Sky Ride Local, the popular programme of friendly community-led cycle rides, is coming to St Albans District starting on Sunday July 15.
The bike rides will take place every Sunday until mid-October.
With British Cycling-trained Ride Leaders on hand to offer encouragement and support, it's a great way to get out and explore local areas.
Registration is free and open now for rides already taking place in St Albans, Watford and Dacorum districts.
More rides are being added all the time, so families, friends and groups can check out the dates and details of rides taking place.
Rides vary in levels, from beginners to experienced cyclists, so everyone can pick a level to suit their skills and enjoyment. This year there are new ride levels to excite and challenge, including some tougher rides and new off-road rides at all levels. There are great gifts for children available too.
Sky Ride Local is provided by British Cycling and Sky.
For more information visit www.goskyride.com
This blog content was sourced from a St Albans City & District Council news release.
Friday, 13 July 2012
Monday, 2 July 2012
The Olympic Torch is coming to St Albans
Press release from St Albans City & District Council on 2/7/12
The Olympic Flame will arrive in St Albans at 4.06pm on Sunday 8th July.
Our Torchbearers will carry the flame along the length of Hatfield Road from its junction with Charlotte Close (near Oaklands College, Smallford Campus). They will then take it across St Peter’s Street into Catherine Street, along Folly Lane joining Verulam Road before finishing near the Batchwood roundabout.
Large crowds are expected, so the advice is to get there early for a good view. There are lots of events and celebrations going on in the city on the day. Many local people, community groups and clubs are having parties and celebrations and many are open to the public.
Along the torch route, you can enjoy music, face painting and ‘Play in the Parks’ at Fleetville and Oysterfields recreation grounds. Clarence Park has fun and games with St Albans City Youth Football Club. The fun continues at Victoria Playing Fields with the Friends of Victoria Playing Fields organising lots of activities and a community Cricket Match. There is judo, zumba, street entertainment, music and lots more in the city centre. Many of the pubs and eateries have their own entertainment planned.
The churches along the route are laying on celebratory events. Hatfield Road Methodist Church, St Paul’s Church and St Peter’s Church all have activities galore. St Peter’s Church is offering tours of the tower.
Cllr Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage at St Albans City and District Council, said: “This is one of those historic moments for St Albans and we are expecting lots of people to line the streets. We have gone to town on the bunting and there are flags designed by local children to wave as we cheer the runners on. The Olympic Torch is due in the District from Hatfield at 4.06pm, but there is plenty of fun and things to see all day, so people can make a real day of it. In the morning, the Freedom Parade* is taking place in the city, and with the Farmers Market, the Wheathampstead Village Day, and all the community events all over town, there’s going to be a real buzz. Make sure you get your spot early, crowds are expected.”
For more information about the Olympic Torch relay in St Albans, visit www.stalbans.gov.uk/olympic-torch-relay
The Olympic Flame will arrive in St Albans at 4.06pm on Sunday 8th July.
Our Torchbearers will carry the flame along the length of Hatfield Road from its junction with Charlotte Close (near Oaklands College, Smallford Campus). They will then take it across St Peter’s Street into Catherine Street, along Folly Lane joining Verulam Road before finishing near the Batchwood roundabout.
Large crowds are expected, so the advice is to get there early for a good view. There are lots of events and celebrations going on in the city on the day. Many local people, community groups and clubs are having parties and celebrations and many are open to the public.
Along the torch route, you can enjoy music, face painting and ‘Play in the Parks’ at Fleetville and Oysterfields recreation grounds. Clarence Park has fun and games with St Albans City Youth Football Club. The fun continues at Victoria Playing Fields with the Friends of Victoria Playing Fields organising lots of activities and a community Cricket Match. There is judo, zumba, street entertainment, music and lots more in the city centre. Many of the pubs and eateries have their own entertainment planned.
The churches along the route are laying on celebratory events. Hatfield Road Methodist Church, St Paul’s Church and St Peter’s Church all have activities galore. St Peter’s Church is offering tours of the tower.
