Heritage Open Days. 8th - 11th September

Transcription

1 Heritage Open Days 8th - 11th September

2 A Welcome from the Right Worshipful The Mayor of the City and District, Councillor Aislinn Lee Heritage Open Days is a wonderful opportunity to explore properties and attractions that are not usually open or normally charge an entrance fee. Every year in early September buildings of every age, style and function open their doors to the public and bring our heritage to life. This booklet highlights the local events and attractions that are open as part Heritage Open Days. There are walks, tours, events and places to visit all over the District, and during Heritage Open Days, they re all free! This year St Albans Crown Court are having an open day, and you can see the mosaic in the Alban Arena. You can also take a tour of some of our historic churches, find out more about our Roman history or visit our railway heritage at the Signal Box or Wheathampstead old station. Enjoy the stunning view from the top of the Clock Tower, or take part in Giant Monopoly. There are also a wide variety of guided walks, from A Round With Sam Ryder to The Heritage Tree Walk. This booklet has all the information you need to plan your itinerary and make sure you get the most out of the event. Don t forget to look out for the St Albans Tour Guides; you can t miss them as they will be wearing blue or green badges and will be happy to help you. There are also thousands of events happening further afield, check the Heritage Open Days Website for details. ( It s easy to fall in love with St Albans but not really know the history. Delve deeper and join me in taking one of these tours to find out more about our fascinating city. Cllr Aislinn Lee The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans. Welcome to Heritage Open Days Thursday 8th - Sunday 11th September 2011 Heritage Open Days celebrates England s architecture and culture by allowing free access to interesting properties that are not normally open to the public, or would charge an entrance fee. Heritage Open Days also include tours, events, lectures and activities that focus on architecture and culture. This year Heritage Open Days will run from 8th - 11th September. On the following pages is the list of what s happening and when in this year s event. For the majority there is no need to pre book* and they are all FREE* (*unless otherwise indicated!) More information details of events taking place across the country can be found on the Heritage Open Days website See the At a glance timetable of events on pages 10 and 11 to help you plan your itinerary. An electronic version of this booklet can be found on the Council Website This leaflet is available in alternative formats, eg in Braille, large print, on audio tape or by contacting the Council on Tel: or by Text phone on

3 1 2 Walks Unless otherwise stated there is no need to pre-book on any of these walks. Also unless otherwise stated, the walks below are presented by the City of St Albans Tour Guides. They can be contacted via the Tourist & Information Centre at the Old Town Hall on Web: www. stalbanstourguides.co.uk for further details. Aristocrats, Paupers & Philanthropists This enjoyable stroll round the St Peter s area features the great and the (sometimes!) good of St Albans and the various buildings and charitable institutions they generously gave to the city. Their stories are all quite fascinating but then some were among the most powerful people in the Kingdom! Sunday: 1500 Meeting point: Front of Old Town Hall. Disability Access: Disabled toilets are available at the start of the tour only. Level walk, dropped kerbs. A Round With Sam Ryder A journey tracing the remarkable events of one of St Albans most prominent citizens, we walk the length of a golf course - his passion; we sow the seeds of respect for his entrepreneurial flair - his business; we look into his commitment to civic duty - his politics. Then after 18 holes, we finally understand and know the man. A family man, a caring employer, a churchman, a Mayor and yes - the man behind the Ryder Cup. Sunday: 1000 Meeting point: Front of Old Town Hall. 3 4 Disability Access: Partial - narrow pavments and steep steps from London Road to the old station. A Taste of St Albans Looking at just one small area of the city centre, this guided walk lasts an hour and gives a taste of the rich and varied history of St Albans. Friday: 1100 Meeting point: Front of Old Town Hall. Disability Access: This walk stays in the centre of St Albans and is fairly level throughout. Coaching Inns St Albans was, for many years, one day s journey from London to the North West and the numerous inns that lined the main roads in the town provided food and accommodation for travellers and stabling for their horses. But that is only part of the story - on this walk you will hear about other events that took place in these historic inns and of some of the people who stayed in them! Thursday: 1100 Meeting point: Front of Old Town Hall. Disability Access: The route goes along Sopwell Lane, which has very narrow pavements. 