October News Bulletin: Mayor of St Albans
Join the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans at her Civic Service on Sunday 21 October at St Albans Cathedral.
21 October - Mayor invites you to Civic Service
Come and join the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Cllr Rosemary Farmer, at her Civic Service on Sunday 21 October at St Albans Cathedral. The service will be based around the Mayor’s theme for her year in office: “Serving and Caring for All in our Community”. Everyone is welcome to attend the service which starts at 11am.
15-21 October – Meet the Mayor during Local Democracy Week
Residents are being given the opportunity to have their say about community affairs and the decision-making process during Local Democracy Week. The Mayor of the City and District of St Albans will be out and about taking part in a series of special Local Democracy Week events (link content no longer available due to the change from former website) organised by St Albans City and District Council. The Mayor, Cllr Rosemary Farmer, will be:
- Visiting the Older People’s Day event at the Alban Arena on Wednesday 17 October to chat with older people about the local community and issues that concern them. District Councillors will also be on hand at a stall to talk about the local decision-making process. The Older People’s Day event runs from 10am to 1pm.
- Chairing a Youth Take Over debate for young people on local issues on Thursday 18 October in the Council Chamber.
- Taking part in a discussion about Women in Politics at St Albans Museum + Gallery on Friday 19 October, from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
- Judging a Meet the Mayor art and essay competition for school children.
The Mayor has been busy over the past month at the following events:
Mayor’s Wine Tasting raises funds for charity
Guests attending a Wine Tasting event in aid of the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans’s charity Mind in Mid Herts have raised £1,350. Money from ticket sales, a raffle and donations all contributed to the sum raised. Guests tasted up to ten different wines, supplied by Kingsland Drinks, and tucked into a Ploughman’s supper at the Mayor’s event held at St Albans City and District Council. The Mayor, Cllr Rosemary Farmer, said: “Everyone had a great time tasting a broad selection of wines, while chatting and socialising. The event was held to raise much-needed funds for my charity of the year, Mind in Mid Herts, and was part of the St Albans Food and Drink Festival. The charity does a wonderful job providing services that support people with mental health issues.”
Mayor tries out bell ringing at St Albans Cathedral
The Mayor teamed up bell ringers from across St Albans District to practise change ringing in St Albans Cathedral’s bell tower last month. Change ringing involves the bells being rung, in accordance with pre-set patterns, by ringers. It is a fun and sociable activity that also provides light exercise. St Albans Cathedral Society of Change Ringers wants to keep the traditional art of British bell ringing alive and is keen to take on new recruits. Anyone interested in taking up the activity can email stephen@ucalegon.com.
Mayor supports Macmillan Coffee Morning
The Mayor joined residents and staff at the Vesta Lodge care home in St Albans for coffee and cake to help raise funds for the cancer support charity Macmillan. The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning takes place each year on 28 September when organisations and individuals host coffee mornings in aid of the charity. The charity provides specialist healthcare as well as advice and support to people affected by cancer.
More information is at: https://coffee.macmillan.org.uk
Mayor attends dementia club fundraiser
Live music, bingo, children’s activities and an auction kept everyone entertained at a charity day organised by Bricket Wood Social Club which raised £4,522 for the Kingfisher (Dementia) Club. There was also a tombola, raffle, lucky dip and barbeque during the charity day held at the social club in Oak Avenue, Bricket Wood on 8 September. The Mayor said: “The fantastic Kingfisher Club keeps members entertained with a range of activities, singing and exercise classes.” The Kingfisher Club is held every weekday at the Jubilee Centre in St Catherine Street, St Albans from 10am to 3pm.
Mayor presents top scout awards
The Mayor presented Chief Scouts Gold Awards to Ellie Oakey (left) and Emily Penfold of the 4th St Albans Scouts at the Group Headquarters in Riverside Road on 4 October. This award is the highest open to scouts aged under 14 years. The girls had to complete a variety of challenges including organising and carrying out an expedition and taking part in a range of outdoor and adventure-based activities. The Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Cllr Rosemary Farmer, said: “I was impressed with the wide range of challenges undertaken by Emily and Ellie to secure the highest scouting award for their age group. I congratulate them both on their achievements and also thank the scout leaders for supporting them along the way.”
Mayor joins singalong for people suffering from dementia
People living with dementia and their families and carers were treated to a singalong at St Albans Cathedral on Sunday 7 October. The Mayor joined them for the event organised by Herts Musical Memories and supported by Home Instead, a dementia care provider. Herts Musical Memories is a charity that works to bring people with dementia together to experience the joy of singing and to reconnect through music in a fun and relaxed way.
Mayor congratulates Alban Arena for 50 years of entertainment
The Alban Arena celebrated its 50th birthday with a fun-packed variety show on Sunday 7 October. The Mayor was on hand to thank Alban Arena staff past and present, as well as the organisers of the show, Bob Golding and Evolution Productions. The Mayor, Cllr Rosemary Farmer said: “The Alban Arena has entertained the public with wonderful shows for the last 50 years. The staff, past and present, are to be congratulated for their efforts. May the next 50 years be just as fun and entertaining.”
Mayor congratulates winners of St Albans Food and Drink Awards 2018
The winners of the St Albans Food and Drink Awards 2018 were congratulated by the Mayor at a glittering awards ceremony held at Sopwell House on Monday 8 October. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks was named Best Pub and Charlie's Coffee & Company, took the accolade for Best Hot Beverage. Lussmanns won the award for Best Restaurant for a Special Occasion and the title of Best Newcomer went to Heartwood Tea Rooms in Sandridge. The Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Cllr Rosemary Farmer, who opened the awards ceremony, said: “It’s a real achievement to win one of these coveted awards which highlight the fantastic food and drink businesses we have here in St Albans District. These food and drink businesses have obviously struck the right note with the public. I congratulate all the winners for their hard work, customer care, culinary and hospitality skills, and passion for what they do.”
The full list of winners of the St Albans Food and Drink Awards 2018 is available on the Council’s website. Photo credit: Stephanie Belton for St Albans City and District Council.
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor Rosemary Farmer
Contact for the Mayor’s office:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544, Email: mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the media:
Amanda Wilkinson, Senior Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council.
Tel: 01727 819317, Email: amanda.wilkinson@stalbans.gov.uk
Note: More information about the Mayor is available on the website for St Albans City and District Council.