22 Oct 2026
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: Darren Haines, a fully qualified, traditional acupuncturist working out of a clinic in St Albans, using a holistic approach to create personalised treatment plans designed to help manage pain, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.
Do you ever Google yourself?
I do for work! In order to keep track of reviews from my clients and to try and work out why my website, my-acupuncturist.co.uk , doesn’t list more highly with their bloomin’ algorithms!
CD, vinyl, download or streaming?
As the saying goes, if anyone wants to know why Gen X is always mad, it’s because they had to replace their record collections with a CD collection, that they had to replace with MP3s, and now they need a subscription to listen to music they used to own! This is me, and now my wife and I are enjoying rebuilding a small collection of second hand vinyl that have made up the soundtracks of our lives.
What object would you save first if your house was on fire?
Without doubt my daughter’s pink bunny, appropriately called Pink Bunny.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A sports journalist. A life of sports and writing seemed the perfect combination back then. Now, though, I’m very lucky to have the best job in the world.
Are things getting better or worse?
It’s not good for our mental health to dwell for too long on the mess our inglorious leaders are making of the world right now. More importantly my daughter is happy and flourishing, my wife is successful and has made us a beautiful home whilst my business continues to grow. These are what we can control and, ultimately, more important for our own wellbeing.
If you could travel back in time and offer your younger self some advice, what would it be?
This isn’t a dress rehearsal. Be braver, follow your dreams from the start – and play harder too.
What’s your favourite meal?
Crab linguine. Pasta, crab, chilli, lemon, garlic, parsley. Simple but so delicious. It was my go-to meal for one when I wanted to close the doors on London for a night alone and now it’s our favourite meal for two on the rare occasions my wife and I get time alone.
What’s your favourite place to have breakfast in St Albans?
George Street Canteen for their hash browns and burritos. My daughter would probably say The Hub. Both places work for me!
What’s your favourite St Albans pub?
At the moment possibly The Beer Shop on London Road. My friend took me there not so long ago, they were very welcoming and have endless choices. What more can you ask for?
Who was your favourite cartoon character when you were a kid?
Never mind being a kid, Bluey is the greatest cartoon character of all time! My daughter and I loved watching this together. It’s hilarious, relatable, and no, it’s not making me cry. I’ve just got something in my eye.
