St Albans Times issue 31

ST ALBANS TIMES

PASSAGES OF TIME

CELEBRATING THE HERITAGE OF CITY CENTRE’S HISTORIC ALLEYWAYS

AUGUST ST ALBANS MARKET UPDATE VIDEO FROM THE COLLINSON HALL TEAM

Editor's Note

As a history graduate, I never cease to be amazed by the fascinating stories which can be uncovered in our city’s past. This week I had the privilege of spending some time with Professor Tim Boatswain, a former professor of Anthropology and History, to learn more about the alleyways and passageways of St Albans city centre.

Some of the more unusual facts and features of these routes are revealed in this week’s feature article, but what is really encouraging to hear about is the group of representatives from many of the district’s most prominent organisations, who have joined forces not only to restore and decorate these alleyways, but also educate and inform visitors and residents alike about their fascinating histories. I for one would love to see somewhere like Pudding Lane once again lined with retail frontages. Imagine a secret speakeasy or curiosity shop tucked away down its twists and turns - there to be discovered by those bold people who adventure beyond the usual tourist haunts...

With the right vision and investment, we could find St Albans hosting a Harry Potter-themed event in its own Diagon Alley, or a mediaeval-

market on the original trading footprint...

contributors include: Jon Wilson Cooper, Laura Bill, Darren McCabe, Eris, Emma Kosh, Karen

Could alleyways play new role in city’s visitor experience?

Many of us use them without thought when we visit the city centre, a network of passages running between Chequer Street, Market Place and French Row, often seen as little more than shortcuts or somewhere to store the bins

But a new initiative aims to celebrate the heritage of St Albans’ historic alleyways by restoring them to their former glory and exploring their rich stories

The cooperative project - which involves Conservation 50, St Albans and Hertfordshire Architectural and Archaeological Society, the BID and the district councilwants to resolve the issue of rubbish and wheelie bins, improve the condition of the alleyways, and then with permission from the owners and SADC, introduce historical themes and greening opportunities for each alley, with the support of the local community Professor Tim Boatswain, who is the lead for the project, explained: “The benefits of restoring and decorating the alleyways, apart from their aesthetic appearance, will that they become part of the social and cultural offering of

the city, encouraging footfall and engagement with both citizens and visitors alike ”

The idea is to restore civic pride in the alleyways and create something akin to what is found in York’s Shambles, Lewes and the Twittens, and even Brighton’s Lanes and Laines District

Sovereign Way, Lamb Alley, Pudding Lane and Boot Alley are the main routes criss-crossing between the major roads, marking the passages between the stalls in St Albans’ medieval market as well as providing entrances to its inns

Boot Alley was in the area where leather was worked into shoes; meat puddings were sold in Pudding Lane; Dog Cut and Lamb Alley led to the Dog Inn and Lamb Alehouse; and a mediaeval window in Sovereign Way served the abattoir which previously occupied the premises of Caffé Nero

Queen’s Walk was named after the Queen’s Hotel in Chequer Street, previously called The Turf Hotel, which has stories of its own It was built by celebrated

racehorse trainer Tommy Coleman, who founded the St Albans steeplechase event which saw the likes of Captain Martin Becher compete (the man who gave his name to the Grand National’s Becher’s Brook) When it became the Queens Hotel Charles Dickens stayed there in 1852

The entrance to the Christopher Inn, off French Road, has a late 16th/early 17th century carving of a succubus - a she-devil - believed to prey on unwary travellers

There are plenty of other gems to be found if you know where to look, for example Boot Alley contains the remains of Tudor brickwork and Lamb Alley features a parish mark. St Albans City Guides often take visitors to see these items, but unfortunately not without some apprehension and embarrassment at the likely squalor to be envountered.

Most importantly, Market Place, probably accessed by the alleyways from what is now Chequer Street, played a part in the War of the Roses (the Battles of St Albans on May 22 1455 and February 17 1461) Professor Boatswain said: “In many of England’s old towns and cities their alleyways play an integral part in the visitor experience.

“There is artwork and interpretative panels for the visitor indicating their history Sadly in St Albans the special heritage of its alleyways has been long neglected and their condition is dire As well as the passageways being soiled with pigeon excrement, the state of the buildings is poor with graffiti on the walls.

“Some of the alleyways are clogged up with wheelie bins that are often subject to fly-tipping, and are both an eyesore and a health hazard, encouraging vermin This is a very poor advertisement when the city is attempting to encourage more visitors to enjoy its heritage ” The Alleyways Project is working towards a council policy which will recognise the historical importance of the city centre alleyways and the part they can play in attracting visitors to St Albans

SADC will strive to conserve and preserve them by:

working to remove wheelie bins through appropriate waste collection regulations; ensuring that they are regularly cleaned; encouraging owners to maintain their alleyway walls; removing graffiti; installing anti-pigeon devices; greening certain areas; supporting themed murals and information boards.

The first mural to be created is in Sovereign Way Cathedral artist in residence Ant Steel was commissioned to recreate images from St Albans’ great election scandal of 1851, when corrupt parliament candidate Jacob Bell bribed over 300 voters at the scene. Entering a door on the south side of the passageway, members of the electorate were offered refreshments and then called to go upstairs to meet the candidate’s agent There the agent would turn his back and the voter could help himself (only men of a certain property status could vote then) to a sovereign

The scandal became exposed and an official enquiry was set up at what is now the Museum + Gallery, which resulted in all of St Albans being punished, as the constituency was not allowed an MP for over 30 years. Once the mural is completed St Albans Arc and Arc will provide an information board that explains the scandal Mayor Cllr Anthony Rowlands, who visited the mural recently to see the work in progress, said: “This is a stunningly innovative public art project. Ant Steel has created a suitably colourful visual representation of one of the most notorious episodes in our city’s history

It is also a great example of the hitherto untapped historic interest of city centre alleys ”

Professor Boatswain added: “We are absolutely delighted that the amazing artist, Ant Steel, has undertaken this project which highlights this unfortunate but fascinating episode in St Albans’ past

“If people are wondering why there is a beautiful lady wearing a plumed hat in the mural when only the men could vote, it is because there were seven female witnesses, called by the enquiry who gave crucial evidence about the scandal I hope this mural will serve as a lovely example of what can be done to the rather neglected alleyways of the city centre.”

Ant Steel and Professor Boatswain are also working on another initiative for Dog Cut - the passage between French Row and Christopher Place Shopping Centreoffering dog owners the chance to have their pooches’ portraits painted by the artist.

These would then be placed on public display for a period of time before returning them to the owners To find out more email Tim Boatswain at tjboatswain@gmail com

St Albans BID has been heavily involved in the alleyways project, as manager Vivien Cannon explained: “On behalf of the group, BID has helped to hand deliver information to businesses to introduce the project and why it’s taking place and continues to work with the group to draft a project plan

“Immediate actions for the group focus on improving the cleanliness of the areas which are now jet-washed on a weekly basis by SADC’s contractor.

“Where businesses or residents living in the area have been careless with their waste, fixed penalty notices have also been issued to ensure littering is addressed and deterred We know that rubbish is an issue, and the longer-term plan is to reduce bins in the area

“The group also wishes to promote the historical significance of each alleyway with signage and historical information that will be valuable to both local people and visitors to our city

“The BID will continue to meet and work with the project group to ensure the voices of city centre businesses are heard and that the project plan reflects their needs and those of our visitors ”

YOU’VE BEEN FRAMED

One of our most popular collections of frames at EYES on St Albans are those ‘really brightly coloured ones’ that you see as you walk past the shop. We sat down with Jez to find out a bit more about them

These brightly coloured frames were one on the first brands you stocked at EYES on St Albans Why were they so important to bring to the city and district?

“I’ve known Jason Kirk for over 30 years (although we ’ re both in denial we ’ re that old) He comes from a family of manufacturing opticians with a heritage well over a century old He works now with his wife Karen – hence the brand name Kirk & Kirk

“Jason’s mission to create the lightest possible, chunky frames in the brightest possible colours has always been something Ive admired His ability to create such stunning looks from the Italian acrylic (the only material that it’s possible to get the colours that vibrant with) whilst maintaining the manufacturing in the South of France is what makes them the best

Since we opened I’ve been determined to ensure that we only bring the highest quality eyewear to St Albans and Kirk & Kirk were the first on my list

Will we find them anywhere else in St Albans?

