12 Jul 2023
A group of campaigners, who fought to get the Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre built in the heart of Sopwell, have come together again to organise a summer community festival at the centre.
The Cottonmill Gathering on Sunday July 16 is a family friendly festival with donkey rides, fairground games, cycling activities, stalls, and live music all afternoon.
The Cottonmill and Sopwell Hub campaign group has now merged with Sopwell Residents Association, which is the main body behind the event.
One of the organisers, Elaine Rainsford, said: “We were disappointed that the council were unable to provide support for the annual Larks in the Parks events this year, so we decided to create our own local festival.
“Local groups have been incredibly supportive, and our volunteers have been working round the clock to create a successful event.”
Fellow organiser Michelle Mackenzie added: “Businesses have been so generous with prizes for the grand raffle and people can win signed gifts from Enter Shikari, afternoon tea for two at Sopwell House Hotel, gift vouchers from Ayletts and The Pudding Stop, lunch at The White Hart Tap, or even a spa day from Verulamium Spa.”
A mixture of choirs and local artists will perform on the stage including St Albans Community Choir, the Purple All Stars, the Old London Road pre-school choir, Ashyla, and singer Rohan Mapara.
There will be local charity and craft stalls, ice cream, cakes, and light refreshments. People are also welcome to bring their own picnics. St Albans Cycle Hub, who manage the Cottonmill Centre, will lead bike events for youngsters on the cycling pump track.
Janet Charles, chair of the Sopwell Residents Association, said: “We’re looking forward to a fun event and delighted that we now have this great space to use for the local community.”
The event is from 12pm until 4pm at the Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre, off Old Oak, off Cottonmill Lane, Al2, and people are asked to walk or cycle to the centre as the car park will be closed to the public for the afternoon.