5 6 Crime and Punishment Local crimes ranged from murder in the Cathedral to theft worth two pence, and the punishments were often disproportionately harsh. This walk will take place in the 1831 Courtroom, the two buildings that were prisons in times past and point out the site of such niceties as the stocks and the pillory. Not to be missed for the stout-hearted! Saturday: 1100 and 1400 Meeting point: Front of Old Town Hall. Do I need to Pre - Book?: Yes. Timed tickets required - maximum 20 people per tour. Tickets available from the Tourist Information Centre. Disability Access: Partial (there are some steps). Successes, Failures and Lessons Learnt Tel: Web: St Albans Civic Society Fiftieth Anniversary Walk. Join the city watchdogs on a 75-minute, circular walk as they reflect on half a century of action in St Albans. Saturday: 1400 Meeting point: Outside the Alban Arena in Civic Square, St Albans. Other notes: Not suitable for children aged under12. Organised by St Albans Civic Society. Disability Access: Partial disabled access (there are some steps). 7 8 The Heritage Tree Walk Walk-talk Tel: Web: A 90-minute walk looking at the heritage trees planted to mark 2000 years of special people, places and events; from the pine nuts found at the Roman triangular Temple to current community victories. Sunday: 1030 Meeting point: The walk starts at Verulamium Museum and ends at St Peter s church in the centre of St Albans at noon - or back at Verulamium at 12:30pm. Other notes: There is a car park at the start of the walk. Disability Access: Partial - covers some grassy areas which are too soft for wheelchairs after wet weather. Verulamium in a Nutshell Walk This walk explores Verulamium Park - site of Britain s 3rd largest Roman town and the only complete Roman Theatre. We also explore the remains of the Roman Walls, foundations of the London Gate and a superb mosaic. Saturday: 1500 Meeting point: Meet outside the entrance to Verulamium Museum. Other notes: Café in the park, 100m from the start of the walk. Disability Access: Verulamium Park and the theatre are accessible. Access to the Town House and shops at the theatre is by steps only.

4 9 10 Attractions Abbey Gateway St Albans School, St Albans Tel: Web: The most complete medieval gateway in England. Tours from 1000 to 1530 every half hour. Tours take minutes. Sunday: Directions: The Gateway is adjacent to the West front of St Albans Abbey. Follow signs to the Cathedral. Other notes: Each tour limited to 20 visitors. Some very steep steps. Parking available in St Albans School car park alongside the gateway. Disability Access: No disabled access to Gateway Alban Arena Civic Centre, St Albans Tel: Web: A rare opportunity to view this Roman double mosaic dating from the late 2nd to the early 3rd century, excavated in the 1930 s from a building in Verulamium Park and installed in the then newly built City 11 Hall in With the advent of the main foyer extension in 1990, the mosaic has remained covered in order to protect it. Directions: The Arena is off Bricket Road, marked by brown tourist signs. Disability Access: Full Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban Sumpter Yard, St Albans Tel: Web: St Albans Cathedral is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain. The building itself is a blend of architectural styles spanning a millennia and contains recycled Roman bricks from Verulamium. Of special interest are the 13th century wall paintings, a rare watching loft and the shrines of Saint Alban and Amphibalus. Thursday: General Tours and 1430 Highlights tour Friday: Abbey by Night Tours and Take an atmospheric tour of this amazing building by candlelight. Maximum 20 people per tour. Tickets available from the Information Desk at the Cathedral from Friday 2nd September. Saturday: Tower Tours , 1130, 1300, This spectacular tour takes you up 193 steps to the roof of the Norman Tower. Tickets available on the day of the tour. Maximum 12 people per tour. Minimum age 11. See www. stalbanscathedral.org for full guidelines. Explore The Exterior Tour Join an expert guide who will explain the complex architecture of this ancient