27 Aug 2026
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: Beth Fisher, Harpenden town councillor, former Town Mayor (current Deputy), and passionate member of St Albans Athletics Club.
Where do you walk when you want to think?
Harpenden Common and the Green Loop around East Common are my favourite places to walk and think.
What TV did you watch as a child?
Kids’ TV was so good yet so weird. Do you remember the terrifying Grotbags?? I watched Trumpton when I was really little and I remember hiding behind the sofa when Doctor Who came on. I liked the entertainment shows too, like Russ Abbot and Bullseye.
Have you ever asked for an autograph?
One of my first trips to the theatre was to see Peter Pan with Bonnie Langford. We waited backstage for her autograph. My nephew and I saw her recently in Paddington the Musical; I hope he remembers his experience fondly too.
What is your favourite single item of clothing?
My Mum will be very unimpressed when you publish this – I bought a black baggy dress from a charity shop when I was a teenager and I LOVED IT. I wore it with my cherry red Doc Martins. It had pockets so I could be a proper slouchy, saggy, baggy teenager in it. Mum says it was a maternity dress, but I honestly didn’t care. I felt like I could hide in it yet be cool, but not trendy; look great but not be bothered by what other people thought… you get the idea!
What’s your favourite meal?
Roast chicken, roast potatoes, raw carrot, mange tout, cauliflower and broccoli with gravy. Winner winner chicken dinner.
Dogs or cats?
I have had both cats as a child and then dogs as an adult. Sorry cats, but it turns out I am a dog person. They understand me.
What was your first job?
I had a weekly newspaper round. There were hundreds of papers and leaflets. Each week was different depending on the weather, whether my Walkman had batteries in it and which houses had massive dogs guarding the letter boxes.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
At 14 I was offered a place at the Urdang Dance Academy in London, and I would have loved to have been in musicals.
Have you ever had a nickname?
I might regret this: Bethy Two Puds was my bar school nickname after a dinner at Lincoln’s Inn when the waiting staff realised I hadn’t eaten any of the starter (duck pate) or main course (guinea foul). They took pity on me and gave me two puddings. My friends thought this was hilarious and have called me this ever since.
When have you been most scared?
This is topical with Universal Studies coming to Bedfordshire. There is a ride known as ‘Hollywood Tower of Terror’. You sit in a carriage that falls down and springs back up several times in the dark and, whilst briefly pausing, doors in front of you open up suddenly showing you how high you are. It emulates a lift that is out of control. Whilst on the ride last year I sat next to a man who passed out on the first drop, made moaning noises, lolled over onto me groaning and kept grabbing on to my seat belt harness. I thought I was going to die covered in a stranger’s vomit on a ride I hated and I couldn’t even scream properly because I was so busy trying not to embarrass my kids!
Where would be your preferred place locally to get married?
I know Rothamsted Manor needs a considerable amount of money spending on it but, if it was renovated, it would make a beautiful venue for a wedding and celebration on the lawn.
