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,...
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...
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,...
Watch a pair of peregrine falcons breeding live on a special webcam set up at St Albans Cathedral. One of only five pairs in Hertfordshire, the birds have been seen on and around the Cathedral since early spring.The webcam is sponsored by Leica, who manufacture high-end optics, cameras and lenses, and...
Over the last few weeks the future of another beloved St Albans landmark has been put at risk after Café Rouge closed on Holywell Hill. Sue Mann asks what will happen now to this iconic building? St Albans is probably unique in having a Grade II listed Art Deco style former...
Find out if Deborah Heath was a big fan of the faux fab four after seeing them at the Alban Arena. One of the highlights of the Alban Arena year is the marvellous Bootleg Beatles show. Of course, this is testament to the enduring talent and relevance of the real Beatles and...
It has been heralded as the biggest development St Albans council has ever undertaken, a multi-million pound "iconic landmark scheme" on a major gateway into the city centre. But as the total bill for Jubilee Square continues to mount, will the final project deliver on expectations? The scheme formerly known as...
This is the view from the homes of residents living in Hampden Place, Frogmore, a vista which will be devastated by the proposed rail freight terminal on the former Radlett airfield. Neighbour Susie Taylor said: “This will destroy our neighbourhood and our lovely community. The warehouses will be at the bottom...
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