18 Jun 2024
Alban Day – a one-day celebration incorporating both the Alban Pilgrimage and Alban Street Festival – is expected to attract thousands of people to the city centre this Saturday.
The annual Pilgrimage – which is organised by St Albans Cathedral – tells the story of Alban, Britain’s first Christian martyr, using a parade of giant puppets.
The procession begins at 11am from St Peter’s Church and will move along St Peter’s Street, the High Street and George Street with the roads closed temporarily to traffic.
It will culminate in a gathering at the Cathedral Orchard where the execution of Alban will be re-enacted, followed by a family picnic and other entertainment.
In previous years SADC’s Alban Street Festival was held on the following day, but this year it will also take place on Saturday and includes live music at the Clock Tower, craft activities and henna tattoos.
Many historic characters from the city’s past, played by professional actors, will be present to interact with the crowds.
Windrush Day also falls on Saturday June 22 and is being celebrated with events by the Vintry Garden, with Caribbean music and food as well as the chance for people to play dominoes, an integral part of Caribbean culture.
Robin Ray, SADC’s assistant director (regulatory and compliance) for community and place felivery, said: “This one unforgettable event brings together the Pilgrimage, the Street Festival and the Charter Market to provide residents and visitors with numerous attractions and entertainment, much of it free. We will also be marking Windrush Day with Caribbean food and music.
“I’d urge everyone to make a note in their diary and come along to what promises to be a fabulous day.”
Vivien Cannon from sponsor St Albans BID said: “The Cathedral and council have united for Alban Day to make sure our unique status in being the place of the first Christian saint for England is commemorated and celebrated.
“Our namesake is integral to St Albans; it’s our calling card to all our residents and visitors. It’s history, religion and culture combined, and BID’s sponsorship shows how proud we are of our vibrant city.”
The Revd Dr Kevin Walton, Canon Chancellor at the Cathedral, added: “Saturday 22 June happens to be St Alban’s Day itself, the day that Alban was executed for his faith on the site of the Cathedral, making him Britain’s first saint and martyr.
“We hope that people will come from across our district to celebrate our shared patron saint. We invite all people to come and join in our procession as we move from St Peter’s Church, pass the Museum and onto the West End of the Cathedral where we witness Alban’s dramatic execution.
“It is especially fitting that our preacher for the Pilgrimage Eucharist will be Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, the Bishop of Chelmsford. Bishop Guli was born in Iran but had to escape religious persecution with her family, finding a shelter and home in this country. “It is a reminder that the story of Alban’s hospitality to a priest seeking refuge still resonates so strongly today.
“We are really looking forward to seeing two new puppets appear for the first time, the Cathedral’s own breeding pair of peregrine falcons, Alban and Boudica. The word ‘peregrine’ itself means ‘pilgrim,’ so it is only right that they should feature with the thousands of other pilgrims who will be with us for this great celebration.”
