcoming dates follow YOFC on social media.

SAAFH ‘SLEEP OUT’

Sleepout organised outside M&S to save homeless sanctuary

On the 15th September, Sharon Linney along with Lynn Dutton, Mandy McNeil Shaun, Sheri Edwards and Emma Parkhouse from the Great Northern Pub & Kitchen are doing a sleep out with just a sleeping bag outside M&S St Albans from 7pm till 5am. It will be the longest 10 hours ever. Do pop along and support us!

For all enquiries:

e: Stalbansactionforhomeless@gmail.com

t: 01582 833944

Follow us:

@StAlbans_Action

@actionforhomeless

actionforhomeless.co.uk

“To guide our homeless friends to the amenities available, to help them get the help they need to beat addiction and find shelter”

St Albans Signal Box Museum

Les O’Leary

The 1840’s were the boom time for building railroads, when lines into London from the North were built through Watford and Hatfield. In St Albans, the coach traffic declined steeply when the Watford line opened in 1838, but it would be another 20 years before any connection arrived and another 30 before the direct line to London.

In the 1850s, St Albans Corporation petitioned the London and North Western Railway to build a branch from Watford to St Albans. The Abbey Station opened in 1858, and in 1862 a line linking Hatfield to St Albans opened.

London Calling

In 1862, the Midland Railway laid out its plans to build a line from Bedford through St Albans to London. The line opened in 1868, pretty fast work, we should take note.

In 1893, the line was widened to four tracks, allowing separate lines for goods and passenger traffic. New platforms and sidings were added along with bridges south of the station. To operate the four-track main line, a new signal box was installed in 1892.

Railways at War

The Great War ended on the 11th November 1918. The Armistice had been signed in a railway carriage in Northern France. Across the world approximately 20 million were dead

and another 20 million wounded. Just under half were civilians, of whom 6 million died of famine or disease. 750,000 soldiers from the UK were dead and 1,675,000 injured.

The German mobilization, and the French response, had happened in days. Trench warfare relied on the supply of millions of men and shells and all their associated weapons, supplies and infrastructure.

With railways, the battlefront was now only hours from the factories that sustained the conflict. The volume of materials transported would have been unimaginable to commanders more familiar with the mounted forces and horse transport of earlier times.

Although many railway workers would serve in all kinds of units, the importance of their skills in the war effort was significant. The Midland Railway released some 30% of their labour force (23,000 men) to the services. Of these, 7,000 were injured

and 2,833 killed St Albans is thought to be the only place in the UK where memorials to the servicemen of the Great War were not placed in the local church but were mounted on homes and businesses in the Abbey parish. They plaques were unveiled in 1920 and 1921 to commemorate more than 110 men, including nine pairs of brothers. There are two street plaques on what were factories, next to the station. One is for employees of Vyses’ hat factory, the other for Edwin Lee’s boot factory. A plaque commemorating the servicemen of the railway based at St Albans is displayed within the restored South signal box. It was dedicated on 11th November 2018, the 100th anniversary of the armistice.

End of Era

Major changes came to the Midland main line in the 1960s when steam trains were withdrawn. Diesel multiple units were then introduced, and operated until the line was electrified in the 1970s. Also developed in the 1970s, high speed diesel-electrics have operated on the Midland main line since the 1980s at scheduled speeds of initially 90 mph, then 110 mph and more recently 125 mph. With these tracks

and signalling upgrades, commuter services have also increased in speed and frequency.

In 1977 the Victoria Street bridge was raised in preparation for the overhead electrification of the line, and with modernisation, signalling control moved to West Hampstead in 1979. Originally, St Albans had North and South signal boxes, operating mechanical signals and points. The North signal box was removed in 1970 and the South box closed in 1979. However, it had been Listed Grade II and remained in place but became derelict. A charitable trust was established in 2003, and the box, originally built in Derby, has been beautifully restored and now operates as a museum and visitor attraction. The beating heart of the Signal Box (other than its volunteers) is the operating floor,. There is also a beautiful garden, full of artifacts, as well as tables and benches to sit and enjoy a cup of tea.

For more information on the Signal Box Museum and hours, please check out the website: WWW.SIGBOX.CO.UK

YOUTH ROCKS TIGGY POP

James McNeil interviews Tigerlily (aka Tiggy Pop) from St Albans electronic artist Andreas & The Wolf

When did you first want to become a part of a band, and what inspired you to?

Well, I’ve always know I’ve wanted to be a performer. From performing in plays since age 5 and singing in both school performances and assemblies for as long as I can remember, I’ve always had the passion of a performer. Also I come from quite a musical family and of course the influence my Dad has had on me! For as long as I can remember he has been driven by his music and passion as a performer, something that brings both him and I great joy especially when performing together. As I have grown up watching him perform and now I’ve finally got the opportunity to take part, who knows where I will go from here!

How do you think the music industry has evolved in terms of supporting women within music?

Id say the music industry has definitely evolved over time and I definitely believe it has become more inclusive and diverse, especially in terms of race, sexuality and gender. As more and more female artists are emerging and shaping the music industry into a place of opportunity and excitement.

