Past the winter solstice. The days slowly get longer. More light. Less heat though. Neighbour Liz said “spring is coming” Yes, but winter comes first.
Tradition means doing the same each year. Tradition is doing things without knowing why. at Christmas, each family probably makes its own traditions. With young children what’s done twice has been done always.
One personal ritual is delivering cards locally. A short walk. This year including Wincheap, ancient road to Ashford, meaning wagon market or wine market. Into Gordon Road, probably after General “Chinese” Gordon killed at Khartoum. Twentieth century developers built Edward Close opposite nineteenth century Gordon, presumably in tribute to Rev Awdry.
Martyrs Field Road, with its small park and monument to the 41 Kentish martyrs burnt at the stake 1555 – 58 in the reign of Mary Tudor. Erected 1899 by public subscription. Many places in the world have similar intolerance today.
Heaton Road, presumably after Sir John Hennicker Heaton, Canterbury MP before 1910. We now have Rosie Duffield, Canterbury’s first Labour and first female MP.
Recent flats in Elham Rd and Valley Rd, in memory of the Elham Valley railway whose embankment was here. Cogans Terrace, not sure how to pronounc it or who Cogan was. St Mildreds Place. Think rectory was here, now Canon Appleton sheltered housing. Once a fine copper beech in the grass in front. It was diseased – the stump remains. A replacement tree was stolen. Bastards.
A familiar route but i hope interesting
Now its Christmas Eve, with its own family traditions. Tree, wreath, pinboard for cards. Carol singing in the city centre, with the archbishop. Not these covid years alas. Maybe in 2022?
Happy Christmas
Rambling Brummie 