No! Kirk & Kirk are very discerning about who they allow to stock their frames We have to fulfil a number of criteria, including that we ’ re up to date with the latest trends in optical fashions, styling and colouring

“Obviously the fact I’ve worked with Jason for so long came into the equation – but most of all I wanted to have the brand that is recognised globally as being the one for coloured frames in the shop

Are Kirk & Kirk for everyone?

As frames Kirk & Kirk are incredibly light come in a great range of shapes and can be easily adjusted so that makes them easy and comfortable to wear In terms of the colours, not all their frames are incredibly bright There are a range of muted and blended tones that make a great starting frame for those wanting to try a bit of colour without going all out

“We have customers of all ages who choose Kirk & Kirk Many opt for the iconic look and are ready to make a bit of a statement about themselves in their colour choices

“One the best things about my job is helping people find that perfect colour and style – and when they put on a pair that they werent sure about they just grin!

Do you wear them yourself?

“Definitely! I have a collection that’s grown over the years They’re great with both clear varilux and tinted lenses Some of the larger frames make excellent sunglasses and obviously I like to count myself amongst the wearers of such a great brand that include Robert Downey Jnr, Fleur East and Richard Ayoade!”

We’re looking forward to the new autumn/winter ‘23/’24 collection arriving soon so do pop in and see what Jason and Karen have created for this season!

Network Rail called to account over tree felling requirements

Campaigners are demanding answers from rail bosses about the extent of tree felling proposals

Residents from Lancaster Road and Gurney Court Road are angry at plans to remove many of the trees behind their gardens – including sycamore and ash – which are home to bat roosts, badger setts and nesting birds

The campaign group fears the effect on this green corridor will be irreversible

They point out that according to Network Rail’s own statistics, only 1,400 out of their 13 million trackside trees have fallen on the line This means if they fell any tree within 6 5m of the track then 9,000 would have to be cut down to prevent just one from falling Network Rail insists the work is vital for health and safety, but have failed to answer Freedom of Information requests for the relevant surveys highlighting the extent of the proposed work within the required 20 days

Neighbour Nadia Bishara told the St Albans Times: " my husband and I originally sent separate requests for the documents at different times

"When his request time lapsed about two weeks ago, Network Rail told him the documents weren’t ready to be released, even though they had them in hand. They said they needed a ‘safe space ’ to edit them, and that they wouldn’t be ready until August 18 at the earliest He was then told he would have to make another FOI request to receive them We couldn’t understand this, as surveys are carried out by independent bodies. If Network Rail had possession of them they must therefore be complete Also how can the documents be independent if they’ve been edited by Network Rail?"

A group of 32 local residents, including St Albans Civic Society President Tim Boatswain and councillors Simon Grover and Helen Campbell, have now written to the chief executive of Network Rail asking for confirmation that trees will only be felled or reduced based on a proper assessment of actual risk, rather than indiscriminately and pre-emptively. They say the healthy hardwood trees beyond 6 5m of the track should not be touched

"As local residents and interested parties we understand the requirement for Network Rail to undertake safety-related works along the lineside, and we have no objection to works being carried out where there is a clear and reasonable safety concern...

"These works are described as ‘vital’, suggesting that the works would indeed only target areas of clear and reasonable safety concern And yet the detail of the planned works is arbitrary and indiscriminate, with all trees and vegetation planned to be cleared based on their distance from the track, with no consideration given to the risk they actually pose

"We understand that trees need to be felled under certain circumstances – if they are unhealthy, if they are blocking visibility, if they are dangerously leaning or if they are certain leaf-fall varieties within close proximity to the tracks

"We request however that a more nuanced approach be taken to minimise unnecessary loss of trees

"In particular we request the following: Healthy, upright hardwood species such as oak and hornbeam beyond the 6.5m line, where there is no identified reason to suggest they are at risk of falling should not be affected by these works

"Specifically, there is a line of healthy mature oaks running along the top of the bank behind Lancaster Road These trees have stood happily for 100 years and will continue to do so for centuries to come They provide vital services in terms of their

Renvironmental and wildlife value, but also help to stabilise the lineside bank, enhancing the safety of rail users. We see no justification for these trees to be felled, reduced or pollarded in any way, purely for pre-emptive reasons "

Tara Scott, infrastructure director for Network Rail in the East Midlands said: “We know how important trees and vegetation are to local communities and the impact that removing them can have, especially for our neighbours This is why we carefully assess vegetation management work before we begin and hold public events as well as send notifications before work starts.

“Vegetation, especially trees, can pose serious safety risks for passengers and rail staff Trees can fall onto the tracks, risking potential derailments They can also come into contact with overhead power lines, risking fire and also causing delays to services.

“The issue of leaves on the line causing a black ice-type of surface and affecting trains braking is well known and overgrown vegetation can also obscure signals, the traffic lights of our railway, and also impede our staff from safely accessing the railway

“With all of this in mind it is essential we take action to manage the risk of the vegetation and keep everyone safe All trees that are located within 6 5 metres of the railway will be addressed, the health and size of the trees outside of this will also be assessed. We will carry out the minimum amount of work needed to keep people who live near and travel on our railway safe for years to come ”

RESTAURANT REVIEW

SAMRAT

JAMES CAMERON VISITS THE REBRANDED NAWAB TO FIND OUT WHAT HAS CHANGED APART FROM THE NAME

If you go to Nawab, then it’s Samrat, not Nawab Not long ago, and clearly feeling jealous of the attention that new sibling the Nouvelle Lounge is getting, local favourite Indian restaurant Nawab went into a chrysalis and emerged as swanky regeneration Samrat. The decor is now on the swish side, with tassels hanging from the light shades and golden floral napkin rings But has the cooking upped its game in line with the soft furnishings?

The menu is in your typical curry house format, with a number of specialities as well as the standards. We spent a good 10 minutes trying to decipher the chili heat rating, with a combination of the colour and number of chilis denoting heat levels but we got there in the end (though I’m still not sure if a yellow and a green together are hotter than a single red). There were few vegetarian/vegan options outside of the side dishes, it does seem strange that if you can make a Bhuna with chicken, lamb, prawn or even king prawn that you can’t do it with vegetables but I may not be aware of the intricacies.

The specialities were the place to be, though, and this was where we focussed our efforts.

We started with poppadoms of course, and though the lime chutney did not come as a standard and had to be ordered separately there was an intriguing red dip that I have not encountered before, both sweet and sour and possibly involving tamarind in some way

The starters suggested good things to come. The Chicken Tikka was succulent and had been flavoured well, as were the Maharaji Chops

Onion Bhajis were on the dry side but this was to their benefit, as they had a lovely crunch similar to Sev and were not dripping with fat.

They also came with some of the longest carrot strands we had ever seen, suggesting some quality spiralizer work. There was slight disappointment with the vegetable samosas, the only vegan starter on offer. These leaned too heavily on the potatoes and were rather bland. This theme continued to the main dishes where an Aloo Gobi was underwhelming, the cauliflower entirely lacking in flavour suggesting it had been cooked separately and added in later

The Tarka Dhaal almost redeemed them, though, a lovely bright yellow dish with an unctuous, pleasing creaminess

If you let the chefs use meat and ghee things improved immeasurably I ordered the Rajastani Chicken, intrigued by the promise of ‘Secret Rajasthani Sauce’. I can understand their discretion as it is a very good sauce, one that you can just eat and eat until no more food will go in It was also quite similar to the equally good Chicken Jaipur (perhaps that is the secret?) which had an initial sweetness that hid a later good strong slug of heat We also had Lamb Shaslick, the sauce was again good but the meat was a bit too chewy.

Breads were expertly handled, and I very much enjoyed the Cheese Naan. This was described as being ‘bloated with cheese’, though it actually just had a small layer (probably for the best), and it complemented the meal well.

