19 Mar 2025
St Albans MP Daisy Cooper has invited her fellow Parliamentarians to come to the city and sample its historic Alban Bun.
The Alban Bun has been a key feature of Easter celebrations at St Albans Cathedral for 700 years but has only just had what is believed to be its first ever mention on the Parliamentary record.
Daisy has tabled a Parliamentary motion celebrating its history and inviting other MPs to visit St Albans to enjoy this fantastic (and delicious) part of the city’s history.
To mark the occasion, Daisy also presented some Alban Buns to the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
Daisy said: “All of us who live here know that St Albans is both a wonderful place to live and visit and our delicious Alban Buns are a huge attraction for residents and visitors alike.
“Everything that brings people to enjoy our Cathedral, high streets and hospitality should be celebrated – including in Parliament!
“So thank you to everyone at the Cathedral and beyond for working so hard to keep up this tradition and to keep up with demand.”
The full text of Daisy’s Parliamentary motion is: “That this House celebrates that for nearly 700 years the Alban Bun has been part of the Easter tradition at St Albans Cathedral; recognises the Alban Bun’s status as the precursor to the famous Hot Cross Bun; notes that Brother Thomas Rocliffe, a monk at the Abbey, is said to have developed the original recipe in 1361 and would distribute his buns to the poor on Good Friday; further notes that Brother Thomas Rocliffe developed an original recipe which remains a closely guarded secret; thanks all those involved in baking this year’s buns; further celebrates all the hard work of the team at the Abbot’s Kitchen Café in St Albans Cathedral for serving and selling Alban Buns throughout Lent; and encourages hon. Members to visit St Albans and enjoy this most wonderful tradition.”
