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

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. 

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 

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. 

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.”

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 February. Register 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.