building and how it has changed over the centuries. Fun Family Trail - available from 1100 to Someone has been ringing the Cathedral bells in the middle of the night Follow the clues around the Cathedral and find out who. General Tours and 1400 Highlights tour Sunday Tower Tours , 1445, See Saturday for details. Discover The Medieval Wall Paintings St Albans Cathedral retains some of the finest examples of medieval wall paintings surviving in General Tours and 1430 Highlights tour Britain today. Learn how and when they were painted and the significance of what they show us. Fun Family Trail - available from 1300 to See Saturday for details. General Tour Highlights tour Do I need to Pre - Book?: Some tours by ticket only on a first come, first served basis. Disability Access: Disabled parking provided, Induction loop, Touch & Hearing Centre, Braille guide plan. The Café at the Abbey is open: Monday Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Regular Services Saturday Evensong. Sunday Parish Eucharist. Sunday Choral Eucharist. Sunday Evensong. 12 Clock Tower Market Place, St Albans Web: Built between 1403 and 1412, the Clock Tower is the only medieval town belfry in England, and has its original bell. The tower is 19.6 metres high and has 94 steps to the top via a narrow spiral staircase giving fine views of the Cathedral, Roman Verulamium and the City. The Tower and its fine bell have survived 600 years of use. Saturday: Sunday: Directions: On the corner of High Street, French Row and Market Street. Disability Access: None

5 13 Court and Convicted Exhibition Courtroom, Town Hall, Market Place, St Albans Tel: Web: An exhibition on some of the trials which took place in this perfectly preserved Regency Court Room. 14 Thursday: Friday: Sunday: Directions: The courtroom is accessed from the Tourist and Information Centre in Market Place. Disability Access: Partial Dagnall Street Baptist Church Upper Dagnall Street, St Albans Tel: Web: Built in 1885, the present church stands on the site first used by St Albans Baptists in There are a number of features unusual for a Victorian-era Free Church. Saturday: Sunday: Directions: Central St Albans, Upper Dagnall Street. 15 Other notes: Open for viewing and information. Exhibition of the Church s history. Adjoining coffee shop is open on the Saturday for teas and light meals. No parking at the Church, but public car park opposite. Disability Access: Full access via Cross Street coffee shop entrance. Giant Monopoly Tel: Web: Join the St Albans Arts, Sport & Health Team in a game of Giant Monopoly, played across areas of the city centre and through Verulamium Park. There are 2 routes to choose from: the 2.5 mile Yellow Route and a 4.5 mile Blue Route. A great day out for all the family, taking in some of the sites and attractions of the district. Sunday: Directions: Meet outside BHS on St Peter s Street. Do I need to Pre - Book?: You can sign up online at com or register on the day. Other notes: In running with the Monopoly theme, there is free parking in most of the city centre car parks. Disability Access: Partial - some of the heritage buildings in the District have limited/no disabled access. restored using traditional materials and methods. Also on display will be an exhibition featuring the photography of John Bethell. Sunday: Directions: Enter via Kingsbury Manor, by the pudding stone next to Kingsbury Mill on St Michael s Street. Other notes: Disabled parking only in Kingsbury Mews. Public parking at Verulamium Museum car park. Disability Access: Full access Museum of St Albans 9a Hatfield Road, St Albans Tel: Web: The story of historic St Albans from the Romans to the present day is 16 Kingsbury Barn Kingsbury Manor, St.Michaels Street, St Albans Tel: Web: Kingsbury Barn was built by the Abbey in 1374 and was recently told through lively displays using the museum s collections. The museum also has a wildlife garden. Free admission. Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Directions: From the town centre, take the A1057(Hatfield Road). The Museum is next to Kashu. Other notes: There is a small car park at the museum. Other parking is available in the city centre within a 10 minute walk. Disability Access: Disabled access to ground floor galleries only. Disabled toilet available. Radio Verulam 92.6 FM studios 11 Hatfield Road (above Courtyard Café), St Albans Tel: Web: Studios of Radio Verulam 92.6 FM, the Community Radio station serving St Albans and West Herts. All our activities are undertaken by volunteers. The premises are quite small and live programmes will be being broadcast at the time so access will be limited to small groups of maximum six people. Radio Verulam are holding a Your Questions Heritage Special on 13th Sept. See page 18 Directions: Above the Courtyard Café on Hatfield Road Disability Access: None

