The Parents' Show on Radio Verulam - by parents, for parents, about parenting

Simon Armitage started out his working life as a probation officer before turning to writing poetry full time. He was appointed the Poet Laureate in 2019. Simon's latest poem is dedicated to all those people who are working in the Probation Service. He sees probation work as very much misunderstood. Simon spoke to Mix Mornings about his new poem, life as a modern day poet and the impact of artificial intelligence on the world of poetry.

The Mix 92.6 Mix Mornings Team went off to Hitchin to meet with Matthew Rideout, an Artisan Baker who opened his Knead and Desire shop in Hitchin last year. Matthew tells us all about his journey to become an artisan baker, after a long and distinguished career in the City of London. He talks all things sourdough - the starter or mother, the flour, their baking process and what their customers think of the products they bake in the shop. Matthew is passionate about his sourdough and his business and he's keen to encourage a better understanding of the quality of his and other artisan products.

Lucy Swift from the National Garden Scheme came into our Mix 92.6 studio to share some of the exciting plans for this year's National Garden Scheme (NGS). Lucy told us all about how the NGS raises huge sums for charities and also what's coming up for the NGS in Hertfordshire over the next few weeks. Lucy, who is a gardener by profession, also shared some of her favourite varieties of daffodils now available to us. All in all it was a truly Spring time discussion with the outdoors in mind.

Catherine Airey grew up and went to school in Potters Bar. Last week Catherine's debut novel – Confessions – was published and it has been described by critics as an “impressive debut novel” and “maybe the best book I have read this year. An absolute masterpiece – I didn't want it to end.” Feature articles ... Read more

Canon Rob Marshall is Rector of Digswell Parish just outside Welwyn Garden City – But Rob is no ordinary Vicar, he's been a BBC football commentator and a broadcaster famous for his stints on Radio 2 with Pause for Thought and Thought for the Day on Radio 4. We went along to St John's Church ... Read more

Tim Boatswain interviews Elisaveta Koshsevec, from North Macedonia, about a newcomer’s perception of St Albans’ heritage.

Tim Boatswain interviews Cllr Anthony Rowlands, Vice Chair of the Public Realm Committee and, among other responsibilities, Lead Councillor for Heritage, about the importance of St Albans’ heritage

Tim Boatswain interviews Terry Turner, Chairman of the St Albans Tour Guides Association, about guiding people around the heritage of St Albans

Tim Boatswain interviews Robert Pankhurst, a Trustee of St Albans Civic Society and a member of Conservation 50, about the importance of heritage and its conservation.

Tim Boatswain interviews Dr John Morewood, President of St Albans & Hertfordshire Architectural and Archaeological Society, about St Albans rich heritage – from the War of the Roses, The English Civil War, onwards.

Tim Boatswain interviews Stephen de Silva, MBE a volunteer guide at the St Albans Cathedral for over 40 years, about St Albans Cathedral and Mediaeval St Albans

Tim Boatswain interviews David Thorold, Curator, Pre-historic to Medieval, at St Albans Museums about the Iron Age and Roman heritage of St Albans.

In this episode of Legal Experts, we're joined by Charlotte Southworth, Legal Director at our sponsor Rayden Solicitors. Charlotte speaks to Lydia about how the company is embracing Neurodiversity both in its internal teams and also when dealing with clients and the ways in which neurodiverse clients can best work alongside solicitors when dealing with ... Read more

This is Episode 1 of  our brand new feature Weekend Wines With Cellar Door Wines, our sponsorship partner,  This weeks guest wine expert Penny Edwards shares all the details of one or her personal favourite wines from her own collection, and talks about her ongoing search for world wines to bring back to her fabulous ... Read more

Andrew Dempsey invented Oktoberfest (the Hertfordshire version) in 2021 and it's been one of the county's favourite autumn attractions every year since. Beer tents, lederhosen and foaming steins of beer have been a regular sight on the commons in Harpenden, St Albans, Hertford – and, coming soon, even further afield. In a special Bank Holiday ... Read more

Recorded for the 2024 General Election as part of a series of interviews with local candidates

Recorded for the 2024 General Election as part of a series of interviews with local candidates

Recorded for the 2024 General Election as part of a series of interviews with local candidates

Recorded for the 2024 General Election as part of a series of interviews with local candidates

Recorded for the 2024 General Election as part of a series of interviews with local candidates

Chris Amoo founding member of the Real Thing talks to Dave Ellis about the new album ‘A Brand New Day’ and the band’s development from the 70’s to today. Featuring Children of the Ghetto, one of the new tracks, writing with brother Eddie and the Real Thing’s big break on Opportunity Knocks.

Ross Bell of the band Rosko Piko tells of his extraordinary journey to find salvation in music.

Ross Bell of the band Rosko Piko tells of his extraordinary journey to find his salvation in music: Part 2

Local advertising professional, Matt Bourn, thinks advertising has a crucial role to play in our move to a sustainable future. In this week's Environment Matters podcast, Matt talks to Amanda Yorwerth about Sustainable Advertising, the new book that he has co-authored. Topics covered include green washing, how we frame messaging around climate change and even the ... Read more

It may appear like an ordinary scheduled bus service but the Harpenden Hopper is so much more – it’s a community and a lifeline for its passengers. Elly and Andy took a trip to find out more.

St Albans Girls School are presenting their first school musical drama production since COVID and it is MATILDA – THE MUSICAL. Join the STAGS Radio and podcast club as they go behind the scenes with interviews, discussion and all the backstage gossip.

