Around 100 AD, residents of Roman Verulamium could enjoy public baths with exercise facilities, hot water and beauty treatments. But it took another 1,700 odd years, as far as we know, before public baths were again available to the locals. That’s a long time without a hot bath. In 1877, however,...
Signs highlighting the consequences of two massive developments proposed for Chiswell Green are being trashed by vandals on a nightly basis. Developers want to stick the housing on Green Belt land at St Stephen's Farm and south of Chiswell Green Lane, adding 1,800 new residents to a village which currently only...
In 1988, St Albans city centre ground to a halt following issues with the controversial one-way system recently introduced by the county council. A contemporary television news report - now available online - looked into the impact of the £750,000 computerised traffic system, which saw some motorists trapped in their cars...
A leading Harpenden councillor has spoken out to condemn plans to build 550 new homes on Green Belt land to the north-west of the town.The scheme - proposed by Legal & General (Strategic Land Harpenden Ltd) - involves up to 168 affordable homes, and 130 for integrated retirement living on...
Why is Herts county council ignoring good reasons not to sell the former Radlett airfield site for development as a rail freight terminal? That is the question at the heart of the latest round of legal arguments surrounding the Green Belt land, with fresh evidence suggesting the sale is unnecessary. Both St...
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This time: retailer Emma Bustamante from the ever-popular Cositas on Holywell Hill. Who is your favourite St Albans musician or band? Easy! Jez who plays the saxophone by the Cathedral. I love...
The dance floor is empty, the music has gone quiet, and the drink long since stopped flowing. But although St Albans' iconic Club Batchwood no longer exists, what of the hall itself? Back in October 2021 the district council announced the lease was up for grabs on the vacant Batchwood Hall,...
One would expect Harpenden to have weathered the worst of the recent economic downturn, but in common with other towns across the country, many retail premises are empty - some longer than others - reflecting the vacancies visible across neighbouring St Albans' own city centre. Two of the biggest losses in...
Elena Hogg, founder of local culinary company FOOD by Elena, is trying to broaden the options at her family mealtimes by introducing more seasonal vegetables...
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