29 Sep 2017
The St. Albans Nutcracker Trail
“Oh the grand old Duke of York, he had ten thousand men,
He marched them up to the top of the hill and he marched them down again…”
Does this popular nursery rhyme refer to Holywell Hill’s role in the Battle of St Albans? Richard, Duke of York lead a force of 3,000 on a march towards London before clashing with Henry VI’s Lancastrian troops in the city at the top of Holywell Hill. And now the soldiers return…
More than 550 years after this battle marked the beginning of the Wars of the Roses, the city centre is set to be invaded by a new soldier army over the festive period.
Fifteen giant nutcracker soldiers and their King will be positioned at key locations around St Albans and surrounding villages as part of the St Albans Nutcracker Trail.
Look out for the St Albans Nutcracker Trail booklets in the town from the 18th November and pick up a copy to take part. Wander around the city and nearby villages to find the 15 Nutcracker Soldiers and king marked on the map within the booklet. As you find each one write his name down on the Trail Sheet. Once you’ve found all the names, fill in your details and post the Trail Sheet into the St Albans Nutcracker Trail post box located by the Christmas Market in Vintry Gardens.
The Trail will run from the 25th November to the 4th January.
One winner will be drawn out and will win an iPad Mini.