A few pictures of The Old Rectory 2013

April 2013

July 2013

July 2013

Standard Rose to remember our friend and colleague

 Helen Scott

The Colchester Band during the 200th Birthday Garden Party

200 Years Birthday Celebration at The Old Rectory

What a Great Day!

Saturday 29th June 2013 will be recorded as probably one of the best celebrated days in the history of The Old Rectory. The weather was terrific with bright sunshine and warm temperatures enabling this lovely old building to be shown in all her glory.

The morning began with a Service of Thanksgiving provided by the Reverend Teresa Wynne of St Leonard's Church, Lexden. Assisted by the Church choir this set the day off perfectly with our residents, families and guests gently assembling. The theme for the day was Edwardian and many guests and residents wore beautiful bonnets and dresses befitting the period.

The Reverend Teresa Wynne

The Old Rectory Manager Mrs McDonald welcomed everybody giving a special warm welcome to our 'Guest of Honour' Mrs Denise Sanford and her daughter Clare. As descendants of one of the original owner and occupiers of The Old Rectory (then known as Glebe House) Denise was able to make available some remarkable photographs of the house taken around the time of the turn of the 18th century into the First World War period. 

Denise's Great Grandfather Col. Henry Corse-Scott and his wife Emily and their two daughters occupied the house until it was eventually sold in 1946. In addition to the photographs Mrs Corse-Scott and her daughter Kitty were accomplished water-colour artists and together they painted some beautiful scenes of the house gardens which have been safely preserved by the family. With Denise Sanford's permission the photographs and paintings have all been included in a book produced by The Old Rectory covering the history of the building and its occupants.

Water colour painting by Kitty Corse-Scott

The Old Rectory's oldest resident Ivy unveiled the special commemorative plaque to mark the occasion which was loudly toasted with glasses of Champagne.

Food for the event was expertly prepared by The Old Rectory kitchen staff with the highlight being the strawberry cream scones which, not surprisingly, went very quickly!

The Colchester Band arrived for the afternoon and gave a superb polished performance. Feet were tapping and sporadic pockets of dancing broke out as everybody enjoyed the glorious occasion. The Old Rectory staff carers and domestics pulled out 'all the stops' to ensure that everybody was included (they worked so hard).

By mid-afternoon there was a break for a round of 'Happy Birthday' for the house and a release of balloons by children and residents, and then the band continued until the 'close of play'

The Colchester Band

Bi-Centennial Birthday Celebration date announced

The Old Rectory has been undergoing a major re-decoration inside and out. It's all being done in preparation for the Bi-Centennial Birthday celebration which I can now announce will be held on Saturday 29th June 2013.

The building certainly needed repainting on the outside and now looks really smart. The interior has had a makeover too, very much befitting it's noble past.

The gardens have not been neglected, new colourful shrubs have been planted and surrounded with a security netting to protect them. These should provide colour to the garden throughout the winter too.

Anti-Rabbit security netting for new shrubs

Bedding plants comprising of Marigolds, Salvias, Geraniums and Lobelia have been planted in the 'old' fountain. Seven new standard roses have also been planted. Some have not taken as well as expected despite good watering and feed. It may be that they will recover ready for next year which is a shame but, four out of the seven are growing nicely and should produce some wonderful English rose flowers.

One of the newly planted standard roses

Campanula's have been planted in one of the lawn beds. I believe it's a plant that rabbits don't like the taste of but having said that they have been having a 'nibble' but most of them remain untouched. If  the plants get the chance to develop and grow then they will self seed and become a regular feature.

The Birthday Celebration day is going to be an all day event and will have an Edwardian theme. Guests have been invited to join the residents and staff who will be entertained by a Church Choir and a Brass Band. There will be strawberries and cream available along with cucumber sandwiches, all very English! It should be a fantastic day with some surprises, we all have our fingers crossed for good weather.

It's been a while since I last posted but planning for the Old Rectory 200th Birthday celebrations are well under way.

No date has been set as yet but lots of ideas for the day have been put forward including an historical theme.

Update coming soon.

The Old Rectory July 202

    

The Old Rectory November 2012