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.
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| 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.
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| 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'
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| The Colchester Band |
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