What are your goals as a musician in the future?

If I’m honest I am not entirely sure yet hahaI’m at the beginning of such an exciting time with my future and really just want to embrace any

opportunity in store for me and I would love to have the chance to meet more incredible people with the same interests and work alongside them doing what we love.

What do you think of the music scene in St Albans?

Well I’ve been to lots of gigs in St Albans that have mostly been in local pubs - occasionally in other venues like the pioneer. Also pubs like the Horn are great for gigs and discovering new artists, I do think there’s quite a variety of performers also, that being those who are just starting out or those who are very talented and experienced performers. Nonetheless you’d have a great time watching them

and discovering new music ! Also as St Albans is very close to London it makes it easy to get other gigs and explore new venues- which is also great.

Have you written any music yourself, if so what has influenced them (lyrics, genre etc.)

I haven’t personally, but I’ve worked closely alongside my Dad who writes all of his own music. He’s an incredible lyricist and one I admire greatly and if I was to begin doing so would take great inspiration from him.

What is your favourite genre of music, and why?

I’d say it is difficult to define my music taste as I love an

© Brad Wigglesworth

eclectic mix of genres and artists. My parents have great music tastes and I am constantly being introduced to new music and artists that often become some of my most favourite. I’ve always been quite into alternative, indie, rock and pop music - with artists like Wolf Alice, Jamie T, Lana Del Rey and Lily Allen as my personal favourites - as with most of these artists they are great at telling stories. I spend a lot of time listening to and thinking about the lyrics of the music and these artists are incredible storytellers.

What, or who, are your influences in life, and how have they inspired your approach to life, your career, etc.

Well musically I’ve always been inspired by anyone who can just get up on stage perform in front of a crowd. All my life I have been encouraged to do so and been surrounded by others who are also doing so. Which for me is such an important part of not only being a performer but also being sociable and enjoying the presence of others. I also think being taught to be confident and driven by parents who want me to achieve my dreams and aspirations has also inspired me and I wouldn’t be in the position I am today without their support.

What would you say to anyone who has a dream they would like to pursue, but has doubts e.g. how they might be thought of

Honestly, just go for it! You should never ever be held back by ‘what if?’ You can just find the confidence to push yourself even just slightly out of your comfort zone, you will be one step closer to achieving that

dream. You should never ever hold yourself back, otherwise you will never be able to grow and change into what you want to become.

If you had one primary goal in life, what would it be and why?

To be remembered for making people happy. This may sound like a stupid answer, but another reason for my involvement with music I suppose?

I’ve always been a people pleaser and wanted to share and create my own happiness - And music makes people happy! It brings people together who can also share their love and passion for music and by watching live music too! Which is an excellent way to experience music together and spend time with one another, time of which is definitely some of my most valued I have spent with my friends.

Where can we catch your gigs? (September onwards)

After our August Bank Holiday dates at The Mad Squirrel in St Albans (Sat 26th) and In Hertford, at the Hertford House Hotel (Sun 27th) we don’t have any other gigs lined up at the moment. We’re currently working on our new album, with a single due out in early 2024, but you can keep up with all of the news andreasandthewolf.co.uk or follow us on Insta @andreasandthewolf Mountains or Beaches?

I love the water! A great song for the beach is Morcheeba’s The Sea, I’d have that on repeat!

Barbie or Oppenheimer

Oh Barbie 1000% Greta Gerwig is one of my greatest idols

“You should never ever be held back by ‘what if?’ You can just find the confidence to push yourself even just slightly out of your comfort zone”

© Anna Thompson

CREATIVE INNOVATORS

Chris: How did it all start?

Phil: I studied Art at Watford Arts School and left there to work as a book designer in London, with an old and established book publisher, with links to the Bloomsbury Set, in Red Lion Square. It did have it perks, though, as was invited to meet Andy Warhol, at a book launch – I was about to get married, and he wrote a dedication and drew a Campbell’s soup can in it.

Chris: How did your career change direction then?

Phil: I’ve always been a keen vinyl collector and was a regular visitor to Soho Market, where you could pick up some gems. I was looking for a copy of ‘The Wanderer’ by Dion DiMucci, to get inspiration for a collaged book cover, also called the Wanderer. Whilst chatting to the proprietor, Ted Carroll, he asked me if I’d like to design record sleeves and make a move away from the dusty shelves, so I found myself in Chalk Farm.

Chris: Why record sleeves?

Phil: I’ve always found rock n’ roll album designs catchier and defined and was given the task of creating a logo for a newly formed rock band. After heading in a cab to a squat in Notting Hill, I met Lemmy and the 2 other members of Motorhead. They wanted something ‘Germanic’ in black and white and after playing with fonts, and hand drawing in some of the lettering, came up with the legendary band logo. I got £30 for it and there’s now over 1,400 comments online!

Chris: Wow! You were robbed! I suppose it’s too late to claim copyright now!?

I had the opportunity to chat to Phil Smee, St Albans resident and Graphic Designer, whose work within the music industry spans a number of decades.

