A Dickens Christmas 2015

Christmas is once again upon us and therefore it is time to visit the timeless little village of Brighton. The village is all dressed up for the holidays so let's take the sailing ship Emily Louise to the village to see what is happening this year.

The harbor at Brighton is always a busy place but this time of year it is especially busy and family and friends along with all the Christmas cargo will be arriving at the little harbor. Of course our first sighting of Brighton will be the harbor lighthouse as it will act as our guiding beacon to bring us to port. The Richards twins often sit in the nooks and crannys of the old fortress walls to watch the ships arrive. Brighton has a wildlife sanctuary located on the hills above the village and thus there are a great many birds and animals that make the area home. If you look carefully you will see an owl perched in a tree to help welcome us to the vilage.

Now that the Emily Louise is safely docked we can disembark and begin our tour of the village. On the ridges above the harbor Mrs. Andrews and her children are watching for Mr. Andrew's ship the Molly B to bring him home for the holidays. Once the Emily Louise leaves perhaps his ship will make port. The harbor is quite tiny but well sheltered by the old forteress walls. Ships docking here need to be careful of the cascading waters of the River Firth. By the way, we will be spending the night at the Timbers Inn and leaving in the morning by way of the Holiday Coach.

The dock is quite small and really loaded with merchandise. Young Thomas Tipler, the son of Edward Tipler, owner of Tipler's Wine and Spirits, seems to be checking out a new shipment of spirts that arrived on our ship. Captain Amos Forester is placing the ship under the command of his First Mate before he heads off into the village to meet friends at the Melancholy Tavern. Security is much tighter this time of year, what with all the cargo arriving. Therefore Lord Sheffield has hired Mr. Jones to keep watch and keep those with no business at the harbor out. We should have no trouble leaving the harbor, however, before we leave let's check out the highlands and the castles above the harbor. We can take the stairs leading out of the harbor.

At the top of the stairs stands the gazebo where folks come to watch the ships arriving and where Mrs. Andrews and her children are watching for her husband. But further up the path is the Brighton monument recognizing the village founders who in 987 A.D. drove off the Danes who were raiding the coastal villages. Mr. Evers is currently showing his granddaughter the monunent. The castles on the top of the hills have been guarding the village ever since. The great grey walls sheltering the harbor below us were built by Lord Sheffield and his cousin, the Earl of Snowdon. They were the original founders of the village.

Just over the bridge is Emile Potter's shop. Emile has continued the family trade of making hand thrown pottery. We probably should not disturb him as he looks busy. Many villagers give his fine work as gifts each year. Along the shoreline of the river there are a pair of wild ducks, they are part of the animals protected here due to the presence of the Wildlife Reserve.

Just above the monument is the Fraizer cottage. John Fraizer and his son William are busy making repairs to the roof. They have brought hay down from the highland fields to rethatch the roof. It may not be the safest way to go sledding, but the Williams twins are giving their sister the ride of her life over the old fortress walls. Looks like the family hound is about to join the fun.

On the right side of the river, just above the bridge stands the Snowdon gin mill. The mill has been producing gin for over 200 years. Most of the fine gin is sold in the local pubs and taverns. Quick!!! Look at the rampart ledges next to the mill. I think that is a bear standing in the trees. He must have a den somewhere along the ramparts.

Bear standing in the trees.

The Fraizers have been the game wardens for the Sheffields and the Snowdons for many years. They also keep people from getting on to the castle grounds without the permission of the local aristocracy. However I'm sure they will let us slip past their cottage (and their thatching) so we can stand on the private bridge and view the castles. The Sheffield castle (on the lef)t shows the most damage from time but the manor house is quite lovely. Looks like they just had their chimney's cleaned for the holiday season. That might be a coyote standing on the rocks just below the castle. On the right is Earl Snowdon's castle. The earl is rather reclusive but he seems to be standing on the ramparts in plain sight right now.

Back at the harbor we can enter the village proper first walking past the harbor security Mr. Jones (lower right corner) and then arriving at the village market. The Plumstead Market specializes in fresh produce gathered from neighboring farms and also shipped in by the various harbor freighters. Corn, carrots and coffee seem to be on the sale list today.

Dirfectly across the street from the Plumstead Market is the old Anglican Church, the first religious building in the village. It was originally funded by the Sheffield family several hundred years ago. The original Lord Shefield is buried in a crypt next to the church. The church vicar stands in front of the church with one of his younger members passing out candles for theCchristmas Eve candle light service starting later tonight. Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Watson seem to be discussing the arangements for the Chrristmas party to be held after the service.