6 AT A GLANCE TIMETABLE OF EVENTS See individual listings for details - many locations have activities during the day Thursday 8th September Attractions 11. Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban Court and Convicted Exhibition Museum of St Albans Roman Mosaic (Hypocaust Building) Ryder Building Sopwell Nunnery Open Access 30. St Michael s Church Verulamium Museum (free after 1400) Wheathampstead Old Railway Station Open Access Walks 4. Coaching Inns 1100 Friday 9th September Attractions 11. Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban Court and Convicted Exhibition Museum of St Albans Roman Mosaic (Hypocaust Building) Ryder Building Sopwell Nunnery Open Access 30. St Michael s Church Verulamium Museum (free after 1400) Wheathampstead Old Railway Station Open Access Walks 3. A Taste of St Albans 1100 Saturday 10th September Attractions 10 Alban Arena Mosaic Viewing Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban Clock Tower Court and Convicted Exhibition Dagnall Street Baptist Church Kingsbury Barn Museum of St Albans Radio Verulam 92.6 FM Studios Redbournbury Mill Roman Mosaic (Hypocaust Building) Ryder Building and Exhibition Sopwell Nunnery Open Access St Albans Cathedral Roman Mosaic Clock Tower Redbournbury Watermill 24. Spicer Street Church St Albans Crown Court St Albans Market St Albans South Signal Box St Albans District Talking Newspaper St Leonard s Church, Sandridge St Michael s Church St Peter s Church The Roman Theatre of Verulamium Verulamium Museum & Legion XIIII (Legion XIIII & 1530) 34. Wheathampstead Old Railway Station Open Access Walks 5. Crime and Punishment 1100, Successes, Failures and Lessons Learnt Verulamium in a Nutshell Walk 1500 Sunday 11th September Attractions 9. Abbey Gateway Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban Clock Tower Court and Convicted Exhibition Dagnall Street Baptist Church Giant Monopoly Kingsbury Barn Museum of St Albans Redbournbury Mill Roman Mosaic (Hypocaust Building) Rothhamsted Manor Ryder Building and Exhibition Sopwell Nunnery Open Access 24. Spicer Street Church St Albans Farmers Market St Albans South Signal Box St Leonard s Church, Sandridge St Michael s Church St Peter s Church The Roman Theatre of Verulamium Verulamium Museum & Legion XIIII (Legion XIIII ) 34. Wheathampstead Old Railway Station Open Access Walks 1 Aristocrats, Paupers and Philanthropists A Round With Sam Ryder The Heritage Tree Walk St Albans Market Abbey Gateway Dagnall Street Baptist Church St Albans Crown Court

7 19 Redbournbury Mill Redbourn Road, AL3 6RS Tel: Web: Fully restored working 18th Century watermill museum producing organic stoneground flour and artisan bread. Saturday: Sunday: Directions: Redbournbury Lane, Redbourn Road, St Albans. Do I need to Pre - Book?: No Other notes: Parking, nearby walks, cold drinks, ice cream and cakes for sale. Disability Access: Ground floor only and toilet. 20 Roman Mosaic 21 (Hypocaust Building) Verulamium Park, St Albans Tel: Web: In Verulamium Park lies the Roman Mosaic - part of a suite of rooms in a large town house built around AD200. Beneath a fine mosaic, there is an under floor heating system, a hypocaust. It is a precursor of modern central heating - the Romans had no intentions of enduring a climate they found unpleasantly cold in winter! Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Directions: Next to St Michael s Church in St Michael s Village. (Follow brown signs) Follow signs from Verulamium Museum Car Park (350m) - 10 minute walk. Other notes: There is a small car park at the museum. Other parking is available at Westminster Lodge and in the city centre within a 15 minute walk. Refreshments available locally. Disability Access: Full. There is a motorised disability cart available from Verulamium Museum. Rothamsted Manor West Common, Harpenden AL5 2JQ Tel: Web: co.uk/pdfs/manorhistory.pdf Rothamsted Manor received a first recorded mention in 1212 and has been developed throughout time culminating in 1900 when Sir John Bennet Lawes son Charles made extensive alterations. Guided tours of five rooms and areas as well as free access to gardens. Sunday: Directions: Take B487 from Harpenden and turn into private road, second on the right after the White Horse pub Other notes: Parking available. Visitors can bring their own picnic into the picturesque gardens. 