With Chris Blanch

The Iconic Motorhead Logo

Phil: At the end of the 1970’s, one thing led to another, and I was working with record companies for punk bands including The Damned and I’d moved to Liverpool Road – every night someone came round from the music industry – it was like party central.

Chris: Is this when you set up Waldo’s Records?

Phil: Yes – I was 29 and decided to go freelance. I knew Ron West from The Bears from Watford Arts School and asked him if he fancied making a record for Waldo’s. Then The Tea Set, Clive Pig, The Bodies and The Hopeful Chinamen etc. came on board. The record sleeves were very colourful with free tea bags etc. – I spent a lot of money printing them! Then met with John Peel and gave him a bunch of records for his Radio 1 Peel Tapes.

John loved the music and played it regularly – he offered The Tea Set and The Bodies live sessions on his show.

Chris: I remember those gigs, especially at St Albans College of Further Education at the Student’s Union. But have lost my tea bag!

Phil: On the back of the Peel sessions, The Tea Set were offered a contract with United Artists with producer Hugh Cornwall. I’m still in contact with Nick Haeffner.

Chris: What happened to Waldo’s?

Phil: I decided to change the format, to differentiate between design and records and wanted a snappier title, with classical routes. Like William Burroughs, I was playing with names, cutting and pasting and came up with Bam Caruso.

“One night I took The Damned to The Horn, which caused a bit of a stir – Captain Sensible was complaining about having no ‘real ale’!”

The

Tea SetParry Thomas / Tri X Pan

Clive Pig & The Hopeful ChinamenHappy Birthday Sweet 16

The Bodies - Art Nouveau

A selection of Phil’s Bam Caruso Releases

Phil’s Jellyfish Designs

Phil’s Public Image is Rotten box set

Phil’s David Bowie - Man Who Fell to Earth box set

Phil’s T.Rex Electric Warrior box set

Waldos Design

& Dream Emporium

GALLERY PHIL SMEE

Phil: I was getting well known in the design/music industry – artwork has to be original, not replicated – keep it fresh – you are as good as your last job. I was good at coming up with new, exciting ideas.

Liverpool Road was getting too small with a family, studio and a constant stream of visitors and we needed more space, moved to a bigger property, once the home of Samuel Ryder, near the station.

By 34, I was in demand, with approaches from Elvis Costello (he called out of the blue and said, “it’s Elvis”!), Status Quo, Elton John, Nick Lowe (they videoed in my house and down the road in Trinity Church, ‘I Knew the Bride when She used to Rock n’ Roll’), Mike Oldfield,

EMI, CBS, Phonogram and Warner Bros artists including a 12” single for Barry Manilow!

BAM CARUSO

Chris: What had happened to Bam Caruso?

Phil: All the money coming in, went into the next record – it was self-perpetuating and self-sufficient. I wasn’t in it for the money. Then came ‘Strange Things Are Happening’, a magazine brainchild from Phil and Brian Hogg, to create homage books, paying tribute to the music genres such as the Mersey sound, Greenwich Village, San Francisco, California.

The copy from these books fed into Stranger Things

(see opposite) – it was the prequel to Mojo and Q which initially sold well. WH Smith’s ordered 18,000 and they only sold 8,000. The rest were pulped and are worth a lot amongst collectors now! So after 7 issues, I decided to

concentrate on design.

Chris: What are you currently doing?

Phil: I meant to retire about 10 years ago but am still working! Over

the last 15/20 years I’ve embraced digital design and am now producing ‘boxed vinyl sets’ including a Sandy Denny one and received a Grammy nomination for my work with Electra. Very humbling – it’s in a box somewhere!

I’m still getting approaches from artists and record companies – there are a limited number of artists producing similar work,

with a huge knowledge of the music industry. It’s hard for younger people to pick up/pass on the ‘knowledge’.

Chris: Has your ethos/work ethic changed?

Phil: My whole career has been about new ideas and thinking outside the box, so watch this space. I’ve just created a new studio space upstairs and my record collection is growing!

Checkout Phil’s Discogs page here:

discogs.com/Phil-Smee

Chris Blanch is a Senior Arts Development Officer for St Albans Arts Team and a freelance Artist/Practitioner. She lives and works in St Albans.

“By 34, I was in demand, with approaches from Elvis Costello (he called out of the blue and said, “it’s Elvis”!), Status Quo, Elton John, Nick Lowe (they videoed in my house and down the road in Trinity Church...”

CREATIVE INNOVATORS

With Chris Blanch

ANT STEEL ‘Keep it Street’

Have you noticed the number of commissioned Graffiti panels and murals that are emerging in St Albans City Centre –along Drovers Way, in Christopher Place and more recently in the Cathedral?

South Africa when I was young. At school, I struggled to listen in lessons and was constantly doodling and drawing pictures. This caused problems and I got into a lot of trouble.

Chris: So what happened –how did you learn anything?

And then into work creating outdoor advertising billboards, brands, and creative concepts using airbrushing. I was responsible for the whole production from concept to the final production. And was involved in a huge variety of creative projects.

