A DICKENS CHRISTMAS 2013

Christmas 2013 has passed and I have just returned from spending the holiday in my favorite Christmas setting the fantasy village of Brighton. Years have passed but Brighton is a timeless place where a simple old fashion Christmas magicly happens every year. Let's see what is happening in this year's village.

Most visitors arrive in Brighton on the packet steamer Britannia. A century ago Britain ruled the seas and the remains of this proud heritage is still active in Brighton. The harbor may not be large but it is always a busy place.

Entering the harbor is always a tight squeeze. The lighthouse on the left provides the guiding beacon to port but it takes a skillfull captain to negoiate the tight fit between the lighthouse and Battery Point on the right. Most ships opt for using old Ben Shipley the harbort pilot. I see he is rowing his craft but to its dock by Battery Point. As you can see, Brighton is a busy little town. Let's take a look around.

John Carver is the official Brighton greeter as he tends the Lighthouse and spends most of his days whittling in his rocker waiting for the ships to arrive.

Right behind the pier where Britannia is tied up stands the Customs House. Brighton may be small but the Crown does want its Ship Money Tax on arriving goods. The tax dates back to the time of King Charles I and is just as unpopular today as then. Mr. Tipler seems intent on inspecting his new shipment of fine wines, while James Stewart is checking the ledger for the proper tax rate.

Behind Britannia's pier and the Custom House is Wharf Street where the arriving cargo is stored for pick-up. Mr. Fagan runs the town's cooper's industry but i guess during the holidays business is a bit slow so he seems to be taking a break and enjoying his holiday jug. Billy Williams also does not seem too concerned about work on this fine morning.

Near the end of Wharf Street Fezziwig's delivery wagon is passing Ebenezzer Scrooge's counting house on its way to Church Street. Ed Plumstead's Market House stands on the corner of Wharf and Church Streets and as always has a selection of fresh vegetables and fruits for sale. Looks like Ed is bringing in some fresh fish today as well.

Of course no Christmas season can be complete without at least seeing the Cratchet family. Here Bob Cratchet is carryiing Tiny Tim outside for a bit of the cold crisp winter air. Moments like this remind us of just what Christmas is all about.

Church Street runs from St. Alban's Church in the lower left up to the great abby at the top of the hill. Church Street proximity to the docks has made it one of the more dingy sections of town. However there is quite a bit happening if we walk the street. Stay on the sidewalk as the road here is largely unpaved and can be quite muddy.

St. Alban's is welcoming a new member to the Anglican Church with the baptizing of Mr. and Mrs. Smyth's new son Michael. I also see Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Wheelan from the pudding shop are discussing the severe winter weather that seems to have badly damaged a village tree. Winter storms along the coast often cause a great deal of damage. The Williamson's have come to town for some Holiday shopping and are taking their sulky back to their country estate. It will lighten the traffic on the street for the day. Times are hard this year and I see Jim Norfolk and his son Will are hard at work cleaning soot from the bakery's chimneys.

On the corner of Church Street, across the street from St. Alban's is Burton's Stained Glass Shop. Mr. Burton really runs a prosperous business as his rose colored glass is quite famous for its clarity and brilliance. He shares the corner with the Poultry Shop where you can get a fine Christmas goose. In an effort to increase business Edgar is hawking his poultry right on the street itself.

If you look between the Stained Glass shop and the Poultry shop there is a small alley. The alley is the town based entrance to one of the least known eateries in all Brighton, the Grapes Inn. The Inn was originally a place for sailors arriving on the ships to spend the night on dry land and get a good meal. While that still holds true, the Inn today serves some of the finest fish and chips along with shepherd's pie served anywhere. If you look carefully, you can see some ale being delivered to the inn right now.

The Grapes Inn, a seaside eating establishment for more than 100 years, serves fine traditional English food daily. I see the staff is busy bringing in today's wares--a sack of potatoes, plenty of fresh fish and ale. I know this is thirsty work, but is it really necessary to leave a stein of ale chilling on the walkway post while you do deliveries?? That rocky breakwater protects the inn from the fury of the stormy sea and has allowed the inn to survive for so long a time.

There is always a great deal of activity on Church Street. In this view you can see fish mongers, the Smithfield's (father and sons) delivering new pot bellied stoves, a postal delivery man, lamp lighters and even a village constable all keeping busy.

At the top of the stairway and the end of Church Street stands the Timbers Hotel. Known far and wide for its goose down comforters, guests can really snuggle down and enjoy a long winter's nap in warmth. The little garden next to the hotel affords guests an excellent view of the dock side of town. The Allens are enjoying a pleasent chat in the little garden right now.

At the top of the stairs, near the Timbers at the junction of Church Street and Queensbridge stands the great Abby. Every Holiday Season the priests of the abby provide free bread to any who are in need. In Brighton everyone will have something to eat this evening.

Next to the Abby is the Queensbridge Station where you can catch a train that can have you in London Town in just over an hour. While the Brookfield Colliers are delivering coal for the train, one of the town aldermen is handing out lyrics to traditional Christmas carols. Tonight is the grand lighting of the village Christmas tree and the annual hour of community caroling on the square before midnight. I'm sure we will make it to the square in time for the music. I've booked a room in the Crowntree Inn, right near the square so there is no need to rush.

