Sunday 27 October 2013

Spend a spooky Halloween with St Albans Museums

Source - News Release from St Albans Council on 8 October 2013

Spooky treats, from pumpkin carving to a scary walking tour, are being laid on for Halloween by St Albans City and District Council’s museums service.

Families can carve their very own artistic pumpkin at the Clock Tower in Market Place for free from 1pm to 5pm on Wednesday 30 October. If they wish to take the pumpkin home there will be small charge of £3. 

The best carved pumpkins will go on display at the Carved Pumpkin Exhibition at the Clock Tower on the night of Halloween on Thursday 31 October from 6pm to 11pm. Entry costs £3.

Adults will be treated to Scary Ghoulish Stories at a special late night opening of the Museum of St Albans for Halloween. They can also wander round the museum from 6pm to 11pm. Tickets cost £8 and include a drink.

You can also go on a self-guided trail round the spooky parts of the city centre on the same night. On the way you will encounter ‘The Lost Souls of St Albans’, scary characters played by local people taking part in the Hauntings Project. Trail packs are available for £5 until 9:30pm from either the Museum of St Albans or Verulamium Museum.

For more information and to get your evening pass, please visit the Museum of St Albans or phone 01727 819340.  More information is also available at: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Tuesday 10 September 2013

The Big Draw 2013 in St Albans

Source - Melissa Caneppele, Arts Development Officer, St Albans City & District Council.

This October once again SAASH ARTS in partnership with many other St Albans organisations will be organising a series of visual art workshops across the District as part of the national Big Draw campaign, most of which are FREE, drop-in and open to ALL AGES (unless otherwise stated below).  Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

This year's Big Draw theme is ‘Draw Tomorrow’.  Take part in fun activities and draw what the future might look like. Where will you be and what will you do? What will your hometown look like in the future? What can we do to make the world a happier place? Create future organisms: can we learn from sea creatures that see in the dark? Can future flowers help protect bees? Join in drawing the things which you would most like to improve – anything from clothes to buildings, food to transport, museums to playgrounds. Some of the work created will be put on display in the District. 

Sun 6 Oct 12.30 – 2.30pm Trestle Arts Base, Russet Drive, AL4 0JQ
Trestle Arts Base will be brought to life in a fun drawing workshop inspired by Aesop’s Fables. We will imagine and draw animals and creatures of the future and conjure up future fables. 

Following the workshop, come and see a wonderful performance with masks, singing, puppets, four human beings and a large amount of silliness.  Small Nose Theatre’s production of Aesop’s Fables is at 2.30 pm.  All ages and abilities welcome.  

Free event. Aesop’s Fables is ticketed (£12 Adult /£10 Concessions) 

Sat 26 Oct BIG DRAW DAY IN ST ALBANS 10.30am – 5pm

Get into the City Centre early to follow the exciting trail of FREE Big Draw activities. SAASH Arts will be delivering sessions inside and outside the Town Hall, and elsewhere in the City Centre.  

Let’s make history 12.30pm – 1.45pm & 2.15 – 3.30pm
Verulamium Museum, St Michaels Street, St Albans, AL3 4SW
Make your own piece of art to take home with you, using wire and other materials inspired by the Museum collection. Please book in advance by contacting Melissa on 01727 827667 or emailing Melissa.caneppele@leisureconnection.co.uk

Culture Cart 10.30am – 3.30pm Outside Town Hall, Market Square, St Albans, AL3 5DJ
Join Tom and the Culture cart at a stall outside the town hall, and have a go at designing drawings inspired by ideas of future society, technology and natural environment and add to this collaborative lino print for display in the City Centre. 

3D Organisms of the Future 11.30am – 1 pm & 1.30 - 3pm Upstairs at Town Hall, Market Square, St Albans, AL3 5DJ. Get creative and design 3D Organisms of the Future from paper and textured materials upstairs at the Town Hall.  The work produced on this session will be made into a Sculpture to be displayed in the City Centre. Please book in advance by contacting Melissa on 01727 827667 or emailing Melissa.caneppele@leisureconnection.co.uk

This years Big Draw Sculpture Project marks the launch of a new Public Art Initiative from St Albans Arts Team, ‘PopUpArt’, which will see several commissions each year for innovative and inspiring public art works.  Anyone interested in submitting a proposal should contact grae.wall@leisureconnection.co.uk.

Creatures of the New Age 1.30 – 3.30pm Maltings Central Library, The Maltings, AL1 3HL
The Library Service is inviting Big Draw event goers to take inspiration from children’s books about underwater creatures. Visitors to the Maltings Central Library will be able to add their drawings to a natural environment ‘mural’ which will later be on display in the library, to create a unique piece of artwork.  This event will run alongside ‘Storytime’.  

Tracing the lines of our Future 10.30am – 3.30pm Maltings Shopping Centre, Level 2, St Albans, AL1 3HL. Drop in and try your hand at using technology to create drawings with Jim Bond’s innovative drawing machines.  

Halloween Haunts into the Unknown 10.30am - 5pm Waterstones, 8 St Peter’s St, St Albans, AL1 3LF. Waterstones will be having a Big Draw Halloween themed day with plenty of spooky activities for your little ones to get their teeth into! Dawn Finch will also be present on the day to launch her gripping novel ‘Brotherhood of Shades’.

Hope of Wrecks 3 – 5pm Museum of St Albans, 9a Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 3RR
At the ‘Hope of Wrecks’ drawing workshop we shall be drawing to gather information, exploring ways of seeing and mark-making, questioning material, articulating form, surveying space and focussing on individual interpretation.  There will be an emphasis on context rather than rules in the hope to achieve 'change' in how you see. Bring anything along, an open mind and cameras if needed. Materials provided. Mixed ability.  Free drop in event. Aimed at ages 16 +.

