Projects

A Slice of History Served Daily: New Mural for the George Street Canteen

A vibrant new chapter in St Albans’ public art scene is set to begin, as Conservation 50 and renowned graffiti artist Ant Steel have received the green light to paint a historical mural on the west wall entrance of the beloved George Street Canteen.

This exciting project, sponsored by Saint Albans Arts Society, has been made possible by the enthusiastic permission of the Canteen's owners, Kevin and Julie Lee. It continues a successful collaboration between the artist and Professor Tim Boatswain, Chair of Conservation 50, who work together to celebrate the city’s rich heritage on the very walls where its history unfolded.

The new artwork will serve a dual purpose. It will nostalgically remind passers-by that the George Street Canteen was once a traditional butcher's shop, while simultaneously celebrating its modern-day identity as a famously dog-friendly café. This blend of past and present is a hallmark of the mural project's mission to make local history engaging and accessible to all.

This initiative is the latest in a series of murals transforming the city's alleys and walls into an open-air history book. The first, in Sovereign Way, brought figures from the infamous Election Scandal of 1851 back to life, sponsored by the St Albans & Hertfordshire Architectural and Archaeological Society and Christopher Place. It was followed by a powerful piece in Lamb Alley, where a man-at-arms from the Wars of the Roses now stands guard, a silent sentinel reminding us that two major battles from that conflict raged in St Albans in 1455 and 1461.

“We are thrilled to see this project come to life at the George Street Canteen,” said Tim Boatswain. “These murals are more than just art; they are visual stories that connect us to the layers of our city’s past. This one, in particular, beautifully links the commercial history of the building with its vibrant contemporary community use.”

Artist Ant Steel added, “It’s a privilege to work on a project that so creatively honours the character of St Albans. I hope this mural will not only catch the eye but also spark conversations about the city’s fascinating history and its wonderful local businesses.”

The community is invited to watch the mural’s progress and, once complete, to visit, enjoy a coffee with their four-legged friends, and experience this latest fusion of art, history, and local flavour.

Notes

About Conservation 50: A leading heritage group in St Albans dedicated to the preservation and celebration of the city's historic environment.

https://timboatswain.wixsite.com/conservation-50

About Ant Steel: A graffiti artist known for his historical and socially engaged public art.

ant@keepitstreet.uk

About The Arts Society: A leading arts education charity with over 90,000 members worldwide, which provides funding and support for arts and heritage projects.
TSAAS chair Bob Moore said he hoped their involvement would raise awareness of what The Arts Society St Albans can offer.

“The Society is a body that appreciates art in all forms. Our lectures – at The Abbey Theatre at 10.30 am on the second Wednesday of the month – provide a welcoming place to hear experts share their specialist knowledge about all aspects of the arts. Online presentations and occasional trips are also offered.

The next lecture will be on December 10, when a regular contributor, Sandy Burnett, will entertain with a talk entitled ‘Tchaikovsky to Tin Pan Alley – Music for Christmas’. Sandy is one of the UK’s most versatile music commentators and will supplement his talk with music ranging from ‘The Nutcracker’ to Eartha Kitt.”

The lecture is free for TASSA members and £7.50 for non-members, but the Membership Secretary should be contacted in advance by emailing janesayers110@yahoo.co.uk

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Historic Mural Brings Medieval Battle to Life in Lamb Alley

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/b_-8IYpEsf0

The artist, Ant Steel, commissioned by Conservation 50, creates a Man-at-Arms from the First Battle of St Albans in 1455 during the Wars of the Roses. The Yorkists defeated the Lancastrians and captured King Henry VI. The leading Lancastrian, the Duke of Somerset, was cornered at the Castle Inn and, after a vicious fight, hacked down. His death is mentioned in Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part II. The St Albans & Hertfordshire Architectural & Archaeological Society has installed a plaque at the corner of Victoria Street, though the exact site of the Castle Inn is disputed.

Ant Steel congratulated by Tim Boatswain

St Albans during the War of the Roses

St Albans is the only town in England where two battles were fought in the dynastic conflict known as the War of the Roses. The first battle took place in the Market Place and the adjoining streets on Thursday 22 May 1455. Though numbers were small (perhaps no more than 5,000), the killing by the Yorkists of many Lancastrian leaders led to a war of revenge that lasted more than thirty years. The second battle fought on Tuesday 17 February 1461 involved perhaps 25,000 men. The battle ended on Bernards Heath, north of the town, but its initial stages wee fought around the Market Place. After the second battle the Lancastrian victors systematically pillaged St Albans.

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Renovation of Cottons'Gravestones

Blue Plaque on the site of Nathaniel Cotton's mental asylum on Lower Dagnall Street

Ben Smith, Dr Nathaniel Cotton's great-great-great-great-great-great grandson, from Virginia USA, visits his ancestor's grave in St Peter's Churchyard, St Albans.

The Nathaniel Cotton Series of Talks on Anthropology and Psychiatry: Cultural Constructs of Mental Illness.

Conservation 50 and St Peter's Church are hosting a series of talks exploring evolutionary and cultural constructs of mental illness. The talks are aiming to raise funds to restore the Cottons' gravestones as they need some restoration and the inscription has become illegible.

The speakers are:

Tim Boatswain, Professor of Anthropology and History, Chair of Conservation 50;

Dr Florian Alexander Ruths MD FRCPsych PgDipCBT,
Consultant Psychiatrist:

Cognitive Behaviour Therapies (CBT) Trainer, Supervisor and Practitioner accredited with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)

The weathered and lichen-covered gravestones of Nathaniel Cotton, Anne Pembroke, and Hannah Everett nestled in a serene, grassy setting.

Nathaniel Cotton was an 18th-century poet and a doctor, who was a pioneer in the treatment of mental health, developing a form of clinical psychology at a time when many with mental illness were being locked up in appalling institutions like the notorious Bedlam, Bethlem Royal Hospital, in London. Nathaniel established a sympathetic asylum, 'Collegium Insanorum' (a College for the Insane) on the corner of what is now College Street (named after his institution) with Lower Dagnall Street where you can now find a blue plaque commemorating him on the site of his college. An intensely private person there is little surviving from his life but we know he was married twice, first to Anne Pembroke and then after her death to Hannah Everett. He died in St Albans on 2nd August 1788 and is buried in St Peter's Churchyard.

Nathaniel Cotton: Drawn by J. Thurston. Engraved by W.H. Worthington

Conservation 50 (C50) was established in 2019 to commemorate 50 years of Conservation Areas in St Albans. It is a voluntary body that aims to help conserve the historic city's heritage through projects that enhance the built environment.

Conserving our built environment offers a range of benefits, both cultural and practical. Here are some key reasons why it's important:

Preserves history and identity: Historic buildings and structures act as a tangible connection to the past. They tell stories about the people who built them, the architectural styles of the time, and the societies that thrived there.
Sustainable approach: Reusing existing structures is much more environmentally friendly than demolishing and building anew. Existing buildings embody a lot of energy that went into their construction, and rehabbing them avoids the need to create more construction waste.
Economic benefits: Conservation can revitalize historic areas, attracting tourism and boosting property values. Restored buildings can be adapted for modern uses, creating new businesses and jobs.
Sense of place: Historic buildings and districts contribute to a community's character and provide a unique sense of place. They can be a source of pride for residents and a draw for visitors.

In short, conserving our built environment allows us to connect with the past, build a more sustainable future, and create vibrant places for people to live and work.