Probably the most exciting thing, however, were the Indian Noodles I have never come across these before and I applaud the initiative as they really do work. If I had to compare them to anything it would be Super Noodles, but that would be two references to Super Noodles in a row. Pot Noodles seem too pejorative a comparison, although they seem to be owning it themselves with one of the options called ‘Bombay Blast’.

We went for the difficult to pronounce Silsila Noodles and the addition of chicken, vegetables and herbs really elevates this to a fantastically complementary dish

A couple of further points Firstly, the toilets have lights that turn off if you don’t move enough.

This is admirable from an environmental

perspective but does seem to favour those who use the facilities from a standing position. For the sitters amongst us you either need to keep up constant hand movements as if you are conducting yourself or do your business in darkness

Secondly, throughout the meal there was a constant strange beeping coming from the bar I assume this indicated either orders coming in or the waiter getting his WhatsApp messages, but it was disconcertingly like dining next to a table of Tombliboos.

Samrat sits in a funny little niche, on the one hand it’s a very tolerable local Indian restaurant but on the other it seems to be striving to be something more with the decor and some of the classier menu touches

It probably still has a little way to go if it wants promotion to the premier league of St Albans restaurants, and they could definitely focus more on the vegetarian side, but I for one will be happy to keep on checking in to see if they’re there yet

COMING SOON...

Free art exhibition reveals a fresh take on some familiar scenes

Local artist Donna Borg says she is frequently inspired by St Albans and its community, and that is certainly reflected in her work, which includes her interpretations of the city and its environs.

You can see more of her paintings at a free exhibition taking place at the Abbey Theatre between September 9-13, including a still-life workshop on the Sunday from 10.30am-1.30pm. There will be original paintings and prints starting at very affordable prices, some special offers, and work in progress too. Throughout the event, visitors can also enter a raffle for the chance to win some great prizes, with the proceeds from the raffle tickets going to support the theatre. For further information and to book tickets for the opening night and workshop, visit www.abbeytheatre.org.uk/whatson/donna-borg-exhibition/

COMEDY OF ERRORS

DEBORAH HEATH IS BACK AT THE ROMAN THEATRE FESTIVAL FOR THE PANTALOONS’ TAKE ON THE BARD’S CLASSIC

As the Roman Theatre Festival enters its final week there are still plenty of treats in store. I was excited to attend ‘Comedy of Errors’ from visiting company The Pantaloons who were ambitious enough to stage Shakespeare’s most complicated farce with only four actors! This hook aside, here are some facts to explain my excitement:

1 Comedy of Errors is Shakespeare’s shortest play so there was no fear of getting overly wet or cold!

2. It is believed to be his first comedy (circa 159) and the young Bard really went for the farce packing the play full puns, mistaken identities and slapstick opportunities – it’s not his deepest play but it’s very, very funny

3 It is rarely staged, probably because it has not one but two sets of twins - in fact this is the first time I have actually seen it live!

So armed with a blanket and an extra jumper I headed to our Roman Theatre with high expectations.

Although I haven’t seen the Pantaloons at work before, I knew that OVO had selected a high calibre of partners to work with during this year’s festival I couldn’t wait to see how they would present two sets of twins with their tiny cast –this would require some careful direction, energy and teamwork.

I was delighted to see the four actors already busy as the audience entered, working the crowd with a mix of music and banter They opened the play itself with some lively songs accompanied by ukulele and guitar but then switched to using their

instruments very effectively as background mood music. I applaud their good use of actor musicians here – the music/acting ratio was well balanced by director Steve Purcell

The Pantaloons say they aim to bring a sense of “play” to classical performance and this they certainly achieved with their fun adaptation of the text It was largely untouched and when they did step out of character it was for good reason – to engage the audience, whether this be asking for suggestions for a running gag or explaining the action It was the latter point with which the Pantaloons excelled

They described the story set up with the use of two bottles and two cans of cola (one red brand,

one blue) plus two tubs of Pringles (also one red, one blue) to represent the parents and both sets of twin boys This colour coding was key to following the play as Neill Jennings changed waistcoat colours to show whether he was playing Antipholus of Ephesus or Syracuse

Chris Coxon did the same when playing Dromio of Ephesus or Syracuse It was a really simple but funny way to get the audience’s attention from the outset and keep them onside as the story got more complicated.

The cast used some slick teamwork to change between the characters to the extent that at times you felt that there were an extra two people on stage

This was no mean feat particularly for Chris Coxon who had only stood into his role the previous week and gave a great performance.

Alex Rivers and Emily Beach played the supporting characters and interacted with the audience in a way that showcased their range of skills Alex Rivers was equally comfortable playing the ukulele as she was organising the audience (and overhead

flying geese) and playing for pathos and laughs

She was a formidable Adriana and the comic back and forth between her and Neill Jennings as her husband Antipholus was well executed.

I loved Emily Beach’s comic portrayal of the Courtesan - a role that she owned both physically and vocally However, she also gave real depth to Luciana who she played with sympathy and humour

To conclude, this talented team of four had been expertly directed and clearly trusted each other well enough to pull off some quick changes and potential audience involvement pitfalls They must have been exhausted by the end of the night by which time they had played 16 roles between then and encouraged three willing audience members to join them onstage for the exciting finale when the four twins meet!

I sincerely hope to see the Pantaloons make a return visit to our festival next year Their signature blend of comedy, music and improvisation shone in this playful adaptation of a well-loved story

EVERY PIECE OF JEWELLERY TELLS ITS OWN STORY

“It’s a weird blend of science and art,” jewellery designer Beth Green explained. She is one of several designers working at St Albans’ newest jewellers, Harriet Kelsall in Chequer Street, where the focus is on bespoke creations which reflect both sentiment and story.

This could be anything from children’s drawings turned into necklaces, gallstone cufflinks or engagement rings incorporating snow from the top of Mount Everest. It isn’t quite fair to say that the only limit is the imagination, as what the designers are keen to create is something which will be seen and endures - “a wearable way of capturing a story”, as Beth puts it.

“We don’t want to let down expectations. Our creations are going to outlive us, after all. We’re also designing to other people’s tastes, not what we would wear ourselves, so they have to be right for that specific person.”

All designs are hand-drawn and to scale, and are then cast in resin to ensure customers know what they’re getting, before the finished item is created in the workshop, a converted Tudor barn just up the A1(M) at Halls Green. As well as using traditional handcrafting methods, the workshop incorporates a 3D scanner and uses Computer Aided Design (CAD) as part of the process on some items. The team will always source the right materials for the specific piece. For example,

emeralds frequently break when used as rings, whereas green sapphires are more durable, so it’s all about managing the requirements of a piece.

Harriet Kelsall also specialise in using their customers’ own materials, taking extra care and attention to ensure nothing of this irreplaceable metal is lost, for example when generations of wedding bands are melted down to create something new.

The workshop itself is staffed by a team of 25, including specific roles like a gemologist and polisher, and customers can visit to watch. As well as creating bespoke items from scratch, they will also repair older items or recreate them using more durable materials.

COMING SOON...

Free live music as St Albans Band Aid returns to city centre

St Albans Band Aid is back for its 14th year!

Local plumber and musician Dene Rosewarn has organised the charity music day in aid of Rennie Grove Hospice Care and other local charities since 2009. The event is all outside, there is no stage, no lighting, and therefore no overheads.

Taking place outside Ladbrokes in St Peter's Street, it will see eight local bands performing between 9am and 5pm on September 16. Over the years, the event has raised more than £48,000, thanks to generous contributions from passers-by and Ladbrokes, and is expected to smash the £50K mark this year.

SEAFOOD SENSATIONS WORTH WRITING HOME ABOUT

My most recent weekly Fitbit report (other health and wellbeing watches are available) read very differently from the previous week’s, and pretty much every week before that. In each category, whether it be step count, heart rate, floors climbed, calories burned… all results were vastly improved.

The reason for this is that, last week, we were on holiday in Exmoor, which is plenteous with exquisite scenery and coastal views, but almost none of which can be reached without a long hike or near-vertical climb.