Mon 28 Oct 1 pm – 3 pm Gazebo at Oysterfields Open Space, Temple View, AL3 5UW
Make drawings inspired by ideas of future landscapes and technology and make your own lino print to take home.  This is a drop in activity suitable for all ages.  This session is delivered in partnership with Aldwyck Housing.  Free event.

Mon 28 Oct 3 – 5pm Marshalswick Community Centre, The Ridgeway, AL4 9TU
Fun, lighthearted activity suitable for all ages – drop in to design your own future organism based on the stories of underwater creatures.  Story telling by the Library Service included. Free event.

Tues 29 Oct 1.30 – 3.30pm Museum of St Albans, 9a Hatfield Road, St Albans. AL1 3RR
Make drawings inspired by ideas of future landscapes and technology and make your own lino print to take home.  This is a drop in activity for all ages. All ages welcome, no drawing experience necessary! Free event.

Wed 30 Oct 2 – 4pm Memorial Hall, Marford Road, Wheathampstead, St Albans, AL4 8AY. Drop in to design your own organism of the future based on stories of underwater creatures.  Story telling by the Library Service included.  Fun,light-hearted activity suitable for all ages.  Free event.

Thur 31st Oct 10.30am - 3pm St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, AL1 1BY
Budding artists, young and old, are invited to explore the Cathedral and create their very own masterpieces inspired by the theme of this year’s Big Draw – Draw Tomorrow. Many of the ideas in this wonderful old building seemed futuristic in their time - now let the building inspire you to Draw Tomorrow.  We will supply the equipment and ideas while you draw. This is a drop in event.  The event is FREE for all the family. For more info, visit www.stalbanscathedral.org or call 01727 860780.

Sat 2 Nov 11am – 3pm Butterfly World, Miriam Lane, Off Noke Lane, St. Albans, AL2 3NY. For more details of this event call 01727 869 203 or visit www.butterflyworldproject.com

For more information about any of the Big Draw events featured here or to book a workshop, contact the SAASH Arts team on 01727 827667 or email melissa.caneppele@leisureconnection.co.uk

Wednesday 21 August 2013

Blue Butterflies Abound at Butterfly World

Source: News Release from Butterfly World on 14 August 2013

When Butterfly World Project in St Albans first opened in 2009 it was a bare patch of earth with no resident butterflies. Less than five years later, 28 different British species have been recorded here, making it one of the best butterfly sites in the district. 

Working in conjunction with Butterfly Conservation, the grounds and gardens at Butterfly World were designed by butterfly experts to provide a range of habitats which would be attractive to a wide variety of native butterfly species. 

The butterflies which have so far found their way to the site include rare protected species such as Small Blue, Small Heath and White Letter Hairstreak. All have been attracted by the presence of the food plants needed for the survival of their young caterpillars. 

Butterfly World is now home to the largest colony of Small Blue butterflies in Hertfordshire. This beautiful butterfly is the smallest in the UK and only survives on sites containing Kidney Vetch. This species was considered extinct in the county for many years and the development of a substantial colony in St Albans is a great conservation success.  

Just this month the first Chalk Hill Blue has been recorded in the British Butterfly Garden here at Butterfly World. This area has been planted specifically to attract native species, with plants such as Horseshoe Vetch, the caterpillar food plant for the Chalk hill Blue. Butterfly enthusiasts value this butterfly so highly it has been adopted as the logo by the local Herts and Middlesex branch of Butterfly Conservation, the charity devoted to the preservation of butterflies, moths and their habitats.

Tuesday 6 August 2013

St Albans Magna Carta celebrations attract thousands

Source - news release from St Albans City & District Council on 5 August 2013
  
Thousands flocked to the St Albans Magna Carta 800th anniversary celebrations at the weekend to see the Magna Carta and watch medieval re-enactments in Verulamium Park.

People queued throughout the weekend to view an original 1215 Magna Carta following its arrival at St Albans Cathedral on 1 August. It is on loan from Lincoln Cathedral until the end of August.Thousands of visitors also watched historical re-enactments, equestrian displays, archery, warriors training and musicians at the Medieval Festival in Verulamium Park on Saturday and Sunday.

The role of the Magna Carta in the development of constitutional government in Britain and overseas was highlighted in a sell-out lecture at the Cathedral on Friday. The talk on The New British Constitution was given by Professor Vernon Bogdanor, Professor of Government, Institute of Contemporary British History, Kings College, London.

The Magna Carta was also celebrated with a concert on Saturday by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and St Albans Chamber Choir performing music inspired by freedom and justice. This was followed on Sunday with a formal procession in which a facsimile of the Magna Carta was transported from Verulamium Park to the Cathedral. Mayors, judges, Cathedral clergy, aldermen, councillors, yeomen, Knights Templar all joined the procession.

The weekend’s festivities closed with a packed celebratory Evensong in thanksgiving for the Magna Carta and the principles of human freedom and dignity at the Cathedral on Sunday. This included a sermon by the Revd Professor Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch of Oxford University, highlighting the Magna Carta’s continuing relevance to both State and Church.