22 Disability Access: Disabled toilet and limited disabled parking. There is a single step at the entrance. Tour is on ground floor only and most of the accessible areas are on one level. Limited access to gardens. Ryder Building Comfort Hotel, Ryder House, Holywell Hill, St Albans Tel: Web: co.uk Now housing the Comfort Hotel, this was originally built as the headquarter offices of the Ryder Seed Company. Samuel Ryder is now best known for starting the Ryder Cup golf match, now played between America and Europe. On Saturday and Sunday from 1000 to 1700 there will a display by the City and District of St Albans Tour Guides in the Samuel Ryder Room, exploring the life and legacy of Samuel Ryder. Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Other notes: Parking is permit only and can be obtained free from hotel reception. Disability Access: Partial - listed stairwell to Samuel Ryder office, no lift access. Sopwell Nunnery Off Cottonmiill Lane, St Albans. Tel: Web: Visit the ruins of Sir Richard Lee s Tudor great house, built c1555 on the site of a 12th Century nunnery bought from Henry VIII. Thursday - Sunday: Open Access Directions: Just south of the River Ver off Cottonmill Lane between Old Sopwell Gardens and Mentmore Road. Other notes: Car parking on the road, some restrictions apply. Disability Access: Partial - on open common land, may be difficult for disabled visitors.

8 24 Spicer Street Church 26 Spicer Street, St Albans Tel: Web: Grade II Listed non-conformist chapel, built in There are many original features and there will be an exhibition tracing the church s history back to Famous associations with poet William Cowper, hymn writer Philip Doddridge, and Samuel Ryder, founder of the Ryder Cup. A lecture on the history of the church is at 1600 on both days. 25 Saturday: Sunday: Directions: 200 metres from city centre off George Street. Other notes: Nearest car parks: Christopher Place (Sat only), Russell Avenue and Gombards (Sat and Sun). Disability Access: Partial - wheelchair access to ground floor only. St Albans Crown Court 4 Bricket Road, St Albans Tel: Open day - A variety of Crown Court and Magistrates Court mock hearings including a mock trial. Visit the cells, police dog display, fingerprinting, Crown Prosecution Service talk on knife crime, prison van. Various information stands by Criminal Justice Agencies. Saturday: Other notes: Photography of any kind is strictly prohibited. All parties entering the building will be subject to security search. Disability Access: Full 27 St Albans Market & Farmers Market St Peter s Street, St Albans Tel: Web: business/markets Saturday: The Famous St Albans market, the largest street market in the South East (Excluding London). Sunday: As always on the 2nd Sunday in the month it is the St Albans Farmers Market Directions: St Peters Street Disability Access: Full St Albans South Signal Box Ridgmont Rd, St Albans Web: The Grade II listed Midland Railway signal box was built in The restoration was awarded the National Heritage railway award for signalling structures last year and demonstrations will be running continuously over the weekend. It is the only signalbox adjacent to an operational main line railway open to the public. The museum will be open with video and slide shows. Steam traction engine rides and refreshments available in the landscaped gardens. Sunday: Directions: 200 yds South of City station - platform 4 exit. Free parking in Ridgmont Road. Disability Access: Partial - no upstairs access. St Albans and District Talking Newspaper 11 Hatfield Road, (above Courtyard Café), St Albans Tel: St Albans & District Talking Newspaper record and distribute audio recordings of local news for blind and partially sighted people in St Albans and surrounding areas. The recordings are sent out each week and are produced in the studio. Directions: The studio is above the Courtyard Café, next to the Museum of St Albans on Hatfield Road. Other notes: Refreshments available at the Courtyard Café. Disability Access: None. 29 St Leonard s Church, Sandridge Church End, Sandridge, St Albans Tel: Web: sandridge Village church of Norman origin, with many features of architectural or local historical interest. Guided tour at 2:30pm on Sunday. Childrens worksheet available Saturday: Sunday: Directions: Off the B651 St Albans to Wheathampstead Rd. Bus 304 or 620. Other notes: Free parking in Church End or in Village Hall car park Disability Access: Full 30 St Michael s Church St Michael s Street, St Albans Tel: St Michael s parish church is a late Saxon Grade I listed building situated on the site of the Roman basilica, the likely location of the trial of St Alban.

