The advent of Advent....

Christmas comes but once a year, but for about 3 months if you go by most of our  retailers. I believe that the Christmas season should begin with the beginning of Advent, i.e. the forth Sunday before Christmas day. And there are many event organisers who wait until the proper season. Two events catch my eye this Sunday, the first of Advent. The Long Melford Olde Christmas is a street fair held in the long street of the village, with a lantern procession at 4 pm. Colchester's finest clog-dancing team, Annie's Fantasies, will be lighting up the event with their energetic dancing and seasonal costumes. Why not come along?

Annie's Fantasies dance in Wivenhoe before Christmas last year

Or for something  stylish, what about the Christmas Fayre at the World-famous Beth Chatto Gardens this Saturday and Sunday (26th and 27th November). I'll let them off starting a day early - it is so popular they need two days! I'm told there will be 35 stalls this year, and of course the Gardens themselves will be open and are looking lovely. For anyone that hasn't been, just east of Colchester on the Clacton road at Elmstead Market. It's very easy to get to - the Colchester to Clacton bus (number 76) stops nearby.

The famous Gravel Garden doesn't have so many flowers at this time  of year, but still looks great

Song - some beautiful Choral music from a choir I listened to last Christmas in Alsace - Voix de Stras' - there's always local choirs singing in lovely churches at this time of year - make time to listen to one of them! What about the Colchester Choral Society at our Moot Hall, Sunday 11th December?