‘Love where you live’ THE YOFC TIMES SUMMER 2019
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F YOU live in or near St Albans, unless you have been living under a rock – or are not on social media – you will know the name Sharon Linney. Sharon is synonymous with the mantra #Lovewhereyoulive in St Albans, and boy does she practise what she preaches. An active supporter of the city, its events, its attractions and its people, Sharon helps spread the word about all the things going on. In today’s lingo, she’s what we’d call an “influencer” and is the queen of social media – she is an admin
Credit: Shelly Henderson
In the first of a new series of features on Local Heroes, Sophie Banks catches up with St Albans resident and community champion Sharon Linney
on one of the biggest local Facebook groups, St Albans Past and Present Memories. But, far from remaining behind her laptop, she also gets stuck in with community projects and in particular cares deeply about the plight of the homeless. She’s part of the force behind St Albans Action for Homeless,
By Patrick Barlow based on the novel by General 'Lew' Wallace
5-13 july 2019 Main Stage
which, she says was “set up by passionate, caring individuals who just could not walk on by”. “We had to do something. So we set up the group and we fill the gap between the services Open Door and Centre 33 provide. Not everyone wants to go into these centres, for their own reasons so we make
sure they have clean clothes, toiletries, sleeping bags and hot food and drinks. But the biggest thing we have done is got to know them and we have helped some back into their own homes.” Why is she so passionate about St Albans? “My mantra is #lovewhereyoulive,” she says. “If you don’t like it, get off your arse and do something about it. We are blessed to live in such a beautiful place.” She cites the travel links, the countryside, and “the lovely pubs and restaurants,” the Abbey and museum. But most of all, she says: “I love St Albans because we have such a strong sense of community.” And she should know: she is at the very heart of it. To find out about St Albans Action for Homeless, go to actionforhomeless.co.uk
Hilarity on a Biblical scale! Box Office: 01727 857861 www.abbeytheatre.org.uk
This amateur production of Ben Hur is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH LTD