wouldnt

Considered to be one of the UK’s best cities with Roman ruins and a historic market, I was expecting more, but after visiting at the weekend, I left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn’t rush back.

I’m passionate about exploring fresh destinations across England, so when a particular city kept appearing on my social media timeline, I knew I had to make the trip. St Albans is a historic cathedral city in Hertfordshire, England, situated approximately 20 miles north of London.

Nowadays, it’s recognised as an appealing and wealthy commuter hub, yet its heritage extends back almost 2,000 years. Combining Roman archaeological remains and medieval thoroughfares with contemporary retail outlets, St Albans has evolved into one of the most historically significant cities in southeast England.

St Albans’ roots trace back to the Roman settlement of Verulamium, established in the 1st century AD and growing into one of Roman Britain’s largest urban centres.

The settlement served as a vital hub for commerce and administration, featuring temples, bathhouses and a theatre. Sections of the Roman fortifications and mosaics remain visible today, especially in and surrounding Verulamium Park.

The vestiges of this Roman community constitute a significant element of the city’s character and draw numerous tourists annually.

The city takes its name from St Alban, traditionally regarded as Britain’s first Christian martyr, who was put to death for sheltering a Christian priest.

A memorial erected in his memory eventually became St Albans Cathedral, which continues to be the city’s most renowned monument.

Currently, it’s a thriving and affluent city celebrated for its heritage, open spaces and excellent transport connections to London. I popped over to St Albans this past weekend and left feeling somewhat let down.

Given its stellar reputation, I’d anticipated something rather more refined, yet sections of the town centre appeared decidedly weary.

Certain streets looked decidedly shabby, whilst the uneven footpaths made strolling about considerably less enjoyable than I’d envisaged.

The town was absolutely heaving as well, which contributed to a feeling of disorder rather than character, and securing a parking spot proved far trickier than expected. This might have been down to it being market day.

I kicked off my morning at The Ivy for brekkie, what should have been a proper treat at a restaurant I previously adored. However, it failed to impress, with sluggish service and subpar fare.

That being said, alternative dining options were genuinely brilliant. I grabbed a bite at Japes, where the pizza was absolutely cracking, and also popped into Knoops for a decadent hot chocolate.

Regarding places to grab food, drinks and browse, the town absolutely excels, as it does with its historical offerings.

It’s also difficult to write off entirely a place boasting shops like Anthropologie, Oliver Bonas and Space NK – that trio alone typically indicates a respectable retail destination. Yet, notwithstanding that, I’m uncertain I’d be keen to return in the near future.

Swansea Council had said it would publish the minutes of the meeting, which took place on 22 January, but in its statement claimed they had not done so because the WRU, Y11, and Ospreys objected to it.

The meeting included officials from Swansea Council, the WRU chief executive Abi Tierney, and Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley.

In a statement, the council listed a number of what it called “key facts” that it claims were said at the meeting.

The statement includes that the Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley confirmed that there would not be a professional Ospreys team playing regional rugby after 2027 if the takeover of Cardiff by Y11 went through.

It is claimed that Mr Bradley also said a merger with Swansea RFC could follow, which would see a merged team competing in the semi professional Super Rygbi Cymru instead of the United Rugby Championship (URC).

The council statement said: “Council representatives left the meeting with a clear understanding that the basis of the WRU’s and Y11’s proposals for the future, if the acquisition of Cardiff Rugby by Y11 is completed, was that the Ospreys would not continue as a professional regional team after 2026-27.”

“The council expressed deep frustration that, despite extensive and recent discussions about the redevelopment of St Helen’s, it had not been informed earlier of these proposals. This lack of transparency and engagement is wholly unacceptable.”

The council claim that the WRU’s restructuring proposals would breach UK competition law and has issued pre-action letters to the WRU and Y11 requesting that they pause their plans.

The WRU has proposed cutting one of its four men’s professional sides – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets – to three.

The WRU has stated there will be one licence in Cardiff, one in the west and one in the east, with Llanelli-based Scarlets, and Dragons in Newport, expected to be handed those.

A man who refused to move from a plane seat he had paid extra for shared details of the encounter, with people online backing his decision

Taking a long-haul flight can be deeply uncomfortable, but securing a decent seat has the power to transform the entire journey.

For those unable to afford the indulgence of first class, extra legroom in economy is arguably the closest alternative.

After shelling out extra cash for additional legroom on a gruelling 12-hour flight, one man stood his ground and refused to swap seats for an elderly couple who attempted to claim his spot.

Sharing his experience on popular forum Reddit, the man admitted he endured dirty looks from fellow passengers after declining to budge from the seat he’d paid for.

Titling the post, the Reddit user wrote: “Old couple try to take our seats on a plane.”

The man detailed: “Saw a few plane seat-related posts so I thought I would add my story.

“A few years ago my significant other and I planned a three-month trip around the world. Our first flight was from New Zealand-LA. 12-13 hours.”

“We booked and paid for our flights and I added the premium economy seats as I’m 6’3 and wanted the extra legroom. Cost an extra $60 (£50).

“This flight was with Air New Zealand, the screen has your name on it when you get to your seat.

“We get on the plane. Find our seats and there is this older couple sitting there (mid 70s). I ask them if they got confused with their seat numbers. They hadn’t.

“I show them my ticket and seat number and point to my name on the screen. They then ask me just sit in their seats which were ten rows back. No leg room.”

After the elderly pair refused to budge from the seats, the man insisted they return to their allocated places as he had “paid extra”.

The man eplained the exchange: “Me: You want me to sit in your seats?”.

“OP(old people): Yes, that would be nice thank you.

“Me: I paid extra for these seats and would like to sit in them. Please move to your seats.

“OP: Oh, it’s not that bad there’s plenty of legroom.

“Me: Yeah, there’s plenty of legroom in my seats because I paid for it. I’ll help move your bag if you need.”

During their discussion, a flight attendant intervened to find out what was happening as a lengthy queue had formed down the aisle.

The exchange continued: “OP: This man wants us to move seats!”.

“Flight attendant: Sir, please go to your allocated seats.

“Me: Here is my ticket, these people are sitting in my seats. I paid extra because I need the legroom.

“FA to old people: Excuse me, you will have to move to your own seats as you have not paid for these seats.

“Old people: Well, can we please have an upgrade?”.

“FA: Sorry, this is a full flight so that’s not possible.”

The man said: “I got some stink eyes from other people on the flight. I paid for the extra legroom and I need it.”

Taking to the comments section, Reddit users weighed in on the contentious incident.

One said: “I have no idea why the other people who paid extra for legroom would glare at this guy.”

Meanwhile, another person added: “This isn’t a two hour flight where you buck up for the good of old people, which is still not right given the social experience that is flying – I wouldn’t care if it was a two hour flight there is still the principle of the matter, but I may cave depending on my mood.”

They said: “12-13 hours is no joke though – there is no giving in. You move those people or the plane doesn’t take off!”.