Cllr Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage at St Albans City and District Council, said: “This is one of those historic moments for St Albans and we are expecting lots of people to line the streets. We have gone to town on the bunting and there are flags designed by local children to wave as we cheer the runners on. The Olympic Torch is due in the District from Hatfield at 4.06pm, but there is plenty of fun and things to see all day, so people can make a real day of it. In the morning, the Freedom Parade* is taking place in the city, and with the Farmers Market, the Wheathampstead Village Day, and all the community events all over town, there’s going to be a real buzz. Make sure you get your spot early, crowds are expected.”
For more information about the Olympic Torch relay in St Albans, visit www.stalbans.gov.uk/olympic-torch-relay
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Restoration work begins on The Odyssey cinema after £1.2m is offered by local Angel investors
Edited version of press release issued on 23 May 2012
Four local Angel investors have invested a total of £1.2million in loans. Names have not yet been released but they consist of passionate supporters of the work of The Rex and The Odyssey.
Over the past two years, the team have spoken and negotiated with seven banks and a handful of venture capitalists with the aim of raising enough finance to turn The Odyssey back into a working cinema. In April, one financial services organisation got closer to lending the necessary money than any of the other banks, including those publicly owned. However, one thing led to another, terms were found to be unmanageable, and later that day, the answer returned to ‘No’.
James Hannaway says “By 9.45 on the 1st May, the word ‘Yes’ came from one man, whom, along with his family, agreed to step in to the bank’s pockets, without a second thought. After two solid years (almost to the day) of endless talks, emails, meetings, tasks and questions answered, re-answered and repeated, it was all over in two days! Suddenly every hoop and tedious question seemed worth it. A virtual repeat of how the Rex was won. One odyssey over; the best to come.”
The team will start rebuilding the Odyssey from the inside. Quietly, much of the work to satisfy the fire brigade’s and Council’s prohibition notice last September (which halted the Grease event and following Open Sunday) has been completed, and all four screen pits have been demolished and removed. Nevertheless, money is still tight. The quantity survey confirms a finished price of around £1.6m.
With the new investment, The Odyssey hopes to show its first film at the beginning of 2014.
For anyone wanting to provide financial support, loans and equity are now closed - this year will be your last chance to buy an ABL, sponsor a seat and/or other parts of the building listed on the website. Advanced Booking Lists (ABL) are still available. To purchase any of these go to the website and/or send an email with your request to contactus@odysseypictures.co.uk.
Supporters and interested parties can sign up to our mailing list at www.odysseypictures.co.uk to be kept up to date with the latest news and opportunities to get involved. On the site, you can also find contact details.
Four local Angel investors have invested a total of £1.2million in loans. Names have not yet been released but they consist of passionate supporters of the work of The Rex and The Odyssey.
Over the past two years, the team have spoken and negotiated with seven banks and a handful of venture capitalists with the aim of raising enough finance to turn The Odyssey back into a working cinema. In April, one financial services organisation got closer to lending the necessary money than any of the other banks, including those publicly owned. However, one thing led to another, terms were found to be unmanageable, and later that day, the answer returned to ‘No’.
James Hannaway says “By 9.45 on the 1st May, the word ‘Yes’ came from one man, whom, along with his family, agreed to step in to the bank’s pockets, without a second thought. After two solid years (almost to the day) of endless talks, emails, meetings, tasks and questions answered, re-answered and repeated, it was all over in two days! Suddenly every hoop and tedious question seemed worth it. A virtual repeat of how the Rex was won. One odyssey over; the best to come.”
The team will start rebuilding the Odyssey from the inside. Quietly, much of the work to satisfy the fire brigade’s and Council’s prohibition notice last September (which halted the Grease event and following Open Sunday) has been completed, and all four screen pits have been demolished and removed. Nevertheless, money is still tight. The quantity survey confirms a finished price of around £1.6m.
With the new investment, The Odyssey hopes to show its first film at the beginning of 2014.