As we leave the church property I note several other children arriving. They are members of the children's choir that will be singing carols at the service. They also seem to have their candles at the ready for the service. Now let's head back across the street, past the market and up the stairs toward the circle shops.

Directly behind the old church are the new row houses. It would never due to be seen at Christmas with a pair of dirty boots so the village bootshine has plenty of work on this Christmas Eve. Sam Broomfelt and his son are just finishing cleaning the chimneys at the rowhouse and should be finished with their customers for the day. They can head home to clean up before attending church services with evening.

Now let's head up the stairs to the circle shops. Included on the circle are the Wheatcakes and Puddings Shop, the Lamp Shop, the Village Locksmith and the ClockSshop.

Halfway up the stairs is the village poultry shop. John Featherfield has a reputation for selling the plumpest and tenderest turkeys, ducks and geese in the area. He is standing in front of his shop showing off his prize birds as we pass.

Looking around the circle there is lots of activity. In front of the Wellbourne Lantern shop Johnathon is trying to interest a customer in the latest model lantern while Tom Chester, owner of the clockshop is preparing to deliver a new grandfather clock to the Scrooge Residence. I'm sure old Scrooge will need it before this night is over. Finally, Mrs. Brown can be seen as she departs the circle to take her Christmas pudding home.

Standing in the circle we can look up to the village heights and see the Observatory, the Watertower and the rest of the Game Preserve. The Preserve is a popular place to get some fresh air, view wildlife and also get a great view of the entire village.

Mr. Smyth and his wife often go to the preserve to sit among the trees and enjoy nature. If they look carefully, just to their left (our right) a large buck is hiding in the trees. As Mr. and Mrs. Willingham leave the observatory they seem to have startled a hawk in the trees to the left and the hawk seems to have awakened an owl sitting on a dead tree. In that the preserve is so popular a local street vender seems to have set up shop selling fish and chips to preserve visitors.

On the far left hand side of the preserve a pair of rabbits seem to have popped up from under the trees and a doe is resting under a blanket of snow from the flurries we had earlier today. Her triple layered coat will keep her warm even under the snow so no need to worry about her.

A full view of the entire Wildlife Preserve

From this vantage point on the old fortress ramparts above the harbor we can get an excellent view of the main village. We can look down and see the rowhouses on Portobello Road (bottom center) and then up the stairs to the circle shops. We can even see the preserve on the heights above the circle shops. Next to the circle shops is the staircase leading to St. Martins Church. When we get down from up here we can head over to the church for a closer look.

The Church of St. Martin is the newest religious center in the village but still dates back more than 200 years. The classic Corinthian columns offer a most stately entrance. As we climb the stairs to the church we ae first met by the singing monks. Their rendition of old Christmas Carols is always an emotional experience. We will have to share the stairs with the Thomas family as we pass them, be careful of the ice and snow still on the stairs. Michael James is quite busy still trying to clear the stairs before tonight's service. He better get busy if he hopes to finish on time.

A long standing tradition of St. Martins says that on Christmas Eve the vicar hands out loaves of bread to any needy families in the village. Once again this year it the priviledge of St. Martins to continue this wonderful custom.

As we come back down the stairs from St. Martins we will be walking along Portabello Road heading toward the stairs leading to the Timbers Hotel. We will pass the village park on our way.

The park is a pleasant place to either rest or just enjoy the fountain.

In the park entertainers bring such modern toys and the slide view box. For a few pence anyone can look and see scenes from the British Empire. It is amazing what can be accompished with the Daguerotype camera. Others take time to feed a stray dog or as one couple on the left is doing, enjoy a Holiday bottle of champagne.

Just across the road from the park stands the Antiquarian Bookseller. They have al lthe latest novels including Dicken's Christmas Carol. I see one customer is stocking up on books for Holiday gifts. Everyone in town knows that the owners set out bird houses and feeders for the feathered residents of the village. If you hve sharp eyes you should be able to see a woodpecker on the upper branches of the birch tree, an oriole on the pine tree on the right, several doves, cardinals and even a robin who didn't make it south for the winter. There is even a gazing ball in the front yard.

