St Albans Cathedral and St Albans Museum + Gallery are hosting events in October and November 2018, to commemorate a centenary since the end of the First World War. You might be planning a visit to the Imperial War Museum to see the latest centenary exhibitions and the Weeping Window but there are also poignant events taking place in St Albans to mark the centenary. You can even join in by painting a pebble or a stone with an image of a poppy and from 3rd to 12th November 2018 St Albans Rocks UK are organising a ‘Poppy Line’ in remembrance. All you need to do is paint a pebble or a rock with an image of a poppy and bring your stone to add to the ‘Poppy Line’ in the memorial garden at the top of St Peter’s Street in St Albans. Take a look at my blog on How To Paint Rocks for poppy rock ideas and inspiration.
Here, I’ve gathered together a collection of events in and around St Albans. Some of these events are part of St Albans Remembers and some are organised independently, but all seek to commemorate this important moment in history in their own special way. As always, remember that the weather can change and so can the details of events, so please check directly with the venue or organisers before you set-off.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Lasting Peace?
St Albans Museum + Gallery, Market Place, St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DJ
Pop into the St Albans Museum + Gallery from 8th September to 25th November 2018 and visit the ‘Lasting Peace?’ exhibition, which explores the way we remember the First World War and how remembrance has changed from the early memorials to the centenary commemorations being organised today. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Cathedral – Poppy Field
St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1BY
On Friday 26th and Saturday 27th October 2018, 7.30pm-11pm, a stunning projection of poppies will fill the Nave of St Albans Cathedral for two nights only, as part of a unique light and sound installation to commemorate the World War One Centenary. St Albans Cathedral will open after dark to anyone wishing to contemplate and reflect on the history of World War One. Entry will be free and will provide people with an opportunity to remember those who have served in the First World War and any other conflict. Entry will be free and booking is not required. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – A County At War, Life On The Home Front In Hertfordshire
St Albans Museum + Gallery, Market Place, St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DJ
Visit the St Albans Museum + Gallery from Saturday 27th October to Thursday 15th November 2018, (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm and Sunday 12noon-5pm) and see a film offering a fresh and surprisingly local view of the First World War. The film A County At War, Life on the Home Front in Hertfordshire is interlaced with original recordings and songs of the period. Made from photographs supplied by local museums and the public, this film highlights the unsung heroes of The Home Front. It is often haunting, ultimately uplifting and forever Hertfordshire. This activity is free and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Cathedral – Peace and Poppies
St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1BY
On Saturday 27th October 2018, 11am, come to St Albans Cathedral for some Remembrance-themed activities, from making your own poppy, creating charcoal drawings of local soldiers from World War 1, or adding a dove to the peace tree. This is a drop-in event for all the family, suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – St Albans Legacy
St Albans Museum + Gallery, Market Place, St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DJ
Visit the St Albans Museum + Gallery from Saturday 27th October to Thursday 15th November 2018 to see the St Albans Legacy exhibition. St Albans Legacy is the culmination of a multimedia art competition showcasing the artworks and creative responses of local pupils to the First World War. The display gathers creations which explore what the Armistice means to a new generation and sheds light on the experiences of those 100 years ago. Accompanying the artwork will also be a world map recording where the ancestors of St Albans’ residents were living 100 years ago. This exhibition is free. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Glass Art Poppies with Opal Seabrook
Market Place, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DJ
Poppies have been a symbol of remembrance since the end of World War One. Visit the St Albans Museum + Gallery on Thursday 1st November 2018, 10.30am-12.30pm or 2-4pm, and take part in a workshop as part of the St Albans Legacy exhibition. Using pre-cut and kiln fired glass pieces you will be able to design and glue a unique piece of poppy glass artwork in its own frame. All materials supplied. £10 per person, tickets can be booked in advance. Visit the website to book your tickets or for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Family Friday – Poppies and Peacetime
Market Place, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DJ
Visit the St Albans Museum + Gallery on Friday 2nd November 2018, at 11am and make craft art pieces inspired by the symbol of peace: the poppy. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. This activity is £2 per child and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Knit a Mug Cosy With Elizabeth Carr
Market Place, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DJ
On Saturday 3rd November 2018 book your place at St Albans Museum + Gallery Knitting Workshop with Elizabeth Carr. In this knitting workshop you will learn the basics of knitting, a popular craft during the WWI era, and be guided through making a simple mug cosy, to take home. Beginners are welcome. All materials will be supplied. Children must be 8 years old and above to take part in this workshop. £10 per person, tickets can be booked in advance. Visit the website to book your tickets or for more information.
St Albans Rocks UK Poppy Line
From the 3rd to 12th November 2018 St Albans Rocks UK are organising a ‘Poppy Line’ in remembrance. All you need to do is paint a pebble or a rock with an image of a poppy and bring your stone to add to the ‘Poppy Line’ in the memorial garden at the top of St Peter’s Street in St Albans. Take a look at my blog on How To Paint Rocks for poppy rock ideas and inspiration.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Remembrance Day
Market Place, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DJ
Visit the St Albans Museum + Gallery on Sunday 11th November 2018, where there will be the chance to visit the two First World War displays in the museum and also to watch a screening of the film A County At War in the John Althorp Learning Studio at 4.30pm. The museum will remain open until 6.30pm ahead of a service and beacon lighting at the War Memorial in St Peters Street, St Albans. This activity is free, however advance booking is required. Visit the website to book in advance or for more information.
St Albans Remembrance Day Parade and Beacon Lighting
St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire
On Sunday 11th November 2018 the annual parade on St Peter’s Street, St Albans will take place at the later time of 6.30pm, concluding with a service and Beacon Lighting at 7pm at the War Memorial in St Peters Street, St Albans. Visit the website for more information.
Lighting of the Beacon Highfield Park
Hither Wood, Highfield Park, St Albans, AL4 0RE
Join Highfield Park for the lighting of the Beacon to pay tribute to the millions who gave their lives for their country, or returned home wounded during or after the First World War. The lighting of the beacon will take place 6.30-8.15pm, Hither Wood, Highfield Park, St Albans. Visit the website for more information.
Weston Auditorium – In Flanders Fields
Weston Auditorium, de Havilland Campus, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9EU
On Sunday 11th November 2018, see the wonderful James Mayhew and the de Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra present a unique concert at the Weston Auditorium in Hatfield. To mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, the de Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra presents this profoundly moving concert featuring music composed by Butterworth, Gurney and Vaughan Williams around the time of the Great War. The concert ends with Vaughan Williams’ Pastoral Symphony, dramatically interpreted in live paintings by James Mayhew and interwoven with classic war poetry. Suitable for children aged 10 years old and above and their families. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Details of events are correct at the time of publishing.
Please check the details of an event directly with the venue or organisers before you travel.
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