September News Bulletin: Mayor of St Albans
Join the Mayor at her wine tasting evening in aid of Mind in Mid Herts on 28 September.
Mayor issues invite to wine tasting charity fundraiser
Come along to the Mayor’s Charity Wine Tasting Evening on Friday 28 September and help raise funds for Mind in Mid Herts. The Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Cllr Rosemary Farmer, said: “Everyone is welcome to join in the wine tasting - one of many events taking place during St Albans Food and Drink Festival. The event is being held to raise much-needed funds for my charity for the year, Mind in Mid Herts. It does fantastic work running services to help people with mental health issues in St Albans, Harpenden, Welwyn Garden City, Hertford and Stevenage.” The event is taking place from 7.30pm in the Council Chamber at St Albans City and District Council’s offices in St Peter’s Street. Tickets cost £15 and include a ploughman’s supper. To book tickets, email mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk or call 01727 819544.
5 Sept – Mayor supports World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September)
Organisations working together to prevent suicide were at St Albans Market this week to highlight World Suicide Prevention Day and raise awareness of the signs of suicide risk. Representatives from Mind in Mid Herts, Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, The Counselling Foundation, Spectrum Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services (CGL) and St Albans City and District Council handed out leaflets at the market. The leaflets explained how to spot the signs of suicide risk and gave details of the suicide prevention support available locally. Supporting the event was the Mayor of St Albans City and District, Cllr Rosemary Farmer, whose charity for the year is Mind in Mid Herts. She said: “According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention a person dies every 40 seconds from suicide. World Suicide Prevention Day aims to highlight the signs of suicide risk and the support available to help prevent people from taking their own lives.”
7 Sept – U3A learn about civic history from Mayor
Members of St Albans University of the Third Age had fun dressing up in the Mayor’s robes during a talk on a civic history at the Civic Centre this week. St Albans U3A provides older people with a range of recreational activities and offers talks built around shared learning. Members were given the opportunity to learn about the role of Mayor when they visited St Albans City and District Council’s offices last week. The Mayor was on hand to answer questions about her duties and her macebearer talked about the history of her official robes and regalia. The Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Cllr Rosemary Farmer, said: “Everyone enjoyed the informative talk about civic history and dressing up as Mayor.”
8 Sept – Mayor to present prizes at horticultural show
Fabulous flowers, home-made wines, tasty preserves and vegetables will be on display at the Wheathampstead Horticultural Show this Saturday. The Mayor will be presenting prizes at the annual flower and produce show organised by the Wheathampstead Horticultural Society. There are categories for vegetables, fruit, flowers, baking, preserves, floral exhibits and home-made wines. The show is taking place on 8 September at the Wheathampstead Memorial Hall in Marford Road, from 2pm to 4pm.
8 Sept – Mayor supports dementia club fundraiser
Live music, bingo, children’s activities and an auction will keep everyone entertained at a charity day organised by Bricket Wood Social Club in aid of the Kingfisher Club for people with dementia. The fun starts at 2pm with a tombola, raffle, lucky dip and barbeque at the social club in Oak Avenue, Bricket Wood. There will also be balloon making and face painting for children and the opportunity to sit in a fire engine supplied by Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. The Mayor will arrive for the evening charity auction and a disco. She says: “Come and support this fundraising event for The Kingfisher Club for people with dementia. This fantastic 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.
15 Sept – Mayor joins ringing session in Cathedral Tower
Bell ringers from across St Albans District are coming together to practise change ringing in St Albans Cathedral’s bell tower on 15 September. The Mayor has been invited to watch the change ringing session. Change ringing involves the bells being rung, in accordance to pre-set patterns, by the ringers. It is a fun and sociable activity that also provides light exercise. St Albans Cathedral Society of Change Ringers want to keep the traditional art of British bell ringing alive and are keen to take on new recruits. Anyone interested in taking up the activity can email stephen@ucalegon.com.
26 Sept – Mayor out and about at St Albans Food & Drink Festival
The Mayor will be supporting the St Albans Food and Drink Festival, attending a variety of events throughout the two-week culinary extravaganza. Her engagements begin with the opening of the St Albans Beer and Cider Festival on 26 September. The four-day event at the Alban Arena is organised by the Campaign for Real Ale and marks the start of the food and drink festival. Other events at the St Albans Food and Drink Festival include tastings, cooking demonstrations, live music and an Italian pop-up food market. A key highlight is the one-day Feastival on 30 September when St Peter’s Street will be lined with stalls selling street food and local produce. Cooking demonstrations will also take place at the Cookery Theatre which will be opened by the Mayor at 12 noon. The St Albans Food and Drink Awards will bring the festival to an end on 8 October when the winners of this annual competition are unveiled. The Mayor will be in attendance to congratulate the winners. More information about the St Albans Food and Drink Festival is at: www.enjoystalbans.com/foodanddrink
28 Sept – Mayor supports Macmillan Coffee Morning
The Mayor will be joining residents and staff at the Vesta Lodge care home in St Albans for a Macmillan Coffee Morning to help raise funds for the cancer support charity. 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 which provides specialist healthcare as well as advice and support to people affected by cancer. More information is at: https://coffee.macmillan.org.uk
29 Sept – Mayor Walks for Water in Oxfam hike
Everyone is invited to join the Mayor and Walk for Water as part of St Albans Oxfam Group’s annual fundraising walk in Heartwood Forest near Sandridge. The event is designed to suit all ages and abilities. Money raised from sponsorship will go to Oxfam water projects throughout the world. All routes are circular, beginning and ending at the Scout Hut. Registration is free for the four routes covering distances of 3, 5, 8 and 15 miles. More information about Oxfam’s Walk for Water event is at: http://www.oxfamstalbans.org/
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.