Energise battery character as well as a KFC chicken!

Chris: Was this digital animation or stop frame?

Ant: I created the animations from scratch, from design sketches to the skeletal outline, then adding texture to produce a 3D, digital model. The computer produced the images, one frame at a time. However, the work was really pressurised and there was constantly a compromise between the production costs and the budget, with crazy deadlines. I was constantly juggling to keep the clients from the ad agencies, the production companies and the tv channels, where slots had been booked, happy. It was tough and the creativity was the first thing to go with no time for a social life. That was really frustrating – demand exceeded expectations.

Ant Steel has brought his spray cans to town and is currently the Artist in Residence at St Albans Cathedral.

I caught up with him, to discover his background and how his graffiti art has developed.

Chris: Where and how did your career start?

Ant: I was born in Norwich but moved to Johannesburg,

Ant: I told them that my sketches were a way of concentrating in lessons –even though I was doodling, it allowed me to focus and absorb the information. I was allowed to keep sketching.

Chris: What did you do after school?

Ant: I moved to an Art Foundation College to study Graphic Design – it was just down the street from Nelson Mandela’s family home.

To create art on a massive scale was very exciting – I designed and produced the AGFA fish eagle which measured 5m x 12m on billboards and won an award

I then switched to animation working with Ad agencies, with huge corporations and companies such as Apple and Samsung, working from a studio in South Africa. The client list was regional as well as worldwide. I animated the

Walt Disney became my spiritual ‘mentor’ – he never gave up even though his first character ‘Oswold, the Lucky Rabbit’ was stolen by the distributor and sold to other producers. At that point, he was practically homeless. Not many people know about ‘Oswold’ – they presume that Mickey Mouse was his first animated invention. However, the story did have a happy ending as Disney’s daughter re-bought the rights to Oswold.

People may take your ideas – there’s no true copyright – but just get on with it and look to develop even better ideas. If someone takes your

ideas, it’s a compliment. I’ve got so many ideas, waiting to emerge!

Chris: Did you get disillusioned about the animation pressure?

Ant: Yes, it was challenging and I’m always keen to learn and experiment – to push myself. I needed to break away from advertising. Many animators are under the same deadline pressures. I started to investigate spray painting and the ‘street art culture’. It’s easy to paint and draw on a pc or with a paintbrush, but how do you do it with a spray can? I’m still trying, learning and experimenting.

Spray painting is a complex process on the streets – you are constantly exposed to the elements, snow, rain, wind –every job has problems and

challenges. Different surfaces such as brick and wood, affect the quality of the finished image – it’s a crazy process with unknown outcomes.

No other artists have to encounter these conditions – they are in a very stable, studio space with none of these challenges. But that adds to the excitement and adrenaline – you never quite know how it will turn out or who you will encounter!

Chris: You’re now the Artist in Residence at the Cathedral – how did you get that commission? Are you religious?

Ant: I am a Christian but can’t remember if I was asked. I was confirmed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in South Africa! But since being appointed, the year

has really opened up. I created a huge George Michael mural to celebrate the George Michael tribute act and have been working with excluded students from the Links Academy in St Albans. One of them had a real attitude problem and wanted to make an impact/stand against my instructions. But as they all gained confidence, the level of engagement

Chris: Sovereign Way was the location of some dodgy electioneering, where votes were bought, to enable a candidate to be elected Mayor. Am not sure when, though!

Ant: I’m also involved in the Street Saints project this August, bringing street art, the Cathedral, communities and corporates together and will be in Sovereign Way from 14 – 18th August, with photos and filming, working with Tim Boatswain (the plaque commissioner). And will be working with Learning Disabled groups, refugees and asylum seekers through October.

Check out the city centre artwork on World Inclusion Day on Thursday 24th August, when we’ll be in front of the St Albans Museum & Gallery, for more graffiti artwork on a free-standing structure.

increased and they all worked cohesively as a team. That was really rewarding.

I’ve got more projects coming up under the Cathedral banner, including graffiti artwork in the city centre alleyways, between Chequer Street and Market Place –they all have a historical story to tell, and I’m fascinated to learn the background.

Ant: I’m also juggling work with Music Tube, a Malaysian company, which specialises in producing highly, technical recording and PA equipment. I’ve been designing and branding new microphones – it’s now the first UK built company producing microphones and has now become a billion-dollar enterprise with many brands under its umbrella. I develop all the merchandise including street clothing, t-shirts, caps etc.

And welcome all new commissions!

antsteel.com

Anthropological Watch

Walker, skilled talker, voracious reader and a gazer, my whole life has been a veritable kaleidoscope of people and places.

