stalbanslife

We all know that Christmas is a magical time of year, everyone is more relaxed and full of good cheer. Well there are lots of things to see and do in St. Albans, so there’s no excuse not to get out and enjoy a bit of stalbanslife!

1) Wednesday 9th December 8pm

St Albans Ghost Walk, meet outside the Town Hall.
Tel; 01727 864511 (tickets £3 per adult, half price for children)
www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk

2) Saturday 12th December 3pm

Annual Family Carol Concert in St Albans Cathedral (St Albans Bach Choir and Alberti Brass). Tickets £10 per adult or £5 concession, sold at door. Highly recommendable!
Tel; 01727 890 256 or www.stalbansbachchoir.org.uk/concerts

3) Saturday 12th December (daily until 3rd January 10)

Family Pantomine ‘The Little Mermaid’ at the Alban Arena. Civic Centre.
Tel; 01727 844488 or www.albanarena.co.uk

4) Monday 14th December, 4pm

Mayor’s Carol Concert outside the Alban Arena and refreshments afterwards in the Council Chamber. A fun evening for the community! Tel; 01727 819544

5) Wednesday 16th – Sunday 27th December, various times

‘Treasure Island’ performed at the Abbey Theatre, St Albans. Very good value for money!
Tel; 01727 857861 Tickets £5 – £9.50 or www.abbeytheatre2.org.uk

6) Saturday 19th December, 11am – 4pm

Carols performed every hour at St Albans Abbey Cathedral; 11am, 12 noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Free and festive, this is worth attending.
Tel; 01727 890256

7) Saturday 19th – 23rd December, 2pm every day

Family Christmas Show ‘Giraffes Cant Dance’ by the Blunderbus Theatre Company at Trestle Arts Theatre Base, Russet Drive, St Albans. Lovely setting and affordable fun.
Tel; 01727 850950 Tickets £8 per adult, Concs £6, Family £25
www.trestle.org.uk

Monday 28th December, 11am

St Albans City Walks ‘Historic St Albans’ covers 1200 years of people, buildings and events in the city. Meet outside the Old Town Hall, Market Place, St Albans. Not to be missed! Tel; 01727 864511 Tickets £1 -£3 www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk

The recently proposed “Twenty Is Plenty” (speedlimit) for St Albans is something all drivers might benefit from! The Green Party and St Albans Cyclist Campaign members have asked the council to support this idea, but a county council cabinet member says that the decision would need the support of the full community.

St Albans is well known for its schools, of which there are many. During winter it is dark early and the students coming home from school are everywhere, usually without reflective clothing/bags. Drivers are aware of the dangers but nothing can prepare you for an invisible person walking across a pedestrian crossing right in front of you! My brakes have been well tested during these times and I am just thankful I haven’t caused injury. In cases like this, a slower speed limit would help both driver and pedestrian.

A compulsory 20 mph would make the roads more appealing to those residents who would love to cycle but simply wont! They are afraid of the dangers but to add to this, drivers have little patience with their slow speed. As a casual cyclist, I can relate to this problem and end up cycling on the footpath. Unfortunately this upsets some pedestrians, so its a no-win situation!

Perhaps it would be a double benefit if the Twenty Is Plenty idea came into force and simultaneously all students were expected to wear something reflective. Why bother learning the road-code if you are not seen?

For St Albans Green Party news: http://stalbans.greenparty.org.uk/news/100

For St Albans Cycle Campaign news: http://www.stacc.org.uk/

In this current climate of recession, residents of St Albans were happy to have the opportunity to visit the top attractions for free! There were numerous themed guided walks / tours available e.g. Ghost walk, Crime and Punishment walk and the Cathedral Tower Tours. The Abbey also held an exhibition of the vestments. Here you had the opportunity to see the amazing handwork close up as well as speak to the ladies who were responsible for some of them.

Those who were at the Abbey around Saturday lunchtime would have been fortunate enough to encounter the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, St Albans Choir and soloists rehearsing for their evening concert.

Restaurants took part by offering discounts or free wine and desserts with meals. Attractions such as Redbournbury Water Mill, The Roman Theatre and The Clock Tower were free to enter.

This weekend was well worth the visit, even if it’s to sit by the clock tower, watch the people in droves walk around our historic city and listen to the music of the buskers.