Cllr Annie Brewster, The Mayor of St Albans City and District, was at the Cathedral to welcome the arrival of the Magna Carta. During the weekend, she also hosted several receptions and attended the various celebration events. She said: “It is difficult to choose a particular highlight from this remarkable Magna Carta 800 weekend as each event was outstanding. Representatives attending from Magna Carta towns planning similar celebrations over the next two years acknowledge the high benchmark St Albans has now set. The Magna Carta journey started here in 1213. Once again, we have been here at the start, kicking off the 800th anniversary celebrations in great style. My thanks and congratulations go to everyone involved.”

The very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John, The Dean of St Albans Cathedral, said:

“It has been a wonderful weekend. Sunday August 4 was the exact 800th anniversary of the first meeting in St Albans that led to the drawing up of Magna Carta, but the document itself has never before been inside the Abbey. So there was something strangely moving on Thursday about welcoming it to the place where it all began. Over the weekend, the long queues waiting to see the Magna Carta testified to the way in which the significance of this small document has caught the imagination of the public.”

“We are enormously grateful to St Albans City and District Council, to Lincoln Cathedral, and to all those who have helped with sponsorship, for making it possible for us to host and celebrate Magna Carta here in such a splendid way.

Councillor Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism for St Albans City and District Council, said: “This weekend has helped bring to life the role St Albans plays in the history of Magna Carta. If you missed the weekend’s festivities, there is still time to see the Magna Carta and find out about its influence around the world at local exhibitions.”

Thursday 11 July 2013

Mayor celebrates 50 years of St Albans International Organ Festival

Source - news release from St Albans Council on 11 Jul 2013

Musicians attending the 50th St Albans International Organ Festival (IOF) were welcomed to St Albans District at a civic reception hosted by the Mayor on 10 July.

The Mayor of St Albans City and District to the District, Cllr Annie Brewster, greeted 20 competitors taking part in the Interpretation and Improvisation organ competitions. These top musicians came from Croatia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, South Korea, UK and the USA.

Cllr Annie Brewster, Mayor of St Albans City and District, said: “The International Organ Festival is an extremely important event in our City’s calendar and I am delighted that we are celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The festival is going from strength to strength, attracting leading musicians and performers from around the world. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to welcome the festival’s competitors, organisers, hosts and supporters. I am very pleased that the performances can be enjoyed in different venues around the city, in the Cathedral, a restaurant (Lussmanns) and local churches. I encourage everyone to make the most of this wonderful opportunity to enjoy world-class music in our city.”

Attending the civic reception at the old Town Hall were IOF Patron, HM Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, The Countess of Verulam, and members of the festival committee. They were joined by District Councillors, the Honorary Aldermen, festival sponsors and the competitors’ hosts.

David Titterington, the IOF’s Artistic Director, said: “We are very grateful to the Mayor for making the festival so welcome to the City. The St Albans International Organ Festival was founded by Peter Hurford 50 years ago in 1963. Since then, we have worked to promote the organ as both a solo instrument and an instrument capable of performing in different musical contexts. This year is the centenary of Benjamin Britten’s birth and one of the festival’s highlights is the performance of his epic War Requiem in St Albans Cathedral. The festival continues to grow, and this year the National Youth Jazz Orchestra comes to us for the first time. As the Mayor so kindly says, we believe that the festival is one of the jewels in St Albans’ crown.”

Thursday 30 May 2013

St Albans launches Magna Carta 800th Anniversary with Summer Festival in August

Source - news release from St Albans City & District Council

This summer, St Albans commemorates the 800th anniversary of its unique place in the history of the Magna Carta, the historic charter setting out fundamental human rights. The Magna Carta continues to underpin legal systems across the world.

To mark the occasion, a series of events is planned over the weekend of Friday 2 to Sunday 4 August as part of the St Albans Magna Carta Festival. The Festival is being launched today with the ceremonial opening of ‘Magna Carta 1213: the Journey Starts Here’, an exhibition at the Museum of St Albans.

The ‘Magna Carta 1213: the Journey Starts Here’ exhibition runs from Saturday 1 June to Saturday 15 September. St Albans was the location, in August 1213, of the first meeting to discuss severe grievances against King John. This historic meeting between the barons and the clergy, led ultimately to the articles that became Magna Carta, sealed at Runnymede two years later in 1215. The exhibition includes fascinating and thought provoking displays challenging injustices throughout history. 

This summer, for the first time ever in St Albans, there will be a chance to see an original copy of the Magna Carta on display. The historic document will be on show in a special climate controlled environment at St Albans Cathedral from Saturday 3 to Thursday 29 August. Buy tickets online here.

Also at the Cathedral, from 7pm  to 8pm on Friday 2 August, Vernon Bogdanor, Professor of Government at Kings College, London, will present a keynote speech on The New British Constitution. This is followed at 7.30pm on Saturday 4 August by a concert from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and St Albans Chamber Choir. The special programme is inspired by the themes and spirit of the Magna Carta.

The Magna Carta Medieval Festival will be held in Verulamium Park on the weekend of 3 and 4 August. The festival features a historical encampment and reenactment of the conflict between the king, the barons and the church. There will be equestrian, combat and archery displays and exciting and fun activities for all the family. Also on display will be “the Manga Carta”, a unique artistic interpretation of the charter, inspired by Japanese Manga comic art.

The weekend commemorations will conclude with an Evensong Service in the Cathedral with the choir of St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Rochester, New York at 6.30pm on Sunday evening. The sermon will be given by the Reverend Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch, an authority on the medieval church.

The Revd Dr Kevin Walton, Canon Chancellor at St Albans Cathedral said: "St Albans Cathedral is delighted to be working with St Albans City and District Council to start the commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta. St Albans Abbey in 1213 was the place where the Magna Carta's journey began and it is fitting that we can play an important part in the national celebrations."

