The St Albans Times

01/09/2024

“Evolution is such a tight-knit family company, and when we find someone who really echoes that sentiment, we love to invite them back year-after-year where we can!”
Evolution Pantomimes, The Alban Arena

What does it take to make St Albans’ pantomime an annual hit? Laura Bill speaks to Paul Hendy, of Evolution Productions, about the behind-the-scenes process which takes place every year...

01/09/2024

“The improper disposal was brought to our attention by a resident. While we are grateful to him for doing that, we have advised him that in future he should refrain from rummaging about in a skip as such action puts his health and safety at risk.”

An outspoken local activist and campaigner for the preservation of the Alban Arena forced the authorities to take notice after civic crockery was dumped in a skip.

01/09/2024

"As for that chicken and rice soup, my son has decided he’s going to try and recreate it. He’s a self-declared cookaphobe, so this is testament to just how good it was."
FOOD by Elena

Elena Hogg, founder of local culinary company FOOD by Elena, shares the tastes she has savoured this summer.

31/08/2024

As with the previous piece, we are grateful for the prior research carried out by various individuals and organisations, whose background information has made this possible.

A look at more of the remarkable architectural features visible in our street-scene above the immediate eyeline, many of which reflect on the rich history of St Albans city and district.

31/08/2024

“It was obvious years ago that their actions would ultimately lead to a financial meltdown. It’s a pity that the price for this will be paid by us all as residents of the district. Their attempts to blame everyone but themselves for their mistakes are pitiable. If they had listened then, they wouldn’t be in this mess now.”

Local Conservatives have rebutted comments about the financial woes of the Liberal Democrat administration.

30/08/2024

Rubbers that smell like strawberries and cream were a thing 40 years ago. But now it’s 40 quid water bottles, giant Smiggle pencil holders and trainers that can do fractions. (Okay not that but – quick…somebody get onto my genius business idea. You can have that one for free!)
https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/opinion/back-to-school-madness/

30/08/2024

“Our team planted the seed potatoes earlier this year and we’re really looking forward to welcoming families in to unearth some spectacular spuds."
Willows Activity Farm

Twenty tonnes of potatoes are ready to harvest at Willows Activity Farm this autumn, and visitors are encouraged to dig them up.

30/08/2024

“Having the opportunity to play on the main stage at Pub in the Park is a dream come true. I grew up in St Albans and so this feels like a real homecoming gig. I can’t wait to share the stage with Olly Murs, what a pinch me moment! It will be great to have some old friends in the crowd.”

The winners of the St Albans unsigned talent music competition say playing at next week's Pub in the Park is a dream come true.

30/08/2024

“Pub in the Park in general is really, really fun, and St Albans is no exception. People want to be there, they love the fact that there’s music and food combined. This year there’s Tini Tempah on Friday night, Olly Murs I think is Saturday, and it’s going to be a really, really fun thing to be at."

Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt talks about St Albans Pub in the Park ahead this year’s event from September 6-9 in Verulamium Park.

29/08/2024

The payment received from Watford Community Housing Trust was £25.615m so the remaining financing requirement will be £38.458m.

A month after the official launch of city centre showpiece Jubilee Square, the long game has only just begun, as the district council has many years ahead before it finishes paying for the development.

29/08/2024

There's just over a week to go until this year's event...

This year's Pub in the Park St Albans is a real family affair - with plenty to entertain the youngsters as well as the grown-ups.

29/08/2024

Major breaking news on changes to St Albans City and District Council's Local Plan process...

SADC has announced preparations for a possible early submission of its long-awaited Local Plan, in a bid to shield against a wave of speculative development across the district.

29/08/2024

“Chequer Street is at the beating heart of the city. The chaos will be huge and far more publicity needs to have been given. And a more sensible time could and should have been chosen by Affinity."

Just in time for the start of the autumn term, motorists face major disruption caused by the closure of Chequer Street for four days next week.

29/08/2024

Independent, insightful, informative local news of the type you won't find anywhere else, packed with stories nobody else will cover.
This week featuring a look at the cost implications of Jubilee Square, the roadworks set to cause chaos in the city centre when the schools go back, another Look Up! at the fascinating architectural features above eye level, preparations for The Alban Arena panto, Saturday Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt ahead of his appearance at Pub in the Park, GCSE results picture special, 90 years of Verulamium Park and Lake, plus more news, reviews, sport and opinion.
Thanks to our amazing sponsors...
Lumin Wealth, Collinson Hall, EYES on St Albans, St Albans High School for Girls, Sherrards Solicitors, ArtShed, The Pioneer Club - Music, The Albany Centre, Abbey Theatre - St Albans, OVO...
Thanks to all our fabulous

https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/latest-issue/

To become a donor visit: https://tinyurl.com/St-Albans-Times-donate
To subscribe for free weekly alerts visit: https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/subscribe/

28/08/2024

What’s your favourite place to have breakfast in St Albans?
"Toast in St Albans is my favourite local establishment. It’s got great staff, fantastic vibes and the food is first rate. Exactly what you want from a brunch and breakfast in the heart of the city."
Toast

Dom O’Hanlon, a theatre director based in St Albans, who has just released a new book Directing Amateur Musical Theatre: A Practical Guide for Non-Professional Theatre, answers our Q&A.

27/08/2024

“We pride ourselves on engaging with the public in a meaningful way through consultation and feedback, and we’re always grateful to all those who take the time to engage with the council."
St Albans City and District Council

Before the Labour Government dropped a planning bombshell on the last day of Parliament, the St Albans Times had scheduled a catch-up meeting with SADC leader Paul de Kort to discuss some of the ongoing issues affecting the district now that two rounds of election campaigning were over. The small...

