Mammals, Leaves and Posters

 London has its Open House Festival for two full weeks in September, and many towns and cities around the country have their Heritage weekends (or longer) at the same time. Both London and St Albans  have just celebrated their 2025 events.  Well, mostly.  Many community and heritage events, especially those due to take place in the open air,  were postponed because of the threat of inclement weather – rain and strong winds.

Renovated platform of the former Smallford Station by volunteers of the organisation.

Occasional events take place both here at Smallford and at the next platform along the line,
Nast Hyde.

One such Heritage organisation, Smallford Station & Alban Way Heritage Society is a regular on the special weekend scene during the course of the summer period, and will now hold its Heritage Open Day on this coming Sunday, 21st September at the platform which at one time was Smallford Railway Station (find it a few hundred yards along Station Road from Smallford roundabout).  That implies you might be reaching the location by car, and these days you certainly can't do so by train!

But a wonderful method of reaching the location would be by taking a leisurely walk along the former track, joining the route from Abbey Station, London Road, Camp Road, Fleetville Hill End or Alban Point; or from the other direction from Hatfield Station.

Which is a ready opportunity to refer to a couple of related topics.  A few wildlife organisations have been releasing mammals whose numbers have been in decline.  Some newspapers carry regular repots of such events.  Not sure whether any releases have been taking place along the Alban Way at any time, but we could explore the possibility of voles along the stream and river banks in the vicinity.

Delightful walk along the tree lined Alban Way.  Colours will be turning red, golden and
bronze.

We have been recommended to enjoy the richer colours of autumn to be expected in the next two months as the leaves on deciduous trees turn to a greater range of reds, golds and yellows following this summer.

Apart from a warm welcome and cake when you arrive at the platform you won't be able to miss a new range of railway poster art on display under the general banner LNER, the name of the former owning company of the branch railway between St Albans and Hatfield.

Railway companies have always attracted potential passenger flows with pictorial detail about destinations and the scenic views along the way.  This set of six special posters has been designed by local artists.

Six new bespoke posters will be on show at Sunday's event, all created by local artists.

And if you have not visited Smallford Station for a few years, prepare to be amazed at the transformation!