18 Jun 2026
The streets of St Albans received a little bit of TLC from a pair of dedicated local figures this morning, both determined to carry out a spring spruce-up ahead of this weekend’s Alban Day.
Professor Tim Boatswain, chair of Conservation 50 and a regular contributor to the city’s heritage scene, was out and about with Cllr Sean Hughes of The Boot, Dylans and Iberos, giving prominent city centre locations a much-needed clean-up.
Their mission began with the signs at Market Cross, which often go unnoticed, and taking the opportunity while things were quiet to tackle the task. Caked with years of muck the signs were barely legible at a distance. Some hard scrubbing and a wash down with a hose has ensured these informative markers are looking their best for residents and visitors.
Then the “guerrilla cleaning” of the Christopher Inn Succubus. This eye-catching but often overlooked carved wooden grotesque can be found in a timbered passageway between French Row and Christopher Place. The carved bracket, depicting a half-woman, half-goat figure, is a distinctive feature of the former Christopher Inn, a building that dates back to the 16th century.
While some guidebooks have mistakenly associated the succubus with the inn’s later reputation, Professor Boatswain has previously explained that such grotesques were placed to ward off evil spirits. Despite her voluptuous appearance, the shackled goat’s feet on the carved bracket were likely intended as a symbol of safety, representing a strange piece of magic in a Christian community. She was not a sign
of a brothel.
The cleaning came as a welcome refresh. The succubus, which underwent significant conservation work back in 2023 after suffering from decades of dampness and being crudely painted over, is now looking much brighter.
Tim said: “This kind of community effort is exactly the spirit that could see the initiative grow. With enough volunteers, these informal cleaning sessions could become a regular event, helping to ensure that the city’s quirky and historic features remain in excellent condition.”
Locals and visitors are encouraged to look out for the succubus next time they are in French Row – and to appreciate the work of the volunteers who are keeping St Albans’ heritage looking its best.