9 31 On the Sunday 11th September, there will be a guided tour of the church at 1400 and 1530 by the church archivist. The bell tower will be open for tours of the ringing chamber and belfry and there will be opportunities to watch the ringers perform! The parish centre will be open on Saturday and Sunday for cream teas. Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Directions: The church is opposite Verulamium Museum Other notes: Parking (ticket machine) by Verulamium Museum. Disability Access: Access into church via a ramp at the main door and access to the north side, nave and lady chapel. St Peter s Church St Peter s Church, St Peter s Street, St Albans Tel: Web: Founded in 948 AD, successive restorations have given a wholly Victorian appearance to a church containing a largely 15th century nave, many interesting memorials and an intriguing series of medieval painted glass windows made up of fragments of earlier windows smashed in strange circumstances. Buried in the churchyard are many killed in the Battles of St Albans in 1455 and Saturday: Sunday: Directions: At the North end of St Peter s Street, just North of Hatfield Road/Catherine Street roundabout Other notes: Refreshments will be available, and toilets. No car parking Disability Access: Full. The Roman Theatre of Verulamium Bluehouse Hill, St Albans Tel: Web: Built in c.40ad, the Roman theatre is unique in Britain, being a theatre with a stage, rather than an amphitheatre and is the only fully excavated example of its kind in Britain. The main ruins were unearthed in 1847 and subsequent excavations have revealed shop foundations, a Roman villa and a secret shrine. Saturday: Sunday: Directions: Located just off road known as Bluehouse Hill (A4147) near the Verulamium Museum. Other notes: No parking at the Theatre. Use Verulamium Museum Car Park. Disability Access: Partial. Verulamium Museum & 34 Legion XIIII St. Michael s, St Albans Tel: Web: Situated in Verulamium Park, the Museum houses the vast collection of finds excavated from the site of Verulamium, one of the largest towns in Roman Britain. Using recreated Roman rooms, hands-on discovery areas, touch screens and video presentations, the Roman town is brought to life. On Saturday and Sunday, meet the soldiers from Legion XIIII and find out about life in the Roman Legions. Thursday: (free after 1400) Friday: (free after 1400) Saturday: (Free All Day) Legion XIIII on parade at 1430 & 1530 The Roman Army vs. the Celts A Heritage Open Days Family Event. Watch an exciting battle re-enactment using model soldiers. Who will win? Boudicca or the Romans? Free, but museum entry charge for non residents applies. Sunday: (Free All Day) Legion XIIII on parade at 1500 Directions: Next to St Michael s Church in St Michaels Village. (Follow Brown Signs). Other notes: There is a small car park at the museum. Other parking is available at Westminster Lodge and in the city centre within a 15 minute walk. Disability Access: Full Wheathampstead Old Railway Station Junction of Lower Luton Rd/Cory- Wright Way and Lamer Lane/Station Road, Wheathampstead Tel: Partially restored platform and railbed with Victorian and later features, now used as a picnic site and part of the Village Heritage Trail. Unmanned and open access. The station was on the Hatfield to Luton & Dunstable Line, now a cycle route and walkway marked the 150th anniversary of the opening of Wheathampstead station as a passenger line. Until 2009 the former platform lay overgrown by ivy and sycamore, disused and all but forgotten. Through volunteer help it now springs back to life. Thursday - Sunday: Open Access Directions: Junction of B653 & B651. Access by roundabout Station Rd - Codicote Rd. Other notes: Free car park in East Lane. Follow the Heritage Trail round the Village or take a stroll and picnic informally along the River Lea. Disability Access: None - Access via 20 wide steps with hand rail only.

