A refuse collection crew’s prompt action helped to prevent a fire caused by a battery placed in a waste bin from getting out of control. The Veolia crew spotted smoke pouring out of the rear of their 26-tonne lorry after emptying residual waste bins in Batford, Harpenden, on Tuesday. They safely ejected...
One of St Albans' most historic pubs is preparing for its biggest-ever live music festival after last year's event attracted record crowds. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks will welcome music lovers to its annual free festival next Saturday August 1, with eight live acts performing throughout the day alongside food, drinks and...
St Albans' planned Sound Bites festival has now been cancelled, but some customers could face a battle for ticket refunds. After Tom Kerridge’s popular Pub in the Park hosted its final event in Verulamium Park last September, organisers promised a new festival would be taking its place – Sound Bites, billed...
Have you heard the tale of how a Redbourn man died after falling into a vat of jam at the village’s Brooke Bond factory during the Second World War? He was commemorated on a memorial bench following a lobbying campaign by local school children in 2003. Except none of this is true. An...
A veteran district councillor has quit the Liberal Democrats after being found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol. Cllr Chris Brazier, who was first elected to represent Colney Heath in 2003, received a fine of £299 and was banned from driving until January 20 2028 after pleading guilty to...
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: Bob Golding, pantomime legend, Alban Arena patron, CBeebies’ Tweenies star, and now co-host of The Norbert and Cedric Podcast. Where do you most like to have a picnic in...
St Albans hairdresser Marc Trinder is celebrating after being named a finalist in HJ's British Hairdressing Awards 2026. Selected from an exceptionally competitive field of entries from across the UK, Marc has earned a coveted place in the finals of the Eastern Hairdresser of the Year category, recognising outstanding creativity, technical...
A multi-award-winning painter and printmaker from Harpenden will be exhibiting his series of work based on the trees of Rothamsted Park at the Eric Morecambe Centre throughout August. Andrew Keenleyside is best known for his expressive interpretations of the local landscape, and his work explores the ever-changing colours, atmosphere and moods...
A popular quote states that “if you can remember the Sixties, you weren’t really there”. Seriously? After all, although London was named as a ‘swinging’ city by Time Magazine in 1966 and those at the epicentre of the music and media industries may have been having a wild time, most...
James Cameron dons his gladrags for a night of indulgence at the luxury hotel… Sopwell House recently threw open its doors to the great and good of St Albans (or at least those who are members of the Chamber of Commerce) to help them celebrate the 40th anniversary of the hotel...
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