The Friends of St Mary’s, Peldon will be presenting the first in the 2013 series of Peldon History Lectures on Wednesday 13th March, 7.30pm in the church. Entitled ‘Asset or Liability – Colchester’s Archaeological Heritage’, this talk by Mark Davies promises an interesting insight into Colchester’s Roman history and how this might be preserved in the future.
Following on from the talk, the Colchester Archaeological Society will present their recent findings from excavations at St Mary’s.
Tickets £8.00, including a glass of wine, available from Bill Tamblyn 01206 735770 or on the door. All proceeds to the Friends of St Mary’s Peldon.
Our January meeting on the 8th saw a large turn out when 41 members and 4 visitors came along to hear Simon Gallup tell us about the Histories of Lavenham and Dedham. Simon is one of 8 guides for Lavenham and he explained with the use of slides that due to the cloth trade the Stour Valley had been one of the wealthiest places in the United Kingdom 500 years ago. During 1480-1530 there was a large building spree of houses, churches and coaching inns but also there was a rapid decline in its wealth due to trade decreases, the 100 year war, huge taxes on the cloth trade etc. Today there are approximately 300 listed buildings in Lavenham which have lasted through the centuries. Simon finished the evening with a question and answer session.
“History Through Beers Brewed in Essex” is the title of a talk being given by the Rev Keith Lovell in aid of the Friends of St Mary’s, Peldon. 
Peldon History Lectures, in association with Friends of St. Mary’s Peldon, present “Men of Bad Character – Farm burnings & rebellion” a story of hardship & discontent amongst farm workers in early 19th Century Essex as told by Jef Page.