SAPHRA
The Residents’ Association for Sopwell Lane, Albert Street, Pageant Road, Hart Road,
The Ryder Seed Mews Estate, Saracens Head Yard, Pearce’s Walk and Keyfield Terrace
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Notes of SAPHRA meeting held on Tuesday 10 June 2025
at the White Hart Hotel, Holywell Hill, St Albans
Present: Officials: Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Minutes Secretary
Plus: Cllr Matt Fisher, 1 resident of Pageant Road, 2 residents of Sopwell Lane,
1 resident of Hart Road
Apologies for absence: Cllr Juliet Voisey, 3 residents Albert Street, 1 resident Sopwell Lane, 2 residents Pageant Road, 1 resident Saracens Head Yard
The subjects discussed in the meeting were:
- Finances and banking arrangements:
Cathy Jones was reimbursed for £38 which was spent on a replacement water butt for the oasis.
This leaves our current balance with Metro Bank at £533.83.
- The Green Oasis in Sopwell Lane:
The last gardening day was held on 8 April 2025. A large quantity of vegetation, dead wood and lopped tree branches was cleared from the bank behind the large sycamore tree, but there is still more to remove. Once cleared this will create a good space for extended planting. The pond is in a sorry state and needs a good clean. New rocks will be added and some pond weed to help reoxygenate the water. A fence, of cane or willow, will be erected around it to prevent it from being damaged.
We still await the long-promised posts to protect the oasis from vehicles. Following recent chasing by Cllr Voisey, Phil Gomme (the Grounds Maintenance Monitoring Officer at St Albans District Council) advised that SADC is currently waiting for a quote for wooden posts with rail fencing. Back in 2023, when SADC agreed to fund posts to protect the oasis, Cllr Jacqui Taylor had agreed with SADC that all that was needed was a few single posts with no rail (a simpler, cheaper option). Cllr Taylor has asked Mr Gomme to clarify what is going on.
A bat survey is currently underway in certain streets in St Albans and Cathy has expressed our interest in having the Sopwell Lane oasis included. If all goes well, we may be able to take part in the survey sometime in June/July. In the meantime, it has been suggested that residents join Wilderhood Watch and run the Mad about Bats project. If you follow this link https://wilderhoodwatch.org/projects/bat-corridor/ to their website it has details of all the actions residents can take in their gardens to help bats.
If weather permits we will hold a gardening day at the green oasis, Sopwell Lane, on Monday 30 June at 10.30am. If you or any interested friends would like to join us, please come armed with branch loppers, garden forks, secateurs and gardening gloves.
- Community and local government matters:
St Albans District Council Local plan:
The inspectors examination part one has finished. Their initial report is awaited.
St Albans District Council (SADC)
SADC will possibly cease to exist by April 2028. Herts County Council (HCC) and the Districts / Borough councils submitted interim proposals for the reorganisation to the Government by 21st March (as required). The next deadline is 28th November for final proposals to be submitted (for a decision by the Secretary of State).
The “right size” for the new unitary authorities is apparently a population of 350K to 700K. It seems likely that Hertfordshire (population around 1.2 million) would be split into two i.e. something like west Herts and east Herts. However, Cllr Matt Fisher advised that the Lib Dem administration at HCC are now proposing a three-way split. We await further developments.
Just as important, but attracting less attention, are the proposals for Strategic Authorities above the new unitary authorities. These would be led by an elected Mayor and serve a population of 1.5 million or more (so a bit bigger than the whole of Hertfordshire). They would be responsible for planning, housing, transport, health, environment etc. Again, we await further developments.
The City Neighbourhoods Committee
- Will cease when SADC ceases to exist
- SADC & RAs would like to see an elected Parish Council for unparished area in the centre of St Albans (i.e. like Harpenden Town Council to, in effect, replace the CNC
- This will require a Community Governance Review (which Council Leader Paul de Kort and SADC support) But the Secretary of State seems to be against more parish councils
- The next CNC meeting is Wednesday 18th June. Our Vice-chair will represent SAPHRA.
Combined Central residents Associations
Continue to act as a pressure group to CNC / SADC / HCC
- SAPHRA’s next meeting will be held on Tuesday 29 July 2025 at 8pm in The White Hart Hotel, 23-25 Holywell Hill.
- Any Other Business:
Angela asked why the flag outside the Museum & Gallery had recently been at half-mast, but the Cathedral flag wasn’t. Cllr Matt Fisher explained it was in honour of the Alderman who had recently passed away.
Tim drew attention to the new mural in Lamb Alley that had been commissioned by Conservation 50 and supported by HSBC bank. The mural depicts a Wars of the Roses soldier in full armour – a nod to the city’s dramatic history. For more information visit:
https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/st-albans/historic-mural-brings-medieval-battle-to-life-in-lamb-alley/
- SAPHRA Summer party:
SAPHRA will arrange an afternoon tea party on the Sopwell Lane Green Oasis on 27 July from 3pm – 5pm (weather permitting). If it is raining, we will reschedule it to 3 August. Please bring a chair to sit on, otherwise it will be picnic blankets.
- Forthcoming events:
St Albans Civic Society presents “A Conversation with Paul de Kort” (Leader of SADC) 18th June 7:30pm in The Lower Hall, Dagnall Street Baptist Church. All welcome, refreshments will be served at the end of the formal part of the event. £5 charge for non-members of the Civic Society
Launch of St Albans and District Heritage stickers:
On Saturday 21 June there will be a launch event for the “St Albans and District Heritage” window stickers in George Street. This will follow shortly after the Alban Day parade passing through George Street on its way to the Abbey. Estimated time of the launch is 12.30pm.
The Great Schism:
The Great Schism of 1054 marked the final rupture between the Western Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Join Professor Tim Boatswain and Stephen de Silva in a lively re-enactment of an intense confrontation between Cardinal Humbert and Patriarch Cerularius as they clash over the key issues that led to the division of Christendom. This event will take place on 9 July at 7.30pm in the Cathedral. Tickets from: https://www.stalbanscathedral.org/Event/the-great-schism-of-1054-a-historical-debate
Jacqui Dankworth Concert at St Albans Organ Festival:
On 15 July at 8.30pm, Jacqui and her world-class trio will be celebrating the release of her new album, Windmills. Tickets from: https://www.stalbanscathedral.org/Event/jacqui-dankworth-live-in-concert
Big Band Explosion at Roman Theatre:
On 16 July at 7.45pm, The Hertfordshire Big Band will perform as part of the Roman Theatre Open Air Theatre Festival in St Albans. Tickets from: https://ovo.org.uk/shows/hertfordshire-big-band/
StAGE Jazz Ensemble:
On 17 July at 8pm, StAGE (St Albans Jazz Ensemble) will be holding their summer concert at the Abbey Theatre, St Albans. A few tickets remain from: https://www.abbeytheatre.org.uk/whats-on/staje-in-concert-jul-2025/
Philosophy @ the Lower Red Lion Pub, Fishpool St, St Albans:
On 22 July at 7pm, there will be a discussion on the complex and timeless philosophical question:
What is Love?
Next year will be the 400th Anniversary of the birth of Francis Bacon. There will be an exhibition of Francis Bacon’s essays, of which he wrote many, in the Cathedral.
- At the close of the meeting, as is our habit, several residents adjourned to the hotel bar to continue the conversation in a less formal setting.
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