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About Us

Our Goal, Vision & Commitment

Projects C50 has been involved in

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Latest Project

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

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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)

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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.

Conservation 50 Committee (2024)

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Chair: Prof Tim Boatswain

Vice-Chair: Robert Pankhurst

Treasurer: Freda Chaloner

Secretary: Alex Wiltshire

Members: Fiona Couper

                   Kate Buckley

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To get involved or to make a donation please contact us - see below

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 Heritage is something to be proud of and should be conserved..

Help Us

Support  C50

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Conservation 50 Conference 2019

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