THESUMMER 2019 | ISSUE 9 | BROUGHT TO YOU BY BRITAIN’S OLDESTTIMES PUB | YEOLDEFIGHTINGCOCKS.CO.UK FESTIVAL FEVER LOCAL HERO HE’S BEHIND YOU YOFC hosts YOFC catches Panto legend on Eric Herts’ first-ever up with a Morecambe, Tweenies all-day pub community and being a new dad festival, p3 champion, p4 again, p12 Mandy takes care of business, culture & tourism SOPHIE BANKS REPORTS Thousands descend on city for weekend of festivals IRELESS Save St Albans Pubs campaigner and friend of Ye Olde TFighting Cocks, Mandy McNeil, has won victories in both local and central government over the spring months, since the last YOFC Times was published. As vice-chair of the save St Albans Pubs campaign group, Mandy, who is also the voice of St Albans Taste and Radio Verulam, as well as being CEO of her own insurance and risk management company, Mandy McNeil International, was instrumental in the group THOUSANDS of festival-goers descended on St Albans over the weekend of 22 and winning an award for 23 June to take part in two days of celebrations. These included the annual Alban Campaigners of the Year from Pilgrimage followed by the city’s first-ever Roman Festival. On the Sunday, the Alban CAMRA earlier this year. Street Festival took over the city centre with live music, street performers, theatre, Following that victory, she dancing, amazing food and drink and a strongman challenge brought to the city by won the opportunity to speak Ultimate Strongman, the organisers of Channel 5’s annual UK’s Strongest Man. at parliament on behalf of the campaign, to the parliament select committee investigation holder for business, culture and Alban Weekend, and the Roman Festival, and I’m sure into the impact of business rates tourism. Christo Tofalli, landlord opening of the new Cathedral that will make it an even more on business. More recently, of YOFC, says: “We are very Welcome Centre and exhibition fascinating spectacle”. she was invited to attend the proud of Mandy. She is one of space. In her role as councillor, Christo continued: “Mandy All-Party Parliamentary Beer the hardest working people I Mandy said of this festival: will make a huge difference in Group inquiry into Unlocking have ever met. “The Alban Street Festival St Albans, like she has done Pubs’ Potential. “If Mandy is in your corner, is one of the most exciting with our Save St Albans Pubs And, also in May, she was you can be sure she will throw city-centre events of the year campaign, and St Albans is all victorious in the St Albans local her all into whatever she is doing and attracts huge crowds. the richer for having her bang elections, winning a Sopwell for you and make it a success.” This year, she said, the city the drum for these three vital seat (previously Labour), for the Since Mandy won her seat, was emphasising its “Roman areas of the city.” Liberal Democrats, and being the city has put on a Roman heritage, as the event is being Well done Mandy, we will announced as the portfolio Festival, to coincide with the held during their St Albans drink to that! If you have a news story for The YOFC Times or are interested in being a YOFC Times partner, email [email protected] THE YOFC TIMES SUMMER 2019 Landlord’s hasty drivel The all-day family-friendly know she is going to smash it, ‘Mandy’s been an festival we held in May was so every day all day. epic that we are only having Someone else who always amazing supporter of another one on 24 August! So smashes it is my good old mate the pub, in fact, all of there’s a date for your diary. Bob Golding, and he’s our Big the pubs in St Albans, I want to say a massive Interview this issue, so sit back, and she’s now your congratulations to Mandy have a pint and a giggle as you portfolio holder for McNeil. This woman is read about what he’s been up Some want to call it editor’s unstoppable! to in his fantastic career, and business, culture and notes, but I’m not having any Mandy’s been an amazing what’s coming up for him this tourism’ of it supporter of the pub, in fact all year (clue: it’s behind you!). the pubs in St Albans, and she’s Finally – just want to say ERE we are again, now your portfolio holder for respect to Stacey who is half (CRUK) and awareness for The summer is in full swing business, culture and tourism way up a bloody mountain in Ollie Foundation – so big up to and the pub and its – three words which basically Africa as I write this (Kiliman- you Stacey and see you for a Hgarden are busy and rocking sum up what Ye Olde Fighting jaro), with