Take the Valley of the Rocks, for example. Large blocks of sandstone balance atop each other, not unlike in Minecraft, for those of you whose sanity, like mine, has been jeopardised by their children’s obsession.

A perilous clamber to the top rewards you with a rush of exercise-induced endorphins and a vista to take your remaining breath away. And so it was that I spent much of our family summer holiday this year red-faced and wheezing, but happy in the knowledge I had earned my supper. And for most of the week, supper was a simple affair.

When you are staying away from home in a delightful farm cottage you chose because of its charm and value for money, rather than how well-appointed the kitchen is, you have to make do a little.

It’s actually very de-pressurising. If you only have some tins of tuna, beans and sweetcorn plus some trusty pasta tubes you know the children will eat with no complaints, then tuna, bean, sweetcorn and pasta it is for dinner! Your expectations are guided by your meagre supplies, so if the meal you eat is in fact pleasant, your satisfaction levels soar. The same concept applied all week to our packed lunches: I felt deep contentment knowing that body and soul would be kept together despite the very low effort required to chuck some crisps and apples into a rucksack along with some cheese sandwiches (because no other fillings are an option).

That all said, the week was peppered with some culinary delights too. Just as we stepped foot inside our cottage, we beheld a simple but delicious little cake that the owners had baked for us using eggs laid by the chickens on the farm we were staying in. My kind of welcome.

To add to the wholesomeness, more freshly laid eggs occasionally appeared on a table in the courtyard with an honesty box next to them.

Just-laid, orange-yolked fried eggs for dinner? Go on then. The family in the cottage next to ours never got a look-in, I’m afraid. More gastronomic highlights came in the form of seafood.

Straddling Somerset and Devon, Exmoor offers some of the freshest.

Nowhere is that more true than at Porlock Bay Oysters, an independent oyster farm in Porlock Weir, which we were lucky enough to visit during the few days that Merrick Webber was working there, developing a new menu. This talented chef was a delight to chat to about his new concoctions, every bit as bizarre as they are genius.

Webber cut his teeth mainly at two-Michelinstarred restaurants, which I found quite an intimidating fact, but he’s incredibly friendly –hence the casual chat we had about his flavours and then his career, and the fact that the kitchens he most enjoys – most respects –are the ones where there’s camaraderie and probably some kind of prank afoot. No snootiness, just fun and food excellence. From our courtyard table, we watched our oysters being shucked by an assistant clearly very at ease with the process, then off they went to a kitchen that Webber helped design on a previous visit.

If you’re wondering why so many flying visits, it’s because Webber is born and bred in Porlock, and collaborates with Porlock Bay Oysters whenever he can. And what a treat he gave us: we ate six of the freshest oysters we’ve ever tasted, their briny minerality set off by exciting toppings I’ve never come across on an oyster menu: watermelon and wasabi granita; cucumber mignonette with sea purslane that Webber had handpicked that morning; and mandarin, tarragon and chilli. I can’t describe the fireworks that went off in our mouths. You know when food is so good that it just makes you quietly chuckle to yourself as you eat it? Well, that. I’m now following @mezwebber13 on Instagram and fully plan to gastro-stalk him.

Appetites suitably whetted, we decided to eat out at a seafood restaurant the following evening and weren’t disappointed by the veritable mountain of seafood we were served – mussels, clams, crevettes and crab claws – along with an array of implements for extracting sweet, soft crab flesh, but which our youngest thought were for her entertainment.

So ensued a scene not unlike the one from Pretty Woman with the snail.

Somehow not having been asked to leave, we gratefully ordered desserts and I can’t not mention the Turkish delight ice cream.

What a triumph, with the creaminess rounding off the pungency of the rose water and some grated milk chocolate hinting at a Fry’s Turkish delight bar, but SO much better.

The addition of some dehydrated strawberry slices not only looked pretty, but tied the whole dessert together with a little crunch and sharpness.

Speaking of desserts, our very last day was damp and rainy, so we consoled ourselves with an honest lunch at a proper pub – the kind that does venison pie, which my husband is then compelled to order. He rated it highly. There were many stalwarts of pub fayre on offer, of course, but what we weren’t expecting was the lengthy list of traditional puddings on offer, from jam roly poly and golden syrup sponge to bread and butter pudding and spotted dick.

And lots in between, like the steamed apple and steamed treacle sponges we ordered to share between the four of us, which alleviated the guilt a little, at least. They were worth every shameful mouthful – even the driving rain we walked out into didn’t dull the pudding-induced glow we all felt between hiccups.

Thank you, Exmoor, for a wonderful holiday.

Emma Kosh is an Interior Designer and award winning Designer on CBBC's The Dengineers Emma has a passion for creating one of a kind Interiors and Empowering people to celebrate their Uniqueness through design. She joins us to share her thoughts on Home and Interior Style

OWN IT LIKE EK INTERIORS AND HOME

LET ME BE YOUR INTERIOR AUNT

Hey gang, I have been here for a while now quietly churning out these pieces for you to enjoy and I thought that now you have got to know me a little, I would like to start to include you. So this will be a short one from me as I appeal for you to reach out to me. Keep reading to find out what I would like from you. Please share!

BECOME THE FEATURE

Do you or someone you know have one amazing room or an amazing home? It doesn’t matter to me if you did it yourself or used an Interior Designer I am happy to shout them out. I would love to feature homes in the area with stylish Interiors, I would love to chat with you and find out more to feature you on these pages. I love quirky interiors obviously but if you have a room or two to be proud of then I would love to know.

TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT

What you really really want...Is there something you want me to feature or explore? Have you seen a ‘look’ that you’d love to try but you are unsure of how to pull it all together? I would love to hear your content ideas, you can drop me a message simply saying ‘vintage style’ or ‘how to choose flooring’ or ‘dungeon style’ whatever you're into boo. Longer messages also welcome obviously.

THERE ISN ’ T A PROBLEM I CAN ’ T FIX

Cause I can do it in the mix... Do you have a question or conundrum that you would like me to solve? Let me be your Interior Aunt in the style of Dear Deidre. Please send me any burning questions, related to anything home, style, build etc. I look forward to hearing from you.

SHARE YOUR TALENT

Have you made, up-cycled or built something for your home that you are proud of? I would love to see what you have been creating. Please send photos so I can share those too.

SMALL BUSINESS SHOUT OUTS

Please send me all of your small business shout outs related in any way to home, I would love to feature more local businesses doing helpful or beautiful things. Please tell me all about them so I can gather a must see list for myself and all of you!

HOW TO SEND ME ALL THE IDEAS

I have set up a dedicated email address for this column. Yes there are two S’ (already regretting that) so do not let it catch you out.

INTERIORSSTALBANS@GMAIL.COM

Or feel free to message me on Instagram - details to the right.

Yesterday Once More: photos from our archives

SO WHAT DID THE NORMANS EVER DO FOR US?

1066 was a year of turmoil, bloodshed and momentous change for England. In late September, led by Duke William of Normandy, 7000 men landed on the Sussex coast. Just over two weeks later, on 14th October, as dawn rose over East Sussex, two great armies began a bloody battle for the throne of England.

By nightfall, the Normans finally broke the shield wall of the English and King Harold Godwinson was dead. On Christmas Day, William was crowned King. Within a generation, many traditions and customs had been transformed and for Anglo-Saxon England, life would never be the same again. For the women of St Albans, things went rapidly downhill and stayed that way for over 800 years.

Before then, the women of Anglo-Saxon England generally enjoyed pretty decent rights. They could own land in their own right, deciding for themselves what to do with it. They could defend themselves in court or act as witnesses. They could inherit from their parents. Very importantly, they could divorce their husbands and take half the household goods and have full custody of the children. But that all changed. Under Norman rule, women could no longer divorce their husbands. They could only own property if they were widowed. They required permission to marry, permission to run a business.

If they had brothers, they were not allowed to inherit from their parents.

