23 May 2023
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This time: St Albans Civic Society President Professor Tim Boatswain.
Tim said: “When I was approached by the St Albans Times to answer a choice of 10 questions, I blithely thought that’s fine and it could be fun. In reality to answer the questions has been more of a challenge than I had originally envisaged. When I reflected on the task I realised there were at least a couple of issues for me: the first was what to choose; and second I realised, with a modicum of self-awareness, that I am not naturally a very forthcoming person, and so could I answer the questions honestly rather than manufacturing an answer? This must seem rather precious and I can hear the scorn, ‘Just get on and answer the questions. It is no big deal!‘”
What’s the first thing you do after you’ve woken up in the morning?
This one is easy as I have a routine: it is making some coffee. This isn’t any old coffee it is what I call a ‘Balkan coffee’ (often allocated to a nationality: Turkish, Greek, Cypriot, and so on). First you pour water into a small pot, add a very finely ground coffee to the water, bring to the boil and then serve – you can add sugar if you like that ‘poison’!
If you could have a conversation with someone who had died who would it be?
It would have to be Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis (best known for his theory, the Oedipus complex) I don’t necessarily agree with all his ideas but he changed modern culture with his understanding of the conscious and unconscious mind.
Were you well behaved at school?
Looking back I think I was pretty well-behaved. Because my parents moved a lot around the country in my childhood. I went to six different schools and my elder sister to nine. With all these changes of environment, and as often the outsider, my main focus was to fit in.
What’s your favourite meal?
Every few months I have a get-together with some ex-work colleagues and after a few beers we end up in that excellent Italian restaurant Cosa Nostra. I infuriate my friends as I always order the same meal: lasagne.
What was your first job? Leaving aside holiday jobs my first full-time post was at The Barber Institute, which is attached to the Uni of Birmingham. I was thrilled, as a Research Fellow in Numismatics, to receive a salary of £1,000 per year – it was just after the extinction of the dinosaurs!
What’s your favourite hidden gem in the district?
This has to be the Christopher Inn Succubus which people have so generously donated to conserve. This is not the place to explain what a succubus is, so readers will have to look it up!
Who is your favourite St Albans musician or band? This has to be Pat and the Butchers: Julie, Ham, all their colleagues and followers are just lovely people!
Odyssey or Netflix?
This has to be the Odyssey. St Albans went for 17 years without a cinema once the Odeon closed. The building nearly became a set of apartments. All the people involved in making the Odyssey happen need a resounding round of applause – it is a gem.
What’s your favourite St Albans pub?
There are a lot of great pubs in St Albans. I think we are blessed. If I have to pick one I will choose two and this is because they both reveal the masterful aesthetic taste of their landlord – yes, it is Sean Hughes at his welcoming establishments, The Boot and Dylans.
Most inspirational St Albans person – living or dead?
Recently I was involved in the installation of a Blue Plaque for Edward (Ted) Warner, who posthumously received the Victoria Cross for heroism in WWI. At a time when the terrible war in Ukraine is in the news I think of the sacrifice that Ted and other people made to protect our nation and values. What I admire about Ted is that he wasn’t a famous or important person but just an ordinary man who showed exceptional bravery to save his comrades.
