18 Mar 2026
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: Mary Conneely, current chair of St Albans Civic Society.
Where do you walk when you want to think?
Verulamium Park – past the lake and up across the boundary with King Harry Lane. By the time I’m done, I feel ready for a coffee.
CD, vinyl, download or streaming?
CDs and vinyl. We have amassed quite a large collection over the years.
Were you well behaved at school?
Largely, but I did rebel against some of the nonsense rules, which occasionally got me into trouble.
Have you ever asked for an autograph?
Yes, I was on the student newspaper at university and I was covering a gig by one of my all-time musical heroes, Gil Scott Heron. I was so struck by him in person, he was so kind and interesting. My review reflected that, I was star struck and I got his autograph!
What are your preferred pizza toppings?
Whatever my grandchildren say they want when we make them – usually it’s a margherita.
Odyssey or Netflix?
Odyssey. Such a wonderful asset for our city.
What’s your favourite St Albans pub?
It has to be the Lower Red Lion. We hold the St Albans Civic Society quiz nights there and they do a great Sunday lunch.
Wednesday or Saturday market?
I prefer Saturday, it’s so vibrant and mixed these days.
Who was your favourite cartoon character when you were a kid?
Top Cat, he got the better of his nemesis Officer Dibble every time.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A journalist!