As we head up stairs to the Timbers Hotel we can see Mr. Tipler showing a new bottle of chapagne to a potential customer. Pipe smoking is all the rage in England now that tobacco in large quanities is being imported from the colonies. I can smell the sweet aroma of a regular blend being smoked by two gentlement just ahead of us on the stairs. Henry Harold would seem to be just about finished lighting the village lamps. He not only has to light the village lamps each night, but then return the next morning to put them out and refill the bowls for the next night.

At the top of the stairs stands the old Timbers Hotel and the Horse and Hounds tavern. At the horse and hounds we can get a fine dinner of bangers and mash with plum pudding before we continue our tour of the village. After dinner we can finish our village tour, return to the hotel for the night and then be able to catch the morning coach back to the big city. There is a hack outside the hotel if we don't feel up to walking after dinner.

As yet Parliament has not regulated the sale of the new drink absinthe. There are two dandies sampling some outside the Horse and Hounds. I strongly suggest we pass by and get inside for the fine food and a warm fire. I've reserved the upper room for our meal. Poor Mr. Tucker, the Hotel valet is loading trunks into the hack to take a couple back to the harbor to catch the last ship out for the evening.

Since the hack has been taken, I suggest we walk back down the stairs to continue our tour now that dinner is finished. This year the village has opened a skating rink next to the park. As we pass we can see a mother skating with her two children. Rushing out of town and trying to get home before dark are the Wilsons in their red sulky. If you look carefully right behind them is the village constable making sure they keep their speed down until they are safely out of town.

From here we are able to see the left side of the village, from the park and skating rink to the Timbers Hotel and Horse and Hounds Tavern.

Right across the entry road from the skating rink is the Melancholy Tavern. The tavern is the oldest eating establishment in the village and is known for its fine ales. Andrew, the owner, is out talking to one of his patrons as they share a mug of the brew. Behind the tavern stands the Old Curiosity Shop. Nell's Grandfather, the owner of the shop is still cleaning up from the snow that fell earlier today. (For the record--Dickens never gives the shop owner a name, other than to call him Nell's grandfather---check it out :-) ). This is one of the cozyest corners of the village and locals are the most frequent patrons of the tavern. Visiting bargain hunters like the wears sold at the Curiosity shop, especially just before Christmas.

As night begins to fall here in the village we can see that Scrooge is still at work in his counting house. I believe he is waiting for the delivery of his new grandfather clock. It seems he has been warned about a midnight appointment he had better be on time for.

Across the road from Scrooge and the tavern is Bob Cratchit's place. He is just coming out the door to take Tiny Tim to evening services at the church.

Scrooge is a severe taskmaster and is keeping Fagan hard at work at his shop even this late on Christmas Eve. It would seem that Fagan will have to wait for the evening coach to pass by before delivering the new barrel to the Melancholy Tavern.

The village is served by Higgins Coachlines which makes one morning run and two afternoon runs between the village and London. Watching the coach run by should serve as a reminder to be sure we are on time for the carriage in the morning. If we are late, we will have to ride on the open roof and catch the wind. If we get there early, we can get an inside seat.

Further up the road is the Burton Sanders Stained Glass shop. All the glass in the village churches have been made in the shop. Neil Burton is hoping that his work will be in demand in neighboring towns during the up coming year.

The lane up to the Timbers and the Perserve is quite crowded this evening. The Linton boys, who were delivering coal to heat the Timbers, will have to wait for Fezziwig to pass with his delivery wagon before they can continue on down the hill. In the forest behind them a pair of racoons can be seen seraching for their dinner.

While the Snowdon family owns their castle up in the highlands and usually spends summers there, they spend their winters in their new manor house here in town. At the top of the hill Portobello splits and the right fork heads to the hotel and the left fork heads past the manor house and leads on to the Preserve. I see one of the local hacks bringing back one of the last visitors of the day from the Perserve.

We should probably hustle on by the manor house as we head to the Preserve. It looks like the young lord has a very special gift to give to his girl on this Christmas Eve.

Now that our tour of the village is compete we can return to the Timbers and our warm rooms with their goose down quilts for a warm winter's sleep. Just remember to be up in time to catch the morning coach. For now, to all a good night.

Thank you for visiting and touring our timeless little town of Brighton 2015. I apprecaite you stopping by to see what has happened in the little town this year.

I look forward to seeing you drop in next year both to see the Village of Hauntsville new Halloween and of course, back here next Christmas to see Brighton 2016.

Merry Christmas anda Happy New Year to each of you.

Thanks for stopping by. . .

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