Even the nuns of St Albans Abbey gradually found their freedom restricted and new rules controlling their daily lives. The Abbey had been a mixed community, common in AngloSaxon England, both nuns and monks sharing duties and a spiritual life. But by the mid1100s, the nuns had been moved out lock, stock and barrel to the newly founded Sopwell Priory.

And what about the language? Norman French was the language spoken by the occupying power.

England and Ireland, uniquely in Europe, had used their own languages, understood by everyone, for official documents and laws. But this was now replaced by Norman French in government, law courts and places of learning, (although Latin still dominated). But most of the population still spoke English and, by the 1300s, it virtually replaced Norman French as the spoken and literary language, with just snippets of heavily anglicised French vocabulary remaining. That said, Latin and Norman French remained in use in official legal documents until the beginning of the 1700s.

Talking of the law, Anglo-Saxon England had strict legal codes. Exile was seen as the ultimate punishment, as most people lived in small communities and so banishment was a

fearful thing for many. Justice was community based. People were grouped in tithings of 10 people. If one broke a law, it was the job of the other nine to get him (or her) to court or they would all be punished.

King Alfred the Great, who ruled during the mid-late 800s, continued the law code known as the Wergild. This established clear penalties for criminal injury or death, a radical replacement for the previous “eye for an eye” approach.

The Wergild set out a price for everyone, including slaves, and a carefully planned system of compensation for damaged body parts, even down to a fingernail.

After the Norman invasion, as towns grew bigger, control over law and order became centralised, away from the community-based system.

Towns appointed their own officials, like constables, beadles or watchmen. The King selected new Justices of the Peace from local men of high status and wealth.

And there were rules, many rules. Even for bakers. Just over 100 years after the Norman invasion, Henry II established The Worshipful Company of Bakers. And by 1266, the price of bread was strictly regulated according to the price of wheat. Bakers giving short measure would be heavily punished.

So to avoid being fined, pilloried or flogged, bakers started to give an extra loaf or piece of

bread, hence a “baker’s dozen”. The baker in his shop next to St Albans Clock Tower abided by these rules to escape punishment in the pillory, which used to stand just outside what is now WH Smith.

The Normans also gave us new names, such as William, Robert and Henry, as well as hereditary surnames. Nicknames had usually been used as second names by the AngloSaxons. Or names showing who your father was, such as Edmund’s son. Your occupation could be added to distinguish you from someone of the same name locally, such as Robert the Baker.

Originally these surnames were temporary and not passed on, but by 1381, poll tax lists show that most families were using hereditary surnames. Something else encouraged by the Normans –wine. They planted vines, especially at their monasteries and abbeys, as at St Albans. In 1086, the Domesday Book was completed. This was a huge survey of property and land commissioned by William the Conquerer so he would know exactly what his new kingdom offered.

The Domesday Book listed nearly 40 vineyards in southern England. So under the Normans our consumption of wine increased. French wine was, of course, still considered superior.

Not that drinking was unknown to the English. They liked their ale, with most Anglo-Saxon

settlements having an ale-house. An “ale” meant a social gathering and so ale-houses were where everything from wedding celebrations to business arrangements took place.

But under the Normans, wine in England came to be seen as a prestigious drink and by the late 1100s, John of Salisbury, Bishop of Chartres, wrote that “the English are noted among foreigners for their persistent drinking”.

And, of course, the Normans did bring their superb architecture and building skills, giving us powerful castles and magnificent churches, such as the Abbey Church of St Albans. Begun in 1077, completed in only 11-12 years, consecrated in 1115 and still standing. To find out more about Anglo-Saxon and medieval St Albans, join us for our special Medieval guided walk on Sunday 27th August, 2.30pm. For details and to book: www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk

Wine Times

DARREN MCCABE OFFERS HIS WEEKLY WINE RECOMMENDATIONS (@DMC UNCORKED)

Last week I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Pete and Karen Mileham, the co-owners and inspiration (along with Gary and Lynne Smith) behind the newly launched Fade to Black Wines

Many of you may know that after 30 odd years in the motor trade, Pete took over the co-ownership and management of Fade to Black at The Quadrant in Marshalswick back in November 2022.

Since then, Pete, Gary and their team have transformed the place into a lively social hub for the residents of St Albans As the sun rises and parents drop their children off at school, the smell of fresh coffee, toasties and cakes grace the air From Thursday to Saturday night, as the sun sets and locals finish work the energy shifts to a whole new level – draught Portuguese lagers flow, cocktails

gleam, G&Ts twinkle, and wine takes centre stage. They also have regular live music and events which have produced an excellent local following and has now become destination for residents.

To add to this, with their joint passion for top quality wines, Pete and Gary recently launched Fade to Black Wines, a virtual cellar where 50-60 handpicked wines available at wholesale prices are just a click away and can be delivered straight to your door. This treasure trove comes courtesy of the UK's largest wine importer, with a buying team that boasts a combined 60 years of grapeinfused wisdom They've carefully cherry-picked gems from inspiring producers who put quality and sustainability at the forefront Pete went the extra mile to ensure this was the wine wonderland you

deserve Before unleashing this online vinous universe, he hosted a tasting bash at Fade to Black, letting the locals have their say Once the votes were in, Pete personally tested each of the 50 wines, making sure they ticked the boxes of exceptional quality and mind-blowing value

Before choosing the wines to feature on the website, Pete hosted a winetasting event at Fade to Black and gave the locals of Marshalswick the opportunity to taste and vote for their favourites. Once the votes were in Pete tasted every one of the 50 wines to ensure they were of exceptional quality and great value for money As I worked my way through the website there were several things that caught my attention: the sheer diversity of the selection, and the price range that caters to every palate and occasion.

Whether you are looking for a walletfriendly mid-week sipper at around £10, or luxurious top-tier wines suitable for memorable gifts on birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or retirements, they got you covered When ordering through the website every customer who chooses at least six bottles of wine will receive 10% off the total price This means you can mix and match, maybe a few midweek wines along with those more prestigious and higher priced wines you might order as a gift or for a special celebration, and still get 10% off every wine. And if you live in the local area, you’ll also receive free delivery!

The good news doesn’t end there, they offer several excellent value, pre-selected mix cases at what I can only imagine are ‘lost-leading’ prices So, whilst like most businesses they need to make a profit, they have

somehow found a magic formula for finding the sweet spot for both the business and their customers.

As the customer experience is so important to Pete, he has deliberately chosen to keep the two sides of the business separate All wine orders are taken online and delivered to your doorstep so not to affect the welcoming and attentive experience his customers enjoy when sipping a glass of wine or a Sagres lager during an evening visit to Fade to Black Talking of Sagres lager, this is the only place in St Albans where you can enjoy it on draught and there’s a good reason for this Portugal just happens to be a family favourite holiday destination for Pete and Gary, their wives Karen and Lynne, and their children

With circa 50-60 wines on the website, Pete had pre-selected about a dozen wines for me to choose from

I was spoilt for choice and nearly walked out with all 12, but I managed to show restraint, saving room for more tasteful encounters later in the year

As Portugal has been a big influence on the Mileham and Smith families I just had to choose the Carlos Lucas Vinhos, Cota 700, DOC Dão, Portugal, 2020 (£11 48 in a mixed case of six) A blend of the Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro and Tinta Roriz grape varieties from high altitude vineyards, this wine is young, very fresh with lots of ripe black cheery and sweet but elegant finish. This would be a perfect match for any traditional Portuguese dishes, oven-baked cod and cured sausages or grilled chicken and pasta Next up is a favourite of Pete’s and scored well when the residents of Marshalswick took part in the recent wine tasting event at Fade to Black

It's the Mabis, Biscardo Enigma

Apassimento, Rubicone IGT, Emilia Romagna, Italy, 2021 (was £22 99 but on offer at £17 99 when buying a mixed case of six) This is a big, bold, but smooth 100 per cent sangiovese wine. If you love something which is super ripe, fills the mouth with excitement and leaves you speechless, then here it is. At 15% ABV, I took my time to enjoy this one! It's oozing with red and black berries, Christmas cake and morello cherries, perfectly balanced and has a sweet soft finish T he word appassimento is Italian for “passionate” and is the process whereby the grapes are left to dry in baskets after the manual harvest.