For anyone wanting to provide financial support, loans and equity are now closed - this year will be your last chance to buy an ABL, sponsor a seat and/or other parts of the building listed on the website. Advanced Booking Lists (ABL) are still available. To purchase any of these go to the website and/or send an email with your request to contactus@odysseypictures.co.uk.
Supporters and interested parties can sign up to our mailing list at www.odysseypictures.co.uk to be kept up to date with the latest news and opportunities to get involved. On the site, you can also find contact details.
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
St Albans City and District Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
Edited news release from St Albans City & District Council on 9 May 2012
A giant street party in St Peter’s Street, St Albans will be among the events held across the District to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The celebrations will run from Saturday 2 June to Monday 4 June, culminating in Diamond Jubilee Beacons being lit across the District and a fireworks at the St Albans Diamond Jubilee Street Party.
St Albans City and District Council is organising the street party on Monday 4 June which will provide a fun day out for the whole family. St Peter’s Street will be closed to traffic but the shops will be open for business as usual. Everyone is welcome at the exciting Jubilee celebrations with ten hours of fun and entertainment for all. You can dine al fresco at the Bring or Buy Lunch from 12 noon to 3.30pm by taking along your own picnic or buying food from the many stalls hosted by local restaurants and eateries. You can also enjoy live music from the Swanvesta Social Club, and family entertainment including a funfair which will stay open until 9:30pm.
The Diamond Decades Gig, showcasing music from each decade of the Queen’s reign, will take place in front of the Town Hall from 4pm to 9:45pm. It will include performances from Ricky Lopez, Scam 69, and The Faith Stealers. The gig will be followed by the lighting of a Diamond Jubilee Beacon on the roof of the Town Hall at 10.15pm and a short firework display.
Other Diamond Jubilee Beacons will also be lit at events in Highfield Park in St Albans, Harpenden, London Colney, Greenwood Park at Chiswell Green and Jersey Farm Woodland Park.
Throughout the long weekend there will be other celebrations across the District. These will kick off on Saturday 2 June with a Diamond Jubilee Family Fun Day at Harpenden Common, running from 11.30am to 5pm. In the evening, the London Colney Jubilee Ball will be held at the Community Centre in Caledon Road from 7pm. This will be followed on Sunday 3 June by Redbourn’s community celebrations which will include a service at St Mary’s Church and a ticket-only street party.
On Monday 4 June, Wheathampstead will play host to a variety of Jubilee Celebrations including a picnic, concert, bonfire and fireworks at the Marford Road Playing Fields. Celebrations are also taking place on the same day at Jersey Farm Woodland Park between 3pm and 11pm with lots of family activities and a Diamond Jubilee Beacon. Other events being held to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee include Jubilee activities for all ages at St Albans Museums on 2, 7 and 8 June. And don’t miss the extremely popular Adoramus choir and orchestra when it returns to the Alban Arena on 30 June with a musical extravaganza to celebrate the Jubilee.
More information about the events is available on the Council’s website or from the St Albans Tourist and Information Centre on 01727 864511 or at tic@stalbans.gov.uk. If you would like your event to be added to the listings, please contact the St Albans Tourist and Information Centre.
A giant street party in St Peter’s Street, St Albans will be among the events held across the District to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The celebrations will run from Saturday 2 June to Monday 4 June, culminating in Diamond Jubilee Beacons being lit across the District and a fireworks at the St Albans Diamond Jubilee Street Party.
St Albans City and District Council is organising the street party on Monday 4 June which will provide a fun day out for the whole family. St Peter’s Street will be closed to traffic but the shops will be open for business as usual. Everyone is welcome at the exciting Jubilee celebrations with ten hours of fun and entertainment for all. You can dine al fresco at the Bring or Buy Lunch from 12 noon to 3.30pm by taking along your own picnic or buying food from the many stalls hosted by local restaurants and eateries. You can also enjoy live music from the Swanvesta Social Club, and family entertainment including a funfair which will stay open until 9:30pm.
