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!

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?

Singing Away.....

Roderick Earle leads the Choir in rehearsal at the Beth Chatto Gardens earlier this year

Colchester Chamber Choir have developed a tradition of visiting Bury St. Edmunds each year to sing a concert in the Cathedral there. It's a marvellous occasion and the music will be brilliant - so if you fancy a trip out from Colchester this Sunday then why not?. Tickets for anyone under 30 are only £10 - book here!

Music - Durufle - Requiem - to be sung this Sunday!

The Boyz ae back in town...

There are occasions when truly world-class events come to Colchester, the sort of thing you'd travel to London usually to see. And the BalletBoyz at the Mercury is one of those. The all-male dance company founded by Royal Ballet dancers Trevor Nunn and William Trevitt perform to sell-out crowds at Sadler's Wells, but there's still tickets for tonight from £16 - why not click here to book! The dance 'Fiction' by the renowned choreographer Javier de Frutos is fantastic and received a standing ovation last night. It is joyful and humorous. 4- and 5-star reviews (e.g. the Guardian) You don't get many opportunities like this in Colchester.

Song.....Donna Summer - Last Dance.....Go to the show and you'll see why!

Yakety-Yak..(do talk back)

Isaac James warms up in his spectacular dance studio at Firstsite

Firstsite is packed with all sorts of activities and arts this next 10 days (until 30th October). A gallery take-over by YAK (Young Art Kommunity) sees dance, juggling, gaming. painting and loads more.

2000 years at Firstsite - from mosaics to hula-hoops

So checkout the program here, or just pop in for details. Also on Facebook 'FirstsiteYAK'
Song - Yakety-Yak, the Coasters.

Oh, it just came to my notice that Essex County Council are one of the supporters of this. Strange since this is what they think of Colchester's artistic heritage!

Colchester Public(?) Library 18th October 2016
I think everyone should go in to the foyer and punch the 'red face' on their 'how are we doing?' screen. And type in an explanation 'put back the Crucifixion of Mankind' . I just did and it made me feel better. Might go and do it again tomorrow.

Lost Souls.....

Crucifixion of Mankind by Connor Barrett



I've been away for a bit but what do I find on my return?....Just when you think Colchester is getting almost trendy, good new restaurants, great recent theatre, Martin Parr, someone has to remind us we are still in reactionary Essex. Connor Barrett's fine artwork, resolutely of it's time but also speaking now of man's inhumanity to man (Aleppo anyone?), has been removed from the perfect space for it, proudly in Colchester Library. Apparently in an era when it's ok to bombard children with sexualised images, and feeding them junk food is fine, showing a scene from the Bible and explaining how the World could be a better place is not. As an Atheist I deplore the desecration of our country's Christian heritage!
If anyone is organising protests, let me know - I'll be there. Write to your MP, your councillor (these decisions are taken in your name). I am and I expect them to listen.
And, by the way, No! this cannot be 'hidden' somewhere else - It's a public artwork for a public space, and is part of Colchester History.
This is the first negative blog I have written....sorry! - but at least Colchester made it  to the 'Scottish Mail on Sunday'!
Song - The Clash - Lost in the Supermarket - because when we attach more importance to the price of Marmite than to censorship and war - then we're all lost.