For St. George and England...



St George fights the dragon in Barcelona

Well, as we all know St. George wasn't English; his adoption as an English saint dates from the Crusades. And the dragon wasn't real (are any dragons real?). But aside from all this we celebrate St. George's day on 23rd April, and I'm pleased to say Annie's Fantasies clog-dancers have been invited to a 'Fun Day' at our base of Roman Circus house this Saturday. We hope to dance from midday to about 1.30 pm (with a break for much-needed refreshment). See you there!

PS if you haven't seen 'Clybourne Park' at the Mercury yet - go! Forget any discussion of themes and social issues - this is modern farce of the highest calibre. I thought it was very funny.

Song? - Puff the Magic Dragon - come on, sing along! (lively crowd, must have been a tough gig!)

Annie's practice (oh yes we do) at RCH

Down on the Farm....

I think it's important to understand where our food comes from, so the opportunity to visit a local farm during the Easter holidays shouldn't be missed. Guided tours are taking place this week at Great Wigborough where Phil and Kate are local farmers who raise some of the best meat to be had. I'm using their beef mince to cook my first burgers of the season. If you can't get to  the farm  they are on the Colchester Farmer's market every first Friday of the month at the Arts Centre - so the next one is 6th May. See you there!

Song - Bobby Womack, 'You're Welcome, Stop on by' which I just found in my collection - must get to the bottom of the vinyl pile someday!

Hoarding Treasure....

With thanks to Dorian Kelly and Red Lion bookshop

I grabbed the chance to see two local treasures last week - and I urge you to do the same! First up Mr. Dorian Kelly, who has just published his first novel ' The day that Shakespeare died'. A weird tale he tells too, but as he said at the book launch, 'no-one knows anything about Shakespeare's last 3 years, so I made something up'. Sounds like a good plan for a work of fiction. The stage show from the book is already in production - we probably won't have to wait too long for the film!
The show ' The Day that Shakespeare died'  is at the Mercury studio April 22nd and 23rd - click on the link to book - see you there!.

with thanks to Colchester and Ipswich Museums service and Colchester Archaeological Trust

And the other treasure? - our wonderful Fenwick Hoard of course, now proudly displayed in Colchester Castle, just yards from where it was hastily hidden in AD 61. Go see it!
Song...Baubles, Bangles, Emotional Tangles, by the Band of Holy Joy. A weird YouTube video, clearly the band performing, but not the song you hear! Anyway have a look, there's only been 71 views! With many thanks to Nick Parker, my brother, who is something of a connoisseur of obscure but great bands, and who bought me this album (Manic, Magic, Majestic) way back in 1989. Check it out!