The St Albans Magna Carta Weekend took place between Friday 11and Sunday 13 June, to the delight of hundreds of participants and spectators.
The Mayor of St Albans City and District, Cllr Maxine Crawley and the magnificent Harpenden Piped Band led a splendid celebratory procession through the city on Sunday, with honoured guests including those from the Magna Carta Trust who were robed and escorted by their Sword and Mace Bearers.
The Mayor commented: "I felt honoured and excited to be part of St Albans' Magna Carta weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the weekend's events but the high point for me was leading the colourful procession through the streets of St Albans on Sunday morning. Our Magna Carta celebrations certainly did St Albans city and district proud, whilst never forgetting the vital history of the original document which, although signed by King John in 1215, is still the cornerstone of our legal system today."
Other highlights included Lord Bingham of Cornhill’s lecture in the Cathedral on the Rule of Law, delivered by Judge Michael Baker QCDL on Friday night, the Magna Carta Celebration Concert with St Albans Symphony Orchestra providing a stunning musical celebration of human rights and freedoms on Saturday night and TV Historian Dan Snow’s vibrant Magna Carta exploration at the Maltings Art Theatre on Sunday evening.
The Museum of St Albans and Oaklands College provided art and events to bring the Magna Carta alive for the city. A replica of the Magna Carta, the cornerstone of English liberty, law and democracy, was a centre piece of the celebrations and will remain on display in the foyer of the Council Offices in St Albans over the summer.
Head of Culture and Community Development at St Albans City and District Council, Richard Shwe said: “This was a major event for the city and district of St Albans and a joyful celebration of the city’s central role in the drafting of the Magna Carta almost 800 years ago. Music, art, history and pageantry all played a role. The Council, Oaklands College, the Museums, the Cathedral, the Magna Carta Trust, our sponsors and lots of volunteers and local people of all ages and backgrounds came together to provide a wonderful celebratory weekend.”
Member contact:
Cllr Sheila Burton, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Heritage
St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 863598
Contact for the press:
Davina Mansell, Information and Communication Officer
Tel: 01727 819316 E-mail: davina.mansell@stalbans.gov.uk
St Albans City and District Council
www.stalbans.gov.uk
Notes:
Pictures are available at: http://gallery.me.com/richard_davenport/100272