The Diamond Decades Gig, showcasing music from each decade of the Queen’s reign, will take place in front of the Town Hall from 4pm to 9:45pm. It will include performances from Ricky Lopez, Scam 69, and The Faith Stealers. The gig will be followed by the lighting of a Diamond Jubilee Beacon on the roof of the Town Hall at 10.15pm and a short firework display.
Other Diamond Jubilee Beacons will also be lit at events in Highfield Park in St Albans, Harpenden, London Colney, Greenwood Park at Chiswell Green and Jersey Farm Woodland Park.
Throughout the long weekend there will be other celebrations across the District. These will kick off on Saturday 2 June with a Diamond Jubilee Family Fun Day at Harpenden Common, running from 11.30am to 5pm. In the evening, the London Colney Jubilee Ball will be held at the Community Centre in Caledon Road from 7pm. This will be followed on Sunday 3 June by Redbourn’s community celebrations which will include a service at St Mary’s Church and a ticket-only street party.
On Monday 4 June, Wheathampstead will play host to a variety of Jubilee Celebrations including a picnic, concert, bonfire and fireworks at the Marford Road Playing Fields. Celebrations are also taking place on the same day at Jersey Farm Woodland Park between 3pm and 11pm with lots of family activities and a Diamond Jubilee Beacon. Other events being held to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee include Jubilee activities for all ages at St Albans Museums on 2, 7 and 8 June. And don’t miss the extremely popular Adoramus choir and orchestra when it returns to the Alban Arena on 30 June with a musical extravaganza to celebrate the Jubilee.
More information about the events is available on the Council’s website or from the St Albans Tourist and Information Centre on 01727 864511 or at tic@stalbans.gov.uk. If you would like your event to be added to the listings, please contact the St Albans Tourist and Information Centre.
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Under 11s school places for 2012
News release from Hertfordshire County Council on 18/04/2012
Despite a large increase in the number of applications, this year 400 more Hertfordshire children have been allocated a place at one of their three preferred primary, junior or middle schools when compared to last year - equivalent to almost 93 per cent of applications.
Nearly 18,000 applications have been dealt with and over 17,500 Hertfordshire families will be informed of their offer of a school place today or tomorrow.
The vast majority of parents and carers in Hertfordshire will be able to access their allocation information this evening. After 6pm, allocation emails will be sent to all parents who have confirmed their email address. The online allocation system will be available for other online applicants only after all emails have been despatched.
The number of children applying for a place in a Hertfordshire primary school has risen by 835 this year - a total of 14,436 applications for reception places were received. Despite this significant increase, 13,254 Hertfordshire children have been allocated a ranked primary school. Similarly, more children were allocated their first ranked school compared to last year - 11,682 in all, an increase of 279 since last year.
Over the last few years the number of applications for reception places has been steadily increasing and 17 additional forms of entry have already been made available for September 2012, as published in the “Applying for a School Place” booklet. However, more places are needed because applications are even higher than anticipated: over 6 per cent up on last year, which is equivalent to over 800 children or a form of entry at 28 schools.
In order to ensure that additional places provided matches local demand as closely as possible, some potential expansions were identified but were not finalised until after primary applications for 2012 had been received and analysed. On the basis of this work the following schools will also be admitting an additional form of entry in September 2012:
Baldock: Hartsfield Primary
Harpenden: Wood End Primary; Manland Primary
Hatfield: DeHavilland Primary
Hertford: Bengeo Primary
Hoddesdon: Cranbourne Primary
Redbourn: Redbourn Infants
Watford: Central Primary; Orchard Primary; Watford Field Infants; Kingsway Infants
Welwyn Garden City: Springmead Primary
Wheathampstead: Beech Hyde
These additional places will be added at the continuing interest stage, in the week commencing 14 May 2012.
Justin Donovan, Director of Education and Early Intervention, said: "Starting primary school or moving on to a junior or middle school is an important step and we are pleased that even more children have been allocated a ranked school this year, despite the increase in the number of applications.
