 Historic St Albans Charter Market is to be relaunched later this year with an exciting new look.
The revamp will involve a mixture of traditional stalls, in the City’s famous colours of blue and yellow, and gazebos.
Stalls will provide the Market with its central core while the gazebos will also be branded in St Albans colours to create an harmonious style.
The changes are the result of an examination of the Market's future following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Market has been nominated as having the best food market in the UK in the Great British Food Awards. You can show your support for our traders by voting for us here.
 An all-electric recycling vehicle with high-tech safety equipment has gone on trial in St Albans District.
The eCollect is an an emissions free alternative to conventional diesel-powered trucks. Our waste contractor Veolia has been testing the vehicle which has been designed to improve local air quality by reducing emissions. Such innovations will help us reach our target of carbon neutrality by 2030.
Cllr Dr Allison Wren (pictured), Lead Councillor for Waste and Recycling, had a look at the vehicle as it collected garden waste in Redbourn.
 We joined forces with our recycling and waste contractor Veolia to supply schools with free fruit trees.
The schools provided with trees will join a national network of orchards which is being supported by the community action charity Groundwork. The initiative aims to nurture young people’s skills and help them create a positive change to their environment.
Tree deliveries will take place during September and October along with information on how to plant the trees and harvest the fruit.
Retired teacher Julia Hawkins has photographed one of the District’s newest residents - the Peregrine Falcon baby.
The chick, known as Artemis, was born on the rooftop of St Albans Cathedral after its parents, Alban and Boudica, were attracted to set up home there by the Wilder St Albans project, a collaboration between us and the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
A gravel-lined tray, simulating a natural nesting site, was constructed and installed on the roof for the birds.
Julia is a keen photographer and works for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds as a volunteer.
She recently photographed another new arrival at Verulamium Park - an Egyptian Goose gosling (right). More examples of her work are available here.
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The Healthy Hub: based at our Civic Centre, the Hub offers financial advice and guidance on many other issues from a host of organisations including Citizens Advice, St Albans Community Bank and the Shaw Trust. More information is available here.
St Albans and District Foodbank: part of a nationwide network supported by the Trussell Trust, the foodbank provides emergency supplies to people in difficulty. More information is available here.
Household Support Scheme: we have been allocated funds by the Government to distribute to households that we identify as being in need. This money is intended to help people with essentials such as food and energy bills. More information is available here.
Council Tax Support: this is how we help residents who are on a low income to pay their Council Tax bill. They may be eligible for a discount of up to 100%. More information can be found here.
A further consultation on how local communities in St Albans District are governed at town and parish council level has begun.
We're carrying out the review to see if any changes are needed. Feedback from the first consultation resulted in draft recommendations which can be viewed here.
Now we're seeking people’s views on the proposals with this second consultation running until Friday 16 September.
You can give your views be email to elections@stalbans.gov.uk.
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 Rail firm Thameslink’s £500,000-a-year community improvement fund is open for applications. They’re willing to help finance initiatives that support communities on issues such as mental health, employment, sustainability and diversity and inclusion. More information is available here.
We have been supporting Plastic Free July – a worldwide campaign to reduce single-use plastic.
The organisers are urging people to take up their challenge of choosing to refuse plastic packaging in an effort to create cleaner oceans, streets and communities.
You can find out more information about the campaign and how to join the fight against plastic pollution here.
 Free help is available for businesses to become carbon zero. The University of East London is hosting online workshops this month to support SMEs, charities and enterprises in their path to achieving that goal. To register, contact: sri@uel.ac.uk.
Our dedicated and talented employees are key drivers for making transformational changes and working towards becoming a more adaptable organisation with a sustainable future.
St Albans is a superb place to live, work and visit with great transport links. We operate a hybrid working model and there are many flexible working options as well as a comprehensive reward and benefits package. We have a strong collaborative culture and clearly defined values and behaviours.
Please see our current vacancies, find out more about us, follow us on LinkedIn and take a look at frequently asked questions about the jobs and careers we offer people.
Visits to our leisure centres have jumped by more than 60% in just one year.
We own Westminster Lodge and Batchwood, both in St Albans, Cotlandswick, in London Colney, and Harpenden Leisure Centre (pictured).
In the three months from April last year, when centres reopened following the COVID-19 lockdowns, there were a combined 289,110 visits to the centres with that figure leaping to 481,608 visits in the first three months of this year. That represents a 67% increase during the 12 months involved.
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You’ve got until Monday 11 July to nominate your favourite cafes, pubs, restaurants, retailers and producers for the St Albans Food and Drink Festival Awards.
You can do so here.
The Food and Drink Festival Steering Committee will create a shortlist with people able to vote from Monday 18 July. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on Monday 19 September.
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 Look out for messages from us about the annual canvass to make sure you do not lose your vote at any future elections.
We’re carrying out the canvass to keep the electoral register up to date and will be contacting households by email or letter to confirm their details.
Households where we suspect there has been a change will be sent canvass forms instead.
Anyone who is not registered can do so online in just a few minutes at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Artist Donna Borg has used Verulamium Park as the inspiration for her paintings – and has an exhibition planned for later this year.
She has become a regular feature in the park, often standing by the lakes with her brushes and easel.
Donna, who was born and raised in Malta and now lives in St Albans, said: “The park is one of my favourite places to paint. The aim of this painting was to inject some of the magic and tranquillity I associate with the place. I picked this view because of the different types of trees, the river, the majestic Cathedral in the background and the ice cream van which reminds me of beautiful days spent in the park.”
Donna will be exhibiting her work at the Abbey Theatre as part of Herts Open Studios from Saturday 10 to Friday 16 September. She will also be giving live demonstrations and workshops while more of her paintings can be viewed here.
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 A County Remembers, until Friday 22 July, Free, Museum + Gallery
This exhibition was co-created with a small team of local volunteers and explores war memorial making in Hertfordshire. There is a particular focus on the era immediately after WW1, a watershed for war memorials. Memorials once celebrated mighty generals and monarchs, but a more democratic approach has developed.
Roman Trade with Ancient St Albans, Wednesday 27 July, 7.30pm – 8.30pm, £6
An online talk to link with our exhibition St Albans on Sea. Curator David Thorold describes Roman trade with Verulamium from the Iron age and through the Roman period, looking at what goods were traded, how items were transported and the reasons that trade developed. You can book tickets here.
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Museum Minis, Monday 11 July, 1pm and 2pm, £5, Museum + Gallery
Looking for a way to keep little ones occupied? Join us for a storytime, craft activity and Museum hunt aimed at 2-4 year olds. We’re reading The Treasure Hunt by Nick Butterworth. Percy the Park keeper has planned a surprise for all his animal friends. More information here.
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