A keen listener, those impromptu kerbside verbal exchanges with fellow pedestrians, vernaculate street-smarts on the corner, buddies at cafes, art studios, the library, staff at the local bookshops often transmute into slippery, silky sets of anthropological observations; on for instance what type of exponential changes and opportunities have wrought on contemporary society–with its outsize reputation and even-larger influences. Eidetic, encyclopaedic, engaging, someone, many moons ago, coined me ‘a walking library’. 35 years on, still ‘conversant’, i am told that being in my company is like being given a shiny new primer on the topics of social phenomena and psychological processes, and not one of those ‘introduction to-----’ you get from a first year of college hector either. More like ‘the insider’s guide to’---- that’s full of literary criticism and post-colonial theories - my pet subjects yet peeves: for example, the interlocking matrices of race, class, gender, sexual and social injustices. Yes, powder-keg themes that stoke the ire like nothing else. When these show up in my ‘sometimes-polemic’ sketches, they also pass for ‘partly autobiographical’ threads. I am sure you heard of the 1960’s/70’s adage ‘the personal is political? These days the animus points elsewhere. Rather than rant and rave on the evils of race and empire, you find me ruminating on and about urban/rural

landscapes, as they teeter on the brink of seeing its poorer souls and their rooted histories turfed out commercial developers, and the accompanying estate agents, intent on providing swish apartments and riverside townhouses for the newly cool-seeking nouveau riche /arrivistes

At the moment, my magnifying glass is trained on my own backyard with its slew of American style condos-architectural aliens. The last five years have seen a sudden and ruthless sprout of these expensive duplexes and penthouse apartments and consequently a population surge. This has led to a disquieting demographic: a growing army of dissenting denizens, if you prefer, wilting from the onslaught of hipster coffee shops, continental style bistros, boutiques, bespoke stores, and gardenfree supermarkets. Also, the merciless conversion of crumbling local homes, lofts above defunct industrial warehouses, and office buildings into shiny multimillion pound edifices only trust-funded gentrifiers and tycoons can afford. By the way, nowhere is immune. This is nationwide.

The long-term residents of St Albans just a tad below or above the poverty line and struggle to climb the rung of the property ladder, this morph mortifies, as it prices them out. They are not too keen on the novel either. Nostalgic, they share with me the halcyon days of yore, and how yonder comes the illustrious history of their old roman city and its notable antecedents. Elated, in turn, i declare my own bloodline, lineage, language and birthplace. Elegiac, i too, yearn for my genotype and its generation: but alas, all

tribal traits and traditions yoyo, and staggers on. Nothing is static. We’ve got to move with the times. We can only stare back in awe.

In dinner conversations i explain my own peripatetics: how, a lifetime of hopscotching, with the horrid yet humble Ghana as staging post, set me up as this selfdefined ‘international tropical hybrid’, who made Britain his final destination in 1985. I spent my first 9 years in London. The last 28 here in St Albans. Half of my life!

Total of 37 years in Britain.! Despite the longevity, I am still fingered as one of the new swells of recently arrived ‘joe foreigners’, by a few people, not least this swivel-eyed nativist who points to the problems of St Albans as symptoms of a wider social malaise, mass migration, and by extension, whatever she defines as multiculturalism gone askew.

Zingers like “the gradual browning of Britain”, or “cross pollination is polluting western civilization” are part of her everyday parlance. As for her crude judeophobia – {the possible remnants of Oswald Mosley’s jingoism} that’s another topic

Ditto Mr. Postlewaite (not his real name), a bar room bore whose familiar refrain runs on the Powellian lines of “those people from the Indian sub-continent, and the swaggering hordes of “layabouts” from the former eastern bloc, rudely interrupt this “genteel idyll”. The implication i get is country style conurbation is not conducive to harmonious habitation”.

“let them remain in Luton”. There might be a point about the bygone days when these proud bigots knew all their (white) English neighbours, and crime was rare, but the

notion that “my adopted town is “teeming with migrants with vulgar habits” is baseless. The so-called miscreants they banjax about are often all creeds and cultures. But i digress. On my everyday jaywalks, it is noticeable that Albans topography typifies ‘middleclass demesne’. This buckle on the commuter belt belies indeed, for it is a curious dichotomy of money and muck. Pockets of ‘poor estates’ { ‘projects’ to you if your north American } intersperse with corridors of mixed income neighbourhoods. £3 million mansions on private by-streets and the gilded ghettos of £1 million apartments, that are gated with the intent to keep away the riff raff that reside only a stone throwaway (pun intended).

In the town centre, on a weekend, normally on a market day, you find the entire spectrum of the realm ambling along nicely, or not: sometimes the distinction makes each clique look like they’ve stumbled across a predator.

A nasty ambush can be the feel. You find the cadaverous drug addled, the drunken delinquent, the homeless beggar, Primark wrapped proletarian, the Berghaus and the Bodens preening middle-classes, the Barbour/ red corduroy beau monde in a phalanx or huddle. Social miscegenation English style: the five tentacles of Smith clan only separated by their respective classes. Throw in the potpourris of other cultures into this melting pot including this writer, this acclimatized Sahelian, this Afro-Saxon, if you will, and we all for goodwill or ill, add more tinge to the promenade, as much as to this prissy provincial pale.

HERBIE GEE DEE.

INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT

with Mandy McNeil

Warriors of Affirmation

Danielle Duer is an illustrative fine art painter and pattern designer based in Nashville, Tennessee. I first became aware of Danielle in 2009 when I was watching national television in the wee hours of the morning. There was a random collection of national artists scrolling on the screen, and I felt an immediate connection with Danielle’s art. I lived in Nashville at the time and hunted her down.

Danielle has an international following and in addition to her paintings, she designs wallpaper and textiles. Her work has featured in museums, on billboards, restaurants and in commercial buildings (including the Loretta Lynn Museum). Anthropologie commissioned Danielle to design the fabric for a skirt, which quickly sold out around the world. She is also a talented poet.

One of Danielle’s gifts is the ability to take an individual’s or family’s story, and to interpret it in a stunning work of art, full

of layering, structure and, frequently tribal tattoos buried in the detail, adding dimension and texture. Her inspiration comes from the emotional stories of others, her emotions, her family, music, nature, and colour. She translates the mundane and the painful, into the extraordinary.

Danielle frequently creates narrative pieces meant to depict femininity as a powerful intellectual quality and meant to be taken seriously. For years, she has portrayed solemn women drenched in pattern and vibrant color. The moody tone of these works expresses the weight women carry and the strength they have especially through adversity. This is visually symbolized by the oversized headpieces they wear on their heads and the markings on their stern beautiful faces.

Danielle recently created a new series of warrior women called the Warriors of Affirmation.

This collection is the first of many Warriors dedicated to celebrating women and their challenges.

Danielle says “In my personal experience and listening to countless

stories from women around me, I know the difficulties we have had to overcome…”

My work, however, is not necessarily about war and triumph, it’s most often directed towards the inner turmoil we battle fear, loneliness, self-value, perfection, addiction, anger, boundaries, feeling satisfied or balanced…

The emotions we carry that may have once served to protect us, now may be separating us from full, joyful lives. Moving through those seasons with an intention to change and grow is incredibly difficult and I want these pieces to serve as a reminder of why we keep moving forward! “

The Warriors of Affirmation is a series of ten different Warriors each representing a specific intention or affirmation to hold on to and comes with a written poetic mantra by Danielle as well. These are a limited run of 12 x 12” prints on beautiful linen paper. Each one is signed and numbered and accompanied by a Certificates of Authenticity. The best part is that each print is hand-embellished making every single one unique.

For more information on Danielle Duer and The Warrior series and to sign up to her newsletter, you can find Danielle on social media and Danielleduer.com

“In my personal experience and listening to countless stories from women around me, I know the difficulties we have had to overcome…”

DANIELLE DUER

THE SIMON WEIL COLUMN

Even the AI bots are frightened that this guy might not really exist.

A 15 minute ultra-low emission zone in Snorbs: discuss

It’s not only Cassandra whose pinpoint accurate prophesies were not believed until it was too late, you know.

While I was a mere slip of a thing, full of innocence and hope, as fleet and as free as a deer, I was working in what I will confess to you was one of the best science research labs in the world (not in Snorbs, I am afraid to say). During a morning coffee break in the mid-1980s there was a knotty question under debate among the senior boffins: global warming, was it to be, or not to be, huh?

While the big boys were slugging it out, I daintily lifted the hem of my overly long labcoat and ran straight for the reference library. Leafing through a few crisply informative pages, I performed a sum, multiplying one unquestionable numerical fact by another unquestionable numerical fact. Only took a mo and with my calculation complete, I rushed back to my coffee cup, still steaming hot, and presented the result to my science peers, and by peers, I mean that they all now sit in the House of Lords.

Would you take a look at this, I gushed, basic physics clearly predicts a hefty global temperature rise driven by our carbon dioxide. To be precise, an increase of a thermometer-busting 4 degrees centigrade, far from frigid, maybe I can finally dispense with my fluffy hot water bottle.

Then, wide eyed with anticipation, I asked – whatever should we do about it?

The response was shrugs and dismissals. Their firm conclusion had already been made, that global warming was definitely not to be.

Sure, my back-of-an-envelope calculation was as rough and ready as it gets. But that’s how this stuff works – if a back-of-an-envelope result looks worrying then you have no choice other than to investigate further to see if it checks out. It is not rational to pre-judge that “the effect will be swamped by the natural cycle” or “there must be feedback mechanisms to compensate” as if planet Earth was divine, tuned in, and making decisions with only our welfare in mind.

Of course, as it has turned out over the intervening decades, pretty much every single feedback mechanism works to drive further warming and make matters worse. It’s not just the carbon dioxide, sweetheart, it’s the positive feedback loops as well. Every one dollar sale we make results in a million dollar product liability lawsuit from our supersensitive home world. Metaphorically speaking.

Now, at the start of this column I mentioned Cassandra.

But I wasn’t referring to me, obviously, because no self-respecting resident of Snorbs could be that narcissistic.

