Hythe Spirit...

St. Leonard's-at-the-Hythe in the December mist



The door to St Leonard's


 

When I first came to Colchester the port was still working (just about), and there are still reminders that this was a thriving area of Colchester hundreds of years ago. The church of St. Leonards on Hythe hill is now cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust, who open it occasionally.  I've never been inside, so can't miss the opportunity for some Christmas Carols next Wednesday (21st December), at 7.30 pm. Just think how many people in how many circumstances have been here in the last 700 years! And that's what I tend to think about at Christmas, a human story of family and survival. In Colchester 1648 it was all about survival - the church door still bears the marks. And our streets still bear the names - Lucas, Fairfax, Honywood, -all from the Civil War.

Song - Christmas number 1 from 1965 -We Can Work it Out - the Beatles. The first double-A side single, with 'Day Tripper' .  Oh yes, hours of happy research go into  this you know! And for anyone that thinks our modern pop stars know how to act up for the cameras - there's nothing new!

Wednesday 7.30 pm.

Keep Christmas shopping.....

Colchester Castle gift shop at Christmas - Shop local!

Yes, that's right, Xmas shopping in the largest Norman Keep in Europe...Colchester! Colchester  Castle is just the central tower, or Keep,  of a massive castle built just after the Norman invasion of England. Built on the site of a massive temple built by previous invaders of England, but that was before Christmas was invented, so we don't talk about that at this time of year.

Roman Jewellery from the amazing Fenwick Hoard on display in Colchester Castle - with thanks to the Colchester and Ipswich Museums service

But if you want to see the treasures in the Castle for free, then this Wednesday (14th December) the Castle is open for free for Christmas shopping and entertainment, from 3 pm. I have it on good authority that the wonderful Colchester Chamber Choir will be singing from 7.30... no doubt something eclectic from the Roderick Earle songbook! See you there!

Song....We may be treated to music by Samuel Scheidt...who? you may say, I certainly did. So listen to this..strangely familiar!