In a time when most public displays are being cancelled, the St Albans Fireworks display has been reimagined. If a crowdfunding campaign is successful, instead of the usual ticketed event in Verulamium Park, which can’t go ahead this year, residents will be able to see a magnificent display from their doorstep, back garden or balcony and live on YouTube.£20,000 is needed to pay for the actual fireworks, but it is hoped that £30,000 can be raised, so that local charities can benefit from the display, as in previous years. Paul Dean Chair of St Albans Cathedral Fireworks Committee said: “We were inspired by New York’s approach to this year’s 4 July celebrations, with Macy’s organising aerial displays that could be seen without people needing to leave their homes. So here we are, planning to do something similar in St Albans”.The aerial display, which will rise to 300-400ft above the city, is due to take place on Saturday 7 November at 6pm, but it can’t go ahead without a successful crowdfunding campaign. St Albans, we need you https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/st-albans-fireworks-look-up-together
With Heritage Open Days starting on Friday, St Albans Cathedral will be revealing the story of Abbot John of Wheathampstead, who played a central role in England’s history during the 1400’s. Abbot John’s chapel remained undiscovered for 480 years, until excavation work on our new Welcome Centre uncovered his burial site. Three papal bulls that Pope Martin V had given him 40 years before were found with his skeleton.A new free trail has been created for visitors to walk in Abbot John’s footsteps, as well as a brand-new exhibition which allows visitors to look into the eyes of this medieval monk. Visitors will discover a man of letters, of vision, and of international renown – and for the first time, be able to see him face-to-face, as his face has been digitally reconstructed from his skeleton.Speaking of the facial reconstruction of Abbot John, the Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John said "It brings him startlingly to life, and immediately invites us to read his character from his features. He has an impish look, but also looks like a man who was not to be trifled with – as befits one of the most powerful ecclesiastical fixers of his day. I hope that seeing him in his human reality will raise interest in his life, and in the central role St Albans Abbey has played in this country’s history.The free trail will be available from the Welcome Centre as part of Heritage Open Days. You can also visit the new display case in the exhibition area from Friday 11 September. Image: Liverpool John Moores University/Facelab.
We will be opening our doors once again for private prayer, from Monday 15 June at 11am, following the closure of all places of worship in March.The Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John Dean of St Albans said: “‘It is a real joy as well as a relief to be able to let people into the Cathedral again, although of course for the time being we will have to be careful about numbers and distancing. I hope everyone will feel able to come and enjoy the peace and sense of presence, and perhaps to light a candle and pray for an end to the pandemic, and for those it has most badly affected’.Plans are in place to make sure the Cathedral is a safe environment for everyone. Entry to the Cathedral will be limited at any one time, entry will remain through the welcome centre. A new one-way route has been introduced and hand sanitiser units will be positioned at key points. Visit our website for more information. Following Monday 15 June, our new opening hours will be:Monday - Saturday | 10am - 4pmSunday | 12 noon - 4pmThe live streaming of the Sunday Eucharist on YouTube will continue. Visit our website for upcoming services. www.stalbanscathedral.orgBanner image: Dave Wood
This year, we are thinking of new ways to celebrate St Alban’s Day and ways you can enjoy the Cathedral for the time being.After three months of being closed, we're making plans to open our doors when it’s safe to do so, including a one-way system, introducing social distancing measures and a thorough cleaning schedule. But there’ll be plenty to do online or outdoors.Once the Cathedral is open the 12ft puppets from the yearly procession will be displayed, along with a special exhibition that’s been created by The Friends of St Albans Cathedral during lockdown.For those wanting to explore the city on foot, take on the three-mile trail of St Michael’s, St Stephen’s and St Peter’s Churches, the original pilgrimage churches, finishing at the Cathedral and discover their ancient stories.Or if you’re looking for something slightly shorter, go on a tree hunt around the Cathedral with the kids. Seek out the Cedar tree that’s over 200 years old, learn all about the origins of The Vintry garden and find the tree that was planted by Princess Diana in 1989. Both trails are available to download on our website and print at home. Cathedral guides are planning for outdoor tours when reopened, with limited numbers, of the exterior of the Cathedral over the period, giving visitors an insight into the original monastic site as well as the story of Alban and Amphibalus. Learn why Holywell Hill was named so and why we sell rubber eyes balls in the gift shop!Online you’ll be able to discover the reason why our magnificent city is called St Albans and why red roses are so significant to this story. You can even learn how to make a paper red rose to display in your window alongside your rainbows. Make sure you send us in your photos.On Sunday 21 June, hear from Cleric, Broadcaster and former Communard, Reverend Richard Coles as part of a special live streamed service at 10am on YouTube. Our local MP Daisy Cooper will also feature, as well as other churches from around the world that have links to Alban.This year we’ve added online talks to the programme, so you can join in a poetry afternoon through Zoom – ‘Pilgrimage by Poetry’, led by Archdeacon Jonathan Smith. Or Mark Vernon, Writer and Psychotherapist, invites you to mark the 700th anniversary of the completion of the great Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri through a Zoom talk. Tickets are limited, so do book early to avoid disappointment. St Albans City and District Council along with St Albans BID are also planning a host of activities. Market Traders from past and present will be creating a fun video montage along with special offers to celebrate the occasion. St Alban’s own Bob Golding will make a special appearance in a music video. Plus, the 13.1 challenge will be launched, as this year’s Half Marathon has been cancelled. Whether its 13.1 minutes of mediation, or 13.1 miles on a bike, get fundraising and support our fabulous local charities.This year will be different, but no less profound, so we do hope you can join the city in celebrating this special occasion.For the full Pilgrimage programme, please visit: https://www.stalbanscathedral.org/Event/the-alban-pilgrimage-reimagined