“We have been working closely with schools over the last two years to create additional reception places and, although across the county as a whole there are enough reception places for all children, schools with vacancies are not in the right locations to cater for the increasing demand for reception places in other towns and communities. This year, if in one area it has not been possible to offer a significant number of children a place at one of their ranked schools, and the distance to the nearest school with an available place is over five miles, places have not been offered at this stage in the process but will be offered next month. This strategy means that, for the first time in Hertfordshire, some applicants in Watford, Harpenden and Wheathampstead will not be offered a reception place on allocation day.
“I recognise this is always a difficult time for these parents. However, although allocations for these families will be delayed for a month, I am confident that every child not currently offered a reception place will be offered one at the first run of continuing interest in the week commencing 14 May 2012.”
The decision to add places at the continuing interest stage was taken because confirmation of these new places became available after the application process closed, and we want to make sure that all families have equal access to them. It is vitally important that all families are treated within a clear and transparent process.
All Hertfordshire applicants for reception places will receive a letter and/or email 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 in the “Under 11s - What Can You Now?” leaflet, which is included with the allocation letter for all children not offered their first preference school and also available at www.hertsdirect.org/primaryoptions (this site goes live after 4pm today).
All parents and carers offered a school place must respond by 2 May 2012. 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 18 May 2012. All information concerning post allocation processes is available in the “What Can You Do Know leaflet”. Additional information, including school summary reports, is available at www.hertsdirect.org/primaryoptions (this site goes live after 4pm today).
Despite a large increase in the number of applications, this year 400 more Hertfordshire children have been allocated a place at one of their three preferred primary, junior or middle schools when compared to last year - equivalent to almost 93 per cent of applications.
Nearly 18,000 applications have been dealt with and over 17,500 Hertfordshire families will be informed of their offer of a school place today or tomorrow.
The vast majority of parents and carers in Hertfordshire will be able to access their allocation information this evening. After 6pm, allocation emails will be sent to all parents who have confirmed their email address. The online allocation system will be available for other online applicants only after all emails have been despatched.
The number of children applying for a place in a Hertfordshire primary school has risen by 835 this year - a total of 14,436 applications for reception places were received. Despite this significant increase, 13,254 Hertfordshire children have been allocated a ranked primary school. Similarly, more children were allocated their first ranked school compared to last year - 11,682 in all, an increase of 279 since last year.
Over the last few years the number of applications for reception places has been steadily increasing and 17 additional forms of entry have already been made available for September 2012, as published in the “Applying for a School Place” booklet. However, more places are needed because applications are even higher than anticipated: over 6 per cent up on last year, which is equivalent to over 800 children or a form of entry at 28 schools.
In order to ensure that additional places provided matches local demand as closely as possible, some potential expansions were identified but were not finalised until after primary applications for 2012 had been received and analysed. On the basis of this work the following schools will also be admitting an additional form of entry in September 2012:
Baldock: Hartsfield Primary
Harpenden: Wood End Primary; Manland Primary
Hatfield: DeHavilland Primary
Hertford: Bengeo Primary
Hoddesdon: Cranbourne Primary
Redbourn: Redbourn Infants
Watford: Central Primary; Orchard Primary; Watford Field Infants; Kingsway Infants
Welwyn Garden City: Springmead Primary
Wheathampstead: Beech Hyde
These additional places will be added at the continuing interest stage, in the week commencing 14 May 2012.
Justin Donovan, Director of Education and Early Intervention, said: "Starting primary school or moving on to a junior or middle school is an important step and we are pleased that even more children have been allocated a ranked school this year, despite the increase in the number of applications.
“We have been working closely with schools over the last two years to create additional reception places and, although across the county as a whole there are enough reception places for all children, schools with vacancies are not in the right locations to cater for the increasing demand for reception places in other towns and communities. This year, if in one area it has not been possible to offer a significant number of children a place at one of their ranked schools, and the distance to the nearest school with an available place is over five miles, places have not been offered at this stage in the process but will be offered next month. This strategy means that, for the first time in Hertfordshire, some applicants in Watford, Harpenden and Wheathampstead will not be offered a reception place on allocation day.
