Last Thursday (26th Feb) something rather special happened at EYES on St Albans.
We hosted the 30th Netwalk – the monthly walking group organised by Jen Smith of The Curious Mentor that brings together local business owners for fresh air, conversation and a gentle reminder that running a business does not have to be a lonely experience.
Netwalks are deliberately simple. There are no pitches, no formal introductions and no pressure to “network”. People walk side by side, conversations flow naturally and, as the regulars like to say, “sometimes we even talk about business.”
Over time another nickname has emerged too. Walkers have affectionately started calling Jen “The Weather Whisperer.” In 30 walks it has barely rained. There have been three slightly drizzly outings, but otherwise the skies have behaved themselves remarkably well. In Britain, that feels like a minor miracle.
To celebrate the milestone, JL Spex – Jez Levy’s new Italian-made eyewear collection – sponsored the coffee and cake and opened the shop as the gathering point after the walk.
The group explored the Jersey Lane footpath and The Wick before returning to Marshalswick for well-earned refreshments. Coffee came from local legends Fade 2 Black (complete with a slightly cheeky password for ordering that is probably best left off the record) and the cakes were baked by Julie Slater of Julie’s Cake Company. They did not last long.
At EYES we often talk about Spex, Hugs and Rock’n’Roll, and this morning was very much about the hugs.
Yes, visitors could see the JL Spex collection and learn about ShadeShift lenses, which change from clear to colour in seconds. But the real purpose of the morning was community – people chatting, laughing and enjoying a moment to pause.
Netwalks have always supported independent businesses too. Each walk finishes at a local café, because supporting the brilliant independent coffee shops around St Albans matters.
Businesses occasionally sponsor the coffee as well, which makes the walk even more accessible – people can simply show up without worrying about cost.
The next few Netwalks are already in the diary.
On March 18th the group will walk around Verulamium before heading to George Street Canteen for coffee, cake and their legendary sausage rolls.
On April 17th the walk heads to Heartwood Forest for bluebell season, finishing at the newly reopened Heartwood Tearooms.
And on May 19th the walk takes place at Greenwood Park in partnership with Youth Talk for Mental Health Awareness Week, with coffee afterwards at the Lazy Llama café.
People are welcome to join for the walk, the coffee or both. Dogs are often welcome too – just book at thecuriousmentor.com/netwalks
Thirty walks in, one thing is clear: community grows when people simply take the time to walk together.
And if the Weather Whisperer keeps doing her thing, the odds of sunshine are looking pretty good too.
Oh hello JL Spex – St Albans very own eyewear collection
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