With it being Cystic Fibrosis week from 13-19 June, it's very timely that this week we speak to Laura Barrett, the mother of Bailey who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Laura has since written a book to help other parents through the trauma of such a diagnosis and how to cope with the long hospital stays, family adjustments and the guilt that may come with it. We talk about her book, "Unconditional Love - An empowering guide to accepting your child's diagnosis, managing long hospital stays and building your new self" We also talk toMargaret Chapman and Tamsin Holland from St Albans Girl's School about the upcoming transition to secondary school for our children, and how best to manage the changes in their school life. The Parents' Show is sponsored by Rayden Solicitors.

Hear how panellists from the 4 major parties answered questions from the public on issues concerning the environment and sustainability ahead of the 5th May local elections. Subjects covered include making the District water sensitive building on Greenbelt cycling to school greenwashing and trustworthiness the Local Plan engaging businesses in the effort to reach Net ... Read more

Hear how panellists from the 4 major parties answered questions from the public on issues concerning the environment and sustainability ahead of the 5th May local elections. Subjects covered include making the District water sensitive building on Greenbelt cycling to school greenwashing and trustworthiness the Local Plan engaging businesses in the effort to reach Net ... Read more

In this episode, we speak to Nicola Mc Kinnon, Community Fundraiser at Herts Young Homeless, a wonderful local charity that puts huge time and energy into preventing homelessness among young people in our county. She speaks about upcoming opportunities to support their work through various Fundraising initiatives in the coming weeks. We also speak to entrepreneur Rebecca Jackson, a Mum who is pregnant with twins and going through an incredibly stressful roller-coaster of a pregnancy. She has decided that one way to deal with the difficulties that have and may face her in the future is to speak openly and let us all learn from her experience. Rebecca will tell us about what she's going through. Our programme is sponsored by Rayden Solicitors

Radio Verulam was at the Mayor's Pride Awards event at St Michael's Manor Hotel on Tuesday 29th March 2022. The Mayor's Pride Awards celebrate the role played by volunteers and community leaders in the District of St Albans. In this podcast you can listen to the highlights of the event and the Awards presented by the Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor Edgar Hill.

It's part 4 of the #ADHD special on the Thursday's Parents' Show. Lydia speaks to James Wenger about being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, and how that is helping him relate his experiences growing up to his own son who also has ADHD, after recapping everything the show has covered about over the last few weeks. The Parents' Show is sponsored by Rayden Solicitors.

As we continue with our February Focus on ADHD, we are really pleased to have the opportunity to interview Mel Peeke, ADHD and Autism Lead at ADD-vance - ADHD & Autism Trust. Mel will be answering questions on topics from the isolation young people and parents experience to medication and gender dysphoria, to the vital role our schools have to play. This show is for everyone, it will answer questions for parents and carers on how best to support their child but it is also incredibly valuable for all parents to gain a better understanding of what children with ADHD go through. We are proudly sponsored by Rayden Solicitors

This week on the Parents' Show we catch up with Claire Healey from Raring2go St Albans and Harpenden about some exciting upcoming developments. Keep an eye on those book bags for more! On a more serious note, we speak to Debi Roberts, CEO of The OLLIE Foundation about how some media have got it wrong covering recent suicides in the news and how important our use of language is around this incredibly sensitive subject. Proudly sponsored by Rayden Solicitors

As it's World Book Day this Thursday, we thought we'd take you back to January's Parents' show where we explore how we can get our kids reading more and hear from a local book retailer. We speak to Margaret Allen, Curriculum and Education Specialist at Renaissance Learning who have the well-known programme Accelerated Reader as part of their offering. We will be speaking about how important reading is. Then we speak to Mr Jack Pettitt from Verulam School who will be providing incredible practical advice on supporting your child's reading. Finally, we will speak to Books on the Hill about what they are doing to get us reading in 2022! Tune in from 8-9pm on Thursday. Rayden Solicitors sponsor the Parents' Show.

At 7.10pm on Sunday 7th November a whistle blew in Clarence Park and history was made. The crowd went crazy and Radio Verulam took to the air. Listen again to our post match show as we get reaction from Ian Allinson, Dean Austin, Lawrence Levy, Sean Jeffers, David Noble, Ian Rogers and a lot more.

Listen to our FA Cup prematch show that took place before the historic FA Cup match against Forest Green Rovers. Hear from the fans as the excitement builds.

Rebecca Vaughan, met with Steve Simpson to discuss her new production of Virginia Woolf’s A Room Of One’s Own at the Maltings Theatre from Tuesday 7th September.   Tickets available from ovo.org.uk  

Here’s this week’s podcast featuring Ian Allison’s reaction to the Saints start to the season. A Saints Rewind with Dave Tavener focusing on season starts. Colney Heath Assistant Manager Ant Burns on their FA Cup win. Highlights from St Albans B v Sandridge Rovers featuring comments from Chris Winton and Nigel Rump.

Harpenden Town FC hosted Romford in the FA Cup extra preliminary round and Radio Verulam were there. Listen to the match highlights and reaction from manager Mickie Nathan and the fans.

It's the last Parents' Show this Thursday before we all spend the summer holidays with our children. In this episode we speak to Chris Gomez From TryTime Rugby St Albans about rugby for kids and Heather Birt from Baby College Mid-Herts about some of the key baby development insights they cover with parents at the Baby College, [...]

We spoke to David Bevan from Best Theatre Arts about how the past 18 months have been and their exciting plans for the summer #BestFest and #Olympiaganza. Then in the second part we spoke to Lehna Gardiner from Rayden Solicitors here in #StAlbans about Collaborative Law - a positive and constructive approach to divorce. Sponsored [...]