Proud St Albans Officially Launches

Community leaders, organisations and residents came together at St Albans Cathedral to celebrate the official launch of Proud St Albans, a new initiative championing inclusion, belonging and civic pride across the city. The launch marks an exciting milestone in a movement that encourages communities to be ‘places without prejudice’ and where everyone feels welcome.

The event also highlighted the power of partnership. Before Proud St Albans was established, Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership worked with Proud Watford to bring the Proud Portraits exhibition to St Albans Abbey and Watford Junction stations. The exhibition used railway spaces to celebrate LGBTQ+ people and allies, reaching thousands of passengers and helping build relationships that would go on to inspire this wider community initiative.

While the launch belongs to the whole city and the many organisations behind Proud St Albans, it is fantastic to see how community rail played a small part in the journey. What began as an exhibition at Abbey Line stations has helped contribute to a growing network of partnerships promoting inclusion, connection and civic pride across Hertfordshire and beyond.