10 Future Events Please find below a selection of the main events that are taking place in and around the St Albans District over the next few months. For further information regarding these, and other events, call the Tourist Information Centre on or visit the St Albans District Council Website - Ayletts Dahlia Festival 9th - 18th September Ayletts Nurseries, AL2 1DH A spectacular exhibit of dahlias complimented by autumn colours, plus many other events to enjoy. Web: news/diary.htm Herts Open Studios 11th September - 3rd October Meet artists and craftspeople throughout the city as they open their doors to the public. Free brochure with all details, art descriptions and times at the Tourist Information Centre, libraries and art outlets. Taster event with a selection of work by St Albans participants at The Secret Garden café on George St from 16th August to 2nd October. Web: Tel: openstudios@hvaf.org.uk. Your Questions - Heritage Special Tuesday 13th September Maltings Arts Theatre, Maltings Shopping Centre, St Albans Your Questions is produced by Radio Verulam 92.6FM. The format is similar to BBC Question Time. It is recorded live in front of an audience, providing a forum to grill local politicians and business people on the issues that matter. Entry is free and the panel will comprise people whose opinions help shape what happens in St Albans and the surrounding area. Details: Reserve your place and register to ask a question at www. radioverulam.co.uk/yourquestions.html St Stephens Church Sunday 25th September Watling Street, St. Albans AL1 2PX St. Stephen s is a historic pilgrim church, situated on the Roman road of Watling Street on the southern edge of St. Albans. The church includes a Leper Chapel, a Tudor roof and some fine 19th century stained-glass. St Stephen s also contains the oldest Font in the city and the churchyard includes part of the Roman cemetery. Cream Teas will be served whilst the church is open from 1430 to Tel: Web: St Albans Beer Festival 28th September - 1st October The Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans AL1 3LD St Albans is the home of CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale - which organises the biggest Beer Festival in Hertfordshire. Up to 300 real Ales, a Foreign Beer Bar, Ciders and Perries available. Web: St Albans Food & Drink Festival 28th September - 9th October Now in its 4th year, the St Albans Food & Drink Festival has become a popular and established event, showcasing the fantastic range of food, drink and produce available in the District. Throughout the 12 days, many of the pubs, restaurants and hotels in the District are offering meal deals or holding events including tastings, workshops and cookery demonstrations. There will also be a continental market, farmers market, and festival stalls giving you the chance to sample and buy local food. (See advert on back cover) foodanddrinkfestival@ stalbans.gov.uk Web: com St Albans Book Fair 22nd October 2nd January Courtroom, Town Hall, Market Place, St Albans Open Monday to Saturday 0900 til 1800, Sundays 1000 til 1700 Web: St Albans Firework Display Saturday 5th November Verulamium Park, St Albans 1930 (Gates open from 1830) The largest Firework Display in Hertfordshire if not the country! Certainly not to be missed. All proceeds go to nominated charities. Christmas Market and Lights Switch-on Sunday 21st November St Peter s Street, St Albans 1430 (Lights on at 1730) The Market, Stage show and kiddie funfair are back for an afternoon of entertainment which will include father Christmas Web:

11 28th September - 9th October 2011 St Albans Food & Drink Festival is the Talk of the Town Visit our website for details of all the fabulous events and Meal Deals that are taking place throughout the St Albans Food & Drink Festival. 28 SEPT TO 9 OCTOBER 2011 Tel: