24 Jan 2024
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This time: Faye Penford, creative director of Lift Your Spirits (www.liftyourspirits.online) and presenter on Mix 92.6 FM.
What’s your favourite hidden gem in the district?
The Alban Way! I have had many walks, talks, runs and bike rides on this route. It’s an all weather place and so beautiful in the snow! It’s a real gem to know and has variety of different views that you wouldn’t expect. You can pick up the Alban Way at various place in St Albans. You can end up by Galleria or a perfect way to head to Verulamium lakes in St Albans. A place to try if you haven’t already!
What is your most-missed St Albans shop, pub, cafe or restaurant?
Claudes Creperie on Holywell Hill! The most romantic feeling restaurant! Rustic and warm! I felt I whisked to Paris in an instant! Bring it back someone! I can feel the vibe of the restaurant when I think about it! I actually bumped into one of the beautiful waitresses only the other day and we spoke about this gorgeous restaurant! So yes, I would love to book a table there again if it was to return!
Most inspirational St Albans person – living or dead?
To be honest, I think it has to be Professor Tim Boatswain (pictured). He’s a great inspiration to me, he wouldn’t know it! How does he fit everything in? All so seeming-less and with no stress!
I first met him for a coffee to make sure I knew all about him before we planned our monthly interviews for Radio Verulam (as it was known;) now Mix92.6. I was nervous on how clever this man is and how I would connect with him! I thought I was out of my depth. We must have sat in the coffee shop for over three hours. The most potent moment for me was when we spoke about children, eduction and careers. He said: “We should let a child decide what they want to be when they grow up, we should not be the ones to say what is not possible, like going to the moon!” He added: “They will know what is and what isn’t possible for themselves as they grow and develop.”
Odyssey or Netflix?
I like both but it has to be The Odyssey every time, I remember it was my local cinema as a girl, great times seeing many films and was so pleased when it was brought back even better! The last film I watched was an interesting French film, I was invited to join the presenters of Bouche a Oreille Show on Mix 92.6.
I was late (quelle surprise) so I didn’t get to sit with the group but enjoyed the film all the same; and as I drank a red wine and ate a cheese board to myself, I thought, I am going to do this more often… a great way to have a perfect self love date night! Never done that before!
Do you speak any foreign languages?
Working on it!! Still trying to speak Italian and also now trying to revive my French thanks to working with Aline and Elise on the Bouche a Oreille Show but Italian is my first love and I really want to crack it!! ‘Un giorno saro in grade di parlare molto bene L’Italiana e di farmi capire!
Do you remember your first kiss?
Yep – wouldn’t say it was my best one to kick off with!
If you could have a conversation with someone who had died who would it be?
I think it would have to be George Michael, not that I was a massive Wham fan but what we have discovered about him after his passing is beautiful. He gave so much without wanting anything in return or acknowledgement! I would also ask him if he wanted to sing me ‘Faith’ with his guitar and jukebox!
Are things getting better or worse?
Tough one! I know that if I believe in a better day each day it will get me in the best frame of mind. Hopefully that will keep manifesting in a better place of living! You have to be honest and know there are sad parts so every little happy moment comes your way; then ’bloody’ enjoy it and smile! If you laugh out loud, even betterI The best medicine! I wish for 2024 to be as best it can be, with what is possible and in our control.
What items do you always carry with you?
Always a fast-speed charger and lately, a pack of playing cards!
Which three people, living or dead, would be your ideal dinner party guests?
As this is a magical dream question I’m going to go for it and invite my cousin, Hester Jones, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro – she loved Al, and I quite liked Mr De Niro! It would be a dinner meeting. We would eat plenty of food, drink wine and discuss the latest script of our next film with them as they wished to act once more together! They obviously wanted to put themselves forward to be selected as the two main characters! They would probably succeed!
We would definitely end up playing cards after coffee!
