St Albans Cathedral has launched its own label St Albans Ale which will be sold to raise funds for the Cathedral. (posted 16th June 2005)
Cafe at the Abbey Manager, Cheryl Turner and Head Chef, Stephen Goode sample St Albans Ale
St Albans Cathedral has launched St Albans Ale, a special bottle conditioned ale to help raise funds for the Cathedral.
This beer for connoisseurs of real ale is only available from the Café at the Abbey and Cathedral Shop, either to drink with a meal in or to take home as a souvenir of a visit to the Cathedral.
In the middle ages St Albans Abbey would have brewed its own ale in huge quantities. Today's St Alban Ale is brewed by B & T Brewers of Shefford, Bedfordshire using English malt and hops to give it it's rich colour and full bodied taste.
The distinctive bottle labels have been designed by a member of the cathedral staff and show Saint Alban as depicted in one of the Cathedral's stained glass windows.
All profits from the sale of the beer will support the work of the Cathedral and the maintenance of the 928 year old Cathedral building.
Said the Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John, Dean of St Albans, “We try to keep up the medieval tradition of St Albans Abbey by providing refreshment for body as well as soul. In addition profits on the sale of St Albans Ale will support our work here”.
For further details please contact Linda Lewis, Enterprises Operations Manager 01727 890204, enterprises@stalbanscathredral.org.uk )
Or,
Nicholas Bates, Cathedral Administrator, 01727 890208 ( admin@stalbanscathedral.org.uk )
Hundreds of children, clergy and pilgrims from around the world will join the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Christopher Herbert, the Dean of St Albans, the Very Revd Dr Jeffrey John and the canons and congregation of St Albans Cathedral on 25th June for a spectacular day of celebration of the life of Alban, Britain's first martyr.
The Procession - Passio
The day, which marks the execution of Alban at a site outside the magnificent Cathedral that bears his name, is marked each year but this occasion will be transformed by a spectacular procession of participants from the site of Alban's trial and sentence to death at the Roman basilica of Verulamium to the Cathedral. Giant sized puppets of Alban, his executioner and the Welsh priest he protected from persecution will act out the real and mythical stories of his death. The puppets are designed by Mahogany Community Ventures Ltd, who have created puppets for the Notting Hill Carnival, the Queen's Golden Jubilee and Euro96, and will be made by local children.
Massive deep blue flags will represent the drying up of the river Ver as Alban crossed it to his death, where a spring burst forth to quench his thirst, great folds of material will appear, and where his blood touched the ground, as in the myths, rose bushes will instantly grow and flower. Finally, Alban will be beheaded in front of the West End and his head carried into the Cathedral by the Dean at the start of a service at which the Dean will preach on the subject of martyrdom in the modern context.
Sacred dance
The celebrations will continue in the afternoon with a Sacred Dance performance by renowned dancers Kàlai Kàviri, who will perform in the Nave for the glory of God and in celebration of the feast of Saint Alban. Kàlai Kàviri is an Indian Roman Catholic sacred dance troupe; they will be here as part of a 4 week tour of the UK. This will be followed by choral evensong at which the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Richard Harries will preach. The holy relic of Alban will be taken from the shrine and laid on the shrine altar during this service.
The Dean of St Albans, the Very Revd Dr Jeffrey John said, 'As Britain's first martyr Alban should have a special place in the hearts of the people of this country. The 25th June will be a colourful, loud and joyous event and I look forward to welcoming all who make the journey to St Albans. I hope those who join us to celebrate Alban's life will be inspired by his example of witnessing to the faith and telling the truth in love'.
Ends
Anna McCrum
Communications Officer
Diocese of St. Albans,
41 Holywell Hill,
St. Albans, Herts, AL1 5HE
Tel: 01727 818143; Fax 01727 844469
http://www.stalbans.anglican.org
The County of Hertfordshire Service of Commemoration marking the
60th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War will be held at St
Albans Cathedral on Sunday 10th July at 11.15 am
World War II came to an end 60 years ago this year. To mark this anniversary,
Sunday 10th July is being kept as a national day of commemoration throughout
the UK. For the people of Hertfordshire a special service of commemoration
is being held in St Albans Cathedral at 11:15am, to which all are welcome.
The service will bring together a variety of people of all ages. Ex-servicemen
and women are warmly invited to attend, along with those who served on
the Home Front, others who lived through the war, and indeed anyone else
who wishes to share in commemorating the end of the war. We shall be joined
by representatives of the Queen and of Parliament, the armed forces and
local government. The Bishop of St Albans will preach.
A variety of faiths, denominations and nationalities will be represented.
Together we will join
- in remembering the events of 1939-45
- in giving thanks for those who sacrificed much for
freedom’s sake
- and in committing ourselves to strive for future peace
and reconciliation.
This will undoubtedly be a very poignant and thought-provoking occasion;
everyone is very welcome to come and be part of it.
Further Details available from:
Nicholas Bates
Cathedral Administrator and Chapter Clerk
Cathedral and Abbey Church of Saint Alban
St Albans
Hertfordshire UK
AL1 1BY
+44 (0)1727 890208 (Direct Line)
+44 (0)1727 860780 (Cathedral)
+44 (0)1727 850944 (Fax)
www.stalbanscathedral.org.uk