No, the first unambiguous reference I have found to the perils of global warming was made in the mid19th century. It was in a bestselling book on both sides of the Atlantic, such that even Queen Victoria had it read to her.*  It stated (actually, states, it’s still in print) that based on the geological record, pumping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere like there was no tomorrow would almost certainly lead to a really nasty temperature rise, and consequent widespread extinctions, probably including ours.  More Victorian science results followed.

All I am saying is that we have known about the realistic dangers of global warming for donkey’s years now, since God was a boy or, more accurately, since Queen Victoria was in her mid-twenties.

Could our civilisation be knocked down a peg or two by any of this? Well, I dunno. But it has happened before in Snorbs (actually, Britain). It was those darned Romans: they came, they saw, they left us a wasteland. Specifically, when the Roman legions ran off in the early fifth century, the material culture in Snorbs crashed. We ended up significantly worse off than we were before the Romans ever got here, with no more iron smelting, no more spun pottery, the list goes on of the ancient British technologies which disappeared. Other things didn’t end. For example, Saint Augustine of Hippo was in the Italian peninsular busily writing The City of God (also still in print). The first chapter is about how it wasn’t all that bad when

Rome got sacked and he encouraged everyone to look on the bright side. But Britain was an outlier, an imperial vanity project, and it took us hundreds of years to recover our homespun technology/economy. Or why else would the baddies on Star Trek be called the Romulans? Okay, Roman stuff was better, but had the Druids wanted to import from their cousins in Gaul a workable design for a hypocaust then they presumably could have done so without the brutal military takeover. And what we refer to as The “Dark” Age should in reality be called The “This Would Never Have Happened To Us If Those Pesky Romans Had Not Invaded” Age. It pains me to say that, I’m heartbroken about it, I like a man in uniform and had they played their cards right they could have still been here.

But, instead, Snorbs has had first-hand experience of a wholesale manmade technological system collapse. I’m guessing it’s a history that Snorbians would prefer not to be doomed to repeat.

Which brings us neatly to the point: with all of this in mind, how do we feel about a 15 minute ULEZ in Snorbs? Yeah? Nah? Whatever?

* Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation by Robert Chambers (although originally published anonymously) 1844.

** The next Simon Weil column: compelling reasons why none of what we have said about the Romans applies to the British empire. We could never have swapped exotic far eastern fancy goods for steam locomotives, we had to invade first, I hope that much is clear.

PAGEANT GOSSIP REMIX

Our spin on the 1907 Herts Advertiser column about the St Albans Pageant.

St Albans loves an excuse for a party and has celebrated food, drink, music, theatre, and community for over 2 millennia, only interrupted by Boudica, the Black Death, and Cromwell’s puritan republic. Not even COVID could stop St Albans, our community simply took its cultural events, music and activities online.

Summer is nearly at an end, and that’s when St Albans gears up with a rich offering of autumnal events, big boozies, and family friendly festivals to enjoy. Bank holiday weekend, 26th and 27th August 2023, celebrate at a festival at one of St Albans much loved community pubs. The Mermaid is hosting the Top of the Hops festival running from the 24th through to the 28th of August. Dylans is hosting a Seafood festival on Monday 28th August and The Lower Red Lion has a 2 day beer festival, featuring over 30 cask and ale beers, a BBQ, hog roast and more. The St Albans Sixer fundraiser returns Sunday August 27th, 2023, with two exciting 6 and 12 mile routes for individuals and teams to walk or run, starting and ending at the Lower Red Lion, with the beer festival at the end to help with rehydration. For information on the event, follow The St Albans Sixer on social media.

September is foodie month, starting with Pub in the Park, the annual St Albans Food and Drink Festival, the Tomoka and Vine Cellar Champagne Festival, and the St Albans Beer and Cider Festival. In October check out the annual George Street Gin and Jazz, hosted by retail and hospitality business, Dylans Seafood Festival, the St Saviours Harvest Festival, and the Hertfordshire Oktoberfest. The St Albans community spirit shines bright in November at the Christmas Cracker, when residents, businesses and visitors come together to eat, drink, and enjoy great music.

There are also plenty of street markets to enjoy, including the weekly Wednesday and Saturday Charter Market, the monthly Farmers Market, the monthly Antiques and Vintage Market, the monthly Street Food Heroes at St Saviours Church, and the St Albans Christmas Charter Market, as well as numerous other markets in surrounding towns and villages within the District. 10th September on Lower Market Place and then every 2nd Sunday of the month. Affordable and original art for sale. Info at collectivegallery.co.uk

St Albans has a working Amphitheatre and a world class theatre offering. ovo.org.uk | trestle.org.uk | sandpittheatre.co.uk | abbeytheatre.org.uk/ whats-on/

Home of The Zombies and Enter Shakiri, St Albans music scene includes folk music, a youth offering at The Pioneer Club, open mic nights, regular live music plus music festivals at local community pubs, a wide variety of concerts at our stunning churches and a renowned annual international organ festival. Coming up at St Albans Cathedral in September is The Best of Hans Zimmer & John Williams Illuminated. Cinema’s most magical music performed by London Film Music Orchestra illuminated, including the music of Star Wars, Gladiator, Pirates of The Caribbean, Harry Potter, Inception, The Dark Knight & more.