“I recognise this is always a difficult time for these parents. However, although allocations for these families will be delayed for a month, I am confident that every child not currently offered a reception place will be offered one at the first run of continuing interest in the week commencing 14 May 2012.”
The decision to add places at the continuing interest stage was taken because confirmation of these new places became available after the application process closed, and we want to make sure that all families have equal access to them. It is vitally important that all families are treated within a clear and transparent process.
All Hertfordshire applicants for reception places will receive a letter and/or email 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 in the “Under 11s - What Can You Now?” leaflet, which is included with the allocation letter for all children not offered their first preference school and also available at www.hertsdirect.org/primaryoptions (this site goes live after 4pm today).
All parents and carers offered a school place must respond by 2 May 2012. 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 18 May 2012. All information concerning post allocation processes is available in the “What Can You Do Know leaflet”. Additional information, including school summary reports, is available at www.hertsdirect.org/primaryoptions (this site goes live after 4pm today).
Monday, 26 March 2012
New Focus for Trestle: Expansion of mask work and launch of new website
Press Release from Trestle Theatre on 26 March 2012
Trestle, the St Albans based mask and physical theatre company, is to expand its highly acclaimed mask making business, backed by a programme of workshops and performances. Participatory and performance work for 11 - 25 year-olds will be Trestle's priority. A year of consultation, reflection and restructuring followed Arts Council England's decision not to award National Portfolio funding to Trestle.
The Company has reviewed its mask making business and will be taking the creative stimulus of Trestle’s work with young people and physical storytelling theatre into its mask resources and workshops. Driven by the last five years of international influences and cross-cultural collaboration, Trestle aims to take the masks in a new direction, with the offer of digital and live resources to support training, participation, and performance.
Emily Gray says: ‘It was tough losing Arts Council subsidy, of course, but being forced to focus on what we do well, and what our stakeholders would like us to offer, has driven a creative process which has been liberating and fruitful. In the past year, with a reduced, but highly effective staff team, we toured three productions, developed arts programmes for young people at Trestle Arts Base and Platform and continued our workshops and training across the UK and abroad. Looking forward, we will launch a new website, deliver work with and for young people which responds to masked and unmasked performance and continue collaborating with our partners and supporters.’
In the next year, Trestle will enjoy working with its new partners, looking for innovative ways to fund new performances and inviting young people to experience and shape the Company’s work. Trestle continues to have a good relationship with the Arts Council, who have a vested interest in the lottery funded Trestle Arts Base.
In the past year, Trestle has consolidated a number of strong international and local partnerships and been nominated for two awards; the Peter Brook Empty Space/Equity Ensemble Award and a prestigious local award, the details of which will be released shortly. Trestle has also been successful in securing funding from two Local Councils; St Albans District and Islington, where Trestle is in a partnership developing Platform, the new youth arts hub at Hornsey Road Baths.
Trestle will launch its new website on Thursday 29th of March at 12 noon. We hope that you will be able to join our Artistic Director Emily Gray, live on Twitter and Facebook to share your feedback on the new site and Trestle’s new focus, one year on from the Arts Council Cuts.
To be involved, please follow us on Twitter at the handles below
@TrestleTheatre
@emilyzgray
Or post/message us on our Facebook
Trestle, the St Albans based mask and physical theatre company, is to expand its highly acclaimed mask making business, backed by a programme of workshops and performances. Participatory and performance work for 11 - 25 year-olds will be Trestle's priority. A year of consultation, reflection and restructuring followed Arts Council England's decision not to award National Portfolio funding to Trestle.
The Company has reviewed its mask making business and will be taking the creative stimulus of Trestle’s work with young people and physical storytelling theatre into its mask resources and workshops. Driven by the last five years of international influences and cross-cultural collaboration, Trestle aims to take the masks in a new direction, with the offer of digital and live resources to support training, participation, and performance.