Sir Robert Worcester, Chairman of the Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Commemorative Committee said: “The meeting between Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury and fellow clergy with the barons at St Albans in 1213 was critical in the development of the Magna Carta and so on the impact it has had to the history of the UK and indeed around the world. 

“The Magna Carta 800th Committee is working closely with the Council and other stakeholders in putting together the exciting series of events planned in St Albans and drawing many tourists through the summer. There is a lot to look forward to and I know the people of St Albans are coming together to provide a fitting opening event in the run up to the 800th Anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta in 2015.


St Albans Magna Carta Festival – Full Details of Activities:

Magna Carta 1213: The Journey Starts Here Exhibition


An exhibition inspired by the values set out by churchmen and barons at the 1213 meeting in St Albans. These values are brought up to date through a series of thought provoking displays highlighting gestures which challenge injustices through time. Visitors will have the opportunity to share their views in the exhibition. Museum of St Albans, Hatfield Road, St Albans. AL1 3RR.  1st June to 15th September.  Monday to Saturday 10.00am to 5.00pm, Sunday 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Admission Free

The Magna Carta Lecture - The New British Constitution

A lecture by Professor Vernon Bogdanor, Professor of Government, Institute for Contemporary British History, King’s College, London. Magna Carta began as a baronial charter of privileges, but came to be transformed into a declaration of the rights of the citizen. It was the nearest we had to a written constitution. But the constitutional reforms since 1997, together with Britain’s membership of the European Union, have given us a new constitution. The main elements of this new constitution are the Human Rights Act and devolution. The essence of our new constitution is a limitation of the powers of Parliament. The Human Rights Act and the devolution legislation have something of the character of fundamental law. They in practice limit the rights of Westminster as a sovereign parliament. The central principle of the old constitution was the sovereignty of Parliament. The central principle of the new one is the separation of powers. Britain, in consequence, is less of an elective dictatorship than it was before 1997. But this new constitution has done little to secure more popular involvement in politics. That is why it has made so little impact on popular opinion. How can this deficiency be remedied? Friday 2nd August, 7 to 8pm. Tickets: £10 (includes a glass of wine and viewing of the 1215 Magna Carta on loan from Lincoln Cathedral)

The Magna Carta in St Albans

A rare opportunity to see an original 1215 Magna Carta, on loan from Lincoln Cathedral. Includes a special exhibition explaining the importance of St Albans Abbey in the Magna Carta story.  St Albans Cathedral, AL1 1BY Saturday 3rd to 29th August. Opening Times: Viewing times vary from day to day. See website for advance ticket availability.  Tickets: Advance Booking Adults £3.00; Concs £2.00; On the door: Adults £4.00; Concs £3.00; U16 free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets available online from www.allaboutstalbans.com. For more information telephone 01727 864511

Magna Carta Concert

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with St Albans Chamber Choir present a programme inspired by the themes and spirit of the Magna Carta to celebrate the 800th anniversary of St Albans’ link with one of the cornerstones of freedom and democracy. St Albans Cathedral, Saturday 3rd August, 7.30pm Tickets: £27.50 (U16 £10); £22.50 (U16 £7.50); £18 (U16 £5); £10 (U16 £2). Tickets available from the Alban Arena Box Office 01727 844488 or online www.alban-arena.co.uk (Subject to booking fee)

For the rest of the programme and more information telephone 01727 864511 or visit www.enjoystalbans.com

Thursday 9 May 2013

Be inspired at Museum of St Albans art workshop

Source: News Release from St Albans Council

Create your own artwork using domestic objects as inspiration at an art workshop hosted by the Museum of St Albans on Saturday 11 May.

Domestic objects in the museum’s social history collection will be on display to help inspire you during the workshop which runs from 10:30am to 4pm. You will be able to select your own art medium and choose to work either individually or collectively as a group. Artworks created in the workshop will then go on display at the museum until the end of June.

The workshop is inspired by the ArtHouse exhibition that is on show in the UH Galleries at the Museum of St Albans from 3 May to 30 June 2013.

Artists often feature domestic objects in their art, including Tracey Emin and Yoko Ono who both have artworks in the exhibition. Other artists in the exhibition share a similar fascination in the use and manipulation of everyday motifs and domestic objects to create narratives or highlight issues.

Councillor Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage for St Albans City and District Council, said: “This workshop is a great opportunity to learn more about how artists are inspired by everyday objects and to have a go at creating your own artwork. If you can’t make the workshop, come along to the ArtHouse exhibition where you will see Tracey Emin’s bed spreadsheet and Yoko Ono’s chess set painted white.”

Spaces on the workshop are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. The workshop is £15 for the whole day, and includes basic materials. Equipment will also be provided.

For further information and to book a place on the workshop, call 01727-819340. Information about ArtHouse is available at www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk.

Tuesday 23 April 2013

Play, Pause, Rewind the music at the first exhibition of St Albans Museums Youth Forum

Source - news release from St Albans Council on 23 Apr 2013 

Come to the launch of ‘Play, Pause, Rewind’, the first exhibition created by St Albans Museums Youth Forum, on Saturday 27 April at the Museum of St Albans.

The exhibition looks at whether the type of music you listen to affects the way you dress, think, or behave. The launch event runs from 12 noon to 3pm at the museum in Hatfield Road. There will be an opportunity to explore the exhibition, listen to or play some music. 

The exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to examine their own taste in music and what it does or doesn’t say about them. Visitors will also be able to contribute to, interact with and even change aspects of the exhibition. 