Combine walking, art, history and culture with the St Albans Tour Guides, and keep an eye out around the city centre for community street art including the sustainable Green Art trail in September.

For more information on what is coming up in St Albans, check out the following websites: Enjoy St Albans - Choose your story, Gary Broadbent - St Albans Events Home - St Albans Mums, Events Archive - Hertfordshire’s Mix 92.6, The Pioneer Club, The Alban Arena, HORN Listings — The Horn, St Albans Cathedral and Lemonrock Gig Guide - find live music gigs near you!

CREATIVE WORDS

An Anthology of Words from the Creative Writers of Mind in Mid Herts and Albany Lodge

TELL ME IT DON’T TAKE THE PISS - Simon

Tell me it don’t take the piss

It’s hit and miss

I don’t miss the kiss

But am I lying?

Or am I trying

Too hard?

Punch me in the face

For the sake of Steven Gerrard

SPIDERS - Terry B

Are there Angels?

If so, are there small Angels

That hide in small spaces

That scoop up spiders

And place them

Into even smaller spaces?

This paper is composed of billions of atoms

- Mind in Herts Group

This paper is composed of billions of atoms

Which are mostly empty space

And that’s why I fell through it

And lost my foot?

It is not easy to walk without a foot

So I used my hands

And wrapped myself around an electron

My hair fizzed

And I pushed onwards over and out of the paper

And there was my foot walking on its own

Trying to find my leg

The wrong one

So now I have two feet on one leg

And a piece of paper composed of billions of atoms

Which are mostly empty space

And that is why I fell through it

And lost my feet!

VILLANELLE - Terry B

Sometimes I find it tricky to relate

To the shadows of my distorted mind

I shrug and, shuddering, accept my fate. My thoughts, my reason constipates

I find myself in a repeated bind.

Sometimes I find it tricky to relate.

To others who discriminate

Against all real efforts to be kind.

I shrug and, shuddering, accept my fate.

I always wish I could articulate

The feeling that my anguish leaves behind.

Sometimes I find it tricky to relate.

The daily battle to invigorate

Leaves me with no energy to find.

I shrug and, shuddering, accept my fate.

Life’s clock is ticking. Is it yet too late?

Press start, not pause. No, do not press rewind. Sometimes I find it tricky to relate.

I shrug and, shuddering, accept my fate.

More local Poets

Ximun Weil (distant Basquecountry cousin of Simon Weil)

You tell me I’m your lord

But you do not do as I say

I commanded you to stop looking lovelier every day Each morning I awake, I see you disobey…

BLEEDING HEART - GG

You accuse me of wearing my heart on my sleeve and of attempting to transfer it to yours

Like this was a bad thing

Which I suppose it is given

We are no longer each others

But you forget I have worn my heart for so long

It has become my sleeve

A flesh and blood tattoo

I open my sleeve to the world

And pour my inside out

The Journey - MD McNeil

I am from down under

From scarlet runner beans and passionfruit

From reused bacon fat and picking the carcass clean

From the roaring ocean that dragged me under its riptide current

From earthquakes that threaten tsunamis

From volcanoes that Hobbits climb in search of treasure

I am from Sunday cribbage and boozing

From sitting on my grandfather’s knee as he poured from a flagon

From beloved Uncles. One who sat an extra place for Elvis at the dinner table

One who rode the wild surf and gathered family around the bonfire

To feast on sea fresh mussels. Another, a silvery moon crooning songbird

I am from working two jobs to make ends meet

From a mechanic who played the violin and served in the war

From a goddess who dressed in primary colors and served in the home

From a hairdressing rock and roll muso turned accountant and gave up his dreams

From a bean counting bicycle riding girl who worked in accounts and served pints

To give her children a future

I am from 1970’s valium, Bacardi and forget the slip, slop, slap, oops sunburn

From Napier, New Zealand, New York and Nashville

From soaring heights and taking an enormous bite out of the big apple

From it becoming stuck in my throat and being unable to wake from a bad dream for 13 years

I am from divorce, born from addiction and depression

From moments of pure joy by the ocean too beautiful to speak

From fear of speaking, of not knowing the words to say, of being an ineffective communicator

From fear of sitting still and feeling emotion

From fear that those I love will die and leave me

I am from years of running from my fears

From doing anything but embrace them

Out, damned fear

I don’t know where home is, but I have an idea

RIVER OF LOVE - R. Michael Conlin

River of love, you burst your banks, and swept away my village

You engulfed us as we rabbited in counsel about how to spend the surplus from Last Year

Now, all that remains of our sweet adobe is rubble and wet dirt

And the whole world delights in our gorgeous suffering

Me? You melted like a sugarlump

Oh river of love, flow on, I am Sappho

It’s time to VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! Go here to cast your vote stalbans.gov.uk/foodand-drink-awards-2023 for your favourite places to eat and drink in St Albans District. Listen out on Mix 92.6 for the finalists to be announced! Huge thanks to our sponsors SA Law and St Albans BID