Thousands expected to celebrate origins of St Albans

MORE THAN 2,500 children and families are expected to come together on Saturday to celebrate the city s beginnings when the story of St Alban is recreated. The fifth annual St Albans Festival Pilgrimage will see 200 costumed children and award-winning gia

MORE THAN 2,500 children and families are expected to come together on Saturday to celebrate the city's beginnings when the story of St Alban is recreated.

The fifth annual St Albans Festival Pilgrimage will see 200 costumed children and award-winning giant puppets lead the carnival procession from the place of the saint's trial to the place of his execution.

The children's array of costumes include Roman soldiers, roses, angels, monks, lions and even Alban's executioner.

People have flocked to the shrine of St Alban, Britain's first Christian martyr, at the Abbey for 1,700 years and it continues to draw in crowds today.

Dean of St Albans, the Very Rev Jeffrey John, said: "This is a wonderful celebration of our city and saint. Children love the fun and excitement of being part of such a dramatic event and pilgrims from all over the country find it a very moving spectacle."

The procession will start at 10.30am by the Verulamium Museum and activities will continue in and around St Albans Abbey until 4pm.

The free programme includes bouncy castles, circus skills workshops, drumming, chariot racing, medieval food and tours of the Abbey.