In addition, ‘Play, Pause, Rewind’ will highlight the way people are buying and listening to music is changing and people who have influenced the development of music.

If you are unable to make the launch event, you can see the exhibition at a later date as it runs until Sunday 12 May.

Sam McKenzie, aged 15 years old and a member of the Youth Forum, said: "We have worked incredibly hard on this exhibition and a lot of time and effort has gone into it. We hope that visitors to the exhibition can get an idea of how varied the people of St Albans are in terms of their music tastes. We also hope that people will think about their own preferences and explore, through the exhibition, the music that other people like.”

Councillor Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage for St Albans City and District Council, said: “The St Albans Museums Youth Forum has done a brilliant job in producing this great exhibition. Come along to find out and enjoy the different kinds of music that people are listening to in the District.”

If you are aged 14-19 years old and are interested in becoming involved in the Youth Forum, then come along to one of the group’s monthly meetings. The next meeting will take place on Thursday May 2 at Verulamium Museum from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

For more information about the exhibition and joining St Albans Museums Youth Forum, please visit www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk or phone 01727-819340.

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Under 11s school places for 2013

Source - news release from Herts County Council, 17 Apr 13

Hertfordshire County Council has today allocated more than 17,000 places at primary, junior and middle schools. More than 95 per cent of pupils have been allocated a place at one of their preferred schools – an increase of four per cent since last year. 

Most parents and carers in Hertfordshire will be able to access their allocation information this evening (17 April). More than 98 per cent of parents applied online and allocation emails will be sent, after 6pm, to all parents who made an online application and confirmed their email address. The online allocation system will be available for other online applicants after all emails have been sent. Allocation letters will only be sent to parents who applied on paper or online applicants who did not confirm their email address. 

The number of children applying for a place in a Hertfordshire reception class remains high with 14,859 applications received. Although the group is slightly smaller than last year (99 fewer applications), the number of children allocated a ranked school has increased significantly. 95.15 per cent of reception applicants were allocated a place at one of their four ranked schools and 82.75 per cent were allocated their first ranked school, compared to 91.81 per cent and 80.92 per cent in 2012 

Over the last few years the number of applications for reception places has been steadily increasing and additional capacity has been created in schools in many towns across Hertfordshire, as published in the “Applying for a School Place” booklet. However, more places are needed to ensure that the supply of school places matches local demand as closely as possible. Some potential expansions were therefore identified but were not finalised until primary applications for 2013 had been received and analysed. On the basis of this work the following schools will also be admitting additional pupils in September 2013: 

Cheshunt - Bonneygrove Primary
Harpenden - High Beeches Primary
Hemel Hempstead - Brockswood Primary, South Hill Primary
Hoddesdon - St Catherine’s CE (VC) Primary
Watford - Bournehall Primary, Nascot Wood Infants, St Catherine of Sienna RC Primary

Justin Donovan, Director of Education and Early Intervention, said: “We have been working closely with schools over the last three years to create additional reception places. Although across the county as a whole there are enough reception places for all children, in some areas demand has exceeded both pupil forecasts and the existing supply of school places. All children in Hertfordshire have been allocated a school place but additional capacity will be added in areas of peak demand and more places made available at the first run of continuing interest in the week commencing 13 May 2013. 

“Additional places will be added at the continuing interest stage to ensure all families have equal access to them. I recognise that it is vitally important that all families are treated fairly within a clear and transparent process.” 

All Hertfordshire applicants for reception places will be sent an email or letter on allocation day outlining the process for applying for the additional places available in the first continuing interest run. All applicants who have not been offered their first preference school will automatically be placed on the continuing interest list for any schools named higher on their application form than the school offered. Parents can also consider making a new application to any of the schools offering additional places. Full information on how to make a continuing interest application, and the timescales involved, is available at www.hertsdirect.org/primaryoptions. This information is also included in the ‘Under 11s - What Can You Do Now?’ leaflet, provided to parents who applied on paper. 

All parents and carers offered a school place must respond by 2 May 2013. Parents who applied online must also accept the school place offered online. Families are advised to visit the school they have been offered before deciding whether to accept or decline the place. If a response is not received the offered place may be withdrawn. 

The deadline to submit an appeal is 4pm on 17 May 2013. All information concerning post allocation processes is available online at www.hertsdirect.org/primaryoptions or in the ‘What Can You Do Now?’ leaflet. 

Thursday 11 April 2013

Celebrate Share-a-Story Month with St Albans’ museums

Source - news release from St Albans Council on 11 Apr 13

A series of magical storytelling sessions for all ages will be hosted by St Albans’ museums each Saturday during national Share-a-Story month in May. Make a date to come along to one of the following storytelling sessions at St Albans City and District Council’s museums:

Saturday 4 May at the Clock Tower, from 2pm to 3pm. 

The series kicks off with a session by storyteller Olivia Armstrong who specialises in telling traditional folktales, wonder tales, legends and myths from around the world. Places are limited at this venue in the High Street, St Albans, so do arrive early to secure your place. 

Saturday 11 May, Sopwell Nunnery, from 2pm to 3pm. 

Olivia Armstrong will again relay wonderful tales at Sopwell Nunnery. You are invited to bring a picnic along to enjoy during or after the storytelling session. Sopwell Nunnery in Cottonmill Lane, St Albans is a scheduled monument and the ruins will provide an enchanting backdrop to the stories you will hear. 

Saturday 18 May, Verulamium Museum, from 2pm to 3pm.

Storyteller Kathryn Holt will be delivering tales in Verulamium Museum’s activity room in St Michael’s Street, St Albans. Admission to the museum is not included in the £3 session price. However, you may wish to take this opportunity to explore the artefacts of St Albans’ Roman past.