the rucksack that the cold bottle of something with all the new live music we Cocks is all about. pub donated to her firmly on fizzy to celebrate when you are putting on with the help of Mandy won the Sopwell seat her back, as she raises mon- come back. Have a banging Empty Events. in the local elections, and we ey for Cancer Research UK summer everyone! THINGS TO SEE IN QUARTER 3 There’s LOADS going on in the Meraki Festival and Dylans getting involved, this is great outdoors near the pub over 23-25 August, Herts County one not to be missed. the summer! Here’s The YOFC Showground pubintheparkuk.com/st-albans Times pick ... This popular family-friendly summer festival returns for a third year and St Albans Food and Drink Festival JULY takes place at the Herts County 25-29 September UK’s Strongest Man Festival, Showground and is unique in that, The St Albans Food & Drink Festival 26th – 28th July once you’re in, all activities are free. is now in its 12th year, showcasing Athletics Ground, Verulamium Park There’s dancing, a fairground, the fantastic range of food, drink and This huge event is once again comedy, magic, movies, lego, even produce available throughout the being filmed for Channel 5, and is a free festival glitter!! And of course St Albans District. The festival starts weekend of fun with free children’s lots of music, which this year on 23 September with the St Albans activities, music and plenty of local includes Judge Jules, Paul Young Food & Drink Awards being held in food and drink, while watching in- and The Shires. the St Albans Museum + Gallery. credible feats of strength. merakifestival.com CAMRA Beer & Cider Festival kicks Who will win the title this year of off on Weds 25 September at the UK’s Strongest Man? Ye Olde Fighting Cocks all-day Alban Arena. A great Feastival Event Family tickets start at just £10 per festival, 24 August on Sunday 29 September will set person, plus booking fee. The all-day festival in May was so St Peter’s Street ablaze with street Tickets available from successful that Ye Olde Fighting food, demonstrations and general eventbrite.co.uk Cocks is doing it all over again! frivolity! Plus two weeks of events, Music, food, family fun – be there. activities, workshops, dinners and AUGUST yeoldefightingcocks.co.uk deals run through until 7 October. Much Ado About Nothing enjoystalbans.com/event/st- 1 and 2 August, Inn on the Park, SEPTEMBER albans-beer-cider-festival-2019/ Verulamium Park, St Albans Pub in the Park, 13-15 September Open-air theatre at its best! The Verulamium Park, St Albans TimeTurn: St Albans Vintage Retro cast of nine delivers a 90-minute Tom Kerridge brings his foodie Festival 22 September performance of William festival to Verulamium Park over This retro festival takes the city back Shakespeare’s brilliant comedy, the weekend of 13 -15 September. in time with each street themed to a preceded with a director’s talk With TV chefs such as Matt Tebbutt different era with a variety of activities and an exciting fun interactive and James Martin showcasing their for the public to enjoy. In partnership session with the audience. cooking skills and music from Will with Heritage Open Days, music, dramaimpact.com/much-ado- Young, Tom Odell and Razorlight, as food and fashion will all play their about-nothing-the-tour/ well as our very own Phil Thompson part in the festival. stalbansbid.com THE YOFC TIMES SUMMER 2019 SOPHIE BANKS REPORTS E Olde Fighting Cocks has unveiled plans to host the pub’s second Yall-day music festival after more than 800 people partied in the pub and garden at the first festival in May. The festival, organised for the pub by Empty Events, was Hertfordshire’s first all-day pub festival and was such a success, the organisers will he hosting another festival on 24 August, a bank holiday weekend. More than 20 bands and artists 800 rock up to pub’s performed across two stages at the festival. The event also helped to raise awareness for first all-day festival The OLLIE Foundation, a local charity that funds suicide inter- at the venue over the last few And, YOFC is now also including an Octoberfest party vention skills training for adults months and bands are starting introducing live music to the and a winter wonderland in the working with young people. to come from the surround- final Saturday of every month. garden in December.” The festival is part of a new ing counties, even as far as Owain Page, founding direc- YOFC would like to hear energy surrounding YOFC’s Cambridge.