This then concentrates the sugars and aromas inside the berries, and gives the wine more body, structure and a higher level of alcohol

This wine can definitely be enjoyed on its own, but I opted for a thick cut juicy sirloin steak.

As Fade to Black is walking distance from our house, I’ll be heading back there in the coming weeks to enjoy the awesome line up of entertainment. They are hosting three local musicians

- Maclaren Wall, Bill Johnson and Yzzy Cooper - at 7pm on Wednesday 6th September, tickets are free but essential to book online to avoid disappointment

Then the week after is Quiz Night,

Wednesday 13th September, start time 7.30pm, £12 for a team of four and the winners receive a bottle of wine each!

And finally, on Sunday 17th September 3-7pm, Fade to Black presents ‘Your Sunday Selections’, you choose the classics and DJ Bob Storey will play your tunes whilst you sit back and work your way through the wine list Cheers to our local neighbourhood bar and the launch of Fade to Black Wines

If you are a wine retailer or an events company who would like me to feature your range of wines, then please contact me via mccabetwe@gmail com or @dmc uncorked

Family | Community | St Albans

Karen Snook

Family Blogger

www.stalbansmums.com

September is calling! It's always such a busy month in St Albans and surrounding areas. The children are back (for a bit), routine is back and it is just before the countdown to Christmas madness starts!

Pub In The Park

Verulamium Park

8th - 10th September

Redbourn Classics Motor Show

Rebourn Common

2nd September 11-4pm

Beer & Cider Festival

The Albans Arena

27th - 30th September

Firework Champions

Hatfield Park

16th September 4-10pm

Abbey Theatre Open Day

Abbey Theatre

2nd September 10-4pm

Champagne Festival

Tomoka Spirit Boutique

15th September 2-9pm

St Albans Model Show

Townsend School

23-24 September

St Albans City Women FC

Clarence Park Stadium

3rd September 2-5pm

St Albans Feastival

St Albans City Centre

24th September 12-6pm

Hatfield House & Park Great North Road, Hatfield AL9 5HX

As well as the stunning grounds, secret gardens and of course the historic houses, Hatfield Park offers a full event calendar throughout the year The Stable Yard shops and Restaurants are home to boutique businesses including Darlish Ice Cream, Cellar Door Wines and Heritage Brides.

We are frequent visitors and recently visited The Coach House Cafe for Sunday lunch and ice cream and sat outside in the sunny courtyard. With our family ticket we wandered around the Old Palace Gardens where there was a wedding so we got to see the beautiful couple and guests wandering around The West Garden.

How you can support the city’s genuine street people

Would you recognise a real homeless person from a fraudster?

Street people aren’t rolling around in money, generally, but there are some disingenuous tales of woe designed to tug at your purse strings

Classic stories involve a parent dying while they - as an adult - were living with them or being orphaned as a child Obviously there are some sad situations that lead to homelessness but addiction or prison are the most common ones and by helping somebody who is not genuine you could actually be doing a whole lot more harm than good.

There are a few places where a homeless or a person on a low-income can access food and of course there is no harm in giving somebody a choice of what they would like to eat but quite often the request is one for money and more than likely it will be spent on crack or heroin. Many Class A drug users spend all day every day obtaining £20 at a time to get a small hit and return to the city centre or station for the next score

This process is extremely dehumanising, exhausting and is a slow suicide. The likelihood of being found dead from a bad batch of something, an overdose or being attacked is very high and people spend time between hospital, prison and the street often until they die at a young age

Loved ones of people who have lost somebody in this way or who still has a friend or relative caught in this cycle know this all too well They would agree that the worst thing you can do is help to keep this cycle going by giving out cash

St Albans people are by their nature kind and wanting to help, but unfortunately this leaves them open to professional scamsters who visit the city to exploit their generosity

We are aware of a woman who changes into her “homeless” outfit to beg outside supermarkets, but can be spotted leaving her house glammed up for a night out on other occasions. The east Europeans who turned up in a taxi before dispersing to beg The man with crutches he weirdly no longer requires when going for a fag and a sandwich down a backstreet alleyway…

So how can you help?

Sharon Linney, co-founder of St Albans Action for Homeless works closely with the city’s street people

She said: “A genuine homeless person will be known to us and Open Door. They usually sit in the same spot every day for weeks on end Anyone just turning up now and again may well be a fraudster

“We always ask them if they want something to eat We urge people not to give money Please advise anybody asking for help to go to Open Door in Bricket Road if they are looking for overnight accommodation ”

Not everybody wants to be part of “the system” and some people choose to sleep out or to be a part of the street community, preferring the freedom it brings rather than having to follow hostel or nightshelter rules.

This does not mean that they cannot access food as Centre 33 is open daily and St Albans Action for Homeless offers warm meals at weekends Additionally some local cafés give out food and hot drinks to homeless people.

WHENWILLPUB REOPEN?

CITY DIARY

ATALEOFTHREEPREMISES

The delays to the re-opening of muchloved community boozer the Hare and Hounds have been dragging on for months now

We were first promised that the Sopwell Lane pub would be back up and running on August 14 following a hiatus brought about by the departure of the previous tenant This was then revised to the Bank Holiday weekend, which came and went without any signs of life

Now a spokesperson for pub chain Stonegate has revealed: ““The opening of the Hare and Hounds will not proceed as scheduled due to additional essential electrical works which need to be carried out As the premises has been without electricity, we have provided the tenant with alternative accommodation whilst the works are completed We will reopen the premises as soon as possible Less definite about a date now it seems But why was this work not tackled when it was first shut? It doesn’t seem good business sense to miss out on the Bank Holiday trade And so the waiting game continues

It's all change for three businesses at London Road's junction with Marlborough Road

The new-look Beehive pub officially opened its doors on Friday following a makeover outside and (most of) inside and things have evolved at the former St Villa This one-time Italian restaurant has now re-opened as Villa 2 cocktail bar, serving a wide range of mixes alongside breakfast, brunch and dinner (not sure cocktails are really necessary at breakfast mind!) But it's sad to see Fire & Fry's relaunch as Bombay Kitchen was shortlived with the business once again having ceased trading

Haveyoueverwonderedwhyyourrivalssucceedin securingmediacoverageandyourcompanynever getsalook-in?

Doyoustruggletounderstandhowtoengagewith yourfollowersonsocialmedia?Oreventoattract followersinthefirstplace?

Whatmakesaninterestingstory?Howdoyoumanage badnews?Canyouwriteapressreleaseorpublicity material?

It’simpossibleforanybusinesstoignoretheneedfora strongmediapresence,butactuallyachievingthis goalisbestlefttotheexperts,qualified-professionals whounderstandhowtobeattheforefrontofthenews agendaandreachthewidestaudiencepossible.

WorkingalongsidetheStAlbansTimes,StAlbans MediaPartnershipoffersbespokemediatrainingby qualifiedjournalistswhoknowthelocalmarketplace andhowtoattractreaders.

Weareexperiencedindamagecontrolandmanaging badnews,andwecanshowyouhowtoturneventhe driestannouncementintoapressreleasewhichsings.

THE FEELINGS FORUM

WEEKLY THOUGHTS ON FEELINGS AND RELATIONSHIPS

HOW TO HUG

Did you hear the joke about the person who took a book out of the library called “HOW to HUG”, only to discover that it was volume seven of The Encyclopaedia Britannica?

Hugs help! When we’re feeling shaky and unsure just a handhold can help steady us and let us know that someone is with us, and a hug can let our whole body know that we are not alone in whatever we are experiencing.

A hug communicates so much more that words. A hug says I’ve got you, you don’t have to do it all alone. You are worthy of my love and protection. Given at the right time, and of course with the full consent of both parties, a hug can allow an individual to fully let go and relax.

Sometimes this relaxation can lead to someone letting their feelings out in the felt knowledge that they in this moment don’t need to hold it all together.

There can be a time in anyone’s life where we can crave someone bigger than us to sink into, to validate our feelings and to give us respite. The experience of being hugged releases endorphins and oxytocin (the “love chemical”) in our brains.

