06 Jul 2025
The 2025 Cottonmill Gathering – the biggest yet – will be taking place from 12 noon-4pm on Sunday July 13 at the Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre in Sopwell.
This is the third community summer festival organised by the Sopwell Residents Association Events team and is expected to attract more than 1,000 people on the day, with stalls, games, crafts, food, and a music stage with live performers all afternoon.
Elaine Rainsford, who leads the events team said: “This is certainly the biggest Cottonmill Gathering yet! We took over the organisation of the festival after the council stopped doing Larks in the Parks – and we found huge support from the Cottonmill community. This is a special day that brings joy to the community and brings people and groups together. We expect a hot day, so there will be shade inside as well as the sunshine.”
The Abbey Line Community Partnership are providing free mini-train rides for all – to help celebrate 200 years of the modern railway. Playing Out St Albans will be introducing some examples of easy-to-play games like hopscotch. The St Albans fire engine will be on display for children to explore and Mix 62.9FM local radio will be on site too.
Michelle Mackenzie has created the artwork and promotional materials and also gathered more than 60 prizes for the tombola from local businesses: “Local businesses have been very generous this year so the Tombola prizes include Afternoon Tea for Two at Sopwell House, £25 St Albans Shopping Voucher, Abbey Theatre tickets and a Verulam Spa pass for two at Westminster Lodge, and lots more.”
This year there will be a 70ft bouncy assault course for the youngsters, alongside circus skills, fairground games and a story tent for toddlers. Young footballers are encouraged to take part in the ‘Beat the Goalie’ competition in the games area and cyclists can compete in the Bike Tyre Change Challenge run by St Albans Cycle Hub.
There are over 30 stalls with crafts, activities, and small local businesses, including Grow Community- Sopwell with plants to grow at home; Sopwell Memories for people to explore the history of the local area; Jefferson Eco with their environmentally friendly crafts, Miriam’s Henna Tattoos, food goodies from Sopwell House Hotel and local arts and crafts stalls.
St Albans Community Pantry will be preparing a variety of food dishes from food rescued from local supermarkets and the local churches will offer afternoon tea and cake. Coffee, ice-cream and snacks will be available from the community centre café.
This year’s event is sponsored by the Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline, a confidential, free, support and signposting service for anyone affected by domestic abuse.
Gail Jackson, chair of Sopwell Residents Association, added: “The local volunteers in the events team have been working on this since December last year and it is set to be a fabulous day out for everyone. We are really pleased to be partnering with our sponsor this year – the Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline is there to help everyone – women and men – who are facing any kind of abuse at home or in their relationships.”