From the tea room at the top of the Timbers Hotel we can look down Queensbridge toward the Tower Bridge. It is a fine view from this angle. From here we can see the hacks leaving the train station, folks strolling towad the town square and we even get a glimpse of the new spotlights used to light the Abby 's towers at night. We should get a fine view of these lights on the towers later tonight.

If we hurry back to the street we can probably see the royal family arrive at the Abby for tonight's service before going to the town square for carols. The carriage is preparing to leave the palace grounds right now.

One of the grandest views in all Brighton is the great Tower Bridge at the corner of Queensbridge and Kingscross Roads. This view shows the bridge lit with spotlights and of course the famed Melancholy Tavern sitting on the bluff overlooking the harbor. I love having tea in the upstairs room sitting by the window over looking the harbor and the town. From that window are the best views in all the town.

From the right side of the Tower Bridge we could take the omnibus down Kingscross to the village square but to avoid the traffic I suggest we take the Harbor Walk which begins behind the Melancoly Tavern and continues down to the Crowntree Inn and Battery Point. The walk is not long and the views of the harbor will be pleasant.

 

Below the fountain level is the Crowntree Inn and Battery Point. The inn is small and quaint and close to the town square so we will not have far to walk after the caroling is finished later tonight. I see Ben Shipley, the harbor pilot, is returning from bringing the Emily Louise into the harbor. There even seems to be the delightful aroma of fine pipe tobacco in the air from a pair of gentlemen who are enjoying a smoke in the evening air.

Battery Point is a popular rest area here in Brighton. You can find nearly everything right here. There is a toy peddler, a fruit and nut vendor, and even a fish and chips vendor preparing for tonight's crowds. When the winds blow in from the sea this point can have quite a chill, but otherwise many peole like to sitt and enjy the view.

Kingscross Road is extremely busy this time of year which is why we took the harbor walk instead of the road. Tad Jenkins is trying to get his shipment of ale delevereed to the Horse and Hounds before the crowds begin to arrive but with traffic on the street he will be hard put to make the delivery.

Kingscross Road and the Harbor walk both end at Battery Point and the entrance to the Town Square. At the busy corner chestnuts are roasting over a fire, the Times is for sale at the news stand and the town cryer is announcing tonight's tree lighting party. The town has even hired help to sweep up the snow and clear the streets for the expected crowd.

I think we will have time to take a walk around the square before the caroling begins, so let's get started. The town has put up their annual tree decoreted with candy canes for the children. After the caroling the children will be allowed to strip the tree of these Holiday treats. They also put up a garland coverd archway to enter the square. Right in the center of the square stands St. Martin's Church. The steeple bells will be used for tonight's music. I see the monks chorus is rehearsing in front of the tree.

Starting our stroll around the square moving to the left we first come to the oldest shop on the square--the Old Curiosity Shoppe where you can pick up some amazing treasures. Just up the walk from the Old Curiosity Shoppe is Tipler's Wine and Spirits. I wish Mr.Ttipler luck trying to sell the wine to old Ebeneezer. Money does not come out of his purse easily.

At the top of the square walk stands the Empire Museum. A new exhibit has just opened this week featuring treasures from the British Orient. In front of the museum is a statue of Annubis, a mummy's coffin and even a small pyramid, all imported from Egypt and the current excavations. There is also a statue of a Greek Minoan snake goddess standing in the yard.

Just past the museum is the Spider Box, the town locksmith. The shop has been selling keys and locks to the entire shire for years. For the holiday season the Spider Box is sponsoring a magic viewing box with moving pictures (if your turn the crank). It is quite popular with the youngsters and those who are young at heart.

As we continue to stroll the square we pass the newest shop, Wellbourne Brothers Lanterns. The shop is quaint and they have an array of interesting lanterns on display.

Just down the stairs from Wellbourne's is the Antique Bookseller. This little shop has copies of the entire works of Charles Dickens, and even some original editions for sale. They also specialize in children's books. I saw a copy of Charles Perrault's work in the shop the last time I was there. Just down the stairs from the bookseller is the Horse and Hounds.

The Horse and Hounds is the most up scale establishment in town. They are well known for their Beef Welllington and claim their recipe actually comes from the Iron Duke's family. Never the less, there are plenty of spirits to go around since the delivery was made earlier.

Having completed our walk, we are back at the town square and the village tree. James Blenham, the banker is aqdmiring the tree his bank purchased for this year's celebration..

As the crowd is starting to gather, I suggest we get some chestnuts and find a place to stand for the carols.

I know it is a bit hard to see from here, but behind the museum and the Spider Box, at the top of the hill is one of the Royal Palaces. We saw earlier that the Royal Family was in residence today. I hope they make it to the caroling tonight.

The Tower Bridge viewed from the Grapes Inn at night.

The Abby viewed from the Crowntree Inn at night.

As has become a village traditiion the magic of Christmas reaches even to this fantasy village of Brighton for just one night each year. The villagers put aside their busy lives and everyone gathers at the town square to partake of the caroling. So, from their homes to yours We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Townsfolk gather to hear the choir sing Christmas carols.

Father Christmas arrives in time for Christmas Morning.

 

Thanks for visiting this year version of Brighton. If you enjoyed your visit, please sign the guestbook at the link below.

My Guestbook

 

Hope to see you at Hauntsville next Halloween and back here next year for a country Christmas on the outskirts of Brighton. If you are looking for the proper URL's for next year's displays just check thecaveonline.com then scroll to the bottom of the page and you will find the current links.