Saturday 25 May, Museum of Albans, from 2pm to 4pm

The series will culminate with an event to mark the end of the museum’s Lion Under the Stairs Storytelling initiative. Budding storytellers have been attending a series of workshops designed to give them the skills to write and perform their own tales.

Tickets for the all storytelling sessions are £3 per person and are available on the day. For further information please visit www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk or phone 01727-819340. 

Monday 11 March 2013

St Albans Museum events – dates for your diary

Source - news release from St Albans City & District Council on 8 Mar 13

Make a date to explore St Albans’s museums at night or find out about the city’s role in developing the Magna Carta, the English charter of liberties.

These are just two of the events, activities and exhibitions being organised by St Albans City and District Council’s museums’ service for the coming year. 

Highlights of the future programme include:

The Lion Under the Stairs Storytelling Competition. Everyone aged 8 years and over can submit a story about one of the objects in the Museum of St Albans or Verulamium Museum. The deadline for entries is Sunday 7 April. The winning entries will be performed live on Saturday 25 May at the Museum of St Albans. 

Manga Carta Drawing Workshop. Join us to draw the story of the Magna Carta in the style of a Japanese Manga cartoon. The free workshop will take place on Saturday 30 March, from 11am to 1pm at the Central Library in The Maltings, St Albans. 

Museums at Night. Explore St Albans Museums on Friday 17 May from 6pm to 11pm. You can join a torch-lit guided tour at the Museum of St Albans (£5) or attend a late night opening of the Clock Tower (£3). You can also experience Roman Night Life at Verulamium Museum with Roman theatre performances, board games and wine (£10). A £15 evening pass will give you access to all three events. 

Magna Carta 1213: The Journey Starts Here. Find out how a meeting of barons and clergy in St Albans 800 years ago led to the signing of the Magna Carta, the English charter of liberties. The exhibition will run from Saturday 1 June to Sunday 15 September at the Museum of St Albans. 

Pumpkin Carving at the Clock Tower. Come and join us to carve some spooky pumpkins. The best will go on display. The free event runs on Wednesday 30 October from 1pm to 5pm. If you want to take your pumpkin home, then a small of charge of £3 will be made. 

Details of forthcoming events, activities and exhibitions are available at: http://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk



Friday 1 March 2013

Secondary allocations announced for 2013

News release from Hertfordshire County Council - 1 March 2013

More than 95 per cent of Hertfordshire children have been allocated a place at one of their preferred secondary or upper schools. 

Most parents and carers in Hertfordshire will be able to access their secondary transfer allocation information this evening (Friday 1 March). 

Allocation emails will be sent, after 6pm, to all parents who have confirmed their email address. 

The online allocation system will be available for all online applicants after allocation emails have been despatched at www.hertsdirect.org/admissions. This year, 97 per cent of parents applied online. 

The county council will only be sending allocation letters to parents and carers who applied on paper or those who applied online but did not confirm their email address. Parents and carers who applied online will be able to accept the school place offered online, as well as pursuing a continuing interest place and lodging an appeal. Detailed information about an individual child’s application will be available in the allocation email or letter. 

This year 11,660 children in the county have been allocated one of their ranked schools, a success rate of nearly 96 per cent. Just over 80 per cent of children gained a place at their first ranked school, up from 79 per cent last year. This year for the first time parents were able to rank four schools rather than three and 225 children were allocated their fourth preference school. 

Additionally this year, parents were able to apply for Year 10 places at the new studio school in Stevenage - the Da Vinci Studio School for Science and Engineering - as well as for places at the proposed University Technical College in Elstree, and the second studio school in Letchworth. 167 applications were received for these three schools. 

Frances Button, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "Moving on to secondary or upper school is an important step and we work extremely hard to make the applications and allocation process smooth and straightforward. We want to ensure that as many children as possible get a place at one of their ranked schools. 

“We all want the best possible education for children in Hertfordshire and the county has excellent schools. I do appreciate that some parents may be disappointed with the school they have been allocated, but would encourage them to visit the school and speak to the headteacher before dismissing the offered place. They may be pleasantly surprised by what they see.” 

All applicants who have not been offered their first preference school will automatically be placed on the continuing interest list for any Hertfordshire schools named higher on the application form than the school offered. However, as was the case last year, parents should note that all new applications for continuing interest must be made to their home local authority, i.e. to Hertfordshire County Council for families living in Hertfordshire. 

Further detailed information about the post-allocation processes, including breakdowns by district of school allocation figures, can be found online from Friday 1 March at www.hertsdirect.org/admissions 

The 'Secondary - What Can You Do Now?' leaflet is also available online and has been included with the allocation letters for children who did not apply online and have not been offered their first preference school. Parents can also access other useful information, such as school allocation summary reports, through the website. 

School places must be accepted by March 15 2013. This is also the last date to 'opt out' of continuing interest for community and voluntary controlled schools. The deadline to submit an appeal is 4pm on 28 March 2013. 

Monday 25 February 2013

Book now for Litfest '13

Source - news release from Herts County Council on 25 February 2013

A packed programme of more than 20 literary events is being presented by Hertfordshire Libraries throughout March and April. 

Litfest ’13 will feature appearances and talks by authors including crime writers Leigh Russell and Howard Linskey, as well as Gulf War hero John Nichol who talks about his book on the RAF attack on Nuremberg in March 1944. 

Other events include a talk by the husband and daughter of ‘Call the midwife’ author Jennifer Worth, and an illustrated talk on Jane Austen's London by Louise Allen. 