Emily Gray says: ‘It was tough losing Arts Council subsidy, of course, but being forced to focus on what we do well, and what our stakeholders would like us to offer, has driven a creative process which has been liberating and fruitful. In the past year, with a reduced, but highly effective staff team, we toured three productions, developed arts programmes for young people at Trestle Arts Base and Platform and continued our workshops and training across the UK and abroad. Looking forward, we will launch a new website, deliver work with and for young people which responds to masked and unmasked performance and continue collaborating with our partners and supporters.’
In the next year, Trestle will enjoy working with its new partners, looking for innovative ways to fund new performances and inviting young people to experience and shape the Company’s work. Trestle continues to have a good relationship with the Arts Council, who have a vested interest in the lottery funded Trestle Arts Base.
In the past year, Trestle has consolidated a number of strong international and local partnerships and been nominated for two awards; the Peter Brook Empty Space/Equity Ensemble Award and a prestigious local award, the details of which will be released shortly. Trestle has also been successful in securing funding from two Local Councils; St Albans District and Islington, where Trestle is in a partnership developing Platform, the new youth arts hub at Hornsey Road Baths.
Trestle will launch its new website on Thursday 29th of March at 12 noon. We hope that you will be able to join our Artistic Director Emily Gray, live on Twitter and Facebook to share your feedback on the new site and Trestle’s new focus, one year on from the Arts Council Cuts.
To be involved, please follow us on Twitter at the handles below
@TrestleTheatre
@emilyzgray
Or post/message us on our Facebook
Friday, 16 March 2012
New vision to improve St Albans’ museums agreed
Press Release from St Albans Council - 16 March 2012
The Museum of St Albans will be relocated to the Town Hall as part of a new 10-year vision to improve the City’s museums agreed by St Albans City and District Council’s Cabinet on 15 March.
The vision is to create two state-of-the-art museums; one to showcase the City’s Roman history and the other to tell St Albans’ story from the post-Roman and medieval period through to the present day.
The plans include:
· the development of the Town Hall in Market Place as a new city centre museum over the next five years, and
· the expansion and improvement of Verulamium Museum to provide more exhibition space and educational facilities over a 10 year time frame.
The existing Museum of St Albans in Hatfield Road suffers from being located away from city centre and an inflexible layout. In contrast, the Town Hall is located close to historical attractions, such as the Abbey, the Clock Tower and French Row, which will help the museum attract more visitors. It also has the potential to be extended to provide additional exhibition space. Any changes made to the Old Town Hall will be sympathetic to its grade II* status. The Council will draw on the expertise of specialist architects to deliver an exciting iconic building.
The vision also makes provision for Verulamium Museum to be turned into a centre of excellence for the understanding of St Albans’ pre-Roman and Roman period and the archaeological and natural heritage of the local area. To help develop these plans, a partnership with the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is being considered.
Verulamium Museum already benefits from a good reputation and location close to the Roman Theatre, the Hypocaust and the city walls. However, the existing building needs additional exhibition space and educational facilities to accommodate school visits.
Councillor Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage for St Albans City and District Council, said: “Cabinet has agreed a new vision for St Albans’ museums that will help them both attract more visitors and contribute to the local economy. The exciting plans for the Museum of St Albans will breathe fresh life into the Town Hall and mean that more space can be devoted to explaining the post-Roman history of the City in its entirety. The existing museum fails to pay full regard to this history and is located in an inflexible building that is out of the way. The vision also provides for the extension and updating of Verulamium Museum to help it become even an even more popular destination for school visits.”
Cabinet also agreed that officers should look into the merits of disposing of the building currently housing the Museum of St Albans to help raise funds to facilitate the new vision for St Albans’s museums.
The meeting can be viewed online via the Council’s website.
The agenda and reports for the meeting are available on the Council’s website at:
Notes:
1. The proposed new location for the Museum of St Albans will:
· help it attract more visitors, due to its city centre location and close proximity to other historical attractions.