Words can soothe but they are not felt in the same way as the physical presence of another human being.

A lack of physical contact can result in us feeling alone and even a bit unreal. The increasing amount of time we spend in virtual contact with others can give us the illusion of being in each other’s presence, but it clearly is not the same. As part of my training, I was taught how to hug. Like a lot of social interaction, it is possible to get this wrong. For example in a scenario where someone is sobbing and in deep distress they may not want a hug and this can be for a number of reasons such as they don’t feel they deserve it, they are feeling deep shame and would rather escape, they have had negative experiences of being touched when they didn’t want to be by someone with another agenda, or they believe it is wrong to need others even when they are in crisis.

They may want someone else to hug rather than you. So first we must find out if a hug would be welcome and if not, that must of course be respected even if the reasons might be worth working through at a different time.

Next, we need to look at our reasons for giving the hug. Is it from our own unease, are we wanting to quieten the person down because their distress causes us discomfort? Is our motivation coming from wanting to make ourselves look good? Or is it because we really need to feel comforted?

If we genuinely want to support the other and help them let go and we have their permission then we need to be a strong presence and hold them in a way that they find supportive i.e. hand in the small of the back can subtly encourage the person to breathe deeply which can further relax the body and help with letting go.

We can pick up a lot of information about what’s going on for the person when they are in our arms. I can tell when someone is holding back and how and can further encourage them to let it out.

Our healing is so much faster if we can discharge effectively. If you watch a young child fall over and hurt themselves, if they are held soothed and validated, we notice them cry and let out a loud sob and more often than not this passes very quickly and they run out of tears, then they want to climb down from the adult that has comforted them and go off on another adventure. If the child experiences this process consistently and reliably, they get to know how to soothe themselves if necessary and there is nobody suitable around and they also learn to ask for support when it can be available from people they have learnt are trustworthy. Such important skills for life!

In the case of fear, observing mammals in a state of high alert due to an imminent threat (such as an attack from a leopard on a herd of antelope), we note that as soon as the threat is over we see the antelope stop, shake briefly releasing the stress hormones and then return to gently grazing.

Hugs can also be exchanged in mutual celebration and joy, a brief spark of shared camaraderie and respect.

A hug can be a very direct way to convince our nervous system we are safe and valid, and it can allow us to release all that tension. Perhaps if we as adults could relearn to relax into the support of others who genuinely care for us, we could also discharge our distress, breathe freely again and move on.

10 FROM 50 PAT STRODS

We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: St Albans Chamber of Commerce President and partner at Rayner Essex Pat Strods.

Where do you walk when you want to think?

I enjoy walking enormously I find it very relaxing. I walk to work most days and that gives me time to plan what I need to do for the day on the way and on the way home I give myself time to think about what I have done or should’ve done during the day! I have done more exciting and relaxing walks though – having completed the Inn Way - a circular walk in the Lake District – you start the walk from a pub have lunch in a pub and end up in a pub a 97-mile walk in a week (not bad for a teetotal!) and also a week of the coast to coast walk covering the lake district part again. It's great up therewith little or no phone signal you have plenty of time to think! I've also completed the midnight breast cancer walk twice, again walking through the night you have plenty of chance to be left with your own thoughts.

Do you speak any foreign languages?

I speak a bit of French and even less German –unfortunately I don’t use either language enough. Whilst my brother lives in France – you know what its like you leave the conversation to the strongest speaker – I probably understand more though.

What items do you always carry with you?

I have been told I never travel light! However my must haves are my phone and my season tickets which I carry in my bag at all times. Most people know I love my football. I have season tickets at Arsenal and St Albans City FC so whilst everything is on my phone, I always carry my physical tickets... just in case

Dogs or cats?

Everytime dogs! I love dogs and whilst I don’t have a pet myself (husband is allergic to fur!) as a child we always had pets and I get great enjoyment from regularly walk my son’s dog.

When you love your job and work with your friends –why would you move?

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be an air hostess. It always seemed to be such a glamorous job! But for some reason (and probably for the best) that didn’t happen and I “fell” into accountancy. I have been very lucky I have only ever had two employers (other than in my student days) and both of them have been amazing. I started with Fryer Whitehill (now Crowe) in Cheltenham, moved to their London office. When I got fed up with the commute I moved to Rayner Essex and I have been there ever since. When you love your job and work with your friends – why would you move?

Most inspirational St Albans person - living or dead?

This is a difficult one I don’t really know why I chose this question! I have to say I am in awe of someone I am lucky to be able to call my friend David Clarke (I know he is from Harpenden) but is a part of the St Albans and District Chamber for many years. David – despite his lack of sight sees more than most people I know he has achieved so much in his sporting and working career. He left Clydesdale to follow a career in something that was close to his heart with the RNIB (and a role he really loved) and then was offered his dream role of CEO of the British Paralympic Committee. I can't imagine carrying out such big roles when I have all my senses –without one of the major ones - and to carry out the roles with such success leaves me awestruck!

What super power would you like to have?

I would love to be able to fly. My superwoman power of speeding round would give me more time in my day to get everything I want to do done. As that’s not possible shanks’ pony it is!

What was your first job?

My first job was working for my Dad in his scrap metal business. Initially I worked in the office answering the phones but then progressed to dealing with customers coming in where we bought the scrap metal etc. It was a great introduction/education in customer service! My first full-time job (I have only had two employers) was with Fryer Whitehill (now Crowe) chartered accountants. Having met one of the partners at a careers evening he offered me a job. The rest as they say is history!

What TV did you watch as a child?

This probably follows on from the previous question really and will show my age! I was an avid watcher of Blue Peter but also Thunderbirds, Joe 90 and Stingray. I was in awe of some of the ”technology” (then) seemed fantastic and to be able to “download intelligence” was incredible... Obviously this was pre-internet. Now when I look back on it strings which I didn’t see before etc make me giggle!

Odyssey or Netflix?

Odyssey every time! The whole experience is so much nicer. We usually go for a drink and if we have time something to eat before we go to the Odyssey. It doesn’t even really matter what the film is it's just a lovely evening out.

ART in THE BARN

Join us for an exhibition of paintings by a local group of artists within this charming setting of St Albans.

St Albans

Art Exhibition

A charity event

22 - 24 Sept 2023

Opening Night: Fri 22nd, 7–10pm

The Barn

Kingsbury Mews, St Albans

Telephone: 07740 471883

Kingsbury Barn

Entering Kingsbury Barn for the first time, people are amazed at its size and height There is no hint of its scale from Branch Road. Following the Black Death, St Albans monastery became short of labour and built a group of similar barns on their farms, possibly to entice new tenants. There are about seven so far discovered

Kingsbury Barn, constructed in 1374, is the closest of these to the Abbey It served Kingsbury Manor farm and is built over a Roman building, which stood along the Roman road to Colchester.

As with the other barns, it is massively over engineered. The frame stands on dwarf walls which helped preservation The barns follow the same design but differ in size. Kingsbury’s north aisle was demolished sometime in the eighteenth century, but it remains impressive, like an unexpected wooden cathedral.

why you should tell it to the times!

The St Albans Times is now arguably the go-to media to find out what is happening in the district, providing content which harks back to the core principles of journalism: accuracy, balance and accountability.

Readers can access either the weekly online current affairs magazine or stories on a dedicated website and it is promoted extensively through social media.

The Times is produced with a sense of positivity and passion for the Cathedral city and the surrounding district. It offers an editorial oversight calling on years of accumulated local knowledge and understanding of both the marketplace and the local news agenda.

It has already cemented a reputation for quality and expertise which cannot be found elsewhere, and is widely referenced across local Facebook groups

ERIS: OPINION WITH BITE

Luis Rubiales, ebullient after Spain’s win against England in the World Cup final, kisses one of the stars of the Spanish squad Jenni Hermoso Fuentes during the medal ceremony, Rubiales grabs her around the shoulders, kisses her full on the lips, then jumps up and wraps his legs around her. He then pats her bottom as he moves away.