Chris Hayward, Cabinet Member for Libraries, said: “We hope that Litfest '13 will have something for everyone over the coming months. We’ve been very fortunate to be able to offer a whole range of guest events featuring a wide range of authors, covering the full spectrum of literary tastes, interests and themes. 

"We hope that the events will attract those people who are not regular visitors to our libraries to come along and see what they have been missing." 

Watch out in libraries for posters advertising the events and find details of individual events at: www.hertsdirect.org/services/libraries/Litfest13 

More information can be obtained from local libraries or by calling 0300 123 4049. For tickets call 01707 281533. 

Programme of events 

Lesley Pearse 
Enjoy an evening with this bestselling writer 
7.15pm Thursday 7 March at Welwyn Garden City Library. 

Ware through time 
An illustrated talk by local historian David Perman. 
7.30pm Thursday 7 March at Ware Library. £2.00 

How to start a bookgroup 
7.15pm Monday 11 March at Tring Library. 
and 6.30pm Wednesday 10 April at Croxley Green Library. Free 

Katharine McMahon 
Author of ‘Season of Light’ and ‘The Crimson Rooms’. 
7.15pm Tuesday 12 March at Watford Central Library. 

Jenny Barden 
Local author Jenny Barden talks about her debut novel. 
7.15pm Wednesday 13 March at Hemel Hempstead. 

Jayne-Marie Barker 
Local writer talks about the new Inspector Allen mystery. 
7.15pm Thursday 14 March at Hitchin Library. 

Jane Austen’s London 
An illustrated talk by Louise Allen. 
7.15pm Tuesday 19 March at Berkhamsted Library. 

No Exit Press Crime evening 
Three crime writers, Leigh Russell, Howard Linskey and Peter Murphy, discuss their writing. 
7.15pm Thursday 21 March at St Albans Library. 

Far from the East End 
Look at ‘Our Oxhey’ website, free refreshments, followed by Iris Simantel talking about her local book. 
6.00 - 7.00pm Our Oxhey, 7.00 - 8.00pm author talk 
Monday 25 March at Oxhey Library 
£2.00 

Espresso, Blind Blake and the amazing world of Jack Reacher 
10.45am Tuesday 26 March at Welwyn Garden City Library. 
Includes coffee tasting 

Catherine Law 
Author of three dramatic and haunting wartime novels. 
7.15pm Tuesday 26 March at Bovingdon Library. 

Be a crime writer 
Robert Richardson explains how. 
7.15pm Tuesday 26 March at Hatfield Library. 
£2.00 

Freya North 
Talking about how she came to be published 
7.15pm Wednesday 27 March at Hoddesdon Library. 

Gordon Griffin 
Meet an award-winning talking book narrator. 
10.45am Thursday 28 March at Kings Langley Library. 

From Ladbroke Grove to Borehamwood 
A talk by local historian Vic Rowntree. 
7.15pm Thursday 4 April at Borehamwood Library. 
£2.00 

John Nichol 
The RAF attack on Nuremberg in March 1944. 
7.15pm Tuesday 16 April at Stevenage Central Library 

Abraham Lincoln 
The Gettysburg Address, 150th anniversary of a memorable speech. 
7.30pm Tuesday 16 April at Berkhamsted Library. 

Call the midwife 
A talk by the husband and daughter of ‘Call the midwife’ author Jennifer Worth. 
10.45am Wednesday 17 April at Radlett Library. 
and 
7.15pm Monday 22 April at Welwyn Garden City. 

Leigh Russell 
Talks about her fifth Geraldine Steel novel. 
7.15pm Wednesday 17 April at Rickmansworth Library. 

Roger Moorhouse 
The author will examine the Battle of Britain from both sides of the campaign. 
7.15pm Wednesday 17 April at Bishop’s Stortford Library. 

Mike Carey 
Acclaimed graphic novelist talks about his latest work. 
7.15pm Tuesday 23 April at North Watford Library. 

Peter Murphy 
Talking about the first in his series set in 60s London. 
7.15pm Wednesday 24 April at Royston Library. 

All tickets £5, Concessions £2.50, unless stated otherwise 

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Wanted: Oxjam Takeover Managers for St Albans

Source - Oxfam news release, Feb 2013

Oxjam is Oxfam’s month-long festival of grassroots music, which raises money to fight poverty and suffering around the world.  




Throughout October, volunteers organise hundreds of music events, of all types and genres, across the UK.  The centrepiece of the festival is the Oxjam Takeover – vibrant multi-venue gigs happening in towns and cities nationwide, all on one weekend in October.  We’re on the hunt for some exceptional individuals to become our most dedicated volunteers – Oxjam Takeover Managers. These amazing people will lead teams of supporters to produce a series of fundraising events, culminating in an Oxjam Takeover in their hometown.

We’re looking for people who are passionate about their local music scene. Applicants will need to have real leadership skills with plenty of enthusiasm.  Being an Oxjam Takeover manager is challenging and time-consuming but also highly rewarding and lots of fun.  We will provide training and ongoing support from our regional teams.

Find out more and download an application form: 
http://bit.ly/oxjamtakeover

Application Deadline: 3rd March 2013.  

Please write ‘Takeover Manager’ and then your town/area in the subject line.

Find the best routes to school with new online journey planner

Source - news release from Hertfordshire County Council on 20 Feb 13

An innovative, easy-to-use online school journey planner has been launched by Hertfordshire County Council to help parents and pupils find the best way to get to school, which should help to reduce congestion. 

