Elizabethan Witches, Roman Colchester & Concerts
The following free events are being hosted by the Friends of St Mary’s Old Church in 2025.
- Sunday 11 May – Talk by local historian John Worland on ‘The First Elizabethan Witch Trial’. 2.30pm – free refreshments
- Sunday 8 June – Talk by Adam Wightman, Director of Colchester Archaeological Trust on ‘The Former Essex County Hospital Site’’. 2.30pm – free refreshments
- Sunday 6 July – Resonate Choir Concert – 4pm-5pm – free refreshments
- Sunday 20 July – Summer Songs of Praise Service – 2.30pm – free refreshments
- Sunday 30 November – Mulled Wine & Mince Pies with the Octavia Singers – 11am-1pm.
This event is also an opportunity to register or reregister as a Friend of St. Mary’s Old Church - Sunday 21 December – Candlelit Carol Service
As usual everyone is welcome, there’s free parking and free refreshments including a glass of prosecco. Entry to all events is free but the Friends welcome any donations made on the day (cash or card). This will support the ongoing upkeep of the beautiful 1000-year-old church. We look forward to welcoming you there. For more information, or if you wish to tell us you’re coming, please email [email protected].
At both of the following events there will also be an opportunity for a Q&A session.
The First Elizabethan Witch Trial
John Worland is an expert on the Essex witch trials and is passionate about giving the victims a voice. He campaigns to have memorials placed at appropriate sites in Essex. A retired police inspector, he examines significant trials as “cold cases”. He analyses the evidence and creates a much fuller picture of the people involved.
John will be describing the trial and execution of Elizabeth Lowys from Gt Waltham. The complaint against her (murder by witchcraft), was first heard in a church court then a civil trial in Colchester. John’s talk will be accompanied by a film of the re-enactment of the initial trial that was shot recently in Old St. Mary’s Church by actors and a film crew.
Join us as we explore the extraordinary series of events leading to this sad end. Using original court documents, John has been able to establish how this case went so badly wrong for Elizabeth.
The Former Essex County Hospital Site
Adam Wightman, Director of Colchester Archaeological Trust, will be giving a talk on the former Essex County Hospital site excavations which have been ongoing for the past five years. Having come to an end now, the excavations reveal a complex Roman site which Adam will describe in detail.