· provide an opportunity to work alongside the Abbey on its ‘Alban Project’ and to develop a medieval heritage quarter that will attract more visitors to the City and benefit the local economy.
· bring to life the iconic grade II* listed Town Hall, a valued heritage asset in the city.
· offer a new visitor attraction in the form of the law courts and cells, all currently located in the Town Hall.
· involve the creation of more exhibition space by means of a new basement area and mezzanine galleries so that the City’s post Roman history can be fully displayed.
· have modern facilities, dependent on the availability of external funding and relevant planning and listed buildings consents.
2. The proposals for Verulamium Museum include:
· an extension to the existing building to provide an extra 625 square metres of public space.
· a working partnership with the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust to promote the natural heritage of the area.
· increasing education facilities.
· adding exhibition space.
3. More information about St Albans’ museums is available at: http://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/
The Museum of St Albans will be relocated to the Town Hall as part of a new 10-year vision to improve the City’s museums agreed by St Albans City and District Council’s Cabinet on 15 March.
The vision is to create two state-of-the-art museums; one to showcase the City’s Roman history and the other to tell St Albans’ story from the post-Roman and medieval period through to the present day.
The plans include:
· the development of the Town Hall in Market Place as a new city centre museum over the next five years, and
· the expansion and improvement of Verulamium Museum to provide more exhibition space and educational facilities over a 10 year time frame.
The existing Museum of St Albans in Hatfield Road suffers from being located away from city centre and an inflexible layout. In contrast, the Town Hall is located close to historical attractions, such as the Abbey, the Clock Tower and French Row, which will help the museum attract more visitors. It also has the potential to be extended to provide additional exhibition space. Any changes made to the Old Town Hall will be sympathetic to its grade II* status. The Council will draw on the expertise of specialist architects to deliver an exciting iconic building.
The vision also makes provision for Verulamium Museum to be turned into a centre of excellence for the understanding of St Albans’ pre-Roman and Roman period and the archaeological and natural heritage of the local area. To help develop these plans, a partnership with the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is being considered.
Verulamium Museum already benefits from a good reputation and location close to the Roman Theatre, the Hypocaust and the city walls. However, the existing building needs additional exhibition space and educational facilities to accommodate school visits.
Councillor Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage for St Albans City and District Council, said: “Cabinet has agreed a new vision for St Albans’ museums that will help them both attract more visitors and contribute to the local economy. The exciting plans for the Museum of St Albans will breathe fresh life into the Town Hall and mean that more space can be devoted to explaining the post-Roman history of the City in its entirety. The existing museum fails to pay full regard to this history and is located in an inflexible building that is out of the way. The vision also provides for the extension and updating of Verulamium Museum to help it become even an even more popular destination for school visits.”
Cabinet also agreed that officers should look into the merits of disposing of the building currently housing the Museum of St Albans to help raise funds to facilitate the new vision for St Albans’s museums.
The meeting can be viewed online via the Council’s website.
The agenda and reports for the meeting are available on the Council’s website at:
Notes:
1. The proposed new location for the Museum of St Albans will:
· help it attract more visitors, due to its city centre location and close proximity to other historical attractions.
· provide an opportunity to work alongside the Abbey on its ‘Alban Project’ and to develop a medieval heritage quarter that will attract more visitors to the City and benefit the local economy.
· bring to life the iconic grade II* listed Town Hall, a valued heritage asset in the city.
· offer a new visitor attraction in the form of the law courts and cells, all currently located in the Town Hall.
· involve the creation of more exhibition space by means of a new basement area and mezzanine galleries so that the City’s post Roman history can be fully displayed.
· have modern facilities, dependent on the availability of external funding and relevant planning and listed buildings consents.
2. The proposals for Verulamium Museum include:
· an extension to the existing building to provide an extra 625 square metres of public space.
· a working partnership with the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust to promote the natural heritage of the area.
· increasing education facilities.
· adding exhibition space.
3. More information about St Albans’ museums is available at: http://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/
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