stalbanslife

The local elections are set for 6h May 2010, and the general election seems almost certain to be the same day.

With the much higher turnout for the latter, the result of the former could be surprising. There’ll be a whole load of people who don’t usually bother voting in local elections, who are handed a voting slip to do just that, because they’ve turned up to vote in the general election. Who knows whether these unexpected local election voters will simply mark the same box on both papers, or vote differently on each.

On top of that, around 5000 residents of St Albans district are not UK citizens, so they can’t vote in the general election. But they CAN vote in the local election. They could add to the possible result that the local election poll looks very different from the national one.

Hoping to persuade voters to give them at least one of their crosses on the big day, the Greens have launched a campaign video, fronted by St Peters ward candidate Simon Grover. You can see it on the link below.

Help make St Albans a better place

This is actually my first ever blog and it is a great honour to be writing it for a website such as stalbanslife, as I consider this city very special and think that the website will reflect all that is good (and sometimes not-so-good) about it.

Yesterday, as I wandered across the Verulamium with two of my children, I wanted to photograph so many aspects of it; the scene of the lake with its swans, the River Ver, the ancient Fighting Cocks Pub, the rise up to the truly magnificent Cathedral (Abbey) of St Albans!

I wonder if everyone has that same connection and sense of belonging that I feel while sitting in the Cathedral. Whether it’s an official event going on or a quiet Saturday afternoon, it gives me a sense of awe. I feel the past meet the present here. When the choirs practice, its like magic in the air from the floors to the ceiling. The Christmas festivities are really worth coming for, if you want to be moved to tears. Personally, I like to ponder on the fact that Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) swung across the altar here during the making of Johnny English.

Anyway, the point I want to make is that this majestic city, with its amazing history, its churches, cafes, restaurants, museums, pubs and parks, is good enough to share with the rest of the world. And stalbanslife is hoping to do just that!

I’ve just found time to add a post about the Alban Opera. I must admit to an interest here as I’m singing in the choir. So very busy for the next week with rehearsals and then 5 performances in 4 days. Great fun to do and it will be quite spectacular. So please do support it by coming along one day. All profits will, I believe, go to the Abbey. Obviously if it isa success then more such ‘community’ events are likely to happen.  See you there?

Yes, I know, it’s been a while. I’ve been busy with my various projects and getting the site to work as we’d like. We need more content, so please send in your thoughts and ideas for the site and your comments about St. Albans! Maybe we should have an open forum? Perhaps…..

So what’s good about St. Albans. Big question, I’ve lived here for 14 years and still wonder. Good schools – if you can get your child into one of them! History? Yes, but you pay the price in the cost of houses, council tax etc. Location? Well, we are only 20 minutes from central London. Great if you work in London, but little use if you don’t. Especially at £14.50 for an off-peak Travel card!!!! Traffic is a nightmare. So what’s good?

Well, we do have quite a few good restaurants. Some pretty parks and lots of pubs ( we’re the home of CAMRA…). Low crime lots of nice buildings to look at.

So is St. Albans the place to be…….? Post your comments and tell us what you think.

Happy new year to one and all (I know  it’s February but we’ve been busy!). With the snow today it’s feeling more Christmasy than ever.

After some teething problems we’ve finally got some content on the website and sorted the layout.Partly due to the fact that…..

We are pleased to announce that Maria Larmer has started to write for stalbanslife. Maria has had articles published in local newspapers and websites, Hertfordshire Life Magazine, New Zealand Times, Catholic Herald, My Weekly, Go-Camping,and is a regular contributor to Public Pulpit in the St Albans and Harpenden Review. 

 Contact maria.larmer@ntlworld.com