Back in 2019, with the strong support of the Civic Society, a group of interested parties set up a voluntary organisation to mark the 50 year anniversary of St Albans' first Conservation Area. It called itself Conservation 50 (C50) and set about organising a series of events: there was an exhibition in St Albans Museum+Gallery; a conference with outside speakers, giving their views on the future of conservation areas; a visual arts competition for local Junior Schools; and the City Guides put on a special conservation area walk.
When all the events were over the group decided, rather than disbanding, to carry on building on its success. Operating under the umbrella of the Civic Society (https://www.stalbanscivicsociety.com/conservation50/) C50 set out to identify a series of projects that would draw attention to the importance of conserving the heritage of Albans.
It established a representative group to promote a 'blue plaque' scheme to celebrate the famous people of St Albans. So far two plaques have been installed: one on the facade of the Museum + Gallery to commemorate John Ball, who was one of the leaders of the Peasants' Revolt in 1381. This plaque was unveiled by the Mayor on 25th Feb. this year (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-60529029).
On 25th March Stacey Turner founder of the mental health charity Its OK to Say unveiled a plaque to Nathaniel Cotton, a pioneer in clinical psychology who established his 'Collegium Insanorum' on a site on the corner of what is now College Street. There are six more plaques ready to be installed and plenty of nominations in the pipeline.
Another ongoing project is how to clean, redecorate, green and promote the much-neglected historical alleyways of the city centre. While debate is proceeding on the difficult issues of removing wheelie bins and managing waste collections, the alleys have been steam cleaned and, thanks to public donations, measures are being taken to preserve the 16th century succubus, a wooden bracket at the end of Christopher Inn passageway. It is also hoped to be able to install both a green wall and themed decorations near Christopher Place.
At the Vintry garden there has been successful lobbying for a permanent path along the muddy shortcut across the grass. A new path, in keeping with the existing paths, and incorporating the memorial to those children that died in the terrible coach accident that happened at Ledignan, in France, on May 29, 1985, has now been laid.
By the Waxhouse Gate passageway, alongside the bench commemorating the centenary of the end of World War I, a Peace Bench has been installed which was paid for by a series of talks that have been part of the Adult Learning programme at the Cathedral. At 12.30 on the 27th June the Dean of the Cathedral, The Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore will hold a ceremony to bless the bench – given the war in Ukraine and the threat it poses to the world, it is a very apposite moment to pray for peace – all are welcome to attend.
C 50 is also exploring an opportunity to establish a Conservation Areas Advisory Committee or Panel that would help identify and conserve St Albans' heritage within the district's conservation areas.
If you would like to support or help C50 please contact us at c50stalbans@gmail.com
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