Leisure

After years of stalled plans and failed planning applications, St Albans Odeon is now in the hands of James Hannaway - the person who restored the wonderfully successful Rex cinema in Berkhamsted. If the money can be found, there is a fighting chance that we could have the Odeon up and running in similar style. There is nothing the people of St Albans would like better than simply to have their cinema back and this is the chance to do it.

It's official, the Christmas lights of St Albans are switched on! Entertainment and fun started yesterday at noon.By the afternoon, the town centre was filled with hundreds of happy little faces who were all set for the countdown with Santa, Elvis Schmelvis, Sarah-Jane Honeywell and The Little Mermaid Pantomine Stars.

I love fireworks, simple as that. I can't get enough of them and the annual display at Verulamium Park is always excellent. Luck favoured the brave and the evening was still and crisp. The rain held off till later in the evening allowing for one of my favourite displays for some years.

The Verulam Amateur radio Club is running a training course in St Albans for anyone interested in obtaining an amateur radio transmitting licence. The course will be held on six Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm starting on Wednesday 28th October 2009 with the examination on December the 9th.

Trestle Arts Base is situated on the eastern outskirts of St Albans and offers a choice of classes, public performances, workshops, hire spaces and a café. This contemporary building has been converted from a century old chapel is the home of the Trestle Theatre Company and the Trestle Young People’s Theatre.

St Albans Operatic Society is proud to present Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Alban Arena, St Albans from Tuesday 13th to Saturday 17th October 2009. For those of you who don't know the show, or haven't seen the Jonny Depp film, it is a dark tale of love and revenge that is thrilling, chilling and, in places, extremely funny. The show won many awards on its debut 30 years ago and has starred a number of musical legends from Angela Lansbury, Sheila Hancock, Julia Mackenzie in the Mrs Lovett role to George Hearns, Dennis Quilley, Alun Armstrong, Johnny Depp and Bryn Terfel in the Todd role.

All human beings have questions. Philosophers are people who explore them. Learn how philosophy can expand your world and the view you have of yourself, and help deal with the challenges of everyday life. Join us (and some of the all-time great philosophers) for a course of ten evening sessions in timeless, practical wisdom.

St Albans is extremely proud to have the world’s largest butterfly park, which is a £25 m project. Currently known as Future Gardens, it will eventually become Butterfly World.

Pineapple Performing Arts School has been delivering first class tuition at the world famous Pineapple Studios for over 10 years. They are now bringing our unique formula to St Albans.

The summer holidays are fast approaching – but don’t panic as Willows Farm Village near St Albans is holding their Summer Spectacular event with plenty to keep children busy from the 18th July to 6th September.