Frances Button, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “Is your child starting school this September? Do you know what the travel options are to their new school? The Hertfordshire School Journey Planner is an invaluable tool for parents of children starting school for the first time and for older pupils planning their journeys to new secondary schools. 

“Driving – even short distances – is often the choice families make. However, by simply entering your home postcode and your child’s school into the journey planner you’ll be able to compare a range of travel options so journeys can be planned effectively and efficiently.” 

The journey planner offers a range of routes either on foot, by bike, by public transport or by car. The planner also shows the approximate amount of calories burned on each route and the amount of carbon emissions produced to help families to pick the best way to get to school. 

Stuart Pile, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “The Hertfordshire School Journey Planner finds the quickest and safest routes to school and helps parents to find alternative ways to get to school other than by car. This in turn should help to ease congestion on our busy roads as well as reduce emissions.” 

Walking routes take into account unsafe sections of a journey and if possible these will be avoided. For cyclists there are three options to suit the levels of experience and confidence – fastest / quietest / balanced. Public transport options use the up-to-date information from the Traveline web services. Driving routes are also displayed and parents can see potential alternatives to using the car everyday for the school run.

The system is available on your local county council’s website www.hertsdirect.org/mapit There are also other useful online services such as the school locator to find the nearest schools to where you live by entering your postcode and the type of school you want to find. 

Tuesday 19 February 2013

St Albans’ pancake races draw the crowds

Source - news release from St Albans City & District Council

Hundreds of spectators turned out to watch the popular pancake races in St Peter’s Street, St Albans on Shrove Tuesday, 12 February.Teams from the public, private and voluntary sectors competed in the St Albans’ Pancake Races 2013, organised by St Albans City and District Council. Fictional characters Kermit the Frog and SpongeBob SquarePants were among the many enthusiastic competitors sporting fancy dress and raising money for charity through sponsorship.

The St Albans’ Pancake Race was won by Oaklands Wolves, a team of students from Oaklands College. A team from Mailings Direct came second and last year’s winners, Billy’s Bar and Restaurant, came third. Competitors in this race ran to designated spots along the course to flip their pancakes.

Parkers Flippers, from Strutt and Parker estate agents, won the Flippin’ Walkers’ Race where participants tossed their pancakes continuously as they walked to the finishing line. A team from Crohn’s and Colitis UK were runners-up in this race.

The winners of both races were presented with a frying pan trophy by Cllr Eileen Harris, Mayor of St Albans City and District. She said: “It was good that so many people came along to enjoy the fun. Congratulations go to all the competitors who joined in the races with so much enthusiasm.”



Wednesday 23 January 2013

Join in the fun at St Albans' pancake races

Source - news release from St Albans Council on 22 Jan 2013

Get your teams ready to flip pancakes in St Albans’ two pancake races being held in St Peter’s Street, St Albans on Shrove Tuesday, 12 FebruaryRegister your team by 4 February to join in the Pancake Race or the Flippin’ Walkers Race, both organised by St Albans City and District Council. 


The St Albans’ Pancake Race involves participants running to designated spots along the course and flipping pancakes. In St Albans’ Flippin’ Walkers’ Race, participants continually toss their pancakes as they walk the course to the finishing line. 

It is free to enter both races which will take place from 12 noon to 1pm outside St Albans Town Hall. Pancakes and frying pans will be provided. Fancy dress or corporate branding is welcome, and teams can use this opportunity to raise money for charity. The winning teams from each event will be presented with a trophy to hold for a year. 

The event is sponsored by McDougalls and a running commentary will be provided to entertain spectators. 

To take part in the one of the two pancake races, simply register your team of four adults and your team’s name by 4.30pm on Mon, 4 Feb. Registration forms can be downloaded from www.stalbans.gov.uk/pancakerace. They can also be collected from the St Albans Tourist and Information Centre in Market Place or the Council offices in the Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street.

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Take part in historical spelling bee for children


Source - news release from St Albans Council on 21 Jan 2013

Children can show off their skills in spelling historical words in The Ragamuffin Spelling Bee competition at the Museum of St Albans on Saturday 23 February.

The spelling competition is open to children aged 8-13 years and starts at 2pm. The rules are simple. In turn, each child is given a different word to spell. If they spell the word correctly they remain in the game; if the word is spelt incorrectly they can no longer participate. The game continues until one speller remains. 

Children can build up their knowledge of the words that will be used in advance. They can either download them from the museum’s website at: www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk or take part in the museum’s Extraterrestrial Knickerbockers Holiday Club from 18 to 22 February.

To enter the spelling bee, please call 01727-751810, or register in person at Verulamium Museum, in St Michael’s Street or at the Museum of St Albans in Hatfield Road. Spaces are limited so do be quick. The entry fee is £5 per child. Spectators can come along to the spelling bee for free. The winner and the runner-up will receive a prize and a special mention on the museum’s website and in the newsletter. 

Councillor Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage for St Albans City and District Council, said: “Children can test their knowledge of words that are linked to different periods of history by taking part in this fun spelling game. The words range from ‘amphitheatre’, describing a Roman stadium, to ‘ragamuffin’, the Victorian term for a child dressed in ragged, ill-fitting, dirty clothes.”

More information about the spelling bee, the rules and the words that will be used are available on St Albans Museums’ website at: http://stalbansmuseums.org.uk/What-s-on/Events-Calendar/Ragamuffin.

If you are interested in the Extraterrestrial Knickerbockers Holiday Club, more information is available on St Albans Museums’ website at: http://stalbansmuseums.org.uk/What-s-on/Events-Calendar/Knickerbockers