27/08/2024

"We have very little control, if any, where new homes should go and it is not surprising that many people are angry at being ‘done to’ not ‘done with’. We feel powerless, the designs don’t have the look and feel of St Albans, they could be St Anywhere!"

Vanessa Gregory was a prolific letter writer to various local newspapers before championing the importance of the right design for developments in St Albans. Here she urges caution over the district’s forthcoming Local Plan.

27/08/2024

Many of these photos have not been seen before...

During his career Tony "Greg" Gregory photographed a wealth of famous faces including local legend Eric Morecambe and his partner Ernie Wise.

26/08/2024

"This was a tight group of performers who clearly had a good personal connection and I was delighted to see an all-female cast smashing a male dominated tale."

Deborah Heath shivers her timbers at the Roman Theatre Festival for Shadow Road Productions' adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic.

26/08/2024

“We have been overwhelmed by all the help we’ve had – carrying costumes is heavy work, but many people have come and helped several times."
Abbey Theatre - St Albans

As the Company of Ten heads towards its 90th anniversary season, there has been a major project underway at the Abbey Theatre - a revamp of its extensive wardrobe department.

26/08/2024

"Inadvertently triggering the MPAA can have major consequences, as this places a limit on all future pension contributions. This is especially relevant for those still in full- or part-time employment, who may wish to carry on contributing larger sums to their pension."
Lumin Wealth

Accessing pension benefits can come with a major trap. Triggering the Money Purchase Annual Allowance places a limit on all further contributions.

26/08/2024

“Opposition MPs can ask a question and you get an answer rather than a soundbite or a jibe, which is incredibly refreshing. And some of the MPs in the Conservative Party who were saying quite outrageous things and would get cheered are now getting laughed at, and that’s quite a significant shift in terms of the tone of the debate."

We caught up with St Albans MP Daisy Cooper to reflect on the changes under the new Labour Government and what needs to happen when Parliament returns...

24/08/2024

What TV did you watch as a child?
“A lot! My childhood tastes were varied. I devoured Saturday morning cartoons like The Transformers, X-Men, Spider-Man, Digimon, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. But then I loved shows like Mission: Impossible, Cheers, X-Files, Star Trek the original series and particularly Star Trek Deep Space Nine.”

American-born author Luke Deckard, who has just released his latest novel Bad Blood, answers our Q and A.

24/08/2024

“The path through Bell Meadow will need to be replaced which will be a complex and financially challenging task…”

Hopes that the closed footpath from St Michael’s village into Verulamium Park would be re-opening soon have been dashed by SADC.

23/08/2024

Our round-up of GCSE results received from schools across St Albans and Harpenden...

St Albans High School for Girls
https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/st-albans/gcse-results-at-st-albans-high-school-for-girls-surpass-national-average/

Verulam School
https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/st-albans/excellent-gcse-progress-at-verulam-school/

Samuel Ryder Academy
https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/st-albans/excellent-gcse-results-at-samuel-ryder-academy/

Roundwood Park
https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/harpenden/exceptional-year-group-perform-superbly-at-roundwood-park/

Katherine Warington School
https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/harpenden/katherine-warington-school-celebrates-exceptional-achievement-with-first-ever-ks4-gcse-results/

Beaumont School
https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/st-albans/jubilant-students-at-beaumont-school-after-outstanding-gcse-results/

Sandringham School
https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/st-albans/exceptional-gcse-results-for-sandringham-school-students/

St Columba's College
https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/st-albans/st-columbas-college-community-proud-of-students-gcse-successes/

Nicholas Breakspear School
https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/st-albans/nicholas-breakspears-class-of-2024-celebrate-outstanding-gcse-results/

St Albans High School for Girls (STAHS) students are celebrating excellent GCSE results today.

22/08/2024

The district's leading news media.
Back for another packed issue.
This week featuring the lost photos of Morecambe and Wise, in-depth interviews with MP Daisy Cooper and SADC leader Cllr Paul de Kort, Harpenden's new underpass mural, A-level results special, inside the wardrobe department at Abbey Theatre - St Albans, plus more news, reviews, sport and opinion.

Thanks to our amazing sponsors...
Lumin Wealth, Collinson Hall, EYES on St Albans, St Albans High School for Girls, Sherrards Solicitors, ArtShed, STANTA, The Pioneer Club - Music, The Albany Centre, Abbey Theatre - St Albans, OVO, Enjoy St Albans...
Thanks to all our fabulous
https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/latest-issue/
To become a donor visit: https://tinyurl.com/St-Albans-Times-donate
To subscribe for free weekly alerts visit: https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/subscribe/

21/08/2024

"I would like to state for the record, in case they are reading, that we visit The Alban more than any other restaurant, either within St Albans or wider afield, though clearly not enough for their liking."

James Cameron shares his possibly contentious opinion on what he considers to be the best Indian in St Albans...

21/08/2024

"Best of all has been watching STANTA clients – such as Midnight Blue Marketing and Buff and Bare – receive awards at The St Albans Chamber of Commerce Community Business Awards..."
STANTA

Ginny Cooper, the face of STANTA (St Albans Enterprise Agency) for 24 years, looks back on the highlights of her time working on behalf of the local business community.

21/08/2024

Things are heating up as we countdown towards the food and music festival!

https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/events/more-big-names-added-to-line-up-for-st-albans-pub-in-the-park/

20/08/2024

“I would like to state for the record, in case they are reading, that we visit The Alban more than any other restaurant, either within St Albans or wider afield, though clearly not enough for their liking.”

James Cameron shares his possibly contentious opinion on what he considers to be the best Indian in St Albans...