Elizabethan Witch, Romans & Concerts

Elizabethan Witches, Roman Colchester & Concerts

Elizabethan Woman in front of a crowd (AI generated)

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.

June 23, 2021June 23, 2021

Sutton Hoo – Dialects – History

Sutton Hoo in Local History Group’s Resumption Plans

Although West Bergholt is a substantial still growing village, it has an interesting history. Members of the active Local History Group continue to investigate, research and document it. They usually meet at the Orpen Hall on the second Wednesday of each month from September through to April, except December. In the months of May through to August they try to arrange group visits to places of local historical interest.

As with most groups, the COVID-19 Pandemic interrupted group activities since March 2020 but, hopefully, that is now changing.

Emerging Plans

September 28, 2017October 6, 2024

History of Essex County Hospital

Essex County Hospital is the subject of the Local History Group‘s next meeting in the Orpen Hall on October 11th. The Group is hoping for another large audience for the meeting which starts at 7.30 pm. Dr. Fabrizio Casale, a retired consultant, will be talking about “The History of the Essex County Hospital”. Over recent years the facilities