18 Jul 2023
More than 800 people attended the inaugural Cottonmill Gathering community festival in Sopwell ward last weekend.
The festival, which was organised by Sopwell Residents Association, featured live music all afternoon, fairground games for children to play, and the popular welly-wanging for both youngsters and grown-ups.
There were cake stalls run by the local churches, hot food provided by St Albans Community Pantry and the Sopwell House hotel chef provided cookies for everyone.
A fire engine was on display for the children to explore, and many also enjoyed the cycle pump track on the site. One of the highlights was St Albans Community Choir singing ‘Lean on Me’ which had everyone joining in.
Stalls included the Save St Albans: Fight the Freight campaign, Sopwell eco-stars providing advice on coping with the hot weather, and Grow Community Sopwell giving away vegetable seedlings and herbal teas.
Raffle prizes included signed gifts from local band Enter Shikari as well as afternoon tea for two from Sopwell House and a spa day from Verulamium Spa, and gift vouchers from The Pudding Stop and Ayletts Nurseries.
