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
Sunday, 27 October 2013
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
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.
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.”
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.”
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
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.
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.
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