The Mayor, Cllr Chris Oxley and John Hills, the Mace Bearer, visited the Silver Threads Club in Sandridge and gave a talk about the history of the mayoralty, the mayoral regalia and the historic mace.
Kate Burrows, who is aged 101 and has been involved in farming the same farm in Sandridge for many decades, together with her late husband, son and grandson, is still a keen member of the club.
The Mayor learnt about the excitement caused during the war when a military glider came away from the plane which was towing it and landed on Nomansland common, where people would go to picnic and pick wild raspberries.
He also had a sharp reminder about the comparative luxury of the modern homes we take for granted now, when he was told that even in the 1950s many homes did not have bathrooms or flushing toilets. In the summer boys were sent to Water End* in Wheathampstead for their weekly bath.
The Mayor, Cllr Chris Oxley commented: “We had a wonderful afternoon with the club members, many of whom I meet regularly on the bus to St Albans. They were full of questions and stories. Many had lived through difficult times, but were full of happy memories.
“The Mace Bearer and I will be giving a similar talk and display of the mace and regalia at a FREE public event in The Civic Centre* at 7pm on Friday 5th March. The talk will last about an hour and will be suitable for all ages from 9 to 99. Everyone is welcome.”
The club, which includes men and women, meets regularly at Sandridge Village Hall every other Friday between 2pm and 4pm, to socialise and listen to a range of speakers.
The Silver Threads Club welcomes new members so if you would like any information about joining, please contact the secretary Jacky England Tel: 01727 853218.
Cllr Chris Oxley, The Right Worshipful the Mayor of St Albans City & District.
Contact for the Mayor’s office:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544 E-mail: Alison.orde@stalbans.gov.uk
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:
* Water End Farm
“….Water End, Sandridge (now Wheathampstead), on the north bank of the Lea, about a mile south-west of Ayot St. Peter, is a fine old brick mansion here engraved. It was probably built by Sir John Jennings about the year 1610, and was for many years the residence of the Jennings family. Here was born on the 5th June, 1660, Sarah Jennings, Duchess of Marlborough, who was baptised in the Abbey of St Albans on the 17th of the same month…”
Information courtesy of website:
http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/places/places-s/sandridge-water-end.htm
* Civic Centre
St Peters Street
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL1 3JE
http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/sitetools/contact-us.aspx
Silver Threads Calendar
Month Date Time Activity
January 8th 2pm-4pm Beetle Drive
January 13th 11am-5pm ***FREE trip to Pantomime - Milton Keynes Theatre ***
January 22nd 2pm-4pm Hand Massage Therapy
February 5th 12.30-3pm Fish & chip lunch
February 19th 2pm-4pm Talk by The Mayor of St.Albans
March 5th 2pm-4pm Peter plays your requests
March 19th 2pm-4pm Fun and Games
April 9th 2pm-4pm Craft Day
April 23rd 2pm-4pm Talk - St.Albans "The Home Front"
May 7th 12.30-3pm Anniversary Lunch
May 21st 10am-5pm Spring Trip - Cruise on the River Lee
June 4th 2pm-4pm Talk or demonstration
June 18th 2pm-4pm Garden Party
July 2nd 2pm-4pm Bring & Buy + Quiz
July 16th 11am-3pm Summer Trip - Stockwood Park.
July 30th 2pm-4pm Line Dancers
August 13th 2pm-4pm Bingo
August 27th 2pm-4pm In House Afternoon
September 10th 12.30-3pm Ploughman's Lunch
September 24th 2pm-4pm Musicality (Singers)
October 8th 2pm-4pm AGM
October 22nd 2pm-4pm Talk on Luton Hoo
November 5th 12.30-3pm Bangers 'n' Mash lunch
November 19th 2pm-4pm Bygones
December 3rd 2pm-4pm Christmas Craft
December 17th 12.30-3.pm Christmas Celebrations