This triggered an international outcry about male aggression towards women.

Rubiales said he made a mistake, but that the kiss was consensual. Hermoso said she did not give her permission and felt violated. The situation escalated with the World Cup winners refusing to play, the country’s football federation threatening legal action, calling Hermoso a liar and Rubiales saying he will ‘fight to the end’

Reports say FIFA viewed the kiss as bullying and intimidatory and are investigating, suspending him from any role in football for 90 days. The Spanish FA U-turns and calls on their President to resign, congratulating the women’s

team, whilst conceding that the image of Spanish football has been damaged and promising a re-structure. His mum is going on hunger strike over the ‘bloody hunt’ against her son (so Mediterranean). The government jumps on the bandwagon (of course it does). Meanwhile, hundreds attend a rally in Madrid calling on Rubiales to resign.

Rubiales is an ex-footballer. In his world, hardly a match goes by without footballers hugging and kissing each other. Ronaldo and Dybala, Giroud and Debuchy, Spinesi and Vargas, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes. All have kissed each other full on the lips. It is unremarkable and goes unremarked. Was this incident just that, an over-excited ex-footballer reverting to type and learned behaviours?

Was it about sex, a male manager taking advantage of a female subordinate? Or perhaps it was about power, an older, senior male using a display of physical dominance to show he is in charge and steal some of the World Cup glory? To be honest, it could be any of these or a mix

of them.

By now, even Rubiales probably is not clear on why he did it, although he no doubt deeply regrets it and is very wrong not to apologise. More interestingly, why are people so upset about this incident? Would they have been upset if Hermoso had been male? Or Rubiales female? Perhaps a few eyebrows would have been raised, but most probably there would not have been the same furore. The upset is caused by the power imbalance demonstrated by the incident. The bottom pat not the kiss was the telling action, showing Rubiales’s lack of respect and putting Hermoso in her place. Not a highly successful professional athlete and World Cup winner being congratulated by the President of her Association, but a subordinate female being patronised by an older, alpha male. It demeans Hermoso and the rest of her team. Above all it shows that women’s sport, particularly football, has a long way to go before it has the same status and respect as men’s sport.

Every dog has its day...

The inaugural St Albans Dog Day proved to be something to bark about Organised by St Albans BID to create awareness of dog-friendly businesses within the city centre, it featured various doggie delights including free treat bags and puppachinos courtesy of Chiltern Pet, various caninefocused market stalls and 'puparazzi' selfie frames dotted around the streets For a full list of local dog-friendly businesses, check out www.enjoystalbans.com/dog-friendly/

Photos by Lee Romi (photofabulousuk@gmail.com) and Matt Adams.

It is time to ask for a helping hand?

Home is where the Heart is offers companion visits, meal preparation, shopping, cleaning, dog walks, wedding chaperoning and general assistance to help you stay where you want to be, in your home, for longer.

There comes a time when we all need a little help. Sarah Lewis and her team are offering care and compassion to help you. If you love living where you are but are finding some chores too onerous, let Sarah help you. From £25 per hour, Sarah will do those things that are starting to become a bit difficult. She will help where it’s needed without ‘taking over’.

Please call her on 07870 828048 if you would like to meet Sarah for an informal, no obligation chat to see whether she can be of help to you or your loved ones. It could be a daily walk for your dog, a weekly shop, a walk round your favourite park, doctors appointments or one-off prescription collections from the chemist.

Saints players receive sponsorship from St Albans accountants

Chartered accountants Mercer & Hole have sponsored two players with St Albans City FC for the coming season. First team men's striker Shaun Jeffers and Terri Harvey, first team women’s midfielder, will benefit from the firm's support. Barry Higson, head of commercial at St Albans FC said, "We're delighted to continue our relationship with Mercer & Hole, an esteemed partner in the financial realm, as they reaffirm their unwavering support for both the club and the development of our exceptional players. "With their extended sponsorship now encompassing our gifted men's player, Sean Jeffers, and our exciting women's player, Terri Harvey, we eagerly anticipate a season brimming with collective triumphs and accomplishments, both on the field and beyond."

Artisan pasta company could be coming to city centre

Acclaimed Italian takeaway Pasta Evangelists is hoping to open a new premises in the city centre.

The delivery-only business is proposed for 102 Victoria Street – currently a residential property – bringing the only pasta sold in Harrods to St Albans.

Chefs will prepare fresh pasta to order and deliver in as little as 15 minutes.

Their website claims: “We specialise in delivering varieties of handmade pasta from across Italy’s 20 regions, changing our menu of 10 seasonal dishes on a weekly basis. From the Roman cacio e pepe to Liguria’s trenette al pesto genovese, there is always a new pasta shape or regional speciality to discover on our menu.”

In consultation with the SADC licensing team, the applicant has agreed to the below conditions:

The premises will operate as a delivery only business. The premises will not open to the public and will be used for the dispatch of goods only. There shall be no collection of goods by the public from the premises.

The business will arrange for the telephone number for the premises and/or a member of the management team to be provided to residents upon request in order that any complaints can be made direct.

The premises licence holder will encourage all riders involved in deliveries, to use their vehicles in a responsible manner so as not to cause a nuisance, and to ensure that they do not leave engines running when the vehicles are parked. The premises licence holder will encourage delivery drivers not to gather outside the premises, requesting that all noise, from delivery drivers, is kept to a minimum. A CCTV system comprising of a multi camera system will be installed at the premises.

OWNGOALADDSTOSAINTS’BATHMISERY

St Albans City proved unable to shake off their losing streak with a penalty and an own goal guiding Jerry Gill’s side to all three points at Clarence Park

A tactical shift saw the team switch from their usual 3-4-3 to a back 4 which saw Sam Brown drop out of the side to make room for Andronicos Georgiou Michael Clark was also called upon replacing Nathan Carlyle who fell to the bench

The Saints had looked to make a quick impression in their bid to overcome Bath and were presented with an early opportunity to do so

A free kick conceded just outside the box by Bath keeper Ollie Wright provided the hosts with arguably the best chance of the opening quarter, an effort which required a last-ditch clearance from

Danny Greenslade to deny The Saints from scoring

Despite being dominated by the home side in the early stages it would be Bath that took the lead just over half an hour into the encounter A handball in the box from Ben Wyatt saw The Romans earn a penalty, with Scott Wilson coolly converting past Johnson

Minutes later, the visitors would strike again extending their advantage off the back of an unfortunate own goal An attempt from Jack James to block Elliot Frear s effort on goal resulted in the right back turning the ball into his own net, much to the delight of the Bath supporters behind the goal

The Saints appeared encouraged by David Noble’s half time team talk, having enjoyed a host of opportunities against

Ollie Wright in the Roman’s goal

A corner swung in from Blackman just over ten minutes into the second half saw the substitute Nathan Carlyle come close to clawing a goal back, however his strike from close range was denied on the line by Danny Greenslade

City continued to pile pressure on the visitors and were almost rewarded late on as they capitalised on an error at the back from Bath A deflected ball found Ryan Blackman just inside the box, presenting the midfielder with a golden opportunity to redeem himself for his earlier booking however the midfielder’s ferocious strike thundered past the post

Despite continued pressure late on the hosts couldn’t find a route back into the game, seeing St Albans City slip to 16th in the table

St Albans City: 4-3-3

Johnson, James, Smith, Bowry (C) (Carlyle 46′), Clark, Blackman (Dunn 75′), Rasulo, Weiss Georgiou (Jeffers 75′) Fage Wyatt

Subs (Not Used): Brown, Da Silva

Bookings: Blackman 16′

Goals: N/A

Bath City: 4-5-1

Wright, Greenslade, Dyer, Batten, Parselle (C), Smith Frear (Hayfield 60′) Clark

Thomas (Lines 86′), Wilson (Cooke 70′), Russe

Subs (Not Used): Raynes Fletcher

Bookings: Smith 31′ , Dyer 83′

Goals: Wilson 34′ James O G 42′

Referee: Emily Heaslip

Attendance: 1 745

The Saints are next in action on Saturday as they take on Welling United away in South London