For England and St George! Chamber celebrates our patron saint

27 Apr 2025

An annual St George’s Day celebration brought together business leaders, politicians and charity representatives for laughter, networking, food and fun.

Hosted by St Albans District Chamber of Commerce, the lunch event packed out Sopwell House Hotel on Friday afternoon, with guests making the most of the spring sunshine to spill out onto the lawn.

A raffle and auction helped raise funds for Hertfordshire Community Foundation, comedian Scott Bennett brought down the house with a perfectly pitched routine, and the entire audience took to their feet to join in renditions of Jerusalem and Sweet Caroline, continuing the tradition of a post-lunch singalong.

Chamber President Cheryl Luzet said: “The St George’s Day Luncheon at Sopwell House was another resounding success, bringing together our vibrant business community to relax and connect. Thanks to Scott Bennett for keeping us entertained, and to everyone who came along. We’re proud to have raised vital funds for the Hertfordshire Community Foundation, supporting their essential work across our county. This event truly exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and celebration that defines our Chamber.”​

Fellow director Emily Waddell added: “St George’s Day is the highlight event of the year in St Albans, and once again, the Chamber has exceeded all expectations. The day was filled with laughter, meaningful conversations, and a true celebration of the vibrant business community here. Collaboration was at the heart of it all. A big thank you to the Chamber team for delivering such a fantastic event.”

And Chamber events and marketing manager Claire Stevenson summed up the day perfectly: “It was an honour to deliver my second St George’s Day Luncheon, continuing a proud tradition for the St Albans District Chamber of Commerce and our local business community. Over 300 guests joined us at Sopwell House for a fantastic day of networking, celebration and laughter. This year we welcomed stand-up comedian, Scott Bennett, and introduced new touches, including a selfie backdrop, themed props, a photo booth, and an online charity auction to support the Hertfordshire Community Foundation –  all made possible through a fantastic team effort.”

The Chamber would like to thank sponsors Bennetts, Axiomise, Debenhams Ottaway, EIC Insurance Services, Gilberts Chartered Accountants, KDW Financial Planning, Kirkby Diamond, Mercer & Hole, Paza Properties Estate Agent, Phillips Funeral Services, SA Law and Wagada Digital.

All photos by Danny Loo – don’t miss this week’s edition of the St Albans Times for more images from the event.